Gut Microbes and Human Health

by Rachel Joseph, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Regarded as the body’s “first brain,” the human gut plays a crucial role, not only in digestion, but also in influencing our mood, cognition, immune function and overall health and wellbeing. The gut is colonized by one hundred trillion (1014) microbes, which is about ten times more microbes than human cells. These microbes living in our gut carry out a myriad of essential roles that directly influence our vitality.

Gut microbes are involved in angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones. Some of the beneficial effects of angiogenesis include improved wound healing potential, monthly regeneration and repair of uterine lining in women, and increased circulation. In addition, gut microbes influence digestion by regulating muscle movement in the intestines and controlling the release of digestive juices. They support a healthy immune system, produce essential vitamins, such as vitamin K and some B vitamins, and affect how our bodies store fat, balance blood sugar levels and respond to hunger regulating hormones.

To nurture a healthy microbial community in the human gut and reduce the risk for developing a chronic disease, it is recommended to consume a variety of plant-based foods grown in nutrient-dense soil. Plants grown in nutrient-dense soil tend to have higher concentrations of essential vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. They are typically high in prebiotic fiber, which serves as nourishment for beneficial gut bacteria.

Exposure to soil and its microbes, especially in early childhood, can train the immune system to fight off harmful pathogens. Substances that may create an imbalance in microbial communities within the digestive tract include antibiotics, illness, stress, pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers and the consumption of excess sugar, saturated fat and processed food items. An imbalance in gut flora can occur with exposure to too much of the substances mentioned above. However, spending time outside, working in the soil, breathing in different natural environments and eating organically grown foods will create a more balanced internal environment.

In conclusion, one can prioritize the health of their gut by spending more time in nature, working close to the ground and consuming plants grown in nutrient-dense soils filled with microbial diversity which in turn, creates a more diverse human microbiome.