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rahlia's review against another edition
5.0
Solid overview/primer. From 2015, so consider reading more recent research/books for the latest info.
atlantisblauw's review against another edition
4.0
I ordered the book because I have irritable bowel syndrome and wanted to know more about my body and how it works. I found it a very interesting read. It discusses a large variety of topics, like the history of microbiology, the risks of our antibiotics overuse, and expectations for how microbiology can help prevent or cure diseases in the future.
kochella's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent quick primer on one of the most exciting areas of discovery in science today: the human microbiome. I can't seem to get enough of this subject - the more I read, the more fascinated I become. The influence of the trillions of microbes living within us on our physical health, mental health, and even possibly our thought processes is nothing short of astonishing.
I encourage anyone looking for a solid introduction into the human microbiome to read this book.
I encourage anyone looking for a solid introduction into the human microbiome to read this book.
melissa6381's review against another edition
4.0
Short and informative. I want to know more. The book itself was saying it would be obsolete within a few years because of the rapidly evolving research on this subject- and it was written in 2015- so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book, but recommend looking into this subject in general.
eskathar's review against another edition
3.0
Nice short book that gives an overview on development in a new sub-field of microbiology that has risen recently and keeps doing so.
The implications made by discoveries in the study of our microbiome are huge. We know the importance of DNA in shaping who we are and determining our health, we also know the importance of the brain through neuroscience, but new discoveries indicate a significant part of who we are, what we do, and how we feel is influenced by the bacteria living inside us.
This book is quite easy to get through. I haven't yet watched the TED talk, strangely enough.
The implications made by discoveries in the study of our microbiome are huge. We know the importance of DNA in shaping who we are and determining our health, we also know the importance of the brain through neuroscience, but new discoveries indicate a significant part of who we are, what we do, and how we feel is influenced by the bacteria living inside us.
This book is quite easy to get through. I haven't yet watched the TED talk, strangely enough.
leighnonymous's review against another edition
3.0
Three and a half stars.
Although I found this Ted book incredibly informative about the different strains of microbes and their overwhelming number on our bodies, I wanted more. The staggering amount living and thriving at any given time in our guts and on our skin was almost enough to have me freak out again a la the 2014 neutrino breakdown. But what good is this information without real, practical applications for using them? I understand this budding field simply doesn't have this yet but it's nonetheless frustrating to read. A microbe that affects anxiety? Yes, please! How long do I have to wait if it turns out it can cause that effect repeatedly in a controlled environment? Ugh…I could flash-fry a buffalo in less time.
To add to the frustration I'm feeling I now have a bit of paranoia that I've royally screwed up with my kids. (Well, at least biologically; the emotional damage is being done by me simply mothering.) Because both were born via Caesarean they didn't get the microbes from my lady parts. The author of this book swabbed his daughter with his wife's microbes - yes, from there - on her eyes and lips, etc. I didn't. Will this affect their futures? Are they doomed to have a sub-standard immune system now? Oh, the thoughts running through my head. They are getting extra kisses out of it,, though. Maybe some of my microbes will do their work. Or maybe it's those microbes that cause the anxiety. Damnit.
I swallow a probiotic each morning, anyway, but this book reinforced what a good decision it is. I'm happy to say my husband and girls follow the same ritual, too. It's good and important. And the brand we use (Hyperbiotics) was one specifically mentioned for sticking by their product. So win/win there.
All in all I wish this had been published with at least a suggestion for how to use probiotics; but I guess this is why Ted Talks exist - to inform the curious about new information in emerging fields.
Although I found this Ted book incredibly informative about the different strains of microbes and their overwhelming number on our bodies, I wanted more. The staggering amount living and thriving at any given time in our guts and on our skin was almost enough to have me freak out again a la the 2014 neutrino breakdown. But what good is this information without real, practical applications for using them? I understand this budding field simply doesn't have this yet but it's nonetheless frustrating to read. A microbe that affects anxiety? Yes, please! How long do I have to wait if it turns out it can cause that effect repeatedly in a controlled environment? Ugh…I could flash-fry a buffalo in less time.
To add to the frustration I'm feeling I now have a bit of paranoia that I've royally screwed up with my kids. (Well, at least biologically; the emotional damage is being done by me simply mothering.) Because both were born via Caesarean they didn't get the microbes from my lady parts. The author of this book swabbed his daughter with his wife's microbes - yes, from there - on her eyes and lips, etc. I didn't. Will this affect their futures? Are they doomed to have a sub-standard immune system now? Oh, the thoughts running through my head. They are getting extra kisses out of it,, though. Maybe some of my microbes will do their work. Or maybe it's those microbes that cause the anxiety. Damnit.
I swallow a probiotic each morning, anyway, but this book reinforced what a good decision it is. I'm happy to say my husband and girls follow the same ritual, too. It's good and important. And the brand we use (Hyperbiotics) was one specifically mentioned for sticking by their product. So win/win there.
All in all I wish this had been published with at least a suggestion for how to use probiotics; but I guess this is why Ted Talks exist - to inform the curious about new information in emerging fields.