The microbiome is the ecosystem of bacteria and other microbes that live on and inside us and help support and maintain our health. A typical human harbors 38 trillion bacterial cells, which is equivalent to the number of human cells we have. Over 90% of the bacteria can be found in our lower intestine or colon, making it the largest single microbiome in the human body.1
Vast and diverse numbers of bacteria in our microbiome are living in a dynamic ecosystem. Some of these residents are innocuous and harmless, some are health-promoting, and some are opportunistic pathogens that can negatively affect our health. The diversity and balance of the ecosystem helps to protect our health.
The prominent and beneficial-for-health bacterial species in the gut microbiome include Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Some strains of these species are used as probiotics due to their health benefits.
The microbiome grows and develops as we do. From childhood into old age, and at critical life stages such as birth and the first 1000 days2, the bacteria within us are playing different but critical roles that may support our health.3
Many lifestyle factors, such as stress, can disrupt the balance and diversity of our microbiome. This can impact our health. It is important in these instances to try and re-establish the equilibrium of our microbiome.4 When we have that balance, it is important to try and maintain it.
Studies have shown that we can use probiotics to support or maintain our health in these situations. For instance, the Chr. Hansen LGG® probiotic strain can help reduce intestinal problems and may also support immune health.
The probiotic strains we develop at Chr. Hansen are supported by strong science, are well-documented, and are manufactured to the highest quality.
1 Sender R, Fuchs S, Milo R. Revised Estimates for the Number of Human and Bacteria Cells in the Body. PLoS Biol. 2016;14(8):e1002533. Published 2016 Aug 19. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002533
2 Ruairi C. Robertson, Amee R. Manges, B. Brett Finlay, Andrew J. Prendergast, The Human Microbiome and Child Growth – First 1000 Days and Beyond, Trends in Microbiology, Volume 27, Issue 2, 2019, Pages 131-147
3 L Putignani Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol., 23 November 2012, Human gut microbiota: onset and shaping through life stages and perturbations, Lorenza Putignani*
4 Liu RT. The microbiome as a novel paradigm in studying stress and mental health. Am Psychol. 2017;72(7):655-667. doi:10.1037/amp0000058