Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues Hardcover – April 8, 2014

This book has good chapters on various aspects of gut biome issues and antibiotics. The author gives clear explanations and has extensive expertise in the field.One thing that is slightly misleading, though the major issues are covered in a general manner a lot of the specifics are focussed on Helicobacter Pylori, which is a stomach centered bacteria rather than something from lower down. I was expecting more coverage of the range of bacteria in the intestinal biome. This in no way detracts from the quality of the book as a some of the issues with H. Pylori seems to be those of the general intestinal biome also.Overall there is quite a wide and big picture view as well as the focus on H Pylori case studies. For example the author mentions work on Caesarian birth innoculation and other clean hypothesis issues. The case studies themselves are presented in a good scientific manner with descriptions of the protocols and evidence for the findings. Also this book made me want to go work with Dr. Blaser on studies like the one he described. Important work.

This is a great book, taking readers into the cool new science of the microbiome. I liked the first-hand accounts Blaser gives of his research, especially how he starts the book with describing Helicobacter pylori and other scientists' assumptions that this was always a "bad" microbe. I think he's taken some flak for his hypothesis that antibiotics lies at the root of many chronic and autoimmune conditions, but it's certainly reasonable to think that exterminating the bacterial communities (and others) indigenous to our bodies will have an effect, and probably not a good one. I liked how he explained the basic differences between viruses and bacteria and why an antibiotic effective against bacteria can't do squat to get rid of a virus. The latter half of the book, in which Blaser shares his research on H. pylori is particularly intriguing. This bacterium might be good for us early in life, but not so good as we move into adulthood (it puts a person at risk of stomach cancer). A really good overview of the human microbiome well worth your time.

Very well written book and presents some very convincing arguments why overuse of antibiotics can cause some serious and unintended consequences well beyond antibiotic resistant organisms. The only complaint is the author (clearly an experts on bacteria) tends to correlate many things to antibiotic usage. It's like the old phrase to the man with a hammer, everything appears as a nail. I get the sense of that here. It could turn out in the end he's correct and to his credit he mentions his peers not necessarily agreeing with some of his contentions.In the end, the main argument of his book is likely valid. The homeostatic relationship with man and billions of bacterium took millions of years to be established. Antibiotics are fantastic when dealing with a destructive organism, but in the process there is major collateral damage to beneficial bacteria associated our overall health, including, but not limited to intestinal flora. Over the next decades we will witness, on a very large scale, what the impact to humans will be. Could it be the underlying cause of obesity, food allergies, etc.? Only time will tell.

Dr. Blazer makes a convincing case that the over use of antibiotics may have the unintended effect of killing off essential bacteria in the human gut contributing to the contracting of chronic diseases by children such as diabetes, asthma, allergies, autism, obesity, etc. In later life celiac disease, colitis, Chrones disease, various cancers, etc.I would especially recommend it to young adults contemplating marriage and parenthood as a general knowledge background needed to make informed decisions regarding the preparation for pregnancy, actual pregnancy, whether to have elective c-section, and whether to consent to the giving of antibiotics to their babies, toddlers and older children.The general use of antibiotics in the raising and husbandry of various livestock is also addressed, affecting us by way of meat, eggs, dairy products and water.A very interesting book, made me curious as to further discoveries since the book was published in 2014.

Dr. Blaster has done an excellent job on this topic. It is a very easy read but extremely informative and important.

Todo el mundo especialmente los medicuchos sabelotodo que tenemos hoy en dia que realmente no saben absolutamente nada deberian leerlo. Por supuesto tambien pacientes y cualquier persona pues nos afecta a todos y a diario.

Un livre à mettre au programme des études de médecine. Écrit par un médecin formé à la culture de l'allopathie la plus classique, ce livre décrit le questionnement de Martin Blazer sur la hausse exponentielle des maladies chroniques et de l'obésité. Et les réponses qu'il apporte, faits scientifiques à l'appui, en font un réquisitoire implacable contre l'usage actuel des antibiotiques. Et un cri d'alarme conte l'appauvrissement du microbiote intestinal. Indispensable.

Exelente. Llego rápido y en perfectas condiciones. El libro tiene un maravilloso contenido referente a las nuevas plagas de nuestra era que nos afligen debido al uso inadecuado o a una temprana edad de los antibióticos. Muy recomendable.

Excelente conteúdo. Dr. Blaser é um profundo conhecedor da Microbiologia Humana, profissional experiente, com extrema capacidade de transmitir um tema complexo de forma clara e acessível. Recomendo a leitura pela qualidade do texto e a importância do assunto.