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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Guided Protocol for Fecal Microbial Characterization by 16S rRNA-Amplicon Sequencing
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Essential Factors for a Healthy Microbiome: A Scoping Review.

Patricia Grace-Farfaglia1, Heather Frazier2, Maura Daly Iversen3

  • 1Health Sciences, College of Health Professions, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT 06825, USA.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|July 27, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Diet and exercise significantly impact the human gut microbiome. Healthy food choices and moderate physical activity support microbial diversity and function, crucial for overall health.

Keywords:
dietlifestylemicrobial densitymicrobial diversitymicrobiomephysical activity

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Physiology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Human microbial interactions are vital for metabolism, immunity, and host-microbe genetics.
  • Phytonutrients from food influence gut microbial diversity and metagenome function.
  • Diet and physical activity are key modulators of the gut microbiome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the relationship between the intestinal microbiome, diet, and physical activity.
  • To highlight the implications of phytonutrients and exercise on gut health.
  • To discuss the 'resource curse' dilemma impacting the microbiome and human health.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on diet, physical activity, and the gut microbiome.
  • Analysis of findings related to phytonutrient bioavailability and bioaccessibility.
  • Examination of the effects of varying exercise intensities on microbial diversity and function.

Main Results:

  • Moderate physical activity positively affects metabolism and the microbiome.
  • Intense training (>70% VO2max) can temporarily reduce microbial diversity.
  • Elite athletes' microbiomes are efficient short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers.
  • Sedentary lifestyles and conditions like weightlessness are linked to decreased SCFA production and muscle mass loss.

Conclusions:

  • Food choices and physical fitness present a 'resource curse' for the microbiome and health in developed nations.
  • Nutrient-rich foods are essential for both human and microbial needs.
  • Maintaining a balanced diet and moderate physical activity is crucial for a healthy gut microbiome and overall well-being.