The gut microbiome harbors trillions of commensal organisms which play a central role in our health. This community is sometimes referred to as our hidden metabolic organ due to its immense impact. Our diet and lifestyle play an important role in feeding the microbiome and keeping the colonies in balance. Should we be concerned if any one bacterial colony overgrows?

Today we discuss the commensal bacteria Desulfovibrio. Since this genus of bacteria can reduce sulfate and make hydrogen sulfide gas, overgrowth can have clinical implications. Listen in for more information on why you should care and what you can do about it.

Today on The Lab Report:

• 2:45 Why Desulfovibrio? Define Some Terms!  
  • Commensalism
• 5:20 Desulfovibrio – what does it do? Why that name?
• 7:10 Hydrogen sulfide gas – symptoms and its role
• 9:00 IBD and Desulfovibrio
• 10:00 Can you have DV and be healthy?
• 11:00 Other correlations – neurodegenerative disease, autism, metabolic syndrome, cancer
• 13:45 Pre- and pro-biotics as treatment adjuncts and the Naturopathic Therapeutic Order
• 17:09 Fructo-oligosaccharides and prebiotics to feed the microbiome – it depends
• 19:30 Question of the Day
  • Does the GI Effects measure other sulfur-reducing bacteria?
• 21:15 Evolving research – Desulfovibrio and GLP-1 hormones

Additional Resources:

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GI Effects Stool Profile

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