The Microbiome

What is the microbiome?

The microbiome is an entire community of microorganisms which live within our gastrointestinal tract (GI), primarily in our intestines. As many as 10-100 trillions of these microbes happily live in our gut. In fact, these organisms significantly outnumber our own body’s cells! They also outnumber our genes at nearly 150:1!

Only now are we truly unlocking the secrets of our inner ecosystem!

Scientists have now shown that the health of the microbiome is fundamentally connected to virtually every disease, as well as all our physiological and metabolic functions. The microbiome is like the conductor and our organs and systems are the orchestra. The microbiome plays an integral role in digestion, assimilation of nutrients, optimal immune function, hormone balance, brain function and mood, as well as metabolism, weight, and much, much more! Historically bacteria have been seen as the “enemy,” however we now know that they are our greatest ally!

Bacteria are the unsung heroes of your gut!

Imbalances in the microbiome have been linked to a number of chronic conditions such as autoimmune conditions, thyroid dysfunction and other hormone imbalances, allergies and asthma, neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline, mood disorders, as well as obesity and other metabolic disorders.

What are common symptoms of microbiome imbalances?

• Gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e., gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, etc.)
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight changes
• Acne, rashes, eczema, or other skin conditions
• Depression
• Joint and muscle pain
• Headaches

And this just names a few. It is not uncommon for unexplained symptoms, which cannot be directly linked to a particular health condition, to be due to underlying imbalances in the gut microbiome.

Why is Microbiome Medicine so revolutionary?

Dr. Raphael Kellman M.D. was a pioneer in the microbiome frontier, and he is often referred to as the “Microbiome Doctor.” Although research into the link between the microbiome and many chronic conditions is new to many in the medical community, this new body of research only solidifies what Dr. Kellman has been saying for years! Dr. Kellman wrote his first book on the microbiome nearly 10 years ago and has been using his expertise in the area of microbiome medicine to successfully treat his patients for decades!

The gut microbiome is the most important modulator of human health. Research has shown that the microbiome is the foundation of healing and human health, as its imbalance is linked to a myriad of conditions. It represents a profound shift in how we think about health, wellness, and illness in medicine.

The practice of microbiome medicine leverages the power of the microbiome and our understanding of interactions and connections to many of the systems of the body to both improve health, as well as prevent disease. This is a revolutionary new approach to health and healing, which has completely transformed the modern approach to medicine.

However, it is an approach which we at the Kellman Wellness Center have been promoting and executing for many years. However, it is an approach which we at the Kellman Wellness Center have been promoting and executing for many years. Healing the microbiome is about more than just diagnosis, it is also about truly understanding how the microbiome works at a deeper level. It’s not about simply reading the results on a diagnostic test but being able to read between the lines to catch the underlying, often missed, markers of inflammation and other dysfunction, which is indicative of imbalances in the gut…even without any GI symptoms.

Further, the cure is about more than just probiotics. Dr. Kellman’s expertise extends to knowing the precise strains of probiotics to address YOUR particular condition, as well prebiotics and postbiotics, which are often not part of the treatment protocols offered at other medical practices, including functional medicine doctors.

Nuture nature’s tiny heroes within…. if you heal them, they will heal YOU!

Cultivating and helping our microbiome to flourish ensures both short and long-term wellness and robust health. 

What does a healthy microbiome give you?

• Properly functioning immune system
  • Nearly 70% of the immune system is located in the gut.
• Healthy gut function, ensuring efficient digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
• Optimal brain function and health
  • Microbiome communicated directly with the brain.
•  Improved metabolism and maintenance of a healthy weight
  • The microbiome is integral to every aspect of the metabolic causes of obesity and weight gain.

This understanding of the microbiome and how it affects our health is having a tremendous impact on people’s lives and their ability to improve their health.

It has been said by a number of researchers that nearly 90% of all diseases can be tracked back to the health of the gut and our microbiome.

What are the common causes of imbalances in the microbiome?

There are aspects of normal daily life that can have detrimental effects on the health of our microbiome.

• Overuse of antibiotics: although antibiotics are love-saving for people dealing with certain infections, they also indiscriminately kill off bacteria, including the beneficial balance of bacteria in our gut. As a society, we have become overly reliant on prescribing antibiotics, even in cases where they are not necessary, and our microbiome and our long-term health suffer the consequences.
• Standard American Diet: proinflammatory foods like packaged, processed foods which contained added sugars, unhealthy fats, refined carbohydrates, and artificial additives, wreak havoc on the gut microbiome.
• Environmental toxins and pollutants: on a daily basis we are exposed to a variety of toxins from the air we breathe, to the cleaning products we use and even the packaging of our food.

All of these things can negatively impact our microbiome and thus our overall health. It is now abundantly clear that the microbiome is the medicine of the future, and the Kellman Wellness Center has been at the forefront of this approach. This not only include superior testing and innovative therapeutic options, but also diet and lifestyle. The Microbiome Diet is also a key element in Dr. Kellman’s approach to Foundational Medicine. This diet works to ensure we are feeding the microbiome the foods it needs to not only survive, but to thrive and it is key to resolving and reversing disease long-term.

Harnessing the power of the microbiome activates and augments the body’s natural ability to heal itself and it is the most powerful way to achieve optimal wellness, as its not just about getting rid of the symptoms and reversing disease, but about improving overall health and vibrancy.

This is what makes the Kellman Wellness Center so unique and so successful at healing our patients.