Your gut microbiome harbours one of the most complex ecosystems on earth. Over three million genes are involved in this complex system, with its major influence on maintaining your health and immunity. The microbiome is primarily bacteria. These bacteria break down your foods and produce a range of by-products that are essential for your health. Everyone’s microbiome is unique, but those with the greatest amount of bacterial species, or diversity, will have the most robust health.
The relationship of you as a host to your microbiome can be both nourishing and hostile. When you eat, you feed it. Even exercise will improve the function and composition of this thriving ecosystem. Your diet, lifestyle, and environment will determine its diversity, stability and resistance to the disruption that may lead to dysbiosis.
The relationship with your microbial functions can turn hostile when in the presence of dietary indiscretions, excessive alcohol, sleep disruption, medications, and/ or a sedentary lifestyle. Loss of gut diversity reduces ecosystem resilience and immune tolerance, leading to an increased level of inflammation. Recent studies point to a strong association between gut inflammation and a range of chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes types 1 and 2, allergies, bowel disease, and increased severity of autoimmune conditions.