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Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues Hardcover – April 8, 2014

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 868 ratings

“In Missing Microbes, Martin Blaser sounds [an] alarm. He patiently and thoroughly builds a compelling case that the threat of antibiotic overuse goes far beyond resistant infections.”―Nature

Renowned microbiologist Dr. Martin J. Blaser invites us into the wilds of the human microbiome, where for hundreds of thousands of years bacterial and human cells have existed in a peaceful symbiosis that is responsible for the equilibrium and health of our bodies. Now this invisible Eden is under assault from our overreliance on medical advances including antibiotics and caesarian sections, threatening the extinction of our irreplaceable microbes and leading to severe health consequences.

Taking us into the lab to recount his groundbreaking studies, Blaser not only provides elegant support for his theory, he guides us to what we can do to avoid even more catastrophic health problems in the future.

Missing Microbes is science writing at its very best―crisply argued and beautifully written, with stunning insights about the human microbiome and workable solutions to an urgent global crisis.”―David M. Oshinsky, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Polio: An American Story

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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* You share your body with a vast population of microorganisms. Ten trillion human cells coexist with 100 trillion bacterial cells. The human microbiome—an elaborate ecology of microbes on us and within us—plays a major role in health, especially immunity and metabolism. But this collection of mostly pacifistic and beneficial species of bacteria that coevolved with human beings is increasingly endangered—by excessive use of antibiotics in humans and farm animals, overutilization of antiseptics and sanitizers, and the rising rate of cesarean sections. Blaser, an infectious-disease expert and researcher at NYU, is convinced that the swelling number of people with obesity, asthma, and esophageal reflux is a consequence of disrupting the microbiome. He warns that even short-term use of unnecessary antibiotics in children can have long-term implications. Antibiotics have been available for almost 70 years and have saved countless lives. Surprisingly, however, around 70 percent of antibiotics in use are allotted to livestock to promote growth and fatten them up. Human ­microecology is complex, even paradoxical: the bacteria Helicobacter pylori can make folks ill (ulcers and stomach cancer) and keep them well (protection against GERD, asthma, and esophageal cancer). Blaser’s Missing Microbes is a masterful work of preventive health and superb science writing. --Tony Miksanek

Review

“The weight of evidence behind Dr. Blaser's cautions about antibiotics is overwhelming.” ―The New York Times

“Unlike some books on medicine and microbes, Dr. Blaser's doesn't stir up fears of exotic diseases or pandemic 'superbugs' resistant to all known drugs. He focuses on a simpler but more profound concern: the damage that modern life inflicts on the vast number of microbes that all of us, even healthy people, carry inside us at all times.” ―
The Wall Street Journal

Missing Microbes presents a surprisingly clear perspective on a complex problem.” ―Philadelphia Inquirer

“In
Missing Microbes, Martin Blaser sounds [an] alarm. He patiently and thoroughly builds a compelling case that the threat of antibiotic overuse goes far beyond resistant infections.” ―Nature

“Readable and challenging,
Missing Microbes provides a stimulus with which to probe existing dogma.” ―Science

“Blaser presents a sensible plan for reclaiming our microbial balance and avoiding calamity both as a society...and on an individual level.” ―
Discover

Missing Microbes blazes a new trail.” ―The Huffington Post

“An engrossing examination of the relatively unheralded yet dominant form of life on Earth.” ―
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Blaser's
Missing Microbes is a masterful work of preventative health and superb science writing.” ―Booklist (starred review)

“Credit Blaser for displaying the wonders and importance of a vast underworld we are jeopardizing but cannot live without.” ―
Kirkus

“Missing Microbes adds a new frontier towards understanding vastly underappreciated key contributions of the human microbiome to health and human disease. As a world leader in defining the microbiome, Dr. Blaser explains how disturbing its natural balance is affecting common conditions such as obesity and diabetes, long thought of as primarily nutrition and lifestyle related problems. Blaser's carefully and convincingly written book outlines new dimensions that need to be considered in fighting a number of common diseases and in promoting health and well-being.” ―
Richard Deckelbaum, Director, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University

“In a world that turns to antibiotics for every infection of the ear, sinuses, or skin, Dr. Blaser makes even the most nervous parent think twice about giving her child these ubiquitous drugs. Dr. Blaser contends that the excessive use of antibiotics--especially in children--is at the root of our most serious emerging modern maladies, from asthma and food allergies to obesity and certain cancers. He walks us through the science behind his theories and examines the duality of microbes, both as essential agents of good health and perpetrators of sickness. At a time when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is campaigning for more judicious use of antibiotics, Dr. Blaser delivers a thoughtful, well-written and compelling case for why doctors need to be more cautious about prescribing these medications and why consumers should consider alternatives before taking them.” ―
Nirav R. Shah, MD, MPH, Commissioner of Health, New York

“Dr. Blaser's credibility as a world class scientist and physician makes this exploration of our body's microbial world particularly provocative.
Missing Microbes will make you rethink some fundamental ideas about infection. Blaser's gift is to write clearly and to take the reader on a fascinating journey through the paradoxes and insights about the teeming world within us.” ―Abraham Verghese MD, author of Cutting for Stone

