The microorganisms that live in and on our body have been implicated in a variety of health functions and diseases. Two microbiologists comment on certain common assumptions about the human microbiota, including that it weighs 2 kg and is altered in case of obesity.
Two comprehensive meta-analyses identify factors associated with fecal microbiota transplant success
12 Sep 2023by Andreu Prados
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown to be efficient in recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection and is being researched in clinical trials for other conditions, but its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Two new studies shed light on factors that predict clinical success in FMT.
In vitro fermentation models to study how exogenous factors shape the gut microbiome: applications, pros and cons
22 Aug 2023by Andreu Prados
Studying host-microbe interactions in controlled environments is a major challenge in the field of microbiome research. This article outlines the relevance, pros and cons of intestinal fermentation in in vitro models and provides an overview of their applications in microbiome research.
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.
Differences in the gut microbiota in patients with IBD compared to healthy controls suggest that probiotics may be of help. This article takes an in-depth look into the rationale of using probiotics for IBD and summarizes the evidence from recent clinical guidelines for the use of probiotics in Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and pouchitis.
Exploring the microbiome with Joël Doré: protecting our microbial world
31 May 2023by GMFH Editing Team
Joël Doré's TEDx talk provides a compelling argument for why we need to pay attention to our gut microbiota and take steps to protect it. Discover the importance of the microbiome for human and planetary health through his fascinating presentation.
What happens in the gut can have an impact on the vaginal microbiota. Now scientists understand why
28 Apr 2023by Andreu Prados
While the most popular microbiota you may have heard about is that of the gut, the vagina has a microbiota too. Find out more about the relationship between the two and why taking care of the gut microbiota matters for the vaginal microbiota.
The translational potential of microbiome research for human health and disease: takeaways from the 2023 GMFH Summit
28 Apr 2023by Andreu Prados, Joël Doré
The 11th Gut Microbiota for Health World Summit focused on emerging gut microbiome-targeted treatments in digestive, immune and cardiometabolic health. This post highlights the major take-aways from the conference and explores how they might impact clinical practice in the foreseeable future.
Explore cutting-edge research on the gut microbiome with the GMFH 2022 Year at a Glance report
21 Feb 2023by GMFH Editing Team
Significant strides have been made in our comprehension of the role of the gut microbiome in health and disease throughout the year 2022. We invite you to take a closer look at the "2022 Year at a Glance" report and learn about the groundbreaking discoveries made.
10 years of gut microbiome research: celebrating our 10th digital anniversary
24 Jan 2023by GMFH Editing Team
It has been 10 years since GMFH was launched with the aim of disseminating the latest gut microbiome research to the lay public, healthcare professionals and scientists alike. In this article, members of the GMFH board of experts share their pick of the most significant advances in the field, outlining their clinical impact and implications for further research.