Super-Poopers Could Boost Faecal Transplant Success – So Could You Become A Donor?

Why Do We Need Super-Poopers?

Traditionally with poo transplants, the overall cure rate for diarrhoeal infections exceeds 90%. Other conditions, like inflammatory bowel disease and type 2 diabetes, average nearer 20%.

Yet new trials show these success rates improve with super-poopers. “The pattern of success in these trials demonstrates the existence of ‘super-donors’, whose stool is particularly likely to influence the host gut and to lead to clinical improvement,” said Dr Justin O’Sullivan of the University of Auckland, who conducted studies on the topic.

“Transplants from super-donors achieve clinical remission rates of perhaps double the remaining average.” 

It’s worth noting not all faecal transplants work – even with super-poopers. This could be because of a genetic difference between the donor and the recipient, researchers suggested.

Could Super-Poopers Help Treat Cancer And Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, cancers, asthma, allergies and heart disease are all associated with changes to gut bacteria as well, so understanding what makes a super-pooper could be a pretty big deal.

“Our hope is that if we can discover how this happens, then we can improve the success of faecal transplantation and even trial it for new microbiome-associated conditions like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and asthma,” said Dr O’Sullivan.

“The last two decades have seen a growing list of medical conditions associated with changes in the microbiome ― bacteria, viruses and fungi, especially in the gut.”

Can You Change Your Poo Composition?

Yes, to an extent – you can improve your microbiome by switching up your diet. “It has been shown that a rapid change in diet, such as a switch from an animal-based to an exclusively plant-based diet, can alter the composition of the gut microbiota within 24 hours,” said Dr O’Sullivan.