Microbiome is a collection of the microbes that are established in human body and they are combinations of bacteria, parasites, fungi, and viruses. Just like how everyone has their own unique DNA, everyone has their own unique combination of microbes that is regulated by the DNA. According to an article published by Harvard T.H. Chan, School of Public Health, the person’s first exposure to microbiome is during delivery either through the birth canal or through caesarean section. The type of microorganisms that infants are exposed to depends on the method of delivery and the type of species that the mother carries. Breast milk also presents the infant to specific microorganisms that are found in the milk. This allows each person to compose of their own unique microbiome.
The microorganisms found in the body are symbiotic, or beneficial and some are pathogenic, or harmful. In a healthy individual, the coexistence of both the symbiotic and pathogenic microbes are possible as long as there is no interruption in the body such as illnesses that impedes the balance of those microbes. With the harmonious balance in the body, there are many health benefits resulting from the microbiome. For example, the healthy immune system is maintained by the microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract, ensuring the breakdown of the toxic food chemicals, based on the research article published on PLOS, a nonprofit publisher organization. Moreover, as mentioned in the article by Harvard, the families of bacteria found in the gut and the colon protects the gut by preventing the growth of harmful bacteria, leading to healthy immune system.
There are many health benefits associated with microbiota but as mentioned in the previous paragraph, if dysbiosis occurs, our body may become more vulnerable to diseases. Balanced microbiome fights off the pathogens that are acquired through contaminated water or food but if there is a disturbance between the microbes, these microbes may not be able to provide any protection and will not be able to function normally. Along with that, according to ‘hygiene hypothesis’ stated in the PLOS research article, the intestinal dysbiosis can be associated with the increased incidence of the immune-related disorders.
Before doing my research on microbiome, I did not know that it had many different roles in our body, contributing to organization of many systems. That being said, microbiome plays a critical role in keeping the body systems in check and being the first line of defense if any pathogenic organisms enter the body and try to cause disruptions. I also realized that it is crucial to not stimulate it and keep it disturbance-free because although it would normally provide us with beneficial prevention and protection, it could also make our body more susceptible to diseases. Thus, maintaining a disturbance-free microbiome should be our first priority in order to stay healthy.
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