The tiny things that make our lives unique
Each person’s health requires unique care.
Do microbiomes depend on us, or vice versa?
Did you know that there are between 30-400 trillion microbes, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, living in the human digestive system? That’s 1.1 times our total body cell count. Which is why we call this microbiome our 33rd organ, as it is necessary for proper function of many body systems.
Don’t get me wrong
When mentioning microbes or bacteria, most people view them as a health threat. But in fact, both beneficial and harmful bacteria exist, and our health will be negatively impacted when an imbalance occurs — such as having too few beneficial bacteria to control the harmful ones. Beneficial bacteria are necessary for our well-being because they stimulate our immune system, feed our cells, and protect us from other harmful bacteria as well as viruses.
A mother’s womb serves as a shield from bacteria and viruses. When we’re born, we pick up various microbiome instantly, depending on the method of birth and where it took place.
Bacteria starts entering a baby as soon as water breaks.
A baby that’s given a natural birth will pick up microbes and bacteria directly from the mother’s birth canal. But if given birth through operation, the baby will pick up microbes and bacteria from skin contact with the mother, doctor and nurses performing the operation.
Breastfed vs. Formula milk
A breastfed baby will receive antibodies from the mother, reducing risks of having allergies. But a baby fed with formula milk will not receive this immunity.
Probiotics
Our body has microbiome or bacteria that are beneficial to our well-being called probiotics. They can be found in yoghurt, kimchi, natto, and miso.
Prebiotics
These are food for our probiotics, mostly found in food that’s high in fiber and can’t be digested such as garlic, onions, red beans and various fruits and vegetables.
Postbiotics
These are chemicals produced by probiotics that improves efficiency of our body’s various system functions such as the immune system, digestive system, and weight control.
Studies show that there’s a linkage between gut inflammation and emotional well-being. Patients with food-related illnesses can also suffer from depression and anxiety.
Microbiome and bacteria in our digestive system can affect our ability to sleep. Communication of the Gut-Brain Axis, which transfers data between our guts and brain, is dependent on microbiome functions and controls our sleep genes including serotonin, a chemical necessary for brain and neural functions which affects our thinking, behaviors, mood and ability to sleep.