Human Microbes: The Power Within: Health, Healing and Beyond

183 Pages·2018·7.35 MB·English

by  Vasu D. Appanna

Human Microbes - The Power Within
Vasu D. Appanna
Human Microbes - The
Power Within
Health, Healing and Beyond
VasuD.Appanna
DepartmentofChemistryandBiochemistry,FacultyofScienceandEngineering
LaurentianUniversity
Sudbury,Ontario
Canada
ISBN 978-981-10-7683-1 ISBN 978-981-10-7684-8 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7684-8
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Preface
This book is a journey into one of the human organ that has long been ignored
due to its invisibility and dispersed nature. However, technological advances are
now enabling the visualization of the microbiome in its undisturbed environment
where its various constituents can be seen diligently shepherding the human body
to function effectively. All the microbes including the viruses, bacteria and fungi
thatliveonandwithinthebodyarereferredtoasthemicrobiome.Forthepurpose
ofthisbookthatcomprisesfour chapters bacteriaare consideredasthemaincom-
ponentofthisbodypartinvisibletothenakedeyes.
Chapter1describestheemergenceoflifeonplanetearthandpositsthatbacteria
were central in the development of virtually all living organisms. The ability of
these minute organisms to live independently and to execute a variety of tasks is
critical to the survival of other organisms. Further, the contribution of bacteria to
the genesis of the chloroplast and the mitochondrion provided the energy boost
needed to sustain life in partnership with the sun. While chloroplast is an integral
componentoforganismsinvolvedincapturingsolarenergy,mitochondriaispartof
allmulticellularlifewheretheyarethemainenergygenerator.Theseintimatecellu-
lar interactions between these organelles which originated from bacteria and living
systemsprovidedthefuellifeneededtoevolve.Thesetransformedbacteriaarepre-
sent in virtually all human cells. Indeed, the trillions of microbes that live on and
withinthehumanbodymakehumansthewaytheyare.Onlywiththerecentadvent
of molecular visualization technologies that this microbe-human link is being fully
appreciated.Thepost-2007humanissomeonewithamicrobialbodypartweighing
2–3kginanaverageadultthatfulfillsavarietyofessentialfunctions.
Chapter 2 elaborates on how this organ is formed and traces its development
from the womb till the old age. The various factors like diet, genetic make-up,
geography and life-style that are known to influence the maturation of the visible
organs including the lungs, the brain and the heart also dictate the nature of this
invisible organ. The microbiome is an expansive organ akin to the blood system.
Just as the latter that is constituted by the white blood cells, red blood cells
and numerous other components, the microbiome is also composed of disparate
microbial cells. These microbes are specific to where they are located in the body
v
vi Preface
and participate in an array of physiological activities that cannot be accomplished
in their absence. We will not able to digest numerous food products properly nor
produce vital ingredients like vitamins K and amino-acids such as tryptophan
withoutthesemicrobialpartners.
Chapter 3 evaluates the abnormal situations that ensue when the microbiome
does not function properly. The diseases that manifest following the imbalance
amongst the microbial communities are explained. A range of effectors is known
to disrupt the fine-balance existing between the visible organs and these diverse
microbiota. Unlike the visible organs that are made-up of relatively few specific
cells, the functional microbiome is constituted by a large number of disparate
microbes. Pollution, diet, exercise, pets,occupation,andhormonalfluctuations are
some of the factors known to distress the microbiome. These perturbations can
trigger illnesses like gastric ulcer, colorectal cancers, fatty liver disease, hyperten-
sionandobesity. Theability ofprobiotics andprebioticstore-establishadysfunc-
tional microbiome and cure diseases is described. Probiotics involve the intake of
live-bacteria while prebiotics are more or less like fertilizers aimed at favouring
the proliferation of a select group of microbes. These treatments are proving very
effective in treating diseases promoted by dysbiosis. These procedures are becom-
ingacommonhealthpracticeaimedatfosteringgeneralwellness.
Chapter 4 provides a glimpse into the future when the molecular functioning of
themicrobiomewillbefullyelucidated.Ifin10–30yearsfromnowtheknowledge
regarding this invisible organ has attained the same degree of understanding as the
visible organs like the heart, there will be a very momentous societal change. The
impact of this information on health education, health delivery systems, modifying
humantraits,globalhunger,andtrackingindividualsisdiscussed.Forinstance,just
imagine the presence of a microbiome bank in a hospital and how this will help in
patientcare;thepreciseprofilingofeachindividualwiththemicrobeslivingonand
withinthebodywillbeagame-changerinmedicaldiagnostics.Thiswillalsocom-
pletely revolutionize molecular forensic identification. The discoveries of unique
microbes withdistinct characteristics thatcaneasespacetravel andhelpinthe pro-
duction of goods will be of immense economic value. These are some of the fasci-
nating,provocative,andforward-lookingideasdiscussedinthischapter.
