The gut microbiota has long been my favourite conversation topic. My fascination with this incredible entity began during my undergraduate degree as a growing body of research was revealing how the bugs in our gut may be able to uncover previously unexplained medical phenomena.

The human microbiome is a wildly active area of research with around 70 new papers being published a day in this field, and our understanding of host-microbiome relationships has exploded in the last decade.

Microbiome research is on the brink of revolutionising the medical and healthcare system. And that is just the beginning. In this piece we will explore how the fundamental principles of microbiome research can be applied to a variety of settings to spark positive change and make the world a better place.

Before diving into the intricate workings of the gut microbial environment, we will start with a simple overview of the microbiota, so we are all on the same page.

You play host to a vast microscopic world on and inside your body. These microbes, a wonderfully messy mixture of bacteria, fungi, viruses (yes, viruses, they are not all bad), parasites, and archaea, together comprise the microbiota.

The largest concentration of these microorganisms is in the gut, but they can also be found on the skin, mouth, and other areas of the body. The composition of these micro-communities can vary greatly between individuals and can be influenced by factors such as diet, environment, genetics, and much, much more.

Now this is the exciting part. It is now widely understood that our microbes, particularly in the gut, share an intimate relationship with us the host. The cells that make up our gut lining are constantly receiving signals from microbially-derived molecules that can, for better or for worse, alter how our body works.

70 to 80% of our immune system resides in the gut, which is why our gut microbes can influence our health. Changes in the microbiome have been linked to various diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and even neurological disorders.

When our microbiome is in a state of harmony (eubiosis), the community contains many of the good bugs that produce health-promoting molecules, signalling to the human host, via the gut lining, that our environment is safe. This allows the host to build health, resilience, and vitality.

In a similar vein, when our planetary systems, such as our environmental ecosystems and social communities, are balanced, working synergistically and co-existing peacefully, this allows Mother Earth to regenerate and thrive.

What I am referring to is holism, or holistic thinking, whereby the health and function of a system or entity depends on the functioning of each individual part. Components of a complex system are inherently interconnected and interdependent.

The microbiome is a prime example of holism in action and offers insights applicable to many fields. By studying the principles of holism through a microbial lens, we can deepen our understanding of how diversity, collaboration, adaptability, and sustainability can promote a healthier and more harmonious world.

Let us examine how the microbiome champions holism, and how we can apply these principles for everyone’s benefit.

Principle 1: Diversity

Probably the cornerstone of a healthy system, diversity brings together a range of perspectives, strengths, and adaptations that contribute to the resilience and beauty of a given setting.

As we have learned, the gut microbiome consists of various types of microbes, each serving a specific function. A diverse microbiome can perform these functions more effectively, including breaking down food, producing essential nutrients, and regulating immune function. A lack of diversity can lead to imbalances and several health issues, while making the microbial community vulnerable to the infiltration and domination of pathological bad bugs.

Just as the microbiome thrives when it contains a diverse array of microorganisms, so do many other systems benefit from diversity, although in recent times this may have been forgotten:

  • Diversity in an ecosystem is essential for maintaining ecological balance and resilience.
  • Diversity in politics promotes a more representative and inclusive society.
  • Diversity in cooking and using different ingredients leads to new flavours, creative freedom, and unique dishes, while increasing the potential nutritional benefits of a meal.
  • Diversity in investment portfolios helps to spread risk and increase the likelihood of positive returns.

By celebrating and encouraging diversity in all contexts, we can learn to harness its power in creating healthy and vibrant systems.

Principle 2: Collaboration

Microbiome and microbiota are related terms often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings. The microbiota refers to the microbes that make up the living community themselves, while the microbiome refers to the total genetic material of the entire community, as well as their interactions with each other and the host.

So the very definition of the gut microbiome acknowledges its capacity for collaboration and synergy. Studying microbial communities quickly reveals the importance of co-operation, resource sharing, and effective communication in these complex systems.

Quorum sensing refers to the ability of bacteria to communicate with each other and coordinate their behaviour with a common goal in mind, maintaining the balance and stability of the ecosystem. It is a beautiful example of nature’s intelligence at work.

The complex interactions between the various microbes in the gut adapt and respond to changes in the environment, and facilitate the sharing of resources so that all members of the community have access to the nutrients and energy they need to survive and thrive. It is the quality and intention of these microscopic interactions that creates a symphony of signal exchange, in turn allowing a sense of peace and harmony to arise.

Our failure to share resources, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively for the greater good can be seen in a variety of industries:

  • Political polarisation and unwillingness to compromise often leads to gridlock and ineffective governance, hindering progress on important issues.
  • In the food industry, large corporations often prioritise profit over human and environmental health, leading to overuse of resources, pollution, and negative impacts on local communities.
  • In healthcare, fragmentation and lack of communication between different providers can lead to poor patient outcomes and unnecessary costs.
  • In many communities, social isolation and lack of communication and collaboration can lead to poor mental and physical health outcomes.
  • In agriculture, monoculture and the overuse of pesticides and fertilisers can degrade soil health and damage surrounding ecosystems.
The microbiome serves as an important reminder that all things are connected, and every action and interaction can have an impact on the whole.

By studying the microbiome and understanding the principles of quorum sensing and other forms of microbial communication, we can gain important insights into how to create healthier and more sustainable communities and societies. Collective action toward common goals is common in most healthy systems.

Principles 3 and 4: Adaptability and sustainability

A healthy, harmonious system must be adaptable and sustainable. In the context of terrain theory, these principles become even more relevant.

Terrain theory is a biological principle that emphasises the importance of creating an optimal internal environment in the body to support health and resilience. It likely explains why COVID-19 and post-infection conditions were more serious for some individuals than others. Baseline health level was highly correlated with symptom severity and patient outcomes.

Adaptability refers to a system’s ability to adjust and respond to changing environments, while sustainability refers to its ability to maintain balance and continue functioning while avoiding resource depletion.

In gut health, a diverse microbial community with a wide range of metabolic capabilities is better able to adapt and use available resources during changes in diet, environment, and other stressors, without harming the host.

Similarly, in the context of planetary health, adaptable and sustainable ecosystems are vital for global ecological wellbeing. By adopting a systems-based mindset and innovating to eliminate our dependency on activity that damages ecological resilience, we can engage nature’s capacity for regeneration and repair, and reverse the damage we have caused.

Conclusion

Through my work, I have come to realise that holism and its components, diversity, collaboration, adaptability, and sustainability, are central to any discussion of the microbiome.

An ever-growing list of gut-organ axes indicates the deep bidirectional relationship between our gut microbes and the entire body, while the variety and strength of the interactions between gut microbes allows a healthy system to flourish. The holistic mindset required to study and understand the science behind the microbiome can help us overcome some of the greatest humanitarian problems today.

Reductionist thinking involves breaking down complex phenomena into their component parts and studying them in isolation. This approach has its place in certain contexts, but reductionism fails to capture the bigger picture, leading to oversimplification and loss of information.

No successful complex system works in isolation.

Alleviating a symptom does not imply healing the cause. The same goes for the socioeconomic and environmental issues outlined above. We must identify the root cause of the systemic imbalances and restore from the bottom up.

Holism over reductionism, and working to nurture diversity, collaboration, adaptability, and sustainability in our systems will, by the laws of nature, restore health and harmony. By observing our friends a little more closely, the microorganisms in our guts can act as a guiding light for a better future.