The Causes of Intestinal Dysbiosis: A Review

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:   Frankp@chiro.org

Alternative Medicine Review 2004 (Jun);   9 (2):   180–197 ~ FULL TEXT

Hawrelak JA, Myers SP

PhD Candidate, Intestinal Micro-ecology, Southern Cross University's School of Natural and Complementary Medicine and the Australian Centre for Complementary Medicine Education and Research. Correspondence address: School of Natural and Complementary Medicine, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore NSW, Australia 2480 E-mail: jhawre10@scu.edu.au

Alterations in the bowel flora and its activities are now believed to be contributing factors to many chronic and degenerative diseases. Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis have all been linked to alterations in the intestinal microflora. The intestinal dysbiosis hypothesis suggests a number of factors associated with modern Western living have a detrimental impact on the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. Factors such as antibiotics, psychological and physical stress, and certain dietary components have been found to contribute to intestinal dysbiosis. If these causes can be eliminated or at least attenuated then treatments aimed at manipulating the microflora may be more successful.

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