What is the microbiome?

So much more than “our digestive system.”

The human microbiome, consisting of trillions of microorganisms, is estimated to weigh between 2 and 6 pounds. This includes the diverse community of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes. The microbiome harbors a staggering number of microorganisms, vastly outnumbering our own human cells. Estimates suggest that there are about 100 trillion bacteria in the gut alone, compared to the roughly 30 trillion human cells that comprise our bodies. 3 to 1, we are more our microbiome than “us.”

Often dubbed the "second brain," the microbiome is not just a digestive partner; it communicates with various systems, including our nervous, immune, and endocrine systems, through a complex network of biochemical signals. It’s sort of like a general in an army controlling his troops.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the microbiome is its role in producing and modulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are crucial for mood regulation and cognitive function. Neurotransmitters send signals through the fascia, which is also why fascia is so important. The microbiome influences hormone levels, affecting everything from stress response to metabolism. For instance, certain gut bacteria can signal the release of hormones like cortisol and insulin, which can make us gain weight, regardless of how “good we are eating” or how we train.

The human genome contains approximately 20,000-25,000 genes, while the combined genetic material of our gut microbiota encompasses millions of genes. These microbial genes perform a myriad of functions, including digestion, vitamin production, and immune system regulation.

So, we think of our gut as an isolated system that houses and then breaks down what we eat. But it is really running the show. Modern life is not helping. Antibiotics wipe out the microbiome, processed foods disrupt the microbiome balance, and medications, microplastics, and chemicals cause many issues. To have a healthy microbiome, we must be mindful of this knowledge and develop a long-term plan to care for our microbiomes. I’m here for it.

In this video, I sit down with Dr. Lau to discuss the microbiome as part of The Great Reset, a fabulous program you can sign up for and do today for FREE.

Now that we know a little more about our
microbiomes and how vital they are for our
health, let’s explore my top five tips.

Ashley’s Tip #1

FasciaBlasting and Core Training

Keeping the structure of the microbiome healthy

First, let’s understand that we must look for fascia “code words” to understand the anatomy of the intestines, the primary house for the microbiome. We look for words like “connective tissue,” “lumen,” “tissues,” etc.

FasciaBlasting and core training both flush blood to the area to keep the fascia healthy and the intestines supported in the muscular system. In reading over the anatomy, you will discover that the intestines are basically fascia, muscle, and mucus, which certainly makes a great case for Fascia Blasting and Core Training.

Mucosa: This is the innermost layer of the intestinal lining, which comes into direct contact with digested food. It has three sub-layers;

• Epithelium: A layer of epithelial (fascia) cells that absorbs nutrients and secretes mucus and digestive enzymes.
• Lamina Propria: A layer of connective tissue (aka fascia) containing blood vessels, lymphatics, and immune cells.
• Muscularis Mucosae: A thin layer of smooth muscle (penetrated by fascia) that helps with the movement of the mucosa.

Submucosa: This layer lies beneath the mucosa and comprises dense connective tissue. (aka fascia) It contains blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves, and glands that secrete digestive enzymes and mucus.

Muscularis Externa: This layer consists of two layers of smooth muscle:

• Circular Muscle Layer: The inner layer that helps to mix and propel the intestine's contents.
• Longitudinal Muscle Layer: The outer layer that assists with peristalsis, the wave-like contractions that move food along the digestive tract. (Both layers penetrated by fascia.)

Serosa: The outermost layer of the intestine, which is a thin layer of connective tissue (aka fascia) covered by a layer of mesothelial cells. In the sections of the intestine not covered by the serosa, this outer layer is called the adventitia, which comprises connective tissue.

When reading this anatomy, I want you to remember what we found in our scientific study. The FasciaBlaster remodeled collagen, i.e., regenerated the fascia tissue to a supple, native state. You can see this clearly in the ultrasound below. Since the intestines are made largely of fascia, the condition of the fascia directly impacts their function and is part of the absorption process. Healthy intestinal fascia is a big win, as is muscular support.

Below is the tutorial for abdomen FasciaBlasting and a playlist from my InnerCoreExercise videos, filmed over 15 years ago but still relevant today! I’ve also included a suggested schedule that you can follow along for ultimate intestinal structure support and rejuvenation.

Click here for a schedule of abdominal blasting and ICE core training.

Ashley’s Tip #2

Food Pairings Are Important

Eating for Your Digestive Enzymes

As part of my New Year, New You Program, “The Great Reset,” which you may begin for free anytime by clicking here, I introduced my audience to food pairings. This is a very simple concept, but putting it into practice can be quite a life change. To really dive into this, I suggest doing the month-long program, but here are the highlights.

The food pairings are all designed for exactly what we discuss in this blog—the microbiome's health. Excess and undigested food festers, grows biofilms, and sets off a negative chain reaction in our bodies. So the short of it is, we want our food in… and OUT! Eat-digest-poop-eat-digest-poop-repeat! Different categories of foods require different digestive enzymes, so consuming food in a different way can help with the digestive process. There are a few assumptions before we jump into the pairings.

