Dysbiosis is defined as an unhealthy balance of gut bacteria. Because of bowel wall permeability to harmful bowel contents, dysbiosis leads to chronic systemic inflammation which in turn causes heart attacks, strokes, cancer, arthritis, collagen vascular disease and increased susceptibility to infections such as pneumonia. Older people with dysbiosis have much higher rates of all these conditions compared to people the same age who have a healthy gut microbiome.

Dysbiosis is caused by insufficient fiber intake; excess protein; excess salt; alcohol; artificial sweeteners and some other food additives; antibiotics; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen. Reviews of antibiotic prescriptions by experts indicate that 75% are not indicated. An even bigger source of antibiotics in people is the food they eat. Virtually all animal products tested, including fish, have harmful levels of antibiotics in just one portion.