Michael Pollan - Microbiomes (Click here for article)
This "article" is a small novella, but I enjoy Pollan's writing and perspective on health, food, and the world around us. I enjoyed this one too.
Short-notes: the science of Microbiomes is brand new, and they make no claims out of certainty, but are confident to recommend diets inclusive of fermented foods (probiotics): kimchi, kombucha, yogurt, saurkraut, lacto-fermented pickles, craft beer (unpasteurized, for real!), ect. As well, food preparation makes a difference, al dante noodles, crunchy steamed veggies, steal cut oats vs rolled oats. Fermentation is our friend.
When pathogens and toxic chemicals are involved, wash. When they are not, consider not washing...your hands, your food, ect. Munch out of your organic garden with the sun on your back, but wash the grocery store produce.
Additives, antimicrobials and processing of westernized foods adds to the sterility of food, of good and bad bacteria, cutting down on the variety of bacteria present. Diversity, at least, is a cornerstone belief in microbiology as a good thing.
Fascinating comments on the study of breast milk and early colonization of infants! Fascinating comments on remote communities of the world! And lots of implications surrounding better understanding of how healthy gut, mouth, and skin flora may impact our common chronic ailments. All good reasons to stay tuned as discoveries evolve in this area of study!
Want more (or smaller bites of information)? American Gut Project
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