Article How the health of your lungs is linked to the bacteria in your gut (Aug 2024)

Michael Harrop

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https://theconversation.com/how-the-health-of-your-lungs-is-linked-to-the-bacteria-in-your-gut-234515

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.
 
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