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The Importance of Gut Microbiomes
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The Importance of Gut Microbiomes
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Have you ever felt excited and gotten the “butterflies in your stomach” sensation? Or have you ever felt a knot form in your belly when you were nervous? That’s not just a coincidence – your gut is intrinsically tied to your brain and the two communicate with each other to affect you and your physical and mental health profoundly.
In this article, we’re going to explore what that anxiety you sometimes feel in your gut has to do with the anxiety you consciously or subconsciously feel in your brain. Your body is one system and everything is inherently connected. Read on to learn what that means for maintaining good mental health and a high-functioning gut.
Table of Contents
How do your stomach and gut communicate?
The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and intestines. For starters, the very thought of eating can release the stomach's juices before food gets there. The connection is two-sided: any change in emotion can send signals to your stomach and digestive distress can cause anxiety, stress, or depression due to the chemicals and enzymes your gut releases.
The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) is sometimes referred to as the “second brain.”
It’s comprised of two thin layers of more than 100 million nerve cells lining your gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum. “Its main role is controlling digestion, from swallowing to the release of enzymes that break down food to the control of blood flow that helps with nutrient absorption to elimination,” explains Jay Pasricha, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology.
“It communicates back and forth with our big brain—with profound results.”
Studies that specifically investigate this gut-brain crosstalk have overwhelmingly revealed a complex communication system that ensures the gastrointestinal tract and our ability to digest stay sharp.
As we discussed in our other articles on nutrition and mental health and food and as medicine, the food we consume is extremely relevant to our mental health. It should therefore come as no surprise that those with stomach problems like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Leaky Gut Syndrome are at much higher risk for developing mental health disorders.
But they are not the only ones whose gut is impacting their mental health; we all are impacted by the chemicals and enzymes our gut produces.
What is a healthy gut microbiome?It’s difficult to define a “healthy gut microbiome” because there’s no singular definition.
Microbiome variance among people is extremely vast, and one person’s healthy gut microbiome might look very different from another’s. However, factors like diet, exercise, genes, lifestyle, and mental health all have the ability to influence the state of your gut microbiome.
Definition: A microbiome is comprised of all the elements of a specific microenvironment inside the human body. So, the gut microbiome is all the genetic and bacterial components of the gut, also called the GI tract or digestive tract, as well as the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
So start with the low-hanging fruit that you know you can control, like your diet, exercise and lifestyle choices.
What risks do people with unhealthy gut microbiomes face?
Since gut-brain crosstalk alters feelings and decision-making abilities and has an effect on motivation and cognitive function, an unhealthy gut has a wide range of impacts on your health in all sorts of ways.
Disturbances to the gastrointestinal system can cause disorders like inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders and eating disorders. Unsurprisingly, 50–90% of IBS patients also have associated psychiatric ailments; most commonly anxiety disorders and depression. In the general population, that number is still astonishingly high at one in four.
Eating disorders are perhaps the clearest example of how brains and stomachs can affect each other. Eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder are mental disorders that have a high physical impact. Although eating disorders all have food and weight issues in common, most experts now believe that eating disorders are caused by people attempting to cope with overwhelming feelings and painful emotions by controlling food.
For those suffering from anorexia, there is an almost 18-fold increase in mortality including a high suicide rate, chronic courses in approximately 20 percent of the cases, and more than half of the patients showing either a complete or a partial eating disorder in combination with another psychiatric disorder or another psychiatric disorder without an eating disorder.
When our human microbiome is challenged with changes in diet, stress, or antibiotics, adaptation is necessary and the microbiome culture changes.
This dysbiotic, or unbalanced, state leads to intestinal permeability that allows contents such as bacteria to quite literally leak, a phenomenon aptly named Leaky Gut Syndrome. This disease warrants an article of it’s own – stay up to date with 1907’s blog to see for yourself.
But imagine what could happen to your body and mind if bad chemicals, bacteria, or enzymes are leaking out of your gut and into your system? It is a no-brainer that this leads to significant health problems!
How can I achieve a healthy gut microbiome?
The best ways to keep your gut microbiome healthy are maintaining a regular and healthy diet that works for you as well as ensuring you’re keeping up with your mental health. If you’re still struggling with your gut health, though, one solution is incredibly promising: probiotic supplements.
