Alongside trillions of bacteria, our microbiome is home to many fungal species and researchers are only just starting to investigate how they influence human health and metabolism.
More than gut bacteria: Mysteries of the microbiome
The trillions of microbes living inside of us constitute our microbiome. Bacteria, fungi, and viruses all reside inside us and play a role in our general health. New studies are looking at how these microbes influence everything from Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and multiple sclerosis, to protecting you from radiation and training immune cells.
Photo: assets.newatlas.com
The studies look at how gut bacteria is connected to neurodegenerative and whether the microbiome can be used to predict diabetes disease progression.
The observational research suggests specific microbial patterns correlate with disease severity and those bacterial imbalances may account for some cases of “long COVID”.
It turns out some bacteria found living in our gut today were with our ancestors long before Homo sapiens arose as a species.
Called the Gut Virome Database, the study suggests each person’s gut viral population is as unique as their fingerprints.
The Australian-led research found a genetic link between a susceptibility for peptic ulcer disease and psychiatric disorders such as major depression.
The research reveals certain immune cells that inhabit a protective membrane surrounding the brain actually originate in the gut.
The proposed test will not detect specific disease but instead offer an indication of one's general health status.
Context is key, and host genetics are most likely fundamental to whether a species of bacteria generates positive or negative effects in a given individual.
A clinical trial is currently being planned to explore whether direct administration of these metabolites to patients undergoing radiation therapy reduces adverse effects.