Understanding the human body is a team effort. That's where the Yachtel group comes in.

Researchers at Yachtolt have been delving into the secrets of probiotics for 90 years.

Yachtold also partners with nature portfolio to advance gut microbiome science through the global grants for gut health, an investigator-led research program.

To learn more about Yachtolt, visit yawcult.co.

.jp. That's Y-A-K-U-L-T.C-O.J-P. When it comes to a guide for your gut, count on Yacult. For Scientific American Science Quickly, I'm Rachel Feltman.

Over the last couple of decades, few science topics have made a bigger mainstream splash than the microbiome. Our growing understanding of the microbes that live on us, in us, and around us,

has scientists analyzing and trying to tweak colonies from our armpits to our genitals.

But when most of us hear the word microbiome, our minds go first to the diverse ecosystems found

within our guts. The communities of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi that live in our

digestive tracts have a huge impact on us.

Research shows that our gut microbiomes influence how well we digest our food and absorb nutrients,

and an imbalance in the microorganisms of the gut is associated with conditions such as type 2 diabetes

and non-alcoholic liver disease.

Some research even suggests that our gut microbiomes are tied to cognitive function and mental well-being.

Scientists are exploring how autism spectrum disorder, depression, anxiety, PTSD,

and more could be connected to the tiny creatures that live inside us.

But this relationship isn't one-sided.

We also have a lot of power over our gut microbiomes,

and that extends beyond our food choices.

Our guest today is Lydia Denworth,

a contributing editor for Scientific American.

She writes Siam's Science of Health column. In the magazine's June 2025 issue, she reported on the

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