Probiotic supplements are available over the counter and they’re filled with good bacteria that help us help digest food and regulate our digestive systems and the ENS: the essential layer of cells that communicate between the gut and the brain.
They normalize cortisol levels, regulate the ENS, and reduce circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. In fact, probiotics have the ability to restore normal microbial balance, and therefore have a potential role in the treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression.
Because this connection is so profound, studies have even found that regularly taking probiotic supplements can reduce depressive symptoms and improve your mental state as well as Citalopram and Diazepam, two very common antidepressants. In one study in particular, patients suffering from chronic stress were given a three-week probiotic treatment. All patients rated an overall happier mood.
On top of that, probiotics are relatively affordable, accessible, and come with very few side effects.
But be sure to do your research!
Not all probiotics are created equal. Before starting a probiotic, consider consulting a nutritionist or a doctor and be sure to read the packaging.
Healthy live probiotics can only exist at specific temperatures so an excellent starting check is to make sure that what you are buying requires refrigeration and has been consistently refrigerated before you purchase it. When probiotics are not kept at cooler temperatures, they die and while this does not harm your gut it also does not provide any health benefits.
What can you do to support your gut?
We know some of the science between the gut and the brain, but there is still plenty of research to be done. While we have a general conception of how gut health works with the brain, there’s still an abundance of information we have left to explore.
The more we learn about the gut microbiota, its functions, and all the chemicals and enzymes associated with it the better we will understand the mechanisms underlying a number of diseases. We may even learn how to use the microbiota itself as diagnostic material for mental and physical illnesses to get people the help they need.
With that, it’s undeniably clear that we cannot silo off any single part of the body: your mental and physical health are intrinsically connected, and maintaining good health requires a holistic approach.
Our mission is to fund brain research and technology to power innovation and discovery in mental health, because we believe in a future in which our mental health is seen, understood, and effectively treated.
Each Fellow is provided $120,000 to investigate the Causes and Cures of mental illness. Dr. Hongying (Hoy) Shen, PhD, is a 1907 Trailblazer Fellow tackling essential research related to chemical enzymes found within our bodies whose functions are still entirely unknown. We know that the chemicals in our bodies impact our health, including our mental health.
Her work aims to use a metabolic approach to allow us to diagnose psychiatric disorders using biomarkers and introduce potential new interventions and treatments. She hopes the interventions could include dietary and pharmacological methods. After all, as we learned above, the chemicals released in our bodies are driven in large part by our gut health.
“We have so many enzymes and transporters in our bodies and we have no clue what many of them do,” says Dr. Shen. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to be supporting Dr. Shen’s essential research in advancing our understanding. Join us in supporting Dr. Shen’s work or any of our other existing or upcoming Trailblazer Award Fellows.
In this article, we’re going to explore what that anxiety you sometimes feel in your gut has to do with the anxiety you consciously or subconsciously feel in your brain. Your body is one system and everything is inherently connected. Read on to learn what that means for maintaining good mental health and a high-functioning gut.
Table of Contents
- How do your stomach and gut communicate?
- What is a healthy gut microbiome?
- What risks do people with unhealthy gut microbiomes face?
- How can I achieve a healthy gut microbiome?
- What can you do to support your gut?
- How can you support 1907’s research on the gut-mental health connection?
How do your stomach and gut communicate?
The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and intestines. For starters, the very thought of eating can release the stomach's juices before food gets there. The connection is two-sided: any change in emotion can send signals to your stomach and digestive distress can cause anxiety, stress, or depression due to the chemicals and enzymes your gut releases.
The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) is sometimes referred to as the “second brain.”
It’s comprised of two thin layers of more than 100 million nerve cells lining your gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum. “Its main role is controlling digestion, from swallowing to the release of enzymes that break down food to the control of blood flow that helps with nutrient absorption to elimination,” explains Jay Pasricha, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology.
“It communicates back and forth with our big brain—with profound results.”
Studies that specifically investigate this gut-brain crosstalk have overwhelmingly revealed a complex communication system that ensures the gastrointestinal tract and our ability to digest stay sharp.
