In this article we are unveiling the intriguing link between Soil Microbes and human gut health by the role beneficial soil microbes play in plant nutrient delivery.

Today, studies show that humans are around 90% deficient of beneficial gut bacteria. This is due to an increase in artificial environments, chemical pollutants, our obsession with over-sanitising, and not spending enough time in nature, or eating natural food.

 

A diversity of beneficial microbes in the human organism creates homeostatis

 

Soil microbes play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our gut. These beneficial microorganisms have a symbiotic relationship with plants by helping them absorb nutrition from the soil.

When we consume nutrient-dense foods, we indirectly consume these beneficial microorganisms along with the essential nutrients that they have transported into the plant.

Our Gut Houses Trillions of Microorganisms

The connection between soil microbes and gut health lies in the fact that our gut is home to trillions of bacteria that make up our microbiome. This microbiome plays a vital role in various aspects of our health, including digestion, immune function, and even mental well-being.

 

Consuming nutrient-dense foods grown in soil rich with diverse microbial communities positively effects our health

 

 

The presence of beneficial microbes, in the microbiome, enhances nutrient absorption, promotes a healthy balance of bacteria, and supports overall digestive function.

Research suggests that individuals who consume diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other plant-based foods tend to have a diverse and healthy gut microbiome. This diversity is associated with better overall immunity and health outcomes.

 

Modern agricultural practices such as pesticide use and synthetic fertilisers negatively impact soil microbial communities

 

How to improve soil fertility, organically

Parallels of the Human Gut and the Soil

The human microbiome has many parallels with the behaviours of soil microorganisms and their relationship with plants. In both cases, there is a diversity of microbes and biological activities performing a myriad of different functions.  For example, there are creative microbes, stabilising microbes, and demolishing microbes. This diversity of microbes all function together as a whole, and need each other to perpetuate the cycle of life.

The human body houses microbes in the gut, mouth, nasal passages and other ‘habitats’ both in and on the body.  We have coevolved as ‘superorganisms’ with microbes that perform critical functions and provide essential ‘health services’.

The microbial health of our gut is inextricably linked to the health of the microbes in the soil.  We are at the stage now in our human evolution where we are just beginning to understand what soil microorganisms do.

 

Soil microorganisms cycle nutrients and water to plants and ultimately to our food and the human organism

The bacteria in the soil is akin to the “stomach” of plants.  Soil microbes have a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, and enable the digestion of nutrients to happen, so that the plants can assimilate nutrients.

The Benefits of Beneficial Microbes in the Soil

Boosting beneficial microbes in the soil has numerous benefits for agricultural, environmental, and human health purposes.

Soil microbes, which include bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, play a crucial role in maintaining soil health and fertility.

One of the key benefits of promoting beneficial microbes in the soil is improved nutrient cycling. These microorganisms break down organic matter and release essential nutrients that plants need for growth. This process enhances nutrient availability and uptake by plants, leading to healthier and more productive crops.

Additionally, beneficial soil microbes can help suppress plant diseases. Some microbial species have the ability to inhibit or compete with pathogenic organisms, reducing the risk of crop infections and increasing natural plant immunity.

Why we need Healthy Gut Microorganisms

Microbes in the human body aid digestion and maintain our immune system.  Soil microorganisms digest nutrients and protect plants against pathogens and other threats.  Are you getting the correlation?

For example, plants form symbiotic associations with fungi that colonise their roots and extend the reach of the roots a hundred-fold.  These fungal filaments channel nutrients and water back to the plants cells.  Furthermore, these filaments are also used as communication systems for the plants to warn other plants of threats or pests, ie. immunity.

Interrupting these intricate pathways, through heavy tillage or chemical overuse, inhibits the plants immunity, just as interrupting the human gut microbiome, by way of eg. chemical consumption, can deplete the human immune system.

Soil microbes highway and internet, fungi

Soil and Gut Health Solutions

Vital microbes, in the human gut, are destroyed through the overuse of antibiotics, chlorine, and chemicals used in farming and processed foods.  We have also devastated the microbiota in the soil through the overuse of chemical fertilisers, fungicides, herbicides, pesticides and heavy tillage.
Read Why Farmers are Shifting to Organic Nitrogen.

