Endangered personal ecosystem!
Did you know that each of us has our own personal ecosystem that has been handed down from our ancestors and is now on the endangered list? Well, it’s not actually on the list, but it needs to be and is in threat of becoming extinct if we keep on the course we are. What am I talking about? Let me break it down.
We have been saving rain forests, the oceans, the rivers, and all other ecosystems on the planet. It is a small drop in the bucket compared to the damage that’s being done, but we have created awareness- using paper straws, recycling, eliminating Styrofoam etc.
However, within each of us lies an ecosystem that keeps us alive. A holobiont, or more precisely the human holobiont. This system of microbes communicates with each other to protect us from invading pathogens and to help our organs, tissue, bones, and gut working in a non-stop industrial complex. The work each group of microbes do is vital and specific in their function.
So what’s the problem?
They are dying, we’re killing them and we have lost 30-50% of them already.
At one point in history humans had upwards of 2000 species of microbes within each of us. A few tribes around the globes still maintain about 80-90% of them, but they are remote and live off the grid.
When sampled the average North American in recent history now only has 200 species. And we have lost some of these species permanently. You might be thinking that there's still a lot of bacteria, but here’s why this is a problem.
It’s not the number of total bacteria. It’s the variety or diversity of species that we have lost. You see, it’s kinda like why having a diversity of people, plants, animals, and insects are so important to the planet. Diversity is key. Each one of these species has specific functions in keeping us alive and healthy. It assists in making crucial decisions in our body from aiding bone density, blood coagulation to bowel motility and so much more. Most of this is also done through serotonin which is produced in our gut (I’ll get to that in another post).
Chronic diseases that are rampant today have a root cause that lacks microbial diversity in our microbiome. These diseases include:
Immune dysregulation/Autoimmunity
Chronic pain/ Inflammation
Neurodivergent diseases/Cognitive decline
Weight gain/ Metabolic syndrome
Acne and other skin issues
Mood disorders/ Anxiety/ Depression
Many more.
Our modern life and how we live today are primarily responsible for this. We spend upwards of 90-95% of our time indoors (besides walking to the car this morning, I have not left the house). The lack of exposure to microbes, a sterile environment are leading causes of this issue.
Another HUGE factor is processed foods. These foods contain compounds that our microbiome has not adapted to. We see these items as food, but they lack the organic matter and the diversity of macro-nutrients to function as real food that feeds these microbes. Compounded with pesticides, herbicides, antimicrobial compounds, coloring agents and oils, these foods are virtually impossible for the microbial community to recognize as food.
We haven’t even touched the topic of pharmaceutical drugs yet, and don’t need to since the above two are enough to cause irreversible damage, but are things we can and have control over.
It is therefore our DUTY to support, grow, and diversify this microbiome community as we pass it along from generation to the next. Our ancestors collected these species over time through their nomadic travels, suffering, hunting and gathering practices, and outdoor living. In a short time since the industrial revolution we have lost these species and might never be able to get them back.
What are we supposed to do?
Spend time in nature.
Get your kids outside as much as they can as early as possible- yes even babies need to be outside.
Go on hikes, have outdoor picnics, touch some trees, don’t use sanitizer, let them play in the mud, catch tadpoles, gather leaves, build a campfire, chop wood (adults or teens), garden, walk without shoes, play in the sand or snow.
Avoid processed foods that include some pre-cooked frozen meals, take out, fast foods, and packaged foods with more than 3-4 ingredients on them that are not actual plants.
Also avoid dyes, perfumes, and other synthetic compounds that enter via our skin, nose, eyes, or other openings.
This is a crisis. It is one we need to be worrying about. The regenerative agriculture communities and farming practices are on board and are taking the steps needed to fix our soils and our food to help build this microbial community.
If you want to find a local sustainable farm near you visit Local Harvest for a variety of choices. This is also a great source for sustainable gifts throughout the year. You also support local and small businesses by doing this.
More on all of this in the next blog posts and newsletter. If you haven't signed up yet to subscribe, Join the Community today.
*I am currently enrolled in a microbiome course and hoping to add this information to my work with my clients, classes, and speaking engagements.
Here here.