Jones, Macy2024-05-232024-05-235/2/2024https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14446/344364The gut microbiome is a large contributor to one’s overall health. From initial colonization as an infant, factors such as genetics, diet, and environmental exposures contribute to the unique microbial composition in each person’s body. Following an individual from birth through adulthood, changes in the gut microbiome occur due to various factors, including aging, chronic diseases, mental disorders, and antibiotic use. Imbalances in the gut microbiota lead to dysbiosis, potentially contributing to metabolic and mental diseases. This dysbiosis increases the risk of chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome, impacting both energy balance and life expectancy. Maintenance of the gut microbiota involves nutritional and exercise therapies, as well as a regulated circadian rhythm to support beneficial microbes and immune function. Incorporating pre- and probiotic supplements can enhance microbial diversity, potentially leading to improvements in metabolic and mental well-being.application/pdfCopyright is held by the author who has granted the Oklahoma State University Library the non-exclusive right to share this material in its institutional repository. Contact Digital Library Services at lib-dls@okstate.edu or 405-744-9161 for the permission policy on the use, reproduction or distribution of this material.Honors Thesis