The Gastro-Archeologist
Revealing the Mysteries of the Intestine and its Diseases
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Beschreibung
In order to understand common conditions such as coeliac disease and Crohn’s disease, one must view the gut in its evolutionary context. This is the novel approach to the gut and its diseases that is adopted in this book. The first part tells the story of the evolution of the gut itself – why it came about and how it has influenced the evolution of animals ever since. The second part focuses on the evolution of immunity and how the layers of immune mechanisms are retained in the gut, resembling the strata revealed in an archeological dig. The final part, ‘The Gastro-Archeologist’, ties the first two together and highlights how understanding the gut and immune system in their evolutionary context can help us understand diseases affecting them.
Ambitious in its scope but telling a unique story from a refreshingly novel perspective, the book offers an informative and enjoyable read. As the story of the gut, immunity and disease unfolds, the author aims to endowreaders with the same sense of awe and excitement that the subject evokes in him. Difficult concepts are illustrated using simple and colourful analogies, and the main content is supplemented with anecdotes and unusual and amusing facts throughout the book.
The book is intended for anyone with an interest in the gut, its immunity and diseases, ranging from school and college biology and biomedical students, to professionals working in the field, and to patients suffering from intestinal diseases who want to understand more about their conditions.
In order to understand common conditions such as coeliac disease and Crohn’s disease, one must view the gut in its evolutionary context. This is the novel approach to the gut and its diseases that is adopted in this book. The first part tells the story of the evolution of the gut itself – why it came about and how it has influenced the evolution of animals ever since. The second part focuses on the evolution of immunity and how the layers of immune mechanisms are retained in the gut, resembling the strata revealed in an archeological dig. The final part, ‘The Gastro-Archeologist’, ties the first two together and highlights how understanding the gut and immune system in their evolutionary context can help us understand diseases affecting them.
Ambitious in its scope but telling a unique story from a refreshingly novel perspective, the book offers an informative and enjoyable read. As the story of the gut, immunity and disease unfolds, the author aims to endow readers with the same sense of awe and excitement that the subject evokes in him. Difficult concepts are illustrated using simple and colourful analogies, and the main content is supplemented with anecdotes and unusual and amusing facts throughout the book.
The book is intended for anyone with an interest in the gut, its immunity and diseases, ranging from school and college biology and biomedical students, to professionals working in the field, and to patients suffering from intestinal diseases who want to understand more about their conditions.
Explores the evolutionary history of the gut from a unique perspective Includes a wealth of hand-drawn illustrations Sprinkled with anecdotes and amusing facts Puts the gut and immune system in context to explain intestinal diseases Written for anyone with an interest in the gut, its immunity and diseases
Autor*in
Jeremy Woodward
Themen in »The Gastro-Archeologist«
Gut health Food allergy Gut microbiota Gluten intolerance Celiac disease Evolution Mucosal immune system Inflammatory bowel disease Adaptive immunity Digestive system diseases Bowels
Stimmen zu »The Gastro-Archeologist«
“The Gastro-Archeologist occupies an informative and engaging middle ground. … Woodward tackles difficult concepts with relative ease, and The Gastro-Archeologist promises readers a fresh perspective on how eating, digestion, and the diseases they engender came about—and the ways in which we can begin to tackle them. Woodward’s unique take encourages us to question and reinterpret the ways we view the gastrointestinal system, challenging us to look beyond the superficial, step back, and take in the bigger picture.” (Jennifer Thorley,The Lancet, Vol. 6, August, 2021)
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