The vast majority of gut microbes are not only harmless, but are in fact beneficial for our health and well-being; these are referred to by scientists as symbionts or commensals. The symbionts obtain nutrients from their hosts, and in exchange they help keep the gut in balance and defend against intruders. But there is a small number of potentially harmful microbes, called pathobionts, that reside in your gut as well. Under certain conditions, these untrustworthy microbes can turn their weapons against
