WHAT IS FLORA?
Certain parts of the human body are inhabited by microorganisms which peacefully live with us, do not harm us, contribute to the vital functions of the region in which they live, cause health problems when not present, whose functions cannot be compensated in any other way, which constantly renew themselves, whose diversity increases under favorable living conditions, and whose number and biodiversity decrease in some unfavorable conditions. Their generic name is FLORA.
HOW MANY TYPES OF FLORA BACTERIA HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM?
The number of flora bacteria identified in the human digestive tract to date is 1054.
HOW MANY TYPES OF FLORA BACTERIA DO HUMANS HARBOR IN THE ENTIRE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM?
The most important factor in this is the environmental conditions. Whereas the diversity of flora in those living in large metropolitan areas is as low as 50-60, this figure tends to increase in rural areas. This figure is around 100 to 110 on average in Turkey.
HOW DO WE BENEFIT FROM A LARGE, RICH AND QUALITY FLORA DIVERSITY?
This brings you a healthy, high quality, productive, happy and long life.
WHY DOES FLORA DIVERSITY MATTER SO MUCH?
We can think of the flora as a staff specialized in its own field and our digestive system as a factory. The higher the number of qualified personnel in the factory, the higher the quality of the product would be. Each and every member of our digestive system has thousands of specific functions. Flora has a vital role in the fulfilment of these functions.
HOW DOES OUR BODY REACT TO THE FLORA THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY IN US AND IS NOT PRESENT NOW OR THAT WE MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME?
In the digestive system, each flora unit inhabits a certain site and specializes in the functions of that particular site. Thanks to the GENETIC MEMORY that we have inherited from our ancestors for thousands of years, the flora bacteria that we once harbored in our digestive system or that existed in the digestive system of our ancestors in the past recognizes the anatomical region where they will inhabit, and even if they do not exist in the digestive system of the person at the moment, they start to settle, multiply and form colonization as soon as they come into contact with that region. Unless they face extraordinary conditions, they manage to settle in that anatomical region and function as the new flora member of that region.
DO ONLY HUMANS HAVE FLORA?
No, every animal and every plant has its own FLORA.
IN WHICH PARTS OF OUR BODY DO FLORA EXIST?
Certain parts of our body are totally sterile, i.e. free of microorganisms (cardiovascular system, cerebrospinal system, upper urinary system, etc.). However, the skin, upper respiratory system, throat, oral cavity, nose, and digestive system are the anatomical regions that harbor FLORA.
WHAT DOES DIGESTIVE FLORA REFER TO?
From the mouth all the way through the digestive system, there exist different flora bacteria in each region. For instance, a bacterium that normally inhabits the oral flora can never settle in the nose or throat. Each flora has its own specific habitat.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF FLORA? WHY DOES IT MATTER TO US?
Each part of our body has its own flora, which are the most crucial structures that fight against pathogens coming from outside. Also, they are of critical importance in the formation of a gel-like secretion called mucus, which coats the entire lining of the digestive tract, in the site they inhabit. In the absence of mucus, what we eat and drink as well as all the secretions of the digestive system come into direct contact with the surface of the digestive system (mucosa) and eventually cause deformation in the parts they come into contact with. The flora is indispensable for the acid-base balance, enzymatic function, synthesis function of the site they inhabit and for digestion. Without flora, these functions get impaired. Any disruption of the flora in any given site not only disrupts the function of that site, but also causes disruptions in the functions ahead and behind it.
DOES FLORA DIFFER IN TERMS OF GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS?
Yes, it does. There are some variations in the flora depending on the region of residence.
WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE FORMATION OF FLORA?
- The flora of the people in the region of birth and residence
- Cultural habits (dietary habits, cohabitation, household size)
- Number of people in close contact
- Breast milk intake
- Past illnesses
- Treatments received (antibiotics, chemotherapy, surgery)
- Genetic inheritance
- Environmental conditions (village, town, city, metropolis, etc.)
- Nutritional adequacy
- Mental health
- Industrial pollutants, radiation, toxins, agricultural chemicals
IS THE FLORA OF EVERY HUMAN BEING THE SAME?
No. Each human being’s flora is influenced by numerous factors. Like a fingerprint, each person has their own flora.
DOES IT DO US ANY HARM WHEN SOMEONE ELSE’S FLORA IS TRANSPLANTED TO US?
