{"id":26191,"date":"2021-09-20T22:51:53","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T22:51:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=26191"},"modified":"2021-11-15T19:23:11","modified_gmt":"2021-11-15T19:23:11","slug":"healthy-microbiome-gut-skin-oral-vaginal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/healthy-microbiome-gut-skin-oral-vaginal\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Ways You Can Support *All* Of Your Body\u2019s Major Microbiome Sites"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know your body houses more than just one microbiome? There are actually four major human microbiome types, and each one is important to your overall health. Here, experts explain what you can do to cultivate healthy microbiomes.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

By now, it\u2019s no secret that certain bacteria are on your side, health-wise. In fact, you have ten times as many microorganisms as cells in your body and they make up between 1-3 percent of your body\u2019s mass, according to the National Institutes of Health<\/a>. And this is a good thing. These are warriors for your body\u2019s immune system<\/a>, gut health<\/a>, oral health, skin health, and more and collectively make up the human microbiome. Simply put, a microbiome is a community of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that exist in your body. Of course, the gut microbiome gets a lot of attention, but there are three other microbiomes that are imperative to your body\u2019s overall function, too. Aside from the gut microbiome, the skin microbiome<\/a>, vaginal microbiome, and oral microbiome all have varied and influential makeups.<\/p>\n\n\n

Find out how each of your body\u2019s unique microbiomes plays a role in your health, and most importantly, how you can care for your microbiomes and keep the bacteria that populate them as diverse as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your Body\u2019s Major Microbiomes\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n

The Gut Microbiome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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WHAT IT IS\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n

Your biggest collection of microbes is in the digestive system. In the past few years, scientists have learned even more about the impressive gut microbiome\u2014how it plays a role in sleep regulation<\/a>, healthy aging<\/a>, brain function and mood<\/a>, and even immunity (about 70 percent of your immune system<\/a> is located in the gut, after all.<\/p>\n\n\n

Since so much of the immune system<\/a> activity is centralized in the gut, it\u2019s crucial to have good bacteria present, which help prevent inflammation<\/a> and abnormal immune responses in the body. The beneficial bacteria in your gut, or probiotics<\/a>, depend on prebiotics for food, explains Christine Bishara, MD<\/a>, an internist in the New York City area practicing integrative wellness focused on gut health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cThese are the fibers present in plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, and legumes,\u201d she says. So think about it: If you don\u2019t have enough of those prebiotic foods in your diet, that could disrupt probiotics from doing their job of keeping the immune system and digestion<\/a> regular.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Probiotics also help strengthen the gut lining. \u201cIf the integrity of the gut lining is compromised, toxins can leak out into the bloodstream through the weakened gut barriers, leading to a reaction from the immune system which perceives these toxins as dangerous,\u201d adds Dr. Bishara. That immune response may attack the body\u2019s own cells, which could result in chronic inflammation (and some uncomfortable GI symptoms). But there\u2019s plenty you can do to take care of your gut microbiome and prevent inflammation in the first place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

HOW TO CARE FOR IT\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n