Fecal Transplant (FMT)
Safety, quality and efficacy driven.
FMT Specialists
If you are looking for a fecal transplant (FMT), look no further. We have helped hundreds of people over the past 8 years achieve excellent results with our small batch microbiome transfer program using superior donors.
Safety, quality and efficacy is our focus for you.
We are based in Santa Barbara, California, and we frequently do initial remote consultations.
Start by either calling or texting us at 805-500-8300, or please tell us your story below.
We are compassionate and respond quickly. We look forward to getting to know you and doing our best for you. Have a wonderful day.
These are just a few recent comments from our wonderful patients:
”Dr. Jonathan Birch changed my life. I highly recommend consulting with him if you have c diff, or a gut microbiome dysregulation issue. Under his care I was able to treat the c diff infection AND stop taking all medicine related to Inflammatory Bowel disease. I had been on biologics for alcmost 10 years and had taken numerous rounds of steroid and other medicines for many years to try to control my flares and get the IBD under control. I went to him as a last resort to discuss FMT therapy since I had tried every other therapy my GI had recommended. While I was hopeful that the FMT would reduce my symptoms, I didn’t believe that I would be able to stop taking biologics. So far it has been 18 months since my first FMT treatment (I had two, approximately 10 months apart) and 9 months since my last dose of biologics. I feel great with no IBD issues - no diarrhea, cramping, or pain! I had given up on living a normal life, but now I feel like I have been re-born and am able to live a regular life with no fear of eating foods that are not known to be ‘safe foods’ or accommodation needed for IBD symptoms like diarrhea or constipation.” - PM
“I would like to thank Dr. Jonathan Birch and all the staff at Purety Clinic for the kind and careful treatment of the FMT I had in early 2022. I am doing very well. The FMT procedure was very successful - the infection is gone, and after my recent colonoscopy, the doctor told me I was in complete remission with no sign of UC. I am very grateful to Dr. Birch and all the staff who helped to make this procedure possible! Thank you all so very much! “ - KS
“Thank you so very much!!! I have been doing great after treatment, many symptoms and body pains have gone down and no gut pain! Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful! “ - KBS
‘It has just been a few days and I am feeling SO much better. Wow! A HUGE improvement.’ - TD
“It has been a long time since we have communicated but I wanted to reach out and tell you how successful my FMT last September was. I went from a starch free diet, back pain, knuckle pain, serious brain fog, shoulder pain, and achilles issues that limited runs to less than three miles, to almost a full (albiet still quite healthy) diet and pain/brain fog free. I have even been running 10+ mile runs pain free. I tell people that I feel like I did when I was in my 20's (I'm now 37). Thank you” - MH
Since 2014, Dr Birch has been beyond grateful to help hundreds of patients achieve amazing recoveries using FMT. He is known as one of the leading fecal transplant doctors in the country and in the meantime has become an expert in gastrointestinal conditions. His goal is to create an ideal protocol during the initial consultation and figure out a plan with you to optimize lasting results. Contact us today to discuss if you may be eligible
The FMT treatment is performed with an extract of the stool of an extensively screened ‘super’ donor is suspended in solution and delivered to the patient via enema, which is then retained by the patient for at least 30 minutes yet usually hours, or it is further concentrates and triple encapsulated for oral consumption. The protocol and dose amount depends on the specific patient. This treatment delivers the complete flora of a perfectly healthy, vital, healthy metabolic individual.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantion, also known as FMT, human probiotic infusion, bacteriotherapy, and fecal transplant, is a powerful infusion of healthy colon flora which has been used historically to treat patients with clostridium difficile, aka C difficile infection, inflammatory bowel disease ( crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis ), irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune disease, dysbiotic gut flora as well as other conditions.
At Purety Family Medical Clinic, our fecal transplant doctors offer fecal microbiota transplantation via retention enema and via encapsulation, neither of which has any known serious adverse effects. Currently, the FDA allows fecal transplantation to be given for antibiotic resistant Clostridium difficile infections, also known as C Difficile, or CDI (*compassionate use can be applied for). Because of FDA regulation, we use this therapy for people with c diff. FMT has shown to have a well over 90% cure rate of refractory (antibiotic resistant) C diff infections.
Since 2014 we have served all of California as well as those who would like to travel here. Closest to us we have served Santa Barbara county with FMT fecal microbiota transplant including Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, Isla Vista, Hope Ranch, Summerland, Solvang, Santa Maria, Buellton, Lompoc, Guadalupe, and Montecito. We also frequently welcome our patients from Ventura County, San Luis Obispo County, Los Angeles County, and beyond.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation History
Fecal transplantion has proven to successfully re-establish a healthy gut flora in the recipient of healthy donor stool. In the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology in September 2010, the Gastroenterology Department in New South Wales, Australia showed a durable alteration of the colonic microbiota by the administration of donor fecal flora. At 24 weeks after a fecal microbiota transplant procedure, bacterial populations in patients’ fecal samples consisted predominantly of bacteria derived from healthy donor samples. Similar comparisons were made and each recipient’s baseline sample was statistically significant with a Friedman test.
The first written record of fecal bacteria transplantion treatment is Ge Hong, who in the 4th Century CE successfully used oral-fecal suspension treatments for food poisoning and severe diarrhea.
Li Shizhen in 16th century CE used fermented, fresh, dried, or infant gut bacteria transplantation for severe diarrhea, vomiting and constipation.
Christian Franz Paullini used by mouth fecal suspensions transplants successfully for dysentery in the 17th century.
Before 1982, Robert Carroll, ND used fecal transplant for a variety of autoimmune and GI conditions.