Reintroducing beneficial soil bacteria to depleted soil is akin to eating naturally cultured and grown foods to restore the gut microbiome

How To Repair The Damage

Repairing the soil can be done through regenerative agriculture and natural farming, using natural soil care practices, and organic inputs like Biological Fertilisers.  These are practices that can be effectively applied to both small or large-scale agricultural systems.

The best way to restore the human gut health is to eat a diversity of fresh foods, particularly leafy greens, that have been grown and picked fresh, from natural ‘living’ soil as well as naturally cultured or fermented foods.

 

It is now believed that autoimmune and other diseases is owed to the disruption between our bodies and the natural microbial soil system that we coevolved with.  Zach Bush MD describes this in detail in the above excellent video.

You Might Also Like…

Why is Nutrient Dense Food Important?

Nutrient dense food is not only more healthful for us, but it can also help to improve our agricultural systems.  We have witnessed the results of...

Benefits of Interplanting Small Mixed Crops

Discover 5 benefits of interplanting small crops like leafy greens, herbs and vegetables in the same garden using open-pollinated seeds. 1.  There...

Top 7 Benefits of using Seaweed in Regenerative Agriculture

In regenerative agriculture, farmers aim to improve soil health and fertility while minimising their reliance on synthetic inputs. Seaweed serves as...

5 Ways to Build Soil Biology for Long Term Profitability

Building soil biology is a crucial aspect of sustainable agriculture and gardening practices. By encouraging the return of microbial life and...

7 Uses for Comfrey in the Garden and on the Farm

Comfrey, Symphytum officinale, a versatile plant known for its remarkable properties, probably has the widest range of uses in a permaculture system...

Benefits of Fermentation for Biofertiliser Production

Fermentation is a process that has been utilised for centuries in various industries, including the production of biofertilisers. Biofertilisers are...

Cultivate Resilient Orchards Using Liquid Fish Hydrolysate

Crop resilience is a common goal for farmers following long-term visions.  As the resilience grows, the less the farmer has to work, and the more...

How to Reduce Farm Odours with Beneficial Microbes

Livestock farmers are turning to innovative solutions to tackle the challenge of odour in animal enclosures. By harnessing the power of beneficial...

How to Improve Animal Gut Health for Enhanced Feed Conversions

Animal feed conversion is the ratio of the amount of an animal feedstuff consumed divided by the weight gain of the animal. The efficiency of feed...

The Why and How of Fermentative Composting

Discover the numerous benefits of fermentative composting, also known as the SPIC method, for your garden and the environment. Learn how this...

Turning Fish Waste into Premium Fish Hydrolysate Fertiliser

Global Fish Consumption Fish and marine products have long been recognized as one of the most popular sources of protein for human consumption. With...

How To Get Nutrient Density From Your Food

These days you don't have to be just a consumer to shop at the supermarket, you have to be a scientist.  How did we create such a dependence on a...

Understanding Regenerative Agriculture: Benefits and Practices

Using natural farming methods, to grow food, has been around since man first 'mingled' with nature and required food to sustain himself, his family,...

8 Compelling Reasons to Choose SONIC On-Farm Production Services

Farmers stand to gain numerous benefits from utilising SONIC On-Farm Production Services to acess fresh Fish Hydrolysate and Liquid Seaweed...

How To Maximise Healthy Seed Germination

When it comes to seed germination, the treatment of seeds with biological fertilisers has shown promising results in terms of faster germination...

How to Increase Soil Fertility through Mixed-Species Planting

Multi-species planting and pasture cropping can provide a number of benefits to the soil, including improved soil structure, weed control, increased...

Maximize Livestock Nutrition with the Ultimate Nutrient-Dense Diet

The digestive system of ruminant animals is specially adapted to extract maximum nutrition from plants they have eaten.  The digestive system...

7 Reasons why Farmers are Shifting to Organic Nitrogen Fertilisers

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, many farmers are moving away from using chemical nitrogen and toward...