All the Bugs

Dr Jim of Mental Indigestion has a two-part series on the human microbiome. In part I, he focuses on the diversity of the gut microbiome and points out studies that show that lean and obese mice have different gut microbiota. He also discusses probiotics, writing that “there is some evidence to suggest they may be of benefit, but on the whole, evidence is lacking and more research is certainly warranted." In part II, Dr Jim looks at the skin microbiome. Two studies from the Gallo lab at the University of California, San Diego, he says “provide a tantalising case for the benefits we may receive from components of our skin microbiome.”