What is the Gut Microbiome?

Together with our genes, lifestyle, and experiences, our gut microbiome contributes to who we are. A healthy person harbors about 1,000 different types of bacteria in their gut. These 1,000 different strains of bacteria make up between 10 and 100 trillion individual microbial cells in your body.

Your gut microbiome houses these different microbial cells, making each person's microbiome as unique as a fingerprint.

Microbes are an essential part of each of us and tell a story about our past, present, and yes, even our future. Your gut microbiome can be a key factor in whether you are susceptible to a particular disease and how well you will recover from it.

The body's microbiome directly or indirectly affects nearly every normal physiological function, including;

• Contributing to digestive and metabolic functions.
• Protection from dangerous pathogens.
• Formation of the immune system.
• Healthy and balanced gut flora can help you digest foods and metabolize important nutrients that protect your overall well-being. This metabolic process affects everything from your mood to healthy bones.

The good bacteria in your gut microbiome help keep your body happy, healthy and active in several ways.

• They help with digestion: when you digest your food properly, you're better able to metabolize and absorb the nutrients you consume, allowing you to get the most out of your food, which leads to a healthier well-being.
• Fight Bad Bacteria: Good bacteria can fight off bad bacteria that could potentially make you sick by preventing pathogens from multiplying in to great numbers.

Disruptions to the gut microbiota can lead to alterations in host metabolism, immune function, and barrier integrity. As such, it is important to maintain a healthy gut microbiota for overall health. There are lots of things you can do to support your gut microbiome, including eating probiotic-rich foods, taking probiotic supplements, and avoiding processed foods. If you want to keep your gut microbiota healthy and thriving, try to incorporate some of these tips into your daily routine. Have you tried any of these methods to improve your gut microbiota?