The information synthesized in this book emanates from recent findings on the
humanmicrobiomeandthepossibilitiestheyholdforthefutureasourunderstanding
on these microbial communities expand exponentially. This discipline is just begin-
ningtoemergeasapotentsocietalgame-changerthatwillaffectusall.Iamindebted
tomywifeDr.SharinaAppannaforassiduouslyproofreadingtheoriginaltext.Iwill
like to thank all my students who have taught me how to teach and bring complex
informationtolife.I am confident thatthis attribute is reflectedinthisbookthatcan
beenjoyedbyawidereadershipincludinghealthsciencestudentsandpractitioners.
October27,2017 VasuD.Appanna
DepartmentofChemistryandBiochemistry
FacultyofScienceandEngineering,LaurentianUniversity
Sudbury,Ontario,Canada
Contents
1 TheHumanMicrobiome:TheOrigin........................ 1
1.1 TheFirstColonizersofPlanetEarth...................... 2
1.2 TheBeginning:TheDiversityofMicrobialLife ............. 4
1.3 TheUbiquitousMicrobes:TheyAreEverywhere ............ 4
1.4 Microbes:TheOriginofMostOrganisms.................. 6
1.5 MicrobesinOurMidst:TaleofOurMicrobialFriendship...... 10
1.6 Microbes:CulinaryExpertsShapingOurBody.............. 11
1.7 UnmaskingtheInvisibleWorld.......................... 13
1.8 TheEraof‘aGoodMicrobeisaDeadMicrobe’............. 15
1.9 TransitionfromGermstoFriendlyMicrobes................ 16
1.10 MicrobesWithin:TheIndispensableInvisible
PartnersinAction.................................... 18
1.10.1 TheNitrogen-Fixers............................. 18
1.11 TheGrassGrazersandtheMicrobialConnection ............ 19
1.12 Squids:MicrobialFlashLightandSentinel................. 21
1.13 TheGutlessWorm:TheyAretheWayTheyAre
BecauseofTheirMicrobialPartners...................... 22
1.14 TheHumanandMicrobeBond:HowMicrobes
BecameanIntegralPartofUs........................... 23
1.15 VisualizationofMicrobesWithinHumans:TheNewEra ...... 24
1.16 TheHumanMicribiomeProject:Cataloguing
OurInvisibleSelf.................................... 29
1.17 AGlimpseattheHumanMicrobiome..................... 31
SuggestedReadings ...................................... 36
2 TheMicrobiome:GenesisandFunctions ..................... 37
2.1 TheInitiationandDevelopmentoftheMicrobiome........... 38
2.2 OurInvisibleOrgan:ParentsandLocationMatter............ 39
2.3 Mother’sGeneticMake-up,NutritionandGeography
ShapetheInvisibleOrgan.............................. 40
vii
viii Contents
2.4 LiketheLungs,theMicrobiomeMirrorsOurEnvironment..... 42
2.5 WeAreWhatWeEat:TheMicrobiome–AReflection
ofOurNutrition..................................... 43
2.6 BreastMilk–AModulatoroftheMicrobiome.............. 43
2.7 SolidFoodsandMicrobiomeEnhancement................. 45
2.8 EvolutionoftheMicrobiome:FromChildhoodto
Adulthoodandbeyond................................ 46
2.9 TheFoodFactor..................................... 49
2.10 UniqueFoodBreedsUniqueMicrobiome:TheHazda-
Hunter-GathererCommunity............................ 50
2.11 TheMaturationoftheMicrobiome:Influence
ofChemicalExposure................................. 51
2.12 TheMicrobiome:AReflectionofHormonalFluctuations ...... 53
2.13 Sex-HormonesandMicrobiome ......................... 53
2.14 Life-StyleandClimate:ImpactontheMicrobiome........... 54
2.15 AnimalLoversandtheMicrobiome ...................... 55
2.16 MicrobialLink:PetLoversandExerciseEnthusiasts.......... 56
2.17 TheMicrobialTangowithSeniorsandCentenarians.......... 57
2.18 TheMalleabilityoftheMicrobiome,AHighly
AdaptableOrgan .................................... 58
2.19 TheInvisibleOrganandItsFunctions..................... 60
2.20 TheSkin-ASpacetoRoam............................. 63
2.21 DistributionofMicrobesontheSkinandthe
TasksTheyExecute .................................. 64
2.22 FromWoundHealingtoFortificationofthe
