The Human Microbiome: A Hot Topic

Whether you’re reading about gut health or skin health, there’s a good chance the microbiome will be mentioned. We’ll be answering some of the most asked questions about the human microbiome in this new Vital Products blog. What is the Human Microbiome? Where can you find the Human Microbiome? What does the Microbiome do for you? And why is it so important to have a healthy Microbiome?

Keep reading and we’ll tell you all about it!

What is the Human Microbiome?

If you imagine a crowded city full of people rushing around at a microscopic level, you have an idea of that the microbiome looks like inside our bodies.The microbiome consists of trillions of microbes of thousands of different species that live in symbiosis with you.It’s not just bacteria but also parasites, viruses and fungi that live on and inside the human body. Our body is just like an ecosystem and no two human microbiomes are the same. Just like a fingerprint. When you’re healthy all these little things coexist in harmony, mostly in the small and large intestines but also throughout the rest of our body. The microbiome is labeled a supporting organ because it plays so many key roles in promoting the smooth daily operations of the human body. As said, the microbiome consists of microbes that are both helpful and potentially harmful.

Your body is heavily influenced by your microbiome’s activity. It even influences your behavior and decision making. This brings on changes in your immune system, skin, brain, mood, appetite, and so much more.

When you’re healthy the microbes coexist peacefully but if there’s a disturbance in this balance the body may become more susceptible to disease. 

Where can you find the Human Microbiome?

You might have heard about the microbiome being in your gut. But you can also find it in your skin, mouth, lungs and vagina. Considering the many effects the microbiome has on your whole body, it might not come as a surprise to you that the microbiome is found in many parts of your body. It can effect your metabolic health, mental health and immune health as you can see in the picture below.

What does the Microbiome do for you?

The microbiome helps to maintain a healthy digestion and immune system. Microbes can influence your behavior, illness and moods because they send signals to your brain. Think of it as a two-way street: your brain sends signals to your microbiome as well. When you have a lot of stress your microbiome can get out of balance, and you’ll be more susceptible for disease and things like diarrhea or congestion. A well-balanced microbiome will help you function better in a whole lot of different ways: it helps you concentrate, digest and not be too susceptible to diseases and pathogenic bacteria.

Why is it so important to have a healthy Microbiome?

A healthy Microbiome will give you that extra feeling in live. It’s important to have a healthy balanced microbiome for us to feel good which we can achieve by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This will keep you feeling healthy-physically, mentally, and spiritually. Mind, body, and spirit work together to create a healthy Microbiome. When your Microbiome is out of balance, it’s possible that all three will suffer and you’ll be more susceptible for diseases and other discomforts. You must take care of yourself and be alerted when something seems to be out of balance within your Microbiome. You need the energy to get through the day and a healthy Microbiome helps you to maintain this energy.

A lot to discover 

So, the Human Microbiome is the whole collection of microbes, including all their functions, interactions, and metabolites, occupying a defined habitat. It is essentially the whole microbial ecosystem in a given location or niche like the gut or the skin. 

How to achieve a well-balanced microbiome? The key is to have a healthy lifestyle: cut down on the sugar, reduce stress, get enough sleep and you can take probiotics to make sure your microbiome is populated by mostly the good microbes. There’s still a lot to discover about the microbiome but it’s clear that it has a big influence on our body and overall health.

Keep reading and check out our most recent blogs.