Microbiome Disruptors: Hidden Dangers Wrecking Your Gut Health
Hi everyone, Norma Jean here. In my previous blog and video, I talked about our incredible microbiome—how it functions as our second brain, regulates over 70% of our immune system, influences our genetic expression, and plays a crucial role in metabolic functions.
Today, I want to discuss major disruptors that harm the microbiome, which can lead to health problems over time. But first, let’s explore how the microbiome begins and grows.
The Development of the Microbiome
Initial Exposure at Birth
A fetus in the womb has no microbes in its gut. It isn’t until birth that the baby is first exposed to bacteria and other microbes. When a baby passes through the birth canal, it receives its first critical exposure to beneficial bacteria. This process is so important that, in the case of a C-section birth, doctors may swab the mother’s vaginal wall and apply it to the baby’s eyes, nose, mouth, and ears to ensure exposure. Otherwise, the baby’s first exposure comes from the hospital environment.
Breast Milk and Early Nutrition
The second exposure comes through the mother’s breast milk, which provides important immunoglobulins and beneficial bacteria essential for the baby’s gut health. The mother’s microbiome directly impacts the baby’s microbiome, highlighting the importance of maternal gut health.
Environmental Exposure
The third exposure occurs through the environment, including interactions with people, animals, and time spent outdoors versus indoors.
Dietary Influences
The fourth exposure comes from food, which introduces new bacteria and nourishes the microbiome. A diverse, nutrient-rich diet is key to maintaining a healthy balance of gut bacteria.
How Our Modern Lifestyle Harms the Microbiome
Unfortunately, the way we treat our microbiome in modern Western culture is not ideal. There are four major categories of disruptors that negatively impact gut health:
The Western Diet
Medications and Drugs
Lifestyle and Environmental Factors
Genetics
Before diving deeper into these factors, let’s discuss what happens when our microbiome is harmed.
The Consequences of an Unhealthy Microbiome
When good bacteria are damaged, it gives harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses the opportunity to grow unchecked. This imbalance leads to a condition called dysbiosis—when beneficial bacteria are overwhelmed by harmful microbes. Dysbiosis can cause serious health issues, including:
Damage to the intestinal wall, leading to leaky gut
Leaky gut, which allows microbes and food particles to enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation
Nutrient malabsorption, leading to deficiencies
Food intolerances
Autoimmune disorders
Systemic inflammation, including in the brain
The Western Diet: The Biggest Threat to Our Microbiome
The Western diet is the leading cause of microbiome disruption. Here’s why:
Lack of Beneficial Nutrients
The Western diet is typically low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are essential for feeding good bacteria. Instead, it is dominated by processed foods lacking the necessary plant fibers to support a healthy microbiome.
High in Processed Sugars and Refined Carbohydrates
White flours and sugars, including high-fructose corn syrup, fuel harmful bacteria and fungi (yeast), disrupting gut balance.
Sugar alternatives such as saccharin, sucralose, and aspartame can also harm beneficial bacteria.
Excess Animal Fats
A diet high in animal fats has been linked to increased intestinal permeability, which contributes to leaky gut syndrome.
Additives, Preservatives, and Food Coloring
Processed and packaged foods contain additives and preservatives that harm beneficial bacteria.
FDA-approved food colorings can become toxic when metabolized in the gut.
Preservatives that extend shelf life also act as antimicrobials, destroying good microbes.
Pesticides and Herbicides
Organophosphates, which make up over 50% of pesticides used, harm beneficial bacteria while promoting pathogenic growth.
Glyphosate (Roundup) disrupts the microbiome similarly and has been used at exponentially increasing rates since the 1990s.
Hidden Glyphosate in Common Foods
Originally, glyphosate was believed to be used only on genetically modified (GMO) foods like corn, soy, sugar beets, and canola oil. However, it is now also sprayed on wheat and oats before harvest to prevent mold growth. This means many processed foods likely contain glyphosate, including:
Cold cereals (oat, wheat, corn, soy)
Oats and oatmeal
Crackers, chips, and popcorn
Breads, tortillas, and granola bars
Candy, cakes, and cookies
Any processed food containing wheat, oats, corn, high-fructose corn syrup, soy, sugar from sugar beets, or canola oil
The Water We Drink
Chlorinated tap water is essential for keeping our water supply free of harmful bacteria, but it also negatively affects the beneficial microbes in our gut.
Filtered water is a better option for maintaining microbiome health.
Conclusion
If you’d like to learn more on this topic and other issues related to gut health, the microbiome, and its overall impact on our mental and physical wellbeing, I offer individual or group counseling, as well as speaking engagements on topics of choice. All services are available virtually or in-person in San Diego County. Follow me on my YouTube channel at youtube.com/@normaflood for easy ways to improve your gut health.
View Part Two
In the next installment, I discuss other major microbiome disruptors, including:
Medications and drugs
Lifestyle and environmental factors
Genetics
Thank you for reading, and be well!
About the Author: Norma Flood, Integrative & Functional Nutritionist
Norma Flood is a busy mom, wife, friend, and Registered Dietician Nutritionist guiding adults and teens to better brain balance and gut health. Holding a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences, she is recognized as one of San Diego’s top Integrative and Functional Nutritionists. With a deep commitment to holistic well-being, Norma provides personalized health counseling and applies functional nutrition therapy to effectively support digestive health, mental health, and eating disorder recovery. She offers both in-person and group counseling as well as online education. Follow Norma Flood on YouTube as she shares small, easy steps that you can take each day to support better gut health and mental health using an integrative and functional approach.