Understanding your microbiome (the trillions of microbes in your gut) is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward lifelong health. These microscopic partners impact digestion, immunity, mood, metabolism, and even disease risk.

So, what exactly is the microbiome, and why does it matter?

The microbiome includes bacteria, viruses, yeasts, protists, and sometimes archaea, living in different environments like your skin, lungs, mouth, and most significantly, your gut.

These microbes are not invaders; they live in symbiosis with us and are essential for maintaining good health. At TejoMed, we help patients understand how to cultivate a balanced microbiome to support vitality and prevent disease.

What Is the Gut Microbiota?

The gut microbiota refers specifically to the microorganisms living in your digestive tract, especially in the colon. This ecosystem contains 10 to 100 trillion microbes, often outnumbering human cells in the body. Each person’s microbiome is uniquely shaped by diet, lifestyle, environment, and medications.

The gut microbiota plays a central role in:

• Digesting food: Breaking down complex carbohydrates and producing essential nutrients.

• Supporting immunity: Helping the immune system distinguish between harmful invaders and friendly agents.

• Influencing mood and mental health: Through the gut-brain axis, it can impact anxiety, depression, and cognitive function.

• Regulating metabolism: Affecting weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.

Signs Your Microbiome Might Be Imbalanced

When the microbiome falls out of balance - a condition called dysbiosis - it can affect far more than just digestion. Common symptoms include:

• Digestive issues: bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and nutrient malabsorption.

• Weakened immunity: frequent colds, infections, or slow recovery.

• Allergies and food intolerances: increased sensitivity to foods or environmental triggers.

• Unexplained weight gain: changes in fat storage and appetite regulation.

• Others: Chronic fatigue, acne, UTIs, joint pain, and even fertility challenges.

At TejoMed, we take these symptoms seriously. As part of your care, we evaluate whether gut health may be contributing and offer a roadmap to restore balance.

What Helps or Harms the Microbiome?

Your daily habits play a critical role in shaping the health of your gut microbiome. Certain behaviors can support a diverse and balanced microbial environment, while others may disrupt it and contribute to symptoms over time. The good news is that the microbiome is highly adaptable. Even after setbacks (such as illness, antibiotic use, or chronic stress), it has the capacity to recover and rebalance with the right guidance and support.

Positive influences include:

• A diverse, fiber-rich diet (especially plants)

• Fermented foods and targeted probiotics

• Quality sleep and regular physical activity

• Stress management
  
  

Harmful influences include:

• Frequent antibiotics or unnecessary medications

• Highly processed foods and artificial sweeteners

• Chronic stress and poor sleep

• Excess alcohol or tobacco use
  
  

The good news? The microbiome is highly responsive to change. Even after disruption (e.g., illness, antibiotics), it can recover and rebalance with the right support.

Microbiome Testing at TejoMed: A Personalized Approach

As part of our preventative care and root-cause analysis, TejoMed offers access to advanced gut microbiome testing. These tests provide a snapshot of the bacterial, viral, fungal, and other microbial populations in your gut, helping us tailor care to your needs.

Why test the microbiome?

• Identify imbalances early, before disease develops

• Personalize your diet, supplement, or probiotic plan

• Track improvements over time as we work together on your health goals

Key Takeaways: How We Support You

• Your microbiome is dynamic, shaped more by daily habits than genetics.

• With the right testing and expert support, it’s possible to rebalance and strengthen your microbiome.

• At TejoMed, we integrate microbiome health into your broader care plan, using it as a tool to boost immunity, improve digestion, support weight management, and enhance mental clarity.
  
  

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’ve been experiencing persistent digestive issues, unexplained fatigue, frequent infections, or are simply curious about improving your long-term health, your microbiome might be the key. Our team at TejoMed is here to guide you.

We’ll help you:

• Assess your gut health through advanced testing

• Create a personalized nutrition and supplement strategy

• Track your improvements over time
  
  
  

Book a Call with a TejoMed Advisor and learn how TejoMed can support you. 

References:

• Zhernakova, A., et al. (2022). Microbiota in health and disease. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-022-00974-4

• Cleveland Clinic. (2023). What is your gut microbiome? https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/25201-gut-microbiome

• Moszak, A., et al. (2022). Human gut microbiota in health and disease. Frontiers in Microbiology. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.999001/full

• Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. G. (2012). Mind-altering microorganisms: the impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour. Journal of Neuroscience. 

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn3346

• Hwei-Ee Tan (2023).The microbiota-gut-brain axis in stress and depression. Frontiers in Neuroscience. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1151478/full

• Verywell Health. (2008). How your gut flora affects your health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-your-gut-flora-1944914

• Wikipedia. Gut–brain axis. 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gut%E2%80%93brain_axis ↩