Our gut is home to 38 trillion microbes. Two major Phylum of bacteria- Firmicutes & Bacteroidetes constitute 90% of the total gut microbial community. Specifically, Firmicutes are the most important ones, since they play a major role in our metabolic & immune health. There are around 200 different types of bacteria of Phylum Firmicutes. Firmicutes are also important since they play a major role in release of beneficial short chain fatty acids- Butyrate which helps in improving our metabolic health.
In the following paragraphs, we will discuss at length how firmicutes contributed to overall improved gut health & what to eat to help them grow & contribute to release of beneficial SCFA.
Firmicutes play an enabling role in striking a chord between gut & human health. Many of the bacteria in this phylum break down the non-digestible carbohydrates such as fiber & resistant starch which cannot be broken down by our digestive enzymes. This process is known as fermentation. When these bacteria ferment dietary fiber they release metabolites such as Butyrate. Butyrate improves our satiety level, prevents inflammation & fuels the cell along our gut lining, thereby strengthening our gut barrier.
Many members of Firmicutes Phylum are probiotic. One of such important probiotics is Lactobacillus, normally found in yoghurt & various other fermented products. These bacteria also make acetate, another beneficial SCFA. However release of Acetate has to be regulated since it gives signals for insulin release. Besides, bacteria in this phylum also release antibacterial substances that prevent pathogens from attacking our immune system.
On the flipside, this phylum of bacteria also contain pathogens such as Clostridium perfringens that can cause gastrointestinal issues.
Besides Lactobacillus, other bacteria in this phylum that helps in release of Butyrate include Faecalibacterium, Eubacterium, Roseburia, and Anaerostipes. To sum up, Butyrate offers the following benefits:
- Fuels cells on the gut lining
- Stimulates the production of glutathione, a natural antioxidant
- Controls intestinal inflammation and supports a strong gut lining
- Helps prevent cancer by preventing cancer cells from developing
- Encourages the production of hormones for a healthy metabolism, thereby preventing Obesity & type-2 diabetes
As discussed in our previous blog- grain lovers or third enterotype-Ruminococcus, is a part of Firmicutes Phylum. People consuming a lot of resistant starch & dietary fiber tend to feed this bacteria.
However, it is important to note here that excess firmicutes in the gut can influence our body weight. People who are overweight & obese tend to have higher amount of firmicutes & less amount of bacteriodetes in their total gut microbiome composition. The main reason for this is firmicutes can increase energy harvest, leading to fat storage.
If you are experiencing a spike in sugar level & weight gain, probably, your firmicutes is on a higher side & you have less Butyrate producing microbes. Our UP THE GUT solution decodes your gut microbiome composition & provides you personalized dietary recommendations that can improve abundance of butyrate producing microbes. To know more, sign up for our free discovery call here.