As we discussed in our other articles on nutrition and mental health and food and as medicine, the food we consume is extremely relevant to our mental health. It should therefore come as no surprise that those with stomach problems like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Leaky Gut Syndrome are at much higher risk for developing mental health disorders.
But they are not the only ones whose gut is impacting their mental health; we all are impacted by the chemicals and enzymes our gut produces.
What is a healthy gut microbiome?It’s difficult to define a “healthy gut microbiome” because there’s no singular definition.
Microbiome variance among people is extremely vast, and one person’s healthy gut microbiome might look very different from another’s. However, factors like diet, exercise, genes, lifestyle, and mental health all have the ability to influence the state of your gut microbiome.
Definition: A microbiome is comprised of all the elements of a specific microenvironment inside the human body. So, the gut microbiome is all the genetic and bacterial components of the gut, also called the GI tract or digestive tract, as well as the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
So start with the low-hanging fruit that you know you can control, like your diet, exercise and lifestyle choices.
What risks do people with unhealthy gut microbiomes face?
Since gut-brain crosstalk alters feelings and decision-making abilities and has an effect on motivation and cognitive function, an unhealthy gut has a wide range of impacts on your health in all sorts of ways.
Disturbances to the gastrointestinal system can cause disorders like inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders and eating disorders. Unsurprisingly, 50–90% of IBS patients also have associated psychiatric ailments; most commonly anxiety disorders and depression. In the general population, that number is still astonishingly high at one in four.
Eating disorders are perhaps the clearest example of how brains and stomachs can affect each other. Eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder are mental disorders that have a high physical impact. Although eating disorders all have food and weight issues in common, most experts now believe that eating disorders are caused by people attempting to cope with overwhelming feelings and painful emotions by controlling food.
For those suffering from anorexia, there is an almost 18-fold increase in mortality including a high suicide rate, chronic courses in approximately 20 percent of the cases, and more than half of the patients showing either a complete or a partial eating disorder in combination with another psychiatric disorder or another psychiatric disorder without an eating disorder.
When our human microbiome is challenged with changes in diet, stress, or antibiotics, adaptation is necessary and the microbiome culture changes.
This dysbiotic, or unbalanced, state leads to intestinal permeability that allows contents such as bacteria to quite literally leak, a phenomenon aptly named Leaky Gut Syndrome. This disease warrants an article of it’s own – stay up to date with 1907’s blog to see for yourself.
But imagine what could happen to your body and mind if bad chemicals, bacteria, or enzymes are leaking out of your gut and into your system? It is a no-brainer that this leads to significant health problems!
How can I achieve a healthy gut microbiome?
The best ways to keep your gut microbiome healthy are maintaining a regular and healthy diet that works for you as well as ensuring you’re keeping up with your mental health. If you’re still struggling with your gut health, though, one solution is incredibly promising: probiotic supplements.
Probiotic supplements are available over the counter and they’re filled with good bacteria that help us help digest food and regulate our digestive systems and the ENS: the essential layer of cells that communicate between the gut and the brain.
They normalize cortisol levels, regulate the ENS, and reduce circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. In fact, probiotics have the ability to restore normal microbial balance, and therefore have a potential role in the treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression.
Because this connection is so profound, studies have even found that regularly taking probiotic supplements can reduce depressive symptoms and improve your mental state as well as Citalopram and Diazepam, two very common antidepressants. In one study in particular, patients suffering from chronic stress were given a three-week probiotic treatment. All patients rated an overall happier mood.
On top of that, probiotics are relatively affordable, accessible, and come with very few side effects.
But be sure to do your research!
Not all probiotics are created equal. Before starting a probiotic, consider consulting a nutritionist or a doctor and be sure to read the packaging.
Healthy live probiotics can only exist at specific temperatures so an excellent starting check is to make sure that what you are buying requires refrigeration and has been consistently refrigerated before you purchase it. When probiotics are not kept at cooler temperatures, they die and while this does not harm your gut it also does not provide any health benefits.
What can you do to support your gut?
We know some of the science between the gut and the brain, but there is still plenty of research to be done. While we have a general conception of how gut health works with the brain, there’s still an abundance of information we have left to explore.
