By Dr. Mercola
Believe it or not, there’s a microbial zoo that lives inside of you, literally trillions of microscopic creatures ― over 10,000 different types – all co-existing with each other and you.
In fact, they’re ten to one more than you, and ninety percent of the genetic material, (DNA and RNA) in your body isn’t yours, it’s the bacteria that’s mostly in your gut, but some also live on your skin and even in your nose.
Exactly what those different life forms do has been the subject of some interesting research in recent years, and while some of these organisms can sometimes wreak havoc on your system, most These little “bugs” are good, helping you digest your food. , stay protected from infections, and even keep your immune system properly tuned to fight autoimmune diseases like asthma, allergies, and diabetes.
The microbial community that lives on and in your body is unique to you – like your fingerprints – and is now considered a key contributor to your overall health.
Bacterial diversity is important for good health
Your body’s microbial “community” is so important to your health that researchers have compared it to “a newly recognized organ” and even suggest that we should consider themselves a kind of “superorganism” – acknowledging the fact that we cannot be whole and healthy without the involvement of a wide range of species and strains of bacteria.
In fact, as indicated by research published in the journal natureThe greater the diversity of bacteria in your gut, the better your health, especially as you age.first Research shows that not only does gut bacteria diversity tend to decrease as you get older, but older people living in a permanent residential setting, as opposed to within their own community, also showed less variation in gut bacteria compared with people of the same age. So the makeup of your gut bacteria is clearly influenced by many factors, including your age, where you live and, most importantly, your diet.
As you might suspect, people with the most varied diets also have the most gut bacteria, and less inflammatory and weaker than those with less diverse bacterial populations. Lead author Peter O’Toole notes:2
“Our findings indicate that any two older adults, independent of baseline health status and genetic makeup, may experience very different rates of health decline as they age due to Dietary choices affect their gut microbiota… You might think [diet] as another controllable environmental factor that we can act on to promote a healthier aging process. “
Less bacterial diversity increases your allergy risk
Inflammatory autoimmune diseases including asthma, allergies, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and ulcerative colitis are increasing at an alarming rate in developed countries, especially in urban areas. It is thought that part of this epidemic may be due to reduced exposure of modern humans to bacteria and parasites common in early humans.
Research in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives recently tested this theory and actually found a link between people’s living environment, the diversity of microorganisms on their skin, and their risk of allergic reactions. .3 Children with allergies have less diverse bacteria on their skin, and children who live in areas with more native flowers in their yard have more diverse bacteria and are less likely to develop allergies.
The study’s lead author noted:
“It is essential to be exposed to natural habitats, especially for young children. Our findings highlight the importance of green spaces in urban areas and the opportunity for children to become adults. spend time in the countryside.”
Bacteria on your skin help protect you from infection
Not only have the bacteria on your skin been linked to allergy relief, they’ve also been shown to interact with immune cells in your skin to boost your defenses from infection. Although it has long been known that the microorganisms in your gut play an integral role in your immune response, a study in the journal Science found that your skin’s microbial communities provide different immune protection than those provided by your gut:4
“Protective immunity to dermal pathogens is highly dependent on the skin and not on the gut microbiota.”
There are around 70 tribes of harmonious – or beneficial – bacteria that may be living on your body. The word commensal comes from the Latin term “com mensa”, which means “to share a table”. Interestingly, signals from the microorganisms in your gut are sent throughout your body and interact with the organisms in your skin and intestinal lining. Researchers are now looking at how these interactions might help treat skin conditions like dryness, improve collagen, or stabilize your skin’s microbiome to help reduce irritation.
Gut bacteria even affect fetal development during pregnancy
The composition of a woman’s gut bacteria actually changes during each trimester of pregnancy to support fetal development. This largely affects bv the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.
