A microbiome is a community of microscopic organisms that live in and on you. These tiny creatures are trillions of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and viruses. The microbiome we talk about most is the one in your gut, another name for your intestines. There is also a microbiome on your skin, and in other smaller “communities” around your body. The balance of the bacteria in each of these locations can help protect you.
The most important microbiome is your gut microbiome because it plays a huge roll in your overall health. Around two-thirds of your immune systems is in your gut to help block bad germs that stow away on your lunch from breaking into your body and causing harm. Most of the bacteria in your gut belong to one of two families: Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Having more Bacteroidetes type bacteria in your gut than Firmicutes type bacteria is associated with stronger immunity, higher energy, and lower weight. The foods you eat, medicines and supplements you take, and your lifestyle habits like how much you exercise and how much alcohol and soda you drink can all help or hurt your microbiome. A strong microbiome can help prevent yeast overgrowth, infection, and feeling sick to your stomach with symptoms like gas, bloating, belching, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and acid reflux.
When you don’t take care of your microbiome you increase inflammation which can snowball into chronic gut issues, infections and chronic disease. If you are good to your microbiome, by eating the right foods, avoiding inflammatory substances, and living a clean lifestyle, your microbiome will be good to you. A healthy microbiome will reward you with energy, a happy mood, fewer cravings, better weight control, and better overall health. Call us today to make an appointment and learn more about how healthy your microbiome is and how you can make it as healthy and happy as it can be.
References
[1] Firmicutes vs Bacteroides. (2018, August 31). Retrieved July 29, 2020, from https://atpscience.com/firmicutes-vs-bacteroides/?campaignid=1701177058
[2] Information and educational seminars and conferences on functional medicine. (2019). Retrieved July 29, 2020, from https://www.ifm.org/
About the Author
Miiko Rowley, MD, is a functional medicine doctor and board-certified family medicine physician in Houston, Texas. She has a passion for helping patients of all ages find integrative, holistic care that heals the body from the inside out.
