Gut microbiota, also called “gut microbiome” or “gut flora” are the microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses that live in the digestive tract of humans and animals. In children, the gut microbiota similar to an adult’s gut microbiota develops within one or two years after birth. The microbiota has a good impact on our health. The human body contains more than 100 trillion microbial cells.
The gut microbiota helps regulate the production of antibodies by the immune system. Without the gut microbiome, the human body would be unable to convert some of the undigested carbohydrates because some types of gut flora have enzymes that our cells lack for breaking down some types of polysaccharides. The gut flora also creates vitamins like biotin and folate, help in the absorption of magnesium, calcium, and iron, and are also a source of Vitamins K and B12.
Probiotics are microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed while prebiotics are non-digestible, fiber compounds that pass undigested through the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. Synbiotics are food ingredients consisting of both probiotics and prebiotics in a form of synergism.
In conclusion, the gut microbiota is important for our overall health, including the absorption of vitamins. Yogurt and fermented vegetables can be taken to increase the number of the microbiota in our gut. Antibiotics on the other side, kill all kinds of bacteria, including the good ones that live in our gut. So, you must stay healthy to avoid taking antibiotics.
