Digestive Bacteria
Akkermansia muciniphila
Akkermansia muciniphila is a generally beneficial bacteria that can reduce obesity, diabetes, and inflammation. However, too much Akkermansia muciniphila can lead to multiple sclerosis. Containing anti-inflammatory properties, Akkermansia muciniphila protects the body from Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, IBD, Autism, and obesity. Able to reduce fat gain and insulin resistance, Akkermansia muciniphila is hard to increase in people. Dr. Brody uses cranberry bean powder, ProbioMax Lean, grapes, green tea, and intermittent fasting to increase Akkermansia spp. in his patients.
Anaerotruncus colihominis
Anaerotruncus colihominis and company are strictly anaerobic bacteria (i.e. don’t like O2) that can be found in some stools. This wacky bacteria likes to consume tryptophan, and can convert it into indole. This process can cause food to rot in the gut instead of breaking down, and can lead to dysbiosis. Luckily, the Indican test can check for indole, allowing us to catch this process early on. This bad bug is also responsible for making TMAO (trimethylamine-n-oxide), a chemical that can cause inflammation in the heart’s arteries, a bad combination with cholesterol build up. The good news is that walnuts and a chemical found in green tea and flush this bug out.
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium is a helpful class of bacteria, especially for Blood Type A’s. Probiotics often include Bifidobacter spp. to improve the digestive system and microbiome. Individuals with ulcerative colitis typically use these probiotics to help fight off their disease.
Clostridium clostridioforme
Clostridium clostridioforme is an anaerobic bacteria that can be found in the digestive tract. High levels of this bacteria are associated with inflammatory bowel diseases. C. clostridioforme can also induce histamine intolerance, which can be an underlying factor in hydrogen sulfide-based SIBO, or Intestinal Sulfide Overproduction (ISO). However, the histamine intolerance and related symptoms are all secondary to a dysbiotic and imbalanced gut. To learn more, please click the link below.
Collinsella aerofaciens
Collinsella spp. is a generally harmful bacteria, there is some research it could be helpful but not enough to act as proof. Typically found in a digestive tract with high levels of inflammation, Collinsella spp. can cause leaky gut or malabsorption, letting substances pass through the intestinal lining and into the bloodstream. This activates the immune system and can create digestive or autoimmune disorders. Collinsella spp. also influences the production of IL17A, CXCL1, and CXCL5 while can trigger the immune system and cause inflammation. Associated with rheumatoid arthritis, Collinsella aerofaciens also produces Trimethylamine N-oxide aka TMAO. TMAO is a chemical that can prevent the removal of cholesterol from cells and artery walls that can also be found in red meat and energy drinks. Sleep deprivation and a whole grain diet can both cause increases in Collinsella spp. Collinsella spp. can be reduced with cooked navy beans and Lactobacillus reuteri.
Desulfovibrio desulfuricans
Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. This destructive bacteria creates a chemical called volcano gas. This hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria can cause burning bladder pain, burps, and horrendous gas. This bacteria is the one that stops orthodox SIBO protocols from working and needs a specific treatment plan. As of August 2024, an overgrowth of hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria is known as Intestinal Sulfide Overproduction, or ISO.
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a generally beneficial bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate. Having a low level of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii can cause IBD, or Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The amino acid butyrate helps heal the large intestine. Dr. Brody often utilizes this bacteria to help patients who suffer from leaky gut or malabsorption. This bacteria is found with higher prevalence in Blood Type A’s, which could be linked to a lower risk of IBD among BTAs. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii can be increased by taking arabinogalactan powder, riboflavin, and the Blood Type A sugar–glucosamine.
Kluyvera spp.
Kluyvera spp. is a generally harmful bacteria, known for causing “opportunistic infections” in patients that have weakened immune systems. Patients suffering from IBD tend to have a higher level of Kluyvera spp., which thrives in inflamed guts. Pomegranate and the amino acid phenylalanine both inhibit Kluyvera spp., whereas aspartame, seryne, prolyne, and glutamic acid all enhance the bacteria. Contaminated water, soil, and sewage can all house Kluyvera spp.
Methanobrevibacter smithii
Methanobrevibacter smithii. This bacteria produces a lovely manure smell when it takes root in the digestive tract. This bacteria likes to produce methane gas while it is wreaking havoc, and can cause Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth, aka IMO.
Providencia spp.
Providencia spp. This bacteria genus has a little tail that it likes to travel around with. Most species of this bacteria produce indole as a byproduct, which can be converted to Indican. Different species of this bacteria can often be found in the stools associated with diarrhea and other contaminated sources. The good news is that this bacteria can be reduced with some good old-fashioned pomegranate.
Ruminococcus spp.
Ruminococcus spp. This genus of bacteria is found in many different goofy animals, and certain species (R. albus, R. callidus, and R. bromii) are found in very low numbers in people with Inflammatory Bowels Diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis. But one crazy species called R. gnavushas has some research linking it to the dreaded Crohn’s disease.
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