You Won’t Believe the Latest Wellness Trend: Eating Poop
A Bizarre Yet Popular Emerging Trend
You might not think that eating poop sounds like a good idea, but it is in fact an emerging – and even popular – wellness trend. Yes, the new frontier of the gut health craze involves taking pills that contain other people’s fecal matter. These so-called ‘fecal microbiota transplants’ (FMT) are said to not only cure potentially deadly digestive infections but also ease common complaints like constipation.
Welcome to the World of Fecal Microbiota Transplants
Companies are now offering the service of ‘healthy’ poop transplants – containing gut-boosting bugs – from donors, which are processed into pills. One such company, Human Microbes, even offers $100 poop enemas and $10 poop pills, claiming they can potentially treat a range of conditions from IBS to diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
This is an example of what FMT in an enema or colonoscopy form looks like when used in a hospital setting
But Beware of the Risks
While these fecal transplants may sound like a miracle cure, experts have warned that there are serious risks associated with them. The donors’ specimen may contain potentially harmful germs, including antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, which can easily infect the recipient. Infections such as pneumonia, E. coli, monkeypox, COVID, and even Ebola have been linked to improper screening and processing of the fecal matter.
In fact, in 2019, a patient undergoing an experimental FMT treatment died after being implanted with a sample that contained an antibiotic-resistant strain of E. coli. Despite these risks, the FDA approved the first of its kind FMT treatment last year, igniting the popularity of at-home fecal transplants.
FDA Issues Stark Warning
The FDA has now issued a stern warning against Human Microbes, the company behind these at-home fecal transplant products. They criticize the company for making false claims, lacking proper regulation, and potentially harming consumers. The FDA highlights the importance of screening and processing fecal matter under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.
Michael Harrop, the founder of Human Microbes, appearing in a promotional video
Regulation and Safety are Paramount
The founder of Human Microbes, Michael Harrop, defends his company’s products but acknowledges the need for more regulation. While Harrop believes in the potential of FMT, other experts in the field stress the importance of stringent safety measures and involvement of regulators.
The Complexity of Gut Microbiome
Gut microbiome research has gained immense popularity in recent years, but the science behind it is still new. The composition of an individual’s gut bacteria is unique, and determining what constitutes a ‘good’ microbiome remains a challenge. Although FMT has been recognized as a treatment for Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infections, its effectiveness for other conditions is yet to be extensively proven.
The Road Ahead
As researchers continue exploring the potential applications of fecal transplants, guidelines and regulations from organizations like the FDA play a critical role in protecting the public from false claims and potential harm. While the promise of FMT therapy is alluring, safety and efficacy must be paramount in testing these biologics.
