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Human Microbiome

Author: Vincent Guo

Editors: Suri Liu, Faye Lin

Artist: Becky Li


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What if I told you that there are trillions of microscopic bacteria inside your body? You might be concerned and worried, but those bacteria are actually helpful to us. Those bacteria are called microbiomes. They help us in various ways such as digesting food, supporting our immune system in fighting off harmful invaders, and affecting our mood. Microbiomes consist of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and archaea, and are found on our skin, mouth, nose, lungs, and gut.

One well-known microbiome is the gut microbiome. The gut has the most microbiomes compared to anywhere else on our body. These microbes help break down things that our body couldn’t on its own, like some carbohydrates and fibers. Additionally, they also produce some important nutrients that our body needs, like short-chain fatty acids and vitamins. They are essential for our digestive system, and our digestive system wouldn’t function correctly without it.

Microbiomes are not only beneficial for our digestive system but also for the immune system.  They help our immune system recognize which bacteria are helpful and harmful, and it also reduces the chance of an autoimmune response. An autoimmune response is when the body mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells or tissue. The body thinks of those healthy cells or tissues as a foreign invader.

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These microbes communicate with the brain through the gut-brain axis. It is a communication pathway between the gut and the brain. The microbes secrete neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid, also known as GABA, which can affect our mood. The different neurotransmitters have different effects. For example, dopamine is released when we feel pleasure like getting a reward like a sweet treat or thinking of a fun activity. If there is disruption in the microbiomes, it can potentially lead to some mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder. 

Microbiomes start to develop the moment we are born. The moment a baby is born, it is exposed to the microbes. Breastfeeding also plays a role in babies getting the microbes they need, since breast milk contains prebiotics and probiotics. This helps give babies immunity to some diseases and helps them stay healthy and build up their immune system. The microbiome changes and evolves as the child grows up. They change due to diet, the environment, medications, stress, exercise, and aging. If someone has a diverse and balanced microbiome, that is associated with good health, but when they have a less diverse and balanced microbiome, then it may be dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is problematic and it is associated with many diseases. It is the imbalance or dysfunction of the microbiome caused by poor diet, infection, and chronic stress. Dysbiosis is connected to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even certain cancers. It causes both mental health issues and physical issues. 

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Having a healthy and balanced microbiome is essential to staying healthy. One way is to consume a wide range of plant-based foods, foods that are high in fiber and natural prebiotics. Some foods that contain natural prebiotics are garlic and onions. Live probiotics are also very important, and they can be found in yogurt. Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics can also help. Antibiotics not only kill harmful bacteria but also microbes that help the body. Exercising, getting good sleep, having good hygiene, and keeping stress at a minimum are also beneficial to keep a balanced microbiome.

Human microbiomes may be invisible to the naked eye, but they play a huge role and have a massive impact on human health. It is essential that you have a healthy microbiome by eating well, sleeping, and exercising to stay healthy.

Citations:

Ogunrinola, G. A., Oyewale, J. O., Oshamika, O. O., & Olasehinde, G. I. (2020). The Human

Microbiome and Its Impacts on Health. International Journal of Microbiology,

‌Rogers, K. (2019). Human microbiome. In Encyclopædia Britannica.

‌Muhammad Tuhin. (2025, April 5). What Is the Microbiome, and Why Does It Matter?

‌The Human Microbiome: Its Impact on Health and Disease. (2025, January 13).

BiologyInsights. https://biologyinsights.com/the-human-microbiome-its-impact-on-

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