The Effects of Western Civilization on the Microbiome

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to highlight the importance of the microbiome and to explore the effects that Western environment, medicine, and food have on the body’s microflora. By tracing the relationship we have with the bacterial world around us from the moment we are born and throughout our lives, we will have a better understanding of how we are positively and negatively affecting our microbiome. Moreover, evaluating our relationship with antibiotics, probiotics, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives will provide a detailed picture of how to increase the good bacteria that we need to survive. We will focus on the foods we should and should not eat and debunk current diet trends in the hopes of educating the consumer as to how best to feed his body.