ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — The human gut microbiome contains about 4,500 different types of bacteria that help keep your body working properly. But when the microbiome is disrupted, it can lead to health problems.
Your gut does more than help you digest food. It actually helps your whole body work better!
“It’s important for people to know that the microbes that live with us play a very important role in how healthy we are,” said Mariana Byndloss, PhD, assistant professor of pathology, microbiology & immunology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
And research shows damage to certain gut microbes can lead to issues like obesity, autoimmune problems, heart disease, cancer, mental health conditions, and more.
“We don’t really usually consider what’s happening in the gut,” said Prof. Byndloss.
So how can you protect your gut? First: avoid toxins like smoking and alcohol, and be careful about the everyday chemicals around you, like pesticides, flame retardants, and plastic additives. Also, lower stress, exercise often, don’t overuse antibiotics, and avoid foods that cause inflammation.
“The diet and what you eat influences how the microbes inside your gut live and how they work and how they may cause disease,” explained Prof. Byndloss.
Try to eat a wide range of whole foods that are low in sugar and saturated fats, but rich in fiber and prebiotics. This includes fruits, whole grains, and of course, vegetables!
“There’s a reason why we are always telling people to eat vegetables, and it’s because these vegetables are not just good for us but they’re good for the microbes that live with us,” said Prof. Byndloss.
She also says a diverse diet is important for gut health. However, diversity in the Western diet has drastically declined in recent years. Today, 75% of the world’s food supply comes from only 12 plants and five animal species.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Roque Correa, Editor.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202815.htm
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/25201-gut-microbiome
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-things-that-harm-gut-bacteria
* For More Information, Contact: Mariana Byndloss, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
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