For decades, popular culture and advertising have taught us that bacteria are dangerous enemies. We bought antibacterial soap that “kills 99.9% of germs,” took antibiotics at the first sign of a cold, and strived for absolute sterility. However, the modern biomedical revolution and the 4Ps of medicine (personalized, predictive, preventive, patient-centered) have radically changed this view.

With the onset of summer, watermelon becomes an undisputed favorite on every table. It would seem that what could be safer and healthier than a product that is 92% water and rich in vitamins and antioxidants? However, gastroenterologists and nutritionists face an epidemic of complaints every summer: patients report acute pain, heaviness, cramps and severe bloating (flatulence) immediately after eating this berry.

On June 27, World Microbiome Day, the scientific community and doctors around the world draw attention to the most important but invisible part of our body - the trillions of microorganisms that inhabit our bodies. For decades, we considered bacteria exclusively enemies that need to be destroyed with antiseptics and antibiotics. However, the modern biomedical revolution has proven the opposite: we are a complex "superorganism", and without our microbial helpers

The summer season brings not only warmth and long-awaited vacations, but also serious challenges for our body. One of the most common problems that people face during this period is a sudden exacerbation of dermatological conditions: the appearance of papular and pustular rashes, acne, exacerbation of couperose or atopic dermatitis. Traditionally, we tend to blame external factors - dust, heat, excessive sweating or the use of thick sunscreens (SPF).

Summer is traditionally associated with relaxation, plenty of fresh fruit and outdoor activities. However, at the same time, it is a period of the highest stress on our body due to the impact of high temperatures and changes in drinking habits. We often encounter unexpected disorders: sudden bloating (flatulence), a feeling of heaviness, diarrhea or, conversely, persistent constipation.

Holiday feasts are a time of joy, socializing, and, inevitably, gastronomic excesses. Traditional holiday dishes are usually oversaturated with animal fats, simple carbohydrates, sugar, and alcohol, but at the same time critically low in fiber. For our body, such a sharp shift in diet is not just a burden on the liver or pancreas, but a real shock to our main "superorgan" - the intestinal microbiome

The crisis of “blind” prescribing In modern medical practice, taking antibiotics is often compared to “carpet bombing” of the gastrointestinal tract: the drugs destroy both pathogenic and vital beneficial bacteria, leaving the mucous membrane empty and vulnerable to colonization by opportunistic pathogens. It is natural that doctors and patients turn to probiotics to restore the microbiota.

The blind spot of classical gastroenterology Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is today one of the most common reasons for referral to gastroenterologists worldwide. This functional disorder is accompanied by chronic pain, flatulence, bloating and motility disorders (diarrhea or constipation), which significantly reduce the quality of life of patients.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global health problem that is closely related to the obesity epidemic. It is one of the most common non-communicable diseases in the world, characterized by disorders of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism, and arises from impaired insulin secretion, cellular resistance to insulin or a combination of these factors.

For years, patients with atopic dermatitis, eczema, acne, and rosacea have been walking in a vicious circle: exacerbation, use of hormonal (corticosteroid) ointments, temporary relief, and then an even stronger relapse. Classical dermatology often considers these diseases exclusively as a local skin problem. However, modern evidence-based 4P medicine proves: the skin is only a mirror of our internal state, and the real control panel for inflammation is in the intestines.

For decades, a comprehensive biochemical blood test was considered the gold standard of a medical checkup. We are used to donating blood from a vein to hear from a doctor: “You have high cholesterol” or “An inflammatory process has begun.” However, modern evidence-based science claims that classic blood tests are only a statement of the fact of a disease that has already occurred. T

The modern world has been gripped by an epidemic of food restrictions. Supermarket shelves are overflowing with products labeled "gluten-free," "lactose-free," and "sugar-free." People have been on strict elimination diets for years, trying to escape bloating, pain, atopic dermatitis, or systemic allergies.

Traditional preparation for pregnancy is usually limited to taking folic acid, giving up bad habits and a standard gynecological examination. However, modern science and evidence-based microbiomics are radically changing this approach. Today it has been proven that successful conception, embryo attachment, healthy gestation and even the formation of the future child’s immunity are 100% dependent on the balance of microorganisms in the body of a woman and her partner.

The era of universal diets, designed only for counting calories, is coming to an end. Modern science proves: our body's reaction to food is completely individual and 100% depends on the trillions of microorganisms that inhabit our intestines. Today, advanced 4P medicine (predictive, preventive, personalized, participatory) combines deep genetic research of the microbiome with powerful IT algorithms and machine learning methods.

Modern man is accustomed to insuring his property, car and business. However, we often forget about the most important asset - our biological capital. Science proves that the foundation of our immunity, mental health and longevity is a unique set of microorganisms (microbiome). What will happen if this ecosystem is destroyed due to a serious illness, aggressive antibiotic therapy or chronic stress?

Rosacea and couperose are chronic skin diseases accompanied by persistent redness, dilated blood vessels, and inflammatory rashes on the face. For years, patients visit cosmetologists and dermatologists, spending huge amounts of money on hardware procedures (lasers, phototherapy) and expensive ointments. However, very often the disease returns again.

Bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SIBS or SIBO) has long remained in the “blind spot” of classical gastroenterology. For decades, patients have complained of severe flatulence (“feeling 5 months pregnant”), impaired nutrient absorption, and chronic fatigue. Traditional treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics often provides only a temporary effect, leading to relapses.

Imagine if you could study the biology of a great athlete like Michael Jordan, replicate it in pill form, and give it to other athletes to help them achieve the same success. Sounds like a fantasy, but scientists at Harvard are already seriously investigating the idea.

Do you wake up already tired, liters of coffee give only a short-term effect, and by the evening you have no strength for sports, hobbies, or communication with loved ones? We are used to writing off chronic fatigue on the frantic rhythm of life, magnetic storms or lack of vitamins. However, modern science proves: our "battery" is not in a cup of espresso at all.

We tend to think of ourselves as 100% human, but science proves otherwise: the number of cells in our bodies is about 30 trillion, while the number of bacterial cells is over 38 trillion. In fact, we are colonized beings, and our gut is a super-organ that controls our lives.