Dr. Sarah Schwitalla holds a PhD in biochemistry and cancer research, she is a lecturer and public health consultant based in Germany and Scandinavia.

Dr. Schwitalla worked as a research scientist at Harvard University and at the Technical University in Munich (Germany) for several years. She specialized in colon cancer development and cancer stem cell research, microbiome and inflammatory bowel disease for over 12 years now.
Later on, she included public health, food policy and nutrition science to her expertise. Apart from her research, she engaged with international development aid projects and gained experience in the pharmaceutical industry as a Scientific Advisor and Medical Manager.

In 2018, Dr. Schwitalla founded the virtual center for public health, focusing on microbiome and gut health ([...]

The center's mission is to provide independent and evidence-based support to those affected by chronic intestinal diseases, digestive disorders and colon cancer.

Schwitalla provides consulting services for companies and public health care system workers for the prevention of chronic digestive diseases and offers training courses, seminars and lectures health care specialists.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1: Diet related chronic diseases are the most critical health problem of modern societies - how did that happen?

Chapter 2: The "industrialized" microbiome - a caution label for a global epidemic

Missing microbes - does it matter?

Chapter 3: The subtle problems of microbiome research

Is the microbiome "oversold"?

Is microbiome science heading in the wrong direction?

Chapter 4: The gut microbiome: a new perspective

Our microbiome is a metabolic organ

Functional omes: metabolites over species

Finding a new definition for a "healthy" microbiome and "dysbiosis"

Chapter 5: Shaping the microbial behavior

Diet: the master educator of the gut microbiome

Starving the microbial self: a foundation for developing a chronic disease

Chapter 6: The toxic microbiome

"It's not the fiber, it's the animal protein"

Protein fermentation

Fat toxicity

Secondary bile acids

Heme iron

TMAO: the way to a man's heart is through his gut microbiota

Toxicomicrobiomics

A toxic microbiome: useful for predicting chronic diseases?

Chapter 7: How to build a healthy gut microbiome and prevent chronic diseases

The "true" human diet: are humans really omnivores?

"The Paleo diet is a myth"

Protein concerns: Do we get enough on plants?

Feeding microbes for disease prevention and treatment

Chapter 8: "Fixing" the microbiome - Can we restore a healthy microbiome by other means than diet?

Probiotics - hype or hope?

Fecal microbial transplantation or "The Power of Poop"

The "Wild West" of microbiome science: drugging the microbiome and personalized nutrition

Glossary

Abbreviations

Literature