Super poo: the emerging science of stool transplants and designer gut bacteria

The Guardian ^ | Sun 2 Jan 2022 | Tory Shepherd

[nickcarraway]

SNIP

Emerging science shows that a human’s microbiome – their constellation of gut microbes – has a far greater effect on health than anyone previously imagined. This enormous ecosystem we host in our bodies includes bacteria, fungi, viruses and more.

The collective genetic material in the microbiome performs myriad functions that affect our mood, our immunity, and our physical and mental health.

Crappy western diets and antibiotics are depleting our microbiota. And in some cases, a person’s microbiome is disordered enough that it needs a little boost from someone else’s.

“We’re showing that you can actually reimagine a food system that’s not built on the foundation of single-use plastic”, said CEO James Rogers. ‘It comes from bacteria, and goes back to bacteria’: the future of plastic alternatives Read more Restoring them to health has become a very serious scientific endeavour, as the diversity of our gut bacteria is linked to everything from depression to how we respond to cancer treatment.

The transfer of healthy stool into the gastrointestinal tract of an unhealthy recipient has been proven to treat people with intestinal conditions, including the superbug Clostridium difficile colitis, or C diff – which can cause diarrhoea, sepsis and even death.

But as scientific understanding of the microbiome improves, the possibilities of faecal transplants are expanding.

Now researchers are working on a “super stool” – a poo pellet you can eat that mimics a so-called unicorn’s special abilities.

[Aria]

When in the hospital my husband got C-diff and ultimately this is what cured it after antibiotics didn’t work.

[dfwgator]

Reporter 1 Can we have your poop?

Tom No. Guys, I'm not gonna take any requests for my microbiome. I just wanna focus on the team. We're 10-1 now, you know, but, we can't let up. Yeah?

Sportwriter Please, can we have your poop?

Tom Okay, I'm not, I'm not gonna stay our here, you guys. It's just- Does anyone have a real question?

Reporter 2 Tom, after you leave here, are you gonna go eat somewhere or go right home and have a-

Tom Nono, no. See, I'm not gonna tell you where I'm going, because you're all gonna try and follow me into the bathroom. You're not taking my feces, so unless you have a football question, we're done here.

Reporter 1 Can we buy your poop?

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

That’s what Gay Guys have been selling for years.

[nickcarraway]

That’s interesting. It sounds like he was in a cutting edge hospital.

[griffin]

Butt why?

[Aria]

Emanual Hospital in Portland

[rarestia]

Lots of good natural foods for helping your gut biome. Fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut go a long way, and foods such as probiotic yogurts and kombucha are amazing daily treats to help as well. I’ve been drinking kombucha almost daily for months, and I’ve noticed a significant change in my cravings, sense of smell, and regularity.

[griffin]

Might really need to start reading ingredient lists for anything marketed as ‘fudge’.

[Eleutheria5]

Not the Babylon Bee! This is series!

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Emmanuel Hospital? That’s where I was born. Wonder if the plaque’s still up.

[Yardstick]

...diarrhoea...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What kind of fancypants spelling is this?

[nickcarraway]

British English?

[Pollard]

eat dirt

[rlmorel]

This has been around for a little while...

[Eleutheria5]

Gives a whole new meaning to ESAD.

[MayflowerMadam]

I heard about the poo transplant procedure many years ago. Sounds weird, but if you’re in agony I guess it would be a viable option.

[ClearCase_guy]

You can try to “follow the science” but I think science is heading straight into the toilet.

[Cats1]

I’ve been drinking 2 cups of homemade kombucha for the last 11 days and am crossing my fingers it will make me feel better. — Just wanted to say your post is giving me hope. :)

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

Don’t forget this is HUGH,