“Why me?” is a question that often arises in the minds of people who are suffering from various diseases such as cancer, depression, anxiety, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases. Chronic inflammation has been identified as the root cause of many of these conditions, but what influences it? Could it be our gut microbiome? After studying and listening to experts in the field, I am convinced that our gut health may play a crucial role in determining our overall health.
As per top experts, the microbiome/gut is a possible cause because it releases metabolites to convert food into fuel, but it can also release lipopolysaccharides that lead to inflammation when absorbed into the bloodstream. The microbiome/gut is the command center for the body and can convert healthy food into poison or absorb it as a nutrient, which can affect all the organs in the body.
Therefore, all organs are at the receiving end of damage, and the microbiome/gut is the root cause of the damage as an expert stated. Treating an organ-specific ailment without addressing the root cause of inflammation may suppress damage temporarily but may lead to inflammation appearing somewhere else.
The gut microbiome has several jobs, including food digestion, the creation of essential vitamins, and assisting in training the immune system. Although no human data confirms that the microbiome is heritable, research findings indicate that the environment plays a more significant role than genetics in shaping the microbiome.
Recent studies, as quoted by an expert, have found striking similarities in microbiomes among breast cancer patients, indicating that genetics may play a small role in heritable attributes but not in diseases prevalent in society today. By this logic, it is more likely that lifestyle and eating habits contribute to these diseases.
Genes do not determine our destiny when it comes to health. Current gut health defines and influences chronic inflammation and our overall health, with approximately 70% of the immune system residing in the gut microbiome as per my study of literature.
Just as we focus on “core” health for better movements and power transfer between upper and lower limbs, the microbiome is the epicenter of our overall health. In my experience, the weakest part of the body takes the hit first, resulting in various types of chronic inflammation.
Our gut health plays a crucial role in converting the same food into either toxins or nutrients.
So, what influences our gut health?
The answer lies in the food we consume and its nutritional value. Therefore, it is essential to focus on #nutrition for maintaining gut health.
For instance, in the western world, people prioritize consuming protein-rich diets. However, the efficacy of the food should be evaluated based on its compatibility with our gut microbiome. This may explain the diversity in diets across the globe, with different populations having healthy or unhealthy outcomes while consuming the same food.
The reason behind the question “why me?” may be rooted in our food. If we develop a chronic disease, it must have originated within our system, and the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in this system. Even if we follow a universally approved diet, we can still fall victim to a chronic disease. It’s possible that the world’s most well-known nutritional food may not be suitable for us personally. It’s up to us and our resources to figure out how to pinpoint the problem. Understanding that what we eat could be responsible for our condition can only be beneficial.
Umesh Chhikara 
Beneficial information.