Follow Your Gut: The Importance of the Microbiota
Historically, the words “microorganism” and “bacteria” have held drastically negative connotations and it is not difficult to think about why this is. A bulk of medical research, practice and media focuses on fighting infectious diseases and this has created a public perception of microorganisms as a group of invisible, parasitic invaders, but this only describes a small fraction of all the microorganisms that we share the earth and our bodies with. Some of these bacteria evolved along with us for millions of years to form a dynamic community within our bodies and contribute to health and development in a myriad of ways.
Like many other health-determining factors, the human microbiota is unique to the individual and starts to be important as soon as a child is born. During birth, babies leave the relatively sterile environment of their mothers’ wombs and are coated with their first cocktail of microorganisms. This initial microbial bath is so important that there is evidence that varying the route of birth has implications on health, as governed by the microbiota that develops. For instance, cesarean-born children are more likely to develop allergies, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and obesity, possibly because of the reduced contact between mother and child or the use of powerful antibiotics during c-sections which can harm “good” bacteria. The baby’s microbiota may also be cultivated through breastfeeding and physical contact between mother and child.
Long after birth, throughout one’s life, the gut bacteria form a very important part of the immune system. Specific bacterial types are able to promote the proper function of our own immune cells through processes that are not completely understood yet. These bacteria colonize our gut and the rest of our bodies, benefiting from the constant influx of energy rich food that even we cannot completely utilize. We have co-evolved with bacteria so that our bodies provide optimal growth conditions for them. This is not a one-way street, as we gain from this partnership. These bacteria pay a “rent” by producing vitamins, regulating gut motility and aiding in the absorption of nutrients. The fact that they are so abundant in our gut makes it difficult for more harmful, disease causing bacteria to come in and grow. Much like a group of friendly neighbors, beneficial bacteria keep our bodies running smoothly while making sure that intruders don’t destroy their shared home.
So we know that our gut microbiome is important, can we change it? The answer is yes. The unique microbiome of an individual is affected largely by their nutrition. The different bacteria species that live in our guts thrive when fed with different food types. While some types of bacteria have a taste for fatty, grease filled food, others prefer sugary foods or fibrous meals. Eating more of a type of food therefore makes conditions more favorable for the type of bacteria that thrives on that food. Here, we see that the choices that we make on a daily basis have a huge impact on our gut-health which in turn has far-reaching implications. Studies have linked a high-fiber diet with the establishment of beneficial bacterial species while some foods such as red meats and fortified cereals may be harmful. Probiotics, which contain live bacteria feed, have also been shown to have a positive effect on the health of the microbiota. These are available as dietary supplements but also exist in the form of yogurt (another gift from microorganisms) and other fermented foods.
As time goes on, science reveals more and more factors that determine our health, which might be dizzying at first, but comforting when one realizes that our health is also shaped by the conscious, day-to-day choices that we make. So follow your gut, and if you care for it well, it’s inhabitants will reward you.
References:
Dunn, A. B., Jordan, S., Baker, B. J., & Carlson, N. S. (2017). The Maternal Infant Microbiome: Considerations for Labor and Birth. MCN. The American journal of maternal child nursing, 42(6), 318–325. doi:10.1097/NMC.0000000000000373
Zhang, Y. J., Li, S., Gan, R. Y., Zhou, T., Xu, D. P., & Li, H. B. (2015). Impacts of gut bacteria on human health and diseases. International journal of molecular sciences, 16(4), 7493–7519. doi:10.3390/ijms16047493
Kechagia, M., Basoulis, D., Konstantopoulou, S., Dimitriadi, D., Gyftopoulou, K., Skarmoutsou, N., & Fakiri, E. M. (2013). Health benefits of probiotics: a review. ISRN nutrition, 2013, 481651. doi:10.5402/2013/481651
