Introduction to the 2nd GMFH World Summit 2013

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.

Gut fungi found in the lower gastrointestinal tract can influence the host immune system just like the bacterial microbiota. This article focuses on the role of the gut mycobiota in immune system homeostasis and its relevance for host health.

A wide range of diseases, from irritable bowel syndrome to depression, have been associated with increased intestinal permeability or ‘leaky gut’. What does a leaky gut mean, how can it be diagnosed and what available dietary strategies work for managing it?