One of the hottest topics in scientific research today is the microbiome and its impact on human health. Germs seem to play a role in how we sleep, our likelihood of developing certain diseases, whether we develop allergies, and seemingly everything in between.
What is the microbiome?
A microbiome is a group of microbes (also called microbiota or microorganisms) that live in a particular environment. These microbes include bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi, also known as ‘bugs’.
Each of us has a unique, unique microbiome made up of trillions of microbes that respond to what we encounter in the environment and what we put into our bodies, such as food and medicine.
, Jack A. Gilbert, Ph.D. .D., professor of pediatrics at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Every part of our body, including our intestines, skin, mouth and nose, has its own microbes.
Our microbiome is our life
We often associate bacteria and viruses with diseases. Sometimes germs cause disease. The flu virus and the fungus that causes athlete’s foot are just two examples.
But the microbes in our guts can be incredibly beneficial, even essential, for our health.
Microbes help strengthen the immune system, fight some diseases (pathogens), digest food and convert it into energy, and extract some vitamins.
Researchers have found a variety of relationships between microbes and conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes to colorectal cancer and obesity. And they continue to do a lot of research.
One study found that people with more microbial diversity tended to sleep better and longer.
More evidence shows that our gut microbes interact with our brain and this can affect mental health and neurological disorders. Scientists still don’t fully understand the connection between the gut and the brain, but animal studies have shown that gut bacteria can reduce stress. A 2019 paper in the journal Nature showed that the presence of certain bacteria in humans is linked to better health; Low levels of some bacteria have been linked to depression.
Gilbert said: “The microbiome and the immune system are two sides of the same coin.” “Basically, the immune system evolved as a way to manage the microbial garden in your body; like a garden, the immune system helps sustain the growth of bacteria that provide the things we need, and we try to get rid of bacteria that bump into it that could harm us,” he said.
According to Gilbert, each disturbance in the immune system or microbes can affect the other, sometimes causing autoimmune diseases and allergies.
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There is some evidence that gut bacteria may prevent or ameliorate food allergies, and other studies have shown that gut microbes may influence the onset and severity of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases.
Hygiene concept
If wrong, we may be doing more harm than good when we try to protect ourselves from germs (for example, by bathing our children with antibacterial wipes).
The hygiene hypothesis is the idea that our immune system does not learn to fight disease in the best way possible when the environment is too clean.
Gilbert, author of “Dirt is Good: Benefits for Your Baby’s Reproductive System,” says exposure to germs is good for babies, and parents should also provide pacifiers that fall and come back. without cleaning their children first.
But Gilbert also said it won’t be long before adults see the benefits of exposure to different microbes.
“While early age has a profound impact on body development, we believe that continued exposure to a variety of microbes throughout life provides benefits,”
said.
Gilbert suggests a garden as a way for adults to isolate their microbes.
“We found that bacteria in soil can have antidepressant effects by suppressing the immune system, and bacteria in animals can improve lung function,” Gilbert said. “[This is] a very early study, but it shows potential benefits for adults, especially as they get older.”
Indoor microbiome
Just as our bodies have a unique microbiome, our homes and workplaces also have a unique microbiome. This internal environment is called the indoor microbiome and consists of the same types of microbes found in our bodies, such as bacteria and viruses.
In the “Wildlife in Our Homes” study, which analyzed house dust from more than 1,100 homes, researchers found that indoor microbes are more diverse than outdoor microbes, which largely depends on who and how many people are there.
Whether you’re a good geek or a germaphobe devoted to cleaning your house, different germs can be a nightmare when you realize that this means many types of bacteria, viruses and fungi live with you.
But it is clear that a little dust and dirt will not necessarily harm you, it may even help you.
Take, for example, homes with dogs. Dogs are known to smell everything, chew everything outside, and track down dirt inside.
But instead of trying to control the dirt your dog brings in through his usual activities, you can accept it. Studies show that children who interact with dogs are 13% less likely to develop asthma. (Meeting the farm animals was even better.)
Should everyone allow a dog to develop a different microbiome and homemicrobiome protection system? Gilbert could say yes.
“From a microbial perspective, dogs are a valuable source of immune simulation because their bacteria prime the immune system and keep us healthy,” Gilbert said. “So you have to save the dog.”
Instead of staying away from a lazy dog and chasing the mess it brings, consider the contribution microbes make to your life. And when a piece of food falls on the floor, eat it instead of running to avoid the five-second rule.
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