BACTERIA AND VIRUSES AND FUNGI, OH MY!
THE GUT MICROBIOME
By
LINDSAY ROMANO ALLISON GENTRY
What is the gut microbiome?
Did you know that the number of microbial cells on your body is 10 times the amount of cells you have? With over 5,000 different species, the human microbiome has become a topic of significant interest in recent years. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the tiny microorganisms living in and on humans play a big part in many processes. These microorganisms, or microbes, include fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Many different species of these taxa exist together in various locations around the body. They participate in a symbiotic relationship with the individual, meaning that there are mutual benefits for both parties. Like fingerprints, each person’s microbiome is unique, there is a particular set of species present that will complement each other while also fitting the needs of the host. If they do not, they will be overrun by species that are better suited for the individual. In the womb, we have little to no microbiome, and once babies are
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born through natural birth, they are first colonized by the microbiota of their mother. The newly established population of microbes will continue to grow and diversify based on the diet, genetic disposition, and environmental factors as they age. There are many different microbiomes that exist all over the body including your skin, mouth, and gut. All of these are important and function to keep us healthy and aid in routine body processes. The gut microbiome is particularly interesting because it is strongly influenced by the diet. An individual’s diet determines what microorganisms are introduced into the body and determines what kind of nutrition is provided to them. This helps shape the microbiome by helping certain species flourish while others may not be as successful. The different types of microorganisms that live in the gut make up the majority of the microbiome. Bacteria are introduced through food but specifically probiotics, which contain live cultures of
bacteria, colonize the gut. Fungi take up only a small percentage of the microbiome but are still important for the biodiversity and effectiveness of gut health. They are usually consumed and then colonize the stomach and intestine area. Viruses are different because they require a host for survival, so they live within the bacterial populations. The viruses in the gut are different than the harmful infectious viruses that we are more familiar with. The gut contains more stable populations of viruses that reside in their host bacteria in a symbiotic relationship. This kind of relationship also exists between other microbes and with the cells of the individual to maintain a fruitful environment.
How are these
microorganisms helpful? The microbes in your gut are an essential part of your digestive system, aiding in the breakdown of food during routine digestion. They live off of consumed food as it travels through the digestive
