Live Healthy Live Well

Thursday, June 27^th, is World Microbiome Day. The designation was conceived to raise awareness of the benefits of beneficial microbes (your good bacteria). A community of microbes is called a microbiome and it can be found in and on humans, animals, and in the environment.

Human microbiome is composed of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that are unique to every individual. Scientists are just now discovering how critical those microbes are to our health. They are impacted by food intake, how often we bathe, wash our hands, or use antibiotics. Your microbiome influences your immune system, how well you digest food, and act as a first line of defense against pathogens.

Microbial communities can be very different from one person to another. There is even a difference from one location to another on the same individual. Our microbial genomes record what we have eaten, where we have lived, and who we have been in contact with.  We literally have microbial “ecosystems” in and on different parts of our bodies that differ drastically from one to another and supply a wide range of functions.

Doctors used to think that microbes were bad things to be gotten rid of, like strep throat or measles. But most microbes do NOT make us sick. We are starting to recognize that microbes also keep us healthy, unless they become unbalanced. “Unbalance” can occur because of antibiotic usage, an unhealthy diet, or other variable. The end result may be an increased risk for chronic disease or health conditions such as:

Acne

Asthma

Autism

Cancer

Autoimmune disease

Diabetes

Inflammatory bowel diseases

Obesity

The World Microbiome website contains valuable information regarding the role gut microbiota have on health, and the link between brain and gut. It highlights the importance of foods that help us take care of our gut microbiota, such as prebiotics, probiotics and fermented foods.

This year’s theme is Bacterial Resistance to Antibiotics. It was chosen to remind people to use antibiotics responsibly. Antibiotics are one of the most prescribed medicines on the planet. Unfortunately, antibiotics don’t just kill harmful bacteria, they also kill off beneficial bacteria. Overuse of antibiotics, in people and animals, can lead to bacterial resistance.

Written by:  Donna Green, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Erie County, green.308@osu.edu

Reviewed by: Beth Stefura, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Mahoning County, stefura.2@osu.edu

Sources:

https://blog.microbiomeinsights.com/on-world-microbiome-day-here-are-ten-microbiome-thought-leaders-you-need-to-know