Microbiota, in its simplest form, is the name given to all microorganisms living in the human body. The total gene structure of these microorganisms and the environment they interact with is known as the microbiome. These microorganisms, which are a type of bacteria, are essential for our health, unlike bacteria that are generally known as harmful.
Each person's unique microbiota; It is usually found in the gut, skin, genitals, and mouth. However, the intestines are the most suitable area for these microorganisms with their large surface areas and the nutrients they contain. The many and diverse microbiomes in healthy people are considered a hallmark of a healthy body. Recent studies show that these beneficial bacteria differ from mother's womb to old age with the mode of birth, nutrition after birth, genetic structure, environment and age.
How Does Intestinal Flora Affect Our Lives?
The microbiomes in the gut have many benefits for our body, and these benefits are not limited to our digestive system. Recent research clearly demonstrates the positive effect of microbiomes on our brain and mental health and their relationship with our nervous system. These microorganisms also produce chemicals that stimulate nervous tissue.
Thanks to the microbiomes, many chemical reactions take place in our digestive system and many compounds that cannot be digested normally are digested by these organisms. Apart from their effects on the digestive system, microbiomes also play a big role in the diseases we will encounter in the future and our emotions.
Imbalance in gut microbiomes, primarily functional gut diseases; It causes diseases such as thyroid, organ dysfunction, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, colon cancer. Many studies also reveal the link between gut microbiomes and autism, depression, and schizophrenia. For example, the decrease or increase of the 'akkermansia' bacteria in the intestines causes autism in children; An increase in 'bifidobacterium' and 'bacteroids' causes negative mood or depression in adults. So, having a healthy gut microbiome means having a healthy body.
More for the curious:
- https://goop.com/wellness/health/is-your-gut-healthy-how-to-tell/
- https://goop.com/wellness/health/ways-to-improve-gut-health/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452231719300181#t0005
- https://www.bbc.com/turkce/vert-fut-47027998
- https://biruni.com.tr/e-kutuphane/populer-bultenler/microbiota/
The views expressed in this article are written to shed light on alternative studies and to encourage conversation about these studies. Even if the articles contain the advice of physicians to some extent, they are for informational purposes only. This text; cannot replace professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment.
About the Author:
Selin Akbaş – Be People Editor
Selin Akbaş, who completed her undergraduate education at Boğaziçi University, Department of History, did journalism internships at Medyascope.tv and Thomson Reuters News Agency during her university years, and worked as a copywriter for various blogs. He has been working in the field of strategic content production and copywriting as one of the editors of Fabrika Creative since December 2019.
