FOLLOW YOUR BY BRIANNE COHEN
B
Gut
acteria, viruses and fungi…oh my! Hundreds of trillions of these microbes live in the human gut; not exactly as part of the body, but in a symbiotic relationship with it. This ecosystem of the digestive tract and the microbes it hosts is called the gut microbiome. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, reportedly stated that “all diseases begin in the gut.” Though nobody knows for sure that he said these words 2,500 years ago, it’s true that a flourishing microbiome is key to good health. According to researchers at U.C. Davis, microbes are integral to the basic functions of digestion and nutrient absorption, as well as bolstering the body’s defenses against disease, including cancer and obesity. A healthy microbiome can even influence 8
mental health, via a system called the gut-brain axis. Each of us possess our own unique microbiome. Development begins at birth and is impacted by a host of factors, including where you live, your race and socioeconomic status and, especially, what you eat. A breast-fed infant develops a different microbiome than a formula-fed infant! All this individuality accounts for our varying reactions to food and medication. As long as the gut microbiome is in homeostasis - with beneficial bacteria flourishing and pathogen growth suppressed - the body can thrive. Problems arise when there is an overgrowth, or disproportionate amount, of microbes. Imbalances can occur as a result of medication, illness or excessive dietary sugar, and can wreak havoc on your health.
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