Do you remember last week’s post about nitrogen-fixing bacteria, where I described the important role of bacteria in the Nitrogen Cycle (see Beneficial Bacteria: Nitrogen-fixing Superstars)? Well, this week I’m going to follow that up with a post about the microbiome, the sum collection of microorganisms found in our bodies (bacteria, fungi, etc.), as well as the nonliving viruses. The microbiome is so vast that the ratio of human cells to microbiotic cells in the body may be close to 1:1 (1). You might have heard about the microbiome in the context of the stomach or intestines, but along with this gut microbiome, you also have a microbiome in your skin, mouth, respiratory tract, and other regions in your body (2).
So why is the microbiome important, you might ask? For one, microbiota help protect you from toxic metals and other compounds that you might ingest in your life, like harmful chemicals and other substances that pose a threat to your wellbeing. Additionally, the microbiome plays a role in the human immune response, as evidence suggests that dybiosis, or an imbalance or dysregulation of your microbiome, may contribute to the development of allergies and other immune-mediated conditions (2); gastrointestinal conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) are also associated with an unbalanced microbiome, and impairments in what’s called the gut-brain axis – which is, as it sounds, the functional connection between your gut and your brain – are associated with psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. The mechanism of the gut-brain axis involves the migration of inflammatory molecules called cytokines across the blood brain barrier, which activates special immune cells in your brain called microglia, promoting inflammation (for more information about these neuroimmunological mechanisms, see my very first science blog post Gleeful for Glia! [3,4]).
Source: https://fodmapfriendly.com/blogpost/gutbrainaxis/
The composition of the microbiome is not static or fixed, as many factors are able to influence it, like your diet, and even your mental health. Research also suggests that probiotics may be helpful in promoting a healthy and happy microbiome (however, before making any lifestyle changes to alter your microbiome, consult a qualified medical professional!).
All in all, bacteria play an important role in your health. They are more than just germs that make you sick!
Works Cited
(1) https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2016.19136
Science with Mandy 
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