The ideal intestinal flora does not exist
We humans tend to dislike bacteria – we’d rather get rid of them than welcome them. Your gut, however, embraces them with open arms. Here, the rule is: the more diverse the bacteria, the better for your health. Extensive research is being carried out into how these bacteria influence the rest of your body. With a healthy gut flora, your immune system functions better, which according to recent studies can even help you age more healthily.
In search of the perfect microbiome
In 2001, Nobel Prize–winning biologist Joshua Lederberg coined the term “microbiome” to describe the billions of microorganisms in our bodies. Other terms you may have heard are microbiota or microflora, and the collection of bacteria in the gut is often called gut flora. Everything we consume – from food to medicine – can shape and influence our personal microbiome. This can have far-reaching consequences. The search for a healthy microbiome has fueled the growth of the probiotic market and filled bookstore shelves with microbiome diet books.
Experimenting with a DIY stool implant
One particularly interesting development in gut bacteria research is the stool transplant. Healthy people have a balanced composition of beneficial bacteria in their intestines. By donating their healthy stool, they can help improve the gut flora of people with digestive issues. This experimental procedure is usually carried out in hospitals under medical supervision, but there are also stories of people attempting it at home.
For example, archaeologist and writer Jeff Leach gave himself a stool implant from a member of the Hadza tribe in Tanzania. According to him, the Western microbiome is a mess due to poor diet, lifestyle factors, pollution, and excessive hygiene. The Hadza, on the other hand, are hunter-gatherers and therefore have a much healthier microbiome. A 2014 study confirmed that their microbiome was richer and more diverse than that of Italian participants. Humans may dislike bacteria, but your gut welcomes them – the more diverse, the better for your health.
Every microbiome is unique
There is no such thing as a “normal” microbiome, since this ecosystem is highly complex and constantly changing. It’s not just about having enough different bacteria – where they are located matters just as much. A bacterium can be beneficial in one place but harmful in another. Every microbiome is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution for related problems. What is clear, however, is that antibiotics and smoking have a negative effect on the microbiome, while a healthy diet and sufficient exercise make it thrive. And if you want to give your bacterial friends an extra boost, high-quality supplements such as probiotics and prebiotics can help.
