Ayurveda and Microbiome

They live on us and in us. We need them every day to live in health. We are talking about the countless microorganisms that inhabit us. For a long time, we thought most bacteria were harmful, but scientists like Dr. Keith Wallace have researched astonishingly positive things in the last 10 years.

Join us and Dr. Wallace on a journey into the incredible world of gut bacteria. You can expect fascinating connections between the microbiome, mood, and health – embedded in the traditional wisdom of Ayurveda.

Microbiome?! – What is that?

The microbiome includes all microorganisms and their genes that live in and on us. Today, we assume that their number, estimated at 30 trillion, is roughly as large as that of our body cells. 99% of these bacteria mostly live in the large intestine. A full 500 to 1000 different species thrive there.

Anyone who believes that our gut bacteria are only responsible for digestion is greatly mistaken. Their effect goes far beyond the gut! Our co-habitants even shape our mood, our mental and physical health. "These bacteria control everything, and they are friendly," says Dr. Wallace in an exciting lecture, which is available in its entirety on YouTube.

Amazing achievements of our gut bacteria

That gut bacteria help with digestion is not surprising. But they do much more. They

• protect us from pathogenic germs
• help with the absorption of certain nutrients like calcium and iron
• form certain vitamins (B vitamins, vitamin K)
• train our immune system
• help build and maintain the intestinal wall
• form neurotransmitters

The importance of the gut and its inhabitants for us is also shown by the fact that the intestinal wall houses 80% of the immune system as well as its own (secondary) nervous and hormonal system. From there, much more information flows to the brain than vice versa.

Under Pressure – Gut Microbiome and Modern Stressors

Whether we are born traditionally or by C-section, how old we are, how we eat and whether we exercise, what we eat and which medications we take: all of this influences our gut microbiome – sometimes over very long periods. For example, in adults, the species composition of their gut bacteria can often still reveal whether they were born by C-section. Antibiotics – although certainly helpful in certain situations, but often excessively prescribed nowadays – can also negatively alter the gut flora for months or even years. In addition, poor eating habits, unhealthy foods, as well as a lack of diversity in diet, excessive hygiene, smoking, age, and above all chronic stress can contribute to an imbalanced mix of gut bacteria.

From Microbiome to Disease

The knowledge that the cause of most diseases lies in the gut is ancient. It can be found in Western culture with Hippocrates as well as in Ayurveda. Modern microbiome research has also been explaining why this is the case for several years now.

Today, we know that the brain and gut are in constant close communication. This means that chronic stress negatively affects the gut flora, and conversely, gut bacteria can influence mental health.

A central role for our health is played by the intestinal wall, which can become permeable when the gut flora is out of balance. Incomplete digested food, bacteria, etc., can then pass through the permeable intestinal wall ("leaky gut") into the bloodstream and be deposited in various tissues. This immediately triggers the immune system, which recognizes incompletely digested protein molecules as "foreign" and attacks them. This can lead to autoimmune diseases, other inflammatory diseases, and other disorders, such as:

• chronic inflammatory bowel diseases
• irritable bowel syndrome
• asthma, allergies, autoimmune diseases
• neurological disorders (autism)
• obesity, diabetes
• cardiovascular diseases
• Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
• depression and anxiety

Modern Knowledge Meets Tradition: Microbiome and Ayurveda

Thanks to the findings of modern microbiome research, it is now even more impressively understandable what Ayurveda has taught for thousands of years. And Ayurveda even holds valuable tips for caring for our gut bacteria.

Microbiome research confirms Ayurvedic knowledge

Microbiome research has clearly shown how important the gut and its inhabitants are for our health and mental balance. – This is not a new insight for Ayurveda, which attaches such great importance to the gut, digestion, and nutrition.

In Ayurveda, our diet is considered an important key to health. Today we can say: It changes our microbiome, and a healthy, varied diet promotes the very important diversity and balance of our gut flora.

At the same time, it is becoming increasingly clear to medical professionals why some problems cannot simply be solved with a pill when diet and stress play such a large role for our "health control center" the gut.

More comprehensive approaches are needed here, which consider the whole person with their entire life. Approaches that Ayurveda has offered for a long time. An approach that is primarily about strengthening people and their health.

We are confident that the topic of "microbiome" and the associated current findings will contribute to the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda being better understood and applied by modern medicine, thus helping many people to improve their health and well-being.

Ayurveda explained scientifically

Therefore, in his English-language lecture, Dr. Wallace translates ancient Ayurvedic knowledge into modern scientific language, providing exciting impulses.

