Medicine
The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Drug Metabolism
Quick fact
Some drugs, like the heart medication digoxin, can be inactivated by a specific gut bacterium (Eggerthella lenta), which can change the effective dose a patient needs.
Why this is interesting
You take a pill, and your liver processes it—but did you know that the bacteria in your gut are also taking a bite? Your microbiome can change a drug's fate before it ever reaches your bloodstream.