The Unbelievable Power of Poop: How Fecal Transplants Transform Health

When it comes to staying healthy, sometimes the strangest methods work the best. One such method is using poop from healthy people to cure sick people. This is called a fecal transplant. Dr. Steven Gundry, who wrote "The Plant Paradox," saw how powerful this method could be back in the 1970s.

The Link Between Gut Microbes and Health 

Dr. Gundry tells a surprising story from when he was at the Medical College of Georgia. Patients had a severe infection called clostridium difficile colitis, which affected their colons. This infection happened because of new antibiotics that messed up their gut bacteria. To cure them, doctors used fecal enemas made from the poop of healthy medical students. These enemas helped bring back healthy bacteria and made the patients well again. 

How Gut Microbes Affect Weight 

Our gut bacteria do more than just fight infections—they can also affect our weight. Scientists found that if you take poop from obese rats and give it to skinny rats, the skinny rats become fat. The opposite is also true: skinny rats’ poop makes fat rats thin. This works in humans too. Poop from overweight people can make skinny rats gain weight, especially if they also eat sugary and fatty foods. 

The History of Fecal Transplants 

Using fecal transplants to improve health is not a new idea. In the 1930s, patients with severe depression were treated with fecal enemas from happy people after cleaning their colons with laxatives. Many of these patients became happier, showing a strong connection between gut health and mental health. 

Looking Ahead 

Dr. Gundry's experience in the 1970s shows how important fecal transplants can be. Once a week, he and other medical students would donate their poop to help patients with clostridium difficile colitis. This practice saved many lives and showed how powerful gut bacteria can be. 

 

As we learn more about how our gut bacteria affect our health, fecal transplants might become even more common. They could help with infections, weight problems, and even mental health issues. The power of poop is a fascinating and powerful tool in medicine. 

 

In conclusion, the science behind fecal transplants shows how important our gut bacteria are for our health. Dr. Steven Gundry’s early experiences highlight how this method could change the way we treat diseases, giving hope to many people around the world.

Image/Credit: Miriam Alonso

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kyle Craig is a Miami Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach who helps men and women overcome health and fitness challenges in 8-12 weeks. Connect with him on social media for empowerment. Youtube and Instagram