What is your “Virome” and How Does it Impact Health?

Not all Viruses are Villains

Typically, we associate viruses with infectious diseases that run their course once the immune system is activated and destroys the invading pathogens. But this is only a small part of the story. Thriving viral colonies in the tens of trillions are found throughout the body — in our blood and digestive tract, on the skin and in the mouth and lungs, as well as in reproductive and nervous systems — including the brain. The fascinating aspect of this living “virome” is that it varies tremendously from person to person. Not every virus is out to make us sick. In fact, some may be quietly working in our favor. Let’s dive into the details below.

Virome 101

What kinds of viruses can be found in our virome? Too many to list here, but researchers believe a good number are bacteriophages: viruses that depend on a bacterial host to replicate.¹ The virus will infect the bacteria, then replicate within them. In some cases, the virus will kill the bacterial host; in other instances, it will add its DNA to the host. Sometimes the virus will remain dormant until the right conditions present themselves to become active. This dependence on bacteria is an important point because it means viruses can impact our microbiome, which in turn influences our mental and physical health.

Interestingly, many of the viruses found within the human body are not harmful and have been with us for a long time — up to thousands or even millions of years. Some have significantly impacted our development. Here’s an example:

“…[m]ammals need a protein called syncytin to build a properly functioning placenta, which nourishes and protects growing embryos. The gene for syncytin comes from a virus that infected an ancestral mammal more than 100 million years ago. If it weren’t for that virus, we might never have been born.”¹

Over the millennium, mammals (including us) have developed sophisticated immune systems — thanks to viral and bacterial interlopers. Our recent pandemic is one example of how an infection can catch our immune system off guard if it’s a new virus, and why the illness was so severe in the early days, but has become less so over time as our immune systems adapted.

All in all, very little is known about our internal viral ecosystem — what some scientists call ‘viral dark matter’, but inroads are being made by researchers who are working towards creating a map of viral genomes found within the human body.²

While we currently know more about pathogenic viruses that cause disease, some less well-known viruses have important protective roles. For example, hepatitis G (HPgV-1) found in humans can help protect against HIV.² Many researchers also suspect that some viruses help to maintain immune system “tone” that supports a healthy response to a harmful pathogen without being over- or underactive.³

It’s a fascinating area of study that is in its infancy in understanding and identifying the different roles the virome plays within the human body. In the meantime, we can support our body’s crucial bacterial counterpart: the microbiome.

Immunity, Wellbeing, & Overall Health Begin in the Gut

Many of us are now aware of the foundational role the microbiome and gut health play in a variety of conditions — from anxiety and depression to autoimmunity, immune function, and a host of inflammatory conditions. Personally, it wasn’t until I addressed my leaky gut and microbiome dysbiosis that my health began to return — and I believe it’s the same for many. This is why I developed our convenient Balanced Gut Blend with a range of medicinal herbs for an easy method to heal the gut and encourage a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Here are the specific benefits of each botanical below:

REISHI MUSHROOM

• Helps suppress certain inflammatory compounds and helps inhibit histamine release.6
• Helps strengthen the body against the negative effects of stress, including: hormonal imbalances, high cortisol, fatigue, brain fog, and low energy
• Helps with autoimmune diseases and leaky gut issues through its anti-inflammatory action and immune system modulation.
• High in beneficial beta-glucans, glycoproteins, and triterpenes to support gut and metabolic health.
• Promotes quality sleep, helps alleviate adrenal fatigue, and encourages healthy immune function.
• Alcohol-extracted reishi helps with blood sugar management. This is important, as it has been shown that it’s possible to avoid the onset of seasonal allergies by keeping blood glucose levels balanced.
• Helps lower liver enzymes and enhances liver function.

TURKEY TAIL MUSHROOM

• Helps with leaky gut and candida overgrowth
• Enhances prebiotic action
• Helps calm internal and external inflammation
• Helps reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
• Promotes blood sugar management, LDL cholesterol management, and blood pressure
• May help reduce the risk of cancer
• Helps with bacterial and viral infections, including: HIV, herpes, shingles, HPV, colds, and influenza.
• A known immune modulator, turkey tail is thought to be an effective medicinal herb for autoimmune conditions.

PLANTAIN

• Helps with inflammation in the gut
• Soothes mucous membranes

SLIPPERY ELM AND MARSHMALLOW ROOT

• Contains mucilage, which helps cover your digestive tract with a protective layer
• Helps form a protective layer to assist the gut to regenerate and support your gut’s response to inflammation
• Known to help reduce irritation of the walls of the intestinal tract that can occur with diarrhea, inflammatory bowel issues, leaky gut, and many other digestive issues

LION’S MANE MUSHROOM

• Helps with inflammation
• Enhances cognitive function
• Shown to help reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s.
• Helps repair damaged nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain by encouraging Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
• Studies have shown that lion’s mane has a unique ability to help stimulate the growth of brain cells
• Helps with sleep, anxiety, and depression
• Enhances energy by helping with blood oxygen levels, muscle fatigue, and lactic acid accumulation
• Known to be helpful for autoimmune conditions

GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK!

“Today is my 1st anniversary being on Balance(d) Gut. Oh and what a feeling!. Last year I went on my vacation and put it to the test. I ate pizza, Mexican, donuts, etc… and nothing, no episodes. Of course I wouldn’t eat like that all the time. I was on vacation. I still have to watch what I eat. It does matter if you get a nervous stomach, but Balance Gut is a life safer and a blessing. I have mentioned it to others about it and they have tried it, and said it was helpful for them. Nicole, you are a blessing and a life saver. Thank You so much for helping people get healthy. May God continue to Bless your journey in helping people heal. You are a true treasure!” – Robertine M.

With carefully selected botanicals shown to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and restore microbial balance, our Balanced Gut Blend offers a natural, clinically informed extract to help you achieve your health goals. Take a step toward better gut function today and feel the difference our formulations can make by visiting the apothecary today!

Nicole Apelian

Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post

References

1. “Viruses and the Virome” American Museum of Natural History, December 2021. https://www.amnh.org/explore/viruses-vaccines-pandemic-science/virus-virome
2. “The human virome: The trillions of viruses inside your body keeping you alive” by Tom Oliver, BBC Science Focus, March 12, 2021. https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/the-human-virome-the-trillions-of-viruses-inside-your-body-keeping-you-alive
3. Ken Cadwell, The virome in host health and disease, Immunity, May 19, 2015;42(5):805–813. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2015.05.003