Some bacteria and viruses in the gastrointestinal tract may promote health, according to a recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The researchers compared the virus composition of the gastrointestinal tracts of two groups: healthy individuals and individuals who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases. The study focuses on bacteriophage viruses, which tend to hide among bacteria.
Here's what you need to know:
1. The researchers analyzed 64 healthy individuals from the United States and Europe. More than half of these participants shared the same 23 bacteriophages in their gastrointestinal tracts.
2. These shared bacteriophages were found in a smaller proportion of individuals with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
3. Scientists already know that a balanced gut microbiome is associated with health, whereas changes in gut microbiome composition are associated with diseases; however, it is unknown whether these 23 bacteriophages cause health.
4. Moving forward, the researchers hope to determine whether these bacteriophages work to maintain human health.