Probiotics Sourced From Baby Poop Could Improve Gut Health

If you have an infant, you're probably all too familiar with the origin of this treatment.

Yep, it's baby poop.

Researchers at Wake Forest School of Medicine have developed what they call a ‘probiotic cocktail' from gut bacteria strains found in infant feces. Researchers explored it since babies are generally healthy, and dirty diapers are plentiful.

The team behind the study collected samples from the diapers of 34 infants.

After the probiotics were extracted, they were given to mice. Scientists found that these rodents produced a higher number of short chain fatty acids - and that's what keeps a stomach healthy.

The probiotic market has exploded in recent years, as studies have shown that certain diseases can be treated or prevented if gut health is improved.

The researchers at Wake Forest School of Medicine say their findings could be useful in investigating the influence of probiotics on the human microbiome, metabolism, and associated diseases.