Family influences our genetics and traditions, and our closest relationships also shape who we are over time. A subtle example: the way your partner might change your food preferences, such as a taste for spicy food. Surprisingly, our relationships also impact our microbiota, that dynamic community of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses that inhabits our bodies.
Although the microbiota is formed mainly during the first years of life, studies reveal that it evolves throughout our life, influenced by our choices, diet, environment and, significantly, by the people we live with. Below, we will explain how relationships influence our microbiome.
The Mother and the Microbiota: The Beginning of Everything
During vaginal birth, the baby comes into contact with its first microbes in the birth canal, a process known as “microbial seeding.” In this process, the mother transfers vaginal and intestinal bacteria to the baby, essential for the development of the immune system, metabolic regulation and disease prevention. Disruptions in this early colonization can have long-term effects, such as an increased risk of eczema, allergies or asthma.
It is estimated that about 50% of bacterial strains in a baby’s gut during its first year come from its mother, most from her gut [1-2]. Although this connection diminishes as we grow older, it can persist: one study found that 30-year-old adults share, on average, 14% of strains with their mothers [2].
Sharing Microbiota with Family
Although the gut matures most rapidly in the first three years of life, it continues to change throughout our lives. The members of a family, the spaces we share, and the meals we enjoy together all influence the diversity of our microbiota.
One study showed that members of the same family share a significant portion of their microbes. It is even possible to differentiate families within the same geographic region based on their microbiomes [3]. Furthermore, the longer they live together, the more similar their microbiomes are [4].
This underscores that families are not only social units, but also shared microbial ecosystems. Each family creates a unique microbial world based on its genetics, lifestyle and environment.
Marriage and Microbiota: An Intimate Connection
Close relationships, such as marriage, have a significant impact on our gut microbiota. Do couples share gut bacteria? One study found that couples share, on average, 30% of their microbiome species. This percentage is higher the longer they have lived together [4].
In fact, married people tend to have richer and more diverse microbiotas than those who live alone. Especially if the relationship is close, this connection even surpasses genetic or environmental factors shared by siblings [4]. This finding is consistent with studies linking quality relationships with better health and greater longevity [4-5].
Could gut microbiota be the reason? While healthy relationships make us happier, it's fascinating to think that they could also influence our gut health and, consequently, our overall well-being.
Relationships and Health: Implications of Microbial Exchange
This microbial exchange raises questions about its long-term health effects. One study found that aspects such as satisfaction and openness in a relationship correlate with greater gut microbial diversity, which is beneficial for health [6]. In contrast, suppressing thoughts and emotions is associated with lower diversity.
Another study found that people with lower marital satisfaction had more symptoms of depression and a reduction in gut microbial richness [7]. This suggests a bidirectional relationship between gut health and emotional well-being. Gut problems may stem from marital stress or even exacerbate depressive symptoms.
Microbial diversity is linked to chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, as well as chronic inflammation and other risks. These findings highlight the importance of gut health as a key component of overall well-being.
Gut Health is a Family Affair
Our microbiota is not static or formed only in childhood. It is continually evolving, influenced by our social interactions, ways of living together, and daily choices. As we explore this “microbial dance,” we understand how our daily lives impact our health in previously unexplored ways.
Could caring for our relationships be as important as our diet for our gut health? Only by knowing our microbiota can we answer these questions. If you are curious about your gut health or looking to solve health problems, a microbiome test can offer answers. Find out how Biotasmart can help you and your family understand and improve your gut health today!
References
[1] H. Enav, F. Bäckhed, and RE Ley, “The developing infant gut microbiome: A strain-level view,” Cell Host Microbe, vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 627–638, May 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.04.009.
[2] M. Valles-Colomer et al., “The person-to-person transmission landscape of the gut and oral microbiomes,” Nature, vol. 614, no. 7946, pp. 125–135, Feb. 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-05620-1.
[3] PD Schloss, KD Iverson, JF Petrosino, and SJ Schloss, “The dynamics of a family's gut microbiota reveal variations on a theme,” Microbiome, vol. 2, p. 25, Jul. 2014, doi: 10.1186/2049-2618-2-25.
[4] KA Dill-McFarland et al., “Close social relationships correlate with human gut microbiota composition,” Sci. Rep., vol. 9, no. 1, p. 703, Jan. 2019, doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-37298-9.
[5] TF Robles, RB Slatcher, JM Trombello, and MM McGinn, “Marital quality and health: a meta-analytic review,” Psychol. Bull., vol. 140, no. 1, pp. 140–187, Jan. 2014, doi: 10.1037/a0031859.
[6] Q. Cheng et al., “Relationship Functioning and Gut Microbiota Composition among Older Adult Couples,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, vol. 20, no. 8, Apr. 2023, doi: 10.3390/ijerph20085435.
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