
Medicines, Our Gut Microbiota and Us
Lucia Malvina Margara & Michael Zimmermann

Your grandmother and my grandmother were both treated with the same medicine. Why is your grandmother recovering faster than mine?
Millions of microorganisms, collectively known as our "human microbiota," inhabit our bodies and work alongside our cells to maintain our health. Around 90% of these microbes are bacteria, with the majority residing in the gut. Each person harbors a unique gut microbial community that aids in digesting food, producing vitamins, and protecting against infections. However, research has shown that gut bacteria can also break down medical drugs, altering their effects on our bodies. Moreover, these bacteria are not only influenced by antibiotics but can also be impacted by other medications we take.
In this lesson, we explore the fascinating interaction between medical drugs and our microbiota, and how this knowledge can be leveraged to enhance the efficacy of medical treatments.