Gut health - brand new Q&A with Dr Michael Mosley

I am very interested in the fact that the state of our gut makes it easier or harder for us to lose weight. It makes total sense and alongside other factors may explain why it is so much harder for some than others. I find it very difficult to shift extra pounds and so would love to know how I can tell whether what's going on in my gut is part of the cause and if so what I can do about it

I saw a fascinating documentary a year or two ago about the bacteria in your stomach and how changing it can have many different effects. I don't remember the detail but I have two questions based on this.

1) it makes total sense that having healthy gut microbes will be beneficial in many ways - but unless you have a specific problem such as ibs how do you know whether or not the microbes we have ourselves are good, bad or could be improved?

2) assuming that what we have and what works for our particular body is different, if you do know the answer to question 1 above, how can you know what to do for the best for your particular microbes/gut flora or whatever it should be called?

Have just bought this book for my Kindle. Looks excellent from sample read.

I suffer from heartburn and take Omprozole every night. This controls the symptoms very well. About two years ago I had a scan and was told I have a fatty liver. I have been given no advice from my GP about this. Can I do anything to help myself?

Probiotics can't work as so few bacteria get through to the end of the gut. Fermented foods are better. They are so acid that they get through.
Its all explained in The Diat Myth by Tim Spector.(professor) But the book is readable, and based on his research into twins.
Fact is, eat as many sorts of foods as you can, as you need microbes of different kinds. Vegan is too limited.

I had a first-time attack of diverticulitis last year, possibly caused by severe stress at the time, but have started making fermented veggies and making whey from organic goat's milk and drinking it three times a day. What's your opinion on whey?

I have been taking omaprozole daily for many years following a stomach ulcer. I get very vivid dreams at night and wonder if this a side effect. Also been told another side effect could be to make bones more brittle and breakable. Any truth in either of those and are there side effects from daily long term use?

I used to get urgent diarrhoea but started taking soya milk and that has helped, but I still get terrible wind that goes on all day,for days. My stomach bloats. I'm always tired. My face has got spotty and rashy. My whole body aches. I want to know if probiotics would help. I've suffered for years. Age 52

I have had IBS for years, but now it's become more frequent, I hardly dare leave the house for any length of time, a day out is impossible, I have to plot all the loos! I take Imodium by the handful! Help please.

I've been taking symprove for somtime now. I feel it has made a big difference but I wonder if this is a placebo affect. I don't want to waste my money.