5 Fascinating Facts about the Human Microbiome

Health ⯀  

The human body is loaded with microbiomes. It is the genetic material inside all of us that is parasitical but is also required in order to maintain good health.

The 100 trillion or so of them that thrive within us consists of fungi, viruses, bacteria and protozoa, have 200 times the number of genes we have and can weigh up to 5 pounds. They serve an important purpose in that they help digest food, protect us against other bacteria, regulate our immune systems and help to coagulate our blood by producing vitamins K, B and B12, riboflavin and thiamine. Here are 5 other interesting facts about these microorganisms that ensure we remain healthy throughout our lifetimes.

1. The Beginning of Our Co-Existence with Microbiomes

Babies develop in a sterile environment in a mother's womb and, therefore, have no microbiomes. They pick up their first dose of the microorganisms as they pass through the birth canal. The initial encounter is extremely important since they help early development especially in the brain, digestive system and immune system. In fact, the microbiomes required to digest breast milk, Lactobacillus, are picked up during this journey. For babies born through C-section, they have to pick up the microbes needed from the environment as well as the doctor's hands which is why they often have a higher rate of food allergies, asthma and gut infections as well as delays in the development of their immune systems.

2. Who Has What Varies Greatly

Microbiomes will vary greatly depending on your exposure to various elements, habits, age and even whether you're male or female. For example, if you wear antiperspirant you'll have about 50 times fewer bacteria under your arms than anywhere else. Women have more lactic acid bacteria than men which is often used to make things like pickles, wine and yogurt whereas men have more Corynebacterium cells that are usually associated with the flavoring in MSG. If you have a dog for a pet you'll have a microbial profile similar to your pet and even your right and left hands will contain different kinds of microbiomes. Most interesting is the fact that if you live in the US you'll have different microorganisms than if you live in a different country.

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3. How Microbiomes Affect Your Weight

Obesity is on the rise in the US and many researchers have been racking their brains to figure out why. They know diet, exposure to chemicals and lifestyle are all contributing factors. However, new human microbiome research has shown that obese people and lean people also have significant differences in their microbiomes. What was found in one study was that if mice were given the microbiomes of obese people they gained weight even though they ate the same type and amount of food. On the other hand, researchers in a separate study found that animals gained weight from medications such as antibiotics. Although there is yet conclusive evidence that the same happens in the human body, a state-by-state analysis did find that people in states such as West Virginia and Mississippi take the most antibiotics and also have the highest rates of obesity.

4. Behavior, Mood and Microbiomes

We have the most microbiomes in our gut (stomach, intestines, colon, etc.) and they also affect the brain. This system also contains around 500 million neurons that are wired to the brain through the Vegus nerve. Eighty percent of the hormone that regulates sleep, memory and mood, serotonin, is produced through the system which is why when you get an upset stomach you also have a tendency to become depressed. It has been suggested that gut disorders could also be associated with brain disorders such as autism. The microbiomes in the gut can also affect your behavior. In one study, the microbiomes in happy, bold mice were inserted into anxious mice and the anxious mice became bolder and more satisfied. When given a new task, instead of entering it cautiously they jumped right in to explore the new activity. Just sharing microbiomes changed their behavior significantly.

5. How Microbiomes Help Keep Us Healthy

The immune system does not come pre-wired to know the difference between good and bad bacteria and viruses. It has to be trained through constant exposure to certain microbes that can result in fewer colds, flues, allergies and cases of asthma. It has been found, for example, that children raised with a family dog, developed fewer incidents of lung allergies and asthma. Additionally, in another study mice that were allergic to peanuts developed less sensitivity when certain gut microbiomes were introduced into their systems. It is believed that it won't be too long before humans will be able to share microbiomes in order to reduce sensitivities to certain foods as well as to reduce allergies to all kinds of things.

It's important to remember that microbiomes are not trying to hurt you any more than they're trying to help you. However, they are living things and it's in their nature to stay alive just like us. The fact we can co-exist and benefit from each other within our own ecosystem is amazing in itself. However, the fact we are healthier because they choose to live within us is mind-blowing.

By  Dixie Somers	Embed
Author Bio - Dixie is a freelance writer who loves to write about business, finance and self improvement. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.