Your gut is more than a tube

The human body’s largest population of microorganisms resides in the intestine and is collectively called the gut microbiota. Although initially it was thought that there were more microbial than human cells in the body, recent estimates show microbial and human cells are present in comparable numbers.In an individual weighing 70kg, the human gut microbiota gathers more than 100 trillion microorganisms and weighs about 200g (equivalent to a medium-sized mango). There are 150/200 times more genes in this individual’s microbiota than in all of their cells put together.The human genome consists of about 23,000 genes, whereas our microbiome encodes over 3 million genes that produce thousands of metabolites. In other words, in terms of genes, humans are more than 99% microbial.Although there is a ‘core’ consisting of bacterial groups common to all healthy humans (it has been estimated that one third of the gut microbiota is common to most people), gut microbiota composition is mostly unique to each individual and is influenced by:Factors over which humans can take action:feeding methods (breast milk, artificial milk and introduction of solid food);medication (antibiotics, acid suppressants, anti-diabetic drugs...);dietary habits and the way food is cooked;environment and lifestyle (rural vs. urban locations, exercise); andweight gain.Interestingly, even though each individual has a specific microbiota that acts like an individual identity card, the microbiota in general also brings unique functions to humans (e.g., digesting nutrients that humans cannot digest on their own and producing vitamins, among others).Although there is no consensus on what constitutes a health-associated microbiota, some hallmarks have been proposed:Increased species richness and/or diversity: the number of different species and how different they are in a specific habitat (e.g., the digestive tract) is considered a hallmark of gut health.Resistance, resilience and stability over time: the ability to resist perturbation (e.g., antibiotic treatment or imbalanced diets) and to recover a stable state.High gut microbial gene richness: the number of microbial genes in the gut has been suggested as an indicator of good metabolic and overall health.Digestive ailments, obesity, diabetes, allergies, cancer and even neurodegenerative diseases have been linked to an imbalance in gut microbiota composition or function (a situation scientists call ‘dysbiosis’).Thus, targeting the gut microbiota emerges as a potential way of dealing with many chronic diseases that are on the rise in Western society.Gut microbiota functions are manifold:Defense:It defends against harmful microorganisms.It teaches the immune system to tell friends from foes.It degrades toxic compounds.Nutrition:It can digest certain foods (e.g., dietary fiber) that humans are not able to digest.When the gut microbiota breaks down dietary fiber, it produces important molecules (e.g., short-chain fatty acids) with benefits that go beyond the gut.It facilitates absorption of dietary minerals (e.g., magnesium, calcium and iron).It synthesizes some essential vitamins (e.g., vitamin K and folate (B9)) and amino acids (i.e., the building blocks of proteins).Behavior:It can shape mood and behavior.Given its important functions, scientists nowadays consider the gut microbiota to be an ‘organ’.The good news is that these age-related changes in the gut microbiota are partly avoidable through lifestyle. This means that looking after your gut microbiota through a healthy diet and active lifestyle is the best recipe for enjoying good health and well-being.Both prebiotics and probiotics may help keep your gut microbial lawn healthy.Prebiotics available naturally in some foods (e.g. chicory root, vegetables and whole grains) and food supplements can be selectively utilized by your microorganisms, conferring a health benefit.While you can’t digest fibers and prebiotics, certain beneficial microbes can. Some fibers are utilized by gut microbes, but this is not a requirement for fiber. By contrast, prebiotics are selectively utilized by resident microbes.Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in sufficient amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Certain fermented foods such as yogurt can help (or participate in maintaining) your gut microbiota, so as to ensure its balance, integrity and diversity by contributing living beneficial bacteria and a wealth of important compounds produced during fermentation.In humans, there are about as many bacterial cells as there are human cells. But bacteria have 150 to 200 times more genes than the human genome.Gut microbiota richness, diversity and stability over time are key features of a health-associated human gut microbiome.Your gut is more than a tube. It’s home to more than 100,000 trillion microorganisms that participate in the digestion and defense functions of the gastrointestinal tract. They could also be involved in mental health.Like your fingerprint, your gut microbiota composition is unique to each individual.External factors can affect your gut microbiota. While some are less controllable (e.g. genetics, delivery methods, geography and aging), you can act on your diet and lifestyle to help your gut microbiota work properly.What you eat doesn’t only nourish you; it also feeds the trillions of microorganisms that live in your gut. Include prebiotic fibers and fermented foods with probiotics, as you make progress on the path towards a healthy gut. - Source: www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.comDid you know?DiseasesImbalances in the composition of gut bacteria have been linked to autoimmune, gastrointestinal, and metabolic diseases.

Your gut is more than a tube

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-21

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Your gut is more than a tube

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-21

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