how many different bacterial species does the gut microbiome contain?
The human gut is host to a vast and complex bacterial ecosystem, containing trillions of bacteria from hundreds of different species. While the precise composition of this microbiome varies from individual to individual, recent studies have estimated that it may contain thousands of different bacterial species.
The gut microbiome plays a critical role in human health, providing important nutrients and helping to protect against infection. Dysregulation of the gut microbiome has been linked with a variety of diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
Further research is needed to understand the full extent of the gut microbiome's impact on human health, but these initial findings suggest that it may be an important target for preventative and therapeutic interventions.