By: Katie Schroeder and Beth Olson
The word microbiome seems to be everywhere in the nutrition world these days. And though it may be a bit over-promoted and over-promised, the microbiome plays an important role in nutrition and health. So, what exactly is the microbiome? And how does it interact with nutrition? Over the next two blogs we will be diving into these questions and many more, so stay tuned for this special microbial feature!
Your microbiome is the collection of all the microorganisms that live in and on your body including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The section of your total microbiome that is affected by and affects your nutrition status is your gut microbiome. This is the collection of microorganisms that live within your digestive tract. The gut microbiome has a multitude of roles in the body including:
- Aiding Digestion: The microbiome helps to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber as well as working to affect the absorption ability of intestines.
- Immune support: The microbiome helps to regulate your immune system by having beneficial bacteria compete with harmful bacteria to prevent infection.
- Mental State: The gut-brain axis is the connection between the gut and brain, both affecting the other’s state of health and well-being. A healthy gut microbiome can improve mental health.
With all of these important functions in the body, it is important to ensure that the microbiome stays healthy. The two best ways to positively influence your gut microbiome health are to consume food sources of “probiotics” and “prebiotics”. Many people have heard of probiotics and prebiotics, and know that they are beneficial to gut health. However, maybe aren’t aware of the difference between the two or what foods contain them. A helpful metaphor to remember the difference is to imagine probiotics as seeds and prebiotics as fertilizer. Probiotics are foods (or supplements) containing live microorganisms (such as bacteria) consumed to multiply to support healthy bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics on the other hand are the “food” for probiotics. They are fiber that comes from the indigestible parts of plants which are then fermented in your colon by the healthy bacteria. This fermentation provides energy for the bacteria and allows the bacteria to create some products that are healthy for your gut and your body.
For sources of these foods and ideas on how to better incorporate them into your diet tune in to Microbiome Part 2 on January 24th.