The microbiome refers to the trillions of microbes in and on the human body (including six pounds in the gut) that influence digestion, nutrient absorption, hormone balance, energy levels, skin clarity, moods, weight, cravings, immunity, and overall vitality. According to the National Institutes of Health, you have 10 times as many bacterial cells in your body as human ones.

There’s more going on in your G.I. tract than digesting food and assimilating nutrients so your body can use them. Seventy percent of the cells that make up your immune system are found in the gut. It also has its own nervous system, the Enteric Nervous System (ENT), that helps your gut convey messages directly to your brain via the vagus nerve, through which it sends signals that are interpreted as emotions. (Did you know 95% of serotonin, a.k.a. the happiness hormone, is produced in the gut?) 

A healthy gut is diverse and balanced. When this homeostasis is disrupted by the presence of too many pathogenic bacteria—a condition called gut dysbiosis—it can result in system-wide inflammation that leads to a host of issues, including digestive problems, autoimmune symptoms, weight gain, and acne.

By cultivating a healthy gut microbiome through an anti-inflammatory, plant-rich diet and the use of a daily probiotic like The Complete Probiotic Formula, you’re ensuring that there is more “good” bacteria than “bad”—making for a ratio that your body loves.