Being Human - The Microbial World Within Us

Introduction

• Humans perceive themselves as unique individuals.
• However, our bodies host millions of microscopic beings.
• Each body is a unique habitat for microbial communities.

Microbial Habitats in the Human Body

• Skin: Compared to arid deserts.
• Lips: Like villages.
• Mouths: Cities with each tooth being a distinctive neighborhood.
• Guts: Teeming metropolises of interacting microbes.

Function of Microbes in the Gut

• Cellulitic Bacteria:
  • Break down cellulose from vegetables into sugars.
• Respirators:
  • Convert simple sugars into fuel.
• Fermenters:
  • Extract energy from sugars, producing waste such as alcohol and hydrogen gas.
• Syn-trophs:
  • Live off the fermenters' waste.
• Energy is released and absorbed by the digestive tract cells.

Unique Gut Microbial Communities

• Every person has a distinct community of gut microbes.
• Variability in microbial communities affects calorie extraction from food.

Determinants of Gut Microbiome

• Genetic Makeup: Influences microbial community.
• Microbial Encounters: Over a lifetime affect ecosystem.
• Diet:
  • Complex foods like apples require diverse microbes.
  • Simple foods like lollipops reduce microbial diversity.

Impact of Microbial Diversity

• Low microbial diversity is linked to diseases like diabetes and chronic gut inflammation.
• A varied diet can enhance microbial diversity.

Importance of Microbes

• Microbes are essential for our health and identity.
• Understanding microbe interaction could improve personal health and well-being.

Conclusion

• Human bodies are homes to millions of microbes.
• Nurturing our microbial ecosystem is crucial for health.
• Further research can help us manage our microbial societies effectively.