We all have around 100,000 billion bacteria living in our intestines, comprising made more than 1,000 different species and over 5,000 strains. These bacteria weigh around 1.5kg in total and are referred to as the gut microbiome or microbiota.
Our microbiota is a constant companion throughout our lives – it is established at birth and develops over the first few years of life, being fully formed by around three
years of age and retaining the same basic structure throughout our life, depending upon the challenges is faces along the way.