The human body's “invisible organ” — the microbes that make humans the way they are — is the subject of a book recently published by a Laurentian University professor of biochemistry.
Vasu Appanna said he's the author of more than 100 articles, but “Human Microbes: The Power Within” is his first book.
He said anyone with a high school education should be able to read it without a problem, although it's aimed at medical learners or practising health-care professionals.
“You can see your eyes, your heart or your liver, but this microbiome you can't see,” Appana said.
“If you take you or me, and scrape with a microscopic scalpel, you will find that you will have two to three kilograms of bacteria microbes, as opposed to the largest organ in the body, which is the liver, which is around 1.5 to two kilograms.”
The book explains how microbes influence the functioning of our organs or the triggering of diseases, and how they could be answer to a cure for certain ailments.
Appana said it was only a little more than a decade ago, in 2007, when instruments sensitive enough to look at this “invisible organ” were developed.
He said he decided to use his expertise in biochemistry and microbiology to write a book about the subject.
Giving an example of just how important microbes are, Appana said that without them, people would have to eat far more food, because they help us digest our food and extract nutrients.
“Let's say if you eat a piece of apple,” he said. “Without the bacteria, you won't be able to digest it properly, and the amount of nutrients you get will be very, very small. Only with the help of bacteria can you maximize it.”
Appana also explained how fecal transplants can be used to cure C. Difficile, a nasty infection often spread in health-care facilities.
The microbes in the fecal material “impedes the proliferation of the bacteria like C. Difficile,” he said.
Sometimes strong antibiotics can kill off the microbes in our organs, and fecal transplants are also used in these cases, he said.
In the future, microbes could be responsible for “societal changes in health education, the establishment of the microbiome bank, the fight against hunger, space travel, designer traits and enhanced security are explained,” a description of the book said.
The microbiome bank, for example, would possibly involve people banking their microbes before surgery, so they can be infused with them again after surgery, helping with recovery, Appana said.
“The fourth chapter, which is very futuristic, is you can use the microbiome for detection, like when you go to the airport,” he said.
“You will have a microbial cartography of your skin, an the microbiome will tell who you are.”
The book costs $210, and is available through Amazon and the Laurentian University bookstore.
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