My friend, Sarah found my recent post on the gut interesting and decided that this is what she would want to know:
These questions are from the post: Re-membering the gut: It matters
1.What is the micro biome?
It is a micro eco system in the body that can be influenced even before we are born. The micro biome is affected by our diet as well as our spiritual and mental states and that of our mother and father.
2.It sounds like you define “goodness” as having the correct organisms living within us. Can you explain?
3. The good/benevolent organisms do not cause any harm to the body. While, pathogens in the biome are not beneficial, they create a potentially harmful environment. But the microbiome is complicated. I believe that we do need pathogens to create a balance with the beneficial bacteria. I don’t believe that it is our goal to totally ameliorate harmful micro-organisms, we just need to make sure that the good ones have the most influence in the microbiome. The pathogens in our bodies are like weeds. We need weeds to create stress, so the good bacteria can respond and become stronger. We need a certain amount of stress to survive. When the good bacteria fights back they become stronger.
4. You cross over between the physical and the nonphysical several times in your post about internal flora. How are these connected in relation to the biome?
Mind, body and spirit all interplay in health. They are interdependent. The spirit and mental body can influence the physical. For example, if (one) is feeling hopeless and stressed this can make the individual more vulnerable to disease and pathogenic bacteria overgrowth. In this mental state, they might not be able to fight off a pathogen, which could lead to disequilibrium in the biome.
5. Do you consider the species that live in our biome to be non-human? Why or why not?
If we were to count every cell and micro-organism in our bodies, 10% would be human cells and 90% would not be. Our bodies are mostly water so in that sense we are like the ocean, filled with many different kinds of life—coral, seaweed, and fish, as examples. Another good analogy for our body is a garden.
6. Can you give an example of a decision we might make and how it affects us physically, mentally and spiritually?
Research shows people who meditate on a regular basis develop new neuro-networks/pathways in the brain. Studies also show practicing mindfulness makes people more compassionate. So hypothetically, if you make a decision to meditate you become more kind to others and to yourself. When you become more kind towards yourself you are more aware of the foods you choose and the people you are in relationship with. As a result, you create a potentially beneficial environment for bacteria to reside. If you raise your vibration you will attract more like energy both in your internal and external environment. Of course there are exceptions, seemingly good people get sick—there are unknown factor that we cannot explain in life.
7. Do you think our inner biome is a reflection of our outer relationships, or the other way around or both?
I think, in general, our inner biome is a reflection of our outer relationships, but it is complex. There are very unhealthy people who have positive relationships. I would venture to guess less so the other way around.
8. What is an example of how we can change our genetic code?
Research on genetics shows that our behavior is more important than our genes. We can influence our health outcome more on what we do than what we have inherited. We can also start to be the drivers of what happens in our off spring. If we start a generational shift of good healthy behavior then we can conceivable start to change how the genes are encoded in our offspring. There is an excellent Nova film The Ghost in our Genes that gives good examples with this.
9. If you wrote a book covering the importance of balancing our inner and outer biomes, what would you include in this book?
I would include case studies. Case studies speak to readers. I would also break the subject of inner biomes into the physical, mental and spiritual categories giving examples on how each can influence the individual and the condition of the gut. The case studies would show how dis-ease could be addressed by looking holistically at a client to determine the underlying factors that have contributed to their illness and the best treatment plan to help them find optimal wellness.
These questions are from the post: Re-membering the gut: It matters
1.What is the micro biome?
It is a micro eco system in the body that can be influenced even before we are born. The micro biome is affected by our diet as well as our spiritual and mental states and that of our mother and father.
2.It sounds like you define “goodness” as having the correct organisms living within us. Can you explain?
3. The good/benevolent organisms do not cause any harm to the body. While, pathogens in the biome are not beneficial, they create a potentially harmful environment. But the microbiome is complicated. I believe that we do need pathogens to create a balance with the beneficial bacteria. I don’t believe that it is our goal to totally ameliorate harmful micro-organisms, we just need to make sure that the good ones have the most influence in the microbiome. The pathogens in our bodies are like weeds. We need weeds to create stress, so the good bacteria can respond and become stronger. We need a certain amount of stress to survive. When the good bacteria fights back they become stronger.
4. You cross over between the physical and the nonphysical several times in your post about internal flora. How are these connected in relation to the biome?
Mind, body and spirit all interplay in health. They are interdependent. The spirit and mental body can influence the physical. For example, if (one) is feeling hopeless and stressed this can make the individual more vulnerable to disease and pathogenic bacteria overgrowth. In this mental state, they might not be able to fight off a pathogen, which could lead to disequilibrium in the biome.
5. Do you consider the species that live in our biome to be non-human? Why or why not?
If we were to count every cell and micro-organism in our bodies, 10% would be human cells and 90% would not be. Our bodies are mostly water so in that sense we are like the ocean, filled with many different kinds of life—coral, seaweed, and fish, as examples. Another good analogy for our body is a garden.
6. Can you give an example of a decision we might make and how it affects us physically, mentally and spiritually?
Research shows people who meditate on a regular basis develop new neuro-networks/pathways in the brain. Studies also show practicing mindfulness makes people more compassionate. So hypothetically, if you make a decision to meditate you become more kind to others and to yourself. When you become more kind towards yourself you are more aware of the foods you choose and the people you are in relationship with. As a result, you create a potentially beneficial environment for bacteria to reside. If you raise your vibration you will attract more like energy both in your internal and external environment. Of course there are exceptions, seemingly good people get sick—there are unknown factor that we cannot explain in life.
7. Do you think our inner biome is a reflection of our outer relationships, or the other way around or both?
I think, in general, our inner biome is a reflection of our outer relationships, but it is complex. There are very unhealthy people who have positive relationships. I would venture to guess less so the other way around.
8. What is an example of how we can change our genetic code?
Research on genetics shows that our behavior is more important than our genes. We can influence our health outcome more on what we do than what we have inherited. We can also start to be the drivers of what happens in our off spring. If we start a generational shift of good healthy behavior then we can conceivable start to change how the genes are encoded in our offspring. There is an excellent Nova film The Ghost in our Genes that gives good examples with this.
9. If you wrote a book covering the importance of balancing our inner and outer biomes, what would you include in this book?
I would include case studies. Case studies speak to readers. I would also break the subject of inner biomes into the physical, mental and spiritual categories giving examples on how each can influence the individual and the condition of the gut. The case studies would show how dis-ease could be addressed by looking holistically at a client to determine the underlying factors that have contributed to their illness and the best treatment plan to help them find optimal wellness.
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