Some autoimmune diseases appear to be due pathological differences in the intestinal microbiome, typically when its flora diversity is drastically reduced. The

Some autoimmune diseases appear to be due pathological differences in the intestinal microbiome, typically when its flora diversity is drastically reduced. The latter is more common in first world countries, and especially among highly sanitised environments, such as overuse (unnecessary use) of antimicrobial agents and consumption of too much food which has been processed such that all microbes have been destroyed. Allergies are also a class of immune disorder, more prevalent among those who have little gut flora diversity. Unfortunately, while high diversity reduces the likelihood of developing allergies, increasing intestinal flora diversity does not seem to reduce existing allergies.