Florbela de Jesus António

Microbiota (microbial flora) and microbiome

 

We are also our microorganisms!

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The newest research reveals that we have at least as many microbial cells as human cells in our body (R), about 100 times more microbial genes (microbiome) than human genes. In our gut, we have about two Kilogram of microbes. 

 

We are initially seeded with a very important microbial flora as we develop in our mother's womb and mainly as we pass through the birth canal (R). Then the close contact with the mother and breastfeeding plays a crucial role in the development of the baby microbiota, not only by giving antibodies and probiotic bacteria to the baby, but mostly by feeding specifically the beneficial bacteria and killing the pathogenic ones through human milk oligosaccharides (R) which are the major constituents of the breast milk. Through life, we absorb microbes mainly through the air and through the food we eat. We live in an amazing world of microorganisms which the majority is beneficial or harmless, only about 1% of the bacteria are pathogenic. Microorganisms are everywhere and we are continuously absorbing and emitting microorganisms (R). Another very interesting finding is that our genetic make-up seems to choose the microorganisms which colonise us and the microorganisms seem to choose us.

 

We live in a symbiotic relationship with our microbiota and they profoundly influence us in every aspect of our physiology and functionality in our development, from our digestion, our immune system, fertility, our cardiovascular system to our brain and our mood (R).

The human community of microorganisms is very complex and is an important ecosystem to deal with ecological approaches.