12 MAR 2019: Back in middle school, I had a history teacher who was well known for tough love and never missing an opportunity to make an example out of you. There were many different lines he would use to put disruptive kids in their places, but the stool jokes always stood out to me. Likely because they were lost on my innocence and I spent more time than I’d like to admit trying to understand what was so funny about likening a student to a stool. If you had asked me back then about it, I would’ve likely sent you to IKEA. But today, having since clued in, I would send you to London, England.

Because in London you’ll find various Ikea locations, and, you’ll also find the Taymount Clinic. A clinic solely dedicated to a fast-growing health care practise that some are calling the new frontier in medicine. Back in 2003, they established the first clinic of its kind, specializing in fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), or stool transplants. Yes, you’ve read that correctly and no this is not a joke, April Fool’s Day is still a few weeks out on my count.

To be fair, calling it a poop transplant is a bit of an oversimplification, it would be more accurate to liken it to a probiotic supplement that happens to be sourced from fecal matter. But here is why you should continue reading.

Research is catching up to the beliefs of ancient philosopher’s as we now acknowledge the link between disease and the quality of your gut health. But more specifically, between disease and your microbiome, which represents the bacterial colonies that live in your gut. Maybe you’re familiar with probiotic yogurts, or maybe you’ve even taken a probiotic supplement, but did you know just how far reaching their effects can be? To say they’re only helpful in supporting a good poop is like saying that peanut butter is only good with jam. It’s a disservice because the possibilities are endless.

Yes, having a healthy balance of bacteria in your microbiome will help with satisfying bowel movements but they also help with digestion and proper absorption. Think of them like the gatekeepers and the first line of defence. They provide a physical barrier to protect the delicate intestinal lining, they provide immune support at this crucial main entry point, and they optimize efficiency in distinguishing the good from the waste. They help to produce nutrients like vitamin K and B12, and they’ve been linked to blood sugar regulation in support of those living with diabetes. The microbiome has also been associated with improved calcium absorption and bone health, it supports and regulates immune function both against the common cold and even autoimmune conditions. This list goes on and on – these folks deserve a raise!

But the importance of a healthy and balanced microbiome is not only to be considered in people with a diagnosed condition. One of the greatest lessons from my holistic training is unlearning the concept that people are healthy until they’re not. Small preventative measures should always be a priority, and supporting your microbiome is a great way to optimize your wellbeing. To be frank, we all have a lot of room to improve here because our greatest health ally has been endangered in the modern Western lifestyle.

Our diets favour processed and refined junk foods that are loaded with sugar, while nutritious and fibrous whole foods are almost non-existent. Top that off with an over-reliance on antibiotic usage in prescriptions, factory farming, and even household cleaning products, and we are obsessed with the destruction of 99.99% of germs.

But in this quest against the bad guys we’ve also wiped out the ones that keep us safe.

Unfortunately, once they’re gone it can be tricky to get them back. FMT is the superhero we never thought we needed. Popularized by its 91% success rate in severe C. Diff infections, characterized by abdominal pain and life-threatening diarrhea, many are starting to take notice. The Taymount Clinic uses a sophisticated process wherein they extract only the bacterial organisms and remove the other waste bits that constitute your stool. They use rigorous testing and procedures that protect the integrity of the samples and the health of their patients. Success stories for those living with inflammatory bowel and autoimmune conditions are inspiring for the growing 50 million Americans hindered by these conditions.

Maybe you won’t stop in for a quickie on your next trip, but I do hope you’ll show your gut some love.

Try to incorporate more whole foods rich in prebiotic fibres that your good gut bugs enjoy. Asparagus, leeks, sunchokes and cabbage are just a short list of examples. Try more fermented foods (sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, etc.) that are rich in probiotics to help repopulate your gut with the beneficial bugs you need to feel energized. Variety is key, so if there is one take away here, try to change up your vegetable rotation beyond just broccoli, peas and carrots. Our gut bugs love a good buffet almost as much as they love it when we exercise and try to mediate our stress levels. Forget your creams, the fountain of youth is within us and it’s covered in poop, not all that glitters is gold, my friends.