CHECK Magazin - Gesundheitsmagazin für Männer No.12

Please explain to me again very briefly what
the term “microbiome” means exactly. It has
been haunting the media for some time now.
Ramona: The term microbiome describes all of
the microorganisms that live in and on an organism.
So all bacteria, viruses, fungi and whatever else that
creeps around. The gut microbiome is the name given
to the specific bacterial population in the gut.
And what do I need my gut
microbiome for?
Hamide: The microorganisms in the intestine
are involved in practically all important bodily functions.
They not only influence the entire metabolism,
but also the immune system, hormone balance, sleep
rhythm, skin condition and much more. Of course,
they are also responsible for digestion. They break
down and process our food and extract nutrients
and energy from it. They produce various vitamins,
neutralise toxic substances and prevent the spread of
pathogenic germs.
I wasn’t really aware that my gut exerts so
much power. All I think about most of the
time is that it’s digesting my food and unnecessarily
increasing my fat deposits. How
come we’re only now starting to talk about
such an important topic?
Ramona: Due to our changing lifestyle –
more and more stress, unhealthy nutrition, increased
use of antibiotics and generally increased use of
drugs – our metabolism is becoming more and more
stressed and the symptoms of a disturbed intestinal
microbiome are increasing.
This brings more focus to the role that gut bacteria
play in our health. Research is being carried out
more intensively and in various disciplines, and the
findings from these studies are slowly finding their
way into the usual treatment approaches and in the
advice given in our pharmacy.
Embodied knowledge
What symptoms do I get when my gut
microbiome is bad?
Hamide: The most well-known symptom is
the infamous diarrhoea during or after antibiotic
therapy. Unfortunately, antibiotics cannot distinguish
between the different strains of bacteria and
always also attack our “good” intestinal bacteria. But
abdominal pain, flatulence, constipation and diarrhoea
in connection with antibiotic administration
are also classic symptoms of a disturbed microbiome.
Food intolerances such as lactose, fructose or gluten
intolerance are just as much symptoms of a damaged
intestinal microbiome as nausea or allergic reactions
after eating certain foods. In the case of histamine
intolerance, for example, which triggers symptoms
similar to those of an allergy, the balance between
the individual bacterial strains of the microbiome is
disturbed, among other things.
It is now known that problems such as insomnia,
exhaustion, headaches, skin blemishes, frequent
infections, depression and asthma, among other
things, can be related to a disturbed intestinal microbiome
or are aggravated by it. With such symptoms,
however, the intestines are usually the last thing one
thinks of when researching the cause.
That’s intense. So what can I do to protect my
intestinal dwellers?
Ramona: Unfortunately, the unpopular
recommendations to eat healthily and get enough
exercise are also good starting points here.
Unprocessed foods, vegetables, whole grains and
fruit stimulate bowel activity, while large amounts
of sugar, alcohol, fat and preservatives damage the
gut. Drinking enough water and learning relaxation
methods to counter stress and hectic everyday
life also helps to keep the intestinal microbiome
in balance. When it comes to painkillers, tranquillisers
or antacids, responsible self- medication is
important.
→
“Due to our changing lifestyle, our metabolism
is becoming more and more burdened and the
symptoms of a disturbed intestinal microbiome
are increasing.”
49 CHECK MAG #12