Micro Biome Restorative Therapy
Written By: Margo Roman, DVM, CVA, COT, CPT
Research shows that flora in the GI tract play a profound role in the development and maturation of the immune system after birth. It is also widely asserted that approximately 80% to 85% of the immune system is located in the gut.
This figure is not surprising, given the vast quantity of microorganisms in the body. A human body has over 100 trillion microbes, made up of over 500 species, which works out to about two to five pounds of microorganisms per person.1,2 There are more microbes than actual cells, since they are so much smaller than human cells. Yet when we administer probiotics to support gut health, we use only one to 20 species of microorganisms. This may be completely inadequate, considering that hundreds of species may need to be replaced. Since this diversity of flora is responsible for the health of the immune system, a lack of these normal symbiotic microbes could be the reason for a failing immune system, which results not only in GIT disease, but cancer, allergies and autoimmune issues as well as mental health problems.
If probiotics have limited effect, how do we restore the Micro Biome? While our first reaction might be abhorrence, research all over the world indicates that Micro Biome Restorative Therapy (MBRT) – giving feces from a healthy animal or human to the same species – may be the most efficient way to reboot the gut flora. MBRT enables the immune system to use the body’s own innate mechanisms to utilize the newly introduced microbes to start a new symbiosis, which in turn can help with healing.
MBRT can improve a range of gastrointestinal-related health issues in dogs and cats, including irritable bowel disease, diarrhea, skin disorders, an aggressive disposition and more. MBRT can be administered orally or by enema, transplanting feces from a healthy donor into the immune-compromised animal.
To read the complete article: Integrative Veterinary Care Journal.
To learn more about Dr. Margo Roman, you can visit her website, MASH.