Dr. Ruscio Radio, DC: Health, Nutrition and Functional Healthcare Dysbiosis or Adaptation: How Stable is the Gut Microbiome?
Apr 29, 2020
Dr. Tom Guilliams, a researcher and clinician focused on gut microbiota, joins to discuss his latest paper on microbiome stability. He highlights that changes in stool tests might indicate deeper issues rather than the root cause of symptoms. Diet and lifestyle significantly impact gut adaptability, with an emphasis on nurturing a responsive microbiome. The conversation also covers the limitations of stool testing, advocating for a symptom-first clinical approach, and the importance of diverse microbial exposure for gut health.
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Test Results Often Mirror Symptoms
- Stool microbiota results are often not clinically actionable and reflect downstream effects rather than causes.
- Improve symptoms (stool frequency/consistency) first, and test changes will often follow.
Stool Doesn't Represent The Small Intestine
- Stool testing poorly reflects the small intestine and its immune interactions.
- The colon acts mainly as a fermentation vessel and won't show small-intestine dynamics.
Fix Transit Time Before Chasing Microbiome Tests
- Record and normalize bowel transit using measures like the Bristol stool scale before over-interpreting microbiome maps.
- Focus on diet, fiber, and transit adjustments to improve microbiota indirectly.
