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One of the cliches of our world is the “helicopter parent” who tries to protect their child from any possible harm or disappointment. We have heard stories of mothers sterilizing baby nurseries to get rid of “germs” and fathers freaking out when their toddler eats dirt. It turns out that we should all go outdoors and get muddy.
Our bodies are a complex ecosystem of cells, perhaps 30 trillion of them, generally working in concert to keep us healthy. Our bodies are also in constant communion with tens of trillions of microorganisms. That vast array of bacteria, fungi and viruses inhabits every surface of our bodies, including the gastrointestinal tract. One of the frontiers of modern science is to better understand the microorganisms of our gut, now called the “microbiome.”
This microbiome acts like a supplemental organ, performing critical metabolic, immunological and neurological functions. Scientists have shown that the health of this microbial community is a primary driver of physical and mental well-being, during the critical years of childhood development and while resisting the ravages of old age.
After birth, the immune system is quite flexible and its development is beneficially influenced by environmental exposure. When children play in the soil, they are exposed to a wide variety of microbes through the skin, nose and mouth. Such exposure is not a threat, but rather a vital educational experience for the immune system. The body learns to tolerate soil microbes like bifidobacteria and lactobacilli that serve to reduce the long-term risk of allergies, eczema and asthma.
The benefits of soil exposure extend to mental well-being. Research suggests that when humans interact with a soil bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae, the brain is stimulated to produce serotonin. This neurotransmitter, a natural “feel-good” chemical, regulates mood, sleep and digestion. This provides a biological explanation for why children may experience improved mood and reduced anxiety after playing outdoors in natural settings.
In sanitized urban environments, children lack exposure to the microbial diversity found in nature. Replacing asphalt and rubber mats with soil, moss and native plants promotes diverse and resilient gut and skin microbiota. This diversity is associated with higher levels of anti-inflammatory proteins in our blood, creating a shield against disease.
The relationship between humans and our gut microbes is a mutually positive symbiosis. In exchange for a stable environment and nutrients from our diet, the microbiome provides essential services. For example, gut bacteria ferment complex fibers that human enzymes cannot digest, producing short-chain fatty acids that provide energy to the colon lining. The microbiome trains immune cells to distinguish between food proteins and dangerous pathogens, reducing the risk of chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Microbes synthesize vitamin K, vitamin B12 and amino acids, essential for blood clotting and cellular repair.
Our microbiome may become imbalanced when we experience serious injury or disease, or when we eat excessive amounts of processed foods. Heavy doses of antibiotics or ingesting harmful microbes like giardia, salmonella or E. coli can cause a gastrointestinal crisis. Australian researchers Robin Warren and Barry Marshall won the 2005 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for demonstrating that most ulcers were caused not by spicy food or stress, but a treatable bacterium named Helicobacter pylori.
Perhaps the most revolutionary discovery in microbiome research is the gut-brain connection. This bidirectional communication network means that our gut microbes can directly influence our mood, stress levels and cognitive function. Gut bacteria communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve and by producing metabolic byproducts that can cross the blood-brain barrier. An imbalanced microbiome has been linked to neuroinflammation, contributing to depression, anxiety and the “brain fog” of older adults.
As we age, the microbiome naturally tends to decline, contributing to chronic, low-grade inflammation that can plague old age. Studies on “super agers” suggest their longevity is linked to a healthy, diverse microbiome. This may prevent systemic inflammation that leads to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Protecting microbial health through middle and old age might slow cognitive decline brought on by Alzheimer’s. Prepare for a doctor’s prescription of a new electronic pill that carries a sensor to measures gases in your gut, designed to diagnose gastrointestinal disorders.
The microbiome is a dynamic system that requires cultivation throughout life. From the “good dirt” of childhood to the fiber-rich diets of old age, the microbes we host are silent partners in our health. By protecting our microbial diversity, we promote immune resilience, mental clarity and healthier aging. If we take care of our gut friends, they will take care of us.
