COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 747
● Ecological factors regulating pathogen expression [88]
● Balance between beneficial and potentially harmful
organisms [89]
● Functional outputs that influence pathogen activity [90]
This ecological approach provides more meaningful clinical
guidance than targeting individual organisms [91].
Clinical Application: Beyond Identification to Intervention
Translating microbiome assessments into clinical interventions
requires systematic approaches:
Restoring Diversity
When alpha diversity is low, systematic restoration includes:
1. Identifying and removing diversity-limiting factors [92]
2. Providing broad-spectrum prebiotic support [93]
3. Introducing keystone organisms when appropriate [94]
4. Supporting ecosystem recovery through targeted
interventions [95]
Rebalancing Functional Outputs
Addressing functional imbalances involves:
1. Shifting fermentation patterns through specific fiber
interventions [96]
2. Enhancing digestive function to prevent proteolytic
fermentation [97]
3. Reducing inflammatory pathway activation [98]
4. Supporting beneficial metabolite production [99]
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