The more we learn about the gut microbiota, its functions, and all the chemicals and enzymes associated with it the better we will understand the mechanisms underlying a number of diseases. We may even learn how to use the microbiota itself as diagnostic material for mental and physical illnesses to get people the help they need.
With that, it’s undeniably clear that we cannot silo off any single part of the body: your mental and physical health are intrinsically connected, and maintaining good health requires a holistic approach.
Our mission is to fund brain research and technology to power innovation and discovery in mental health, because we believe in a future in which our mental health is seen, understood, and effectively treated.
Each Fellow is provided $120,000 to investigate the Causes and Cures of mental illness. Dr. Hongying (Hoy) Shen, PhD, is a 1907 Trailblazer Fellow tackling essential research related to chemical enzymes found within our bodies whose functions are still entirely unknown. We know that the chemicals in our bodies impact our health, including our mental health.
Her work aims to use a metabolic approach to allow us to diagnose psychiatric disorders using biomarkers and introduce potential new interventions and treatments. She hopes the interventions could include dietary and pharmacological methods. After all, as we learned above, the chemicals released in our bodies are driven in large part by our gut health.
“We have so many enzymes and transporters in our bodies and we have no clue what many of them do,” says Dr. Shen. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to be supporting Dr. Shen’s essential research in advancing our understanding. Join us in supporting Dr. Shen’s work or any of our other existing or upcoming Trailblazer Award Fellows.
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| Wheat Belly .Dr. William .273 PAGES.pdf |
| Dr. William Davis - Super Gut - 425 PAGES.pdf |
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Fecal Transplant Guide
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How They Work and What They Can Cure
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Fecal Transplant Guide
❖
How They Work and What They Can Cure
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Fecal microbiota transplant, otherwise known as “FMT,” is a medical procedure involving the transplantation of stool from a healthy donor into gut of an ill person.
Stool is a rich source of microbiota - that is, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses. When poop is transplanted, the healthy microbiota from the donor is able to assist the weakened microbiome health of the patient, returning their microbiome to a more balanced and healthy state.
Fecal Transplants may or may not be something you already know a bit about, but if you don’t, this article will help you understand what is sure to be the next frontier in medicine. We’ll break down the following topics:
What is a fecal transplant?
A fecal transplant, otherwise called bacteriotherapy or a fecal microbiota transplant (FMT), is a medical therapy where stool is taken from a healthy donor, and is transplanted into the gut of a sick patient. FMT is used to treat illnesses attributed to a connection with an unhealthy or gut microbiome.
How does a fecal transplant work?
FMT treats patients through the insertion of stool from a healthy individual into the gut of an ill patient. This delivers healthy microbes to their gut, and replaces bad bacteria. The purpose is for the healthy bacteria to stave off the bad bacteria living in the guts of someone who is sick.
In Clostridium Difficile, for example, the therapy works by reculturing healthy bacteria in the gut to fight off the invasive Clostridium Difficile bacteria. A C Diff infection is the most common illness fecal microbiota transplantation is used as a cure for, but there are plenty of other microbiome-related diseases being studied as potential candidates for the use FMT.
Wait, what’s the microbiome?
The microbiome is the whole of the communities of bacteria, fungi,protozoa and viruses that live inside our bodies. We contain millions of microbiota, more than human cells, and they play an important role in key functions such as digestion, immune response and brain health (more specifically, the gut brain axis).
The microbiome is broken up into different sections in the body. There are unique microbiome communities in our noses, ears, eyes, mouths, skins and guts. Each community has its own functions, and is affected by many factors including stress level, diet, geography, and even ancestral background.
FMT treatment: how is it administered?
After a fecal sample is collected from a donor, it is carefully screened for diseases and irregularities. If the sample is safe, it is turned into a slurry by mixing in water or saline to the stool. The slurry is either frozen for later use, or used immediately, in which case it is transplanted into the gut of the patient using one of three methods:
Enema or colonoscopy are the more commonly used methods. Nasoenteric tube delivery and poop capsules are available for those who prefer a less invasive procedure.
Is FMT safe?
What are the risks involved?
