We have more bacteria cells than human cells
Wait, what?
I had to read the actual title twice because I immediately thought this was a mistake or something, I guess subconsciously I thought something was wrong with it. The real title of the article is “Humans Carry More Bacterial Cells than Human Ones” and It seems to me that there is something odd with it grammatically. But anyway, it got my attention which was good because this article reveals some interesting facts. I also wonder, how can it be, if we have that many more, wouldn’t we see them physically? It turns out, the answer is no because they are much smaller than our own cells.
So here’s some of the highlights.
- There are 10 times more bacterial cells in your body than human cells.
- Babies ingest mouthfuls of bacteria during birthing and pick up plenty more from their mother’s skin and milk
- There are estimated to be more than 500 species living at any one time in an adult intestine
- Bacteria produce chemicals that help us harness energy and nutrients from our food
- Intestinal bacteria appear to keep our immune systems healthy
And these got me wondering other stuff about bacteria so here’s other tidbits I found.
- Bacteria grow anywhere on Earth.
- Bacteriology is the study of bacteria, which is itself a branch of microbiology.
- Example of bacteria caused diseases: cholera, syphilis, anthrax, leprosy, tuberculosis.
- Antibiotics fight against bacterial diseases.
- Consumables made with bacteria in the process: cheese, yogurt, beer amongst others.
- Research suggests that spices were used as anti-bacterial ingredients, and that their flavor-enhancing properties are more of a secondary benefit.
- These spices, to name a few and some of the most popular, are considered anti-bacterial; garlic, onion, allspice, hot peppers, ginger etc.
- The same research suggests why food in hot-climates is significantly richer in flavor than food from cold-climates. Think Thai vs Swedish. The connection comes as this: In warmer temperatures, people knew to use more spices to keep their food edible for longer periods of time. While in colder weather, this might not have been such a problem thus the need for spices was significantly less.
- This also suggests that spices were probably not used to “cover up” spoiled food, but to prevent it from becoming spoiled in the first place.
- This research I guess is known part of the antimicrobial hypothesis of the origin of spices.
- The top 30 anti-bacterial spices:
- Garlic, Onion, Allspice, Oregano, Thyme, Cinnamon,
- Tarragon, Cumin, Cloves, Lemon grass, Bay leaf
- Capsicums (peppers), Rosemary, Marjoram, Mustard
- Caraway, Mint, Sage, Fennel, Coriander, Dill, Nutmeg
- Basil, Parsley, Cardamom, Pepper, Ginger, Anise seed
- Celery seed and lemon/lime
- There are good germs and bad germs.
References:
- Bacteria, Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteria
- December 6, 2007, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/1998/03/980305053307.htm
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This is exactly why I really don’t understand the whole. “Lets kill EVERYTHING with bleach” mentality of most of America. We’ve been living with it for so long that our bodies are used to it and can handle fighting it off. blah blah blah.
Thanks Oscar, great article :-). I wonder how many scrillions of bacteria are transferred from one person to another via the coffee pot or water cooler at our office. And I KNOW some of the people at our office don’t flush, or wash their hands after using the toilet… Nasty.
Thanks CJ and Steve for stoping by!
@ CJ, yeah I agree with you. We might, or should consider living with less “anti-bacterial” stuff. I personally stay away from “anti-bacterial” products in a loose rule of thumb. I opt for the regular 409, instead of the anti-bacterial. I use the cheapest and regular soap, etc. Simply because the nature of microorganisms seems to be one of evolution and survival so by definition it is a race… we kill them, they figure it out and evolve. So if we leave them alone they should find no need to “improve” their defenses. And also I believe our immune system then takes the role of blocking them simply by building up and strenghtening itself… if we kill them all, eventually our bodies stop developing our natural defense mechanisms and when you actually face a nasty bacterial infection it can hit you hard.
This is why I cringe when parents freak out that their kids play on the dirt or on “unsanitary” places. I say… let them to certain degree. montitor them but allow them to get a little dirty and stuff.
@ Steve, Thanks! yeah like you said off line… I am a bit concerned more about “other people’s bacteria” than I am of my own, after all we have thousands that have made residence in our bodies since before we were born and we’re all fine right? I agree with the issues of personal hygiene and these definitely need to be addressed in extreme cases.
title: We are have…. say what? Your English are good.
Chava
thanks, for noticing. LOL
me are teh sucks
While I certainly see the benefit of bacteria and do realize that the more anti-bacterial products we use the tougher these things will be to kill, I can’t help douse my hands in Purell after touching the doorknobs that co-workers touch right after they “dump and dash”. Hey listen, we may not work in the most prestigious of spaces but we do have running water, soap, and towels. I wish they would take the extra 20 seconds to clean up after dropping some IQ points ya know..??..
You can have my Purell when you pry it from my cold dead (germ free) hands!!
I totally agree on the Purell thing and I think its a good thing especially after some of the stuff we’ve seen in our offices. I think I am more against “everythihng” anti-bacterial. And its not that I’m actually against it, I think it is just more of a preference.