The Physiological Response to Dysbiosis Impacting the Immune, Endocrine and Nervous Systems

The gastrointestinal network encompasses 100 trillion microbes that perform countless vital roles for the human body. These microbes impact the functioning of the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems. The gut releases several hormones, neurotransmitters, and cytokines based upon the stimuli from the enteric nervous system as well as nutrients that enter the gut. Factors surrounding development, such as: breast feeding vs formula, vaginal vs cesarean section delivery, and intrauterine or infant antibiotic use also play a role in the development and homeostasis of the microbiome. Several triggers within our environment contribute to the stress placed on the homeostasis of our microbiome. Psychological, traumatic, hormonal, environmental, physical, chemical and infectious stressors disrupt the natural balance within the microbiome. This often results in impaired gut barrier function, leading to increased permeation of toxins and inflammatory cytokines into systemic circulation. As these inflammatory mediators enter circulation, they can impair the other barrier systems within the body, such as the blood brain barrier, impacting cognitive function.