Chapters
Take the gut check and we will sort the chapters by relevance for you.
Gut barrier
The gut lining as the border between gut contents and the body. 1 chapter – expand
- Level:Intermediate Longer fasting: water fasting, therapeutic fasting and fasting-mimicking How several days without food remodel the gut microbiota, what studies on therapeutic fasting and fasting-mimicking diets show, and where the risks lie. FastingInflammationBody weight 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.
Microbial diversity
Why many different species keep the gut stable. 2 chapters – expand
- Level:Intermediate Carnivore and keto: less gas, but at what cost? Why many people feel less bloated on an all-meat or ketogenic diet, what this does to gut bacteria, and why experts do not recommend it for gut health. FibreShort-chain fatty acidsPlant diversityBloatingBody weight 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 What a household shares: microbes between people, dogs and cats People who live together swap bacteria constantly: through hands, kitchen, bathroom, kisses and the animal on the sofa. What studies on shared bacterial strains show, what is useful about it, which pathogens and resistant bacteria really do get passed on, and why shared bacteria are not proof of transmission. Gut infectionsAntibiotic resistanceMouth and teethAllergiesAntibioticsBody weight 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. 1 chapter – expand
- Level:Intermediate Fear of food: when your list of safe foods keeps shrinking How gut symptoms can tip into fear of eating, ARFID or orthorexia, why unintended weight loss is a warning sign, and how to find your way back to a varied diet. PsychotherapyBody weightIBSFODMAP 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
Digestive function
Stomach acid, bile and enzymes as groundwork for the gut. 2 chapters – expand
- Level:Intermediate Pressure under the right ribs: bile, liver and gallstones A feeling of pressure in the upper right abdomen makes many people think of the gallbladder. What makes a real biliary colic, what “thick bile” means medically, and which other causes are more common. Bile acidsTests and diagnosticsBody weightFasting 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 Nutrient deficiency in gut problems: when food no longer arrives Why gut symptoms can leave you short of iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, the fat-soluble vitamins and zinc, how to read blood results correctly and when supplements really help. NutrientsVitamins and fatty acidsDiarrhoeaTests and diagnosticsBody weight 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.