You are never alone: the Microbiome – Your partner for life

The invisible intelligence behind your health and vitality

A journey through the fascinating universe within us

Imagine looking through a microscope and discovering a complete world. A world that is not somewhere far away, but is inside and on your body. A world so complex and influential that it turns our entire view of being human upside down. Welcome to the world of the microbiome – a universe that is literally part of who you are.

The amazing truth about our DNA

Let's start with a fact that still baffles me: only 1% of the DNA in your body is actually human DNA. The other 99% belongs to the trillions of microorganisms that call your body their home. This is not science fiction – this has been scientifically proven. The American Museum of Natural History has documented this extensively, and the implications are enormous. This discovery forces us to look fundamentally differently at who we are. We are not isolated creatures, but walking ecosystems. A human body contains about 30 trillion human cells, but is inhabited by more than 100 trillion microbial cells. These microorganisms are not just “there” – they are essential to our existence.

The microbiome as Command Center

Extensive scientific research shows that our microbiome functions as a kind of “command center” for our health. Inside your gut is a complex neural network so extensive that scientists call it your “second brain. This is no mere nickname – your gut produces as much as 90 percent of your serotonin, a neurotransmitter crucial to your mental well-being. The relationship between a healthy microbiome and our mental well-being, including mood, stress resistance and cognitive functions, is increasingly clear. Certain gut bacteria can produce specific substances that directly affect our mood and emotional resilience.

The Gut-Brain connection: more than just digestion

It gets even more interesting. An extensive review in Frontiers in Neuroscience shows how the microbiome communicates directly with our brain via the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is like a “superhighway” between your gut and your brain. How this works: your gut bacteria produce chemical messengers (neurotransmitters), which are picked up by the vagus nerve and sent as signals directly to your brain. Your brain processes this information and adjusts your mood or stress level, for example. A simple example: when your microbiome is balanced, it produces more “feel-good” substances such as serotonin. Via the vagus nerve, your brain receives the signal “all is well!” resulting in a better mood and less stress. This two-way communication explains why, for example, we feel butterflies in our stomachs when falling in love, can get nauseous from stress, feel better after eating healthy food or worse after eating FastFood. This “highway” of information also influences:

1. Cognitive Function Scientists have discovered that our microbiome communicates with our brain through a variety of ways – via nerves, hormones, the immune system and metabolism. This communication even affects how we learn and remember, and how we cope with stress. Researchers identified specific strains of bacteria that can affect the production of “brain-derived neurotrophic factor” (BDNF), a protein essential for learning and memorization.
2. Immune System Studies show that 70% of our immune system is in our gut. The microbes in our gut “train” our immune cells and determine how we respond to pathogens.
3. Hormone balance Intestinal bacteria can produce or stimulate the production of certain hormones and neurotransmitters, which explains why our microbiome has such a big impact on how we feel. They affect everything from your metabolism to your stress hormones to your thyroid function.

The Skin-Gut axis: your radiance comes from within

A fascinating area of research is the so-called “gut-skin axis. Studies show how your gut health directly affects your skin. Researchers discovered that specific gut bacteria produce anti-inflammatory compounds that directly affect skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.

The impact on behavior and development

Of particular interest is the groundbreaking research on the role of the microbiome in behavioral development. Scientists discovered that the diversity and balance of our gut bacteria directly affects how our brain develops and functions. For example, in children with ADHD symptoms, a significantly different composition of the microbiome was found than in children without these symptoms. Even in people within the autism spectrum, researchers are seeing distinct patterns in the microbiome composition that are different than in neurotypical people. Even more fascinating, modifications in the microbiome can lead to noticeable changes in behavior and social interaction. But it goes beyond just these specific conditions. Studies show that our microbiome plays a crucial role in the development of our social skills and emotional intelligence. In fact, the bacteria in our gut produce substances that affect how we process emotions, how we handle social situations, and even how empathetic we are toward others. For example, they produce gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an important neurotransmitter that helps regulate anxiety and stress. A healthy microbiome ensures optimal GABA production, which directly affects how calm and centered we feel in social situations. Another fascinating example is the production of oxytocin, often called the “cuddle hormone. Studies have shown that certain gut bacteria can stimulate the production of this hormone, which directly affects our ability to make emotional connections and feel empathy. This explains, for example, why people with disrupted gut flora often have difficulty interpreting social cues and emotional expressions of others. The production of serotonin, 90% of which we know is produced in our gut, also plays a crucial role. This feel-good neurotransmitter affects not only our mood, but also our ability to process social information and respond appropriately to emotional situations. In short, the microbiome helps determine how we behave and relate to the world around us.

