The human microbiome covers every inch of the body, inside and out. Space creates a unique environment which is non-conducive to bacteria. Scientists have thus discovered that astronauts in space, with an ever growing reduction in diversity in the human microbiome, get sick overtime.
Whitmond (2015) explains some environments that are too squeaky clean just aren’t good for us. We were meant to live in a symbiotic relationship with a wildly diverse array of microorganisms covering our skin, and inside our the length of our gastrointestinal system and with in our urogential and respiratory systems. In fact, it is important for babies, prior to the first year of life, to have exposure to many different microorganisms in order to improve the overall functioning of their immunity. Continued exposure to these same organisms is important throughout the life span.
Some have referred to the combination of humans and the micro-organisms that co-exist on and within humans as a super organism. Others have begun to call it an eco system. The more diverse the super organism, or eco system, the healthier it is.
Whitmond notes that scientists agree that the diversity of this micro-organism alters the human system at a cellular level, actually turning on and off the expression of certain genes, which leads to the expression of disease or wellness, depending on the variability found within this super organism. Some scientists contend that the use of antibiotics can permenently change the microbiome and render it susceptible to certain health conditions that it would not have otherwise been susceptible to.
So avoid antibiotics and anti inflammatory medications when you can, eat your whole foods and avoid chemicalized, junk food and don’t be too hygienic! For example, don’t scrub daily with Hibiclens, like a surgeon. This robs you of bio-diversity in the microbiome of the skin and just isn’t how we were meant to live. Remember there is a healthy symbiotic relationship between the bacteria or micro organisms on our skin. Both need each one! Eat naturally. Your body was not meant to injest foods with words we can’t even pronounce, including preservatives, artificial sweetners, saturated fats, thickeners or food coloring, and the like. Stick to whole foods and for goodness sakes get your pots and pans out and cook at home, where you have more control over just exactly what is in your food! Living in this fashion will positively affect your microbiome and yield both immediate and long term positive outcomes. The on going diversity of your microbiome is vital concerning your overall health and wellness.
Don’t forget that the converse is true and behaviors consistent with reducing biodiversity of the microbiome are also ones which are consistent with reduced health and frank illness and disease overtime. Whitmond expounds that dysbiosis, or overgrowth of various bacterial, fungi and viruses, occurs when the ecology of the microbiome is disrupted. Illnesses to be concerned about as a result of dysbiosis include allergy, inflammation and autoimmune disease, as well as, other chronic health conditions. Be wary of what goes on your skin and what you take into your body, through eating, respiration or other means, as these are agents that can either promote or reduce biodiversity of the human microbiome.
What can you do today to change your lifestyle to make it more consistent with biodiversity of your microbiome? Write these down and put them somewhere convenient, where you are sure to bump into the several times daily, to help support your attempt to improve your life and create wellness and vitality!
Remember it’s all up to you! With this knowledge, you can create the lifestyle you want! Seems simple enough to me, but you decide. The choice is health and wellness or disease! If you want to be supported through your journey, pick up the phone or send an email to a health coach today! At Buidling Better Bodies Rocks, we are creating better bodies one day at a time!
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC, BCC
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rocks, LLC
Wellness Coach at Building Better Bodies Rocks
Single Mother by Choice of Surrogacy Twin Boys
Written in My Little Brick in University Heights, Ohio
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