Did you know that the bacteria in your gut can migrate across the intestinal barrier, activate immune cells, and cause inflammation throughout your body?
Studies indicate that it is indeed true, however here's what you should know...
Until now, we have been unable to determine which gut microbes breach the intestinal barrier or are most associated with inflammatory disease.
Scientists from Cedars-Sinai and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease have discovered a remarkable new way to measure specific antibodies for gut microbes in human blood serum, without requiring any stool sample. This is an incredible development that will revolutionize how we diagnose intestinal issues.
Recently, these scientists published their findings in Science Translational Medicine - and here's what they had to say:
Researchers collected blood samples from individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and compared the results to those of healthy people.
Scientists developed a cutting-edge approach to measure IgG antibodies against intestinal bacteria in human blood serum.
Through their research, scientists discovered that the immune system specifically targets specific gut bacteria in people with IBD, such as Collinsella, Bifidobacterium, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae.
What does this mean for us?
We now have solid evidence that gut microbes not only permeate the gut barrier, but also provoke an immune response. Furthermore, we have identified the precise microorganisms that are responsible for this in IBD.
This confirms that our current strategy is working and suggests we could be even more precise with treatments in the future.
If you or your family is struggling with an inflammatory illness, functional medicine can provide the most comprehensive medical care and assistance. Functional medicine stands apart from traditional care, providing remarkable outcomes for those struggling with long-term discomfort. This holistic approach can transform your life!
Reference
Vujkovic-Cvijin I, Welles HC, Ha CWY et al. The systemic anti-microbiota IgG repertoire can identify gut bacteria that translocate across gut barrier surfaces. Sci Transl Med. 2022. [link]