Chapters

Take the gut check and we will sort the chapters by relevance for you.

Random chapter from this selection

Well supported

Choose several. Chapters with all selected keywords are shown.

Chapters that readers rate at 4 out of 5 stars or more on average for this question. An average only exists from 3 ratings. You can choose several.

Bacteriophages

Viruses that hunt bacteria and help steer the microbiome. 2 chapters – expand
  • Level:Expert Bacteriophages: the hunters in the gut Viruses that only infect bacteria are among the most numerous entities in the gut. What they do there. AntibioticsAntibiotic resistanceFaecal transplantFermented 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.
  • Level:Expert Phage therapy: viruses as medicine How phages are used against resistant germs and where the therapy stands today. Antibiotic resistanceGut infections 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. 3 chapters – expand
  • Level:Intermediate Medications that change the gut Not just antibiotics: acid blockers, metformin, painkillers and others affect the gut microbiota. MedicationAcid blockersAntibioticsAntibiotic 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:Beginner The first microbiome: birth, breastfeeding, antibiotics and what remains In the first three years of life the gut microbiota forms, and the immune system learns from it. What birth mode, breastfeeding, antibiotics, siblings and pets have to do with it, what evens out later, and what parents can really do. AntibioticsProbioticsAllergiesAntibiotic resistanceFaecal transplant 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 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.

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.