Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut. Directed by Anjali Nayar, Netflix, 2024.
We all know that it is important to maintain a healthy diet, but recent research is shedding new light on why this is so crucial. In recent years, probiotics, prebiotics, kombucha, and other "gut-healthy" products have flooded the market, yet many people do not fully understand the scientific reasoning behind their benefits. The gut microbiome is an emerging field of study, and there are still many questions about how the gut works and its impact on our overall health.
Our gut contains a vast and diverse community of bacteria, unique to each individual. This relationship between humans and their gut microbiome is often referred to as "symbiotic," meaning that both parties benefit from one another. Humans provide nourishment for these bacteria through their diet, and in return, the bacteria perform a multitude of functions essential for our health. The diversity of our gut microbiome can be influenced by various factors, including environment, diet, illnesses, medications, and more. The bacteria residing in our gut help break down food, produce vital metabolites, and perform many other critical functions.
There are numerous types of bacteria that inhabit our gut. Some, such as Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, are generally harmless to their human hosts. However, others, like Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, can cause harm and inflammation. For instance, the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis has been linked to certain autoimmune diseases. Conversely, other bacteria, such as Bacteroides fragilis, play beneficial roles, like regulating the immune system. It's also important to note that many of these bacteria interact with each other, often providing essential nutrients to one another, further highlighting the complexity of the gut microbiome.
One of the gut’s most crucial functions is metabolism. The gut microbiome produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which can be used as energy for the body’s cells. These SCFAs also play roles in gene regulation, signaling hormones in the brain, and more. Additionally, the gut is integral to the functioning of our immune systems, and an imbalanced relationship with one’s gut can have dire consequences for human health. For example, conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Crohn’s Disease (CD) have been shown to be connected to the gut microbiome. An imbalance in the gut can lead to inflammation, damage to the gastrointestinal tract, and trigger diseases like IBD, which has been associated with altered microbiome diversity. Overall, the gut microbiome is a complex system, and there is still much to be discovered about its intricate workings and its impact on our health.
What’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?
Many people take probiotic supplements in the form of capsules, consume probiotic-rich fermented foods, or drink kombucha, believing these products provide beneficial "probiotics." But what distinguishes probiotics from the "prebiotics" offered by other supplements? In simple terms, probiotics contain live bacteria strains that can inhabit your gut, while prebiotics provide the necessary nourishment or "food" for these probiotics, supporting their growth and activity within the gut.
How can we learn more about our gut microbiome?
A Netflix documentary called *Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut* delves into the diversity of bacteria residing in the gut and underscores the importance of gut health on overall well-being. This documentary serves as an excellent introduction to understanding the vital role of diet in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and highlights the ongoing research in this fascinating field.
Fequiere, Roxanne. “In the Search for Wellness, Hack Your Health Goes Straight to the Gut.” Tudum By Netflix, Netflix, 30 Apr. 2024, www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/hack-your-health-secrets-of-your-gut-release-date-trailer-news.
Kuziel, Gavin A, and Seth Rakoff-Nahoum. “The gut microbiome.” Current biology: CB vol. 32,6 (2022): R257-R264. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.023
Shi, Na et al. “Interaction between the gut microbiome and mucosal immune system.” Military Medical Research vol. 4 14. 27 Apr. 2017, doi:10.1186/s40779-017-0122-9
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