Gut Microorganism that prevent inflammation

Our Gut microbes have a role to play in causing inflammation. Depending upon our gut microbiome profile, our body either gets nutrients that promote beneficial bacteria or toxins that results in inflammation. It is important we should learn about beneficial microorganisms  that can improve production of short chain fatty acids such as Butyrate that can put chronic diseases at bay.

One of such gut microbes is Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. This butyrate producing bacteria has anti-inflammatory properties that promotes our gut health.

Our body is home to 40 trillion bacterias collectively called as Micro-biome & are a key driving force to maintain & upkeep our health. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is one the most prominent gut bacteria & is considered to be the best candidate for the next generation of probiotics.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii makes around 15% of the total gut microbiome, making it a key ingredient for maintaining overall digestive health. Surprisingly, this microbe forms part of Firmicutes Phylum. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is anaerobic bacteria which means that it cannot survive exposure to oxygen which has made extensive research on this beneficial microbe difficult.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii turns undigested fibre into Butyrate, an essential short chain fatty acid, that improves our satiety level & keeps us full, thereby making this microbe vital for our gut health. Besides, it also has a lot of anti-inflammatory & metabolic functions that makes it an important participant in human health. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii produces a lot of enzymes that break down complex sugar molecules & provides fuel for various metabolic functions. It also modulates the immune system by moderating immune cells through action on T-cells & cytokines. This is relevant since 70% of immune cells are found along gut lining. Also referred to as GALT- gut- associated lymphoid tissue, this provides protection against pathogens which can lead to inflammation. A  balanced gut microbiome contains bacterias such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii that works in tandem with immune cells to prevent inflammation & protect against harmful bacterias that can cause infection

Butyrate maintains the integrity of gut lining that prevents pathogens entering the body via gut. It encourages production of mucin, a protective gel that coats gut lining. The intestinal barrier depends upon T-junction protein that prevents the content of the gut from leaking into the bloodstream. Butyrate strengthens these T-junction proteins by activating AMP activated protein kinase.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii can produce shikimic, an acid commonly found in plants that protects against inflammation caused by release of lipopolysaccharides(LPS). LPS are toxins on the external membrane of bacteria that can activate the immune system & result in inflammation.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii particularly has a role to play in digestive issues. People suffering from digestive disorders are said to have below average Faecalibacterium prausnitzii levels.

Conditions of a high acidic environment suppresses growth of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Research indicates that people suffering from Irritable bowel diseases- ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease have high  acidic tools & as such lacks Faecalibacterium prausnitzii

Presence of high levels of bile salts( used to breakdown fats during digestion) can impact abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. This bile sensitivity explains why people suffering from crohn’s diseases have less abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii also have a role to play in colon cancer. The short chain fatty acid- Butyrate, produced by Faecalibacterium prausnitzii suppresses the life of cancer cells. Patients with colon cancer have less butyrate producing bacteria including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Lower production of butyrate makes cells of our gut lining more susceptible to damage, thereby increasing risk of colon cancer.

Learning about gut bacteria can help know if you have low level of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Take our gut intelligence assessment here & fix up free discovery call to know more.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29566907/