Mark Tager – How to recognize microbiota imbalance?

When the “bad” bacteria begin to outnumber the “good” bacteria in the gut, we have a condition known as dysbiosis. The symptoms of microbiota imbalance can either be localized to the gut – bloating, gas, discomfort, etc. or they can be further reaching into other organs most notably the brain and skin.

The bacteria in the gut produce most of the neurotransmitters that go to the brain as well as other organs. Gut bacteria make Vitamin K and other key nutrients. So it is possible to have mood and/or skin disorders, related to dysbiosis. Another condition related to imbalance is known as SIBO or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This is frequently seen in surgical patients.

Gut microbiome testing is a simple stool analysis that patients can do at home and send into labs for analysis. Results may be sent either to the consumer or to a physician.