The Good Gut

April 1, 2015
Stanford University scientists deliver an exhaustive, and sometimes exhausting, survey of the human microbiome. Buzzwords like probiotic and prebiotic make health news headlines, but how many of\ us really know what those terms mean? Here to explain those concepts, and everything else related to the role of bacteria in our bodies, are two Stanford University School of Medicine scientists with indisputable credentials. Both work in Stanford's Department of Microbiology and Immunology-Justin as a professor and Erica as a researcher-and while their expertise is impressive and their writing clear, they share so much information that readers may get bogged down in the details and lose track of how it all relates to them personally. Readers looking for the practical applications promised in the book's subtitle, for instance, may be frustrated by a wealth of what can seem like esoteric experiments and a dearth of details on more conventional matters like precisely how to produce the fermented foods the authors recommend adding to the diet. (Recipes for microbe-friendly muesli, smoothies, scrambles, and similar foods appear only in an appendix.) Meanwhile, scientists will be fascinated by the carefully reproduced studies that highlight surprising findings-stressing a lab animal, for instance, can change its gut microbiota-yet may have misgivings about the Sonnenburgs' untested views on things like hand-washing routines and infant feeding. Sometimes proof and opinion seem at odds, as when the authors consider the gut bacterias' possible impact on autism spectrum disorders; though the experiments cited are inconclusive, the Sonnenburgs express unexpected optimism that a connection will one day be found. The authors' enthusiasm for their subject is evident throughout and may be enough to maintain interest in both lay and academic readers. Andrew Weil provides the foreword. An informative guide to the gut in search of its best audience.

May 1, 2015

The large intestine contains the biggest microbial community in the body as hundreds of species of bacteria, or microbiota, reside in the human digestive tract. While microbes are known to aid in digestion and stimulate the immune system, only recently have scientists began to study the complex, symbiotic relationship between the human gut and its microbes.

In The Good Gut, Justin and Erica Sonnenburg, professor and researcher of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University respectively, explain the role that microbes play in the GI tract and how they relate to overall health, including possible links to obesity, autoimmune diseases, cancer, allergies, and more. While antibiotics and a low-fiber diet contribute to decreased microbiota, the good news is that gut flora diversity can be improved by consuming a microbiota-friendly diet that includes probiotics, fermented products, and high-fiber foods, especially those containing inulin, a natural storage carbohydrate. While aimed at the layperson, this title is acronym heavy: be prepared to understand SCFAs, MACs, FMTs, CDAD, EPS, and ASD.

Gut, written by Enders, a medical student, takes a lighthearted approach to the "body's most underrated organ." Originally published in German and a best seller on Germany's paperback charts, the title covers the entire digestive tract--from the mouth and tonsils to the esophagus to the small and large intestine, humorously lauding the elegance of the bowels. Along the way, the author covers myriad topics: the proper way to sit on a toilet, vomiting, constipation, feces facts, and the influence the gut has on the brain. The third portion of the book covers microbes, both good and bad. VERDICT With the increased attention paid to microbiota and the gut, readers will find each of these books noteworthy. Those interested in changing their microbiota will want to read The Good Gut; those who like a conversational approach to learning about the digestive system will prefer Gut.--Pauline Theriault, Multnomah Cty. Lib., Portland, OR

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