The microbiome, an ecosystem of healthy bacteria in the gut, governs the gut-brain connection and plays a crucial role in mental health.

The gut microbiome plays a significant role in health by influencing inflammatory responses and brain function, and can be adjusted through dietary choices. Fermented foods significantly outperform high-fiber diets in improving gut health and reducing inflammation, leading to better cognitive function, sleep, and immune response.

A healthy microbiome supports the immune system, metabolism, and gut-brain axis, but defining what constitutes a healthy versus unhealthy microbiome is complex and varies between individuals and populations.

The human microbiome plays a crucial role in how individuals respond to nutrition, and it can be altered, unlike genetics, which opens up possibilities for improving health through dietary changes.

In a recent study, we found that a specific region in the microbiome's genome correlates with being thinner, suggesting a mechanistic connection between the microbiome and human health.

The gut microbiome is critical for modulating our immune status, and changes in diet can fundamentally alter how the immune system operates, potentially reducing inflammation and disease risk.

Microbial metabolites produced in the gut can enter the bloodstream and may cross the blood-brain barrier, affecting brain function and mood.

The gut-brain axis involves direct communication between the gut and the brain, influencing mood and overall health.

The gut microbiome consists of a diverse ecosystem of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses that significantly influences our health and metabolic responses.