Kefir Kommunity

A, B, AB or O: Every one of us belongs to one of four blood types. Now scientists have discovered a new method of classifying humans: by bacteria. According to a new study in the journal Nature, people fall into one of three distinct "enterotypes," or GI ecosystems, based on the bacteria which live inside our stomachs.

Don’t freak out: Humans are supposed to have bacteria inside our bellies, where they facilitate digestion help synthesize vitamins and more.

The researchers, led by Peer Bork of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, discovered that each of the three types creates a unique balance of enzymes, as reported in theNew York Times. Enterotype 1, for instance, produces more enzymes for making vitamin B7 (also known as biotin); Enterotype 2 makes more enzymes for vitamin B1 (thiamine). Individuals’ bug type - Bacteroides, Prevotella or Ruminococcus - had nothing to do with their ethnic background, gender, weight, health or age.

Doctors hope that the new discovery may have similar applications as blood typing, helping tailor specific treatments or dietary guidelines for different people and their unique health conditions.

Lifeway kefir is a longtime lover of stomach bugs...as long as they're the good kind! Keep your levels of healthy bacteria up by quaffing kefir on a daily basis. And get ready for the day when your driver's license lists not only your heigh, weight and blood type, but your gut type, too!