Ep.03 – What is the microbiome?

27 Apr

Dr James McIlroy breaks down the terminology and science surrounding the wonderful world of your gut microbiome, including explaining terms like "microbiota" and how your gut interacts with your immune system, and the ongoing research into the role your microorganisms in your gut with health and well-being.

Tune in to episode 3 of Biome Bites

First things first: the "gut" refers to the digestive system, which includes the stomach and intestines. The microbiome, on the other hand, refers to all the microorganisms (like bacteria, viruses, and fungi) that live in a particular environment.

When we talk about the gut microbiome, we're specifically talking about all the microorganisms that live in our digestive system. And believe it or not, there are a lot of them -- we're talking trillions of microorganisms in a healthy adult's gut!

These microorganisms play a really important role in our overall health. They help us digest our food, produce certain vitamins, and even interact with our immune system. In fact, some studies have suggested that the gut microbiome may play a role in a wide range of health conditions, from obesity to depression.

So basically, the gut microbiome is a collection of microorganisms that live in our digestive system and play a key role in our overall health.