No. You can achieve a healthier flora diversity only through the introduction to your flora of new members that don’t exist in your flora.
DO WE HAVE FLORA FROM THE MOMENT WE ARE BORN?
Our flora begins to build up and increase in biodiversity from the moment we are born. What is important in the development of flora is the physical exposure to the environment, breast milk, and the foods consumed.
ONCE IT HAS REACHED A CERTAIN LEVEL OF DIVERSITY, DOES THE FLORA REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR LIFE?
The process of acquiring flora starts from the moment we are born and lasts a lifetime. The diversity of flora may increase or decrease due to infancy, childhood, adolescence, fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, stresses, treatments, diseases. Yet, in all people, the period between the ages of 20 and 30 is when the flora is at its highest quality and diversity. The biodiversity of flora decreases with aging and predisposes to many diseases.
WHAT HAPPENS WITHOUT FLORA?
It is impossible to live without flora.
HOW DOES THE FLORA GET DISTURBED OR DESTROYED?
- Long-term cessation of nutrition (intensive care period, definite or indefinite hunger strike, etc.)
- Following cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonotherapy, etc.)
- Long-term use of steroids
- Treatments for autoimmune diseases (immunosuppressive drugs)
- Frequent infections, particularly in childhood (upper respiratory tract, urinary tract)
- Frequent dysentery attacks, particularly in childhood
- Too frequent or prolonged use of antibiotics
- Malnutrition
- Agrochemicals (Pesticides)
- Consuming genetically modified foods (GMOs)
- Consuming processed convenience food, etc.
WHY DO CANCER TREATMENTS DISRUPT THE FLORA?
Cancer has a significant impact on body resistance and causes malnutrition. Cancer cells proliferate dozens or even hundreds of times faster compared to normal cells. The flora bacteria in our body also proliferate continuously and constantly renew themselves throughout the day. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are basically aimed at destroying rapidly proliferating cells. The flora bacteria are also severely damaged by these treatments. Because flora members are also structures that constantly renew themselves and proliferate rapidly. Likewise, since the skin and the hairs attached to the skin have cells that proliferate rapidly, some patients undergoing cancer treatment experience temporary hair loss.
WHY DO ANTIBIOTICS DISRUPT OUR FLORA?
Antibiotics not only destroy the pathogenic bacteria, but also the flora bacteria.
HOW DO STEROID TREATMENTS DISRUPT OUR FLORA?
Drugs called steroid group, which are used in the treatment of various diseases, act by suppressing inflammation. These drugs also suppress the reproduction of existing flora bacteria.
WHAT IS FLORA DIVERSITY?
Flora diversity is a measure of how many of the 1054 different digestive tract flora bacteria identified to date we harbor. The greater the diversity, the healthier we are.
HOW DO WE BENEFIT FROM DIVERSIFYING AND ENRICHING OUR FLORA?
We can illustrate this with two very simple cases. Those in these cases do not have any gastrointestinal complaints. The first is that measurable improvements in severe autism have been found in autistic patients if biodiversity is increased. Another is that, in people with high biodiversity, Alzheimer’s disease is less common, and if those with Alzheimer’s disease are transplanted with flora and biodiversity is increased, the disease shows serious regressions.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO PROTECT AND ENRICH OUR FLORA?
- We should eat a healthy and balanced diet.
- We should avoid using antibiotics unless it is necessary.
- We should do physical exercise.
- We should avoid consuming processed food.
- We should protect ourselves from exposure to physical, chemical and biological pollution.
- We must have breastfed for at least one year.
- We should avoid alcohol and cigarettes.
WHAT IS THE SELECTIVE PERMEABILITY OF THE INTESTINES?
Our small intestine is about 8 meters long. As our intestines have a curved structure (villi) inside, they have a very large absorption surface area. The average internal absorption surface area of our intestines is 16,000-18,000 m2 on average. This area is as big as a large football stadium. The villi also incorporate microvillus structures with a curved absorption surface to increase the surface area. Microvilli are lined with a single row of endothelial cells. These cells are tightly interlocked. Those tight junctions are called “Tight Junctions (zonula occludens)”. The protein “ZONULIN” plays an essential role in establishing and maintaining a tight junction. The digested nutrients are absorbed by these cells and then pass into the bloodstream. The surface of this intestinal absorption layer, which is covered with mucosa, is covered with a gelatinous secretion called “MUCUS”, which is produced by the endothelium forming the mucosa. This mucus prevents direct contact of intestinal contents (food, digestive secretions) with the mucosa. Thus, it is protected from external factors. The flora of the region is a must for the formation of MUCUS. In the absence of mucus, the endothelium of the mucosa is damaged and as a result, the selective permeability of the intestine is impaired, resulting in the condition called “LEAKY GUT SYNDROME”.
