Did You Know? Micro Organisms are Responsible For More Than Digestion
The latest scientific research into the micro biome, or the trillions of tiny creatures living on and inside our bodies, is revealing that it affects much more than just the human digestive tract. The fact that the little creatures living inside of us out number all the cells of our body can be disconcerting, but it’s a fact and understanding their effect on our biology has become a focus of study for researchers on the cutting edge of science.
Traditional medical care has for many years overlooked the importance of the micro biome as proven by its over reliance on antibiotics, cesarian sections, and hand sanitizers. In fact the rise of digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease is likely linked to these practices. While taking probiotic supplements to facilitate better digestive health is by now a well known strategy for well-being, it turns out the probiotics and foods with living cultures of organisms like yogurt and fermented foods can do much more more for human health.
The list of health factors affected by the micro biome is surprisingly long and diverse. It includes:
- Weight loss
- Skin conditions
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Mental health
- The immune system
- Allergies
- Cancer
The micro biome is a complex subject of study because it is in a constant flux of adaptability. The life cycle of these tiny bacteria is so fast that generations are born and die and pass on genetics traits at a highly accelerated rate. This means that it is beneficially versatile at adjusting to new conditions through evolution, which ultimately also helps our bodies adapt to the changing conditions of our environment. The problem is that antibiotics that indiscriminately kill both good and bad bacteria have helped bad bacteria to adapt to them which creates new forms of bad bacteria that are much more difficult to kill. It has been shown that traditional cultures free from overuse of antibiotics have much lower incidents of certain diseases in comparison to people treated with modern medicine.
Fortunately there are many ways to keep our micro biome healthy. These include consuming fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, and kombucha. Avoidance of processed foods which are depleted of any living organisms can also go a long way towards establishing a healthy micro biome. Attempting to eat food that is local, organic, and free range is yet another way to make sure the little creatures living inside you are happier.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Gloria Cabada-Leman