Gut Punch: Marketing Microbiome Hype

This podcast was originally published on April 27th, 2018.

For more background information and links to related resources visit: goo.gl/3UyMT5

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In poop we trust?

It appears so.

At least judging from a glut of highly clickable news stories telling us that the trillions of microbes that live in our gut (and on our skin) are important determinants of health. We're told they can cure disease, change our mood, improve athletic performance, and even be modified by our diets in such a way that it puts us in control of balancing levels of "good and bad" bacteria.

Problem is, none of this is true. At least not yet. So how did we get to this misinformed place where belief in the microbiome as a panacea trumps the reality that this field -- though fascinating -- is still in its infancy?

That's what this podcast aims to answer.