I am both fascinated and unsettled by the realization that my body is not just my home. It is an entire world inhabited by millions of creatures: bacteria and microscopic organisms that have colonized me.
To them, I am more than just a shell. I am their food, their fortress, their ship sailing through time.
In this world, as in any other, catastrophes occur—tsunamis, fires, floods. Sometimes everything collapses under the force of Naturgewalten, my favorite German word. It so accurately captures the relentless and majestic power of nature's forces.
My body lives a mysterious life of its own. It breathes, pulses, and moves without my conscious involvement, like an autonomous organism where thousands of processes intertwine, forming a complex pattern.
Some are born, others die; cells wage invisible wars, bacteria build cities, viruses conquer territories.
How can I contain all of this within myself? How can I not get lost in this chaos? Perhaps the key is dialogue. To start listening. To seek advice from those who live within me, those who know more about my body than I do. To give them what they need, so we can create harmony together, not chaos.
Fascinating Facts About the Human Microbiome
How many bacteria live in our body? On average, the human body hosts approximately 39 trillion bacteria, with a near 1:1 ratio to the 30 trillion human cells. While earlier estimates suggested bacteria outnumber human cells tenfold, recent research reveals this closer balance.
What kinds of bacteria are there?The human microbiome includes hundreds of bacterial species, such as:
Bacteroides – Help digest food and produce energy.
Firmicutes – Influence metabolism and energy balance.
Proteobacteria – Some species are beneficial, others are pathogens.
Actinobacteria – Include Bifidobacterium, crucial for gut health.
Where do bacteria live? These microscopic residents are found throughout the body:
Gut – The largest population, making up 70–80% of the microbiome.
Oral cavity – Billions of bacteria aid in digestion and oral health.
Skin – Provide a protective barrier against harmful pathogens.
Respiratory tract – Contribute to immune defense.
Urogenital system – Protect against infections and maintain balance.
By acknowledging their presence, we can begin to understand how deeply interconnected we are with the microscopic world inside us. They are not just passengers but co-creators of the complex ecosystem we call "self."
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