We currently live in a fast-paced world and society. One that contains readily open access to materials such as food and entertainment devices. And because of these open accesses, we’ve become lazy. This of course is not the only reason behind this laziness. For example, because of how our society is constructed and because of individual setbacks, it’s become so complex that even some of us cannot catch up. However, it isn’t too late to take care of yourself and to understand the importance of taking care of yourself, precisely, in understanding the importance of microbial diversity and ecology and its correlation to human health.
With the creation of fast food enterprises and manufactured foods, it’s become harder to control ourselves. Although it isn’t bad to splurge and eat these items, we should also consider incorporating more diverse foods into our diet. Since “junk food” or processed foods have been seen to decrease our microbial diversity leading to the rise of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
To add, vegetables and fruits that we consume can contain soil microbes, which can contribute to greater diversity in our gut. This increase in diversity can then help us and our body to increase immunity (Fun fact: Soil diversity is so immense, our gut diversity only constitutes to about 10% of soil diversity (1)). Similarly, in a biochemistry aspect, increasing fiber can lead to a “healthier” and more diverse gut not only because of the soil pathogens introduced but also because of an increased introduction to cellulose, a type of structural sugar that plants contain and a type of insoluble fiber in humans. This increased uptake in fiber can then contribute to smoother bowel movements due to diverse microbial interactions. However, this isn’t the only contributor as it has been shown that the type of environment can contribute to our human gut health as well. For example, in a study conducted in 2019, researchers found that our environment does in fact contribute to our human gut health. They found that children with early exposure to outdoors and less hygienic surfaces are more likely to develop better immunity against autoimmune diseases as soil pathogens and increased microbial diversity contribute to human immunity (1). Illustrating that our modern lifestyles and introduction to antibiotics have affected us in a good and bad manner. Likewise, with modern advances, we need modern solutions, which is to lead to a more active lifestyle along with attempting to diversify our food reach. Similarly, it’s important for us as humans to take care of ourselves and build our immunity due to these advances and due to the fact that there is an ongoing antibiotic crisis.
Note: This blog does not put into perspective income, expenses, bullying, societal expectations, and mental health challenges such as eating disorders. However, I hope this blog can empower someone to take a step for themselves regardless of what they’re going through because even if someone’s circumstances aren’t the best, I want them to know that they are strong and can overcome whatever comes their way. And if they feel like no one is rooting for them, they’re wrong because this stranger writing this blog is rooting for them.
References:
Blum, W. E. H., Zechmeister-Boltenstern, S., & Keiblinger, K. M. (2019). Does Soil Contribute to the Human Gut Microbiome?. Microorganisms, 7(9), 287. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms7090287
Brown, M. D., Shinn, L. M., Reeser, G., Browning, M., Schwingel, A., Khan, N. A., & Holscher, H. D. (2022). Fecal and soil microbiota composition of gardening and non-gardening families. Scientific Reports, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05387-5
Dietary diversity to promote “‘good bugs’” in the gut. Institute for Molecular Bioscience - University of Queensland. (2022, May 25). https://imb.uq.edu.au/dietary-diversity-promote-good-bugs-gut
Hirt H. (2020). Healthy soils for healthy plants for healthy humans: How beneficial microbes in the soil, food and gut are interconnected and how agriculture can contribute to human health. EMBO reports, 21(8), e51069. https://doi.org/10.15252/embr.202051069
Nargi, L. (2021, June 15). The connection between soil microbiomes and gut microbiomes. FoodPrint. https://foodprint.org/blog/soil-microbiomes/
Tasnim, N., Abulizi, N., Pither, J., Hart, M. M., & Gibson, D. L. (2017). Linking the Gut Microbial Ecosystem with the Environment: Does Gut Health Depend on Where We Live?. Frontiers in microbiology, 8, 1935. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01935
Vinot, N. (2023, October 13). Gut microbiome, soil microbiome: Different ecosystems, same principles. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gut-microbiome-soil-different-ecosystems-same-principles-nina-vinot-chj3e/