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Page 6 of 8 Reid. Microbiome Res Rep 2024;3:10 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/mrr.2023.46

Figure 1. Factors that influence illness and recovery.

initiative that started in Tanzania to teach women primarily how to produce probiotic fermented yoghurt
has blossomed in the East African region and beyond. The new food value chain that it has created
empowers all genders and ages and is now expanding to encompass different food sources, including grains,
vegetables, and fruit. The potential to further expand the chain through microbes that promote pollinator
health, encourage beneficial arthropods, and reduce heavy metal contamination from fish has great
potential, not only for Tanzania but for many developing and developed countries. While the trend of mass
starvation is declining, malnutrition is still widespread, and the growing population requires new food
sources. In Argentina, the use of probiotic yoghurt nationwide for school children is an excellent example of
[42]
how a grassroots initiative can benefit a country’s population . The use of beneficial microbes can be the
cornerstone of One Health, integrating microbes with systems that promote health for people, animals,
arthropods, and the wider ecosystem.

DECLARATIONS
Acknowledgements
The contribution of Bob Gough, Ruta Lawrence, Remco Kort, Wilbert Sybesma, and many Western
University staff, faculty and students to the program is much appreciated.

Authors’ contributions
The author contributed solely to the article.

Availability of data and materials
Not applicable.