Normal intestinal microbiota: what is it really and why does the diagnosis of "dysbacteriosis" no longer exist?

Біговий захід GoMove в Ужгороді за підтримки Ediens

If you consider yourself 100% human, science is ready to argue with you. The number of human cells in our body is about 30 trillion, while the number of bacterial cells is about 38 trillion. That is, the ratio is about 50:50. In our gastrointestinal tract alone, about 2 kilograms of bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa live.

Everyone is talking about gut health these days, but what exactly does a “normal microbiota” mean? What should the ideal balance be and why are old treatments no longer working? Let’s find out.

Microbiota or Microbiome: What's the difference?

These words are often used as synonyms, but there is a fundamental difference between them:

The microbiota is the collection of living microorganisms that inhabit a specific environment (such as the gut or skin) and that can be isolated and cultured in the laboratory.
The microbiome is a much broader concept. It includes not only the microorganisms themselves and their genes (which are 150 times more numerous than human genes), but also the “theater of their activity” — the environment, conditions, and products of their vital activity (metabolites).

The myth of “good” and “bad” bacteria

For decades, doctors diagnosed patients with “dysbiosis.” Today, in modern science, this concept is considered outdated. It is much more correct to talk about a disturbance in the balance .

Scientists emphasize a revolutionary idea: there are no absolutely good or absolutely bad bacteria . Everything is determined by balance. Even the most beneficial microorganisms, if they become too numerous, can lead to disorders and imbalance.

Therefore, the “norm” of the microbiota is formed not simply by the names of the bacteria, but by two key factors:

Individual quantitative ratio: Each person has their own unique intestinal “formula”.
Functional capacity: What matters most is what these bacteria can do and what metabolites they produce.

What does a “normal” microbiota do for our body?

When your microbiota is in its individual balance, it works like a powerful chemical factory and an invisible shield:

Immunity: At least 75% of immune cells are concentrated in the gut. A normal microbiota ensures immune stability and protects against chronic inflammation.
Vitamin synthesis: Your bacteria independently synthesize B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B8, B12), vitamins K and C, and folic acid.
Mental health (gut-brain axis): Certain strains (such as bifidobacteria) produce short-chain fatty acids (butyrate) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which are involved in the production of serotonin. Your bacteria directly control your mood and stress levels.

Where does OUR norm come from?

Have you ever wondered why one person can eat anything and not gain weight, while another person puts on weight with every calorie they eat? Scientists conducted a study on identical twins (with the same genetics) who were raised in different environments after birth. As adults, their microbiomes were radically different, with one of them being obese and the other not.

This proves the main rule: each person has the microbiome they deserve . Your individual norm is formed throughout life and depends on:

How you were born (naturally or by cesarean section).
Who do you live with in the same apartment?
Are you experiencing chronic stress?
What do you eat every day?

How to maintain or restore your norm?

If you're feeling bloated, tired, have skin problems, or are overweight, your microbiota needs help. But the classic approach doesn't work here.

1. Forget about blindly taking probiotics

Taking drugs that contain 36 different strains of bacteria without testing is harming yourself. Your own bacteria (“commensals”) have already taken their places. If you artificially throw dozens of other strains in there, they will be uncomfortable, and you can simply destroy your unique native flora. It is much more effective to use personalized pharmabiotics — drugs with proven clinical effects, which are selected after an in-depth analysis of your intestines.

2. Feed the microbes, not yourself

When we eat, we actually need to feed our microorganisms. To maintain normal biodiversity:

Eat legumes, beans, and fruits—they contain a lot of fiber, which is ideal food for bifidobacteria.
Eat fermented foods (yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir). They contain lactobacilli, which reduce the number of unwanted microbes.
Avoid artificial sweeteners (like aspartame) and ultra-processed foods, as they stimulate the growth of pathogenic bacteria and disrupt the balance.

3. Make a passport of your microbiome

To know your "norm", modern medicine offers a genetic analysis of the intestinal microbiome. This will allow you to see your Omics profile, determine the metabolic activity of bacteria and create a personalized nutrition plan for you that will work better than any medication.

Your normal microbiota is not a standard table from a textbook. It is your personal, unique universe. Take care of it, feed it properly, and it will thank you with strong immunity and energy!