Why better understanding the small intestine might be key to improving gut health.

The small intestine is really a completely different ecosystem from the large intestine you could think of it

maybe as disparate as a rainforest in a desert.

It's Wednesday, July 17th and you're listening to Science Friday. I'm Cyfry producer Shishana Bucksbaum.

The gut microbiome is an important ecosystem of microbes that live inside of all of us. And the strength of our gut microbiome impacts

our overall health. And an underappreciated part of this gut microbiome is the small

intestine. Most of the research into our

microbiome have revolved around the other end of the gastrointestinal tract,

think colon and sampling well, well, poop.

But studying the upper gut may allow

researchers to better understand disorders like IBS

and Celiac disease.

Here's Cyfry producer Kathleen Davis with more.

Joining me now to give us a crash course in the microbiome of the small intestine is my guest.

Dr. Christopher Damon, Associate Professor of Gastroonterology,

at the University of Washington,

based in Seattle.

Welcome to Science Friday.

Wonderful to be on, Kathleen.

Thanks so much for the invite.

It's great to have you. So let's start off with just a quick anatomy

refresher. So where is the small intestine located in the general gastrointestinal system?

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