The Gut Glossary - Plexus Gut Health

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Akkermansia. A genus of gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. There are only two species that have been identified, with one, A. muciniphila, functioning as a probiotic. A. muciniphila is being investigated for its role in metabolism.
Bacillus. A genus of gram-positive bacteria that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. Certain species of Bacillus are probiotic.
Bifidobacterium. A genus of gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. Certain species of Bifidobacterium are probiotic.
CFUs. See colony forming units.
Clostridium difficile. A bacterium that causes diarrhea, typically associated with antibiotic use. C. diff is considered a major health threat.
Colony forming units. The number of viable microbial cells that can multiply. Colony forming units (or CFUs) are used to describe the number of probiotic organisms contained in a food or supplement.
Crohn’s disease. One of the two conditions part of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), that causes inflammation in the digestive tract, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. About half a million people in the US are living with Crohn’s disease.
Enterococcus. A genus of gram-positive lactic acid bacteria that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. While certain species of Enterococcus are associated with various human diseases, two species, E. faecalis and E. faecium are probiotic.
Escherichia coli. A gram-negative anaerobic bacterium that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. While certain E. coli is associated with various human diseases, one strain, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, is probiotic.
Fermentation. The chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeasts, or other microorganisms.
Gut dysbiosis. An imbalance in the gut microbiome that is associated with disease. This can be due to an overpopulation of pathogenic or harmful microorganisms or a reduction in beneficial microorganisms.
Gut microbiome. The microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, yeasts, fungi, and viruses, that live in the human digestive tract. The gut microbiome is also referred to as gut microbiota or gut flora.
Gut-bladder axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and bladder. Scientific evidence suggests a link between the gut and the susceptibility of developing certain infectious diseases.
Gut-bone axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and skeletal system. Scientists are studying the interplay between gut microbiota and pathological bone loss.
Gut-brain axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and central nervous system, enteric nervous system, neuroendocrine system, and immune system. Gut microbiota are key players in this process, with the gut microbiota sending signals to the brain, and the brain sending signals to the microorganisms.
Gut-endocrine axis. A part of the gut-brain axis that involves bidirectional communication between gut microbiota and neuroendocrine system.
Gut-eye axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and retina. Scientists are studying how gut dysbiosis may affect the development and progression of retinal diseases, including age-related macular disorders.
Gut-heart axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and the cardiovascular system. Scientists are currently studying the gut-heart axis to develop treatments for atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and heart failure.
Gut-immune axis. A part of the gut-brain axis that involves bidirectional communication between gut microbiota and the immune system.
Gut-kidney axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and kidneys. Scientific evidence suggests a link between the gut and various renal diseases.
Gut-lung axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and the pulmonary system. Scientific evidence suggests a link between the gut and asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and other respiratory diseases.
Gut-metabolic axis. A part of the gut-brain axis involving the signals from gut microbiota that affect metabolic homeostasis, and glucose homeostasis.
Gut-muscle axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and muscular system. Scientists are studying the interplay between gut microbiota and muscle adaptation and accretion.
Gut-neurologic axis. A part of the gut-brain axis that involves bidirectional communication between gut microbiota and the central nervous system.
Gut-pancreas-liver axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and liver and pancreas. Scientists are currently studying the gut-pancreas-liver axis to develop treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Gut-skin axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and skin. Scientific evidence suggests a link between the gut and skin conditions including atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, psoriasis, and dandruff.
Gut-spleen axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and spleen. Scientists are studying whether gut interventions can improve spleen function.
Inflammation. The body’s natural response to injury or infection. While inflammation is essential for repairing damaged cells, it can lead to chronic inflammation, which has negative effects on the body. Studies have demonstrated that gut dysbiosis is connected to inflammation, and that diets high in added sugar, saturated fat, processed foods, and alcohol, lead to inflammation, and gut dysbiosis.
Inflammatory bowel disease. An umbrella term that encompasses ulcerative colitis (IBS) and Crohn’s disease. IBD affects 1.3 percent, or 3 million people, of the US adult population.
Irritable bowel syndrome. A chronic condition that affects the digestive system, causing bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, or both. IBS affects up to 15 percent of the US population.
Lactobacillus. A genus of gram-positive bacteria that live in the human gastrointestinal tract. Certain species of Lactobacillus are probiotic.
Oral-gut axis. Bidirectional communication between the gut and the oral cavity. Scientists are studying how oral dysbiosis can affect gut colonization with pathogenic bacteria.
Prebiotics. Compounds in food that “feed” beneficial bacteria and promote their growth. Prebiotics can be consumed in food or as supplements.
Probiotics. Live organisms that introduce and restore beneficial microorganisms to the human gut microbiome promote gut diversity. Probiotics can be consumed in food or as supplements.
Saccharomyces. A genus of fungi that includes various yeasts and lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. Certain species of Saccharomyces, specifically S. boulardii, are probiotic.
Synbiotic. A combination of prebiotics and probiotics, either consumed as food or dietary supplements.
Streptococcus. A genus of gram-positive bacteria that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. While certain species of Streptococcus are associated with various human diseases, certain species, including, S. thermophilus is probiotic.
Ulcerative colitis. One of the two conditions part of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), that causes inflammation and ulcers on the inner lining of the large intestine. About 1 million people in the US are living with ulcerative colitis.