- A microbiome is the genetically diverse community of bacteria living inside of humans.
- The gut includes the stomach and digestive tracts.
- The gut microbiome, therefore, includes all the bacteria and and microorganisms living in the gut and all their genetic information.
A healthy human gut contains trillions of microorganisms, at least 1000 different species of bacteria, and all of their genetic material. A few studied functions of the gut microbiome include fermenting food particles into absorbable metabolites, synthesizing vitamins, removing toxins, out competing pathogens, and stimulating and regulating the immune system.The gut microbiome can also work to regulate the nervous system through similar mechanisms through the gut-brain axis . The “gut-brain axis” suggests that the microbiota in the gut can affect the rest of the human body through indirect communication with the brain. This communication can take place through hormones, neurotransmitters, and other mechanisms which have yet to be fully defined.
A healthy human gut contains trillions of microorganisms, at least 1000 different species of bacteria, and all of their genetic material. A few studied functions of the gut microbiome include fermenting food particles into absorbable metabolites, synthesizing vitamins, removing toxins, out competing pathogens, and stimulating and regulating the immune system.The gut microbiome can also work to regulate the nervous system through similar mechanisms through the gut-brain axis . The “gut-brain axis” suggests that the microbiota in the gut can affect the rest of the human body through indirect communication with the brain. This communication can take place through hormones, neurotransmitters, and other mechanisms which have yet to be fully defined.