Microbiome? What’s that?

Inside our gut, there are trillions of microorganisms that far outnumber the cells in our body. These microorganisms are collectively known as the microbiome. There is much about the microbiome that is still unknown, but as studies progress, more and more associations between the microbiome and disease are being discovered. According to Herb Brody, a CDC supported source, disruptions in the microbiome are being linked to diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and autism. With this growing evidence that the microbiome is beneficial to the human body, scientists are attempting to synthetically create a microbiome while others are trying to use it to influence their health.

According to Ortega, another CDC supported source, the microbiome is now thought to predict the onset of disease better than our own genes. In one study conducted by researches, 47 studies were reviewed for associations between the genome and the gut microbiome in comparison to 13 common diseases. This study revealed the the genetic signature of the microbiome was 20% more efficient distinguishing between a healthy and ill individual in comparison to our own genome. The only condition our own genome was better at predicting than the microbiome was type 1 diabetes. However, this is still the beginning stages of this research according to these scientists and that there is much more to learn.

Branden Tierney, one of the authors of this study, believes the further study into the microbiome could significantly improve the quality of life for patients. Key markers in both our own genome and the microbiome can be linked to help identify the onset of disease. The fact that the microbiome is influenced by environmental factors such as what we eat and how much we exercise could prove it to be a better predictor of diseases like type 2 diabetes than our genes. However, the functions microbiome is nowhere nearly as studied as our genes, therefore, it could be dangerous to link the two. Overall, the microbiome has a high potential to help medical providers assess our health as well as improve it.