Microbiome 101
You are 50% bacteria
Your body contains roughly as many bacterial cells as human cells — about 38 trillion. These microbes produce vitamins, regulate immunity, and communicate with your brain.
A healthy vs sick microbiome
Compare the characteristics of a healthy and unhealthy gut.
This step is interactive — open the Thier app to try it.
Diversity is everything
The single best predictor of gut health is microbial diversity. Hunter-gatherer populations have 40% more microbial diversity than people in industrialized nations.
What kills gut diversity?
Swipe left for things that HELP diversity, right for things that HURT it.
This step is interactive — open the Thier app to try it.
Estimate the count
How many plant species per week does research recommend for optimal gut diversity?
This step is interactive — open the Thier app to try it.
The 30-plant rule
A landmark American Gut Project study found that people who eat 30+ different plant species per week have significantly more diverse microbiomes than those eating fewer than 10.
Key Takeaway
Gut diversity = longevity. Eat 30+ plant species per week, include fermented foods daily, and minimize processed food and unnecessary antibiotics.