Are microbes harmful or beneficial to humans?

It is generally accepted that microbes bring only harm to a person. However, few people know that more than 500 types of microbes live in the human body, which perform a protective function. Many of these microorganisms, located on human skin, in the mouth and on the mucous membranes of some internal organs, form a kind of protective film. They are the first to pounce on harmful substances and do not let them into the body.

Are microbes harmful or beneficial to humans?

 

How useful are microbes

The useful activity of microbes is very diverse. In particular, microorganisms are involved in the processes of digestion, in the processes of metabolism of a number of substances, including those toxic to the body. They promote the assimilation of a number of vitamins, calcium and phosphorus from food consumed by humans, carry out the synthesis of essential amino acids and many vitamins. And this is not a complete list of the beneficial activities of bacteria and fungi that live in our intestines.

Are microbes harmful or beneficial to humans?

An interesting fact is that in the human body there are microbes that:

  • produce the necessary vitamins;
  • participate in the regulation of sex hormones;
  • are responsible for the attractiveness of a person to the opposite sex.

 

Excessive concern for body cleanliness

Our natural microbial background is very important for our skin. Approximately 500 essential microorganisms live on the human body at all times. However, this necessary microflora is disturbed by many people due to the unreasonably frequent use of antibacterial soap, since it destroys beneficial saprophyte microbes.

The use of various bactericidal detergents is appropriate for cuts, abrasions or scratches. But their constant use can hardly be considered justified.

As a rule, people do not know how long to use antibacterial soap and when to stop. Because of this, the resistance of the skin is lost. And, therefore, by cleansing the skin in this way, we can open our body to more dangerous microbes. That is why antibiotic experts recommend stopping the sale of germicidal detergents.

Are microbes harmful or beneficial to humans?

Studies by British scientists have shown that life in a sterile environment is dangerous for the human body. In particular, the risk of all kinds of allergies increases.

 

Some interesting facts about microbes

  • Humans are born without bacteria. They acquire them during the first years of life.
  • Some microbes cause disease, others protect against them. Sometimes the same bacterium can both harm a person and have a positive effect.
  • The number of bacteria and microbes in the human body exceeds the number of cells in the human body by about 10 times.
  • Bacteria are not easy to get rid of. For example, after washing your hands, the skin on the palm of your hand still remains dirty. Even on very clean hands, there are 100 microorganisms per square centimeter. By shaking someone's hand, a person brings 16 million of their bacteria into contact with the same amount in the other palm. With a kiss on the lips, there is a mutual "acquaintance" of 42 million microbes.

Are microbes harmful or beneficial to humans?