FMT, performed in a clinical setting, is a safe treatment with very few associated risks and reported side effects. Though it is a low-risk therapy when done properly and with a carefully screened donor, the same level of safety is not guaranteed when done at home with a DIY fecal transplant procedure.
Risks of an FMT:
There have been very few reported FMT side effects and/or complications associated with it. Some minor symptoms may occur, including abdominal pain, cramps, changes in bowel movements, and very rarely - Intestine Perforation, but these symptoms are also common symptoms of the diseases FMT is used to treat.
The long-term effects have yet to be studied because its use in clinical settings of study has been relatively recent. There are have been reports of anecdotal symptoms, but none are seen as broad safety risks of a stool transplant.
What symptoms and diseases can FMT cure?
FMT is mainly used to treat C. Diff, but it has the potential to treat a whole host of conditions – Ulcerative, Colitis, Crohn’s, IBS, and more. These, along with other chronic diseases, are thought to be linked to the gut microbiome. Fecal transplants alter the gut bacteria that causes inflammation.
Although these illnesses affect the human body in different ways, the belief that the gut microbiome is at a core of them is why fecal matter transplants are thought to be so effective. Below are all the diseases Fecal Microbiota Transplants are currently being used or studied to treat:
The history of fecal microbiota transplants
There are references to Fecal Transplants going back 2000 years in Chinese literature. In more recent history, it has been used since the 1950s, principally for the treatment of Clostridium Difficile. But the therapy didn’t really pick up steam until the early 2000s when C Diff prevalence started rising, and a rise in mortality rates were observed.
Clinicians took notice of the treatment and started applying it more readily for the treatment of C Diff. Now studies are underway around the world to examine the application of the FMT procedure as a treatment for other diseases, mainly those classified as chronic illnesses that have been found to have associations with the gut microbiome.
There are studies underway at the University of Arizona, looking at the effectiveness of FMT on Autism and its associated GI symptoms. In New Zealand, a study led by Wayne Cutfield, investigates the effect of FMT on weight loss in obese individuals. In Ontario, Canada, a series of studies have been performed on FMT as a potential treatment for Colitis. There are even studies recruiting right now for FMT-associated cures for Bipolar Disorder, Crohn’s Disease, Parkinson’s, Disease, MS, and more! You can check out our list of recruiting studies right here.
The future of poop transplantsIn many senses, the future of FMT is now. Around the globe, physicians are studying its effectiveness in treating some of our most misunderstood diseases. FMT is approved for wide use, at the discretion of the practitioner, in many countries. But in others, like Canada and the United States, it is only approved for use in C Diff infections.
The how and why of stool transplant curative powers largely remains a mystery. Its effects have been reported to cure/reduce symptoms in conditions from Colitis to Autism to Parkinson’s Disease. Though not always effective, it’s potential is promising and needs to be studied further. The future of FMT lies in uncovering what aspects of the treatment are working to treat these illnesses, and isolating them to create more specialized and effective treatments.
Where can I get a stool transplant?
As mentioned above, FMT is only approved for wide-ranging therapeutic use in certain countries, where the regulations are country-specific. But if you live in a country where it is not approved for use, with the rise in interest in fecal transplants, you can be sure there will be more studies popping up.
Check out a nearby University or research institute to see if they have any studies you can participate in.
Should I try a fecal transplant at home?
Though we understand that the limited access to FMT can be frustrating, you should never attempt a DIY fecal transplant. There isn’t yet enough research to ensure the absolute safety of the procedure, and it is very difficult to ensure a safe donor without testing, which can only be done in a clinical setting.
Yes, there is some promising research and anecdotal evidence to support FMT, but we don’t yet know the true effectiveness of the treatment. If you do not live in a country where fecal implant is approved as a general therapy and you are not currently living with a C Diff infection, but you want to try it, look into the trials that may be happening in your area.
If you found this article helpful make sure to subscribe to our newsletter, or like us on Facebook for updates on everything FMT and the microbiome. If you want to learn more about the specifics of this process, check out these resources:
Fecal Transplant Guide: 40+ Best FMT Articles and Resources
This guide will point you in the direction of everything you need to know about FMT: what it is, current trials and studies, resources for getting news updates, and more!
I Had a Fecal Transplant and It Saved My Life
FMT can be a life saving treatment. Read one woman’s story about how a fecal implant saved her from a deadly C Diff infection.