Assumption #1

Eliminate the 4 horsemen. Trans Fats, Dairy, Processed Flour, and White Sugar. Easier said than done, but our digestive systems were not made to break these down. All four categories damage the microbiome, and if you really want a healthy microbiome - these have GOT TO GO! Here is a quick video from The Great Reset where Dr Lau, Jared, and I discuss.

Assumption #2
Eating natural whole foods. The easiest way to look at this is, would someone in the 1800s have this food available? So, no more chemicals, processed foods, or non-organics. Our digestive system and microbiomes were not made to break down TV dinners or pesticide sprays on veggies.

Assumption #3
We cannot process more than about 400 calories in a setting. So, overeating, even healthy foods, can cause a buildup and lead to microbiome imbalance and biofilms.

OK, now that we know we are eating organic, eliminating the 4 horsemen and eating less…on to the food pairings. Here's the information in a nutshell: Remember, we are pairing foods that don’t “compete” but actually aid the digestive enzymes.

Vegetables with Proteins, YES.

Good fats can go with anything, YES.

Vegetables with starches, YES.

Eat fruit separately, YES ALONE.

But the Big Kahuna Rule that usually blows people away is NO ❌ pairing of Protein and Starch. This means no meat and potatoes, no meat sandwiches, no fish and rice etc. Sadly, most of us grew up eating this way, so it’s a bit of a change, but once you do it, you will love it! You will feel satisfied but not bloated, your digestion will pump, and your microbiome will love you. Don’t worry if this seems overwhelming. You can sign up for The Great Reset, where we send daily meal plans with the proper pairings and recipes. You can also find some easy resources below.

Ashley’s Tip #3

Fasting and enemas

Resetting your microbiome from time to time

What I first want you to understand is that we can “grow'' intestinal biofilms that can block our ability to absorb food and can cause a lot of problems and diseases. We can lose muscle because we might not get the nutrition we need with this absorption problem. We can swell and be in a constant state of bowel movement dysfunction. Hormones can go whack, and our mental state can be affected. I personally experienced having biofilms, and I can tell you there's no simple or easy answer, but I am going to share what worked for me.

And let me tell you, biofilms are absolutely disgusting. I can’t believe that people have these things lining their intestines and festering for a lifetime. Imagine plastic wrap lining your intestines. Ugh 🤢 I have personally witnessed mine being removed. The pictures of biofilms are not for the faint of heart, so I didn’t include them in this blog, but if you have the stomach for it, click here for what these biofilms can look like.

Parasites, candida, and other bad bacteria love to live in these biofilms. So, let’s get educated on what exactly biofilms are. Intestinal biofilms are structured communities of microorganisms, primarily bacteria that adhere to the intestinal mucosa and are embedded in a self-produced matrix or “slime.” This “hotdog casing” type matrix comprises polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids, providing a protective environment for the bacteria within the biofilm. Biofilms Here are key points to understand about intestinal biofilms:

Characteristics of Intestinal Biofilms

What I first want you to understand is that we can “grow'' intestinal biofilms that can block our ability to absorb food and can cause a lot of problems and diseases. We can lose muscle because we might not get the nutrition we need with this absorption problem. We can swell and be in a constant state of bowel movement dysfunction. Hormones can go whack, and our mental state can be affected. I personally experienced having biofilms, and I can tell you there's no simple or easy answer, but I am going to share what worked for me.

1. Structure and Composition:

• Biofilms comprise multiple microbial species, creating a complex and diverse community.
• The mucoid plaque biofilm protects the bacteria from environmental stresses, immune responses, and antimicrobial agents.

2. Formation:

• Biofilm formation begins with the attachment of free-floating bacteria to the intestinal mucosa.
• These bacteria multiply and produce the matrix, developing into a mature biofilm.

3. Location

• Biofilms can form on the epithelial surface of the intestines and within the mucus layer.
• They can be found in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, including the small intestine and colon.

So, needless to say, we want to clean our guts and make sure this matrix film doesn't coat our intestines, blocking food absorption, causing irritable bowel syndrome, housing parasites, or causing any other problem. So, how do you get them out?

The simple answer is Colonics, Colemas, or Home Coffee Enemas. All of these procedures involve pushing liquid into the large intestine to break down and move out the biofilm. Colonics use a practitioner and a machine. Colemas use much larger amounts of liquid (this is what I did) and usually involve a specialized colema bed. Coffee Enemas can be done at home with a small bag of liquid.

Some quick, helpful tips:

• For colonics, google “Colonics near me.”
• For fasting Colemas, as I did, click here.
• For Home Coffee Enema, click here.

