Yep, you read that correctly. Fecal microbiota transplant “FMT” (easily referred to as “poop” transplant) has been in the forefront of modern medicine for the past few years, despite its discovery in 1958. The discussion of the microbiome, the imbalances, its affect on the brain and its impact in neurological disorders is ever pressing. I’ve been following it for quite some time, but this true story below just recently caught my attention.
Recently a 10 year old boy with autistic behaviors and gastrointestinal issues underwent 5 FMT’s and has fully recovered. Read the article here written by Dr. Perlmutter a functional neurologist: http://www.drperlmutter.com/brain-maker/
He’s one of many individuals that are recovering from C.Diff infections, Crohn’s disease, Colitis, CFS and many other chronic illnesses. Read more successes here
Currently there are 150 medical facilities across the nation that are conducting poop transplants but the FDA has yet to approve it. Currently a facility in Arizona is conducting an 18 week treatment study to be reviewed by the FDA.
Want more information? Per the Power of Poop website:
Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) is also known as a stool transplant, bacteriotherapy and human probiotic infusion. It is a natural, medication free way to repopulate the intestinal microbiome. FMT involves transferring fecal bacteria from a healthy donor to repopulate the unbalanced gut bacteria of a sick person. It is used to treat Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff.) infection and increasingly other conditions such as Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns Disease and digestive illness of indeterminate cause. There is also anecdotal evidence from Professor Thomas Borody’s Centre for Digestive Diseases to suggest that FMT could benefit other conditions including autoimmune disorders, neurological conditions, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. The first reported FMT was in 1958 and involved the successful treatment of four patients with pseudomembranous colitis before C. Diff. was the known cause.
FMT involves a series of infusions of stool blended with saline or distilled water. Frozen stool can also be used but takes longer to populate. Medical transfer of stool is undertaken via enema, colonoscope or nasogastric tube. Home infusion usually takes place via enema, syringe or capsule. Various parties are researching the commercial production of freeze-dried stool capsules and artificial intestinal flora.
All medical interventions come with risk. However in over 370 published reports there has been no reported infection transmitted by FMT so the risks are minimal. A study published in the New England Medical Journal in January 2013 reported a 94% cure rate of pseudomembranous colitis caused by C Diff from FMT compared to a mere 31% with vancomycin. The study was stopped prematurely as it was considered unethical not to offer the FMT to all participants.
– See more at: http://thepowerofpoop.com/about/about-fecal-transplant/#sthash.PgbayyGG.dpuf ”
This is exciting research. I’m looking forward to more findings.
Be well,
Lynn
