In the last several years, there has been increasing interest in the importance of our microbiome as it pertains to disease prevention and promotion. Specifically, the human microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, yeast, and fungi) that live in and on our bodies. When we hear of these microorganisms in general, we typically think of them as a source of infection, thus disrupting our health. But, these organisms are part of a delicate ecosystem within our bodies that play a very important role in supporting and enhancing our immune system, gut health, vaginal health, weight management, and even our mental health, particularly our mood. Our microbiome may even affect how we process the medications that we take. No two people have the same microbiome as our microbiome is as unique as our own set of fingerprints.
Researchers believe that by the age of five, we have developed our own unique microbiome. Several factors can disrupt our microbiome, and this can have severe consequences for our health. Antibiotics, a highly-processed diet, physical and emotional stress, and certain medications can have a negative impact on our microbiome. There are several over-the-counter probiotics that are designed to help support our microbiome, and probiotics are as specific as medicine as there is no “one size fits all” as it pertains to the choice of probiotics for different medical conditions. The success of probiotic therapy highly depends on the proper selection of probiotics as the brands differ according to the strains and number of bacteria they contain. My favorite online source for probiotic guidance and recommendations is www.usprobioticguide.com. There is also an app that is quite helpful that I highly recommend, and it is called Probiotic Guide USA. Also, we at the Couri Center are always happy to answer any questions that you may have. Email or call us 309-692-6838, we’re here to help.
To Your Health,
Dr. Couri