10 Surprising Things We Can Learn About Our Body’s Microbiome w/ Home Test Kit
You may have seen previous articles on GNN that show the huge impact of the human microbiome on your health.
Every day, new products are getting launched on the market that feature ways to improve your gut health, but our overall health is tied to more than just the ‘gut’ microbiome. In fact, the ‘human microbiome’ is made up of over a dozen different regions of your body, ranging from your gut to your mouth, your skin, and everything in between.
This is because your body is home to trillions of microorganisms that do everything from strengthening your immune system to helping you regulate your hormones. Ultimately, these microbes work together with your cells to convert what you’re eating into metabolites that can improve your health, or harm it.
In a plethora of different ways, you have your body’s microbiota to thank for many aspects of your health (or lack thereof), which is why it continues to be one of the hottest scientific topics today.
As Dr. Martin J. Blaser, director of the NYU Human Microbiome Program, put it, “It’s reasonable to propose that the microbiome and its activities are involved in most, if not all, of the biological processes that constitute human health and disease.”
1. It’s not just about the bacteria
There are many microorganisms throughout your body. Archaea are ancient organisms and often produce methane. They also have the distinct ability to live in extreme environments like volcanic vents and acidic hot springs—including acidic parts of your digestive system.
You’ll also find plenty of yeast and other fungi hanging out in there, and possibly other organisms that can directly or indirectly harm us. Eating foods that are infected with plant viruses can lead to low-grade inflammation in the gut. But perhaps the most interesting of all are bacteriophages, which infect specific bacteria.
What is fascinating, is what all these microbes are doing. Their actions can affect your health but we can modify those activities through personalized diet recommendations. By analyzing microbial activity, home testing kits can suggest an optimal diet.
2. Your microbiome can impact your blood sugar response
