Gut dysbiosis is a condition characterized by an imbalance of microorganisms in the digestive tract, where harmful bacteria, fungi, or viruses outnumber the beneficial ones. This disruption can lead to digestive problems, weakened immunity, and increased inflammation throughout the body. If left untreated, dysbiosis can contribute to a range of health issues, from gut discomfort to chronic conditions.

In this article, we'll explore the causes and symptoms of gut dysbiosis, and provide practical steps and treatments to restore balance to your gut microbiome.

What Is Gut Dysbiosis?

Dysbiosis occurs when the fine balance of healthy microorganisms in the gut is disrupted, leading to reduced diversity and an overgrowth of one type of bacteria, fungus, or virus. A healthy microbiome is made up of diverse communities of these microorganisms and balanced bacterial colonies in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract support many essential bodily functions.

Research shows that dysbiosis in the gut impacts your overall health and wellbeing, potentially contributing to mood disorders, inflammation, and an increased risk of conditions such as obesity, cancer, and autism.

Causes of Gut Dysbiosis

Diverse internal and external stimuli can trigger dysbiosis. The following factors can harm your digestive system and gut microbiota:

• Dietary changes – Low-fiber, processed, and high-sugar foods and beverages increase inflammation and impact gut health.
• Environmental toxins – Airborne pollutants and heavy metals promote harmful microbial growth and damage beneficial gut bacteria.
• Chronic inflammation – Prolonged gastrointestinal inflammation creates a hostile environment, weakening the gut barrier and reducing diversity in the gut.
• Antibiotics –Antibiotics reduce gut flora diversity, disrupt the microbial balance, and affect digestion.
• Antimicrobial agents – Lingering pesticides from unwashed fruit harm beneficial bacteria in the GI tract.
• Hormonal imbalance – Gut health and hormones are intrinsically linked. Disrupted hormone activity may provoke nausea, irregular bowel movements, gallstones, and IBS.
• Poor dental hygiene – Oral bacteria can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, or migrate to the gut, altering its microbiota and potentially impacting the immune system.
• Smoking – Nicotine impairs gut health and may lead to peptic ulcers, heartburn, and an increased risk for Crohn’s disease.
• Alcohol – Excessive alcohol consumption damages the liver and provokes acid reflux, diarrhea, bloating, and gastritis.
• Chronic diseases – Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and inflammatory bowel disease can trigger an imbalance in gut microbiota composition.
• Stress- High cortisol levels weaken the immune system and disrupt the gut environment, leading to infections, increased inflammation, and dysbiosis.

Note: Learn how to lower cortisol levels naturally and improve your gut health.

What Can Gut Dysbiosis Lead to?

Dysbiosis can provoke or worsen the following gastrointestinal problems:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Malnutrition
• Malabsorption
• Fatty liver disease
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Bacterial infections (e.g., H. pylori)
• Metabolic syndrome
• Food intolerance
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

A dysregulated gut microbiome also affects the endocrine, immune, and nervous system. The gut-brain connection is complex and bidirectional. Therefore, any digestive issue can directly impact the brain, leading to mood swings, anxiety, and depression.

How Is Gut Dysbiosis Diagnosed?

Healthcare providers use various lab tests to diagnose infections caused by dysbiosis. After identifying all the factors affecting your microbiome, the doctor will recommend a gut-strengthening treatment.

Comprehensive Stool Sampling

This test evaluates the levels and diversity of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in your stool. It helps identify imbalances such as bacterial overgrowth, the presence of harmful pathogens, inflammation markers, and issues with digestive enzyme function. The test typically looks for beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium while assessing for potentially harmful organisms, yeast, and parasites.

Hydrogen Breath Test (HBT)

For gut dysbiosis, a breath test can sometimes reveal the types of bacteria dominating the gut. Your doctor will ask you to drink a sugar solution and exhale into a special balloon. Abnormal levels of certain gases can suggest a bacterial imbalance. HBT is commonly used to diagnose small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Organic Acids Test

This urine-based test looks for organic acids, which are byproducts of microbial metabolism in the gut. Abnormally high levels of certain organic acids, like D-lactate or arabinose, can indicate an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast. The OAT test helps detect microbial imbalances that may contribute to symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or gastrointestinal distress.

Food Sensitivity and Intolerance Test

These tests, which can involve blood or stool samples, measure immune responses (IgG or IgA antibodies) to specific foods. Food sensitivities may arise from gut dysbiosis, as an imbalanced microbiome can impair the gut barrier and immune function. These tests can help pinpoint foods that are triggering inflammatory responses, often associated with gut imbalances.

Intestinal Permeability Test

This test assesses the integrity of the gut lining by measuring how well two non-metabolizable sugars, lactulose and mannitol, are absorbed. Increased intestinal permeability, often called "leaky gut," can occur when dysbiosis damages the gut lining, allowing larger molecules to pass through and trigger immune reactions.

Blood Test

Blood tests that measure levels of inflammation markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), can provide indirect evidence of gut dysbiosis. Chronic gut imbalances often contribute to systemic inflammation, which can manifest in various health issues. Elevated inflammation markers in blood tests can signal that dysbiosis is causing or exacerbating inflammatory responses in the body.

