the microbiome is a collection of bacteria and microbes in one’s body. we all have one. our bodies are full of these little microbes.

don’t freak out- bacteria is not necessarily a bad thing. in fact, a healthy microbiome helps with a variety of things like the digestion of polysaccharides, such as starchy foods and complex carbohydrates. it helps with the biosynthesis of vitamins and minerals and also helps to keep your immune system strong.

problems appear to arise when one’s detrimental bacteria out weigh their beneficial bacteria. dysbiosis, as the imbalance is called, is linked to diseases including obesity, cardiovascular disease and recent research is even showing ties to autoimmune disorders including type one diabetes.

there is research that shows a difference in microbial composition between patients with t1d and patients without t1d. and even though data only suggests a tie to t1d, i have become so infatuated with the microbiome and the modulation of the microbiome in order to control blood sugar and possibly as a means to delay type one onset in those who are more susceptible to the disease.

when compared to healthy patients, those with type one had a much less diverse microbiota. so, increasing the diversity of the microbiota with factors we can control can be a way to aid in the control of the disease.

the microbiome is easily disturbed and can be influenced by a variety of factors. while some of the influences on the microbiota can be altered, others can not. one’s environment and the means in which they were born - c-section or vaginally - plays a role in the modulation of the microbiota. obviously you are unable to go back and change the method of which you were born so lets focus on the things we CAN control in order to promote a healthy microbiome and improve health status.

• antibiotic use decreases the diversity of the microbiota. I heard viruses can be a trigger for t1d - which links this idea together. when you catch a virus, you usually take antibiotics which decrease the microbial diversity.

• exercise causes changes in the microbiome that shows improvements in glucose homeostasis along with sensitivity to insulin

• diet is literally one of the biggest factors in overall health. eat whole foods. eat your veggies, your fruits, your whole grains, your beans and legumes. stay away from saturated fats, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and excess of anything. make sure you are consuming foods that contain probiotics - greek yogurt, fermented foods - and prebiotics - apples, veggies, fiber rich foods.

ref;

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5979537/