Vitamin B6

Bifidobacteria are one of the key representatives of the normal gut microbiota, playing an important role in maintaining overall health. They colonize the intestines from the first days of life and participate in numerous processes that support digestion, strengthen the immune system, and synthesize essential vitamins.

However, with age and under the influence of various factors, their numbers decrease, leading to microbial imbalance and increasing the risk of various diseases. Understanding the distribution of bifidobacteria in the gut, their functions, and the factors that affect their levels helps maintain microbiome balance and prevent potential health problems.

Microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms that inhabit not only the gut, but also the skin, respiratory tract, mucous membranes, urogenital system, and even the surrounding environment. The human body contains more microbial cells than human cells: for every human cell, there are about 1.3 microbial cells. The total mass of the microbiome is 1.5–2 kg, and its genes outnumber human genes by a factor of 150.

Epigenetic marks play a crucial role in maintaining health throughout life by regulating biological processes and predisposition to diseases. Understanding when and how these marks can change opens new opportunities for the prevention of chronic diseases and improving quality of life. In the first part of the article, we examined the theoretical aspects of epigenetics, how and when these changes occur, and their impact on health. In the second part, we will focus on practical approaches: how to influence epigenetics through nutrition, lifestyle, and other available strategies. Particular attention will be given to critical periods such as pre-pregnancy preparation, childhood, adolescence, and aging when external factors can have the most significant long-term effects on health.