Microbioma, what the new studies on bacteria that regulate not only intestinal life but also many functions of the body say

There intestinal health seems to have become The solution to all problemsnot just physical. Searches on the web of intestinal microbioma and microbiota They generate millions of results, books on the subject dominate and scientific studies also multiply.

Difference between microbiota and microbioma

First of all it is essential to understand the difference between these two termsonly apparently equal. The microbiota is the set of microorganisms (bacteria, mushrooms, viruses) that live in a certain environment of the human body, such as intestine, mouth or skin, while The microbioma is the genetic heritage of these microorganismsthat is, the set of all their genes, which determines their functions and interactions. Indeed The billions of bacteria who live in the intestine, They are connected to functions such as sleep, heart health, mental health and aging.

Good and bad bacteria

Bacteria Lactobacillus in Human Intestine, benefit Healthy Intestinal Bacterium microflora, Probiotic Bacteriumnopparit

The belief that The bacteria are bad It is obsolete. The field of microbiology has concentrated for over a century on pathogenic bacteria, that is, those that cause diseases, because the connection between illness and bacteria had just been established. In the last 25 years, however, it has been seen that The intestine is full of beneficial microorganisms.

Connection between intestine and brain

Vector Illustration of a Brain Gut Connection Health Concept Human Intestine With Bacteria On Blue Gradient Background. Includes vector eps and high resolution jpg.JDAWNINK

The role of the microbiota in the intestine-cervello axisan active network of communication between the intestinal and central nervous system was discovered in 1986.
The search for the last decade has revealed increasingly tighter bonds between the microbioma and all body functions. AND Each microbioma is as unique as a digital imprint.
The complex of more recent studies In fact, on the microbioma notes a different response glycemic to the same foods Based on lifestyle, medical history, composition and function of the microbioma.

Know your microbioma

Microvilli with bifidobacterium in intestine. 3D Illustrationilexx

How can you learn to Know your microbioma? It is not possible (again) to go to the internal doctor for a microbioma control, but There are tests (also do-it-yourself) that allow you to Make the microbioma evaluate. A few tests requires the prescription, others are sold directly to the consumer. But There is no standardized data set With which to compare the results, no universal terminology, no consensus on which variables are important and what makes them vary.

The power supply in the first place

Still Life of Various Fruits, Vegetables, Wine & Coffee Beans, King Naturally Occhuring Carcinogenic Chemicals Found in Many Foods, incl. Some pictured. (Photo by Mario Ruiz/Getty Images)Mario Ruiz/Getty Images

Despite customization is the base for modeling and maintaining an intestinal microbioma healthy (which in turn has a significant impact on general health) Food plays a crucial role. In principle, it is advisable to avoid the so -called suppressors intestinal and to favor instead the stimulators.
A balanced diet, rich in fiber, fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grainsfavors the growth of beneficial bacteria and reduces intestinal inflammation. Foods rich in fiber, such as fruit, vegetables and legumes, are fermented by intestinal bacteriaproducing short chain fatty acids that they have beneficial effects on the health of the intestine And the rest of the body. Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and other fermented foods contain alive beneficial bacteria that can enrich the microbioma and improve digestion.
On the contrary, A diet rich in saturated fats, simple sugars, refined carbohydrates, ultra -prompt foods, alcohol and sugary drinks, can lead to dysbiosisan imbalance of the intestinal microbiota e negatively alter the composition of the microbiotafavoring the growth of potentially harmful bacteriaincreasing the risk of inflammation and disease. A high consumption of red meat, on the other hand, can encourage the growth of less beneficial bacteria.
A diet rich in different types of foodis important for maintain a diversified intestinal microbiotawhich is associated with better health. Cooking food can also influence the microbioma. For example, it can make some starches more digestible for intestinal bacteria, changing their composition. And keep good hydration is another important aspect for the correct functioning of the intestine. In addition to the balanced diet, rich in fiber, fruit, vegetables and fermented foods, A healthy lifestyle and constant physical activity are fundamental PEr maintain a healthy intestinal microbioma and promote general well -being.

The microbioma to prevent diseases

But why is it so important that the intestinal microbioma is in good health? A search Published in the medical magazine The Lancet underlines its importance in the prevention and treatment of diseases.
«The expectation that The intestinal microbioma can be the key to diagnosis and treatment Where conventional approaches have failed, It is now quite common in gastroenterology clinics and beyond ».
Also Alessio Fasano, pediatrician, gastroenterologist and researcher, head of the pediatric gastroenterology department and nutrition at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the Harvard Medical School, where he is also a professor of pediatrics, has been working on the microbioma for years for disease prevention.

«Research on the microbioma goes towards precision medicine – he explains – In the future it will be possible diagnose diseases Like Alzheimer through the microbioma and the genome. Thanks to artificial intelligence and microbioma data it will also be possible to provide Crohn’s autism and disease. The long perspective cohorts, that is, the groups of individuals selected and followed over time to observe the incidence of a certain event or illness, are essential to connect the microbioma and the disease. Indeed Specific stocks of the microbioma with mutations explain the onset of the disease. The current treatments with the microbioma will be replaced by precision medicine within the next ten years “.