Biologists link gut microbial equilibrium to inflammatory bowel disease
Monday, May 10, 2010 - 00:31
in Health & Medicine
We are not alone -- even in our own bodies. The human gut houses 100 trillion bacteria, which have co-evolved with our digestive and immune systems. Most people consider bacteria harmful pathogens causing infections and disease, but other microbes, taking a different evolutionary path, have established beneficial relationships with their hosts. Still others may be perched in between, according to new research that offers new insight into the causes of inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.