It is a well-known fact that internally and externally, our bodies hold a huge amount of micro organisms. Bacteria are biggest players but viruses, fungi and single cell organisms such as archaea , are also present. Together they are called human microbiota. Microbiome refers to all the genes the microbiota contains and the terms may be used interchangeably.
Micro organisms can be either helpful or harmful; pathogens are the harmful microorganism. Some micro organisms are harmful only if they grow in the wrong places. Some are very useful to the body. Breast milk contains undigestible sugars which are broken down by the gut bacteria and absorbed by the infant.These microbes play a great part in our immune system. Scientists now state that gut bacteria produce nutrients s and beneficial molecules which protect the host from many diseases.
Babies in utero have sterile gut and develop their microbiome after birth. During vaginal delivery, the baby gets exposed to the mother’s vaginal bacteria from the vaginal secretions and develop microbiome similar to the mothers’ microbiome. On the other hand, babies born from Caesarean sections are not exposed to the mother’s microbiome and develop different microbiome. Thus, it is believed that babies born by Caesarean section have a higher risk of asthma and Type 1 Diabetes.
Gut microbiome changes through life according to such factors as age, environment, type of diet, stress and antibiotics. The microbiome is thought to change quickly the first two years of life but stabilizes by the third year.The microbes in breast milk and environment are thought to be the reason for the quick changes as a result of microbes in breast milk, the environment and other factors.
Our bodies contain more microorganisms than body cells. It is believed that the ratio of microbial cells to human cells is around 1.3 to 1.0. Beneficial bacteria have adapted to coexist in the human body as an evolutionary process. The DNA mitochondria are thought to be evolutionary descendants of bacteria and our genes have transposons which are genetic material thought to be introduced by viruses.
Different bacteria
Gut bacteria Is now in the forefront of research. Different parts of the body, the skin, vagina, gut, etc., all have different, distinct communities of microbes. Skin bacteria are thought to play a role in preventing skin cancer. The microbiome of each individual is different and many respond differently to factors such as diet.
Research
The make-up of gut bacteria today has been linked to a plethora of diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, autism, anxiety and obesity. The gut microbiome in individuals may affect people’s response the chemotherapy or the ability to sleep well. Vaginal microbiome may affect the effectiveness of a vaginal drug to prevent HIV.
The research tool
A “Germ-free” mouse has been specifically raised in a sterile environment study the impact of exposure to particular microbes or group of microbes. These mice are not being used in mood and obesity studies.
Current treatment
Tim Spector of King’s College of London states that “For good health,it is having the right community of bacteria that are working together and together producing the right chemicals for your body” .
According to above narrative, much research regarding microbiome is being done.
Fecal transplants are being done for fatal diarrhea cases where microbiome from a healthy subject is introduced. It resets their inner community and rapidly cures the condition.
Psychobiotic
There may also links between microbiome and mental health. Scientists envision mental health therapies using intervention of microbiome. Bacteria or microbiome-derived medicine may be the future of precision medicine.
How do your keep your microbiome healthy
Use prebiotics and probiotics.
Prebiotics are substances such as inulin fiber on which microbes can thrive.
Probiotics are microbes themselves such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species.
So, go for yogurt, sauerkraut and kimchee
Dr. Ye Win
Honorary Professor, Department of Physiology, University of Medicine 2 , Yangon
