4 Ways Your Environment Affects Your Microbiome, From An MD

At this point, we're well versed in the importance of the gut microbiome, but integrative medicine doctor Amy Shah, M.D., said it's important to remember that the microbiome extends beyond the gut. "It's in our skin, in our mouths, and it's even in the environment we live in."

Roommate situations aren't always ideal (especially if you're sharing a bathroom), but according to Shah, living with people outside of your immediate family helps create a healthier microbiome. Pets and young children, who tend to track in dirt, can have the same effect.

Using antibacterial products kills both good and bad bacteria, so it's important to avoid harsh chemicals and antibacterials while cleaning. If you already know this, then you likely have a healthy microbiome, but this is where living with roommates might not be as beneficial. 

Although they get less attention, "prebiotics may be just as important...as probiotics for gut health," Vincent Pedre, M.D., wrote for mbg. "This is because they feed our friendly flora." Without prebiotic nutrients, the healthy bacteria in probiotics would have nothing to attach to and therefore wouldn't flourish. 

Translated into food, the nutrients become fiber, which helps promote bowel regularity and an overall healthier gut. When it comes to consuming fruits and vegetables, Shah said at least five servings a day is the marker for a healthy microbiome.

Interacting with bacteria that live in and on plants can increase your own bacterial diversity. If you live in an urban area, houseplants or a terrace herb garden will do the trick. If you live in the countryside, a backyard garden is the way to go.

When not properly maintained, home plants or the floor beneath them can become breeding grounds for mold. But when taken care of, "there are so many health advantages to houseplants" Shah said, "even for stress relief but also for the microbiome."