WHAT IS LEAKY GUT SYNDROME?
Leaky Gut Syndrome is a condition that occurs with the loss of the selective permeability of the intestine due to the disruption of mucus production after flora damage and the consequent damage to the mucosa.
WHAT IS FECAL ZONULIN TEST?
The repair activities subsequent to the impairment of the selective permeability of the intestine require the use of much larger amounts of ZONULIN than normal. This increases the amount of zonulin excreted in the feces. We indirectly get an idea of whether the selective permeability of the intestines has been damaged by measuring ZONULIN in the feces.
WHAT CHANGES OCCUR FOLLOWING LEAKY GUT SYNDROME?
- With flora damage and subsequent formation of the leaky gut syndrome, the most dramatic change is a IRREVERSIBLE reduction in intestinal absorptive surface area depending on the severity of inflammation. Treatments can only preserve the existing reserve or reduce the rate of loss.
- As, in leaky gut syndrome, intestinal contents that should not pass into the bloodstream also pass into the bloodstream, our defense system fights to destroy them. At some stage, this fight becomes misdirected and starts to attack the body’s own tissues. This picture is called “AUTOIMMUNITY”. The onset of one of the autoimmune diseases (rheumatism, fibromyalgia, GUT, vitiligo, psoriasis, etc.) triggers the development of other autoimmune diseases.
- This results in nutritional disorders,
- and developmental disorders, as well.
- This picture can lead to the onset of many psychiatric illnesses, especially depression.
- There may occur defecating disorders.
- Irritable bowel disorders may develop (IBS, spastic colitis).
- Inflammatory bowel diseases may be triggered (Crhon’s disease, ulcerative colitis).
- Lactose and gluten enteropathy may develop.
- And there may also appear food allergies to an increasing number of foods.
DOES OUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM FLORA REGENERATE ITSELF?
Flora is a living dynamic structure. It is influenced by environmental conditions. However, it constantly regenerates itself. Some of the dead and living flora is naturally excreted in the FECES, with forward flow through the digestive tract. In a healthy person, 60 to 70% of the fecal volume consists of active and inactive flora.
WHAT IS MICROBIAL ANALYSIS OF FECES?
The human feces are composed of 60 to 70% by volume of dead and living flora waste. The microbial analysis of feces refers to a detailed fecal analysis to determine which of the flora bacteria that should be present in our digestive system are present, in what proportion they are present, and whether there are pathogenic bacteria and fungi that should not be present.
WHAT IS AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE?
AUTOIMMUNITY is the generic term given to the whole of the processes that occur when the cells of our body’s defense system lose their natural coordination at some stage during the fight against the bodies they perceive as harmful, and perceive the body’s own tissues as foreign bodies and consequently attack their own tissues as well. The diseases considered under this category are called AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.
WHY DOES IT MATTER TO STOP THE AUTOIMMUNE PROCESS?
This is important because if an already existing autoimmune disease cannot be suppressed or treated, it triggers the development of other autoimmune diseases.
WHAT IS A FLORA TRANSPLANT?
Flora transplantation is the process consisting of collecting flora samples from at least one healthy FLORA DONOR under general anesthesia through endoscopy and colonoscopy from approximately 30 different anatomical regions of the digestive system, with each region being washed with serums suitable for its own characteristics and aspirated back, subjecting these samples to some series of specific procedures, and then transplanting them endoscopically and colonoscopically to the equivalent anatomical regions of the patient under general anesthesia.
IS FLORA TRANSPLANT A PERMANENT TREATMENT?
Yes, it is. If the remaining intestinal tissue accepts the transplanted flora, the treatment will have a lifelong effect.
DOES BEING A FLORA DONOR POSE ANY HARM TO THE DONOR?
