A lot has been written and said about the gut microbiome – the community of bacteria, viruses, fungi and archaea that lives in our intestines. But the gut is not the only place that has a microbiome. The mouth, nose, skin, lungs and genitals have microbiomes of their own. And they all play an important role in our health. Here is a brief introduction to each one.
Oral microbiome
- Arguably, this was the first microbiome discovered.
- As with all microbiomes, the oral microbiome competes with harmful bacteria for resources and space.
- Good oral hygiene and a healthy diet can ensure that good microbes prevail.
Nasal microbiome
- Moving north, we find the nasal microbiome, which helps to filter and trap particles from the air we breathe.
- While the nasal microbiome has over a hundred strains of bacteria, only two to ten species make up 90% of the microbiome.
- However, imbalances in the nasal microbiome can occur as a result of environmental exposures (such as air pollution), genetics or problems with our immune system.
Skin microbiome
- The skin microbiome includes bacteria, fungi and viruses.
- Imbalances in the skin microbiome have been associated with skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
Lung microbiome
- The lung microbiome is not as diverse as the other biomes, mainly consisting of bacteria.
- Disruptions in the lung microbiome can make us more susceptible to infections and respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia.
Genital microbiome
- Heading further south, we have the vaginal microbiome in females and the penile microbiome in males.
- The penile microbiome in males also contributes to genital health, although it has been less extensively studied.
Gut microbiome
- The gut microbiome is essential for digestion, metabolism and developing our immune system.
- Imbalances in the gut microbiome have been linked to conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
- There are various ways to keep the gut microbiome healthy or rebalance it when it gets out of whack.
- Disruptions in the gut microbiome can influence our immune system and affect other biomes.