Everything You Need To Know About Becoming a Fecal Transplant Donor
Stool donors are in high demand for stool transplant therapies. Learn what it takes, and how you can become a donor.
Oral Capsules vs Colonoscopy-Delivered FMT
Scientists study and break down which is more effective to improve gut microbiome related disease - FMT by way of colonoscopy or the “crapsule.”
Previous post
https://www.designershitdocumentary.com/blog-posts/fecal-transplant-guide-how-they-work-and-what-they-can-cure?
Stool is a rich source of microbiota - that is, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses. When poop is transplanted, the healthy microbiota from the donor is able to assist the weakened microbiome health of the patient, returning their microbiome to a more balanced and healthy state.
Fecal Transplants may or may not be something you already know a bit about, but if you don’t, this article will help you understand what is sure to be the next frontier in medicine. We’ll break down the following topics:
- What is a fecal transplant?
- How does a fecal transplant work?
- FMT treatment: how is it administered?
- Is FMT safe? What are the risks involved?
- What symptoms and diseases can FMT cure?
- The history of fecal microbiota transplants
- The future of poop transplants
- Where can I get a stool transplant?
- Should I try a fecal transplant at home?
What is a fecal transplant?
A fecal transplant, otherwise called bacteriotherapy or a fecal microbiota transplant (FMT), is a medical therapy where stool is taken from a healthy donor, and is transplanted into the gut of a sick patient. FMT is used to treat illnesses attributed to a connection with an unhealthy or gut microbiome.
How does a fecal transplant work?
FMT treats patients through the insertion of stool from a healthy individual into the gut of an ill patient. This delivers healthy microbes to their gut, and replaces bad bacteria. The purpose is for the healthy bacteria to stave off the bad bacteria living in the guts of someone who is sick.
In Clostridium Difficile, for example, the therapy works by reculturing healthy bacteria in the gut to fight off the invasive Clostridium Difficile bacteria. A C Diff infection is the most common illness fecal microbiota transplantation is used as a cure for, but there are plenty of other microbiome-related diseases being studied as potential candidates for the use FMT.
Wait, what’s the microbiome?
The microbiome is the whole of the communities of bacteria, fungi,protozoa and viruses that live inside our bodies. We contain millions of microbiota, more than human cells, and they play an important role in key functions such as digestion, immune response and brain health (more specifically, the gut brain axis).
The microbiome is broken up into different sections in the body. There are unique microbiome communities in our noses, ears, eyes, mouths, skins and guts. Each community has its own functions, and is affected by many factors including stress level, diet, geography, and even ancestral background.
FMT treatment: how is it administered?
After a fecal sample is collected from a donor, it is carefully screened for diseases and irregularities. If the sample is safe, it is turned into a slurry by mixing in water or saline to the stool. The slurry is either frozen for later use, or used immediately, in which case it is transplanted into the gut of the patient using one of three methods:
- Colonoscopy or Enema: This is the simplest method of delivery. The stool is inserted directly into the colon. Enema is used for a lower tract delivery and colonoscopy for an upper tract delivery.
- Nasoenteric tube: A tube is inserted in the nose and fed down into the stomach or small bowel for delivery.
- Poop capsule(a “crapsule”): A fecal-filled capsule designed to break down in the gut is swallowed. As many as 8 capsules have to be ingested to receive the equivalent amount of material as is distributed through the other two methods.
Enema or colonoscopy are the more commonly used methods. Nasoenteric tube delivery and poop capsules are available for those who prefer a less invasive procedure.
Is FMT safe?
What are the risks involved?
FMT, performed in a clinical setting, is a safe treatment with very few associated risks and reported side effects. Though it is a low-risk therapy when done properly and with a carefully screened donor, the same level of safety is not guaranteed when done at home with a DIY fecal transplant procedure.
Risks of an FMT:
There have been very few reported FMT side effects and/or complications associated with it. Some minor symptoms may occur, including abdominal pain, cramps, changes in bowel movements, and very rarely - Intestine Perforation, but these symptoms are also common symptoms of the diseases FMT is used to treat.
