There are more microbes than human cells in your body. A ratio that ends up being 10 to 1 in favor of microbes. It may be uncomfortable to think about the sheer number of these microorganisms that make up 'you' but it will help ease your mind to understand the importance of their existence within your body.
Let's dive into the details of microorganisms and answer the question, "What are microbes?".
What Are Microbes?
Microbes can be found in the air, soil, water, and our own bodies. But you can't see these microscopic organisms as they are invisible to the naked eye. The term microbes is actually a generic term that can encompass a wide array of organisms.
Microbes aren't inherently good or bad as a whole, rather, specific types of microbes can have positive or negative effects on our bodies. Some microbes are beneficial, even vital, for our health. On the other hand, exposure to certain microbes can cause intense illness.
Terminology About Microbes Your Should Know
Microbes can also be called microorganisms. This refers to the same structures with no variance.
The microbiome is a term often used to describe the microorganisms that make up specific areas within the body. For example, your gut microbiome would be different than the microbiome of your skin.
Microbial cells are another term used for microorganisms and microbes. These three terms can be used almost interchangeably.
A microbiota is the community of microorganisms living on multi-cell organisms. The vast array of microbiota provides varied purposes and benefits to the host on or within which it lives.
Where Are Microbes Found?
Microbes are sturdy, microscopic organisms that can be found almost anywhere. They live deep beneath the Earth's surface and in the air far about your head.
Microbes are sturdy against a range of temperatures, both intense cold and intense heat.
The main restriction microbes face are the need for water. As with all living organisms, microbes do need water to survive. Some types of microbes thrive in more water while others can survive on just millimeters of water.
Some spots microbes are living in within your home include:
-
Cutting boards
-
Showers
-
Carpet
-
Couches and chairs
-
On your skin
-
In your organs
Why Are Microbes Important for Body Function?
They might sound scary, but microbes are actually beneficial to normal body function. While bad microbes can cause flu or other illnesses, good bacteria provide a wealth of benefits. These benefits include:
-
Protection from pathogens by filling the spaces where pathogens can enter and reside in the body
-
Protection from auto-immune diseases when microbiome remains healthy
-
Stimulation of the immune system through reproducing and advancing their abilities
-
Prevention of obesity by proper digestion and fermentation of foods
-
Fighting of stress through processes still being researched by scientists
Having a healthy makeup of 'good' microbes can help your body with everyday functions. This includes things like proper digestion.
If you've ever taken a probiotic, do you understand the purpose behind it? Probiotics and prebiotics are ways for people to influence and improve the microbiome of their bodies. A happy and healthy microbiome leads to fewer health problems and a healthier body overall.
Type of Microbes
Microbes can be broken down into six main types:
-
Bacteria
-
Archaea
-
Fungi
-
Protozoa
-
Algae
-
Viruses
Bacteria come in four shapes - rod, spherical, spiral, curved. These microorganisms have been around for billions of years. There are both good bacteria - think about your gut microbiome - and bad bacteria - think staph infections.
Archaea are particularly good at withstanding extreme environments. They fall into four categories. These include methanogens, halophiles, thermophiles, and psychrophiles.
Fungi are typically multicellular. These microorganisms either form a symbiotic relationship or find and feed off of a host. Fungi reproduction is completed through the release of spores.
Protozoa are the largest group of organisms on Earth based on numbers alone. These microorganisms are either autotrophs or heterotrophs.
Algae can be unicellular or multicellular. They gain energy through photosynthesis and are generally found in warm, wet areas.
Viruses are not able to reproduce and are unable to live without a host. Viruses infect and cause illnesses and diseases within their host - effectively making them a 'bad' microbe.
Some of these are beneficial to your health while others can be life-threatening. However, with a healthy microbiome, the microbes within and on your body will be able to fend off 'bad' microbes. This will keep you happy and disease-free.
Organ Reaction to Microbes
As it's already been noted, microbes serve a vital purpose within and on our bodies. We're not dealing with pests or parasites, even if the idea of trillions of microbes existing on and within you is unsettling.
When we put food, herbs, or drinks into our bodies, microbes react throughout our bodies. For example, microbes can break down sugars and fight off pathogens in our intestines.
Visit https://microbeformulas.com/blogs/microbe-formulas/6-herbs-to-enhance-kidney-and-liver-function to uncover how your organs interaction with herbs, thanks to those trusty microbes.
The NIH Human Microbiome Project
Scientists are still studying the human microbiome today, which is mainly done through the Human Microbiome Project. This study has produced over 650 scientific papers written by scientists studying the microbiome through this project. The Human Microbiome Project is funded by the National Institute of Health's Common Fund.
The second phase of the Human Microbiome Project is the Integrative Human Microbiome Project. Within this phase, started in 2014, there are three major projects studied. These include:
-
Pregnancy and Pre-Term Birth
-
Onset of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
-
Onset of Type 2 Diabetes
This is an ongoing study that has created a wealth of information surrounding the human microbiome specifically. The study is still in effect today and will be for many of the coming years as scientists are able to reap more and more information. The results from the study will then be used for medical advances beneficial to the human race as a whole.
An Understanding of Gut Microbes
Now you've answered the question, "What are microbes?" It's time to expand your knowledge even further by addressing advanced topics surrounding the human microbiome. If this is a topic that interests you, keep a finger on the pulse of scientific discovery for updated information.
For more science know-how, read our latest blogs.
