Meet the tiny wellness-regulating bacterial communities – microbiomes – that are waging war against bad bugs to defend your health.
Let’s play the word-association game. We say microbiome, you say… gut, right? Makes sense – balancing the bacteria in your belly to aid digestion, mood and more is the subject of countless books and the aim of roughly a zillion grocery store products. But while your intestinal microbiome community is the most famous and the largest, new research tells us it’s not the only one. Colonies of microbes have set up shop in nearly every nook and cranny of your body. Not only do they regulate their own zone (the way gut bugs govern your intestines), but they also join forces to oust any baddies in your system and boost overall wellness. To do that effectively, they need a diverse mix of good bacteria. That’s where you come in, because diet and lifestyle habits can help or hinder your tiny assistants. Here’s how to protect them so they can protect you.
Your
Skin
Beneficial bacteria cover your skin, protecting you from conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. One type, Staphylococcus epidermidis, may even stymie the growth of some skin cancers, new research by University of California San Diego shows.
Stay In Balance
This story is from the March 2019 edition of Women's Health Australia.
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This story is from the March 2019 edition of Women's Health Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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