The dysbiosis literally means a collapse that occurs in tender proportion of numerous microorganisms constituting the microbiota along with its connection of human body. Involving an unbalanced nutrition, antibiotic use and genetic traits, but mostly multiple reasons, these are some elements inducing to dysbiosis. Researches have recently shown that the dysbiosis of the widely analyzed microbiota that is the gut microbiota is related to several diseases such as obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic sinusitis and eczema in addition to other microbiotas like pulmonary, vaginal or skin microbiota.

On the other hand, how does the microbiota become deteriorated? What kinds of factors does the dysbiosis cause on our body? Is it possible for us to level the microbiota?

Dysbiosis from the ground up: the gut microbiota

The gut microbiota containing more than 1000 different microorganism types including viruses, fungi and bacteria is actually the core microbiota of our body. Involving the widely-known “good bacteria” lactobacilli, the Firmicutes group and the Bacteroidetes group unitedly constitute 70-90% of the bacteria in our gut flora. Additionally, there are Actinobacteria including bifidobacterial in the microbiota of our body, which has various useful effects for us. However, there are also other microorganisms that may cause us to become sick, which are referred to as “-” even though they are a few in number. The dysbiosis comprises one or more facts that are listed below:

  • An important alteration in the ratio of crucial bacterial families, especially a loss of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria

  • An element, or multiple ones, causing a decrease or complete loss of the beneficial microorganisms living in our microbiota that is also known as “commensal” microorganisms

  • Decreased diversity of the microorganisms that are present in the microbiota, which is actually indicative of reduced different species;

  • Occurrence of the growth of likely pathogenic microorganisms in the microbiota.

Consequently, this deteriorates the microbiota and allows the “bad” bacteria to surpass the “good” bacteria. 2 Thus, the microbiota becomes less effective to defend the body against attacks as well as to fulfill its vital functions associated with our health and well-being

Peerless imbalance of our microbiota

The combination of our microbiota, which is affected by our genetic traits and the microorganism having colonized our body at the beginning of our life, is unique to every one of us, and therefore, dysbiosis does not mean a universal label that can be used for any person in any condition. Being viewed as living organisms that are too tiny to spot by naked eye, the microorganisms embody viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, archaea and so forth, all together considered as microbes.

Like our fingerprints, the microbiota differing substantially from one person to another is particular to every other one of us and is able to change relying on our age, level of stress, diet, health in addition to place we live in and the medications we continuously take. 8 Once the microbiota is unbalanced and not able to fulfill properly in our body, every person goes through the dysbiosis in a different and specific way.

What does a balanced microbiota mean?

The prefixes of eu- meaning “good” or sym- meaning “with” are the opposite of dys- in dysbiosis, therefore, “eubiosis” or “symbiosis” means a healthy microbiota functioning in harmony with our body and its microbial community.

Microorganism that are part of our microbiota benefit our bodies in a mutually beneficial way. In addition to providing “bed and board” for the microorganisms, the body supports multiple other vital functions such as nutrient absorption, digestion, providing impermeableness of the intestinal wall and defending against undesirable germs. All behaves in harmony!

What are the causes of dysbiosis?

A variety of different and usually interconnected circumstances can lead to dysbiosis, as presented in its definition. 5 Among these circumstances, the following can be listed:

Circumstances associated with the individual like:

  • Genetics; 1

  • Age; 11

  • Precise disease and injuries; 1

Circumstances associated with the individual’s environment like:

  • Use of medication: antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, etc.; 2,5

  • Infections; 12

  • Lifestyle habits: imbalanced diet or changes in diet, stress, smoking, poor hygiene, etc.; 1,5,8

  • Pollution. 8

 

Antibiotics: unreplaceable; however, deteriorating for the microbiota

Infections: during the attacks of microbes!

Diet: individual nutrition habit for a balanced microbiota

Antibiotics

Despite saving more than thousands of lives, the antibiotics have caused dangerous health risks, particularly antibiotic resistance and microbiota dysbiosis, due to immoderate and improper use. To make antimicrobial resistance more visible, the WHO organizes the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) every year. What is the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week?

How can the microbiota be rebalanced?

It is thought that the microbiota has the ability to naturally regenerate its original balance following an episode of dysbiosis; however, it may not have the exact same combination as before, which is called resilience. 20 Sometimes, though, re-biosis or the return of microbial balance may take up to 6 months even in healthy adults who take antibiotics. 21 There is risk that dysbiosis will ultimately lead to a self-sustaining long-term persisting imbalance and, as a result, the microbiota may never become normal again, causing health problems. 1

Is the dysbiosis a cause or a result of disease?

The microbiotas of sick and healthy people have been compared in various researches, which found that the dysbiosis is linked to chronic conditions along with intestinal diseases such as IBS and Chron’s disease in addition to obesity, asthma, allergies and specific cancers. However, it is unknown whether the dysbiosis is a cause of the disease or caused by the disease. Scientists still cannot solve this dilemma, but many studies are being conduct to figure this out.

A comprehensive research project, Homo symbiosus, was initiated in 2019, which targets to shed light on the reasons and mechanisms behind why and how so many chronic diseases are related to gut dysbiosis. Inflammation, gut dysbiosis and weakened intestinal walls are all a consequence of a mutually-sustaining process, according to the scientists.

Specific dysbiosis and diseases for each microbiota

There is evidence to suggest that the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota plays a role in many health conditions involving gastrointestinal, allergic23, metabolic22 and even mental diseases. In addition to skin25 and urinary tract26, vagina27, mouth28 and lungs29, there are other microbial ecosystems in the human body that can become imbalanced and cause certain diseases.