Now, here’s where some controversy comes in. Many people use these methods of extraction while continuing to eat. But for me, this just doesn’t make sense. If you have food in your bowel, the extraction will primarily remove “what’s in there.” So, personally, I went to a fasting retreat that incorporates juices for nutrition and daily colemas for extraction. My results were nothing short of a mind-blowing miracle, and if you feel compelled, this is where I went and have now been 5 times. I plan to do this yearly to keep my intestines free of mucoid plaque biofilms. I even host a yearly FasciaBlaster/cleanse retreat there each year. You can learn more here.

I am no expert in leading cleanses, but I hope that by exposing you to their existence, you can do some more research and find something that you would like to try. Whether you go to a 14-day fasting retreat, find a local colonics center, or simply green juice fast at home with coffee enemas, the main takeaway I want you to have is that biofilms can exist, and if they do, you want to get them out.

Ashley’s Tip #4

Keep the Chemicals out

The hidden killers of the microbiome

There are so many routes through which we can take in chemicals from our food and our environment. For this blog, I want to focus on some of the more egregious ones to bring awareness to this topic. Let’s discuss chemicals in our cleaning and personal care products, GMOs, Pharmaceuticals in general, NSAIDS, and processed food.

Personal care and cleaning products often contain "forever chemicals," or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which persist in the environment and accumulate in our bodies. These chemicals resist breakdown, leading to long-term exposure and potential health risks The disruption in the microbiome can weaken our immune system, contribute to skin conditions, and negatively impact digestion. In short, we must avoid using the products and find organic alternatives. Dr. Lau, Jared, and I discuss this topic in this quick video.

When we navigate the complex world of genetically modified foods (GMOs), we unravel the complexity behind the long-term negative effects that may only be seen on the surface years after being introduced to an individual's diet. Scientists face challenges cataloging all the side effects of meddling with our foods. The problem is that consumers don’t have much choice when eating GMOs since the industry adamantly refuses to label their crops. Never before in human evolution has humankind eaten genetically modified food. My advice is to eliminate GMOs from your diet completely. In this short video, Dr Lau and Jared discuss this topic.

I'm going to throw pharmaceuticals and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal, Anti Inflammatory Drugs) into one topic here, even though their impact could be quite different. It’s essential to understand that all drugs come with damaging side effects. Altering cell function and contributing to the cycle of disease. Even if a drug is “good” for one thing, it can set off a chain reaction that slowly alters our sensitive bioecospheres. Drugs are foreign to the body; the mechanism by which drugs work is to alter the body’s biochemistry to suppress symptoms. Most physicians think it is acceptable for people to take NSAIDs, believing that they cause minimal and acceptable damage. NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal damage, leading to ulcers, bleeding, and the delicate balance of gut bacteria. This disruption can reduce microbial diversity, fostering an environment for harmful bacteria to thrive. Additionally, NSAIDs can alter the gut lining's permeability, potentially leading to a "leaky gut" or the inability to absorb, where toxins can enter the bloodstream. We know this is a highly personal decision, and we encourage you to do further research. Check out the video on pharmaceuticals and NSAIDS here.

First, our new silicone tools increase surface capillary activity, boosting blood flow and oxygenation to the skin. This enhanced circulation revitalizes your epidermis, giving you that glowy skin. Additionally, FasciaBlasters promote the proliferation of fibroblasts and fasciacytes, the cells responsible for generating collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Collagen and elastin are crucial for maintaining skin's firmness and elasticity, keeping wrinkles, sagging, and creepy skin at bay.

But that’s not all. FasciaBlasting stimulates stem cells, which play a key role in tissue repair and regeneration. This means your skin is constantly renewing, appearing smoother and more youthful. Furthermore, this technique enhances the production of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance in your body that hydrates and plumps your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and giving you a fresher, more vibrant look.

The best part? FasciaBlasting is a natural approach to achieving beautiful skin. By incorporating it into your skincare routine, you harness your body's innate ability to rejuvenate and heal. There are no harsh chemicals or invasive procedures—just you and the power of your fascia. Start FasciaBlasting today and experience the transformation. Look amazing, feel younger, and do it all naturally. Your skin will thank you!

And That’s A Wrap

I hope this information-rich blog opens “Pandora's box” of gut health for you. Like fascia, the microbiome is one of the most misunderstood systems of the body by modern medicine and one of the most crucial.

Maintaining a healthy microbiome is vital for overall well-being, and I hope this blog provides practical tips to support your gut health. Belly FasciaBlasting and abdominal exercises enhance blood flow and prevent blockages, while digestive enzymes ensure efficient food breakdown. Periodic fasting and enemas clear harmful bacteria, promoting a fresh start for your gut. Avoid chemicals that disrupt your microbiome by choosing natural, organic foods. Additionally, incorporating prebiotics and probiotics helps balance beneficial bacteria. Prioritize your microbiome—it's the cornerstone of your health!

For any additional resources or questions, click here.