The microbiome is the totality of microorganisms and their collective genetic material present in the human body. The gut microbiome is all of the microorganisms in the human gut. This includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
The gut microbiome is essential for maintaining a strong immune system, digesting food, and defending against pathogens. It is estimated that the human gut contains over 10 trillion microbes.
Each gut microbiome is unique. Many factors contributing to the individuality of a person's gut microbiome, including:
Diet
Bodily fluids
Genetics
Environment
Hygiene
A lack of diversity within the gut microbiome has a direct relationship with allergies and autoimmune diseases.
This explains why there is such a higher percentage of allergies in the western world, as there is a higher consumption of processed foods, and therefore less diversity.
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In the near future, it is very possible that doctors will start to diagnose the microbiome instead of "you", as your microbiome is what actually makes up the majority of "you". The microbiota in your body outnumbers somatic cells 10 to 1.
Up to 90% of all diseases may be traced in some way back to the gut microbiome.