The gut, its microbiota, and the liver communicate through complex interactions. This communication, known as the gut-liver axis, plays a crucial role in maintaining liver health and preventing disease. We will explore the role of gut microbiota in the gut-liver axis and delve into the emerging microbiota-based therapies that hold promise for liver diseases.

Two hospitals in Barcelona, the Clínic and Bellvitge, have launched Spain's first Fecal Microbiota Bank. Their goal is to obtain donations of stool from healthy individuals to perform microbiota transplants on patients suffering from potentially fatal infections of bacteria known as C. difficile infections. We step into the fecal microbiota transfer units of both hospitals to learn how they operate and meet some of the donors.

The mouth contains the second-largest bacterial community after the gut, but it ranks first in terms of bacterial diversity. Find out more about the link between how oral bacteria can alter the balance between health and disease beyond the oral cavity.

Scientists have started to investigate the role gut microbiota might play in either protecting against COVID-19 or on the contrary in increasing vulnerability to severe symptomatic disease. Any conclusions would be highly relevant to preventing increased mortality among elderly nursing home residents.

The importance of the first 1000 days of life

10 Jul 2019

by Cristina Sáez

From the moment we are conceived until we are 1000 days old, nutrition and gut microbiota play an essential role in laying the foundations of our health later in life.

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