Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) is a well-established treatment approach that has been used effectively in both humans and animals. An FMT is the transfer of stool from a healthy donor to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of an ill recipient. Stool from healthy donors contains both health associated microbes and byproducts of fermentation, including anti-inflammatory compounds. That transfer can be done in clinic (via colonoscopy, retention enema, or endoscopy) or with enteric-protected oral capsules. In addition to providing services while passing through the GI tract, some members of this diverse and well-functioning community of microbes from the donor material take up residence in the recipient’s gut.1,2
By providing a complete set of native healthy, species-specific gut microbes, FMT can resolve a variety of symptoms associated with imbalance or dysbiosis of the gut microbiome—including digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), skin problems like atopic dermatitis, and various immune system issues.3-6
FMT is the best known approach for restoring balance in a gut microbiome and has proven to be an effective treatment in both humans and companion animals.7,8