Includes bibliographical references (pages 271-292) and index.

What is the microbiota and why should I care? -- Assembling our lifelong community of companions -- Setting the dial on the immune system -- The transients -- Trillions of mouths to feed -- A gut feeling -- Eat sh!t and live -- The aging microbiota -- Managing your internal fermentation -- Menus and recipes.

The Sonnenburgs are pioneers in the study of the relationship between our bodies and the trillions of organisms to which our bodies play hose, the microbes that we collectively the microbiota. They argue that these microbiota determine whether we're sick or healthy, fit or obese... and that diet changes, antibiotic overuse and oversterilization are causing some of our most troubling modern afflictions. -- Source other than Library of Congress

The Good Gut offers a new plan for health that focuses on how to nourish your microbiota, including recipes and a menu plan. In this groundbreaking work, the Sonnenburgs show how we can keep our microbiota off the endangered species list and how we can strengthen the community that inhabits our gut and thereby improve our own health. The answer is unique for each of us, and it changes as you age. -- Source other than Library of Congress.