Tag: Human microbiome

The human body does not naturally produce the enzyme required to break down cellulose, explaining why we often see corn kernels pass through our digestive system undigested. The idea that some people can digest corn cellulose better than others is a common misconception rooted in varying digestive efficiency, not an enzymatic ability that we possess.

Over half of all bacteria studied contain menaquinone, a type of vitamin K. But which vitamin K is naturally produced by bacteria found in different environments, and how does it affect human health?

For over 5,000 years, humans have been intentionally cultivating and using yeast for its transformative properties in food and drink. This single-celled fungus plays a far more extensive and crucial role in human life than many realize, from our daily bread to our internal health and groundbreaking medical research.

The human body is host to over 100 trillion microbial cells, a complex community known as our normal flora that significantly impacts health, immunity, and mood. Beyond this internal ecosystem, the plant life, or macro flora, of our planet provides a vast array of vital benefits, from medicine to mental well-being.

While the small intestine is the primary site for nutrient absorption, approximately 90% of ingested water is absorbed by the time food reaches the large intestine. The large intestine, however, is not just a passive waste collector; it plays a vital role in salvaging valuable remaining nutrients and fluids.

While the vast majority of essential vitamins must be obtained from our diet, the human body is capable of synthesizing a few vitamins and using precursors to produce others. This ability, however, is limited and occurs in specific locations, primarily involving the skin and the gut microbiome. Understanding where vitamins are synthesized in the body is key to appreciating our complex relationship with nutrition and metabolism.