Your microbiome is more than a collection of microscopic organisms – it is your body’s first line of defense and your most loyal ally.
This diverse ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and viruses residing in your gut is intricately connected to every aspect of health – from digestion to immunity and mental resilience (Desai et al., 2024).
Microbiome as a “Security Blanket”.
Immunity Shield: Approximately 70% of the immune system resides in the gut (Bengmark, 2013).
Beneficial microbes communicate with immune cells, enhancing your body’s ability to fight infections (Hancock et al., 2012).
Stress Resilience: The gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system, influences emotional well-being (Ge et al., 2022).
Beneficial bacteria produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, earning the gut its moniker as the “second brain” (Margoob et al., 2024). This two-way biochemical signaling is referred to as the “gut-brain-axis”.
Digestive Comfort: Healthy gut microbes assist in breaking down food, extracting nutrients, and preventing bloating or discomfort (Bagchi & Ohia, 2021).
Threats to Your Microbial Security Blanket.
Processed diets, stress, lack of exercise, and excessive antibiotic use can weaken your microbiome (Martinez et al., 2021).
Environmental changes, such as increased pollution, have been linked to reduced microbial diversity (Zeglin, 2015).
Fortifying Your Microbiome Blanket.
To keep this “security blanket” intact:
Nourish it with fiber and fermented foods.
Maintain a balanced lifestyle with exercise, sleep, and mindfulness practices.
Embrace nature: regular exposure to natural environments can enhance microbial diversity.
Your microbiome is your ultimate protector – cultivate it wisely.
References:
Bagchi, D., & Ohia, S. (Eds.). (2021). Nutrition and Functional Foods in Boosting Digestion, Metabolism and Immune Health. Academic Press.
Bengmark, S. (2013). Gut microbiota, immune development and function. Pharmacological research, 69(1), 87-113.
Desai, S. A., Patel, V. P., Bhosle, K., Nagare, S., Thombare, K., Hashem, A., … & Parray, J. A. (2024). Microbiome and Ecosystem Approaches. In Progress in Soil Microbiome Research (pp. 37-52). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Ge, L., Liu, S., Li, S., Yang, J., Hu, G., Xu, C., & Song, W. (2022). Psychological stress in inflammatory bowel disease: Psychoneuroimmunological insights into bidirectional gut–brain communications. Frontiers in immunology, 13, 1016578.
Hancock, R. E., Nijnik, A., & Philpott, D. J. (2012). Modulating immunity as a therapy for bacterial infections. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 10(4), 243-254.
Margoob, M., Kouser, S., & Jan, N. (2024). Serotonin: The Link between Gut Microbiome and Brain. In Serotonin-Neurotransmitter and Hormone of Brain, Bowels and Blood. IntechOpen.
Martinez, J. E., Kahana, D. D., Ghuman, S., Wilson, H. P., Wilson, J., Kim, S. C., … & Friedman, T. C. (2021). Unhealthy lifestyle and gut dysbiosis: a better understanding of the effects of poor diet and nicotine on the intestinal microbiome. Frontiers in endocrinology, 12, 667066.
Zeglin, L. H. (2015). Stream microbial diversity in response to environmental changes: review and synthesis of existing research. Frontiers in microbiology, 6, 454.