You may not realize it, but there is a thriving community of microbes living inside your body! Known as the microbiome, these bacteria and other microorganisms play an important role in your physical and mental health. Let’s take a closer look at some of the surprising facts about the microbes in your gut.
1. There are more microbes than cells in your body
Contrary to popular belief, there are actually more microbial cells than human cells inhabiting your body! Estimates suggest that 90% of all cells in the human body belong to microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea. This means that we are more microbes than human!
2. They Play a Key Role in Your Immune System
While many people think of microbes as something to be feared, these tiny organisms actually play an important role in keeping us healthy. They help to strengthen our immune systems by priming us against potential invaders, helping to produce antibodies, and even stimulating white blood cell production. Without them, we would be much more susceptible to sickness and disease.
3. They Can Affect Your Mood
Studies have shown that certain species of gut microbes can affect our moods by producing neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. This means that they can potentially influence our emotions and behaviors on a daily basis! In fact, some experts believe that changes in gut microbiota could be responsible for conditions like depression and anxiety.
4. The makeup of our gut microbiome is ever-changing
Our gut microbe composition can depend on what we're eating, which medications we take, or even how active or stressed out we are. As we age, there will be natural changes in our gut microbiome that makes us more susceptible to certain types of gut ailments. It's important to pay attention to these changes over time so you can better understand your body and make adjustments for a healthier gut.
5. Diet can affect your microbiome composition
Studies have shown that diet can significantly influence the composition of bacteria in our gut. Eating certain foods (such as fermented foods) can help to boost certain beneficial bacteria populations while eating too much-processed food can lead to an imbalance between “good” and “bad” bacteria populations. Eating a healthy diet is one way you can help keep your gut flora balanced and healthy.
An incredible amount of microbes call our gut home – outnumbering human cells 10 to 1. And we have only begun to scratch the surface when it comes to understanding all they do for us. From immunity boosters to mental health regulators, these little guys play a big role in keeping us healthy and happy. So next time you think about probiotics, remember that you’ve got a whole community living inside of you, just waiting to be nurtured.