By now, most people know that the bugs in our gut
modulate many different functions in our bodies. As I previously wrote, good microflora has the following roles:
- They
manufacture B-vitamins, such as biotin, niacin (B3), pyridoxine
(B6) and folic acid. - They
act as anti-carcinogenic (anti-cancer) factors with powerful
anti-tumour potentials. - They
act as ‘watchdogs’ by keeping an eye on and effectively controlling,
the spread of undesirable microorganisms. - They
effectively help to control high cholesterol levels. - They
sometimes act to relieve the symptoms of anxiety. - They
play a role in protecting against the negative effects of radiation and
toxic pollutants, enhancing immune function. - They
help considerably to enhance bowel function. Where bowel bacteria are
absent, the amount of time it takes for food to pass completely through
the system is increased. - About
60 percent of the circulating female hormones such as estrogen are
excreted into the GI tract in the bile. (That is, probiotics help remove
inflammatory hormones and prevent their recirculation)
Now, it seems these little critters play a role in
gluten sensitivity and can be harmed by consuming genetically modified
organisms (GMOs).
Beneficial
Microbes May Help Breakdown Gluten Peptides
A recent study aimed to isolate and characterize the
human gut bacteria involved in the metabolism of gluten proteins and concluded
that 94 strains of bacteria, mostly in phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria
(Lactobacillius, Sterptococcus, Staphlyococcus, Clostridium, and
Bifidobacterium), could play a role in gluten metabolism and possible treatment
for celiac disease.
I love European researchers; they spell celiac,
“coeliac”. Anyway, I digress. According to the researchers:
Twenty-two
human faecal samples were cultured with gluten as the principal nitrogen
source, and 144 strains belonging to 35 bacterial species that may be involved
in gluten metabolism in the human gut were isolated. Interestingly, 94 strains
were able to metabolise gluten, 61 strains showed an extracellular proteolytic
activity against gluten proteins, and several strains showed a peptidasic
activity towards the 33-mer peptide, an immunogenic peptide in patients with
coeliac disease.
Source: Alberto Caminero, Alexandra R Herrán, Esther
Nistal, Jenifer Pérez-Andrés, Luis Vaquero, Santiago Vivas, José María G Ruiz
de Morales, Silvia M Albillos, Javier Casqueiro. Diversity of the cultivable
human gut microbiome involved in gluten metabolism: isolation of microorganisms
with potential interest for coeliac disease. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2014 Feb 6. Epub
2014 Feb 6. PMID: 24499426.
Gluten
and GMOs Contribute to Bad Bacteria in Gut
According to Sayer Ji, nutritional guru and founder of
GreenMedInfo.com, our microbiome may therefore play a role in this variability
to gluten response. Furthermore, the exposure to GMO foods modulate our
microbiome in undesirable ways, hence demonstrating the gluten-GMOs-gut bug
connection. He concludes:
Another
provocative finding of the study is that some of the strains capable of
breaking down the more immunotoxic peptides in wheat, including the 33 amino
acid long peptide known as 33-mer, are highly pathogenic, such as Clostridium
botulinum – the bacteria that is capable of producing botulism. As we discussed
in a previous article on Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide (glyphosate)
contributing to the overgrowth of this pathogenic strain of bacteria in animals
exposed to GMO feed.
Source:Ji,
S. Why Eating Wheat and GMOs Will Destroy Your Health. GreenMedInfo.com. May 5,
2014.)
Does this mean we can all take probitoics and go on
eating gluten?
I wish. Remember, I’m half Italian and love my pasta!
See, most people are exposed to too many chemicals and stressors to be able to
turn around an immune response with the pop of a magic bug pill.
What it does mean is we need to do all the right things
to prevent our body from over-responding to foods that trigger us by making
good bugs in our body feel at home. This means avoiding chemical exposures and
decreasing their effects (think thieves oil), reducing inflammatory mediators
in our life, modulating stress, and eating whole, unprocessed (organic) foods.
This leads to the question….
Are Organics Really Better for Us?
The Emotional Connection to Food
Say you feel an emotional or
physical connection to gluten or a processed treat. Eliminating it straight off
the bat may not be something you’re willing to do. In this instance, it’s time
to look deeper and start by REPLACING the “treat” with the good foods your body
is starving for. (Did you know cravings may be a sign of a deficient diet?)
Once you feel good and start
taking care of yourself with nourishment, you may find yourself naturally
weaning off processed foods and gluten.
That doesn’t work, either?
Then, it’s time to seek out someone who can evaluate your biochemistry and
brain neurotransmitter levels to see why your actions are trumping your own
choices and willpower.
