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The microbiota plays a special role in the digestion of plant fibers that are present in fruits and vegetables. These fibers are long sugar molecules that our human enzymes are unable to break down into pieces.

They thus arrive intact at the colon where they encounter a large number of bacteria that are capable of digesting them. The bacteria use these fibers for their own needs and release very important molecules for human health, short-chain fatty acids (sidenote: Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are a source of energy (fuel) for an individual’s cells. They interact with the immune system and are involved in communication between the intestine and the brain. Silva YP, Bernardi A, Frozza RL. The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids From Gut Microbiota in Gut-Brain Communication. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020;11:25. ) , such as butyrate, for example.

These short-chain fatty acids have multiple effects. Butyrate nourishes the cells of the colon and thus promotes the integrity of the intestinal mucosa (sidenote: De Cruz P, Kamm MA, Hamilton AL, et al. Crohn’s disease management after intestinal resection: a randomised trial. The Lancet. 2015;385(9976):1406–1417 ) . Short-chain fatty acids can modulate the immune response and thus contribute to protection against inflammatory diseases.

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Here's a quick look at how Prof. Sokol answers this question from his patients

First of all, it is completely normal for the digestive tract to produce gas. In general, a healthy person produces between 0.5 and 1.5 liters of gas per day. 

And yes, the gut microbiota plays an important role in this gas production. The microbiota, by fermenting the food residues that reach the colon, will produce different gases, such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and even sometimes methane.

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Here's a quick look at how Prof. Sokol answers this question from his patients

Even though we can't see them with the naked eye, microorganisms, like bacteria, are all around us. They are also all over our bodies.

The gut microbiota is the collection of microorganisms (sidenote: Microorganisms Living organisms too small to see with the naked eye. This includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea, protozoa, etc., collectively known as ’microbes’. Source: What is microbiology? Microbiology Society. ) , bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that colonize our digestive tract from birth.

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Here's a quick look at how Prof. Sokol answers this question from his patients

Recent research results indeed suggest that the gut microbiota could play a role in the initiation or severity of several neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or autism. 

However, the data available to date remain very preliminary and we do not know what the "weight" of the microbiota is compared to other factors such as genetics or the environment and if all patients are affected. 

Finally, we do not yet know if the microbiota can be targeted therapeutically in these pathologies.

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Here's a quick look at how Prof. Sokol answers this question from his patients

The microbiota acts on the brain through several mechanisms.

• First, there are strong nerve connections between the brain and the gut. These connections go from the brain to the gut,which explains, for example, digestive symptoms in case of stress, but they also go from the gut to the brain. By acting on the intestinal nerve endings, the microbiota can thus modulatebrain function.

• The microbiota also produces chemical molecules that are absorbed enter the bloodstream and can reach the brain and exert effects there.

• Finally, the microbiota can act indirectly on the brain by having effects on other human cells, such as gut cells or immune cells, which, in response, will produce molecules that will act on the brain.

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• First of all, you need to consume fiber, integrate fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet. These fibers absorb water during digestion and thus increase the volume of stools, which facilitates their passage.
• Secondly, you need to stay active. Engage in regular physical activity, such as a daily walk of 20 to 30 minutes can be enough. This stimulates intestinal movements and helps prevent constipation.
• And finally, you need to listen to your body. Do not hold back when you feel the urge to go to the bathroom. You need to respond to this urge as soon as it arises to maintain good intestinal transit.

These simple habits can greatly improve your digestive comfort.

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Here's a quick look at how Prof. Sokol answers this question from his patients

Yes, the microbiota plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of the immune system.

It allows the maturation and stimulation of the immune system in the intestine, but also throughout the entire body.

An alteration of the intestinal microbiota, especially in the early years of life, could play a role in the improper education of the immune system and this could contribute to an increased risk of developing certain diseases related to immunity later in life, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

In adulthood as well, disturbances in the microbiota can affect the functioning of the immune system.

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Cavities, periodontal disease and even systemic illnesses: the oral microbiota is increasingly under scrutiny. Paradoxically, its gradual development in the first years of life remains a great mystery.

Hence the importance of a Japanese study ¹ that monitored the salivary microbiota of 54 children (27 girls and 27 boys) at 13 points in their early childhood: at 1 week, then at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 and 60 months (5 years). Their parents' oral microbiota was also collected when the children were 18 and 36 months old, as a representative sample of adult microbiota.

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The microbiota of newborns is still quite poor: one week after birth, only 25% of the 110 OTUs (sidenote: Operational Taxonomic Unit groups of organisms usually not cultivated or not identified, classified on the basis of the similarity of the DNA sequencing of a given gene. Frequently used as an equivalent to the concept of species )  detected in over 85% of parents at both sampling dates are found.

The bacterial genera present at one week of age: 

• generally Streptococcus
• Rothia
• and Gemella

But then the increase is very rapid, with 80% of parental OTUs present between 6 and 18 months, following the introduction of the first solid foods and the appearance of the first teeth.

The main bacterial genera that move in at this point are:

• Neisseria
• Haemophilus
• and Fusobacterium

What are the consequences for cavities?

The scientists' attention was particularly focused on Neisseria, Haemophilus and Fusobacterium. Previous studies had reported that their concentration in the mouth reflected patients' oral condition (absence or presence of cavities and/or periodontal disease).

The Japanese study shows that these three bacteria settle in early:

• starting at 6 months of age, nitrate-reducing bacteria of the genera Neisseria and Haemophilus, which prevent dental cavities and periodontal disease, increase rapidly;
• during the first 18 months, F. nucleatum, associated with periodontal disease, dental plaque and bad breath, colonizes the baby's mouth. 

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To restore your gut microbiota after taking antibiotics, you can:

• First, consume probiotics during and after antibiotic treatment. Only a few probiotics have been shown to have an effect on antibiotic-induced diarrhea, Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus GG. Therefore, these two should be prioritized. 
• Second, increase your intake of dietary fiber, which feeds the beneficial bacteria in the microbiota. Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes into your diet. 
• And finally, third, limit your consumption of ultra-processed foods, which are harmful to the microbiota.

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