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Known as the ‘second brain’, the gut plays many roles in the body from controlling functions like swallowing to impacting mood. A huge part of it is the gut microbiome. Thought of as a virtual organ because of its importance, the gut microbiome is a complex system of over a 100 trillion living microorganisms. These microscopic organisms can reflect not just the stomach’s health, but the health of the entire body ( Feed Your Gut , 2021) . Figure 1. A diagram of the various phy

What is Kelp? Kelp is a type of large, brown seaweed that grows in abundance in cool, coastal waters. Although kelp undergoes photosynthesis to produce energy, it is not to be mistaken for a plant. Instead, it is considered a marine algae. As an algae, kelp provides habitat, food, and shelter to countless biodiverse ecosystems in the oceanic biosphere. Environmentally, they play a crucial role in carbon sequestration,  which is the process of capturing atmospheric carbon and

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is indigestible. Unlike other carbohydrates, which are broken down into glucose, fiber passes through the body mostly intact (The Nutrition Source, 2022) . But if we can’t break down fiber, then what does it do? Furthermore, if our own digestive system cannot metabolize fiber, then what does? Types of Fiber There are two different types of fiber, each with its own purpose in the body. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and becomes a gel, slo