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Full Version: What is The Gut Microbiome and What Does it Do?
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Like it or not, you have microorganisms all over your body: On your skin, eyelashes, in your mouth, saliva, bowels and all sorts of other places. Researchers have estimated that the average person has 2/3 more bacteria than cells in their body. The numbers shake out to be about 2 to 6 pounds of bacteria, or, if you’re a more visual person, imagine: The size of a Mexican cottontail rabbit, 5 packages of bacon, 5 bunches of bananas, or two Costco rotisserie chickens.

Grossed out yet?

It would naturally follow that the composition, status and health of these microbes can have a big impact on your health.
The definition of the term Microbiome has evolved since its 1988 introduction by Whipps J, Lewis K, Cooke R, in Manchester University Press. The term originated from the Ancient Greek words "micro" or small, and "biome," meaning life.

Over the last 30+ years scientists have explored the complex interrelationship between these teeny-tiny gut bacteria, their genetic material, the environment of our bodies, the food we eat, the rest of the host body, the environment including other living plants and mammals, extending to the planet at large.

Until recent years the gut microbiome was considered a “black box” of mystery, but thanks to innovations from the Human Microbiome Project (HMP), The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the MetaHIT (Metagenomics of the Human Intestinal Tract) consortium, advances in technologies and projects have enabled scientists to dive into to the details.

In order to stay up to date with advancements in scientific research into the microbiome, the Microbiome Support Project was created and an updated definition was established, which essentially states.