In 2001, the word microbiome was coined, and today scientists are considering life on the planet a little differently than Darwin’s Evolutionary Tree of Life.
In Darwin’s version of the tree of life, insects, plants and animals ruled the earth and there is no mention of the bacteria. Genetic sequencing has drastically changed our perspective and we are learning that indeed, single cell organisms rule the earth.
Similarly within the human body, we have 10 times more inhabitant microorganisms (mostly bacteria) than human cells. Thus, we are now considered a “superorganism”. I have been using the analogy that we are “the Mothership with a lot of passengers on board” for a long time now and these passengers are called your microbiota. And most of these passengers are friendly and quite helpful – but because of dietary and lifestyle choices, there are some parasitic organisms that send our immune system into warfare and this we call inflammation.
Most chronic illness is the result of Systemic Inflammation – a chronic, subclinical state of inflammation throughout the body. Where this war begins is in the gut, specifically in the colon. In fact, the colon has been found to have a denser population of bacteria than any other place on the planet! Genetic sequencing of the bacteria in our poop gives us tremendous insight about our health and chronic conditions. Our immune system is fighting too many unnecessary battles against our microbiota – a state called dysbiosis. My new talk is about what we can do to create peace with our microbiome or symbiosis. Make peace, not war! Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.