What is the microbiome and microbiota?

An explanation of the microbiome can sometimes be confusing. You come across different words that look alike. However, the meanings of those words differ. For example, ‘microbiome’ has a different meaning than ‘microbiota.’ And ‘microorganism’ is something else entirely. In this article, we explain the differences to you.

What are microorganisms?

Millions of tiny living organisms live on and inside your body. These living organisms are called ‘microorganisms’ and are too small to see. They can only be seen with a tool that magnifies small things, such as a microscope.

Microorganisms include bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and archaea. They live in every organ of your body, such as the mouth, skin, and intestines. Each microorganism has a different function in your body. Some ensure that you don’t get sick. Others, for instance, help you have healthy bowel movements.

Another word for ‘microorganism’ is ‘microbe.’ The meaning is the same.

What is a microbiome?

In every organ of your body, many microorganisms live. All the microorganisms in one organ together make up the ‘microbiome’ of that organ. Your mouth has different microorganisms than your skin or intestines. Therefore, it also has a different microbiome. The microorganisms in an organ work together to ensure that this organ functions properly.

What is the microbiota?

A microbiome consists of various microorganisms. The ‘microbiota’ refers only to the bacteria of a microbiome. Fungi and yeasts are not part of the microbiota.

Your gut microbiota consists of all the bacteria in your intestines. Each type of gut bacteria has its own function. Some types are beneficial and keep you healthy. For instance, they make it easier for you to have bowel movements. Or they keep your immune system strong: those gut bacteria protect you from diseases.

The words ‘microflora’ and ‘gut flora’ have the same meaning as ‘microbiota.’

Read also: Gut health and your microbiota: A wonderful relationship

Harmful gut bacteria make you sick or cause unpleasant symptoms. For example, they may make it harder to have bowel movements, give you loose stools (diarrhea), cause abdominal pain (bloating), or make you pass gas (flatulence). But they also cause symptoms elsewhere in your body, such as pimples on your face (acne) or inflamed skin (eczema). You can even feel very tired if harmful gut bacteria live in your intestines.

Read also: Symptoms of gut microbiome imbalance: How it affects gut health

How is the microbiota formed?

During birth, you come into contact with bacteria for the first time. These bacteria live on your mother’s vagina and skin. They then transfer to your skin. Bacteria also live in breast milk. These enter your body through your mouth and esophagus. They eventually reside in your intestines. Finally, they also reach your anus, and you excrete (some of) the bacteria.

Toddlers lick many objects in their surroundings. By licking, new bacteria enter their bodies. Once toddlers start eating solid food (instead of breast milk), they acquire new bacteria. Some gut bacteria thrive on certain foods, while others do not.

Your genes also influence your gut microbiota. Your genes determine which bacteria survive and which ones disappear.

Genes, breast milk, and food determine which bacteria continue to grow in your intestines. Your gut microbiota is fully developed by the time you are two to three years old. Throughout your life, the composition of bacteria gradually changes. Most elderly people have fewer types of bacteria in their intestines.

There are 4000 types of gut bacteria. Each person has about 500. These types differ from person to person, but about 40 types live in everyone’s intestines. 

What bacteria live in my intestines?

The types of bacteria in your intestines affect your health. Symptoms can occur if a certain type of bacteria is too abundant or absent. If you want to know the cause of your symptoms, it is necessary to find out which bacteria live in your intestines. With that knowledge, you can then look for a targeted solution. Our microbiome test provides information about all the bacteria in your intestines - not just a few good or bad types. Only this way can you have a complete picture of your gut health!

Keywords

microbiome; microbiota; gut flora; gut bacteria
 

Sources:

1. Thursby, E., & Juge, N. (2017). Introduction to the human gut microbiota. The Biochemical journal, 474(11), 1823–1836. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20160510
2. Shkoporov, A. N., & Hill, C. (2019). Bacteriophages of the human gut: the “known unknown” of the microbiome. Cell host & microbe, 25(2), 195-209. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2019.01.017