Much of the human body remains a mystery, and the gut may be the most elusive. Similar to a fingerprint, the gut microbiome is unique to each individual, made up of trillions of microbes that live in the digestive tract. It can change on a day-to-day basis, influenced by things like diet, environment, stress, and age. When out of balance, the microbiome can strongly contribute to issues like inflammation or mood changes.
“The gut is the intersection where diet, immunity, and metabolism meet,” explained naturopathic doctor Dr. Jacqueline van der Made. “It can be influenced every single day through what you eat, how you manage stress, and the quality of supplements you choose.”