FAQ’S
The microbiome is a collection of tiny organisms—bacteria, viruses, fungi—that live inside and on your body. You have different microbiomes in places like your gut, skin, mouth, and even your lungs. They work together to keep you healthy.
Your microbiome helps with things like digesting food, fighting off infections, keeping your skin healthy, and even influencing your mood. When your microbiome is balanced, it helps your body work well. But when it’s out of balance, it can contribute to health issues.
We start building our microbiome from birth. Babies are exposed to their mother’s microbes during delivery, especially through vaginal birth. Breastfeeding also provides beneficial bacteria and nutrients that help shape the infant’s early microbiome. As we grow, our microbiome continues to develop, influenced by factors like diet, environment, and interactions with other people and animals.
No, everyone’s microbiome is unique, just like fingerprints. It’s shaped by things like your diet, lifestyle, environment, and even genetics. Your microbiome can change over time depending on what you eat, how you live, and your overall health.
Yes, your microbiome isn’t fixed—it changes! Factors like the food you eat, stress, medications (especially antibiotics), and aging can all cause shifts in the balance of your microbiome. Even a short change in your diet can make a difference.
Microbiome diversity refers to the variety of different microbial species living in the body. A more diverse microbiome is generally associated with better health, as it helps the body perform multiple functions, from digestion to immune defense. Low diversity can make the body more vulnerable to diseases.
An imbalanced microbiome, known as dysbiosis, can lead to various health problems. In the gut, this can result in digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. Dysbiosis can also contribute to more serious conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, diabetes, and even mental health disorders.
While the gut microbiome is the most well-known, microbiomes exist throughout the body, including on the skin, in the mouth, lungs, and reproductive organs. Each area hosts a unique community of microbes important for local and overall health.
The microbiome is incredibly vast! In fact, there are about as many microbial cells in and on your body as there are human cells—around 30 to 40 trillion! These microorganisms together weigh about as much as your brain, approximately 2 to 3 pounds. Despite being tiny, they play a huge role in keeping your body healthy.
- Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that can be consumed through supplements or fermented foods. They help maintain or restore a healthy microbial balance in the gut and other parts of the body.
- Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that serve as food for beneficial bacteria, promoting their growth and activity.
You can promote a healthy microbiome by:
Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics.
Eating a diverse, fiber-rich diet.
Including fermented foods like yogurt or sauerkraut.
Limiting processed foods and sugars.
Exercising regularly.
Managing stress.