What is Microbiome?

• The microbiome refers to trillions of ‘bugs’ or microorganisms (also called microbiota or microbes) of thousands of different species.
• These include not only bacteria, but also fungi, parasites, and viruses that mostly reside in the large intestine.
• These microbes begin colonising the gut at birth. Later on, environmental exposures and diet can change one’s microbiome.
• The microbiome consists of good and bad microbes that coexist without problems in a healthy body. Various illnesses, certain diets, or prolonged use of antibiotics, can result in dysbiosis and this increases susceptibility to diseases like obesity, metabolic disorders, cancer, etc.
• Gut health has a direct impact on immune system function and therefore on overall well-being.
• Dietary fibres cannot be digested and pass relatively intact through the gut, where bacteria feed on it. This produces nutrients, which include vitamins B and K, that help support our immune system.