"This book explores the human microbiome--the trillions of microbes that share our bodies--and why it has become one of the hottest areas of research in human health. The book discusses the microbes that live on us and in us, how scientists study them, and how they relate to health issues such as infections, obesity, allergies, and autoimmune disorders. The book delves into the Human Microbiome Project (HMP), a US government/National Institutes of Health initiative launched in 2007, in which scientists are working to identify and study all of the microbes associated with human health and disease. The book also takes readers into stores to make informed choices about the many anti-microbial and probiotic products that line the shelves."-- Provided by publisher.