The interaction between the gut and the lungs is enabled by the gut-lung axis. This axis plays a crucial role in our respiratory health – including whether or not a person develops various lung diseases.
The reason an imbalance of gut bacteria can exacerbate lung conditions is because it increases inflammation and allows pathogens to thrive.
On the flip-side, research shows that when the gut microbiome is balanced, it may reduce respiratory symptoms. This is thanks to substances produced by beneficial gut bacteria, called short-chain fatty acids (such as butyrate and propionate). These substances have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Short-chain fatty acids have been found to travel through the bloodstream and can reduce inflammation in the lungs.
Emerging therapies, such as faecal microbiota transplants – where healthy microbiota from donors are transferred to patients with dysbiosis – have shown promise in early studies. While primarily used for gastrointestinal conditions, research shows it can also be effective in treating respiratory infections – including COPD, emphysema, to modulate dysbiosis in cystic fibrosis and improve lung function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
