Microbiome is a hidden world within and on the surface of our body that is crucial to our health. This world is composed of a number of communities that is as distinctive as your fingerprints. Most of the communities work hard and get along with each other. Others are dangerous and work hard at causing mayhem.
These communities are composed trillions of microorganisms–microbes. Most of the microbes are concentrated in the gut and the gut community is different from the one in the mouth which is different from the community on the surface of the skin.
The microbiome develops during pregnancy and the child’s first 3 years of life, A healthy, varied nutritional diet and exercise are particularly important during the child’s early years. Thereafter, the microbiome of a 3–4 year old, for all intent and purposes, is similar to that of the healthy adult.
Many think of this microbial world populated by bacteria, viruses and fungi in terms of “the enemy” which is far from the truth. The vast majority of microbes are benign and they function to maintain and improve our health.
Microbes are organisms too small to be visualized by the naked eye. Using a microscope of his own design, circa 1675, a Dutch scientist and cloth salesman by the name of Anton van Leeuwenhoek (Father of Microbiology) made the eye-popping discovery of observing for the first time microorganisms including bacteria.
Rocket forward 333 years and you have the launching in 2008 of the Human Microbiome Project to study microbes within and on the body. The objective of this ongoing research is to identify and analyze the microbes’ relationships to health, disease and to each other.
The research suggests that the microbiome is an interactive community (ecosystem) of trillions of various microbes and trillions of human DNA cells that perform vital tasks in their heretofore secrete world.
Ten Secrets of the Microbiome
- Digests and absorbs our food
- Makes vitamins (B vitamins)
- Protection: Immune system protects us against invading organisms and toxins
- Mental Health: Helps regulate stress mood and anxiety
- Obesity: Microbes may influence how you absorb calories and the regulation of your weight.
- Development: Influences the growth of your organs
- Maintains reproductive health
- Skin: Microbes on the skin and mucosa are the body’s first line of defense against foreign invaders.
- Influences energy level
- Helps maintain the integrity of the gut lining
The Disappearing Microbiome
Every animal and plant has its unique microbiome. The diversity and number of microbes in and on the human body are decreasing due to a variety of factors.
- Early life prescription of antibiotics
- Antibiotics in agriculture and fish farms
- C Sections
- Bottle feeding
- Antibacterial soaps
- Outlandish diets “change diet, change gut flora”
- Emulsifiers
Antibiotics indiscriminately kill both disease causing microbes and beneficial microbes. About 80% of the sales of antibiotics in the US are sold to the agricultural industry. The industry learned that low dose antibiotics caused growth promotion in farm animals. They notice that the earlier you introduced them to the animals the better the result and the higher the profits. Fish farms also account for a significant percentage of antibiotic use.
Emulsifiers are substances used by food manufacturers to keep products from separating, extend shelf live and to improve texture. Commonly used in processed foods, they alter the ability of the microbiome to maintain the protective mucus layer of the intestine. Emulsifiers can cause inflammation and progress to cause multiple chronic diseases.
Yes, microbes cause disease and epidemics. However, the vast majority of microbes in this “hidden world” are benign and they work to maintain and improve our health. They affect everything from obesity and digestion to depression and chronic diseases. One thing is obvious, we depend on the microbiome to keep us lively and in good shape.
References
National Institute of Health, News in Health, Your Microbes and You; November, 2012
Blaser, Martin MD; Missing Microbes; Henry Holt and Company, 2014
Lloyd-Price, Jason, et al; The Healthy Human Microbiome; Genome Medicine, April 27, 2016
Mercola, Joseph, DO; How Your Gut Micrbiome Influences Your Mental and Physical Health; January 7, 2016
Weizmann Institute, How Many Bacteria vs. Human Cells are in the Body? January 20, 2016.
This article is intended solely as a learning experience. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.