All 885 tips from all chapters, sorted by topic and confidence score. See what is well supported and what is still experimental.
| Topic | Established | Well supported | Promising | Plausible | Experimental |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gut barrier | 3 | 7 | 30 | 29 | 7 |
| Opportunistic pathogens | 8 | 42 | 31 | 26 | 12 |
| Bacteriophages | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | |
| Microbial diversity | 9 | 22 | 62 | 65 | 9 |
| Gut-brain axis | 4 | 18 | 36 | 38 | 3 |
| Digestive function | 22 | 51 | 71 | 64 | 9 |
| Small intestine colonisation | 1 | 12 | 21 | 27 | 4 |
| Immune system and inflammation | 10 | 21 | 42 | 45 | 9 |
| Total | 57 | 174 | 295 | 299 | 60 |
Tap a number to see the tips below. Darker cells contain more tips.
Bacteriophages · Clear selection
Trust score 4 of 5:Well supported Lifestyle
The fewer resistances arise, the less need there is for emergency solutions. Take antibiotics only for bacterial infections (not for colds or flu), take them as prescribed, and do not save or share them. Vaccinations and handwashing prevent infections that would otherwise need antibiotics.
Phage therapy: viruses as medicine no source of its own, score based on judgement
Trust score 3 of 5:Promising Lifestyle
Antibiotics put bacteria under stress and can wake dormant phages. When they are needed, take them as prescribed. They do not help against viral infections such as colds or flu.
Bacteriophages: the hunters in the gut 1 sources
Trust score 3 of 5:Promising Medical treatments
Phages are chosen to match the germ. A prerequisite is therefore that the pathogen has been cultured and identified. With stubborn infections it is worth asking for pathogen identification with a resistance test and keeping the results.
Phage therapy: viruses as medicine 1 sources
Trust score 2 of 5:Plausible Natural supplements
A product with phages against E. coli reduced the amount of E. coli in the stool of healthy people in a small crossover study and was well tolerated. In a second study, combined with a probiotic, there were signs of better well-being and more beneficial bacteria. A clear benefit for symptoms has not been shown.
Bacteriophages: the hunters in the gut 2 sources
Trust score 2 of 5:Plausible Medical treatments
For infections with resistant germs, specialist centres use targeted phages. In many countries this is so far only possible as an individual treatment. Find out which options exist in your country.
Bacteriophages: the hunters in the gut 1 sources
Trust score 2 of 5:Plausible Natural supplements
These are not phage therapy. They contain fixed phage mixtures that were well tolerated in small studies in healthy people. A benefit for symptoms or against infections has not been shown.
Phage therapy: viruses as medicine 1 sources
Trust score 2 of 5:Plausible Medical treatments
There are hardly any approved phage medicines so far. Access is usually only possible case by case, through compassionate-use rules or studies: some countries allow individual preparation in hospital pharmacies, others have specialised treatment centres. Ask specialist clinics for infectious diseases in your country. Do not self-treat with products bought online.
Phage therapy: viruses as medicine 2 sources
Trust score 2 of 5:Plausible Medical treatments
When standard treatments are exhausted, an infectious disease specialist can check whether a clinical trial or a compassionate-use programme is an option. Public trial registers help with the search.
Phage therapy: viruses as medicine no source of its own, score based on judgement
Trust score 1 of 5:Experimental Lifestyle
Phages follow their host bacteria. Diet, age and where you live shape the phage community. A diverse microbiome also carries a diverse phage ecosystem. The best levers are therefore the same as for the bacteria: a varied, plant-rich diet with fibre.
Bacteriophages: the hunters in the gut 2 sources
Trust score 1 of 5:Experimental Lifestyle
Fermented foods contain not only bacteria but also their phages. Whether this matters for the gut has not yet been studied.
Bacteriophages: the hunters in the gut no source of its own, score based on judgement
Trust score 1 of 5:Experimental Natural supplements
Phage products have not been studied for irritable bowel or bloating. They should not be used to “optimise the virome”, because there is no target value.
Bacteriophages: the hunters in the gut no source of its own, score based on judgement
Trust score 1 of 5:Experimental Medical treatments
A faecal transplant also transfers phages. First small studies suggest that they could contribute to its success.
Bacteriophages: the hunters in the gut 1 sources
Trust score 1 of 5:Experimental Medical treatments
There is no recognised procedure for deriving a diagnosis or treatment from the viruses in stool. If you have symptoms, have the usual examinations done first.
Bacteriophages: the hunters in the gut no source of its own, score based on judgement
Trust score 1 of 5:Experimental Lifestyle
Phage therapy is a medical treatment for severe infections in which germ and phage must match. In everyday life there is no reason to take phages on your own. That fermented foods or water contain phages does not make them a therapy.
Phage therapy: viruses as medicine no source of its own, score based on judgement
Trust score 1 of 5:Experimental Natural supplements
Phages from sewage, waters or “homemade” cultures are neither purified nor decoded. They can contain contaminants or unwanted genes. This is not advisable.
Phage therapy: viruses as medicine no source of its own, score based on judgement