Which bacteria are colonising your gut is becoming increasingly important, Australian researchers say.

More and more evidence is suggesting the gut microbiota has a significant role in both the cause and the cure of a wide range of gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases and conditions.

According to a review in The Medical Journal of Australia, research shows that particular types of bacteria colonising the gut have been associated the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH), obesity and diabetes.