Would you donate a poop sample to help someone with health issues?
Sure, this one sounds a bit… left-field.
BUT the science behind faecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) – the transplant of faecal matter donated by a healthy person into the large intestine of someone who is ill, to restore the balance of the microbiota in the latter’s gut – is incredibly promising.
Here’s some key info
FMT has been used for MANY years in mainstream medicine (yes in all the big hospitals) to help people with a very severe gut infection that don’t respond to antibiotics- it’s seen amazing cure rates of around 90%! Saving thousands of lives each year.
Faecal matter was typically delivered to the recipient’s large intestine via colonoscopy (a tube up the back-end) but is now being done via endoscopy (a tube down the top-end) and even more recently being made into capsules to be taken orally.
Research groups all over the world are now exploring how else this treatment might be harnessed. With studies spanning type 2 diabetes, ulcerative colitis, IBS, liver disease, types of arthritis, just to name a few!
In fact, some of my colleagues at King’s College London and St Thomas’ Hospital are soon to embark upon some exciting FMT trials. If you’re intrigued by the potential of this cutting edge treatment, we’d love it if you would consider taking part either as a:
- DONOR: If you’re in good health, you could give a poop sample to use in either the trials or treating those severe gut infections.
- RECIPIENT: If you deal with liver disease or arthritis, and are seeking a potential solution, you could be eligible to take part in this novel treatment.
Keen to know more? I’ll be sharing all of the specifics in my March newsletter. It’s free to join and takes just a minute, via the link in my bio.
Ever heard of FMTs? Curious about how they work? Let me know!
I know the desperation that can come with many health conditions and despite the private FMT clinics popping up, promising the world, it’s still risky business so please don’t be tempted to go privately, I’ve seen some bad cases in clinic. Ill keep you updated with the latest.
