What is the gut Microbiome?

At the microscopic level, there are trillions of microorganisms (also called microbiota or microbes) of thousands of different species living inside our bodies.
These include bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. These microorganisms coexist peacefully in healthy people, with the largest populations residing in the small and large intestines.
Each person has an entirely unique network of microbiota that is originally determined by one's DNA.
A person is first exposed to microorganisms as an infant during labor and delivery in the vaginal canal and through breast milk! Later on, our diet and environment can shape our microbiome.

Why is it important to your child's health?

Microbiota help stimulate the immune system!
The microbiome breaks down toxic food compounds and synthesizes vitamins and amino acids, such as B vitamins and vitamin K.
More complex carbohydrates like starches and fibers are hard to digest, and travel further down the large intestine, where microbiota help digest these materials with digestive enzymes.
The microbiota can also provide protection against pathogens that enter the body through eating and drinking contaminated water and food.
Imbalance of the normal microbiota have been linked to gastrointestinal issues, such as irritable bowl syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBD) (7).
Links have also been found between intestinal microbes and metabolic syndromes, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity (3).