Gut Health – Microbiome

An extensive amount of research is underway in the area of gut health and the gut microbiome. Scientists are now referring to the gut as ‘the second brain’ and are suggesting that its influence over our general health is enormous. 80% of our immune system is located in the gut and as such, there should be no doubting its significance when it comes to disease. The importance of the gut to human health and cancer in particular, should not be underestimated. Doctors and patients should do so at their own peril.

Dysbiosis in the gut has been linked to everything from auto-immune disorders, to depression and even cancer. Research has shown that correcting problems in this vital area can improve and even eliminate many health problems.

Developments in microbiome sequencing techniques are leading to personalised therapies for a number of diseases, including cancer. Microorganisms in the gut can be used to empower the immune system to fight cancer, as opposed to traditional therapies that dramatically weaken it.

Mapping the microbiome is critical to maintaining good health and it makes sense to first map each person’s microbiome to assess where they are lacking and only then make recommendations on how to correct it.

SoSDT 4 LIFE is leading the way again in this very important field.  We have partnered with Dr Margaret Smith and her team at smartDNA in Melbourne, Australia, to map and study the microbiomes of our patients.

Through the ‘smartGUT Microbiome Test’, smartDNA can identify the problems with our patient’s microbiomes and from there our team of experts can prescribe methods to correct the dysbiosis, heal the gut and build the strongest immune system possible. Each individuals microbiome is unique, so a tailored treatment plan is required for each patient.

This cutting-edge test is part of the comprehensive testing program we employ when formulating the personalised treatment protocols for patients. Identifying any issues and then correcting them through our range of therapies, is all part of our plan to return the body to optimal health. We educate the patients on what is best to maintain their unique optimal gut microbiome and how to replace cancer enhancing habits with cancer fighting ones.

This is yet another example of how everything in the body is connected and why doctors should not treat cancer in isolation – a holistic approach is so important. Poor diet, stress and other factors can have a negative effect on our microbiome, so proper diet and relaxation techniques should be a part of any optimal health plan.

This is what stands SoSDT 4 LIFE apart from most other cancer treatment centres, we understand the importance of a holistic approach and have created a program where none previously existed – revolutionising the way cancer is being treated.

A strong immune system is critical to fighting cancer – therefore optimal gut health for cancer patients should be paramount.

Tests can also be done in Australia and New Zealand through PAN. A PAN practitioner can monitor results and tailor a program to achieve an optimal microbiome for each individual, ensuring ongoing care in this important area when patients leave our hospital.

Dr Margaret Smith is a molecular geneticist with over 20 years experience in neurogenetics and cancer genetics.

A brilliant scientist, she has worked in major teaching hospitals in both Australia and New Zealand. Margaret has helped develop methods to enable cost-effective breast cancer screening in diagnostic laboratories in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

In 2009, Margaret became the co-founder of a nutritional genomics company called smartDNA. smartDNA has developed assays that have a known nutrient interaction with the human genome. This testing is provided by registered Health Practitioners for the purpose of personalised preventative health whereby nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle interventions can have a positive effect.

In the last 2 years smartDNA has developed a smartGUT Test to analyse the human gut microbiome and a curated human microbiome database to enable accurate detection of the bacteria present.

In 2016 smartDNA established smartLAB in the translational facility located at Monash MHTP in Clayton, Victoria, Australia. This laboratory offers a range of services including DNA extractions, Genomic Analysis, Clinical Trials, Bioinformatics, Research and Development and Product validation.

Margaret recently published with Harlequin an easy read book entitled ‘Gene Genius’ which covers nutritional genomics and other aspects of the human genome in relation to environment and lifestyle for preventative health.