Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, and collaborators in the international MetaHIT consortium, have found that humans have three different gut types.
The study, originally posted on Nature discovered that microbial genetic markers that are related to traits such as age, gender and body-mass index. These gene markers are hoped to be used one day to diagnose and predict outcomes for certain diseases. And a persons gut type information could help with the treatment of it. The bacteria in our gut does many things such as digest food and break down toxins. But they found that the number of different bacteria and quantity varies from person to person.
"We found that the combination of microbes in the human intestine isn't random," says Peer Bork, who led the study at EMBL: "our gut flora can settle into three different types of community -- three different ecosystems, if you like."
It is yet known by scientists though why people have these different gut type, but speculate that it may depend on each individuals immune system and how it distinguishes good and bad bacteria.
I found this article to be interesting that we are made up of different "gut types" just like our blood types. Our blood types are extremely important and maybe these gut types will be one day too. Its another step towards finding ways to diagnose and treat different diseases.
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