The bacteria species in your colon today are more or less the same ones you had when you were six months old. About 80 percent of a person's gut microflora transmit from his or her mother during birth. It's a very stable system, says Khoruts. You can trace a person's family tree by their flora.
The bacterial species residing in your colon typically remain unchanged from early childhood, with about 80 percent of gut microflora being inherited from the mother during birth. This transfer establishes a stable and consistent microbiome that persists throughout life.
According to author Mary Roach in her book "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," the gut flora is not only persistent but also unique enough that it can reveal connections to a...
