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AllanfromWales1 t1_j1qtxuj wrote

There was a recent paper that said gut microbiota transplants only had a transitory benefit in the overweight and that after a few months the gut reverted to its old microbiota composition. Does this suggest a different conclusion, or is it maybe species dependent?

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-JPMorgan t1_j1szme3 wrote

Depends of course on how the transplant is done, but taking a pill every few months sounds like an absolutely easy treatment.

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MaximilianKohler OP t1_j1r1u6d wrote

There is a lot to still figure out with FMT. Most studies have severe deficiencies in donor quality and treatment length. Completely replacing an existing and very complex ecosystem isn't simple.

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Attila_the_Hunk t1_j1rc7xi wrote

One thing I'm super curious about: my dad doesn't have an appendix- he was born without one. If the appendix does act as a sort of reservoir for gut microbiota, I wonder if he would have more success with FMT than others who do have an appendix.

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[deleted] t1_j1qvjuh wrote

[deleted]

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MaximilianKohler OP t1_j1r1nta wrote

Most of that is not true. There's a wiki stickied in my profile that has a page on Aging, which debunks much of those claims. The "Intro" and "FMT" pages also have many studies showing long-term benefits.

There is a bi-directional pathway where environment can affect the microbiome and vice versa. But most studies show that the symptoms stem from the changing of the gut microbiome, and restoring it via FMT can reverse symptoms. Changing environment is much more limited, which is why FMT is being heavily researched as a treatment for numerous conditions.

There are many factors that need to be figured out, such as identifying ideal donors, and methods to completely replace the existing microbiome.

Our gut microbiomes have evolved alongside us for a millenia, and get passed down generationally. We're doing significant, permanent damage via antibiotics, lack of breastfeeding, junk diets, and more https://old.reddit.com/r/collapse/comments/bat7ml/while_antibiotic_resistance_gets_all_the. And these extinctions may only be reversible with FMT from the few people who are not yet damaged.

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