Our gut microbiome is our most important human organ. This complex ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea, and bacteriophages has been called the conductor of the immune–neuroendocrine system, home of the immune system, and even the second brain. In fact, the gut microbiome’s role in human biology is so widespread that scientists from nearly every specialty are checking for potential solutions within the gut. With chronic diseases on the rise across the world, the gut microbiome is now front and center in this epidemic.

Every human has trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi living inside and on them in multiple microbial ecosystems known as microbiomes. When it comes to athletes specifically, their gut bacteria plays an even more significant role in how well they perform and how quickly they recover. Gut microbes are responsible for the way in which our bodies break down carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and for regulating the body’s energy. These microbes influence the body’s inflammatory response, stress resilience, neurological function, and even impacting mental strength—all of which are important to athletic performance.

Got a gut feeling? Well, you might just be right! Did you know that humans have been around for 200,000 years? 98% of our existence has passed with an average life span between 19 – 25 years. Now isn’t that shocking! Yet, the exponential growth in science and medicine over the last two centuries has increased our life expectancy vastly. Researchers in the past decade or so, have been looking into factors that determine aging, longevity, and ability to adapt to environmental influences. One such factor that is associated with aging, is the microbial composition of our gut. Now, this might sound strange. But scientists will now be able to age you if you were to handover your stool sample to them!