Gut reaction

摘要

The twists and turns of the human gut support an active and diverse micro-bial ecosystem. The tens of trillions of bacteria aren't just hitchhikers; they interact intimately with the immune system, and are so integral to our health that some scientists have deemed them the "forgotten organ". Today scientists are trying to unravel the relationship between changes in lifestyles in recent decades, changes in our microbiota, and the skyrocketing prevalence of allergies in the developed world. Establishing a link between these phenomena could lead to treatments for allergies and asthma.