Microbiome: In health and disease
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January 28, 2019
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Did you know that there are more bacterial, fungal and viral cells in out body than our own cells? These “other” cells are called as “microbiome”. They are present in our mouth, in our skin, in our stomach, in our intestines, and all places. These microbes are good microbes and they help in maintaining our health. For example, microbiome in human gut play a very important role in keeping us healthy which includes production vitamins, priming our immune system and assisting in digestion of food. As each and every person has different “microbiome” composition, response to different diets varies among people. Microbiome on our skin can protect our skin.
It has been known that baby is exposed to gut microbiome while passing through mother’s birth canal. The “microbiome” begun to diversify as baby grows and different type of foods impact the diversity of microbiome in gut. Microbiome helps to keep body healthy in different ways:
- Helps in digestion of fibers: Gut microbiome digests fibers which will prevent diabetes, obesity, heart disease etc.
- Priming of immune system: Gut microbiome determines how immune system works by controlling how human body responds to diseases or infection.
- Gut microbiome affects brain health as well as heart health. Probiotics can alleviate mental-health disorders and may help in lowering risk of heart disease.
- Gut microbiome also controls blood sugar levels and is found to be associated with onset of Type I diabetes in children.
Ways to improve diversity of gut microbiome includes:
- Consume prebiotic foods like banana, apple, oats etc., whole grains, plant based diet, foods rich in polyphenol such as green tea, dark chocolate, olive oil etc.
- Consume probiotic supplements such as dairy products.
- Avoid taking antibiotics unnecessarily as it may kill good bacteria in the gut.
Emerging research papers clearly show that microbiome is essential for health and derangement of microbiome can result in various conditions including heart disease. So, keep your healthy bugs healthy.
Developed by Scientific Angle brought to you by Health Meter Services
Disclaimer: Don’t follow any suggestions in this article without consulting a qualified doctor
- Why the Gut Microbiome Is Crucial for Your Health https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#section7
What is the ‘microbiome,’ and how does it affect your weight? https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-what-is-the-microbiome-and-how-does-it-affect-your-weight/