[david_l_lin]

It's interesting that we've become so obsessed with the gut microbiome even though stool only captures a tiny fraction of the composition of the gut.

Similarly, the salivary oral microbiome has also been correlated with mental disorders, cognitive health, is modulated by diet, and plays a major role in systemic health. And saliva is objectively easier to collect. Instead of jumping straight into collecting poop, we should be collecting our spit instead!

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-022-01922-0 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-94498-6

[jklinger410]

I have a chicken and egg issue with microbiome stuff. Does your microbiome look different because you are suffering from an issue, or does your microbiome looking different cause the issue.

Kind of like when an auto-immune disorder is causing inflammation. You can treat the inflammation, but you aren't treating the real problem.

[david_l_lin]

well, for the most part in healthcare we treat symptoms not causes.

cavities caused by acid producing bacteria? drill and fill

gum disease caused by oral dysbiosis? bone and gum grafts

diabetes from autoimmunity? insulin

high cholesterol from… anything? statins

[aaaaaaaaata]

A great reminder that you are the only one truly held responsible for "figuring out" your health.

[FollowingTheDao]

Yes, I can assure you it is bidirectional, since my mental stress certainly affected my gut.

[Karawebnetwork]

I can only add my anecdotal story here.

I recently had mouth surgery where they had to open up the lower part to access the jaw bones. From what I understand, they sterilize your mouth pretty well beforehand. I had to rinse my mouth out with a foul tasting mouthwash and woke up with strange tastes and dark products around my lips. Since then, I've felt like crap. At first I thought it was the surgery itself. Then a long effect of the anesthesia. Except that it did not go away.

Anyway, I recently read a lot about probiotics and decided to try L. reuteri orally.

The result is so instantaneous that I was scared it might be psychosomatic from a placebo. But if it is indeed a placebo, it is the strongest I have experienced, so I doubt it.

My mouth went from always dry and smelly to well hydrated in one day. After 5 days, my mood completely changed, including the quality of my sleep.

I don't know if I was depressed per se, I had not consulted anyone. However, I had a heavy weight on my shoulders that is now gone.

Since that experience, I have added L. reuteri pills made for gut health to my diet. I am now considering making my own probiotic yogurts and as a family we have started to experiment with fermented sauces and pickled vegetables.

There is something very important about probiotics that is almost overlooked. I think we should all pay much more attention to it.