Gut Dysbiosis: Symptoms. Diagnosis, Causes & Treatment

Gut dysbiosis is an imbalance in the growth of microorganisms that are naturally found in the intestine. This imbalance can cause symptoms such as nausea, excess gas, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea or even constipation in some cases.

Imbalances in the intestinal flora, also referred to as the intestinal microbiota, are mainly caused by a high-protein and high-fat diet that is low in fiber. It can also be a consequence of stress or the use of certain medications.

If you suspect you may have gut dysbiosis, you are advised to consult a gastroenterologist. Treatment may involve diet changes, optimizing health and the using of food supplements that contain probiotics or vitamins.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of gut dysbiosis are:

• Nausea or vomiting;
• Excessive gas and burping;
• Abdominal discomfort or bloating;
• Diarrhea or constipation;
• Fatigue;
• Irritability.

In most cases, gut dysbiosis is temporary and symptoms tend to improve as the intestinal flora recovers naturally. However, the person may develop persistent symptoms in some cases.

Gut dysbiosis appears to be associated with diseases such as food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes and colorectal cancer. However, the role it plays in worsening these diseases is not yet fully known. 

Confirming a diagnosis

A gut dysbiosis diagnosis is usually confirmed by a gastroenterologist or registered dieititan based on the patient's symptoms, health history and test results. Some tests that your doctor may order to assess the health of your intestinal microbiota include:

• Urine indican test: this is a test performed on your urine to detect the amount of indican present, which is a substance produced in your body in response to food. In the event of an imbalance in your intestinal flora, there may be higher indican in your urine;
• Gut microbiome testing: this is a genetic test performed on a stool sample to identify the bacteria present in your intestinal flora;
• Hydrogen breath test: this consists of identifying the presence of gases produced by bacteria in your intestine in a breath sample. This sample is analyzed by special equipment and the types and amounts of gases present may indicate changes in your intestinal microbiota.

However, it is important that the results of these tests are reviewed by a specialist, especially in people who do not have other existing health problems, as intestinal flora tends to vary greatly without being a sign of disease.

Possible causes

The most common causes of gut dysbiosis include:

1. Diet

Diet is one of the main causes of dysbiosis. Small changes, excesses or restrictions in diet can alter the quality and quantity of bacteria in the intestine.

Excessive intake of animal protein, such as meat, fish or eggs, can increase the production of compounds that are toxic to the beneficial bacteria in the intestine, which can cause dysbiosis.

Furthermore, excessive intake of high-sugar or high-fat foods, such as full-fat cheeses, ice cream and candy, contributes to inflammation in the intestine and the emergence of imbalances in its microbiota.

2. Use of medications

Frequent and/or prolonged use of some medications, such as laxatives, antibiotics, corticosteroids or antacids, can cause imbalances in the intestinal microbiota, resulting in the elimination of healthy bacteria or the excessive growth of harmful bacteria. 

3. Other factors

Other factors that increase the risk of gut dysbiosis include excessive alcohol intake, age, stress and some existing intestinal diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Treatment options

In most cases, dysbiosis is treated by changing eating habits. However, the use of probiotic supplements may sometime be indicated and, depending on the severity of symptoms, a fecal transplant may be recommended.

The main treatment options for gut dysbiosis include:

1. Dietary changes

In addition to medical monitoring, it is important to be assessed by a registered dietitian to treat gut dysbiosis. Changing eating habits is the best way to restore the health of the intestinal flora.

The most important changes in eating habits include:

• Prioritizing foods that are rich in unsaturated fat, such as olive oil, avocado and almonds, as they promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut;
• Maintaining a diet that rich in prebiotics, which are a type of fiber present in some foods such as oats, garlic, green banana biomass, honey an potatoes. These foods also contain essential nutrients for the good bacteria in the intestine;
• Eating high-fiber foods such as beans, fruits with their peel and fresh vegetables daily, as they help to increase the variety of beneficial bacteria in the gut;
• Eating foods that are rich in probiotics, such as yogurt, kefir and kombucha. These contain live microorganisms that are beneficial to intestinal health and promote the balance of intestinal flora. Check-out a list of probiotic foods you can include in your diet.

In addition, it is also important to avoid excessive intake of sugar, which promote fermentation and increase gas production of gas in the gut.

2. Food supplements

Probiotic supplements also contain microorganisms that promote the balance of intestinal flora, such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. These may also be prescribed for the treatment of dysbiosis.

Although not always necessary, the use of supplements with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, an also be beneficial for the development of a healthy intestinal flora, especially when deficiency is confirmed.

3. Ensuring optimal overall health

To treat gut dysbiosis, it is essential that health problems that can harm the balance of the intestinal microbiota, such as diabetes, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, are also being treated appropriately.

Maintaining healthy habits, such as exercising regularly and quitting smoking, also contribute to restoring intestinal flora by promoting conditions in the body that are conducive for the growth of good bacteria.

4. Fecal transplant

A fecal transplant consists of transferring intestinal flora from a healthy person to another with dysbiosis. It appears to promote the restoration of unhealthy levels of intestinal bacteria in some cases.

This procedure is normally only indicated in cases of recurrent intestinal infections.