Why Is the Gut Microbiome Crucial for Our Health?

“Evidence is mounting that the gut microbiome influences just about every major human disease. These trillions of microbes use our food to generate substances called metabolites that can protect or harm our health, with consequences reaching far beyond our gastrointestinal tracts.”

We already know that the body should be examined in its holistic state, how each organ functions by way of multiple microorganisms, including a massive number of cells, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa—referred to as the microbiota. The microbiome, defined as microorganisms and their genomes, is shown to contain about 100 times more genes than the human genome. Multiple factors affect the microbiota biodiversity, such as diet, stress, pharmaceutical drugs, including antibiotics and mRNA vaccines, but also our relationship with the environment including pesticides, herbicides, other man-made toxins such as forever chemicals that fill our homes, offices and new cars. Our microbiota diversity is also affected by pregnancy and age.

Studies have shown that the lack of microbiota diversity leads to many diseases; autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatism, muscular dystrophy, Hashimoto’s disease, multiple sclerosis and cancer among others. Issues concerning blood coagulation due to lack of vitamin K, and disturbances in the transfer of nerve cells due to lack of vitamin B12. In addition, the microbiota imbalances are involved in a number of conditions such as cancer, memory disorders, depression, stress, autism, and Alzheimer’s disease. “Chronic diseases have become the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, kill 41 million people every year, amounting to 74% of deaths globally. In the U.S., these conditions account for 8 of the top 10 causes of death.”[1]

How on earth do we expect to be healthy when we refuse to incorporate preventive measures to minimize the disease process or prevent them from happening? Then we are surprised by how many people are hooked on pharmaceutical drugs for life, keeping disease suppressed long enough until we are given our next fix. The opioid crisis is a perfect example. If we were to compare the business model of the pharmaceutical drug industry to the business model of prostitution, the drug companies would be the cartel and FDA and Health Canada through the medical system would be the pimps. Just because the Rockefeller’s medical model has been carefully woven over the years to become a part of the fabric of our culture  ̶  the money and power produced keeps the greasy wheels turning  ̶  it sure does not make it right.

The medical community is surely lacking the training on holistic health, including diet and the nutrients from food. Prevention by way of  lifestyle changes, proper sleep, clean food, and how to remove ourselves from toxic exposure. With only one week of nutritional study in medical school, and taught to treat the symptoms of illness rather than understanding the disease, the consequences of not treating the root cause of disease is the result we are witnessing today: disease out of control from infants to seniors. Synthetic chemical drugs have replaced common sense.

Are the so called “smarter compounds” going to help with antibiotic resistance? According to research, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have long been seen as a potential solution to antibiotic resistance, but their clinical use has faced challenges and unmet expectations. These naturally occurring molecules act as a frontline defense against bacteria, targeting the negatively charged surfaces of bacterial membranes and DNA. Unlike conventional antibiotics, AMPs employ multiple mechanisms of action, making them less susceptible to bacterial resistance.

However, AMPs are more suited for controlling microbial balance in the body rather than systemic use. Their design and function focus on managing bacterial populations rather than eliminating them entirely, which helps preserve their effectiveness against resistance. With advancements in “smarter” AMP compounds, experts believe these peptides could play a broader role in clinical practice in the future.[2]

Why is the GI tract important for immunity and how digestive enzymes work?

“Evidence is mounting that the gut microbiome influences just about every major human disease. These trillions of microbes use our food to generate substances called metabolites that can protect or harm our health, with consequences reaching far beyond our gastrointestinal tracts.”[3] The body constantly faces harmful substances like viruses, bacteria, toxins, and parasites, which enter through the skin, lungs, and digestive system. The lymphatic system, particularly in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, plays a key role in defending against these threats. The GI tract contains lymphoid tissue in three main areas: tonsils, the appendix, and Peyer patches in the small intestine; immune cells in the basement membrane (a layer of connective tissue in the intestinal lining); and lymphocytes between cells in the mucosa. Lymphocytes are the main defenders of the immune system and are classified as T cells and B cells. T cells mature in the thymus and can become helper cells (which activate immune responses), suppressor cells (which regulate the immune system), or killer cells (which destroy harmful cells). B cells mature into plasma cells, which produce antibodies called immunoglobulins (Ig) to fight infections.

The most important immunoglobulin in the GI tract is IgA, produced by plasma cells and secreted into the intestine. This “secretory IgA” sticks to harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins, neutralizing them and preventing tissue invasion. Other antibodies, like IgE, help fight parasites and allergic threats. Lymphocytes circulate through lymph vessels, nodes, and the thoracic duct before returning to the intestine and other organs to boost immune defenses. Newborns receive early protection from colostrum, a special antibody-rich fluid in breast milk, until their immune systems adapt to the environment. Over time, the body learns to tolerate harmless substances and mounts stronger immune responses, such as fever and increased white blood cell production, when harmful agents invade.

