Microbiome

Main article: Human body

All microorganisms that live in the human body are called the "microbiota," and their genome is called the "microbiome."

It should be noted that the genetic material of the microbiota is 150 times larger than the human genome, so you can imagine how complex the relationship between the host, that is, us, and the microorganisms inhabiting us should be.

Each person has a unique microbiota, which is formed up to three years old and constantly changes first under the influence of mother's milk and other natural processes, and then - lifestyle and environmental factors.

In the body of an ordinary person with a healthy microbiome, as a rule, there are:

• approximately 1,000 different kinds of gut bacteria,
• about 300 species of bacteria living in the mouth,
• 850 species of skin bacteria and
• a few dozen to several hundred bacterial species inhabiting the genitourinary tract.

GI Microbiome

Our digestive tract has approximately 2 kg of bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea and protooses.

The peculiarity of the microbiome is that it consists of symbiotic (useful) and opportunistic (potentially dangerous) bacteria. In a healthy body, the microbiome independently maintains a microbial balance, however, disorders caused by infectious diseases, strict diets, or taking antibiotics can lead to dysbiosis. And, as a result, a decrease in the body's immune defense.

In addition, the state of the microbiome is closely associated with healthy body weight, normal bowel function, risks of cardiovascular disease, sugar levels blood and chemical composition. brain The microbiome affects a person at all levels, even if the person himself does not suspect this.

The GI microbiome is made up of trillions of microbes, including bacteria and other microorganisms such as fungi and archebacteria.

Skin microbiome

The skin is inhabited by an equally complex microbiome that depends on the genetic and environmental factors of the body. Studies by 2017 showed that a complex of microbial communities inhabiting the skin and gastrointestinal tract, and not just individual microorganisms, is responsible for the development of the disease.

The gut microbiome plays an important role in the development of both innate and acquired immunity. In a mouse model, specific gut microbiota strains were found to regulate the expression of genes affecting, among other things, gut barrier function and immunity. Given this, it can be assumed that the gut microbiome may affect many organ systems, including the skin.

How to protect the microbiome

The human microbiome is significantly different in individual individuals, and can be influenced by numerous factors, including diet.

The good news is that a person can care for their microbiome. The other question is that it needs to be done right to help, and not harm, the wonderful microbial community within us.

"First of all, it is necessary to understand (and accept) that the microbiome is not something external to our body, but its inseparable part. Same as any other organ. And that our well-being depends on the normal contribution of the microbiome to the functioning of the body in the same way as on the normal functioning of the kidneys or liver, "said Alexander Yuryevich Zurabov, CEO and founder of Micromir in June 2020.

The main principle of correct attitude to the microbiome is the principle of maximum naturalness, maximum naturalness of exposure. And this applies not only to nutrition (gut microbiota), but also to the processing of other cavities of the body (roto- and nasopharynx, skin, intimate hygiene).

A comparison of the microbial composition of the gastrointestinal tract of the Amazon Indians and modern Americans showed that residents of developed countries have significantly less microbial diversity due to the dominance of a diet in which there are few natural products. We do not know what help our contemporary lost due to the disappearance of certain bacteria from the microbiome, but the increase (in fact, a pandemic) in non-communicable diseases from 1970 to 2020 is associated by many experts with the depletion of the microbiome.

An important role in maintaining the balance of the microbiome is played bacteriophages by natural limiters of the growth of the bacterial population in nature and in the human body.

Chronicle

2023

Proven: Kidney stones form due to gut microbiota disorders

On December 20, 2023, Canadian specialists from the Lawson Health Research Institute released the results of work that examined the link between kidney stone formation and altered gut microbiota. The findings are expected to help in the development of new diet options aimed at preventing urolithiasis. Read more here.

A device for assessing the composition of the intestinal microbiome has been developed in Russia

In mid-June 2023, Russian researchers from Sechenov University announced the creation, according to them, of the first device in Russia to diagnose the syndrome of excessive bacterial growth in the human body. Read more here.

Confirmed association of gut bacteria with lifespan

On April 6, 2023, the results of a study confirming the link between the gut microbiota and life expectancy were released. The work was attended by Chinese specialists from the Guangxi Academy of Sciences and Lanzhou University.

The gut microbiota is a collection of bacteria that live in the human large intestine. Various studies suggest that these microorganisms perform a number of important functions. In particular, thanks to the microbiota, the necessary nutrients are absorbed during the biotransformation of food.

Study findings confirming link between gut microbiota and life expectancy released

In a new study, scientists have found that the signature of the intestinal microbiome in centenarians has a structure resembling that of young people. There is an enrichment of potentially useful species of microorganisms and depletion of harmless bacteria, which under certain conditions can become pathogenic.

To analyze the microbiome, the team of specialists divided people into several categories. The "young" group included people aged 20 to 44 years, in the "middle" - from 45 to 65 years, in the "age" - from 66 to 85 years. Centenarians included people over 90 years old. It turned out that older people tend to have a surge in the presence of potential pathogens in their gut microbiomes. In addition, there is a change in the diversity of bacteria and a decrease in the level of beneficial intestinal microorganisms. At the same time, centenarians have a unique character of microbiome change, which contributes to the normalization of body functions.

Our large-scale cross-sectional and longitudinal study revealed unique microbial signatures of the intestines of centenarians. Presumably, these features observed in younger people can contribute to healthy aging and longevity, the authors of the work note.[1]

2020: Victory of the Russian algorithm that determines the structure of the microbiome in an international competition

On September 8, 2020, Philip Morris International announced to Zdrav.Expert that young Russian scientists won an international competition to create machine learning technology for diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases. Read more here.

2017

In 2017, research is underway to study the role of the microbiome as an important regulator of human immunity and as a pathogenetic factor in various diseases.

2008: Project to describe the human microbiome and its role in maintaining health

The importance of the microbiome in the development of human diseases is becoming an increasingly relevant topic for research. The Human Microbiome Project, created in 2008, aims to describe the human microbiome and its role in maintaining health and developing various human diseases.

World Microbiome Day

On June 27, 2018, the annual celebration of World Microbiome Day on this day was decided. The World Microbiome Day initiative is owned by the Irish Microbiome Association. The goal is to raise public awareness of the vibrant and diverse world of microbes that live everywhere: in plants, animals, water, soil, food and, of course, humans, greatly affecting their health and well-being.

'We believe that the diverse world of microbiomes deserves more recognition because of its impact on human, animal and environmental health, 'say representatives of the Association.

The theme of World Microbiome Day in 2020 was diversity: both the microbes themselves and their habitats and diets, as well as researchers around the world who deal with this topic.

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