Recently, biomedical research has focused on the human gut microbiome.
The situation is related to the fact that the connection between human health and the microbiome of his intestines has been proven.
When the composition of microorganisms in the human intestine changes, it causes pathogenetic processes and diseases.
The editorial staff of estet-portal.com has sorted out the presented topics and will acquaint you with the importance of the microbiome, its main functions and the reasons that violate the intestinal microflora. This information will help you take care of the health of yourself and your loved ones.
Intestinal microbiome: the essence of the concept
To understand the essence of such a name as the gut microbiome, it is worth noting that this human organ inhabits a huge number of microorganisms.
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Most of them – These are bacteria that enter the body from the environment. They settle inside and stay there for life, being in a state of balance between themselves and the body, if everything is in order. The most favorable conditions for microbes to live in the body are in the gastrointestinal tract.
The microflora is normally represented by two types of microorganisms: obligate and transistor. The former are constantly present in the body, while the latter account for only 1-2%.
The period of microbiome settlement: from prenatal to postnatal
It is important to understand that your health depends on the diversity of the microbiota – this is the name of the microflora, which is in symbiosis with the human carrier organism. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a balance between microorganisms.
The microbiota has its own evolution:
• infant period (from 0 to 3 years) – the microbiome is developing and populating;
• adult period, when existing microorganisms develop, become diverse, and then stabilize;
• the older period, when the microbiota becomes poorer.
Gut microbiota becomes more diverse with age, and in infancy it is simple bacteria. The poverty of the microbiota leads to protracted diseases, so it is important to eat right, especially in old age, when the body's reserves of nutrients are depleted.
Read also: Delicate topic: the secrets of improving intestinal motility
Main functions of the gut microbiome
The gut microbiome performs a number of functions that cannot be overstated:
• protective, which consists in preventing the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by microorganisms of a pathogenic nature;
• digestive, the essence of which is to ensure the final hydrolysis of proteins, saponification of fats and fermentation of high molecular weight carbohydrates;
• motor, which consists in a positive effect on intestinal motility;
• immunomodulatory, which affects the immune system both at the local and systemic levels, it is this function that determines the interaction of the intestinal microbiome and the human body.
Read also: Motilin: a hormone-activator of intestinal motility
When the microbiome is disturbed: the main reasons
When the intestinal microbiome is not disturbed, then a person is less likely to get sick and we are talking not only about diseases of the digestive tract, but also other diseases of the body.
The following factors lead to a change in the balance of bacteria:
• beneficial bacteria have nothing to eat, the process can be observed in the case when there is no balanced diet, especially when there is no vegetable fiber and fermented milk products;
• bacteria feel discomfort, which is observed with colitis, gastritis, pancreatitis, because the pH of the intestine changes;
• when the flora is inhabited by pathogenic bacteria, fungi, helminths, and there is practically no room for beneficial bacteria.
Read also: Gut microbiota may contribute to type 2 diabetes
Violation of microflora: how to restore balance
If you have been diagnosed with dysbacteriosis, then therapy should not include treating the bad analysis itself, but the pathological condition, which is headed by dysbacteriosis. Doctors prescribe antimicrobial agents, but we should not forget about biologics.
Among them are:
• prebiotics, the task of which is to prepare the intestines for the colonization of a normal microbiome and create optimal conditions, among the products of this type are bran, milk, rye bread, legumes, etc;
• probiotics, which contain normal intestinal microflora, and they have a good effect on the microbiota and the whole body, belong to the category fermented milk products;
• synbiotics, which are a combination of pro- and prebiotics.
The human gut microbiome is fundamental to the full functioning of the body. It is important from early childhood to old age to maintain a normal balance of microorganisms, which will be helped by a diet of healthy foods.
Read also: Human gut bacteria: why we get fat and how to lose weight
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