American Society for Microbiology’s article “Disappearance of the Human Microbiota” concerns the topic of human microbe diversity. As authors state, microbiota is extremely important to human health, existing both outside and inside of a person’s body. Early humans have lived in close contact with microbes, and acquired many of them throughout their life. The microbiota helped individuals resist various diseases and live healthy lives. However, scientists have noticed considerable changes in this process, and a reduction in the diversity of microbiome (“Disappearance of the human microbiota: How we may be losing our oldest Allies,” n.d.). It is suspected that human development of the recent decades has presented a big challenge to the harmony of people and microbes.
With the changes in lifestyle, inclusion of more processed foods and urban-centric living, people no longer came into contact with many microbes. Societies that adhere to more ancestral lifestyles, such as those found in the Amazon or Tanzania, still exhibit the now-lost microbiome composition. As a result of modern living, the microbiota of each generation has become less and less diverse, contributing to a variety of health and wellness issues (“Disappearance of the human microbiota: How we may be losing our oldest Allies,” n.d.). According to current understanding, microbiota is transferred from mothers to their infant through milk, allowing young children to develop an immune system and stabilize their digestive systems.
Other factors also affect the development of microbes in the human body. Reliance on baby formula, use of antibiotics, and western-style diets can all significantly damage the natural balance of microorganisms. In order to combat this issue, it is necessary to introduce changes, both in the medical field and in people’s daily lives (“Disappearance of the human microbiota: How we may be losing our oldest Allies,” n.d.). The prescription of antibiotics must be further limited as to not damage people’s bodies incessantly. Alternatively, the development of more narrow-use antibiotics is also encouraged, as they would be able to target dangerous pathogens without affecting microbe diversity (“Disappearance of the human microbiota: How we may be losing our oldest Allies,” n.d.). For dietary habits, experts suggest changing people’s daily eating habits. Consuming more fiber-rich foods, as well as pro or pre-biotics is shown to help. Overall, it is important to pay more attention to the microbiota, as it is a guarantee of human health and longevity.
References
Disappearance of the human microbiota: How we may be losing our oldest Allies. (n.d.). ASM.org.