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Probiotics: A story about hope
Everywhere you look there are probiotic products. One of its global pioneers explains how this came about and what to look for when deciding to use beneficial microbes for your health.
In 1982 when recently graduated Gregor Reid was introduced to the concept of microbes benefitting humans, almost nobody had heard of the term probiotic. Today, probiotics are a $60 billion market involving multiple industries and scientists around the world, spanning applications in humans, animals, insects, coral, fish and other species, all with the intention of improving health.
After a career that spanned over 600 peer-reviewed publications, multiple international awards and more than 60,000 citations to his work, Professor Reid now tells the story of how the probiotic field emerged and the challenges that he and others faced. He emphasizes that products need to be developed through diligent science and clinical studies.
Starting out trying to help women with painful urinary and vaginal infections, Professor Reid was at the heart of the microbiome field, working with colleagues all over the world and expanding into gut, skin and heart health as well as applications to honeybees.
In a fascinating view of the field, filled with humor and surprises, Professor Reid doesn't hold back in criticizing bureaucracies, countering falsehoods and challenging companies who put profit above scientific validity. This can't-put-down novel is easy for lay people, scientists, and students to enjoy. Using fun analogies from the golf course where hurdles abound, Professor Reid clarifies what probiotic are and what they are not.
This must-read story will leave you thinking, 'wow, did that really happen' and 'so, that's what it really means'. You think you know fermented foods, prebiotics, synbiotics or which probiotic you might take, then try the quizzes in the book.
Beyond the discussion of science, this is a personal tale about how belief and perseverance can conquer rejection and ridicule. It is about why we need to bring discoveries to the people who need them the most, including in rural Africa, to fight malnutrition, disease and poverty.
In the end, this is a story about hope for the future.
In 1982 when recently graduated Gregor Reid was introduced to the concept of microbes benefitting humans, almost nobody had heard of the term probiotic. Today, probiotics are a $60 billion market involving multiple industries and scientists around the world, spanning applications in humans, animals, insects, coral, fish and other species, all with the intention of improving health.
After a career that spanned over 600 peer-reviewed publications, multiple international awards and more than 60,000 citations to his work, Professor Reid now tells the story of how the probiotic field emerged and the challenges that he and others faced. He emphasizes that products need to be developed through diligent science and clinical studies.
Starting out trying to help women with painful urinary and vaginal infections, Professor Reid was at the heart of the microbiome field, working with colleagues all over the world and expanding into gut, skin and heart health as well as applications to honeybees.
In a fascinating view of the field, filled with humor and surprises, Professor Reid doesn't hold back in criticizing bureaucracies, countering falsehoods and challenging companies who put profit above scientific validity. This can't-put-down novel is easy for lay people, scientists, and students to enjoy. Using fun analogies from the golf course where hurdles abound, Professor Reid clarifies what probiotic are and what they are not.
This must-read story will leave you thinking, 'wow, did that really happen' and 'so, that's what it really means'. You think you know fermented foods, prebiotics, synbiotics or which probiotic you might take, then try the quizzes in the book.
Beyond the discussion of science, this is a personal tale about how belief and perseverance can conquer rejection and ridicule. It is about why we need to bring discoveries to the people who need them the most, including in rural Africa, to fight malnutrition, disease and poverty.
In the end, this is a story about hope for the future.
134 pages, Paperback
Published September 13, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 26, 2025
Came across dr Reid’s work via the rich roll podcast: https://www.richroll.com/podcast/greg...
This book reminded me of the first book I read on fungi and the kingdom of mushrooms, the diversity and incredible variation.
Two take aways from the book:
1) probiotics must be Live microorganisms: Probiotics are live bacteria or yeasts that are consumed or applied to the body, That can provide health benefits when administered in adequate amounts. Yes it has to be live! Your kombucha that was pasteurized isn’t doing what you think it is.
2) there are an unknown number of potential probiotics but very few have actually been peer reviewed. Additionally, they are incredible diverse, so whether it’s a doctor or a social media influencer, if someone says take “probiotics can help”, you need to understand which probiotic, which strain. As Dr Reid says, “you wouldn’t take viagra for a headache”, but that’s what we’ve done by lumping all probiotics together. The strains matter.
Can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bear out in this space.
This book reminded me of the first book I read on fungi and the kingdom of mushrooms, the diversity and incredible variation.
Two take aways from the book:
1) probiotics must be Live microorganisms: Probiotics are live bacteria or yeasts that are consumed or applied to the body, That can provide health benefits when administered in adequate amounts. Yes it has to be live! Your kombucha that was pasteurized isn’t doing what you think it is.
2) there are an unknown number of potential probiotics but very few have actually been peer reviewed. Additionally, they are incredible diverse, so whether it’s a doctor or a social media influencer, if someone says take “probiotics can help”, you need to understand which probiotic, which strain. As Dr Reid says, “you wouldn’t take viagra for a headache”, but that’s what we’ve done by lumping all probiotics together. The strains matter.
Can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bear out in this space.
September 27, 2023
At last a book that is not only fun and easy to read but most importantly describes what probiotics are and what they are not. So many people get it wrong - probiotics are inside us or are in fermented foods - which is nonsense. I keep seeing adverts, articles by so-called experts and they are almost always wrong because they don't actually know this field. Professor Reid is a world leader who has published over 600 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and who chaired the panel that defined probiotics in 2001. His story is amazing and will help young people starting out on their careers. He describes rejection, being laughed at for suggesting some bacteria can provide health benefits and how he continued and proved people wrong. It's uplifting. He includes two quizzes to see if you understand what he has written.
He ends with fun travel stories that are uplifting and scary.
It's a must read.
PS Not sure why the cover isn't showing on Goodreads as it's beautiful.
He ends with fun travel stories that are uplifting and scary.
It's a must read.
PS Not sure why the cover isn't showing on Goodreads as it's beautiful.
November 22, 2023
Did you know? Life is not complete without bacteria! We cannot digest our food properly without certain forms of bacteria being present in our guts. Hence, it’s vital that a healthy community of bacteria live in our intestines at all times. When such events occur that kill some of the gut bacteria beneficial to us, an imbalance is created in the community and conditions/diseases like diarrhea are precipitated. That’s where probiotics come in. Defined formally as “... live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host,” they replenish the missing bacteria and restore us to good health! Probiotics are present everywhere today, and it’s an expanding, increasingly useful/relevant branch of science that offers many kinds of beneficial opportunities. Read this book by a global pioneer and an eminent scientist in the field to learn what you may need to know about probiotics and cannot afford to ignore in the future.
December 24, 2025
This book is clear, reassuring, and genuinely empowering. Professor Gregor Reid explains probiotics in a way that finally makes sense, especially for women dealing with ongoing digestive, bladder, or vaginal health issues. I appreciated how honest and practical it is, combining real science with a hopeful message. An easy, informative read that leaves you feeling more confident about taking control of your health.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews