Gut Biogeography Of The Bacterial Microbiota

Bacteria, fungi, viruses and other organisms that make up the digestive system of our body actually outnumber the quantity of our cells. Over time research has made clear that these small organisms play a very important role in our health - both physically and mentally. All these microbes that inhabit our body are called microbiome, and they are estimated to weigh between two to six pounds. Most of these microbes live in our gut and intestines and they help us digest food, incorporate vitamins, and fight infections. Recent studies have revealed that bacteria in our digestive system not only affect our physical health, but it also plays a major role in our mental health. Gut microbiome has been linked to a range of complex behaviors, such

It is surely not uncommon to see people carry around different kinds of disinfectant sprays and other chemical products in order to reduce the amount of bacteria and germs on their skin and in their body. However, the fact is that distal human intestine represents “an anaerobic bioreactor programmed with an enormous population of bacteria.” The study was conducted in order to assess the influence of microbiota on the energy storage in mice raised without exposure to any microorganisms compared to the control group that had acquired a microbiota since birth. The study showed that the control group of mice acquired 40% more total body fat than their germ free counterparts, despite the fact that the control group consumed less food per day. This came as a result of microbiota that provide us with genetic and metabolic attributes we have not acquired in our own evolutionary process, such as the ability to harvest otherwise inaccessible nutrients. Coming back to Elizabeth Willson’s contention, study of the microstructure, in this case the gut microbiota, has had a reorganizing effect on how we view our bodies and forced us put greater value to the role of microorganisms in our own survival.

There are some factors with microbial that play a part in our bodies. There is a virus called Escherichia Coli bacteria, E-Coli for short, that in culture, they thrive

The word microbiota represents an ensemble of microorganisms that reside in a previously established environment; humans have microbiota throughout many different areas of the body, not exclusively the gut (Gut Microbiota). Our gut is full of trillions of different species of bacteria that is used and necessary for many different functions. Each bacteria is used for a variety of different functions. They are used to help digest certain food that the human body cannot alone and it plays an important role in the immune system (Gut Microbiota). Many people do not understand the concept of having such as vast amount of bacteria in their gut, let alone the importance of its presence to their

Brenda Watson in her three videos talks about the health of your gut. Guts are apparently really important toward bacteria. In our entire

Gut microbiota changes in our body from birth to old age. The fetal intestinal tract is sterile until birth, after which the newborn tract begins to be colonized. Infants are exposed to a great variety of microorganisms from different environments during and immediately after birth, either in their encounter with their maternal vagina or by the cutaneous microorganisms depending on the type of delivery. Infants have lower intestinal bacteria counters with less diversity in the early weeks of life. Different method of feeding influences the microbiota. Until 2-3 years old, microbiota become similar to the adult microbiota. After that, it becomes stable until old age. Genetic factors such as obesity influence the development of gut microbiota.

Biedermann, L., & Rogler, G. (2015). The intestinal microbiota: its role in health and disease. European Journal Of Pediatrics, 174(2), 151-167. doi:10.1007/s00431-014-2476-2

human cells, most of our body is inhabited by other organisms that range from neutral species to pathogenic dangers. This diverse spectrum of microorganisms is called the human microbiota, and is composed of around 10-100 trillion commensal microbial cells (1). These may include bacteria, fungi, viruses, most of which may be harmless. Microbiota are dispersed throughout our bodies, though seem to be particularly concentrated within certain bodily “ecosystems” such as the gut, the vagina, and the mouth. Interestingly, the diversity between these sites is quite great, with research showing that the microbiome of the hand could be around 80-90% different from that of the gut (1). These separate microbial sites within the body dictate how certain pathogens will be killed off, and how the balance of the site will be maintained. As a site most densely populated with microbiota, the gut is responsible for making sure that the vitamins and minerals within foods were sufficiently absorbed and digested; a feat only possible due to the magnitude of microbial organisms within the site (2). In this sense, each site is extremely important to the overall harmony of the human body. Techniques to identify certain microbial taxa, as well as their genomic patterns range from studies of cultured isolates, which are used to link bacteria to certain phenotypes, to taxonomic profiling, a

The human body harbours huge and complex microbial communities, called the microbiota. The microbiota is gaining importance in human health due to increasing evidence that its bacterial component plays a role in the occurrence of chronic diseases [1]. In this regard, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) (or gut) bacteria are very important [2], being the niche for many bacteria which have been extensively studied [3]. Rather than the action of single or group of gut bacteria, perturbation of the overall gut bacteria (dysbiosis) is crucial for the integrity of the GIT and extra-GIT disorders [4]. The gut bacterial composition is influenced by both intrinsic and extraneous factors [5]. These extraneous factors include diet [6] and physical activity [7].

In less than 2 months, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston will start an experiment testing the effects of gut bacteria on human weight. To get the gut bacteria into the body, the participants will consume “poop pills” that are similar to capsules of fecal matter provided by OpenBiome, a nonprofit stool bank. One of the large concerns with using these “poop pills” is the safety of eating stool, but the producers of these “poop pills” go through extensive screening before accepting a stool donation. The researchers are optimistic as to the effects of these “poop pills” and hope that they could help treat obesity along with a healthy diet and exercise. In this experiment, the independent variable is the thin person’s fecal matter and the dependent variable is the amount of weight lost. The control group is the group of participants that ingest a placebo while the experimental group is the group that receives the thin person’s fecal matter.

Our gut microbiomes are essential for our immunity and over-all health. They act as a obstacle against other dangerous microorganisms, and they assist with digestion and the production of some vitamins.

The area of human gut microbiomics is rather new, but it represents the largest amount of DNA in the human body. Numerous studies are still underway and specifically, in regards to the neonatal gut, it is still unclear how certain bacteria would promote or help prevent the apparition of disease. (1)

The human gut as an environment is very complex, sensitive and hostile. However these microorganisms are able to adapt and evolve with the changes of our body in order to survive. The gastrointestinal tract is sterile at birth, but colonisation naturally begins within a few hours of birth when Methanobrevibacter Smithii along with over 500 other distinct species of bacteria [1] are digested from their mothers milk and generally hand to mouth contact. The human guts microflora is established at three to four weeks of age, when the bacteria have colonised the colon. [2]

Recent studies have identified gut microbiota as a contributing factor to the pathophysiology of obesity. Gut microbiota originates from the maternal vaginal tract at birth and colonizes the GI tract of the infant.[3] Thus, as an infant, the mother’s diet greatly influences microbiota composition via her breast milk or formula milk.

Probiotics help keep a balance between microorganisms in the intestine. They are especially beneficial to people who have digestive problems. The GI tract acts as a barrier against food and microorganism that may have entered the body. The response of probiotics or other microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract depends on the development of the microflora. Most of the effects we see from probiotics are brought about through immune regulation and cytokines. Probiotics can be used to normalize gut mucosal dysfunction, decrease inflammation, and decrease sensitive reactions (CITE). Probiotics also keep the gut healthy; thus, ensuring the immune system functions well. Epithelial intestinal tissue’s main role is protecting the intestines from harmful microbes and is dependent upon gut flora. In order for new epithelial lining to be made, adequate amounts of gut flora must be available for the body to access. Therefore, maintaining the proper balance of epithelial tissue is reliant on probiotics since probiotics increase the lifespan of the tissue cells. Probiotics can also enhance the body’s innate immunity, this helps lessen the amount of inflammation in the GI tract