cookiepants's review against another edition
This book is very scientific and fact heavy. It’s a dense read. Very interesting. But not a light read.
me_cara_ree's review against another edition
4.0
This book is several years old, and in the world of science, this is a big deal. Plenty of other studies have come out about microbiota in the years and may either support or debunk some of the findings in this book. Overall, I think the message is good and written in such a way that the general public can also receive the message. You need to eat the right things to keep certain populations of bacteria present in your gut. My biggest critique of this book was that it’s aimed towards privileged people, specifically those with time and money. They mention hand grinding their own wheat germ and preparing dried beans for the week. Not everyone will have the time or resources to do so. They also talk about how they saw a lactation specialist even though it wasn’t covered by insurance. That‘s not always going to be an option for people due to finances.
I think a couple people in my old department were quite skeptical about results of microbiota studies and it rubbed off on me. With a lot of the studies in mice, I do think it’s important to remember that not everything will always translate to humans. I also think it’s a good idea to make sure you don’t take one small study and make a broad conclusion about it. The authors mention that microbiota research is still in its infancy, and we ought to keep that in mind. It will be interesting to see where the future goes. I would love to see an updated 2020 book. We’re definitely moving towards personalized medicine, but I think it will be a long time, if ever, that personalized medicine in the US is accessible to everyone. I’d also like to see the FDA take firmer control over probiotics.
I sound terribly critical of their book, but in the scientific world we’re taught to pick things apart! I really like how they talked about the history of flour and why carbohydrates have been considered “bad”. In the end, it’s a solid book that introduces microbiome research and creates a lot of discussion.
I think a couple people in my old department were quite skeptical about results of microbiota studies and it rubbed off on me. With a lot of the studies in mice, I do think it’s important to remember that not everything will always translate to humans. I also think it’s a good idea to make sure you don’t take one small study and make a broad conclusion about it. The authors mention that microbiota research is still in its infancy, and we ought to keep that in mind. It will be interesting to see where the future goes. I would love to see an updated 2020 book. We’re definitely moving towards personalized medicine, but I think it will be a long time, if ever, that personalized medicine in the US is accessible to everyone. I’d also like to see the FDA take firmer control over probiotics.
I sound terribly critical of their book, but in the scientific world we’re taught to pick things apart! I really like how they talked about the history of flour and why carbohydrates have been considered “bad”. In the end, it’s a solid book that introduces microbiome research and creates a lot of discussion.
dommdy's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
With this book I learned that there’s a lot I can do to improve my gut microbes to contribute to all around better help. There are even recipes and eating plans.
lory_enterenchanted's review against another edition
Part of my ongoing project to better understand and heal my own gut issues. The research is very exciting and promising, if somewhat limited and premature. The authors often present not-fully-tested theories (to be fair, they do say when they are doing this) or talk about their personal choices for their own two children, which are not evidence. Along with this filler, though, is a solid case to be made that our gut microbiota has a profound effect on many areas previously thought to be unrelated, and that improvements in gut health can likewise profoundly affect our physical and even mental health. Sadly, this also means that the modern threats to said gut microbiota -- especially the fiber-poor Western diet, the astronomic rate of unnecessary C-sections, the compulsion to oversanitize everything and fear dirt, and the dangerous, but seemingly unstoppable overuse of antibiotics -- have had a devastating effect that may not be reversible.
"We are a composite organism, an ecosystem," the authors say at the book's conclusion. The age of the individualistic, atomistic worldview, the prejudice that led us to see things as separate and disconnected, is at an end, a very dead end. In science, as in every other area of life, we must begin to see each part always in relation to the whole. And in terms of our physiology, that means becoming aware of and working in harmony with our invisible microbial friends. Here's to that hope for the future.
"We are a composite organism, an ecosystem," the authors say at the book's conclusion. The age of the individualistic, atomistic worldview, the prejudice that led us to see things as separate and disconnected, is at an end, a very dead end. In science, as in every other area of life, we must begin to see each part always in relation to the whole. And in terms of our physiology, that means becoming aware of and working in harmony with our invisible microbial friends. Here's to that hope for the future.
dav1es's review against another edition
4.0
I was fascinated with the science behind gut bacteria and its role in, well, everything. However, the book kind of repeated itself as it went on so I began skimming pages near the end. Nevertheless, I'd recommend it to many so that more can learn about gut bacteria and health effects.
sprague's review against another edition
4.0
Written by one of the practicing scientists in the field, this is a must-read, and especially interesting because it includes recipes at the end from a researcher who clearly is interested in the practical consequences of his discoveries. This is not the best book for a general science-reading audience (I still give that distinction to Tim Spector or Rob Knight), but if you're interested in specific suggestions -- which foods to eat or avoid, how often to wash your hands, how to raise your children) then you'll get accurate information here than in the best-selling diet alternatives.
wocytti's review against another edition
1.0
This book had the trappings - and authors - of a scientific book, yet literally said nothing other than inform the reader about the authors’ familial practices with regards to their microbiomes.
This was the least in-depth or sciency look at the microbiome I have come across. Save your time, not worth the read.
This was the least in-depth or sciency look at the microbiome I have come across. Save your time, not worth the read.
mamasquirrel's review against another edition
5.0
Whoa. This book has rocked my intestinal world. While the writing is dense and academic and leaves as many questions unanswered as it answers, it asks the RIGHT questions. The TIMELY ones. As I was reading, I kept thinking of people who need to read this book. People with auto-immune concerns. With digestion issues. With small children. People who are aging. People who are concerned about the overuse of antibiotics. People who (like me) are already sold on healthy eating. The Sonnenburgs do not beat around the bush about their (very well educated) views on microbiota and I learned a lot.