What do the soil under our feet, the pets in our homes, and the microbes in fermented foods all have in common? They are all part of the same vast microbial web, and they all help shape your gut.
On this World Microbiome Day, we explore the One Health perspective: the idea that human, animal, and environmental health are not separate concerns but expressions of the same interconnected system.
What is One Health, and why does it matter to your gut?
At its heart, One Health is the recognition that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems is closely linked and interdependent1. While we may often think of ourselves as individuals, science now shows we are “holobionts2“, complex collectives of human cells and trillions of microbes intimately connected to and co-evolving. Bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea, are not just passengers. They are active participants in our health, influencing everything from digestion and immunity to mood and metabolism.
