The human gut is home to a thriving ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms – collectively known as the gut microbiota. Far from being passive inhabitants, these microbes form a dynamic community that influences nearly every facet of human health. They are essential for digesting complex carbohydrates, synthesizing vitamins, training the immune system, regulating mood, and maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier. Together, these functions make the intestinal microbiota crucial regulators of human physiology – especially the balance of energy and metabolism. In fact, the microbiota’s role is so integral that disturbances in its composition and function – often described as an imbalance – have been  linked to shifts in markers of metabolic and immune function. 

In a balanced state, the microbiota maintains a delicate harmony between beneficial and potentially disruptive organisms. This equilibrium supports gut barrier function, modulates immune responses, and sustains metabolic resilience. When this balance is altered, signals of stress or imbalance can appear – both in the gut and more widely in the body.