T
TheBeard
Guest
Your observations are based on mainstream perversions of what immunity constitutes. What does immunity constitute? Inflammatory response, no thanks, antibodies? I'll pass. If your body is reacting in that way you've already bypassed several safety systems. Truly healthy immune function may be observed in a child. Very little inflammatory response due to high metabolic rate. High thyroid, high protective sterol production, high state of respiration.
Perhaps. Defining a 'healthy' microbiome may be problematic though. Microbiota will vary immensley depending on environment, food choices, stress to name but a few potential factors.
A quick search for 'progesterone protects gut mucosa' yields several studies showing progesterone to exert a positive effect on gut barrier function. DHEA the same. Ray is clear on this. Thyroid and all the downsream hormones which emanate from it are broadly protective for all tissues including for the gut. Several studies show IBD sufferers to elicit increased cortisol response. There are also several studies showing benefit to IBD from preg, prog and DHEA. I wouldn't be so quick to write off Ray or Haidut's stance on this, it's obviously a very complex topic.
IMO overall bacteria count should be kept low to keep endotoxin to a minimum. But I also believe having a bifidobacteria dominant colon is desirable and being germ free is impossible. It seems logical to me that if having some bacteria in the colon is unavoidable, then the bacteria which are present should at least confer something beneficial to the host. Whether this is a symbiotic relationship which has been developed with the bacteria or in spite of them is open for debate. Are the bacteria producing beneficial substances (b vits, vit k2, short chain fatty acids) for our use or for their own selfish reasons and we just happen to get some benefit? Tough one to call.
Couldn't have said it better, well thought post.