“I have often wondered why kids today seem to have such a high incidence of asthma, ear infections, allergies, reflux esophagitis and so many other conditions that I rarely saw growing up. This mystery has been solved by the pioneering work of Dr. Marty Blaser and is communicated brilliantly in
Missing Microbes. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this book to your own health, the health of your children and grandchildren and to the health of our country. Missing Microbes is truly a must read.” ―Arthur Agatston, author of The South Beach Diet

“We live today in a world of modern plagues, defined by the alarming rise of asthma, diabetes, obesity, food allergies, and metabolic disorders. This is no accident, argues Dr. Blaser, the renowned medical researcher: the common link being the destruction of vital bacteria through the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Missing Microbes is science writing at its very best--crisply argued and beautifully written, with stunning insights about the human microbiome and workable solutions to an urgent global crisis.” ―David M. Oshinsky, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Polio: An American Story

“Why is it that you are fat, your son has asthma, and your 13-year-old daughter is six feet tall? Dr. Blaser says your bodies are missing vital, beneficial bacteria and I guarantee that after reading this book you will agree. Take a pass on the antibiotics and read
Missing Microbes.” ―Laurie Garrett, Pulitzer Prize winning writer and Senior Fellow for Global Health at the Council on Foreign Relations

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt and Co.; First Edition (April 8, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0805098100
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805098105
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.3 x 1.05 x 9.39 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 868 ratings

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Martin J. Blaser
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
868 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. It provides informative content on the impact of antibiotics on humans, highlighting the important role gut microbiota plays in overall health. The book provides a solid introduction to the importance of microbes in the body and their potential to prevent disease.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

123 customers mention "Readability"120 positive3 negative

Customers find the book readable and well-written. They say it's an interesting read for lay readers, with convincing arguments. The author explains many things clearly, making it easy for non-microbiologists to understand. Readers recommend it as a good read for pediatric health practitioners.

"...The book explains all of this in clear language which does not require a technical background - just a strong interest in getting facts straight and..." Read more

"...The author gives clear explanations and has extensive expertise in the field...." Read more

"...a gentle, laid back yet informative manner, making this book a relatively simple read for even those with little to no scientific background...." Read more

"This was a readable book about a difficult subject from this I got we are out own universe with a multitude of life forms that for the most part..." Read more

113 customers mention "Information quality"113 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-written. They appreciate the interesting thesis backed by convincing evidence, as well as the important information it provides to explain the upsurge in many common diseases. The book provides excellent insights into how the research process works, based on the author's own background. It contains both new and old research, providing an overview of what we know and what we are. Readers describe the science as inspiring and eye-opening toward the next decade.

"...does not require a technical background - just a strong interest in getting facts straight and caring about your and your world's health...." Read more

"...The case studies themselves are presented in a good scientific manner with descriptions of the protocols and evidence for the findings...." Read more

"...While the information is valuable, the writing style was a bit uneven. The sections that tell the story of an individual are engaging...." Read more

"...matter of the (human) microbiome in a gentle, laid back yet informative manner, making this book a relatively simple read for even those with little..." Read more

52 customers mention "Health relevance"52 positive0 negative

Customers find the book useful for understanding the impact of antibiotic use on humans. They appreciate the well-referenced discussion of antibiotic history, challenges, and cost/benefit. The author makes interesting associative conjectures about antibiotic overuse and diminishing microbiomes. Overall, readers find the book insightful into the science of gut bacteria and how we have harmed ourselves through antibiotic use.

"...While these drugs have saved millions of lives (including Blaser’s own) they also destroy, and are likely cumulatively destroying, bacteria that..." Read more

"...There is now new research in the world of gut bacteria which brings hope to us all. My message to anyone that reads this book...." Read more

"...Antibiotics are fantastic when dealing with a destructive organism, but in the process there is major collateral damage to beneficial bacteria..." Read more

"This is a great book, taking readers into the cool new science of the microbiome...." Read more

18 customers mention "Health benefits"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for understanding how gut bacteria can prevent disease. They appreciate the science behind the dangers and the vital roles that intestinal bacteria play in overall health. The book provides a solid theory of why diseases like GERD, obesity, and allergies are a result of microbes in the body. It has good chapters on various aspects of gut biome issues and antibiotics. Readers also mention the book makes them less germaphobic.

"This book has good chapters on various aspects of gut biome issues and antibiotics...." Read more

"...Dr. Blaser does an excellent job of balancing the potential risks with the known benefits, but it still leaves the reader recounting every course of..." Read more

"This is one of the best biohacker's Resources on the harmful effects of Antibiotics!..." Read more

"...The information connects many things that had not been connected (e.g. C-sections with allergies etc.)..." Read more

Terrible book
1 out of 5 stars
Terrible book
How do people give the book 5 stars.On the 5th page the author rehashes the autism is caused by vaccines.The book reads like a bad professor who is abusing 10 year. One that just publishes the work of the grad students who thought they would get an education from the lab.You want real education go ask your doctor how post-exposure prophylaxis treatment and antibiotics are reducing spread of STIs in public health.I am homeschooled with community college education.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2014
    Martin Blaser relates many of the worst chronic health problems in America and the world to inappropriate use of antibiotics. From diabetes to inflammatory bowel disease, and obesity, our overuse of antibiotics has deprived our bodies of helpful microbes necessary to digenst food properly and stay disease-free! The most frightening impact, to me, was the affect on our endocrine systems which control everything from appetite to reproduction. Our grocery and drug store shelves and new athletic shoes are filled with antibiotic additives which don't work and yet further deprive us of a healthy biome.

