Exploring the Gut Microbiome: Importance and Impact on Health

The gut microbiome refers to the diverse community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract, influencing digestion, immunity, and overall health.
Related products/activities
Application
Digestive Health | Microbiota Research | Gut-Brain Connection | Digestive Flora | Intestinal Health | Microbiota
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Gut Microbiome FAQ


Image credit: norgenbiotek.com

What is a gut microbiome?

A biome is a distinct ecosystem characterized by its environment and its inhabitants. Your gut — inside your intestines — is in fact a miniature biome, populated by trillions of microscopic organisms. These microorganisms include over a thousand species of bacteria, as well as viruses, fungi and parasites. Your gut microbiome is unique to you.

How does the gut microbiome work?

“There are certain gut microbes that can produce small molecules and that can also help synthesize certain vitamins, enzymes and hormones that are needed in our body,” notes Dr. Cresci. Research is ongoing on how the gut microbiome works in tandem with parts of the body like your brain, heart, liver and lungs.

Where is your gut microbiome located?

You may think your gut microbiome is in your stomach, but it’s located in your large and small intestines. “It contains all the microbes that reside within our intestinal tract,” says Dr. Cresci. “And those microbes are comprised of bacteria, fungi, yeast and viruses.”

What is the role of gut microbiome in human health?

The gut microbiome, i.e., the community of bacteria and other microorganisms living in the human gut, has been implicated both directly and indirectly (mediating the effects of diet) on human health [ 1, 2 ].

Is gut microbiome and disease a research field?

In conclusion, based on the detailed bibliometrics analysis of gut microbiome and disease, we present a comprehensive overview of this evolving subject over the past 26 years. These results indicate that gut microbiome and disease is an active research field, and publications on this subject have proliferated over the past decades.

Gut Microbiome References

If you want to know more about Gut Microbiome, consider exploring links below:

Explore Related Topics

Can antibiotics or antivirals affect my child's gut health?

Explore the potential impact of antibiotics and antivirals on children's gut health, including strategies to maintain a healthy gut flora during treatment.

Antibiotics for strep throat: Should probiotics be taken alongside?

Is it beneficial to use probiotics in conjunction with antibiotics for strep throat treatment to maintain gut health? Share your insights and tips on combining antibiotics with probiotics.