Interestingly, the study found that the bacteria actually became less diverse and the numbers of beneficial bacteria decreased while the bacteria associated with disease increased. Under normal circumstances, such changes can lead to weight gain and inflammation, but during pregnancy they cause metabolic changes to promote energy storage in adipose tissue to fetus can develop.5 The study’s lead author noted:6
“The findings suggest that our bodies have hooked up with the microbiome and may actually be using them as a tool – helping to change the mother’s metabolism to support the development of the baby. fetus.”
The importance of the gut microbiome continues during and after birth, and can have a profound effect on the health and development of the baby. An article in Science every day reported the striking findings of a related study,7 clarify:8
“Individual gut microbial communities are unique and profoundly sensitive to environmental conditions, starting at birth. Indeed, the mode of reproduction during parturition has been shown to be influence on the microbiological profile of the neonate.Vaginal microbial communities change during pregnancy in preparation for delivery, providing beneficial microbiota for the neonate.
At the time of childbirth, the vagina is dominated by several species of bacteria, Lactobacillus and Prevotella. In contrast, infants born by caesarean section often have skin-associated microbial communities, including Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, and Propionibacterium. While the full significance of these differences remains obscure, evidence that they can affect the later development and health of infantsespecially in terms of susceptibility to pathogens. “
The health implications of this variation for gut bacteria from birth is exactly what Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride’s research sheds on. Her research shows that there is a profoundly dynamic interaction between your gut, brain and immune system, starting from birth. She has developed what may be one of the most important treatment strategies for a wide range of neurological, psychological and autoimmune disorders — all heavily influenced by gut health. .
I believe she has Gut and Psychological Syndrome, and Physiological Syndrome (GAPS). and young children.
Download interview transcript
Tips to optimize and protect your microbial community
Historically, people didn’t have the same problems with a lack of diversity in their microbial communities and gut health as we do today because of the simple fact that they received large amounts of bacteria. benefit from their diets in the form of fermented or cultured foods, invented long before the advent of refrigeration and other forms of food preservation.
They are also exposed to bacteria on a daily basis, mainly through consuming raw foods, containing a variety of beneficial plants, and simply spending time outdoors in contact with healthy soil. They were not inundated with antibacterial soaps, hand sanitizers and antibiotics like we are today.
Maintain optimal gut microbiota by eating healthy, organic soil-grown roughage and ‘feeding’ your gut with fermented foods and probiotics (this is Necessary while you’re taking antibiotics), can be one of the most important steps you can take to improve your health. If you don’t eat fermented foods, chances are you’ll need to take regular probiotic supplements, especially if you’re eating a lot of processed foods. A poor diet in general, especially one high in fructose and sugar, and every course of antibiotics, comes at a heavy cost, as it tends to wipe out beneficial bacteria from your gut. , leaving unhealthy bacteria and other pathogens free to proliferate unchecked. .
You can ferment almost any food, and every traditional culture has a tradition of fermenting their food to prevent spoilage. There are also many fermented drinks and yogurts available.
Fermenting your own food is a fairly simple and easy process, and can be even more economical. To learn more, please listen to my interview with Caroline Barringer, a Nutritional Therapist (NTP) who has been in the field of nutrition for about 20 years.
Download interview transcript
A large percentage of all the foods people consume on a daily basis are fermented, and each palatable food provides thousands of billions beneficial bacteria — more than you can get from a probiotic supplement. Furthermore, food is the perfect delivery system for probiotics, as it provides both a protective and nurturing environment to help these beneficial bacteria pass through your digestive tract, improving your chances of inoculation. grafting and positive long-term health effects.
Here’s a case in point: It’s unusual to find a probiotic supplement containing more than 10 billion colony-forming units. But when my team actually tested the fermented vegetables produced by probiotic starter cultures, they 10 trillion won bacterial colony-forming unit. Literally, one serving of vegetables is equivalent to a whole jar of potent probiotics! Fermented foods also give you more beneficial bacteria, so it’s generally the most cost-effective alternative.
Therefore, I strongly encourage you to seriously consider including fermented foods in your diet.
