Today June 27, is World Microbiome Day. Payal Kothari, gut health nutritionist & author of the book, The GUT, writes about the Importance of Microbes for our GUT
The Dawn of the “Microbiome”
Humans have originally assembled a specialised diverse bacterial world in the gut, the “microbiome” from the heritage of “The Great Apes”. As evolution, seasons and expansive happened the loss of bacterial diversity and archaeal diversity made the microbiome diverse and unique for the human race.
We are more bacteria than human cells. A healthy human is swarming with microorganisms in every nook and cranny in and on the surface of the body.
However, hands down, undoubtedly the largest collection of these miraculous microorganisms’ reside in your gut! They are called “gut microbiome”. These bacteria work day and night relentlessly and communicate with all the systems of your body via its very own nervous system the ENS in conjunction with all other 10 systems of your body. This microbiome when in a good habitat start to colonise your gut, hair and skin from the moment you are conceived and play a million roles to protect and serve us.
Meet the 100 Trillion game changers in your Gut
Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms with different shapes that thrive in diverse environments, like soil, oceans and most importantly inside + outside the human body. I believe, “Building and boosting immunity for survival is the most important and valued proposition today.”
#truthbomb
Did you know the bacteria or microbiome are in counts of billions and zillions, inside you, cover you like a coat on your skin? These microscopic bacteria or microbes were the first to be alive on our planet and probably the last ones to die. The most resilient and intelligently outnumbering all species alive on our planet today.
The invisible force of the 100 Trillion bacteria in your Gut
The gut microbiome is in charge of digestion, absorption of the nutrients from the food we digest, immunity to cognitive fitness. Without them there is a plethora of problems and illnesses, like indigestion, bloating, weight gain, thyroid malfunction, mental illnesses and much more. You will need them around in as many numbers as possible. They are spread across in different parts of the body, such as in the surface or deep layers of the skin (skin microbiota), the mouth (mouth microbiota), the vagina (vaginal microbiota) and the most important and maximum numbers for our well-being are the ones in the gut; your gut-microbiota or the gut microbiome or gut flora.
The human digestive tract is home to multiple strains of millions of bacteria, containing nearly 2 million genes and other tiny organisms like viruses and fungi forming the most complex and intelligent microbiota community. These days, it is a lesser known fact but they are creating a “360-degree revolution” in body and mind transformations. To maintain and balance them we need our probiotics and prebiotics in the form of fiber, good fats, complex carbohydrates, polyphenols and resistance starches.
You are Unique and so is your Bacteria!
Just like your unique fingerprints, each person’s microbiota is different. Your mix is different from your siblings mix of the microbiota. The types are mainly determined by your mother’s microbiota and later also determined by many external factors.
The magnanimity of your gut microbes!
Clusters and colonies of microbes spread across a tennis court and roughly made up of one quadrillion cells are inside your gut and Gastrointestinal tract. Ten times more than the cells in the human body. Their control over us is unimaginable. But, once you understand their role and intentions you will gladly want to befriend them.
You are more bacteria than human
The human you see in the mirror is made up of more microbes than cells, imagine ninety per cent of our cells in the body are nonhuman. And you thought you were made up of cells? Of course you are, but also of bacteria as there are more than a 100 trillion bacteria on and in your body as compared to 40 trillion human cells.
Out of a 100 trillion and still counting 2/3 of them are found in the small and large intestines, large part of your gut weighing as much as your brain does; 2 pounds. These bugs have been here even before Adam & Eve, way before any other living creature ever habituated our planet Earth. We need their assistance in everything!
Are you a bacterial millionaire?
As you now know more than a 100 trillion are living with us, we are never alone. Don’t worry, it’s a good thing (even if the idea is unnerving) They are helping us thrive! More of the beneficial is definingly a winning edge. These tiny microbes in your body, can make a huge, positive difference in your immune system, waistline, brain health.
Super 7 Microbial facts
- Waistline facts – The number of healthy bacteria in your gut, determines how tiny your waistline can get.
- Poop facts – Your regularity of poop and moods basically depends on these bugs.
- Depression facts – Good bacteria help in treating anxiety and depression.
- Diversity facts – The more diverse, better your gut health.
- Biological facts – Gut bacteria pass from mother to child from the womb, vaginal canal during child birth and via breast milk.
- Scientific facts – It’s also called the second brain, by scientists.
- Neurological facts – The majority of the neurotransmitter production also happens in the gut.
The importance of the gut microbes is more than just helping with digestion or excretion. Its survival!
Read More: Ancient Nutrition harnesses the power of organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar
