Published in The Union’s 2025 Healthy You Magazine, page 7.
For nearly two decades, I’ve served Nevada County as an I-ACT certified colon hydrotherapist. Though I originally planned to attend medical school, the transformation I witnessed in clients—relief, clarity, and deep somatic and spiritual shifts—was something I couldn’t walk away from. I later pursued a Master’s in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, aligning my education with what I had already observed in practice: the centrality of the gut, and more specifically the microbiome, to whole-body health.
When I began, few people had heard the word “microbiome.” Now, it’s everywhere—on social media, in casual conversations—but despite this surge of interest, microbiome science remains in flux. Definitions evolve. Research methods shift. And discoveries continue to challenge what we thought we knew.
The human microbiome refers to the vast ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses, and their genomes that inhabit the body (Ma, Zuo, Frey, Zhang, & Li, 2024). The colon alone houses roughly 10¹⁴ microbes—compared to 10⁷ in the small intestine. These populations are shaped by age, diet, geography, genetics, and lifestyle (Govender & Ghai, 2025).
Thanks to landmark studies like the Human Microbiome Project and American Gut Project, microbes are no longer viewed solely as threats, but as essential collaborators. What were once feared as “germs” are now recognized as vital to our survival (Ma et al., 2024). They support immune function, regulate metabolism, blood sugar, digestion, even influence our mood and behavior. This has given rise to the emerging field of the gut-brain-microbiome axis (Ma et al., 2024; Zhou & Foster, 2015).
We’re at a turning point in how we view our human–microbe relationship. These microbes aren’t just passive residents—they perform critical roles that make the gut a complete and responsive organ system. A recent review by Ma and colleagues (2024) explores this complexity, examining whether microbes are innate or adaptive, beneficial or competitive, mobile or sedentary. Relationships vary depending on anatomical location, and when microbes cross into the bloodstream, they may trigger chronic inflammation or even organ failure. Some researchers now refer to the human body and its microbes as a “meta-host,” where our genetic blueprint is the innate genome, and the microbial genome—far more adaptable—is the adaptive genome and constantly shifts. Interestingly, only 0.1% of our human genome differs from person to person (Ma et al., 2024).
Even hygiene practices like tooth brushing, disinfecting, and bathing may be forcing microbes to subservient roles, raising new questions about balance and coexistence.
The gut-brain axis refers to constant, two-way communication between the digestive tract and the central nervous system (Zhou & Foster, 2015). This happens through neural pathways like the vagus nerve, and also assists hormones, immune signals, microbes, and their metabolites. Metabolites called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate—are produced when beneficial gut bacteria ferment dietary fiber (Mimee, Citorik, & Lu, 2016; Archana et al., 2024). SCFAs play a key role in immunity, intestinal integrity, and neurotransmission. When the microbiota are imbalanced, symptoms may include anxiety, depression, inflammation, leaky gut, or histamine sensitivity.
I practice an ancient healing art in a modern world. Colon hydrotherapy, vagal nerve stimulation, nutrition, lifestyle interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, psychobiotics and emotional regulation all offer promising ways to optimize the host-microbial relationship. While many of these therapies remain under-researched or controversial, sometimes the best evidence is how someone feels.
If you’re curious about supporting your gut-brain-microbiome health, book a free discovery call through my website to kickstart your journey. Another great first step? Eat the rainbow of fruits and vegetables. It’s simple, it’s powerful, and it nourishes your microbiome.
It’s time to expand research and rethink wellness—not as the absence of disease, but as the presence of harmony between human and microbe.
References
Archana, P., Fadadu, S. D., Chavda, V. P., Apostolopoulos, V., & Patel, D. (2024). Gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids in physiology and pathology: An update. Cell Biochemistry & Function, 42(3), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbf.4108
Govender, P., & Ghai, M. (2025). Population-specific differences in the human microbiome: Factors defining the diversity. Gene, 933, 148923. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gene.2024.148923.
Ma, Z., Zuo, T., Frey, N., Zhang, F., & Li, J. V. (2024). A systematic framework for understanding the microbiome in human health and disease: From basic principles to clinical translation. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 9(1), 237. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-024-01946-6.
Mimee, M., Citorik, R. J., & Lu, T. K. (2016). Microbiome therapeutics—Advances and challenges. Advanced drug delivery reviews, 105, 44-54.
Zhou, L., & Foster, J. A. (2015). Psychobiotics and the gut–brain axis: in the pursuit of happiness. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 11, 715.