Microbiome
Heal your gut
Why is the study of the Microbiome important?
Artist: Monica Aissa Martinez
The study of the microbiome, which refers to the collection of microorganisms that inhabit our bodies, is important for several reasons:
1. Health: The microbiome plays a crucial role in human health, as it helps digest food, produces vitamins, and helps maintain a healthy immune system. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the microbiome, has been linked to a variety of health issues, including autoimmune diseases, obesity, and even mental health disorders. Due to the difficulty in replicating these microorganisms in a petri dish, this study only became possible quite recently via the technology developed to study DNA.
2. Disease: Understanding the microbiome is important for identifying and treating infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms. It is believed that 75% of our immune system resides within our gut. It can also help in the development of new treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.
3. Environment: The microbiome is not limited to humans and animals but can be found in various environments such as soil, water, and plants. Understanding the microbiome in these environments can lead to better management of ecosystems and agricultural practices. Understanding what a beneficial bug vs a pathogen is an important part of the study.
4. Personalized medicine: Knowledge of an individual’s microbiome can help create a personal health care system based on food.
Overall, the study of the microbiome is important for understanding the complex interactions between microorganisms and their hosts and for developing new therapies and management strategies for a variety of health and environmental challenges.
The experts
Robynne Chutkan
integrative gastroenterologist, microbiome expert, and author – wants to help you find your gutbliss!
Robert Knight
is a professor at the University of California, San Diego, and the co-founder of the American Gut Project.
Justin and Erica Sonnenburg
both PhD, are researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and authors of The Good Gut.
Videos from experts
About Jack Alexander
Or how Jack got interested in the microbiome
In 1972 we moved to India (Jack, Mary and Satyavan) with the mission to live in and help build Auroville. For the first few months, we lived in Pondy waiting for a place to live in Auroville. During that time, we got familiar with the Ashram, made friends with several members and ate at the Ashram Dining Room. One day, there was on the notice board, a memo from The Mother in the entry way. I had always loved Her handwriting and was feeling privileged to be in a position to see this on the wall while we waited for the doors to open for lunch. : “Eat for living but do not live for eating”
The book to read: The Anti-viral Gut
A practical plan for strengthening the incredible antiviral defenses located in your gut and resolving symptoms.
