The Secret Life of Your Microbiome: Why Nature and Biodiversity are Essential to Health and Happiness

by Susan L. Prescott, Alan C. Logan

Immerse Yourself in Nature and Nourish Your Microbiome for Optimal Health For too long our bodies have been viewed as capsules, sealed off and protected from 'bugs' by our immune systems and an arsenal of antibiotics, pesticides, processed foods, and antibacterial soaps. The more insulated from nature, the better. The Secret Life of Your Microbiome shatters this deeply held myth, presenting a revolutionary new paradigm, backed by vast science; we're deeply connected to the biodiversity of nature through our microbiomes, the rich microbial ecosystem of our guts and skin, and this connection is essential to health and happiness. From sugar-rich diets wiping out good gut bacteria and exacerbating depression, to microbes mediating phytonutrient absorption in the brain, to inflammation and cancer, the influence of biodiversity on our bodies is everywhere. The great communicator is our immune system, a 'mobile brain' that interacts with micro-organisms in and around us with profound health consequences. Written with pace, clarity, and humor by world-renowned scientists in immunology, nutrition, and environmental health, The Secret Life of Your Microbiome makes the irrefutable case that health and happiness depends fundamentally on the health of biodiversity, and shows how we can nurture this nature. AWARDS

Genres: Health, Science, Nutrition

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2017

Reviews

[Charles Maclauchlan]

Perhaps if this were the first I had read on this subject the book could have been eye opening. It's not and it wasn't. The authors, obviously well versed and intelligent also hold very strong opinions on what we, as a society are doing incorrectly. The first few chapters were essentially a critique on lifestyles (and political beliefs). Having suffered through the scolding in the first chapters I was hoping for some substance in the next few, then the next few, then the next few. With the inclusion of a few overworked anecdotes as evidence the tone of the book remained the same. I understand that this subject has only recently started to receive true scientific attention and so conclusions, if any, are rare. However something resembling conclusions are most definitely required in order to be taken seriously. If the subject of our microbiome remains one of "Don't do's" it will fall in step with crystals, colored chakra's and astral emoting. We need a few more positive "Try these" type steps.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved The Secret Life of Your Microbiome, but I also have to start with its one flaw, because that flaw is so major. I'm just going to get this over with right now: I would have absolutely given this book five stars if it had proper footnotes. The lack of proper footnotes (and a few cases where a study or author was referenced in the text and I couldn't even find it in the bibliography at the end) is really inexcusable in a book that a) engages a lot with academic literature, and b) takes said academic literature seriously to task. I really hope that this book will be reissued someday and that the next edition will contain full citations - because what this book has to say needs to be read.

We live in a time of unprecedented environmental problems, as well as a time in which unprecedented numbers of people are getting sick with chronic, non-communicable diseases. I've seen a lot of discussion on both of these issues in recent years, but always looking at one or the other. And maybe there's been lots of writing connecting them as well and I just don't know as this is far from my area of expertise. But, for me, Prescott's and Logan's work in connecting these two ills through loss of biodiversity (species-wise and microbial ... ) was really exciting and thought-provoking. They draw on and critique a number of recent scientific and medical studies to support their arguments. Interestingly, they also draw on the surprisingly philosophical writings of a number of 20th century scientific pioneers, such as Rene Dubos, whose work led to the development of antibiotics, and Jonas Salk, who developed the polio vaccine, to argue that science needs to take a more holistic view of entire systems in order to tackle the pressing problems of today.

Prescott and Logan pull together ideas around the human immune system and its connection to the human microbiome, as well as its connection to the wider ecosystem, through a review of a number of interesting studies that find, amongst other things, that being in nature is measurably good for human beings. In addition, the same issues with environmental degradation that are leading to species depletion in the wider world may be leading to changes in our individual gut microbiomes: thus our increasing susceptibility to non-communicable diseases. Other potential culprits connected to modern life that they identify as contributing to ill health include: antibiotic overuse (particularly in agriculture), diets containing what Prescott and Logan call 'Astrofood', diets missing a number of features of traditional nutrition (essential fatty acids, phytonutrients, fibre and fermented foods), as well as high levels of stress.

Prescott is an immunologist and Logan a naturopath. That combination is both strange and refreshing in the writing on health in this book. They are highly critical of authoritarian mainstream medicine that sometimes lacks the cutting edge scientific information, or just even the plain old fashioned diagnostic tools, to identify what is really happening to people. They argue that many people have ill health that is influenced by microbial imbalances, but that as they do not meet diagnostic thresholds, they are told by far too many doctors that it is all in their heads. Prescott and Logan are also highly critical of unscientific quackery that is found all too often in alternative medicine. I found this a refreshingly nuanced discussion of medicine, and how really to make care better in the 21st century: use science, but approach medicine as an holistic art.

Prescott and Logan present solutions for the health of the individual microbiome, which include spending time outdoors, mindfulness, probiotics (while taking a cautious stance on commercially prepared products) and traditional nutrition, including a number of recipes in the back of the book. This is all fairly standard personal health advice of a naturopathic/functional medicine perspective. But they also argue, in keeping with their view of the wider picture, for restraints on capitalism, investing in community, and a scientific/medical profession that is trained to look at things holistically. I guess this side of things is a bit more complicated and, as a result, the proposed actions are a bit vaguer. But I feel like they say what needs to be said: people are dying as the result of systems that facilitate greed, corruption and environmental destruction in the world we live in today. This may all seem abstract - but it's not. The same systems at play in the wider world are at play inside each of us.

[Ariella Lukach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. It's either an introduction, or a reminder, to all the little things (figuratively and literally) that are important in life. I think I should go back to it yearly.

[Raymond · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not recommend this book, it will teach you next to nothing. There is exactly one chapter on the microbiome starting on page 203. And even that chapter is general fluff. The wikipedia page about the microbiome has more information. The recipe's are alright I guess (bit you could also say that in one sentence eat yogurt, fresh whole food and make bone broth. or make a real cookbook) and there is nothing in the book I disagree with. But what were they thinking?? Anybody buying a book on the microbiome doesn't need hunderds of pages about the importance of connecting to nature or that fastfood is bad! We know that, everybody knows that. We don't need a book to reaffirm this. I understand the good intentions but its absolutely useless. No real history, no real applicatuon, just very very general. Buy some L. Reuteri instead.

[Jackie Lindstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this book, as I find it fascinating how the health of your gut can affect so much about you.

However, I was frustrated because I felt like this book was just repetitively making broad statements, without giving specific results from studies to back up their claims. This was frustrating because I know there are plenty of studies done on the impact of your microbiome, they just weren't really being referenced. Maybe this is just me loving specific facts with numbers.

Overall a good book that made me think- and want to eat some more yoghurt :)

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exhaustingly verbose.

[Clivemichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chatty indictment of science dogma and a timely prescription for biophilia.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointed in this disjointed narrative that was only tangentially related to the microbiome.

[Caprian Liu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some interesting information but i find that the author is overly opinionated and emotional which makes it harder to read
Also not really fond of it talking about autism as a chronic illness

[Lavender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Information about how gut health can affect your overall health. I liked that there were even recipes at the end.

I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.