After two decades of scientific exploration, the human microbiome has emerged as a critical determinant of health and disease. Fueled by multi-omics technologies and machine learning, the field has advanced from correlation-based observations to establishing causal relationships. This article presents recent and compelling examples of microbiome-based treatments that are ripe for clinical adoption and discusses challenges and opportunities facing the field based on expert interviews conducted by the GMFH team.

Emerging studies support the relationship between the human gut microbiome and organ function outside the gut. Find out more about the knowns and unknowns on how the gut communicates with other parts of the body, involving the gut, the brain, the lungs, the skin, and even the heart, and why it matters to your health.

Gut microbiota and weight management

26 May 2025

by Amandine Everard, Andreu Prados

Microbes living in your digestive tract may help you achieve or maintain a healthy body weight by influencing your food intake behaviors. This article delves into what scientists know and do not know about gut microbiota and obesity and provides science-backed tools for leveraging the microbes in your gut to achieve a healthier body weight.

The 13th Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit took place 15-16 March 2025 in Washington, D.C., and it focused on advances in microbiome research to diagnose, prevent, and manage gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal conditions. Find out more about the most valuable takeaways from the event.

While gut health and the microbiome have captured the attention of both researchers and the lay public, there is a gulf between popular media claims about gut health and the actual science. We spoke to Kristina Campbell, a microbiome science writer, about her new book on the subject called “Gut Health for Dummies”.

Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut are dietary staples for many cultures worldwide. Now scientists understand better how eating these foods as part of a balanced diet may contribute to improving gut health.

Diets for irritable bowel syndrome: what you need to know

20 Dec 2023

by Andreu Prados, Kate Scarlata

Food is considered the main trigger of digestive symptoms in the vast majority of patients living with IBS. While finding foods that do not prompt gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms has been a challenge for many people with IBS, restrictive diets can come with potential risks. Learn more about diets with evidence in IBS.

Dietary fibers, known to regulate intestinal inflammation and gut barrier functions, have been avoided by patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) to avoid flare-ups. However, recent findings suggest that if fiber type, patient immunological condition, and the fermentative ability of the gut microbiota are taken into account, they could be beneficial and prevent relapses.

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