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What Makes a "Super Donor": Fecal Transplants - Good Gut Probiotics, Empire City Labs, Ubiome

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 11, 2019 6:06:29 PM / by Winter Ninivaggi

Do you have "super poop"?

 The University of Auckland has released a new study about the phenomenon of "super donors". This is a term that describes people who contribute stool sample for use in a trial whose poop seems to be significantly more effective in clinical improvements for fecal transplant subjects.

 While there has been a long history of its use, studying fecal transplantation is still in early stages. Altering the gut microbiome has proved successful over a variety of trials although results have been inconsistent. The mixed results prompted researchers to look into whether or not particular fecal donors are more effective than others. 

"We see transplants from super-donors achieve clinical remission rates of double the remaining average," says Justin O'Sullivan, senior author on the new study. "Our hope is that if we can discover how this happens, then we can improve the success of fecal transplantation and even try it for new microbiome-associated conditions like Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and asthma." (Haridy, 2019) 

One of the biggest challenges for researchers is determining what exactly makes their poop "super". One of the most significant answers to this question is a broad microbial diversity. It seems the higher the variety of species in a stool sample the better the outcome of a fecal transplant will be.  The study also notes high levels of what they refer to as "keystone species" are important to efficacy. 

"In inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes for example, keystone species that are associated with prolonged clinical remission produce butyrate – a chemical with specialized functions in regulating the immune system and energy metabolism," says O'Sullivan. (Haridy, 2019)

The research has shown that when beneficial keystone species are isolated and administered individually (i.e. in the form of a probiotic) they are not as effective as when delivered as a whole stool sample.  This implies that microbial structure plays a greater roll in the success of fecal transplants than the actions of a single species. 

While it is still incredibly difficult to characterize exactly what makes an effective "super donor" it is imperative that specificity of donor microbiomes be taken into account. Generally a diversity of gut microbiota is the best way to identify a super donor and an adjusted diet in the recipient are the best ways to a higher chance of success

Ultimately, the researchers conclude that while it may be incredibly difficult to clearly characterize what makes an effective fecal super-donor, it is vital for future fecal transplant research to take into account the specificity of individual donor microbiomes. On a general level, a broad diversity of gut microbiota is the best metric to identify a super-donor but it is also suggested that supporting the transplanted microbiome through an adjusted diet in the recipient may be fundamental to a fecal transplant's success.

Our gut dybiosis patients are tested for all pathogens with our comprehensive stool profile. We reverse gut dybiosis with dietary changes, GOOD GUT products, and ozone therapy. 

There are ways to alter our gut microbiome to create a healthier environment. Probiotics, probiotics, probiotics! We offer Good Gut probiotics to help get you balances!  to  You can also try exercising, researchers have found clear evidence that exercise is a valuable way to change the composition of your microbiome. High protein intake and high levels of creatinine kinase are drivers of gut biodiversity.  Microbial diversity is important because that is how you can strengthen your immunity and increase your metabolic rate.  

As far as the future of gut bacteria goes, researchers in London think the age of the "smart" toilette is near, that will be able to offer a view of stool profile and give insight to what is happening in your gut microbiome. Until that day comes, we can help you find our what's going on in your gut! We offer Ubiome stool testing and full lab write-ups through Empire City Labs which are usually covered by insurance.  

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The Power of Poop

Uncovering the Gut Microbiome

The Scoop on Poop

 Haridy, R. (2019, January 22). Not all poo is created equal: Scientists discover "super donors" for fecal transplants. Retrieved from https://newatlas.com/fecal-transplant-super-donor-microbiome-gut-bacteria/58148/

Winter Ninivaggi

Written by Winter Ninivaggi

Isadora Guggenheim, ND, FNP, RN, MS, CNS, LMT, owner of Second Nature Naturopathic Care, LLC
For all appointments: Tel: 845 358-8385 Fax: 845 358-2963 drguggenheim@msn.com