Chapters
Take the gut check and we will sort the chapters by relevance for you.
Microbial diversity
Why many different species keep the gut stable. 2 chapters – expand
- Level:Beginner For everyone Your gut in ten minutes Who lives there, what do they do, and why is balance more important than individual germs? FibrePlant diversityFermented foodsAntibioticsExerciseTests and diagnostics Well supported 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:Beginner For everyone Big effect, small budget: low-cost measures for your gut What demonstrably helps the gut often costs almost nothing: slow breathing, cooled potatoes, potato starch from the supermarket, legumes, psyllium, kiwis, a stool in front of the toilet. An overview of how well each is supported, what it costs and where you can skip expensive detours. FibreExerciseStressPrebioticsFermented foodsConstipationBloatingShort-chain fatty acids 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.
Gut-brain axis
How stress, sleep and nerves steer digestion. 3 chapters – expand
- Level:Beginner For everyone A gut-friendly everyday life Exercise, sleep, social contact and breaks: what your gut picks up from the rest of your life. StressSleepExercisePsychotherapyConstipation 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:Beginner The gut-brain axis How stress hits the stomach and why psychotherapy works for IBS. StressIBSPsychotherapyExercise Well supported 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:Beginner Abdominal pain and cramps: where the pain comes from Cramp, fullness or stabbing: why the gut signals pain, when it is harmless and when it needs checking. IBSBloatingConstipationDiarrhoeaStressExercise 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.
Digestive function
Stomach acid, bile and enzymes as groundwork for the gut. 2 chapters – expand
- Level:Beginner Constipation: more than too little fibre Kiwifruit, psyllium, pelvic floor and methane: what is behind sluggish digestion. ConstipationFibreExerciseMedication Well supported 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:Beginner Bloating and fullness: gas that will not move on Why the belly distends even though there is rarely too much gas – and what really helps. BloatingIBSFODMAPSweetenersFibreExercise 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
Immune system and inflammation
The gut as the body's largest immune organ. 1 chapter – expand
- 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.