# Faecal microbiota transplant (FMT)

Faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) moves processed stool from a healthy donor into a recipient's gut. The goal is to rebuild a disrupted microbial community. It has exactly one firmly established use. That use is recurrent C. difficile infection (a serious gut infection, often after antibiotics). For that, FMT cures about 85 to 90% of cases. It beats antibiotics alone. So it is now guideline-recommended in most Western systems. For everything else, the evidence is still early. That list includes bowel disease, metabolic syndrome, autism, brain conditions, and aging. Randomized trials have been mixed. Some show modest effects, others none. Delivery methods vary: colonoscopy, a nasal tube, an enema, or freeze-dried capsules. Donor screening is critical and complex. It tests for a wide panel of pathogens before any stool reaches you. And serious harms have happened. These include passing on multi-drug-resistant bugs. The 'longevity' angle comes from mouse studies. Transferring stool from young donors extended life in mice. In humans, that is still just a hope.

## Sources

- van Nood E, Vrieze A, Nieuwdorp M, Fuentes S, Zoetendal EG, de Vos WM, et al.. (2013). Duodenal infusion of donor feces for recurrent Clostridium difficile. New England Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1205037

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_Canonical: https://longevity-switzerland.com/en/glossary/fmt · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-06-22_