Digestive enzymes are essential for breaking down food into smaller, absorbable components, ensuring proper digestion. The pancreas produces three main types of digestive enzymes, each with a specific role: amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates into sugars; protease, which breaks down proteins into amino acids; and lipase, which breaks down fats into glycerol and fatty acids. Amylase begins its work in the mouth, where saliva contains a type of amylase called ptyalin, and continues its job in the small intestine with pancreatic amylase. Protease is active in the stomach, where pepsin begins protein breakdown, and in the small intestine, where additional pancreatic enzymes complete the process. Lipase, primarily produced in the pancreas, helps digest fats in the small intestine. A form of lipase is also found in breast milk to support fat digestion in infants.

Several factors can disrupt enzyme activity and reduce digestive efficiency. Health conditions like cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes can impair pancreatic function, leading to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), which affects nutrient absorption. Enzymes can also be blocked by natural or chemical inhibitors, such as antibiotics, which interfere with specific enzyme reactions. Additionally, poor diet and lifestyle choices—like consuming processed foods, excessive alcohol, and lacking proper nutrition—can negatively impact the pancreas, reducing enzyme production and effectiveness. Maintaining a healthy diet and addressing underlying conditions are key to supporting proper enzyme activity and digestive health.

Why most of the digestive enzyme supplements do not work?

Enzyme deficiency can cause poor digestion, leading to symptoms like constipation, bloating, heartburn, and nutrient malabsorption, which can compromise overall health and the immune system. Natural enzyme production declines with age—dropping by 13% every decade—so by age 70, enzyme levels may fall to just one-third of youthful levels. Reduced stomach acid production with age further weakens digestive efficiency, depleting enzyme supplies and limiting the production of metabolic enzymes, which are critical for cellular function. Taking enzyme supplements can help restore digestive balance, improve nutrient absorption, and support immune health, especially as enzyme levels naturally decline over time, but you need to pay attention to which supplements you choose.

Many digestive enzyme supplements have questionable effectiveness due to several key issues. The enzyme dosages in these products are often not in clinically prescribed units, making it difficult to determine the actual amount of each enzyme they contain. Additionally, manufacturers frequently provide unscientific usage instructions, such as recommending that the supplements be taken to build up blood levels, even though these enzymes work in the gut and not the bloodstream. Furthermore, the enzyme levels in these supplements are typically far lower than what is considered clinically useful. And in addition, they lack ox bile, a critical element for those with weakened gall bladders or for those without gall bladders.

Full Spectrum Digestive Enzyme and Laktokhan

Full Spectrum Digestive Enzyme is designed to support the complete breakdown of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and fiber to promote better digestion and blood circulation. This formula includes a variety of enzymes and supporting ingredients, such as amylase, protease, and lipase, which target starch, proteins, and fats, respectively, while others like lactase help with lactose digestion, and bromelain and papain aid protein breakdown and reduce inflammation. Ingredients like peppermint, kale, and chicory root provide additional digestive support by improving bile flow, reducing discomfort, and promoting gut regularity. In addition, those with a poor functioning gallbladder or those who have had their gall bladder removed will greatly benefit by using this enzyme with ox bile. The gallbladder is responsible for storing bile, bile is produced in the liver and released through the gallbladder, if compromised or removed bile produced in the liver is sent to the small intestines for digestion, this severally marginalizes its effectiveness. With ox bile in the formula this digestive enzyme ensures food is broken down into nutrients that the body can absorb and use, beginning in the mouth and continuing through the stomach and small intestine, where most digestion occurs.

Quality is obvious, this has also been proven by a recent testimony. “I do Live and Dry Blood Analysis and see the influence of undigested proteins, fats, salts, and sugar. By using the Full Spectrum Digestive Enzyme, there is a significant improvement in the patient’s symptomatology. Once relief is established by using one cap per day, I have patients take 1-2 caps between meals 1-2 times daily. It cleans up plasma beautifully. I see that enzymes are effective when used this way, as residual or circulating proteins contribute to inflammation, gas, bloating, etc. Once the plasma is clearer, we continue with one or two caps daily between meals and show impressive results.”

Certain clinical trials have found probiotics to be effective for a host of things, from stomach issues to cavity-causing bacteria, however, they emphasized that a good probiotic product should have at least 10 billion bacteria per serving. Our Laktokhan® probiotic contains 10 billion CFU (colony-forming units) of four human strains of “friendly” intestinal microflora: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium longum. These friendly bacteria help keep harmful bacteria from multiplying in our intestines. Antibiotics can kill off healthy bacteria and lead to weakened immunity and intestinal disorders. Laktokhan® restores the balance of good bacteria, thus helping to normalize digestive function and boost immunity. Most of the strains in Laktokhan® can survive intestinal acid and bile, and they implant themselves on specific intestinal receptors, thus contributing to a longer-lasting, consistently beneficial effect. Laktokhan® also contains the prebiotic inulin, feeding only the beneficial bacteria and not the harmful organisms that FOS contributes to. Probiotics are live bacteria and in order for them to continue living, they need to feed, they do when prebiotics are mixed with the probiotics.

There is an intricate interplay between the intestinal microbiota, the intestinal epithelial layer, and the local mucosal immune system. Hippocrates, a physician who lived over 2,000 years ago, recognized as the father of modern medicine stated, “All disease begins in the gut“ he was right, 70–80% of our immune cells are present in the gut.

References:

[1] Mercola, Joseph. 2024.

[2] Davenport, Liam. 2024.

[3] Stewart, Julie. 2024.