Your microbiome

Meet Your "Gut Buddies": The Microbiome Crew That Keeps You Running

Ever wonder how much of you is actually you?

We share 99.9% of our DNA with each other, making us essentially genetic twins with every person we walk past in the street. But our gut microbes? Well they are a whole different story!

In terms of your microbial "fingerprint," you might share as little as 10% similarity with that same person. So, while we're all genetically alike, your microbiome makes you uniquely you—from how you digest food to how you respond to certain medications*.

A Tiny Army with Huge Responsibilities

Our gut microbes are tiny powerhouses that manage everything from digestion to immune health. Here’s a sneak peek into their daily job list:

- Digesting Food: They help support our digestive system in breaking down food your digestive enzymes can’t process, helping you absorb essential nutrients such as calcium.

- Immune System Training: These microbes “educate” your immune cells, helping them spot threats and avoid attacking your own cells.

- Immune Surveillance: Many gut microbes act like your own built-in security team, protecting you against harmful invaders.

- Behavioural Influences: Some studies even suggest that our gut bugs may affect mood, memory and possibly even cravings.

Microscopic Matchmaking? Maybe!

While we haven’t cracked the code on microbial matchmaking in humans, studies on other creatures reveal some eyebrow-raising facts. Fruit flies, for instance, choose their mates based on their gut microbiome! Maybe one day we'll discover a similar phenomenon in humans—just imagine a dating app that matches you based on gut microbiome compatibility! Sorry, that’s just like eww yuck!

The Microbial "First Impression"

Your initial microbes come from how you entered the world. Babies born vaginally get a community of bacteria resembling those found in the birth canal, while babies born via C-section get microbes similar to the ones on skin. These early differences may help explain why C-section babies have slightly higher risks for allergies, asthma and obesity. For millions of years, birth canal microbes have been helping mammals build stronger immune systems and gut health!

Microbes vs. Genes: The Health Showdown

Imagine we’re trying to guess someone’s health status based on their genes versus their gut microbes. If we want to know who’s likely to be lean or obese, a gut microbiome test will be up to 90% accurate, whereas DNA-based predictions might only be around 60%. That’s huge! It’s like your gut bacteria hold secrets about you that your DNA can’t reveal. Scientists have connected the microbiome to a range of conditions—from heart disease to bowel cancer, obesity, mood disorders and even autism.

You Are What You (And Your Microbes) Eat

Your gut microbes love when you eat foods rich in fibre from a variety of veggies, fruit, legumes and whole grains. A diet heavy in processed food, however, can shift your microbiome in ways that aren’t so gut-friendly. This is why many experts now think we can improve our health by feeding our gut buddies a balanced intake. It’s like nurturing a diverse garden inside you—when you give it the right stuff, your microbes thrive and so do you!

The Future of Microbiome Magic

The science of the microbiome is still new, but as it grows, so does our understanding of how to support our health with personalised ways of eating and potentially, even microbial treatments. Imagine a day when doctors recommend a custom supplement tailored to your unique microbial fingerprint.

So, next time you’re choosing your meal, remember - you’re not just feeding yourself. Make sure to feed those trillions of little friends who are working hard to keep you healthy, happy and uniquely you too. 🌱