Microbiome: The Invisible Ecosystem Within us that Safeguards our Health

Imagine being able to heal yourself and build immunity against major diseases without relying on heavy medication. It sounds fantastic, right? Who wouldn’t want that? The key to achieving this lies in a fascinating area of research—our microbiome.

- Shri K.K. Bajaj

What Is a Microbiome?

The microbiome refers to the collective genetic material of all the microbes—bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses—that live in and on the human body. We are more microbial than humans, with over 100 trillion microbes outnumbering our human cells by ten to one. Most of these microbes reside in our gut, particularly in the large intestine. In fact, the genes in our microbiome outnumber those in the human genome by 200 to 1, and the microbiome itself can weigh up to five pounds.

These bacteria play crucial roles, such as helping us digest food, regulating our immune system, protecting us from harmful bacteria, and producing essential vitamins like B12, thiamine, riboflavin, and Vitamin K.

How Does the Microbiome Benefit Us?

Our microbiome is essential to our survival and well-being. It serves as our first line of defense—starting with our skin, followed by our mucus membranes, and finally, our gut. These microbes create a living barrier that can adapt, and transform based on our individual needs and environments.

The microbiome is vital for nutrient breakdown and absorption. Without it, much of our food would be indigestible, and we would miss out on critical nutrients. These microbes also secrete beneficial chemicals naturally as part of their metabolic process.

Where Does Our Microbiome Come From?

We are products of our environment. When we are born, our gut is a blank slate, ready to be populated by the microbes we encounter. Our first exposure comes from the birth canal, followed by the gutnurturing properties of mother’s milk. As we grow, familial, dietary, and environmental factors shape our unique microbiome, influencing our health throughout our lives.

Every interaction we have—whether it’s kissing someone, petting an animal, eating a meal, or applying cosmetics—affects our microbiome’s composition.