Inside Your Microbiome

human microbiome

The human microbiome is the collection of all bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes harboured by our bodies inside and out. Although microscopic in terms of size, they contribute to human health in big ways. They form the key interface between the body and the environment and impact how we respond to almost all environmental stimuli. It includes tiny organisms, some helpful and some harmful. They usually coexist peacefully in our bodies. But disruptions like illness, specific diets, or excessive antibiotics can lead to dysbiosis. This imbalance can make us more vulnerable to illness.

Microbiota play vital roles in our bodies, stimulating the immune system, breaking down tough food compounds, and producing essential vitamins and amino acids, like B vitamins and vitamin K. They also help digest complex carbohydrates in the large intestine Additionally, the microbes protect against harmful organisms and maintain a healthy balance in the gut by competing for nutrients and attachment sites.

Research on the microbiome looks at how various environmental factors affect it. Air and traffic pollution can change gut and respiratory microbiomes. Antimicrobial products affect the gut microbiome, increasing stress and resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals. Artificial sweeteners which are presumed to be healthier may also cause gut microbiome changes, potentially leading to chronic inflammation and weight gain. Chronic stress disrupts the gut microbiome, triggering immune responses and digestive diseases. 

Researchers are still  unravelling how microbes impact human health, including why different bacterial strains have varied effects. The microbiome is ever-changing due to factors like diet and medication, and remains a dynamic environment. Yet, its broad health role and disruptions' consequences are still being understood.