The gut houses trillions of
microbes. Here's what they do
Feb 17, 2015
The gut houses trillions of microbes. They eat what you eat. Many
specialize in fermenting the soluble fiber in legumes, grains, fruits and
vegetables. Certain microbial species are adept at colonizing the mucous layer
of the gut. Mucus contains antimicrobial substances that keep the microbiota at
a slight distance. But it also contains sugars such as those found in breast
milk. Some microbes, often the same ones that specialize in fermenting fiber,
can use these sugars as sustenance when other food is not available. The
by-products of fiber fermentation nourish cells lining the colon. Some
by-products pass into the circulation and may calibrate our immune system in a
way that prevents inflammatory disorders such as asthma and Crohn's disease.
This article was originally published with the title "Your Microbes
at Work: Fiber Fermenters Keep Us Healthy."
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