• Question: I've always been taught that bacteria is bad so what makes the bacteria in our gut good?

    Asked by to Wioleta, Vanessa on 18 Jun 2020. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Wioleta Trzaska

      Wioleta Trzaska answered on 18 Jun 2020:

      Bacteria that lives in our gut breaks down the food we are eating so we can get the most nutrients out of it. They can also communicate with our immune system and help us to fight against various pathogens. It is also known that they can stimulate our nervous system, so may have an impact on our mood and mental health. We have many organisms living in our body; bacteria, fungi, viruses etc…mainly they are very good for us, often protects us and fight the “bad” ones by competing of nutrients and space…

Comments

  • Photo: Martin

    Martin commented on :

    Interestingly some bacteria can be host-specific so a bacteria which is harmful to people may be harmless to other animals. Most bacteria appear to be harmless to people and aside from breaking down food, they can occupy a space such that the bad bacteria cannot. It’s known for example that some cancer treatments can kill the bacteria which then means an opportunistic bad guy can get in when they otherwise would not have been able to because there is no space.