Microbiome - Super organism inside our body

What is Microbiome ?

Inside and outside, our bodies contain a huge array of micro-organisms.
While bacteria are the biggest players, there are also single-celled organism, fungi, viruses and other microbes.
Together all of these colonies form human microbiota.

Where do they come from ?

When we are in the womb, we may be sterile but once we come out through birth canal, we get this handover bacteria from our mother. Those bacteria are really important for starting the whole process.

Our gut microbiome changes quickly over our first year or two, shaped by microbes in breast milk, the environment and other factors. It stabilises by the time we are about three years old.
However, our environment, long term diet, stress and drugs we take such as antibiotics continue to play a role as we age.
Our microbiome changes throughout our life.

What are the roles of microbiomes ?

1. Digesting breast milk - some of the bacteria that first begin to grown inside babies' intestines are Bifidobacteria. They digest the healthy sugars in breastmilk for growth.
2. Digesting fiber - certain bacteria digest fiber, producing short chain fatty acids. Fiber may help prevent weight gain, diabetes, hearth disease and the risk of cancer.
3. Control immune system - by communicating with immune cells, the gut microbiome can control how our body responds to infection
4. Control brain health - gut microbiomes affect the central nervous system which controls brain function

Are microbiomes the same in gut and skins ?

Microbiomes in our body outnumber human cells and they are located in gut and skins.
There are trillions in our body and more than 1,000 species of bacteria.
However, each of them has different functions.
Microbiomes are also different from one person to another person even though they are living in the same house.

How to improve Microbiomes quality ?

1. Eat diverse range of food - legumes, beans, fruits that are rich in fiber to promote the growth of healthy bifidobacteria
2. Eat fermented food - yoghurt, kimchi, tempe, sauerkraut that contains lactobacilli 
3. Limit sugar intake especially artificial sweetener - increase blood sugar stimulate the growth of bad bacteria
4. Eat prebiotic food - a type of fiber to stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria (banana, oat, apples, asparagus)
5. Eat whole grain - contains lots of fiber and good carbs which are digested by gut bacteria
6. Take probiotic supplements - probiotics are live bacteria that can help restore the gut to a healthy state.