A new perspective on health

These insights force us to look at health fundamentally differently. We can no longer think in isolated systems, where body, mind and environment are separate. Everything is connected, and your microbiome is central to that connection, acting as a bridge between you and the world around you. When we understand that our microbiome is constantly interacting with our environment, it becomes clear how deeply intertwined we are with the larger ecosystem of our planet. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil on which our food grows – it all affects the composition and health of our microbiome. Conversely, this also means that pollution, chemicals in our environment and the impoverishment of biodiversity directly impact our inner microbiome, and thus our health. This explains, for example, why people who regularly spend time in nature, in contact with healthy soils and diverse ecosystems, often have a more resilient microbiome. Or why increasing air pollution in cities not only affects our lungs, but also disrupts our gut microbiome. It shows us that we are part of a much bigger picture. This holistic reality also clarifies why mental and physical health are inextricably linked. Through our microbiome, our body is in constant communication with our brain, immune system and endocrine system. A disturbance in one system resonates through all the others. This means that true health is only possible when we take care of the whole – from the bacteria in our gut to the ecosystem of our planet.

The future of microbiome research

Research on the microbiome is still in its infancy. New connections are being discovered every day. Recent research focuses on, the role of the microbiome in aging, its impact on athletic performance, its effect on sleep quality, its impact on stress resistance and more.

The unique fingerprint of your microbiome

You thought you were on your own? Think again! Right now, as you read these words, you are surrounded, protected and cared for by trillions of dedicated life partners. Just as there are no two people with the same fingerprint, everyone's microbiome is also unique. Scientists have discovered that the composition of your microbiome is as personal as your DNA – they also call it your “second genome. The fascinating thing is that even twins have different microbiomes! This uniqueness reflects not only your physical health, but also your life story, your environment, and even your spiritual journey. You are literally never alone – every moment of every day there are microscopic beings who care for you, protect you, and help you live your best life. They ask for nothing in return, they are simply there, in perfect harmony with your being. This microbial diversity is like a cosmic dance of life itself – each microbiome tells the story of a unique soul, a unique experience. It is a wonderful reminder that in a world increasingly striving for uniformity, nature teaches us that true strength lies precisely in our differences. Just as a healthy rainforest draws its strength from its biodiversity, our bodies draw strength from the unique composition of our personal microbial ecosystem.

A Call to Action

This knowledge is not only fascinating – it is a wake-up call as well as a love letter at the same time. For how often do we reflect on this unconditional care we receive? It is time to nurture and deepen this relationship. It starts with becoming aware of the constant loving support we receive, every day, every moment. This awareness requires a new way of living – one in which we can reciprocate this care through conscious choices in what we eat, how we live, and even how we think. Specifically, this means looking differently at our daily habits. It calls for careful handling of antibiotics, which, while life-saving, can also impact our microbial life partners.
It invites us to choose more consciously what we eat and how we live, and to rediscover our connection to nature. For it is precisely in that nature that we find the diversity our microbiome needs to flourish.
The products we use daily also deserve a critical look – do they support this special relationship, or do they disrupt it? By aligning our lifestyle with the well-being of our microbiome, we not only strengthen our own health, but also show gratitude to these invisible but indispensable life partners. I believe, it is time to celebrate and cherish this loving partnership. Our microscopic life partners have so much to tell us – and even more to give.

The Bottom Line

Your microbiome is much more than a collection of bacteria. It is your connection to the world, your health-maker, your mood-maker and your consciousness-booster. It's time to give this complex ecosystem the attention it deserves. Because if we are 99% made up of microbial DNA, maybe it's time to be a little more humble and listen to the wisdom of these microscopic life-mates. After all, they have much to tell us.

PS: Do you find this as mind-blowing as I do? Share this knowledge! Because as we now know – we are all connected, in more ways than we could have ever imagined.

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