Author: sumaoank

Our everyday choices have an impact on the health of the microbial community in our gut. Although it may not have immediate effects, an unhealthy microbial system could be detrimental to how we process food in the future. Personally, I try to watch the quality of the foods that I choose to eat. This means that the food has the necessary nutrients that I need to carry out normal body functions. Additionally, I try to keep a balanced diet, making sure that my food intake doesn’t rely heavily on just one type of food, such as carbohydrates. It’s also crucial to try different types of food, I feel that this keeps my body from relying on only one source and it improves the diversity of the microbial flora in my gut. On the other hand, being a college student makes it difficult to stay on a strict diet. To combat this I’ve made sure to maintain healthy by exercising regularly and keeping stress levels in check. Moreover, I feel that staying away from processed foods has improved my quality of life. Overall, being a college student has been a huge lesson in taking care of myself and my body in order to live a better life.

Lindsey Russel and colleagues constructed a review article titled “The need to move away from fecal transplant towards targeted, refined microbiome therapy” (2018) that encourages medical professionals to discard Fecal Transplant Therapy (FTT) altogether. Russel et al combines numerous FTT studies to pinpoint that the interaction between bacteria, viruses, fungal organisms, and organic compounds are points of research to understand how the gut microbiome functions in order to treat unwanted diseases. The purpose of this article is to sway the population from an archaic method, so that we may focus our studies on a more refined microbiome therapy. Russel and colleagues aim to change the view on FTT and better the techniques used in the field of gastroenterology.

There are numerous ways an individual could create complications in their body, especially in the gut that could encourage the birth of harmful bacteria. Aside from genetics, behavioral patterns of an individual are strong seeds for an unhealthy microbial community in the gut. Not one but a combination of factors may result in unwanted conditions. Possible detrimental behaviors are:

• Tendency to not sleep
• Improper eating habits
• Overworking both the mind and body
• Self-criticism that can lead to harmful actions

However, there are also behaviors that encourage a healthy gut microbial community, such as:

• Regular exercise
• Social Interaction
• Healthy diet
• Positive everyday outlook

These factors may seem very general, and they are. It is not necessarily the act itself that plays a role but the attitudes that come with it. For example, those who harshly self-criticize themselves could participate in anorexic, bulimic, or even binge-eating habits that negatively affect how the body processes food. On the other hand, an individual that stays healthy and keeps a daily routine of exercise and self-care will allow the individual to live a more productive and healthier life. A person’s lifestyle has a great influence on the health of their body and there are many factors in play.

Papillomavirus is an infection of warts on the surface of the skin and was originally found on cottontail rabbits. In 1935, it was suspected to be linked to human cancers and was later validated in 1959 and 1972 when epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) patients revealed the presence of virus particles in tissue samples. Thus indicating that papillomavirus could lead to dermal cancers. There are several strains of HPV that are found in humans, with some having a role in cervical cancer for women. These strains include HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, and HPV45. In order to limit the spread of HPV infections, the HPV strain 31 & 45 should be further looked at in terms of a possible treatment since these are considered to be high-risk strains. Strain 16 & 18 do not need further study if there are current vaccines available. Once vaccines have been made for the 31 and 45 strains, treatment should start immediately. However, for individuals who aren’t currently showing signs of cancer but are infected with HPV should be tested for the type of strains that are present, in order to reduce potential cancer growth. Having vaccines for the above strains will hopefully reduce the onset of cervical cancer in women by around 80%.

Here are some examples of non-infectious diseases, however, I am not entirely sure if they are driven by microorganisms or simply play a lesser role in the disease. I imagine that many diseases in relation to our digestive system strongly correlates with microorganisms since it has high-density microbial communities.

• Cancer
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Celiac
• Lupus
• Allergies (may not be considered a disease)
• Alzheimer’s
• Gallstones
• Gastritis
• Ulcers
• Acid Reflux

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