The intestinal microbiota is the community of living microorganisms that home to our digestive tract and that have lived on the surface of the gut for thousands of years. This organ is born sterile and receives its microbial colonization after birth.
It is estimated that the gut contains about 100 trillion bacteria of 1000 different species. These bacterial species are an important group that live in the gastrointestinal tract and make up the microbiota in our body. These microorganisms move longitudinally from the stomach to the colon.
Most of these microorganisms are essential for good physical development, although not all are concentrated in the same area. If the microbiota is altered by age, disease or simple diet, it can affect human metabolism.
The main functions of the microbiota are: digesting fiber and producing fatty acids necessary for maintaining intestinal health; prevent diabetes, heart disease and cancer; control the immune system; participate in the metabolism of indigestible carbohydrates, produce vitamins and produce energy to reduce cholesterol levels in the intestine; control brain function; control weight and avoid intestinal dysbiosis; Boosting HDL cholesterol and good triglycerides.
The change of microbiota is caused by an inadequate diet rich in processed foods, fats and sugars, stress, sedentary lifestyle, pollution, drinking alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise and less and poor sleep.
With age, the number of beneficial bacteria that dominate the intestinal flora also decreases; If you suffer from ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease; The use of drugs and antibiotics alters the microbiota.
