Topics
Focus Biomed Foundation
MICROBES
How microbes influence our health
Our body is colonized by around 1000 different species of microorganisms, which – as we have now known for some time – profoundly influence our health and well-being. These many microbes interact with each other and with our body; they control each other and can even protect against the invasion of pathogens. However, if the protective shield becomes disorganized and pathogens multiply and damage our cells, this can lead to serious infections (e.g., SARS-CoV-2) and chronic inflammation. If chronic infections occur, serious secondary diseases can develop over the years, namely certain types of cancer and possibly neurodegenerative diseases.
Pandemics shake the world population
Pandemics usually originate in animals (termed zoonoses). They arise from poor hygiene and close contact between individuals. The spread of pandemics, as we are currently experiencing with SARS-CoV-2 and its disease COVID-19, is accelerated by dense living in urban centers and by increasing international travel. Without any restrictions on freedom and population growth, we must continue to focus on developing effective vaccines and medicines.
Imbalance in the microbiome
Our microbiota serve as an important shield against infections and are a central element in the control of bodily functions and our well-being. This shield becomes destabilized. Behavioral changes caused by our western civilization, including unhealthy eating habits, increasing pollution, and the uncritical use of antibiotics, can negatively affect the balance of our microbiota. Pathogens previously held in check by the microbiome break free and launch an attack.
Chronic Infections Inflammation, Cancer, Neuroinflammation, and Co.
If abnormal structures become established in the microbiome or infections persist and become chronic, this can lead to persistent inflammation and consequential damage in the affected cells. The disturbance of this sensitive balance in the microbiome may have late effects on our health, which may manifest after years in the development of autoimmune diseases, cancer, and probably also neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Many preliminary findings point to such highly problematic relationships; however, evidence of causal relationships is still lacking in some cases.
So far, findings on the multifaceted effect of microorganisms in our bodies provide only limited insight into the complex regulatory mechanisms and molecular processes that underlie our sustainable health.
INFECTIONS AND CANCER
Infections – How do they arise? Where is their origin?
One of the great achievements of science and medicine in the 20th century is the near doubling of our average life expectancy. Improved hygiene, the discovery of antibiotics, and the development of vaccines have prevented suffering worldwide and improved our health and well-being. However, with the enormous increase in the world’s population, humanity is facing new challenges. Infectious agents are once again influencing our lives, causing pandemics, appearing in multi-resistant, untreatable forms, stepping out of the fabric of the healthy microbiome, and can eventually harm us.
The unrecognized risks
The task of our immune system is to monitor the microbiome, which overwhelmingly comes with an army of well over 1000 different species, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and hidden within also potential pathogens. On the front, the immune system is equipped with an arsenal of defense mechanisms that keep our healthy microbiota and invading pathogens in check. The principle of escalating defense applies: depending on their degree of threat, microbes must not be allowed to get too close to our body’s internal surface. If this happens, nevertheless, the immune system and epithelial layer react with inflammatory reactions, which are aimed at defense; subsequently, they can cause not only pain but also cause considerable damage to our body. It becomes threatening for the human being if the inflammatory state persists, chronifies, so to speak. The resulting risks are considerable but still little researched since they usually only become apparent years later.
INFLAMMATION AND DEMENTIA
Cancer, neurodegeneration and co. – effects of chronic infections?
In particular, if incorrect structures become established in the microbiome or infections persist and become chronic, this can lead to persistent inflammation and consequential damage in the affected cells. The disruption of this delicate balance can have late effects on our health, which may manifest themselves years later in the development of autoimmune diseases, cancer, and probably also dementia diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Many preliminary findings point to these highly problematic relationships; however, there is still a lack of solid basic knowledge and evidence of causal relationships.
Thus, findings to date on this multifaceted effect of microorganisms in our bodies currently provide only limited insight into the complex regulatory mechanisms and molecular processes that underlie our sustainable health.