Why does human body temperature keep dropping? Do you know because of this? [와우! 과학]

It was 150 years ago that it was discovered that the normal body temperature of a person is about 37 degrees Celsius. This is the conclusion German doctor Karl Reinhold August Wunderlich made after numerous measurements were repeated on people who visited his hospital.

Currently, about 36.5 degrees, which is a little lower than this, is treated as a normal average value. This is partly because the measurements have become more accurate, but it is actually because the human body temperature is slightly lower. Although it is a very subtle change, the overall decrease in body temperature is still observed even in the past decades when measured using modern thermometers.

There are several reasons for a decrease in body temperature. First of all, the decrease in parasitic infections and other infections worldwide has naturally reduced the number of people with severe inflammation. Acute as well as chronic infections are reduced, so the average body temperature is measured low. It is also an important cause that the length of time spent in a well-controlled indoor environment.

In addition to this, the University of Michigan research team found a new cause that can explain the decrease in body temperature. It is the gut microbiome. Intestinal microbes are involved in various immune responses and metabolic processes in our body and have a great impact on our health. To investigate the effect of gut microbes on body temperature, the research team collected gut microbes from 100 patients admitted to an intensive care unit. Originally, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gut microbiota on the course of patients admitted to an intensive care unit. In the case of severely ill patients, they have all the data necessary for this study because their body temperature is constantly monitored.

Studies have shown that certain microorganisms, such as Firmicutes, are associated with elevated body temperatures. The research team confirmed this again by injecting this microorganism into experimental animals. Although the effect on health is not clear, it shows that changes in the composition of the gut microbiome can affect body temperature.

Over the past 150 years, the human genome has not changed much. However, sanitary conditions and health services have undergone revolutionary changes. At the same time, eating patterns have also changed significantly. The research team argued that a hygienic living environment, drugs such as antibiotics, and changes in eating patterns greatly changed the microbial environment in the gut, which also affected body temperature.

Scientists have gathered concrete evidence that our gut microbes are involved in a number of diseases, including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and depression, not just to the extent that we break down leftovers after we digest them. In addition, body temperature may also be under the influence of small invisible companions.

Gordon Jung Science Columnist jjy0501@naver.com