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The Body Is a Garden | Physically Spiritual

Updated: Oct 21, 2021

There are more microorganisms in the body than there are known stars in our galaxy. These little creatures are responsible for helping the body function properly and influence thoughts and feelings. In this episode, we discuss the body's microbiomes.

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Catch up on previous episodes in this series:

Every Cell Remembers (Epigenetics) - https://www.becominggift.com/post/every-cell

The Tiger in Your Inbox (Polyvagal Theory) - https://www.becominggift.com/post/tiger


Headings

3:15 - The Microbiomes

5:00 - The Gut-Brain

6:00 - Types of Microorganisms

7:15 - The Gut and the Immune System

9:00 - Becoming a Poor Host to Disease

11:45 - How to be Healthy

14:00 - Food and the Microbiome

21:30 - What Goes Wrong

26:00 - Improving Gut Health

35:00 - Theology and the Microbiome


Notes


Microbiomes = The colonies of microorganisms that take up residence throughout the human body.


The Enteric Nervous System = the mesh-like system of neurons that governs the function of the gastrointestinal tract and is part of the autonomic nervous system.


Categories of Microorganisms

  • Symbiotic = Microorganisms that are helpful.

  • Commensal = Microorganisms that do not have a direct positive effect, but fill space preventing parasitic organisms from populating the gut.

  • Parasitic = Microorganisms that are harmful



ERROR - At 8:30 I mistakenly identified Oxytocin as a chemical that is created in the gut microbiome. While there is some evidence that the microbiome has an effect on Oxytocin (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0074774216301180), I am not aware of evidence that it is produced in the microbiome. Serotonin is the chemical that is largely produced by the gut - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/292693


“Is what I am doing compatible with what my body expects? [...] There are certain conditions that brought the human body to be what it is. If we are living in a way that is compatible with what our body expects, our body flourishes. If we live in a way that is incompatible with what our body expects, then it produces disease.”


Phytochemicals = chemicals originating in plants that are not essential nutrients but


Probiotics = Food or supplements that add symbiotic bacteria to the microbiome

Prebiotics = Food that feeds and promotes the growth of the symbiotic and commensal microbes


Examples of Problems

Dysbiosis = microbial imbalance or maladaptation on or inside the body

SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth) - https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/sibo-overview-what-is-it


How to Improve Gut Health

  • Eat whole, natural foods

  • Consume pre and probiotics

  • Sleep a lot and well

  • Exercise regularly

  • Manage and limit stress

“The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity. Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man's dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2415.


Support Physically Spiritual by joining the Totus Tuus Community at physicallyspiritual.com

Watch on Youtube or Facebook

Please leave a review, like, follow, and subscribe to help others find the Podcast!

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