How does the human microbiome primarily contribute to our overall health?

The human microbiome is a community of tiny living things that live mainly in our gut, skin, and mouth, and they help us stay healthy by breaking down food we can’t digest alone, like fiber, turning it into useful energy and vitamins. These microbes also produce short‑chain fatty acids that keep our colon cells healthy and reduce inflammation. They act like a second immune system, teaching our own immune cells to recognize harmful germs while ignoring harmless ones, which lowers the risk of allergies and autoimmune diseases. When we eat a balanced diet with fiber and fermented foods, we give the good bacteria a chance to thrive, so our gut stays balanced and our body can fight infections better. For example, eating yogurt with live cultures can help restore the gut after a course of antibiotics, preventing diarrhea and keeping the immune system calm.