Photo: The Invisible Extinction
There’s a war going on inside our bodies.
The human gut microbiome — bacteria and other microorganisms living in our gut that are essential for our survival — are endangered. Overuse of antibiotics, elective C-sections and processed foods are just some of the factors that are killing off these bacteria that we need to live healthy lives.
In the new documentary filmThe Invisible Extinction,Dr. Martin BlaserandDr. Gloria Dominguez-Bellogo on a quest to save the microbiome. They spoke with PEOPLE about the important work they are doing to better understand and preserve this essential part of life.
What is a microbiomeand why is it so important?
Dr. Martin Blaser: The microbiome is all the microbes that live in and on the human body. It performs essential functions for us. It helps us digest our food. It makes vitamins. It protects us against invaders. It trains our immune system. So when we eat, we are nourishing both our human cells and also our microbial cells. Most of them are in the gut, but there are also microbes on our skin, mouth and the vagina.
Where did it originate?
Dr. Gloria Dominguez-Bello: We co-evolved with it. Every living complex organism on earth, including animals and plants, has associated microbes because bacteria was the first form of life on Earth. We have always co-evolved with bacteria. The microbiome is a name for the diverse microbes that have co-evolved with hosts (in this case, humans).
Why do you study the microbiomes of people who live in the Amazon?
How are stool samples used in the clinic?
Dr. Martin Blaser: Here’s one example: There’s a bad infection called C. diff that involves the gastrointestinal tract. The microbes in the gut are very abnormal and can get out of control. It kills more than 20,000 people a year in the United States. And a number of years ago, it was found that if you gave those sick people healthy, normal poop back into their system — known as a fecal matter transplant — those people could be cured. It established the principle that if you can normalize the microbiome, you can cure a disease. And so, people have been trying that for many other diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, liver diseases, diabetes and autism as well.
Tell us more about the possible link between the microbiome and autism.
Dr. Martin Blaser: We know that the rate of autism has gone up dramatically over the last 80 years. And it’s a disease of early life — it manifests within the first couple years. And so we are interested in the idea that the early life microbiome, as it forms, has a connection with the brain. We know that the microbiome is talking to the brain. And so, a number of investigators have been interested in the idea that maybe an abnormal early life gut microbiome is having an altered conversation with the brain, and it’s changing brain development.
The Invisible Extinction
Why are antibiotics such a problem?
It’s been long recognized in the medical profession that we’re overusing antibiotics. The CDC has estimated that about a third of all antibiotic uses are unnecessary, but many scientists believe is much higher. Take ear infections, for example. We know that viruses cause 70 to 80% of all the ear infections. Those are viral infections that do not need antibiotics. But when kids go to the doctor for an ear infection, a huge percentage walk out of the doctor’s office with a prescription for an antibiotic.
Why are C-sections part of this story?
How does processed food play a role in the microbiome?
What can we do about this problem?
Dr. Martin Glaser: People should not be pressuring their doctor to give them antibiotics because there is a cost involved. They need to go to a doctor not to get a prescription, but to get a careful examination and an evaluation. The doctor may say, “Okay, this is really severe. You need an antibiotic,” or “This isn’t too bad. Let’s give it some time and see what happens.” And if the doctor prescribes the antibiotic, they should say, “Are you certain that we need it? Could we do without getting an antibiotic this time and wait a while?” And societally, we have to develop better diagnostic tests so we can tell if a child has a viral infection or a bacterial infection. We have to develop new antibiotics that are narrow spectrum, that don’t have a lot of collateral damage that are killing every bacterium inside. And then of course they should try to eat more fiber and fewer processed foods, and think carefully about having an elective C-section.
What do scientists hope to achieve?
The Invisible Extinctionopens in NY and LA on January 6 and will be available On Demand.
source: people.com
