Patient education

The notebook

Plain-language articles on the gut, written and reviewed by a gastroenterologist, with every key claim linked to its source.

Nutrition · 6 min read

Fiber and your gut microbiome: what the science actually says

Your gut microbes eat what you eat. Fiber is their main course, and the evidence for eating more of it is some of the strongest in nutrition science.

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Microbiome · 6 min

Probiotics: what the evidence says, and what it doesn't

Probiotics fill whole aisles. The guidelines written by gastroenterologists are far more cautious than the labels.

Conditions · 7 min

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): the basics, in plain language

IBS is common, real and treatable. It is also a diagnosis that should be made carefully, not by guesswork.

Prevention · 6 min

Colorectal cancer screening at 45: your options, explained

The best screening test is the one that actually gets done. Here is how to choose yours.

About these articles

Articles are general education for adults and are reviewed against current guidelines. They can't account for your personal history. See the editorial policy and the full reference list.