They synthesize certain vitamins for us like vitamin K2, which is critical for blood-clotting and depositing calcium into our bones and teeth, and biotin, a B vitamin that’s used for cell division and that promotes healthy hair, glowing skin, and strong nails.
We live in a world that views these tiny little microorganisms as a foreign threat, which may be true in some situations, but the reality is the bugs in our gut play a critical role in our health as a species. They have been here a lot longer than we have, and we’ve evolved to use them for our benefit, and vice versa. Our skin, lungs, and even our eyes have a microbiome—and each is integral for keeping those organ systems healthy, alive, and adapted to their environment.
These 100 trillion bacteria make up anywhere between one and three percent of your body’s total mass, or about three-to-five pounds. That’s about the weight of a laptop—pretty significant considering these tiny microorganisms are invisible to the naked eye. These bacteria are small but mighty, and having the right ones in your gut could be one of the most important drivers of health and disease.
Your gut is your inner garden—the more good bugs you have in it the more likely it is to flourish. On the other hand, the more bad bugs you have, the more susceptible it is to damage. When the bad bugs overgrow the good bugs, it manifests as chronic disease. Obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ADHD, allergies, heart disease, cancer, depression, and anxiety can all be linked back to bad gut bacteria.
Keystone bacteria species such as Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus are particularly helpful for cultivating a healthy gut microflora. These bugs make short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, the preferred fuel for our intestinal cells that helps maintain the integrity of our gut lining.
*Do read the Disclaimer