Why gut bacteria are becoming key suspects in autoimmune diseases.

[2greys]

The human immune system is powerful and complex. It must be on guard at all times and be able to distinguish friend from foe. Unfortunately, it does not always get it right and sometimes attacks the body’s own cells, causing hundreds of ‘autoimmune’ diseases, from multiple sclerosis (MS) to rheumatoid arthritis.

What causes the immune system to err in this way is not clear, but a growing body of research is looking at the trillions of microbes that share our bodies, known collectively as the microbiome, for an answer.

Studies of twins indicate that lifestyle, or environmental, factors can play a large role in autoimmune diseases.

‘If you just look at the concordance rate in twins (where both twins show the same trait), for instance for MS, it’s only about 30% which is inherited. So the rest must be environment,’ said Professor Markus Kleinewietfeld from the VIB Institute in Belgium.

Many different environmental factors are suspected of affecting the risk of autoimmune conditions, including diet.

horizon-magazine.eu/article...

[HungryHufflepuff]

That’s quite unsettling, as gut bacteria are usually hailed as the great remedy for many of our ailments.I’m not sure if that’s the full article, as you most often give links to a more detailed story, but interesting nonetheless, thank you.

[2greys in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Well spotted, thank you, I missed off the link. Link is now on the article.

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to 2greys]

Thank you 👍

[Alberta56]

Most interesting. Wake up you gut bacteria!!

[Izb1]

The medical profession are looking more into gut health and are now becoming convinced that alot of our health problems are connected to the gut. I saw a few american videos years ago regarding the microbiome and rheumatoid arthritis and made sure that I introduced kefir and bio yoghurts into my diet, especially after antibiotics and keep my salt intake down to a minimum x