Glossary

Colon – Also known as the large intestine and a primary location for bacteria to live in the human body. Although it is shorter in length than the small intestine, it is much wider in diameter. Because of this the transit time is longer. 

Commensal bacteria – A neutral relationship between to different types of bacteria in which they live in a share location and neither provoke or benefit each other. 

Dysbiosis – An imbalance of bacteria in the body. This can refer to the type of bacteria or amount.  

Fermentation – The chemical process by which organisms, most commonly bacteria, converts carbohydrates into an acid or alcohol. Humans have utilized fermentation for food storage purposes for centuries. 

Homeostasis – A steady state of internal physical and chemical conditions maintained by self-regulating processes by the body.  

Microbiome – The collection of microbial cells living in the human body in one location. Often used in reference the gut microbiome.  

Microbe/Microorganism - microscopic (not visible to the naked eye) organism such as a bacterium, virus, or yeast.  

Gut microbiota – The community of microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract of humans.  

Mucosa – Special tissue that lines hollow organs that have exposure to the outside world including the mouth, lungs, GI 

Pathogenic – A disease causing microorganism. 

Prebiotic - A food that humans cannot digest, but that feeds beneficial bacteria found in the colon and promote the production of post biotics. 

Probiotic - Live microorganisms that benefit the host, when in adequat amounts.