WTF is a microbiome???

The science and truth behind the microbiome and why it has taken center stage in the conversation on health and wellness.

Microbiomes are present not only in our bodies, but all around our environment. For a broad overview on what microbiomes are, where they are found, and why they are important watch the below:

Microbiomes are an integral part of every living organism. They are made up of a community of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes that inhabit areas in or on the human body, most notably the stomach, mouth, sex organs, and skin. Each of these ecosystems are responsible for several critical functions within our bodies. In the gut, they help with digestion, nutrient absorption, immune system regulation, protection against pathogens, inflammation regulation, detoxification, metabolism. The oral microbiome influences saliva production, taste and sensation, the production of nitric oxide, dental health, and more.The vaginal microbiome is responsible for pH regulation, hormone metabolism, support for reproductive health, and the prevention of infections, to name a few. With all that being said, there is still a lot we don’t know about microbiomes, their functions, and why they vary so drastically between individuals.

More info on the human microbiome below:

Dating back to the early 1900’s a Russian scientist attributed good gut microbiome health to longevity and immunity. Good microbiome health in all areas of the body have been linked to better physical quality of life, brain function, resistance to sickness, and lifespan. A typical healthy person has trillions of microbes within their gut, on their skin, and other areas of their body, but two healthy people who have lived in the same area, been on the same diet, have similar genetic backgrounds, and participate in similar activities may have completely different makeups of those microbiomes. This makes the task of increasing microbiome health through products, diagnostics, therapeutics, etc. very difficult.

Our microbiomes are effected by many factors both genetic and environmental. Your diet, lifestyle, hormones, method of delivery at birth, medications, and more can all alter the makeup of human microbiomes which is why it has long been quite the mystery to scientists and physicians. While there has been significant progress made in understanding the microbiome, the field is still rapidly evolving. Their functional roles, ties to neurological health and disease causation, stability and resilience to disturbances, and unique individuality are still very much unknown. With the increased awareness and interest in longevity, the mind body connection, and personalized medicine, microbiomes have become a promising area of exploration for scientists, physicians, and founders alike.

Many companies have emerged in the space both on the consumer health and therapeutics side of healthcare. From smart toilets that analyze stool samples to at home vaginal swabs, there are a number of start ups tackling data collection related to microbiomes. Separately, certain therapeutics companies are working with microbiomes to invent new treatments for disease and implement precision medicine into the pharmaceuticals industry.

Some of the notable companies attempting to understand and optimize the microbiome that we have seen are:

Evvy - The first-ever at-home vaginal microbiome test to use metagenomic sequencing to help women understand their microbiome, provide integrative clinical care to optimize their health, and proactively track the changes to their microbiome.

Tiny Health - The first gut health test for moms and babies 0-3 years aiming to detect gut imbalances and course correct early on.

Viome - A company that specializes in personalized nutrition and wellness based on microbiome analysis.

Second Genome - A biotechnology company that focuses on the discovery and development of therapeutic candidates for diseases influenced by the microbiome.

Seed Health - A microbial sciences company that focuses on developing probiotics and other products to improve human health.

Parallel Health - A skin telehealth company aiming to revolutionize skin and body care by providing deep insights and true personalization through the skin microbiome.

This is certainly not an extensive list and much more work needs to be done on the clinical side of microbiome research in order for many of these companies to produce measurable health outcomes, but the focus on and hype around the sector is certainly there. With an increased focus on longevity, holistic health solutions, and natural remedies, microbiome optimization is a clear theme emerging as we venture into the next era of health.

Have you seen any interesting start ups tackling the space? Drop them in the comments if so and as always, questions and conversation are highly encouraged!