(CNN) Scientists working with samples of ancient feces have found previously unknown microbes that could help in the fight against chronic illnesses such as diabetes. The microbes lived in our ancestors' digestive systems, forming part of the ancient human gut microbiome , which differs significantly to those found in people living in modern industrialized societies, according to a study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday. The microbiome is a combination of fungi, bacteria and viruses that resides in your gut, primarily in the large intestine, helping digest food, fight disease and regulate the immune system. The microbiome resides in your gut, primarily the large intestine. Previous research has made a connection between preindustrial diets, greater diversity in the gut microbiome and lower rates of chronic illnesses, and the team set out to find reconstruct ancient human gut microbiomes to investigate this link, researcher Aleksandar Kostic of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston told CNN.

Source: CNN May 12, 2021 15:01 UTC