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Gut MicrobiomeOur bodies are covered in rich ecosystems invisible to the eye and inhabited by trillions of microscopic organisms, which collectively make up the human microbiome. Of these, studies increasingly show one of the most consequential microbiomes lies inside the digestive tract. This 30-foot-long tube—which includes the large and small intestines—is filled to the brim with about as many (if not more) microorganisms as there are cells in the human body (almost 40 trillion). The exact makeup of the gut microbe population varies from gut to gut, but they generally all have yeast, protists, bacteria, viruses, and archaea. It’s currently believed that the gut microbiome comes from bacterial colonization that slowly covers the body, inside and out, after birth. Explore Gut Microbiome

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Gut microbiome rewrites may help reduce allergiesResearchers are investigating different strategies to determine if one day they could give people a combination of gut microbes to set them up for fewer allergies. In animal research, scientists have already prevented severe allergic responses in allergy-prone mice—supplying them with gut microbes from healthy, non-allergic human babies. Knowable MagazineThe gut microbiome, explainedThis video from 1440 takes a high-level look at what populates the gut microbiome, its purpose, how it affects our health, and much more. 1440Research links the gut microbiome and rheumatoid arthritisArthritis is a potentially disabling joint condition that currently affects nearly one in five adults across the globe. Doctors still don't know what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but the answer may be partly determined by chemicals produced by bacteria in the gut. The AtlanticCan the gut microbiome drive addiction?New research suggests an imbalance of gut microorganisms may influence the likelihood of addiction and addictive behaviors by increasing the severity of withdrawal symptoms, triggering brain inflammation in regions of impulse control, and more. NatureThe gut microbiome's role in chronic diseasesResearch shows that the microbial makeup of one's gut microbiome is associated with chronic diseases ranging from asthma to schizophrenia. Understanding these associations may reveal new ways to prevent or treat chronic diseases. In the meantime, nutritional changes—such as including more dietary fiber and unsaturated fat—appear to be the "most obvious, noninvasive, and immediate" way to alter the gut's microbiota makeup and functions. NatureWhat happens when the gut microbiome is out of whack?An imbalance in gut microbiome flora can lead to a condition known as dysbiosis. This condition is typically characterized by a drop in microbiota diversity and an increase in harmful unicellular and acellular organisms, such as viruses, that can negatively impact the host's immune system and overall health. Genetics, infections, dietary choices, antibiotics, food additives, artificial sweeteners, and other lifestyle and environmental factors can cause dysbiosis. MDPIA technical review of what researchers know about the gut microbiomeThis overview from the National Institutes of Health provides a deeper (but still accessible) look at the different bacteria in the gut, how the microbiome develops through life, its purpose, and more. Biochemical JournalCan the gut microbiome influence personality?New research suggests the bacteria in our gut—through the hormones and molecules they produce—can contribute to conditions ranging from depression to anxiety, and much more. The findings suggest diets have a direct impact on mental health and may lead to new therapies. TED TalksThe gut microbiome affects your emotionsNew research suggests the gut microbiome affects how personality and mood disorders manifest. The process may involve the enteric nervous system, a collection of hundreds of millions of neurons throughout the gut that pass messages up the vagus nerve and into the brain. UnexplainableWhat is the gut microbiome?The gut microbiome is a microscopic ecosystem that runs off the work of microbes in the digestive tract. These workers make getting energy from food possible. What and how that energy manifests depends on what building blocks these microbes have to work with, meaning their composition and functions are strongly influenced by diet. Gut microbes have their own genes, which affect how a person's genes act. The Washington PostHow the gut microbiome influences evolutionIn a study on the gut microbiome, a control group of fruit flies was fed standard food while the other population was given food laced with bacteria commonly found in the insects' guts. Five generations later, genetic sequencing showed the fruit fly populations had diverged along gut microbiome lines. The findings support the growing body of scientific literature that suggests gut microbiomes affect species' genetic futures. The ScientistWhat's next for gut microbiome science?A Stanford microbiologist explores what we don't yet know about the gut microbiome—such as whether we can engineer the bacterial species within it—and the current scientific advances in the field. Stanford UniversityExercise causes diet-independent changes in the gut microbiomeCardiovascular exercise has been found to boost the gut's population of beneficial bacteria, and exercise overall decreases the likelihood of developing a "leaky gut," a condition in which a porous gut lining allows bacteria to leak into the bloodstream and cause inflammation. MDPIArtificial sweeteners aren't very helpful for weight lossResearch published in 2014 from a randomized controlled study found that, on average, people only lost about two pounds if they switched to consuming artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. Some individuals using artificial sweeteners also have gained weight. Scientists theorize one potential explanation for this is that the sweeteners alter gut microbiomes in ways that reduce beneficial flora that would help promote digestion. SciShowArtificial sweeteners may disrupt gut healthSome research suggests that certain sweeteners can throw off