Ratgeber: The gut

The gut is our largest internal organ and the many bacteria it contains play an important role in digestion – and for our immune system. What does the gut like, what causes it to develop disease and how can we take care of it?

Case studies

Gut health is important. And nobody knows that better than those fighting for it. Bettina Gutknecht lives with Crohn’s disease. Here is her story.

Tips and tricks

Ever think about your gut? Do you know what it likes, how you can be kind to it – and what it needs? Here are 16 practical tips that will do it good.

Facts & figures

All about animals: why lovers feel butterflies in their stomach – and what Kopi Luwak palm civets share with make-up made from nightingale droppings.

The gut, the largest organ in our immune system

If the gut were a city, it would have an astonishingly high population: some 100 billion micro-organisms live in it, an army of microbes weighing around two kilograms. Most of these are found in the large intestine. Without these bacteria, we would not be able to survive. These industrious residents digest, defend and produce – they are part of our immune defence system and protect our body against illness.

The Helsana Ratgeber magazine

The Ratgeber magazine is published twice a year on a specific topic. Each issue centres around background knowledge, tips and inspiration. The articles are straightforward and feature attractive illustrations. All the content is created in collaboration with specialists and experts.

Please note: Ratgeber is not available in English, but in German, French and Italian.

Intolerances – what are the causes?

More and more people are complaining of allergies, intolerances or issues like a sensitivity to gluten. What are the most common triggers? How should you interpret the symptoms? Find out the answers to these questions in Ratgeber magazine, as well as what the most common bowel disorders are and why bowel cancer screening can be life-saving.

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