Bacteria. Friends or Foes

Remember when we didn’t know anything about the microbiome and we figured all bacteria was just bad for us? Or remember when we thought disinfecting everything and preventing children from playing outside in the “dirty” “infectious” nature was dangerous for their health? Cue the Hygiene Hypothesis. Now that we are over those misconceptions and understand how the development of our microbiome can serve as a key modulator in our health, we can view its importance in our lives. Let’s take obesity for instance. It has been shown that our diet influences our gut microbiota and the altering of the microbiota in a severely obese person can actually have incredible effects. A study shows that Bariatric surgery causes reversal of the decrease in B. thetaiotaomicron elevated serum glutamate levels which are commonly associated with obesity. Therefore, altering your microbiome could potentially increase your health.

As we continue to progress, non-communicable diseases increase in their fatality rate when compared to communicable diseases, specifically in developed countries like the USA. With it being a leading cause of death and having no cure, cancer seems to be the disease to try and beat. Does the microbiome has any effect on getting this disease? Many scientist think seem to think so. After all, with its impact on almost every other aspect on our lives, why wouldn’t it effect the likelihood of us developing it or the successfulness of treating it? A study by Joao concludes that alterations in the microbiome could actually “nudge cancer systems towards desired states.”

Lastly, I wanted to bring up the point that our microbiota has been seen to have influence over neurological issues and mental disorders. Specifically, this has been seen to have contributions to depression. If we were able to alter our gut microbiota, we could potentially get rid of these disorders all together, or at least lessen the DALYs that they cause. Researchers have been conducting studies to examine whether or not this microbiota could be altered via probiotics and more importantly, what benefits these alterations could provide for an individuals mental health. In conclusion, the study of the microbiome is just now lifting off. Many exciting new improvements in human health may result once we fully tap into these ideas.