The long-term effects have yet to be studied because its use in clinical settings of study has been relatively recent. There are have been reports of anecdotal symptoms, but none are seen as broad safety risks of a stool transplant.
What symptoms and diseases can FMT cure?
FMT is mainly used to treat C. Diff, but it has the potential to treat a whole host of conditions – Ulcerative, Colitis, Crohn’s, IBS, and more. These, along with other chronic diseases, are thought to be linked to the gut microbiome. Fecal transplants alter the gut bacteria that causes inflammation.
Although these illnesses affect the human body in different ways, the belief that the gut microbiome is at a core of them is why fecal matter transplants are thought to be so effective. Below are all the diseases Fecal Microbiota Transplants are currently being used or studied to treat:
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Autism
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Clostridium Difficile Infection
- Colitis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Eczema
- Fibromyalgia
- IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- Insulin Resistance
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Mood Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Obesity
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Psoriasis
The history of fecal microbiota transplants
There are references to Fecal Transplants going back 2000 years in Chinese literature. In more recent history, it has been used since the 1950s, principally for the treatment of Clostridium Difficile. But the therapy didn’t really pick up steam until the early 2000s when C Diff prevalence started rising, and a rise in mortality rates were observed.
Clinicians took notice of the treatment and started applying it more readily for the treatment of C Diff. Now studies are underway around the world to examine the application of the FMT procedure as a treatment for other diseases, mainly those classified as chronic illnesses that have been found to have associations with the gut microbiome.
There are studies underway at the University of Arizona, looking at the effectiveness of FMT on Autism and its associated GI symptoms. In New Zealand, a study led by Wayne Cutfield, investigates the effect of FMT on weight loss in obese individuals. In Ontario, Canada, a series of studies have been performed on FMT as a potential treatment for Colitis. There are even studies recruiting right now for FMT-associated cures for Bipolar Disorder, Crohn’s Disease, Parkinson’s, Disease, MS, and more! You can check out our list of recruiting studies right here.
The future of poop transplantsIn many senses, the future of FMT is now. Around the globe, physicians are studying its effectiveness in treating some of our most misunderstood diseases. FMT is approved for wide use, at the discretion of the practitioner, in many countries. But in others, like Canada and the United States, it is only approved for use in C Diff infections.
The how and why of stool transplant curative powers largely remains a mystery. Its effects have been reported to cure/reduce symptoms in conditions from Colitis to Autism to Parkinson’s Disease. Though not always effective, it’s potential is promising and needs to be studied further. The future of FMT lies in uncovering what aspects of the treatment are working to treat these illnesses, and isolating them to create more specialized and effective treatments.
Where can I get a stool transplant?
As mentioned above, FMT is only approved for wide-ranging therapeutic use in certain countries, where the regulations are country-specific. But if you live in a country where it is not approved for use, with the rise in interest in fecal transplants, you can be sure there will be more studies popping up.
Check out a nearby University or research institute to see if they have any studies you can participate in.
Should I try a fecal transplant at home?
Though we understand that the limited access to FMT can be frustrating, you should never attempt a DIY fecal transplant. There isn’t yet enough research to ensure the absolute safety of the procedure, and it is very difficult to ensure a safe donor without testing, which can only be done in a clinical setting.
Yes, there is some promising research and anecdotal evidence to support FMT, but we don’t yet know the true effectiveness of the treatment. If you do not live in a country where fecal implant is approved as a general therapy and you are not currently living with a C Diff infection, but you want to try it, look into the trials that may be happening in your area.
If you found this article helpful make sure to subscribe to our newsletter, or like us on Facebook for updates on everything FMT and the microbiome. If you want to learn more about the specifics of this process, check out these resources:
Fecal Transplant Guide: 40+ Best FMT Articles and Resources
This guide will point you in the direction of everything you need to know about FMT: what it is, current trials and studies, resources for getting news updates, and more!
I Had a Fecal Transplant and It Saved My Life
FMT can be a life saving treatment. Read one woman’s story about how a fecal implant saved her from a deadly C Diff infection.
Everything You Need To Know About Becoming a Fecal Transplant Donor
Stool donors are in high demand for stool transplant therapies. Learn what it takes, and how you can become a donor.
