[Applause] Through a raise of hands, who has ever felt a gut instinct. And who has ever listened to it. Wow, almost all of you.This is most likely due to your gut microbiome. And the journey through the gut is what I want to take you on today. But first, what actually is your gut microbiome.Well, also known as your gut microbiota, it contains over 100 trillion microorganisms. That's more microbes in your gut than stars in the galaxy. This consists of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and darka, which are essential ...

Gut Microbiota & Health - Each human hosts approximately 40 trillion bacteria and 380 trillion viruses, significantly outnumbering the global human population [1] - Gut microbiota, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, plays a crucial role in human health, aiding digestion, supporting the immune system, and overall well-being [2][3] - Disruptions in gut microbiota have been linked to various diseases, influencing medical approaches to consider the gut-organ axis in diagnosis and treatment [4][5] - Hygiene hypothesis suggests that exposure to diverse microbes in natural environments can strengthen the immune system, potentially reducing the risk of conditions like asthma [9][10] - Microbial composition is unique to each individual and can be indicative of health status, similar to a "microbial face ID" [11][12] Personalized Nutrition & Probiotics - Personalized nutrition, tailoring dietary recommendations to individual biology, is gaining importance for optimizing gut health [15] - Probiotics can restore gut microbiota balance, as demonstrated by the case of an elderly patient recovering from severe diarrhea post-COVID-19 [16][17] - *Akkermansia*, a bacterium discovered in 2004, shows potential in improving metabolism, assisting weight loss, and easing symptoms of type 2 diabetes [19] Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) & Market - Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment for *Clostridioides difficile* (C. diff) infection, with a success rate of approximately 95% [20][21] - The global market focused on the microbiota is valued at approximately $14 billion USD per year, with $1 billion USD in human health, $7 billion USD in agriculture, and $6 billion USD in animal health [24]

Core Argument - The gut microbiome, consisting of trillions of microorganisms, significantly influences human feelings, decisions, memory, immunity, and cravings [1][2][3][4] - The gut and brain are connected via a highly active communication pathway, impacting decision-making processes [4][5] Research & Experimentation - A research study is being conducted with patients undergoing digestive tract surgery, using kombucha as a probiotic and a placebo to study the impact on the microbiome [8][9] - Placebo effects are crucial in microbiome research to differentiate the impact of probiotics from the psychological effects of treatment [10][11][12] - Studies show that altering the microbiome with probiotics can influence risk-taking behavior, patience, and reactions to unfairness [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][31] Microbiome & Lifestyle - Urban living can reduce the diversity of the gut microbiome by approximately fourfold compared to living closer to nature [33] - A diet beneficial for the microbiome includes natural, unprocessed foods, vegetables (ideally not perfectly cleaned), and fermented foods like kimchi and kombucha [35] - Alcohol consumption, even in small amounts, can harm the gut microbiome [35][36]

Gut-Brain Axis & Mental Health - The gut-brain axis enables direct influence from the gut on the brain, affecting physical and emotional states [3] - Gut bacteria produce approximately 90% of the body's serotonin, a key hormone for happiness and emotional stability [4] - Gut bacteria imbalance, known as dysbiosis, can lead to anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline [5] Impact of Diet & Lifestyle - Poor diet, stress, and antibiotics can cause gut bacteria imbalance [4] - Foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir are excellent sources of probiotics, restoring gut balance and supporting mental health [6] - Exercise encourages beneficial bacteria growth and increases intestinal mobility, benefiting both body and mind [6][7] - Diets high in sugar and processed foods can lead to gut bacteria imbalance [8][9] - Stress management and adequate sleep are vital for maintaining healthy gut bacteria and overall well-being [7][8] Probiotics & Prebiotics - Prebiotics, found in foods like bananas, onions, garlic, and asparagus, feed beneficial gut bacteria [5][6] - Probiotic supplements may enhance mood and lessen anxiety, but using the correct strains is crucial [10]