Biology
The Interplay Between Gut Microbiota and Drug Metabolism
Quick fact
Some drugs that are inactive when taken (prodrugs) are actually activated by gut bacteria—meaning without your microbiome, they wouldn't work at all.
Why this is interesting
You swallow a pill, and your liver doesn't process it alone—trillions of bacteria in your gut are also 'eating' that drug. How can the same medication work wonders for one person and cause side effects in another?