For example, Ama can be explained as the result of a disturbed microbiome that allows undigested food residues, toxins, bacteria, and environmental pollutants to enter the bloodstream.

Ama can thus activate the immune system and cause inflammation and various diseases.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, strong Agni, capable of "burning" Ama, is considered key to good health – a statement that, with today's knowledge of the comprehensive influence of the microbiome, appears very understandable.

The ancient Ayurvedic texts name many suitable measures for strengthening the digestive fire.

Thanks to microbiome research, we can also better explain the effects of selected herbs and spices, such as turmeric, Brahmi, and Ashwagandha. Newer studies, for example, explain how turmeric interacts with gut bacteria to coordinate various digestive processes.

Care for Gut Bacteria – What Science Says

Similar to skin and hair, our gut bacteria also appreciate regular care. The "care series for the gut" includes:

• a gut-friendly diet
• probiotics that bring helpful co-inhabitants for our gut dwellers
• prebiotics as power food for our microbiome
• nutritional supplements
• a gut-friendly lifestyle – no smoking, ensuring sufficient relaxation

That gut care is really worthwhile has been proven by the example of probiotics, which can improve mental states such as anxiety and depression.

Ayurvedic Knowledge for the Benefit of the Gut

Anyone looking for recommendations for a healthy diet today often faces numerous trends and advice that can sometimes be difficult for an individual to assess.

From its rich experience, the millennia-old knowledge of Ayurveda can contribute to better orientation in the jungle of modern dietary trends.

A very important aspect is the individual compatibility of foods, which Ayurveda has always taken into account with its customized dietary recommendations for each Dosha type. In addition, Ayurveda offers valuable tips to make dishes – suitable for the Dosha type as well as the season and time of day – more digestible through optimal preparation. Temperature, as well as the right herbs and spices, play an important role here.

The light fasting recommended in Ayurveda (note: only recommended for certain Dosha types) also appears in a new light against the background of modern microbiome research. Authentically performed light fasting may give the gut microbiome an important impulse, thus strengthening and rekindling the Agni, which is so important from an Ayurvedic perspective. Herbal enemas, which are among the most effective treatments of an Ayurvedic Panchakarma cure, also nourish the gut flora.

In the "Charaka Samhita," the oldest textbook of Ayurveda, it is even stated that 50% of all diseases can be cured by "Bastis."

Incidentally, a very widespread and popular plant product in Europe is Indian psyllium, "Indian plantain," related to our native ribwort plantain. The small boat-shaped seeds, used in Ayurveda to rebalance the gut, bind water and waste products in the intestine.

Beyond diet, Ayurveda provides valuable impulses for lifestyle that benefit the gut flora, such as considering daily and seasonal rhythms, exercise, and relaxation.

Dr. Wallace also emphasizes the role of consciousness, whose importance Maharishi Mahesh Yogi reintroduced into Ayurveda. When people are under stress, it is difficult for them to make changes in their lives. Rather, they very often compensate for stress – and "indulge" themselves with sweets, alcohol, cigarettes, or lavish meals. With yoga and meditation, Ayurveda offers alternatives to find deep peace and relaxation, release stress, purify mind and consciousness, and thus pave the way for changes.

And ultimately, it is part of our personal journey of self-discovery to learn which foods are particularly suitable for us.

Dr. Robert Keith Wallace – Modern Scientist with a Traditional Background

As a physiologist and Ayurveda enthusiast, Dr. Robert Keith Wallace has been bridging the gap between science and Ayurveda for many years. He was the first Western scientist to investigate the effect of Transcendental Meditation on our bodies. The author of numerous books, who at times even led research at Harvard University and was in close contact with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founded the first Maharishi Ayurveda clinics in the USA and was the founding president of Maharishi University of Management. There, the Professor of Physiology and Health is still active as Research Director and makes a significant contribution to research and education in the field of Ayurveda with his work.

Link Tip

You can find more exciting information on Dr. Keith Wallace's English website at https://docgut.com/

Book Recommendation

Robert Keith Wallace, Samantha Wallace: Gut Crisis: How Diet, Probiotics, and Friendly Bacteria Help You Lose Weight and Heal Your Body and Mind (English), Dharma Publications, available to order via Amazon. A guide to gut health. This English-language book explains the main disruptors of our gut flora and the possible consequences for our health. It also practically demonstrates how we can strengthen our microbiome based on ancient Ayurvedic knowledge through diet, lifestyle, and other simple measures.