Managing Your Microbiome

Managing Your Microbiome is designed to help you take charge of your health by taking charge of the billions of microscopic organisms that influence your health by interacting with your own cells.   By applying ecological principles the microbial communities in and on your body, you can enjoy good health and reduce the need for more costly medical approaches.

Note: If you have a medical condition, speak to your doctor before making any changes in your health routines.

My professional training and experience in molecular biology, toxicology, nutrition, and environmental microbiology allow insights that explain why the natural methods I've outlined in this course may work better than the common approaches promoted through conventional medicine.    

In this video, I share personal experiences with chronic disease and failed medical care drew me to replace conventional medical approaches with the ecological approaches to microbiome restoration I had gleaned from my research in environmental systems.  

Four billion years ago, earth was nothing but a lifeless wasteland of toxic greenhouse gasses.  It was the first life, microbial life, that created habitat for all other life forms.   In this unit, you will learn how microbes support all other living systems. 

We are accustomed to thinking of "germs,"  ie:  microbes, as causing disease.  But from an ecology perspective, disease is more of an imbalance.  It's not about having too many germs, it's about lacking the diversity to maintain balance in times of stress.

In Unit 5, Part 1, Discusses food cultivation and processing practices that influence the structure and function of microbiomes from the soil in which food is grown all the way to your dinner table.  We will highlight dietary practices that maximize the diversity and abundance of the microbes and nutrients you need to keep you and your microbiome healthy.

Whether you are trying to restore balance to a severe case of dysbiosis, or you simply want to optimize your health, and the health of your microbiome, a balanced lifestyle is key to a balanced microbiome.  In this unit, you will look for areas of your life that are most in need of balancing, and consider how changes there might impact your overall health and wellness. 

Many kinds of physical, emotional, mental, and environmental stress are experienced at the cellular level as oxidative stress.  Learn how oxidative stress damages your cells, and the cells of your microbiome. 

Lifestyle changes that ensure diverse microbiomes can be challenging to implement.  Looking for single changes that offer multiple benefits can maximize the success of your efforts. Some examples are provided in this section. 

This special update video was added to the course during the COVID19 Pandemic.  It is not intended as a substitute for medical care. 

The herbs noted in this video are loaded with anti-viral and immune boosting compounds. Used properly, in conjunction with basic disease prevention strategies like hand washing and social distancing, the herbs support a strong immune system.  Because they are biochemically complex, they are unlikely to compromise your microbiome.

Note that the herbs listed herein are no substitute for urgent or emergency medical care.  If you are experiencing fever, breathing difficulty, or other symptoms symptoms that warrant medical care, it is time to see an appropriately trained physician.