ImmuneSystem ..................................... 64
2.23 TheInvisibleSoldiersintheGut......................... 67
2.24 TheMouth:AMajorGatewayforMicrobes................ 69
2.25 TheAcidicStomachIsnotaMicrobialDesert .............. 69
2.26 TheGutMicrobiome ................................. 70
2.27 InvisibleGuardsoftheUrogenitalTract................... 76
2.28 TheLungs:HomeofOxygen-LovingMicrobes ............. 77
2.29 OurMicrobiome:AnIndispensable
OrganLikeNoOther ................................. 77
SuggestedReadings ...................................... 78
3 Dysbiosis,Probiotics,andPrebiotics:InDiseases
andHealth............................................. 81
3.1 WhatHappensWhentheInvisibleOrganIsDistressed?The
DisruptionofOurMicrobialCommunities
andCommonDiseases................................ 82
3.2 DermalDysbiosisLeadstoAcneandEczema............... 84
3.3 DistressedMicrobialCommunitiesintheMouth:ASmelly
andPainfulConcern.................................. 86
3.4 PulmonaryDysbiosis,Asthma,andCysticFibrosis........... 89
Contents ix
3.5 MicrobialImbalanceintheDigestiveTract:Gastric
Complications ...................................... 91
3.6 FoodIntake,GutMicrobiomeandDiseases ................ 92
3.7 MicrobiomeandGlobalEpidemics:Obesityand
CardiovascularDiseases............................... 94
3.8 WhatMoodChangesHavetoDowith
Gut-DwellingMicrobes ............................... 97
3.9 MicrobiomeandtheCancerConnection ................... 99
3.10 TheRoadtoOurWell-being:TheMicrobiomeWay.......... 101
3.11 Probiotics,PrebioticsandSynbiotics:TheNurturing
oftheMicrobiome ................................... 103
3.12 HowProbioticsWork................................. 105
3.13 HowProbioticsHelpsAdjustOurMicrobialCommunity ...... 107
3.14 MicrobesattheRescueoftheMostVulnerable:Infants
andSeniors......................................... 110
3.15 Probiotics:TheDiseaseFighters......................... 112
3.16 Prebiotics:TheMicrobiomeFertilizers .................... 113
3.17 PrebioticsinEverydayFoods ........................... 115
3.18 Synbiotics:AProbioticandPrebioticConcoction............ 118
3.19 Conclusion......................................... 119
SuggestedReadings ...................................... 121
4 WhatIftheWorkingsoftheMicrobiomeAre
fullyUncovered?–ARevolutioninHumanHealth,
WellnessandBeyond..................................... 123
4.1 GazingintotheCrystalBall–TheFuture.................. 124
4.2 MicrobialFingerprinting:APotentDiagnosticToolin
IndividualizedHealthOutcome.......................... 126
4.3 Obesity,Heart,andGumDiseases ....................... 129
4.4 TheSkin:AGold-MineofMedicalRecord................. 131
4.5 FortifyingtheDisease-fightingAbilityand
DrugPotency:ThePharmacywithintheBody .............. 132
4.6 DesignerBabiesandBiologicalTraitsonDemand ........... 133
4.7 CharacterAdjustmentonDemand:MicrobialContribution..... 134
4.8 MicrobialRejuvenationofOldAge ...................... 135
4.9 HowMicrobesCanControlBehaviour:Moodand
BrainPower–MicrobesastheBrainTonic ................ 137
4.10 AMicrobiomeBankfortheHealthCareEnterprise .......... 139
4.11 Microbiome:TheHealthRevolutioninWaiting ............. 143
4.12 XenomicrobiomesandHumanWellness................... 146
4.13 Agro-FoodBusiness:FoodsDedicatedtotheMicrobiome...... 147
4.14 DesignerPrebiotics:FoodswithUniqueFunctions ........... 149
4.15 HumanMicrobiomeProspecting:AWalkingand
TalkingGold-Mine................................... 149
4.16 NanofactoriesforDesiredBiologicalFunctions.............. 151
x Contents
4.17 TrackingtheMicrobiome:ASecurityWindfall.............. 153
4.18 LocationandActivitySpecificMicrobes–An
IntriguingProfilingTool............................... 154
4.19 Conclusion......................................... 156
SuggestedReadings ...................................... 158