Microbiom Presentation

A big event for us this week was an evening at the Gödöllő Waldorf School. On Thursday evening around 50 people came to hear a talk on...

"The Connections between the human gut microbiome and the soil microbiome". On the human health side Dr. Dóczy Gergő Pál belgyógyász szakorvos (stresszorvos.hu) gave a detailed presentation on the problems that can arise if we don't maintain gut health - anything from leaky bowel syndrome to chronic inflammation. Gergő also talked about the balance of heavy metals and other possible toxins in the blood (with an affect on gut health), the sources of which are more diffuse and difficult to isolate, but can cause all kinds of health complications. Zooming out to the bigger picture Matthew (Matthew Hayes, Zsámboki Biokert grower and Waldorf parent) talked about the effects on the planet, the natural environment of different farming practices. More specifically, what negative effects pesticides, herbicides, artificial fertilisers can have on the soil microbiome, and what we can do as farmers/growers to support and promote the soil microbiome (by which we basically mean diverse soil life). Biodynamic, organic, agro-ecological and organic regenerative farming practices (integrating crop rotation, cover crops/green manures, composting, animal husbandry, natural nutrition for plant health, etc.) can promote very diverse life in the soil, which means a healthy soil microbiome, which means supporting biodiversity in the garden and human health through nutrient-dense crops.

Matthew's take home message was - this is all complex, though doesn't need to be complicated - buy, cook and eat organic vegetables (and fruits and other food) from reliable, independent organic farms (as local as possible)!

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