the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut and shift the composition of the microbiome. Such changes, depending on an individual's specific gut flora and levels of sweetener consumption, could potentially affect metabolism and glucose tolerance or lead to bloating and diarrhea. News-Medical.NetArtificial sweeteners are considered safe for most peopleThese sugar substitutes are generally preferred because they are sweeter than sugar and can be used in smaller amounts while still getting a sugary taste. Though generally regarded as safe, sugar substitutes can cause flare-ups for individuals with bowel disease, and researchers are investigating how these substances affect gut microbiome health. Aspartame can also cause health issues for individuals with a rare genetic disease called phenylketonuria. Mayo ClinicParticle accelerators have been used to reveal detailed ant anatomyUsing a synchrotron facility at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany, a pair of X-ray beams swept across about 2,200 ant specimens to create over 200 terabytes of projection images from multiple angles. The images were compiled into micrometer-resolution 3D reconstructions of 792 species, which are freely accessible on the Antscan platform. IEEE SpectrumWestern babies often are missing a key gut microbe common elsewhereStudies show infants in Europe and North America often lack Bifidobacterium infantis, a microbe widespread in babies in Africa and South Asia that helps digest breast milk and train the immune system. Researchers link the gap to antibiotics, formula use, and sanitized spaces. New ScientistLengthy incubation periods are why it’s tough to link foodborne illness to specific foodsPeople may not get sick from a foodborne pathogen for several days after consuming it, making it a challenge to link the illness and its cause. Factors influencing when a person starts feeling sick—even as the pathogen is multiplying in the gut—include individual variations in immune systems and gut microbiomes, what other foods are in the person’s body, and how much of the pathogen was consumed. Stanford School of MedicineProlonged space travel significantly impacts multiple human body systemsAstronauts can lose 20% of their muscle mass after two weeks and 10% of their bone mass after six months in space. Decreased sharpness of eyesight and changes in neural connectivity, brain structure and gut bacteria have also been observed. BBCThe reason some people love exercise may be because of their microbiomeCertain gut microbes in mice trigger dopamine release and drive motivation to exercise more. Scientists are investigating whether humans carry similar microbial patterns that influence our natural inclination towards movement, exploring how unseen microbial ecosystems may shape mammalian fitness behavior and reinforce innate reward pathways. (Some users may experience a paywall.) National GeographicSome dementia cases may be linked to microorganisms in the brainResearchers now know that, much like the gut, the brain is home to an ecosystem of microorganisms—the brain microbiome. While this area of study is still new, some scientists believe 50% of bacteria-caused dementia cases could be treated. (Some users may encounter a paywall.) The GuardianThere are between 10 and 100 trillion bacteria in the gutThe composition of our microbiome is essential to overall health. Anything that disrupts the balance of the trillions of bacteria may be harmful—even treatments meant to fight infection, like antibiotics. KurzgesagtChemicals from the gut have complex interactions with the rest of the bodyTrillions of bacteria live in our guts, producing a wide range of molecules, hormones, and more. This review underscores the immune system’s pivotal role in the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Gut microbes influence immune cells and metabolites, which in turn modulate neurodevelopment, neural signaling, mood, and neuroinflammation—highlighting immune pathways as central mediators in gut‑brain communication. LymphoSign JournalWhat constitutes a 'healthy' diet?A natural diet, typically high in plant-based foods and low in processed foods, appears to be the main contributor to a healthy, diverse gut microbiome. Cambridge University PressSome animals have little or no bacterial populations in their gutGut microbiomes are essential to human health, but many animals have a much smaller, transient, or even nonexistent microbiome. The discoveries have advanced our understanding of the evolution of the human microbiome. Quanta MagazineWhat is the gut virome?The gut microbiome's community of viruses is collectively known as the virome. It has been found to affect immune system development—important to the gut-brain axis—and has been implicated in the development of inflammatory bowel disease and Type 2 diabetes. As of early 2023, less than half of the viral sequences in the gut had been identified. Further study is needed to understand the virome's influence and therapeutic potential. American Society for MicrobiologyResearchers generally group gut bacteria into six different categoriesThe trillions of bacteria in the gut microbiome can be grouped into six categories: firmicutes, actinomycetota, pseudomonadota, fusobacteriota, bacteroides, and a broad miscellaneous category. The functions of each are complex but range from breaking down food and producing vitamins to fighting pathogens. Visual CapitalistFake sugars may disrupt metabolic healthAlternative sweeteners such as stevia and sucralose are 100 times sweeter than common table sugar. New research suggests these "high-intensity" sweeteners significantly disrupt the composition of the gut microbiome, affecting overall health. (Some users may encounter a paywall.) The Washington PostAre probiotics a scam?Probiotics are microbes meant to benefit the gut microbiome's health when consumed. This internal cityscape is packed with thousands of species of microbes whose roles and impacts have yet to be untangled. The odds are low that the probiotics have the effects they're marketed to have, and most of the gut helpers on grocery shelves have little to no evidence of impacting gut microbiome health. Science Vs