Podcast
The microbiome – how it keeps us healthy and productive
The microbiome is the entirety of all microbes that colonize the human body. Medicine is slowly discovering how important it is to health.
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Countless microbes cavort on us and in us. 40 trillion bacteria live in the intestine alone. Without them we would not be able to survive. Only those who eat properly can keep them healthy. This is also important for runners.
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We are a bacteria zoo. Without the microbiome, i.e. all the totality of all microbes in and on us, we would not be able to survive. For a long time they mostly worked in silence, it is only in the last few years that science has discovered the great importance of our roommates for our health. Today, many understand the microbiome as a separate superorgan that regulates numerous processes in our body. And secretly quietly and quietly – but with great effect. Almost no area remains unaffected. Almost nothing would work for us without the microbiome. It is a biofilm that covers every corner of our body. Without it we would not be able to survive.
An example of this: if we eat something, millions of microbes are already in our mouths on every bite. Another trillion-strong cluster of microbes follows in the intestine, which helps digest the pulp. It’s a classic win-win situation. There are bacteria that specialize in breaking down vegetable fiber, so-called polysaccharides. They are good for us and our health. And the microbes are allowed to eat in exchange for it. That is their livelihood. Or they produce important fatty acids from actually indigestible fiber, which supply our body with energy. Or they produce the vitamin Bioton, which is important for healthy skin, hair and the immune system. It is estimated that around a third of all metabolic products in our blood come from intestinal bacteria. Some scientists also call the microbiome a chemical factory.
The microbiome can increase endurance
The microbiome is also very important for athletes. On the one hand, because one made up of many different types of bacteria has a positive effect on performance. But sport itself also influences the composition of the bacterial garden. Researchers at Harvard University, for example, were able to detect bacteria in the intestines of top runners and rowers, which apparently increase the endurance of athletes. The bacteria of the genus Veillonella are able to utilize the lactic acid, which is produced during strong muscle exertion, in such a way that a substance that increases endurance is released.
But the impact of the microbiome on our health is just as great. More and more researchers are now coming to the conclusion that an unbalanced bacterial garden could be responsible for all kinds of diseases such as arteriosclerosis, heart attacks, Parkinson’s or diabetes. Our little roommates also seem to play a central role in the development of obesity. Obviously, the intestinal bacteria communicate with our brain via messenger substances and in the worst case even make us continue to eat when we have long been full.
What kind of diet does one use to keep the microbiome healthy?
An important topic in which there are all sorts of new discoveries and developments. That’s why we’re dealing with the microbiome this time in the new episode of the podcast “She’s running. He’s running”. We look for clues, talk about the latest scientific studies and explain how you have to eat if you want to keep the microbiome healthy. And what you should definitely do without when eating. Have a listen.
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We look forward to hearing from you and your running experiences.