Firmicutes
Firmicutes is one of the major bacterial phyla in the human gut microbiome, comprising many species involved in energy extraction from food. These bacteria efficiently break down complex carbohydrates and produce short-chain fatty acids, which can support gut and metabolic health. However, a disproportionately high ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes has been linked in some studies to obesity and metabolic disturbances. The balance of Firmicutes is therefore an important marker for assessing microbial diversity and potential metabolic tendencies. Individual health effects depend on overall composition and host factors.
Description
Firmicutes are a large group of gut bacteria that help break down complex carbohydrates and produce beneficial fatty acids.
Elevated Firmicutes levels may indicate increased energy extraction from food and have been associated with metabolic imbalances in some individuals.
This ratio is often used as a rough indicator of gut microbiome balance and metabolic health, although it is not diagnostic on its own.
Not necessarily. They play important roles in digestion, but their impact depends on their balance with other microbes.
