COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 744
● Altering overall gut ecology [48]
Elevated methane production often correlates with specific
clinical presentations including constipation-predominant
conditions [49].
Hydrogen Sulfide Production
Hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria convert dietary sulfur
compounds into hydrogen sulfide gas [50], which:
● Can be inflammatory to the intestinal lining in excess [51]
● May damage the gut barrier [52]
● Often correlates with inflammatory bowel conditions [53]
● Can produce characteristic symptoms like sulfur-smelling gas
[54]
Inflammatory Pathways
Modern testing can identify activation of inflammatory pathways,
including:
● Histamine production [55]
● Secondary bile acid formation [56]
● Ammonia accumulation [57]
● Phenolic compound generation [58]
These pathways help explain how dysbiosis contributes to
symptomatic presentations [59].
Keystone Species and Their Clinical Significance
Certain microbial species play disproportionately important roles in
gut ecology [60]. These "keystone" species often:
● Influence the growth of numerous other organisms [61]
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