A person, like all other living organisms, is actually a large universe that includes not only their own organs, tissues and cells, but also many other creatures: bacteria, fungi, protozoa and even viruses. This system is called the “microbiome”. The concept of the microbiome also includes all the genes of microorganisms.

The immune system protects the body from pathogens: viruses, bacteria, parasites. As well as from allergens, toxins and malignant cells. To do this, it has two main tools: antibodies and immune cells. Antibodies are proteins that circulate in the bloodstream, bind to pathogens or their proteins - antigens, and neutralize them. In addition, antibodies can “attract” immune cells to destroy the “enemy”.

The term "dysbiosis" or "dysbacteriosis" is relatively new, coined when scientists discovered the many different microorganisms that live in our bodies.

"Fecal transplant", "fecal transplant", "fecal microbiota transplant", "fecal bacteriotherapy", "fecal therapy" - these are the names of the same process. The official name is fecal microbiota transplantation or FMT. This is the "transplantation" of a healthy ecosystem of bacteria into the intestines of a sick person.

It’s no surprise that dysbiosis, or an imbalance in your microbiota, affects your mood: it’s hard to be cheerful and happy when you’re experiencing digestive problems and discomfort. But scientists have shown that in addition to mood, the activity of gut bacteria affects anxiety and susceptibility to stress. A balanced microflora helps the psyche cope with this.

The composition of the microbiota, or microorganisms that live in the intestines, has a significant impact on health. The "right" bacteria not only help with digestion, but also reduce inflammation, help maintain the health of the skin, reproductive and endocrine systems, as well as a person's psychological state. But with age, the composition of the microbiota changes.

Carcinogenesis is the process by which normal cells transform into cancerous cells. And while the role of genetics has been studied for a long time, the role of microbiota has only been studied since 2008.

How do drugs affect the microbiota? And can bacteria themselves change the effectiveness and absorption of drugs? We answer these and other questions in the article.