Chapters
Take the gut check and we will sort the chapters by relevance for you.
Immune system and inflammation
The gut as the body's largest immune organ. 14 chapters – expand
- Level:Intermediate Immune system and inflammation The gut trains your defences and can also upset them unnecessarily. InflammationMediterranean dietFermented foodsSleepTests and diagnostics Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open.
- Level:Intermediate Eating against silent inflammation What is on your plate influences how agitated your immune system is. InflammationMediterranean dietAdditives Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open.
- Level:Intermediate Histamine intolerance: much searched, little proven Headache after red wine, diarrhoea after cheese? What is known about histamine and what is not. HistamineFermented foodsAlcoholTests and diagnosticsDiarrhoea Plausible How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
- Level:Expert DAO: the enzyme that intercepts histamine from food Where DAO is made, why it can be lacking, which medicines inhibit it, and what DAO capsules and sprouts can do. HistamineMedicationAlcoholFermented foods Plausible How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
- Level:Expert IgA: the antibody that keeps the gut clean, and what vitamin A, D and omega-3 have to do with it The body makes more IgA than all other antibodies combined, most of it in the gut. How it is made, why vitamin A matters for it, and what vitamin D and omega-3 really contribute. InflammationVitamins and fatty acidsCoeliac disease and glutenTests and diagnostics Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open.
- Level:Expert Mast cells: alarm cells in the gut, histamine and the disputed MCAS Mast cells sit just beneath the gut lining and release histamine when alarmed. What they have to do with IBS and stress, and why mast cell activation syndrome is so often wrongly diagnosed. HistamineIBSStressAllergies Plausible How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
- Level:Intermediate Allergies and intolerances: how the gut learns to tolerate food Every day the gut has to tolerate foreign protein. How this tolerance develops, what role bacteria, stomach acid and skin play, and why many people feel allergic without being so. AllergiesProbioticsAcid blockersAntibioticsTests and diagnostics Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
- Level:Intermediate SCD, GAPS and the autoimmune protocol: what strict elimination diets can and cannot do Diets with long lists of forbidden foods promise to heal the gut. What studies show about SCD, GAPS and AIP, and why a short, structured test is different from months of avoidance. InflammationMediterranean dietFODMAPPlant diversity Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
- Level:Expert Low-dose naltrexone (LDN): hope, studies and limits An addiction medicine at a very low dose is being tried for Crohn's disease, IBS, fibromyalgia and long COVID. What lies behind it, what studies show and why it belongs in medical hands. MedicationIBSInflammationSleep Plausible How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
- Level:Intermediate Skin and gut: what there is to the gut-skin axis Acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis: which links to the gut are proven, where a real disease is behind it, and where the hype begins. InflammationCoeliac disease and glutenProbioticsAllergiesAntibiotics Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
- Level:Beginner Dogs and cats: what pets do to your gut, immune system and nerves Living with animals means sharing microbes, dust and daily life with them. What that means for gut bacteria, allergies, inflammation and the vagus nerve, which of it is only an association, and where pets bring germs along too. AllergiesInflammationStressExerciseGut infectionsAntibiotic resistance Promising How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open.
- Level:Intermediate PEA (palmitoylethanolamide): the body's own inflammation brake in a capsule A fatty substance the body makes itself to calm mast cells and inflammation. As a supplement it is taken for gut and nerve pain. What studies show and where they are thin. IBSInflammationHistamineDiarrhoea Plausible How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open.
- Level:Intermediate Autoimmune diseases and the gut: Hashimoto's, vitiligo, type 1 diabetes and more When the immune system attacks the body itself, the gut is often involved – as the place where the immune system learns, as a bystander that gets hit, and perhaps as a co-trigger. What is established, what has only been shown in mice, and what people affected can actually do. InflammationCoeliac disease and glutenVitamins and fatty acidsMedicationTests and diagnostics Plausible How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open. Community
- Level:Intermediate Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: understanding inflammatory bowel disease In Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the immune system permanently attacks the gut wall. What distinguishes the two, what role genes, smoking, antibiotics and gut microbiota play, why early treatment matters, and what diet, probiotics and faecal transplants really achieve. InflammationDiarrhoeaTests and diagnosticsMedicationAntibioticsNutrientsProbioticsFaecal transplantMediterranean diet Established How we rate the evidence Established Recommended in medical guidelines or supported by several consistent meta-analyses of randomised human studies. Well supported Several randomised studies in humans with largely consistent results. Promising Single randomised or controlled studies in humans, not yet independently confirmed — or many consistent observational studies. Plausible Two cases: first observational or pilot studies with small samples — or a settled basis that is not in dispute, such as movement, sleep or meal pauses. But not tested in humans for symptoms. Experimental Barely studied in humans. Mainly lab and animal studies or theoretical reasoning; whether it helps is open.