The human body is a bustling ecosystem, teeming with trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, collectively known as the human microbiome. While the biodiversity crisis often evokes images of rainforests and endangered species, a lesser-known crisis is unfolding within us. This article explores the intricate relationship between our internal ecosystems and our health, and how we can nurture them for a healthier future. But here's where it gets controversial...
The human microbiome is under threat from various modern-day factors. The misuse of antibiotics, the consumption of ultra-processed foods, and reduced contact with natural environments are all contributing to a decline in microbial biodiversity. Dr. James Kinross, a surgical reader at Imperial College London, likens this to an "internal climate crisis."
"There are very simple and important things that you can do to change it," Kinross says. "And it shifts the emphasis away from more traditional ways of medical thinking about our health – ie, we’ve got to just kill all microbes dead, and that way we’re going to be healthy – to a more holistic strategy that reconnects us with nature and has at its heart a kind of conservation strategy."
Research is increasingly linking two layers of biodiversity: the outer layer (soil, water, plants, animals, etc.) and the inner layer, which lives within and upon the human body. Our bodies evolved to exchange microscopic bacteria, viruses, and fungi with the environment. However, urbanization and modern lifestyles are isolating people from nature, reducing exposure to beneficial microorganisms.
To combat this, urban planners are exploring ways to reconnect people with nature. Initiatives like Finland's impressive program to boost nature contact in kindergartens are making a difference. By rewilding yards and increasing children's exposure to microscopic biodiversity, these efforts are transforming health outcomes.
But you don't need to move a forest to enhance your microbiome. A study from Finland showed that just one month of growing plants boosted skin bacteria and the body's immune response. Green walls installed in offices can diversify the skin ecosystems of employees, while allowing pets regular outdoor access has been linked to improved human health.
Humans are part of nature, covered in millions of beneficial bacteria that should be shared. People with larger social networks tend to have more diverse gut microbiomes. Eating with others is one way to share microbiomes, as each house and room has its own unique microbiome. Kissing, it turns out, is also good for your microbiome, transferring 80 million bacteria in a kiss.
So, how can we nurture our internal ecosystems for a healthier future? By embracing nature, making simple lifestyle changes, and supporting initiatives that promote biodiversity, we can help preserve the delicate balance of our internal ecosystems and, in turn, our overall health.
