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:Beginner The gut barrier A layer of cells thinner than a hair separates the gut contents from the body. What keeps it tight. FibreAlcoholAdditivesCoeliac disease and glutenInflammationTests 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.
Microbial diversity
Why many different species keep the gut stable. 1 chapter – expand
- Level:Intermediate Gut tests: what they show and what they do not Microbiome analysis, zonulin, IgG, breath test, calprotectin: which tests are worth it. Tests and diagnosticsCoeliac disease and glutenInflammation 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. Community
Gut-brain axis
How stress, sleep and nerves steer digestion. 1 chapter – expand
- Level:Intermediate Brain fog and fatigue: when your gut makes your head tired Many people with gut problems feel exhausted and foggy. What studies show, which causes can be checked and what is mere speculation. SleepVitamins and fatty acidsCoeliac disease and glutenInflammationProbioticsTests 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
Digestive function
Stomach acid, bile and enzymes as groundwork for the gut. 2 chapters – expand
- Level:Beginner Lactose, fructose, gluten: making sense of intolerances What real intolerances are, which tests are worth anything and when cutting foods out does harm. Coeliac disease and glutenFODMAPBloatingTests 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 Digestive enzymes from mouth to colon: who breaks down what Saliva, stomach, pancreas, gut wall and bacteria each contribute their own enzymes. A map of where each enzyme works, and what happens when one is missing. FODMAPBloatingCoeliac disease and glutenTests 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.
Immune system and inflammation
The gut as the body's largest immune organ. 3 chapters – expand
- 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: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: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