No. In flora transplants, the digestive system is washed by endoscopy and colonoscopy with fluids that do not harm the body and the flora, and then some of the washing water is collected, thus providing a sample of flora. It is like picking the fruit of an apricot tree and growing new apricot trees with it. It’s just like collecting seeds. The flora sample collected is not even one thousandth of the available flora of the donor. Our flora is already a living and dynamic structure that is constantly renewed by reproducing new ones many times a day.
Donating flora does not cause tissue or organ loss in the flora donor, does not impair the donor’s bodily functions, and NEVER causes permanent or temporary harm to the donor. A healthy donor can donate flora many times over without losing anything from his/her body.
HOW MANY DONORS ARE NEEDED FOR FLORA TRANSPLANTATION?
At least one healthy donor is needed. However, transplants from multiple donors intended for increasing biodiversity have an increased success rate.
WHAT DOES A FLORA DONOR DONATE?
The donors donate a small sample of their existing flora.
HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD I DEVOTE TO FLORA DONATION?
A total of 24 hours.
FOR HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD I BE HOSPITALIZED FOR FLORA TRANSPLANTATION?
The transplant procedure and post-transplant clinical follow-up is completed in 24 hours and the patient is discharged.
SHOULD THE DONOR BE A CLOSE RELATIVE IN FLORA TRANSPLANTATION?
No. The flora donor is not required to be a genetic relative of the patient.
IS FLORA TRANSPLANTATION PERFORMED FROM SOMEONE OF THE SAME SEX?
The transplant is preferably performed from a person of the same sex. However, there are no restrictions on gender.
CAN PREGNANT WOMEN BE DONORS?
Yes, in case of necessity. However, it is preferable that the donor is not pregnant.
CAN PREGNANT WOMEN GET FLORA TRANSPLANTS?
Pregnant women can receive flora transplants during the first six months of pregnancy.
CAN BREASTFEEDING WOMEN BE DONORS?
Breastfeeding is not an obstacle to donate flora.
CAN BREASTFEEDING WOMEN GET FLORA TRANSPLANTS?
Breastfeeding women can receive flora transplants.
IS THERE ANY AGE LIMIT FOR FLORA TRANSPLANTATION?
No age limit. However, in the case of the pediatric group, the decision is made taking into account the patient’s condition.
WHAT IS SIBO?
When the flora is disrupted, it is initially replaced by pathogenic or useless bacteria, followed by overgrowth of some segments of the existing flora members. This condition is called SIBO. SIBO, an acronym formed from the initials of the term “Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth”, refers to excessive bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
WHAT IS DYSBIOSIS?
It is the mixing of pathogenic microorganisms into our digestive system flora and making it unhealthy.
DOES ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT HELP IN SIBO?
Antibiotic therapy is a frequently used method in the treatment of SIBO. For the treatment of the disease, high-dose antibiotic treatments, usually consisting of more than one drug, are usually administered for 3 to 4 weeks. What is aimed by this treatment is to reduce the increased bacterial density. The treatment is often followed by relief. However, what is overlooked here is the damage to the existing flora bacteria. Because antibiotics damage not only pathogenic bacteria but also the flora bacteria.
In a healthy flora and with sufficient biodiversity, pathogenic bacteria have no chance of survival and SIBO cannot develop. This is why FLORA TRANSPLANTATION is the most effective treatment for SIBO.
WHAT IS PROBIOTIC?
Probiotics are microorganisms that are believed to have a positive effect on health. They are mainly bacteria and yeasts.
WHAT IS PREBIOTIC?
Prebiotics are the nutrients of the flora elements available in the intestines.
HOW DOES PROBIOTIC TREATMENT WORK?
Probiotics benefit by contributing to the formation of the intestinal habitat.
HOW DOES FLORA TRANSPLANTATION HELP IN CELIAC DISEASE?
Celiac disease can be diagnosed by pathologic examination of endoscopic duodenal biopsy material.
Not all gluten-sensitive patients can be diagnosed with Celiac Disease on biopsy. Indeed, 95% of those with gluten allergy are found to have no Celiac Disease on biopsy.
Those who cannot be diagnosed pathologically with Celiac Disease have gluten sensitivity due to damage to the flora of the digestive tract. A key point here is that when genetically modified products such as barley, oats and wheat come into contact with our intestines, our genetic memory does not recognize these products. Another question comes to mind at this point: Why do these GMO products cause a sensitivity in me when they don’t in others, or why do they cause me discomfort now although I didn’t have any in the past? The answer to this question is quite simple: your intestinal flora is no longer as healthy as it used to be.
