Gut Health: What is the Microbiome and Why Does It Matter?

When people think about bacteria, viruses, and fungi, they tend to have a negative reaction.

After all, these things are typically associated with disease or anything that is considered unclean. For example, bacteria can cause infections on open wounds; society appears to be hyper aware of viruses ever since the pandemic; and fungi sounds like the result of poor foot hygiene. Yuck!

But what if I told you that your body is filled with trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi? Beyond that, it’s actually a good thing that these microorganisms are inside your body!

Collectively, these good bacteria, viruses, and fungi are known as the microbiome. In fact, it’s estimated that you have 10 times more microbes in your body than you have cells. If you extracted every microbe in your body and put them together, it would weigh between 2-5 pounds. To put this into perspective, the average human brain weighs 3 pounds. The microbes in your body play a crucial role in your health!

So… What Exactly is the Microbiome?

“A microbiome is the community of micro-organisms living together in a particular habitat,” according to the Microbiology Society.

Based on this definition, it is clear that humans, animals, and plans all have unique microbiomes, as we have unique microbes that live inside us.

When it comes to gut health, the microbiome refers to all of the microbes inside your intestines. These microorganisms help your digestive system break down food, process nutrients, and help fight bad bacteria.

Clinically speaking, the microbiome behaves as a human organ, according to research published in the journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infection.

This might not sound like a big deal, but it was a major development in medical science. For decades, if not centuries, experts believed that the primary organs in the digestive system were the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. So in the past, those were the primary areas investigated when researching gut health.

Now, however, medical experts acknowledge the microbiome as an organ in your digestive system. Why? Because without the microbiome, those organs would be unable to fulfill their duties. 

Specifically, the microbiome:

• Helps the body properly digest food and absorb nutrients
• Plays a role in regulating the immune system
• Fights against bad bacteria that causes disease
• Produces vitamins such as Vitamin B12 and Vitamin K

Current research continues to study the role that the microbiome plays in health. 

Consider these findings published by the Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health:

• When studying pairs of twins, researchers discovered that the gut microbiome is different for the obese twin vs. the lean twin. Obese twins had a lower diversity of bacteria, which suggests “a poor combination of microbes in the gut.”
• People with less diverse gut microbiomes are far more likely to develop Type 1 Diabetes and other autoimmune diseases than people with healthy guts. Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome are also more likely.
• It is possible for the microbiome to change from outside factors such as dust. Researchers found that infants with dogs at home typically have lower allergic reactions because the dust they inhale changes the composition of their microbiome.

When we talk about corporate wellness, it’s easy to focus on the things that are more familiar, such as weight, exercise, and stress management.

However, it’s just as important to focus on the unseen, and that includes a healthy microbiome.

What Happens if Your Microbiome is Unhealthy?

You might like fast food, but that doesn’t mean that your microbiome does.

Researchers suggest that unhealthy eating (such as too much fast food) can actually be making your gut sick, which in turn could make you sick.

In order to optimize your digestive system, experts recommend a diet that is composed mostly of vegetables, fish, nuts, and legumes. Fast food, however, is often deep fried and made with cheap ingredients. Processed foods and animal-derived fatty foods can all lead to an increase of the bad type of bacteria. 

Here are five things that could potentially happen if you have an unhealthy microbiome:

1. Upset stomach. An upset stomach could be more than just a stomach ache. It might include gas, bloating, constipation, and heartburn. These symptoms might be present with an unhealthy microbiome since your digestive system is struggling to process food and eliminate waste.
2. Unplanned weightloss or weight gain. Because a healthy microbiome directly impacts your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, regulate blood sugar, and store fat, an unhealthy microbiome can result in unintentional weight changes.
3. Poor sleep and fatigue. Serotonin is a chemical precursor to melatonin, the chemical which makes you feel sleepy. Most of your body’s serotonin is created in the gut, so if the gut is unhealthy, you could experience insomnia, poor sleep, or chronic fatigue.
4. Food intolerance. This is different from a true food allergy, which is the result of the immune system reacting against certain foods. Poor gut health makes it difficult to digest certain foods, which can lead to bloating, gas, diarrhea, and nausea. 
5. Increased risk for autoimmune conditions. An autoimmune disease is when the body mistakenly attacks itself rather than harmful outside invaders. Current research suggests that an unhealthy gut increases the risk of systemic inflammation, which alters the immune system’s response.

Fortunately, there are proactive steps you can take to promote good gut health. Even if you don’t currently have a healthy gut, it is possible to heal the microbiome!

How can I Restore a Healthy Gut Microbiome?

Vegetables and fruits are the cornerstones of a healthy diet that can help restore healthy gut bacteria. High-fiber foods such as legumes, beans, and bananas are also proven to have a positive impact on gut health.

One of the key players is probiotics.

Probiotics, which are a certain type of friendly bacteria, are typically taken as a supplement. They help promote digestive health by colonizing your gut with the healthy kinds of microorganisms. These living bacteria help prevent the bad bacteria from flourishing, which keeps your gut health in check.

You might’ve eaten probiotic food without realizing it. Common probiotic foods include yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir. There are even probiotic supplements that you can purchase. 

Corporate Wellness and the Microbiome

You might’ve heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

Well, your health is only as strong as your gut health.

You might not be able to see the microbiome like you can see other organs, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t important. 

When it comes to corporate wellness, it’s important to address all parts of human health — and that includes the aspects invisible to the naked eye.

Wellness programs and workshops will help your team members understand the different aspects to their health. Our workshops also provide practical tips that your team can implement immediately to live a healthier lifestyle.

To learn more about our wellness programs and workshops, contact us today. 

Our mission is to help create a healthier workforce, one step at a time!