Microbiome 

the
Natural Symbionts

Mahnoor Khan
A person is first exposed to microorganisms
as an infant

During delivery in the birth canal through

the mother’s breast milk

Environmental exposures and diet can change

one’s microbiome
 Symbiotic Parasitic Relationship

Functions
Anaerobic bacteria 

Prevotella
Ruminococcus
Bacteroides
 Firmicutes.
Peptostreptococcus
Bifidobacterium Link
Digestion
with Brain
Immune System
Lactobacillus
Clostridium
 Role in Immune System

Lactobacillus B
Gut Epithelial cells acteria Human
Respiratory
Bacteria

Reduce Intestinal
Permeability

Gram Influenza
Impaired Interaction negative  virus
bacteria
Role in Digestion

carbohydrates like starches and

fibers are not as easily digested and Breakdown toxic
Synthesize Vitamins
may travel lower to the large compunds
intestine
Bac
teria

the key enzymes

needed to form vitamin
B12 are only
Vitamin B found
and K in
The butyrate produced by your gut bacteria, not in plants
microbes from the dietary and animals.
Short chain Fatty acids
fiber provides the fuel needed by the
cells in your gut lining
Role to protect our Brain

Butyrate from Dietary fibres Gut and the vagus nerve

Br
id
ge
Neuroprotective effects

•  The vagus nerve fibers are connected to

cells in the gut lining. 
• They use these cells to collect information
on activities in the gut and those of your
microbiome
•  Transfer this information to the brain so it
 Parkinson’s can make important decisions about your
 Alzheimer’s Stroke and
Disease digestion.
Disease autism
Factors affecting Microbiota

 A seminal study found

At the same time, when
 Gut microbes are
the vagus nerve sensitive to
is inhibited by
that mice treated with
stress and
stress, started to reduce
it can’t control the in antibiotics that
Stress Condition
number and inflammation,
permeability
the gut
ecosystem
andIf
of the gut lining.
may porous,
suffer asitacan
Antibiotics eliminate bacteria in
the lining stays the gut exhibited an
result.metabolites, toxins, and
allow impaired immune
bacteria into the body,
response
Improve Microbiome
Take antibiotics
only when
necessary

legumes, beans and  Children who are breastfed

fruit contain lots of fiber and can Lactobacilli, andascan reduce for at least six
Eat apromote
diversetherange of foods   Eat prebiotic bananas, Breastfeed formonths
at leasthave
six
growth of Eat fermented
the number of
asparagus, oats foods
disease-causing
and apples. more
months
healthy Bifidobacteria species in the gut beneficial Bifidobacteria than
those who are bottle-fed
Conclusion