A Flora Transplant to patients with pathologically diagnosed Celiac Disease would help, but it is still hard to make a prediction about the duration of its efficacy.
In cases where flora damage is detected in the examinations of patients with gluten sensitivity whose pathological diagnosis is negative, Flora Transplantation can provide 85% recovery in these patients.
DOES FLORA TRANSPLANTATION HELP IN LACTOSE INTOLERANCE?
If lactose intolerance starts with the first breast milk intake in the newborn period, these people have LACTASE enzyme deficiency. Flora transplants to these patients do not yield permanent results.
However, later-onset milk and dairy allergies and intolerances are purely food allergies. In these cases, the underlying or triggering cause is damage to the flora of the digestive tract. Following such damage, intolerance and allergy to milk and dairy products are observed, as milk and dairy products whose formation has been impaired by industrial processes are not recognized by our genetic memory and are perceived as harmful. Here at this point, the critical question is this: Why do these products cause me discomfort when everyone else is consuming them, or why do they cause me discomfort now although they did not in the past? The answer to this question is simple: YOUR FLORA IS NO LONGER AS HEALTHY AS IT USED TO BE.
Flora transplantation is an effective treatment for these patients.
DOES FLORA TRANSPLANTATION HELP IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS?
If the impaired intestinal flora can be restored with Flora Transplantation, a very significant remission can be achieved.
DOES FLORA TRANSPLANTATION HELP IN CROHN’S DISEASE?
If the impaired intestinal flora can be restored with Flora Transplantation, a very significant remission can be achieved.
DOES FLORA TRANSPLANTATION HELP IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES (Gout, Rheumatic Diseases, Fibromyalgia, Psoriasis, Rosacea, Vitiligo, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis etc.)?
If the autoimmune disease is accompanied by leaky gut syndrome and flora damage, these patients can achieve dramatic improvements with FLORA TRANSPLANTATION.
CAN BAD BREATH BE TREATED WITH FLORA TRANSPLANTATION?
If bad breath is due to flora damage, yes it can.
DOES FLORA TRANSPLANTATION HELP IN IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME?
IBS often occurs due to damage to the intestinal flora. If the flora is found to have been disturbed, it can be treated with a FLORA TRANSPLANT.
CAN CHRONIC DIARRHEA BE TREATED WITH FLORA TRANSPLANTATION?
Regardless of the cause, chronic diarrhea is associated with severe flora damage. FLORA TRANSPLANT is a drastic treatment option in these patients. However, in some cases of chronic diarrhea, referred to as osmotic diarrhea, the patient would not benefit much from flora transplantation.
CAN CHRONIC CONSTIPATION BE TREATED WITH FLORA TRANSPLANTATION?
If accompanied by flora damage, a flora transplant would be effective.
CAN FOOD ALLERGY BE TREATED WITH FLORA TRANSPLANTATION?
In the case of late-onset food allergy, the vast majority of patients have damage to the flora of the digestive tract. FLORA TRANSPLANT provides satisfactory results in these patients.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE REGRESSION OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE WITH FLORA TRANSPLANTATION?
Studies on Alzheimer’s disease have found severe damage to the flora of the digestive tract. In these patients, not only the Alzheimer’s disease process can be regressed, but also general health parameters can be improved.
IS FLORA TRANSPLANTATION USED IN DEPRESSION AND PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESSES?
Highly favorable results are obtained if the condition has developed due to leaky gut syndrome and flora damage. Leaky gut syndrome requires intensive use of zonulin to repair the intestines. Actually, what the zonulin protein is actually used for is in the structures of the nerve cell conduction system. Zonulin deficiencies due to excessive use of zonulin in the intestine can lead to the emergence of certain psychiatric disorders. These cases are most commonly characterized by episodes of depression and schizophrenia.
HOW DOES FLORA TRANSPLANTATION HELP IN PATIENTS WITH AUTISM?
The damage to the flora may lead to the emergence of an autism that would never have occurred without the damage, or to the deepening of the existing autism. Flora transplantation yields significant benefits in such patients with autism.
Please contact us to get more detailed information about endoscopic treatments and flora transplantation for obesity. You can reach us via E-mail or Whatsapp.