Gut Dysbiosis Treatment

Dysbiosis treatment depends on the cause and the underlying medical condition that may require medication. Patients triggered by environmental factors need to modify their lifestyle to help restore balance.

The following list includes the most effective treatments for dysbiosis.

Balanced Diet

A diverse, fiber-rich diet packed with essential nutrients can strengthen your gut flora and recover microbial balance. The following dietary guidelines can help you get started:

• Eat whole-grain, anti-inflammatory foods that are minimally processed.
• Eat seasonal, fresh, and untreated fruits and vegetables.
• Consume food rich in B-complex vitamins, magnesium, calcium, beta-carotene, and zinc.
• Choose healthy fats rich in omega-3, such as fish, nuts, and seeds (e.g., chia).
• Include fermented foods rich in probiotics, such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut.
• Increase dietary fiber with prebiotics to promote the growth of healthy bacteria (e.g., garlic, onions, banana, asparagus, oats).
• Drink plenty of water to help break down food, aid digestion, and maintain regular bowel movements.

Note: Read about 10 immune-boosting vitamins that can help you improve overall health.

Gut-Supporting Supplements

Gut-supporting supplements are specifically designed to aid digestion and encourage microbial diversity. They contain cultures of specific bacteria that keep your microbiota healthy and thriving.

Always consult a healthcare provider before trying a new supplement to ensure safety and suitability for your health concern.

Vibrant Vitality Clinic experts recommend the following gut-enhancing supplements:

It modulates the inflammatory response to support the natural clearance of proteins, encourages lymphatic drainage, and protects against oxidative stress. It is particularly effective in treating leaky gut and seasonal allergies.

This gut-boosting supplement protects the gut lining for optimal permeability and integrity, preventing toxins, allergens, and microbes from entering the bloodstream and enhancing nutrient absorption.

This dietary supplement helps support the brain, skin, and cardiovascular health. It reduces gastrointestinal inflammation and hydrates skin by supporting its lipid membrane.

This dairy-free food powder contains nutrients, antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C, herbs, fiber, and fruit and vegetable extracts that promote detoxification and help the body expel xenobiotics, pollutants, and remnants of pharmaceutical drugs, excess hormones, and metabolic byproducts.

It contains pancreatic enzymes that help break down dairy, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to enhance nutrient absorption and reduce toxicity for a healthier gut.

Medication

Antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals can target infections and microbial overgrowth. Your doctor may prescribe the following medications to manage the bacteria:

• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) - An antibiotic used to treat gut infections caused by dysbiosis.
• Rifaximin (Xifaxan) - An antibiotic that addresses irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, often linked to dysbiosis.
• Co-trimoxazole (Septrin) - An antibiotic effective against gut and urinary tract infections.

While these treatments reduce harmful microorganisms, they may also impact beneficial ones. Some microbiomes recover naturally, while others may need probiotics, targeted nutrition, or fecal microbiota therapy to help restore their health and diversity.

Lifestyle Changes

Most microbiomes naturally recover from dysbiosis in the gut-promoting environment. You can speed up this recovery by making the following lifestyle adjustments:

• Limiting substance use.
• Adjusting medications if needed.
• Minimizing exposure to environmental toxins.
• Using anti-inflammatory skincare products.
• Managing stress and its sources.
• Consuming gut-supporting foods and beverages.
• Taking probiotics or supplements under medical supervision.

How Long Does Gut Dysbiosis Take to Heal?

Without treatment, dysbiosis can take months to heal. However, targeted therapies, medication, and treatments can help relieve symptoms in just a few days.

The treatment’s speed and effectiveness depend on the root cause. Gut dysbiosis triggered by antibiotics may resolve faster with probiotics and dietary adjustments, whereas dysbiosis from a chronic illness may need a more comprehensive treatment plan to restore balance.

What Happens If Gut Dysbiosis Is Left Untreated?

Dysbiosis is usually mild and resolves on its own. However, it makes you more vulnerable to infections from internal and external microbes. An unhealthy gut microbiome can lead to chronic conditions and worsen the existing ones if left untreated.

The following health issues may develop if you do not treat dysbiosis:

• Impaired digestion
• Micronutrient deficiency
• Slower metabolism
• Weakened immune response
• Chronic inflammation
• Mood disorders
• Neurological issues
• Type 2 diabetes
• Obesity
• Endocrine dysfunction
• Insulin resistance

Note: Learn practical ways to reduce inflammation and improve overall health.

Is Gut Dysbiosis Contagious?

Dysbiosis is typically not contagious. However, intestinal bacteria can be transmitted from one host to another via the fecal-oral route. Additionally, beneficial bacteria can be transferred from mother to child during birth through the vaginal–oral route and breast milk in infancy.

Conclusion

Medical intervention is not always necessary to keep microbial diversity balanced and prevent bacterial overgrowth. You can support gut flora with a healthy diet and lifestyle adjustments. However, understanding the underlying cause is critical to successful recovery and long-term health.

Consult our Vibrant Vitality Clinic experts for more information about gut health and recommended treatments.