Missing Microbes by Martin Blaser Summary
Overview of Missing Microbes
In "Missing Microbes," renowned microbiologist Dr. Martin Blaser reveals how our war against bacteria is backfiring spectacularly. Could our modern plagues - obesity, asthma, allergies - actually stem from killing the wrong microbes? This controversial 2014 medical detective story is changing how doctors prescribe antibiotics forever.
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Key takeaways
The Invisible War Inside Your Body
Right now, trillions of ancient organisms are living inside you-on your skin, in your mouth, throughout your gut. They've been with humanity for millennia, quietly performing essential tasks: digesting food, producing vitamins, training your immune system. But over the past seventy years, we've been systematically wiping them out. The consequences? A terrifying rise in diseases that were once rare: childhood diabetes, severe food allergies, asthma, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, even autism. These "modern plagues" have exploded across the developed world, and the culprit isn't a new virus or environmental toxin-it's our own medical practices. We've been waging war against bacteria with antibiotics and sterile birth practices, not realizing we're destroying allies that have shaped human biology since our species emerged. This isn't just about getting sick more often. It's about fundamentally altering what it means to be human.
Your Body Is a Planet-And We're Destroying Its Ecosystems
The Wonder Drug That Became a Weapon of Mass Destruction
From Farm to Table - The Hidden Antibiotic Pipeline Poisoning Our Children
Birth's Broken Promise and the Stomach Bacteria We're Losing
When the Body Attacks Itself-The Autoimmune Epidemic
The Path Forward - Before It's Too Late
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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