the effect of EXERCISE on the microbiome
Most of us are familiar these days with the concept of the gut microbiome - that is the mainly bacterial ecosystem inside our gut which is responsible for not only the breakdown of food, but also metabolic health, immune function and even brain function. The composition of the gut microbiome varies from person to person, and while your microbiome might be closer in composition to people related to you, overall it is uniquely yours and is like a snapshot of you and your life.
A diverse spectrum of bacteria as well as other organisms such as yeasts and viruses make up our gut microbiome, and we have learnt that increased diversity is desirable and is associated with better health of the microbiome and by extension, our general bodily health.
With such a two-way relationship, it should come as no surprise that exercise can influence the microbiome, and recent studies have borne this out. It seems that even small amounts of exercise may have a beneficial affect, with cardio-type exercises such as brisk walking, running, cycling, and cardio routines conferring greater benefit than strength training in terms of increasing beneficial bacterial populations. The key is to make the exercise regular, make sure you get your heart rate up, and get in a mix of activities, such as brisk walking or running one day, swimming or pump class the next.
