Today, June 27th is World Microbiome Day.

The intestinal microbiota is the set of microorganisms that inhabit our intestine and the microbiome is the set of genes that compose it. It is estimated that the microbiome has 150 genes more than the human genome.

On June 27, 2018, the first World Microbiome Day was celebrated to raise awareness about the contribution of microbes and bacteria as an innovative alternative to achieve a sustainable future. Since then, every year some of the qualities or topics of interest about the gut microbiota are highlighted.

We take a short tour through this brief history of the microbiota, of which there is still much to be discovered:

  • 2019: Antibiotic Resistance. The objective was to raise awareness of the inappropriate use of antibiotics. One of the main threats to the microbiota and health in general.
  • 2020: Diversity. The objective was to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining a lifestyle that allows maintaining a microbiota rich in diversity to avoid numerous diseases.
  • 2021: Sustainability. The objective was to highlight the importance of microbiota in consolidating a sustainable future.
  • 2022: Microbiomes for life under the hashtag #Microbiomes4life

The microbiota plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of human health. It has numerous vital functions for our organism.

Here are the most important reasons why it was considered that the microbiota should have a World Day.

  • It is unique to each individual, like a fingerprint.

Factors such as stress, environment or diet vary the composition of the intestinal microbiota so that each person, depending on his or her lifestyle, will have some populations more developed than others.

  • It is closely linked to the Immune System.

Approximately 80% of our immune system is found in our gut. The microbiota is in close communication with the immune system responding to various dangerous situations by assisting in the secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

  • Gut-brain-microbiota axis

The microbiota is closely related to the central nervous system.

This axis is established during the first hours of life and conditions the functional response of our brain.

It has been proven that emotions have a direct impact on the microbiota in the same way that an emotional imbalance is involved in emotional processes such as stress, anxiety or depression.

  • Without the gut microbiota, we would not survive..

As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, the microbiota plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of human health.

Thanks to the strong communication between the microbiota and the immune system, endocrine, nervous and homeostatic processes, every time we get sick or are faced with situations of stress, it is able to respond by activating the necessary processes to maintain our health and recover as soon as possible.

  • It is a reflection of your inner self

The microbiota changes with us over the years.

When we are born, the microbiota is defined according to the type of milk we are fed and is consolidated at about 3 years of age.

As the years go by and we go through different stages, the microbiota changes depending on dietary habits and hormones until, in adulthood, it stabilizes and we present the greatest diversity.

This microbiota it is necessary to take care of it on a daily basis by leading a healthy life style and it is the one we will have for the rest of our life.