"Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut" - My Review

The Main Idea

Let’s start with the star of the show: Giulia Enders. If you haven’t heard of her, she’s a German scientist who has made quite a name for herself by studying and writing about the gut. And yes, she’s the kind of person who isn’t afraid to drop the word “butthole” into a serious discussion, which is only funnier thanks to her charming accent. This sets the tone for the documentary—there’s a good bit of humor, especially of the bathroom variety, but it doesn’t take away from the serious messages the film conveys.

One of the standout moments is when a gut scientist in the documentary invents the term “repoopulate” while talking about a cutting-edge treatment called a “fecal microbiome transplant.” Yes, you heard that right—this treatment involves transplanting bacteria from someone else’s poop into your gut. It’s a real thing, and it’s presented in a way that’s both informative and, admittedly, a little funny. But don’t let the humor fool you—this documentary tackles some very serious and relatable health issues faced by four individuals.

The People You’ll Meet

We’re introduced to four main subjects in the documentary, each dealing with different gut-related health problems. First up is Maya, a Michelin-starred pastry chef who, despite her culinary success, has battled anorexia. Her body now only tolerates vegetables and supplements, which means she can’t even enjoy her own creations, like an intricate cake tower covered in macaroons. It’s a tough situation for anyone, but especially for someone whose life revolves around food.

Then there’s Daniell, a psychology student who has found herself in a bad spot due to poor dietary choices. Now, she’s down to just 15 foods that don’t cause her pain, which is a drastic change for anyone. Kimmie’s story will resonate with many—she’s been labeled morbidly obese and has tried countless diets, exercise routines, and medications without success. Her struggle to lose weight is both familiar and heartbreaking.

And finally, we have Kobayashi, the competitive eater you’ve probably heard of. This guy has devoured more hot dogs and pizza slices than you can imagine, but now he’s paying the price. He no longer feels hunger, and he’s worried that his unique career has taken a toll on his body.

What’s Going On Inside?

According to Enders and the other experts featured in the documentary, the answers to these problems might lie in the microbiome—the community of bacteria that lives in our guts. It turns out, each person’s microbiome is as unique as a fingerprint. However, the microbiomes of people living in industrialized societies tend to lack the diversity needed for good health, largely due to our consumption of processed foods.

To get a better understanding of what’s happening, the doctors in the film had Maya, Daniell, Kimmie, and Kobayashi send in fecal samples for analysis. The goal? To match them with foods that could help diversify their gut bacteria and improve their health. It’s a fascinating exploration of how what’s inside us can influence our overall well-being.

A Mix of Entertainment and Information

If you’re wondering how “The Secrets of Your Gut” compares to other documentaries, it’s somewhat similar to the infotainment style of Netflix’s other offerings like “Live to 100” or “The Mind: Explained.” It’s packed with interesting tidbits and uses kitschy stop-motion animation to keep things light, even when discussing something as potentially gross as poop.

One of the more memorable moments is watching Kobayashi, who’s not shy about his unusual eating habits, allowing the documentary crew to follow him into the bathroom to collect a fecal sample. Don’t worry, the film doesn’t get too graphic, but it’s a moment that highlights the film’s blend of humor and serious inquiry.

A Deeper Dive into Gut Health

What really stands out is how the documentary demonstrates that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to gut health. In a particularly insightful sequence, the film shows how the four main subjects’ bodies react differently to eating the same apple.

The takeaway? Our individual microbiomes are unique, and by analyzing them, we can tailor our diets to our specific needs.

For example, Kimmie, who struggles with obesity, learns that she lacks certain bacteria that help people feel full. With this knowledge, she can make dietary changes that might finally help her lose weight. It’s a powerful example of how personalized medicine could shape the future of health.

The Science Behind It All

One of the fascinating bits of science covered in the documentary is the concept of the gut’s “second brain.” This idea suggests that our gut can communicate with the brain in our heads, influencing feelings of hunger or fullness and possibly linking to various health issues.

One of the more bizarre, yet intriguing, parts of the film is when Daniell decides to try a fecal microbiome transplant. This involves consuming another person’s poop, but don’t freak out—it’s done in a way that’s far less disgusting than it sounds. We watch as her boyfriend takes one of his “samples” out of the fridge, blends it up, and puts it into capsules for Daniell to swallow. The experiment reveals that after taking these capsules, Daniell starts to experience the same issues her boyfriend has, like depression. When she tries the same thing with her brother’s “sample,” she ends up with acne problems. It’s weird science, but undeniably captivating.

Final Thoughts

One thing the scientists in the film agree on is that everyone should eat more plants. The fiber is great for your gut health, which echoes advice we all heard as kids to the point of being a stereotypical joke: “Eat your veggies.” But turns out, there really is truth to stereotypes AND to these words of wisdom.

So, should you stream “Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut”? If you’re looking for hardcore science, you might be better off with a PBS documentary. But if you’re interested in learning something new about emerging science in a fun, engaging way, then yes, give it a watch. You might just pick up some valuable insights into your own gut health.