Heard of the phrase "micro biome"? It is the word used to describe the diverse and prolific community of microbes that live on and inside our bodies. In the modern, "civilised" era we spend a lot of time trying to eradicate our microbial population, but we need them- we need them to live.
Gradually we have come to learn their value to us; hence the use of live yoghurt to improve the flora in our gut and help our digestion. But recent research is showing it's far more complex than that.
A proper balance of bacteria in the mouth is essential to maintain the health of the mouth, by fighting off pathogenic, or disease inducing ones. In the gut it gets even stranger. A bacterium called Khristinella matuta has recently been shown to affect our appetite, restricting it in fact. And people lacking the bacteria are significantly more likely to be obese than those who harbour it. And this had led, bizarrely, to the idea of "faecal transplants", from thin people who possess the bug to fat people who don't. Incredibly, in many cases it seems to work at least as well as the highly invasive bariatric surgery which is the currently accepted best way of treating morbid obesity. So, Kate, if you'd just like to collect your poo, there's someone out there who needs it badly. More on this fascinating area to follow...
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