Are You Just a Taxi for Your Microbiome?

Who are you?

More broadly, what is a human being?

It’s an old question. Scientists, philosophers, poets, kings, and peasants each have a unique answer.

But Justin Sonnenburg’s take is perhaps the most illuminating — and the most humbling.

Each of us is, he says, is “an elaborate vessel optimized for the growth and spread of our microbial inhabitants.”

Chew on that. I’ve been doing so for months.

I’ve had several opportunities to chat with Sonnenburg over dinner, where we fed our greedy digestive tract populations while discussing how they push and pull on our physical and mental health.

Sonnenburg is a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford. He is also perhaps the world’s leading researcher of the microbiome.

Nobel laureate Joshua Lederberg coined the term over a decade ago.

It refers to the 100 trillion microbes that live on our skin, in our hair, under our fingernails, but mostly within us, from the mouth to the esophagus, stomach, and large and small intestines.

This little village of bugs weighs a mere two-three pounds. While generally secreted within us, we do catch sight of it when nature calls — roughly half of fecal material’s mass is made of microbiotic creatures.

These microbes outnumber our human cells — the ones with our unique DNA — 10 to one. Even more impressive, the number of genes they contain outnumbers those in our unique cells roughly 100 to one.

But learning about the microbiome is far more than an exercise in humility — refreshing and useful as that may be.

The healing potential of this little ecosystem is vast.

While human beings all have similar DNA profiles, our microbiomes are vastly different. Dr. David Perlmutter — author of the best-seller Brain Maker, which digs into the complex, fascinating world of the gut-brain system — says about 40 percent of gut microbes are common to every human being.

But the remaining 60 percent is different — sometimes dramatically so.

Sonnenburg wants to create a system in which “microbiota typing” becomes as common in medical treatment as classifying blood type.

Understanding the unique community within a patient, he says, could shed a brilliant light on why that person is sick and what might return him or her to health.

Generally — as with any other ecosystem — the more diversity in the microbiome, the better.

Unfortunately, American and other Western microbiotic populations are becoming increasingly simple, leading to increasing sickness.

This unfortunate simplification is largely due to an increase in:

  • Processed foods in the diet, especially processed carbohydrates
  • Antibiotics exposure, both from medical treatment and residue in foods
  • C-section deliveries — infants who don’t exit via the birth canal are deprived of exposure to vital microorganisms that “seed” the gut.

These changes have brought about a great deal of suffering.

Research suggests that allergies, autoimmune diseases, obesity, Type 1 diabetes, asthma, gluten sensitivity, and even mental illness can all be made better or worse by changing the gut-microbe ecosystem.

There is much, much more to be written about this — and I will!

But I’ll leave you with a therapy that’s both exciting and, well, not for the squeamish.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) involves transplanting — via an enema, nasal tube, or frozen material in a pill — fecal material from a healthy donor to a sick one.

It works wonders for patients infected with Clostridium difficile, usually known as C. diff. This nasty little bug laughs off antibiotic assaults.

It causes severe diarrhea and kills about 14,000 Americans annually.

A landmark study found that FMT cured 91 percent of people with C difficile infection. (1) Antibiotics are typically far less successful.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways, aside from fecal transplants, to foster healthy bugs in our guts. I’ll discuss some of those in future issues of Natural Health Solutions.

In the meantime, remember that you are never really alone. For better or worse, you carry a community wherever you go.

Regards,

Brad Lemley
Editor, Natural Health Solutions


Citation:

1. Rohlke F, Stollman N. Fecal microbiota transplantation in relapsing Clostridium difficile infection. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology. 2012

Brad Lemley

Written By Brad Lemley

Brad Lemley is a science and health writer and former senior correspondent for The Washington Post and Discover magazine. He is a tireless advocate for safe, natural, self-directed healthy living practices and therapies.

View More Free Articles

One-Third of Dementia Cases Linked to This Treatable Condition

Dementia is on the rise—and the number of cases is expected to double by 2060. Most people focus on common risk factors like diet, exercise, or genetics. But one of the biggest threats to your brain health is something most of us take for granted… Until it starts to fade away. Worse yet, research shows...

Read This

Medications That Don't Mix Well with Coffee

If you’re a regular Living Well Daily Reader (and I certainly hope you are), I probably don’t need to tell you I’m a coffee fan. I regularly share information on coffee’s many health benefits—from boosting metabolism to reducing disease risk. But many don’t realize that cup of Joe can interact with common medications, sometimes reducing...

Read This

Invisible Microplastics Trigger Serious Health Concerns

We often joke about living in a plastic-covered world these days. But the reality is far more concerning than most realize. Tiny plastic particles—or microplastics—have infiltrated nearly every corner of our environment, from the deepest ocean trenches to the air we breathe. And now, alarming research reveals these microscopic menaces aren’t just polluting our planet—they’re...

Read This

Mailbag: Discover What a Naturopathic Doctor Really Does

“What does the “ND” stand for? Is Dr. Olson a Medical Doctor?” —Inquiring Mind Hi Inquiring, Great question! “ND” stands for Naturopathic Doctor. While I’m not an MD or Medical Doctor, I am a licensed healthcare professional with extensive medical training. As an ND, I completed a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school after earning my...

Read This

"Invisible" Food Ingredients SABOTAGE Blood Sugar

"Invisible" Food Ingredients SABOTAGE Blood Sugar

If you’re trying to keep your blood sugar in check, you know the drill. Cut way back on sugar in your diet. While you’re at it, rein in your fat intake too, which can lead to insulin resistance. And don’t forget the extra calories—they add up fast and can sabotage your blood sugar control. But...

Read This

The Alarming Microplastic Secret Hidden in Your Chewing Gum

Today I want to honor and thank mothers and mother figures whose caring hearts have guided us through life’s journey. Your love has shaped generations. Happy Mother’s Day! That pack of gum in your pocket may be doing far more than just freshening your breath. A disturbing new study finds chewing gum is a surprising...

Read This

Plant Compound SLASHES A1c Levels in 12 Weeks

Diabetes is skyrocketing in the United States. And the trend shows no sign of slowing down. The projected number of adults with diabetes is expected to increase from 22.3 million (9.1 percent) in 2014 to 39.7 million (13.9 percent) in 2030, and further to 60.6 million (17.9 percent) by 2060. That’s a massive 165 percent...

Read This

Two-Week Diet Switch Transforms Your Health

You know how you feel sluggish and “off” after a vacation filled with fast foods and processed snacks? Well, it’s not all in your head (or merely guilt). When you switch to an unhealthy Western-style diet, there are physical consequences—and they kick in faster than you might think… The Western diet is characterized by ultra-processed...

Read This

WARNING—Your Water Bottle Is Hiding a Disgusting Secret

Recently, a few people have asked me if it’s true that their water bottle has more germs than a toilet seat. It’s a shocking comparison that’ll make you think twice about everyday objects you use without much thought. So, is this claim true? Well, I must warn you that you might not like the answer…...

Read This

Research Reveals 3-for-1 Brain Protection "Checklist"

Age-related brain diseases—including stroke, dementia, and depression—threaten our quality of life. They can take the shine right out of your Golden Years. But you don’t have to take these threats lying down. While there are no guarantees in life, there are steps you can take to turn the odds in your favor—especially when it comes...

Read This