For centuries, bacteria were viewed primarily as invaders, microscopic foes causing illness and infection. We waged war against them with antibiotics, sanitizers, and a zealous pursuit of sterility. But in recent decades, a silent revolution has been brewing, revealing a truth far more complex and profound: our bodies are not just hosts, but vibrant ecosystems, teeming with trillions of bacteria that are not only benign, but profoundly influential.
Welcome to the era of the microbiome – where the tiny inhabitants of our gut are increasingly understood to be pulling the strings of our health, from our digestion to our mood.
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