Why Bacteria is actually the key to health…
The human body is 50% microbes, which are tiny microscopic organisms you cannot see. Their home is called the human microbiome, which is primarily made up of bacteria but also includes fungi and viruses. Most reside in the gut aka the gastrointestinal tract. However the skin, mouth and vagina also have their own biomes. The microbiome weighs 3-5 lbs and is completely unique to each individual. It is constantly changing because things like diet, exercise, medicine, and sleep all impact and alter its composition on a daily basis.
The microbiome develops when a baby first comes into the world. A baby gets its genes from both parents, but their microbes from their mother through the birth canal and then through skin to skin contact. This process, called seeding, is an incredibly important part of a child's individual biological development. Those first microbes take up residence in the gastrointestinal system and for the first few years of life - nutrition, nature, family members and pets all impact and build that tiny human's microbiome. They form the base of the immune system and train it to identify viruses and pathogens. The microbiome should be fully in tact by about age 3. But what does the ideal microbiome look like? Trick question - there isn't one! The healthiest microbiomes are the ones that contain the MOST unique strains of bacteria - aka your gut bacteria need to be DIVERSE!
Scientists and researchers now know that 99% of bacteria are "good", including the ones living in and on us. Bad bacteria called pathogenic strains only account for 1% of bacteria on earth. That means there is a ton of good bacteria out there! And that good bacteria is good for our entire body. Having diverse Gut bacteria benefits:
Our Skin - bacteria promote tissue healing and adaptive immunity
Our Mouths-bacteria help break down food and protect your teeth and gums
Our Cardiovascular Health- promotes heart health and supports key markers related to cardiovascular health
Our Digestion /Gastrointestinal function-bacteria help maintain regularity, ease bloating and can alleviate occasional constipation. They regulate our metabolism, improve absorption of vitamins and minerals, and increase the strength of our gut barrier which keeps out harmful pathogens and supports immune function . When the gut barrier gets broken due to poor nutrition and inflammation, partially digested food, toxins, and bugs are then able to penetrate the body's tissues and get absorbed into the bloodstream. Often referred to as leaky gut, this may trigger inflammation and changes in the gut flora (normal bacteria) that could lead to problems within the digestive tract and beyond. It makes us susceptible to autoimmune diseases like Crohn's disease and Celiac disease, as well as other chronic diseases like heart disease, alzheimer's, arthritis, asthma, cancer and diabetes.
Our Brain -bacteria in our gut make neuroactive compounds that regulate our emotions, including 90% of our neurotransmitter serotonin, aka the happiness hormone. In turn, the brain can send signals to the gastrointestinal system, for example, to stimulate or suppress digestion. The brain and gut are connected by the gut-brain axis which is a direct line of biochemical communication, set up by special nerve cells and immune pathways.
Our Vaginas- bacteria balance ph and guard against unwanted yeast
This image illustrates how the human body is interconnected and the gastrointestinal system sits at the center of it all. It influences everything, so while improvements in gut health are often the most immediate, having diverse gut bacteria can have powerful effects across the whole body. To develop a healthy microbiome we must eat a diverse range of foods, especially plants, vegetables and fiber because different strains of microbes feed on different things. A less diverse diet means a less diverse microbiome which can impact your health negatively in many ways.
Whenever you eliminate a microbial strain you eliminate the beneficial job it was doing in your body. Keeping a diverse microbiome protects us from the effects of poor daily choices that we make both nutritionally and in the world around us. This is where probiotics come in. These systemic benefits mentioned above are activated through interactions between probiotics, your resident microbes and your body. They are live strains of bacteria that help ensure our systems function optimally. Learn more about Probiotics and which ones to take in my next post!
