So far in this series on how to Lose 10 lbs. With A Better Gut Microbiome, we've looked at how your diet and environment affect your microbiome and how your gut microbiome affects your weight. Now we'll get into perhaps the most interesting topic of all -- how your microbiome is affected by social interactions. Could your social circle be impacting your microbiome and thereby causing weight gain? And if so, what can be done about it? Let's get into some of the research.
Studies do find that people who spend time together typically have a similar gut microbiome composition (Yale News, 2024). That's because of an exchange of microbes that occurs through contact. Microbes are exchanged through a variety of means, but some routes might include sharing a hug, a handshake, a kiss, a meal, or even just being in the same room.
Looking at very specific strains of bacteria, researchers find that people with the closest connections, those you live with or see every day, tend to have the most similar gut microbiome. The more people interact, the more closely their gut microbiomes begin to resemble one another.
And it's even bigger than that. Not only does your social circle affect your microbiome -- but the extended circles of the people in your own circle also affect your microbiome. This is being called a transmission chain. Researchers suggest that friends of friends share more microbes than you might expect.
In a sense, microbes spread like germs. Some are good and can have a positive impact. But others cause trouble. Since we know that your microbiome affects your health, your weight, your mood, and your risk of certain diseases, this research shines a new light on the traditional rules of transmissibility. By affecting your flora, the transmission of microbes could spread gut microbiome conditions that, in turn, increase your risk of various health conditions that we wouldn't typically think of as being contagious. Things like depression, high blood pressure, or obesity.
Having an abundance of certain bacteria in your microbiome is known to increase your risk of obesity. If friends pass along these microbes, changing the balance of your gut microbiome, you become more likely to gain and hold on to extra body weight.
Don't worry. Awareness of this new form of transmissibility doesn't mean you need to avoid your friends or loved ones. Instead, get to know your own gut microbiome and make adjustments to your nutrition and lifestyle to keep it healthy and well-balanced, thus safeguarding against outside influences. When you have an abundance of good gut flora, you'll be better protected. And you can teach your friends about gut bacteria too, so your whole circle becomes healthier.
Energy Matters, LLC. partners with Microbiome Labs to provide home testing of your individual microbiome. With this knowledge, Rose might assist you in developing a specifically tailored program to improve your gut microbiome, your health and vitality, and/or your weight loss journey. Registered users can also shop special products and protocols to rebalance your gut microbiome. Contact Rose directly for her exclusive registration code and schedule a consultation for personalized guidance.
What to Remember:
Your microbiome affects your physical and mental health.
Your social circle affects your gut microbiome. Microbes are transmitted through interactions like hugging or sharing a meal.
The transmission of microbes may alter your risk of health conditions not previously considered contagious.
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