Oral Capsules vs Colonoscopy-Delivered FMT
Scientists study and break down which is more effective to improve gut microbiome related disease - FMT by way of colonoscopy or the “crapsule.”
Previous post
https://www.designershitdocumentary.com/blog-posts/fecal-transplant-guide-how-they-work-and-what-they-can-cure?
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❖
Irritable B. Syndrom
❖
https://www.kindness2.com/gut-and-mental-illness.html
https://www.kindness2.com/tissue-cleaning1.html
❖
10 - Day Green Smoothie Cleanse .pdf
Download File
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Dr. Bernard Jensen. Tissue Cleansing Through Bowl Management.pdf
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| Mind Gut Connection |
| Microbiome Diet |
| The Gut |
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Flint HJ. The impact of nutrition on the human microbiome – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22861801/
Inchingolo F, Inchingolo AD, Palumbo I, Trilli I, Guglielmo M, Mancini A, Palermo A, Inchingolo AM, Dipalma G. The Impact of Cesarean Section Delivery on Intestinal Microbiota: Mechanisms, Consequences, and Perspectives – https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/2/1055
Nysten J, Van Dijck P. Can we microbe-manage our vitamin acquisition for better health? – https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1011361
Frances Spragge et al. ,Microbiome diversity protects against pathogens by nutrient blocking – https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adj3502
Wiertsema SP, van Bergenhenegouwen J, Garssen J, Knippels LMJ. The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Treatment Strategies. – https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/3/886
Yao, Yao et al. “The role of short-chain fatty acids in immunity, inflammation and metabolism.” – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33261516/
Xiong RG, Li J, Cheng J, Zhou DD, Wu SX, Huang SY, Saimaiti A, Yang ZJ, Gan RY, Li HB. The Role of Gut Microbiota in Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Disorders as Well as the Protective Effects of Dietary Components – https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/14/3258
El-Merahbi, Rabih; Löffler, Mona; Mayer, Alexander; Sumara, Grzegorz . (2015). The roles of peripheral serotonin in metabolic homeostasis – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26070423/
Hilimire, Matthew R et al. “Fermented foods, neuroticism, and social anxiety: An interaction model.” – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25998000/
Levy, M., Kolodziejczyk, A., Thaiss, C. et al. Dysbiosis and the immune system – https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2017.7
Dukowicz AC, Lacy BE, Levine GM. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a comprehensive review – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3099351/
Soemarie YB, Milanda T, Barliana MI. Fermented Foods as Probiotics: A Review – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34820306/
Inchingolo F, Inchingolo AD, Palumbo I, Trilli I, Guglielmo M, Mancini A, Palermo A, Inchingolo AM, Dipalma G. The Impact of Cesarean Section Delivery on Intestinal Microbiota: Mechanisms, Consequences, and Perspectives – https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/2/1055
Nysten J, Van Dijck P. Can we microbe-manage our vitamin acquisition for better health? – https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1011361
Frances Spragge et al. ,Microbiome diversity protects against pathogens by nutrient blocking – https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adj3502
Wiertsema SP, van Bergenhenegouwen J, Garssen J, Knippels LMJ. The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Treatment Strategies. – https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/3/886
Yao, Yao et al. “The role of short-chain fatty acids in immunity, inflammation and metabolism.” – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33261516/
Xiong RG, Li J, Cheng J, Zhou DD, Wu SX, Huang SY, Saimaiti A, Yang ZJ, Gan RY, Li HB. The Role of Gut Microbiota in Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Disorders as Well as the Protective Effects of Dietary Components – https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/14/3258
El-Merahbi, Rabih; Löffler, Mona; Mayer, Alexander; Sumara, Grzegorz . (2015). The roles of peripheral serotonin in metabolic homeostasis – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26070423/
Hilimire, Matthew R et al. “Fermented foods, neuroticism, and social anxiety: An interaction model.” – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25998000/
Levy, M., Kolodziejczyk, A., Thaiss, C. et al. Dysbiosis and the immune system – https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2017.7
Dukowicz AC, Lacy BE, Levine GM. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a comprehensive review – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3099351/
Soemarie YB, Milanda T, Barliana MI. Fermented Foods as Probiotics: A Review – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34820306/
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