    And a substantial part of every person is his/her biome - germs!

    The book explains all of this in clear language which does not require a technical background - just a strong interest in getting facts straight and caring about your and your world's health. Everyone needs to read this book and this is an interesting way to approach the subject.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2014
    This book has good chapters on various aspects of gut biome issues and antibiotics. The author gives clear explanations and has extensive expertise in the field.

    One thing that is slightly misleading, though the major issues are covered in a general manner a lot of the specifics are focussed on Helicobacter Pylori, which is a stomach centered bacteria rather than something from lower down. I was expecting more coverage of the range of bacteria in the intestinal biome. This in no way detracts from the quality of the book as a some of the issues with H. Pylori seems to be those of the general intestinal biome also.

    Overall there is quite a wide and big picture view as well as the focus on H Pylori case studies. For example the author mentions work on Caesarian birth innoculation and other clean hypothesis issues. The case studies themselves are presented in a good scientific manner with descriptions of the protocols and evidence for the findings. Also this book made me want to go work with Dr. Blaser on studies like the one he described. Important work.
    20 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2014
    If you are prone to overreaction when you hear about a new scientific or medical study, I recommend you read something else. If you are interested in where science is leading us and want to understand the (possible) negative impacts of the overuse of antibiotics, read this book.

    I say that because it would be easy to decide that you never want to be near an antibiotic again after reading some sections of this book. Dr. Blaser does an excellent job of balancing the potential risks with the known benefits, but it still leaves the reader recounting every course of antibiotics ever taken and holding a quiet vigil for all of the valuable microbes likely lost.

    While the information is valuable, the writing style was a bit uneven. The sections that tell the story of an individual are engaging. However, some of the sections that explain pure science can feel a bit too simplistic. This is obviously an attempt to make the book accessible for all kinds of readers, which it is, but it can be dry at times. Be prepared to push through those pages, because the book is definitely worth finishing.

    If you'd like a better idea of what this is all about, check out Dr. Blaser's interview with Terry Gross in April. It's a great overview, and you'll probably be clicking Buy before they're done talking.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2016
    I just closed this book and I felt the need to immediately review it. As a student microbiologist, chemist, and current medical worker, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Dr. Blaser lays out the complexity and wonder of the microscopic world in a way that's fathomable to a general audience. He approaches the dense subject matter of the (human) microbiome in a gentle, laid back yet informative manner, making this book a relatively simple read for even those with little to no scientific background. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know, especially those working in the medical, or any science driven, field (as well as any politician I may come across, ha!) Even if you know nothing about microbiology, and your last science class was in high school, I urge you to read this informative masterpiece. I cannot overstate the urgency of this topic, and I believe this book can provide anyone with a perfect segue into the crisis of the overuse of antibiotics (or the rise of "superbugs", if that catches your attention more.)

    This is now one of my favorite books! Give it a try!
    36 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Renzo Dalla Via
    5.0 out of 5 stars A most excellent book. Highly recommended.
    Reviewed in Canada on March 17, 2022
    Dr. Blaster has done an excellent job on this topic. It is a very easy read but extremely informative and important.
  • AAMSEM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Très intéressant
    Reviewed in France on November 28, 2024
    Très intéressant
  • joseph m
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inprescindible para todo el mundo
    Reviewed in Spain on April 1, 2019
    Todo el mundo especialmente los medicuchos sabelotodo que tenemos hoy en dia que realmente no saben absolutamente nada deberian leerlo. Por supuesto tambien pacientes y cualquier persona pues nos afecta a todos y a diario.
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    joseph m
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inprescindible para todo el mundo
    Reviewed in Spain on April 1, 2019
    Todo el mundo especialmente los medicuchos sabelotodo que tenemos hoy en dia que realmente no saben absolutamente nada deberian leerlo. Por supuesto tambien pacientes y cualquier persona pues nos afecta a todos y a diario.
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  • Jami Be
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy bien
    Reviewed in Mexico on June 21, 2016
    Exelente. Llego rápido y en perfectas condiciones. El libro tiene un maravilloso contenido referente a las nuevas plagas de nuestra era que nos afligen debido al uso inadecuado o a una temprana edad de los antibióticos. Muy recomendable.
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics is Fueling our Modern Plagues- Martin J, Blaser, MD
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 27, 2016
    Excelente conteúdo. Dr. Blaser é um profundo conhecedor da Microbiologia Humana, profissional experiente, com extrema capacidade de transmitir um tema complexo de forma clara e acessível. Recomendo a leitura pela qualidade do texto e a importância do assunto.