A July 2012 article in BBC Health News shed more light on the amazing number of beneficial bacterial living on and inside your body and the crucial role they play in keeping you healthy. The Human Microbiome Project has been finding and genetically testing bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that live intimately with and on us.
This project is looking at the microbial communities living on the skin, in nasal passages (a common place for Staph to live, aside from our skin), oral cavities, and GI tract as well as the role these organisms play in our health.
You are outnumbered 10 to 1
You may not realize it, but did you know that you have 10 times as many microbial cells as human cells in your body? Now science is beginning to prove what natural health advocates have known for years – the “good” bacteria sharing your body with you help you digest food, make nutrients and other important bodily functions. Most importantly, beneficial bacteria can help protect you from Staph, MRSA and other infections.
So far, the Human Microbiome Project has found over 10,000 different kinds of microorganisms living in and on people, many of which had never been discovered before. Many of these bacteria are difficult to culture and study in a lab, so the project is shedding new light on how beneficial bacteria are tied to our health.
As I’ve mentioned before, your health is dependent upon the health of the microorganisms that live on and in you. Antibiotics, chlorine, antibacterial products and cleaners, and chemical toxins all can affect your health. It’s best to always consider the impact to your “microbiome” when it comes to any treatment options you choose, how you clean, and what you eat.
I’m really excited to see what new discoveries will be made as we get to know our own “microbiome” even better.
To your best health,
Michelle
Microbiologist and Natural Health Expert
References:
Human Microbiome Project reveals largest microbial map, By Smitha Mundasad, 13 June 2012, BBC News Health, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18422288
