You might read that title and think I’m a little weird. But, by the end of this post, you’ll be thankful for the lil fellas, too. (Though you may still think I’m weird.)

A few years ago, I was having some digestive issues. (Nothing major.) I don’t remember the details — probably just as well — and I’m not even sure if I brought up the topic first or my doctor did. In any case, he encouraged me to take probiotics, specifically acidophilus, to supplement my natural gut bacteria. Sure enough, the problem eased, and I have been taking probiotics ever since.

Humans are host to many species of bacteria in their gut(s). As scientists are discovering, these microbes provide a multitude of benefits, including but not limited to general digestive health and even brain health. For example, studies a few years ago indicated that a handful of bacterial species that inhabit the human gut may protect against weight gain. Specifically, those “richly endowed with anti-inflammatory bacterial species in their gut were much less likely to be plagued by obesity.”

Another study concluded that long-term dietary habits may impact the gene count of gut bacteria in humans. RTB’s Hugh Ross observed, “[G]iven that humans depend on gut bacteria for metabolism that allows for all human activities, it would be prudent to use a measure of control over the ideal microbiome by maintaining healthy diets.” Krista Bontrager added in a follow-up article,

“Dr. Ross suggests that emerging human gut bacteria research may also reveal a new area of supernatural design and how our microbiome must be fine-tuned for optimal health…. The daily diet of most Americans is high in processed grains, sugar, beef, and prepackaged foods. However, a diet closer to that of the ancient Jews would actually be much better for preserving the health of gut bacteria.”

In a subsequent article by Ross, he mentioned several more functions of gut bacteria:

“Now, new research shows the likelihood that gut intestinal microbiota influence brain development and neurological behavior. These studies follow previous findings that demonstrated that mammals raised in sterile, germ-free conditions exhibited negative behaviors resulting from impaired brain physiology and neurochemistry.”

Here are some findings from other studies Ross referenced:

• Gut microbes influence our brains through certain hormones, immune system molecules, and metabolites they produce. For example, residents of Walkerton, Canada, ingested contaminated drinking water for only a short period of time, but it severely damaged their gut bacteria. They suffered widespread depression and anxiety disorders that persisted for eight years.
• Certain gut microbes break down complex carbohydrates to produce the fatty acid butyrate, which strengthens the blood-brain barrier.
• Disruption of the brain-gut-microbiota axis likely contributes to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
• Gut microbes directly alter neurotransmitter levels. Specifically, this study showed that certain metabolites from gut microbes promote serotonin production.
• The health condition of gut microbiota during the host’s early development might affect neurodevelopment, especially in males, which has touched off speculation about autism disorders.
• In at least one part of the brain, gut microbes influence the formation of the fatty sheathings that insulate nerve fibers.
• There is a probable link between multiple sclerosis and the disabling of a metabolite produced by certain types of gut bacteria.

[References to the studies are in the original article.]

RTB’s A.J. Roberts reported on a few additional studies that came out in 2016, “highlight[ing] the critical importance of the proper microbiota for early development.” In a Washington University study, microbiota transferred from malnourished children to special germfree mice caused the young mice to have stunted growth. They also “identified two specific types of bacteria in [] healthy children’s microbiota that could restore normal growth. These findings suggest that the proper identification of bacterial taxa that contribute to human growth and development might one day provide a probiotic intervention for addressing malnutrition.”

A research group in France conducted similar studies, wherein both normal and germfree mice were fed a nutrient-rich diet, but the normal mice were injected with added microbiota. The normal mice grew normally, while the germfree mice were stunted. This was “linked to a reduction in a particular hormone (insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1) that promotes organ and systemic growth in normal development.” The stunted mice were then switched to a depleted diet but injected with microbiota, which “helped sustain hormonal levels and postnatal growth. In fact, a single specific type of bacteria, L. plantarum, restored IGF-1 levels in germfree mice and supported postnatal growth. These experiments show that even in situations of acute malnutrition (a depleted diet), a proper microbiota contributes to growth and development.”

Finally, a third study involved mice, pigs, and sialylated bovine milk oligosaccharides (S-BMO) — a bioactive substance that substitutes for human milk oligosaccharides (complex sugars). Even in the presence of an unhealthy child’s microbiota, those milk oligosaccharides “can help restore growth and actually compensate for undernourishment. Although the researchers were unable to link these growth effects to specific bacteria, they were able to point to a bacterial species that is able to metabolize S-BMO-derived sialyllactose to its constituent monosaccharides, which would then be available for use by the host and to other bacteria beneficial to the host…. Much more study is needed to identify the beneficial bacteria and their complex interdependencies relevant for human growth and development.”

[References to the studies are in the original article.]

Roberts adds,

“It’s fascinating that key components to nutritional development (like milk-based complex sugars) are dependent on gut microbes for metabolism. It seems our Creator designed gut microbes to work in complex systems that benefit humanity even in less than ideal nutritional circumstances. My mom had it right all along: Drink your milk — but ask for it with a shot of (good) bacteria, too!”

So, this coming Thanksgiving, as you sit around talking or watching TV or whatever after eating way too much at dinner — and as you wait until you have digested enough to begin Round 2 –, you can thank God for your gut bacteria. You can “thank” your gut bacteria by eating a healthier, more balanced diet for the next 12 months — or, at least, until the Christmas feast. You might also want to start taking some probiotics (after checking with your doctor, of course).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tags: A.J. Roberts, bacteria, brain health, digestive health, fighting malnutrition, fighting obesity, gut microbes, healthy diet, Hugh Ross, Intelligent Design, metabolism, microbiome, microbiota, natal development, neurochemistry, probiotics, RTB

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