Published in the Lancet, 1989 Jan 21 Treatment of ulcerative colitis by implantation of normal colonic flora. Bennet had 11 years of Ulcerative colitis, 7 years of steroid-dependency with severe symptoms if he dropped below 30 mg/day steroid. At 3 months post fecal microbiota transplantation retention enema he had no symptoms, came off steroid, and colonoscopy revealed no active inflammation. Dr Bennet cured his own ulcerative colitis UC IBD with fecal transplant. This was the first documented IBD treatment success with fecal transplantation.
This led to the journal article published in the medical journal of Australia in 1989: Med J Aust. 1989 May 15;150(10):604 Bowel-flora alteration: a potential cure for inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome? Borody, George, Brandi, Noonan, Cole, Hyland, Morgan, Maysey, Moore-Jones D.
Up to now, fecal transplantion has been used to treat an array of gastrointestinal conditions successfully. To learn about the amazing success stories of FMT and other health information we encourage you to take a look at thepowerofpoop.com.
Donor Screening is of utmost importance
We pride ourselves on going above and beyond the screening guidelines in the United States to ensure that the fecal matter transplantion samples are of the absolute highest quality standards. Only a small handful of donors are used because of this as well as it allows for frequent screening. The donors we use are considered ‘super donors’ , extremely healthy in every possible way.
All stool donor meet the following criteria:
No prior antibiotics use
Born vaginally
Breastfed
BMI <24 & waist circumference in healthy range
High metabolic rate and physical fitness.
Ideal personal and family health history.
Ideal intestinal function.
The donors do not suffer from any chronic disease, which includes:
Psychological disorders
Autoimmune disease
Atopy and allergy
Chronic pain
Gastrointestinal conditions
Metabolic disorders
Cancer and malignancy
Other considerations that warrant exclusion from donating:
High risk travel history
High risk sexual activity
Age less than 6 and greater than 39
Donors are screened via stool and blood laboratory testing for but not limited to:
HIV 1 and 2, 4th generation ELISA testing
Treponema pallidum (Syphilis)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
H Pylori fecal antigen
Clostridium difficile by PCR for Toxin A and B
Ova & Parasites exam
Stool culture and extensive pathogen screening
MDROs (multiple drug resistant organisms)
Covid-19
Complete blood count with differential and metabolic panel for general health assessment
Complete microbiome testing.
All donors used are known personally by the donor bank and strong relationships are maintained to remain up to date on any changes in health status or lifestyle.
Fecal Microbiota Transplant Capsules
Triple encapsulated for safe and proper inoculation of the colon.
Clostridium Difficile Infection
Clostridium difficile infection, also known referred to as C difficile is a bacterium that can cause symptoms ranging from chronic intestinal upset with diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. Historically, C difficile has been acquired in a hospital after a round of antibiotics or while a person is in a state of depressed immune system frequently after a procedure. However, increasing rates of C difficile have been occurring in young and healthy individuals who haven't used antibiotics and who haven't been in a health care facility.
Each year in the United States, about a half million people get sick from C. difficile, and rates have been rising. Some people who tend to carry a healthier overall microbiome carry the C difficile spores in their intestinal tract but never become sick, though rarely may still spread the infection. Signs and symptoms usually develop within five to 10 days after starting a course of antibiotics because the spores will take advantage of the decreased healthy bacteria and immune system which usually keep the spores in check. Symptoms may start up to 2 months after a round of antibiotics and can range from quite mild symptoms to life threatening diarrhea.
The success rate of curing C difficile using fecal transplant procedure is astounding and every person we work with who gets their life back further validates why we do this.
When antibiotics are used to treat a Clostridium difficile (C. Diff) infection, they can inadvertently disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome by killing off a significant number of beneficial bacteria. The gut microbiome is an essential component of our digestive system, playing a critical role in various aspects of our health, including digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. An imbalance in the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, can lead to various complications and health issues.
Fecal Microbial Transplant (FMT), also known as fecal bacteriotherapy, is a promising treatment option that helps restore the balance of the gut microbiome by introducing healthy bacteria from a carefully screened donor's fecal matter into the patient's digestive tract. This process effectively replenishes the patient's gut with a diverse and beneficial microbial community, which in turn aids in their recovery from the C. Diff infection and helps prevent relapse.
‘Since doing the fecal transplant treatment I feel like i have my life back. I haven't had any episodes/symptoms AT ALL and my quality of life has shot back up. I feel healthier, my mind is clear, all the diarrhea, headaches, pain, nausea, etc is gone. I would say that i have been given a brand new lease on life. my home life is MUCH MUCH better. i can't thank Dr. Birch enough.’ -JH
Is Fecal Matter Transplant for you?
Patients who may be interested in fecal transplantation are encouraged to speak about their interest to their doctors first before considering the treatments although we do not require a referral. If you decide to reach out to us, we will hope to attain as much of your health information as possible. If you have taken antibiotics as well as what type you have taken in the past, if you have colonoscope results, recent blood tests, medication and supplement products lists as well as diet information will all be pertinent.
Also, if you have done fecal matter transplantation in the past, we would like to know the details such as how many treatments you have had, whether it was enema or capsules, the results you had, and the stool bank who provided it (Openbiome, Taymount clinic etc.). Our goal is to provide people with the best transplantation possible in order to inoculate the GI tract with the most well-rounded gut bacteria and microbiome possible. We also strive to take a holistic approach to your health in the meantime. The result we have found can be miraculous, yet of course the results in medicine are never 100% yet we do our best while we regroup and attempt different approaches until we are successful. Our digestive system, gut bacteria and microbiome as a whole are extremely complex, and the availability of information continues to expand on a daily basis. We always look at people as an entire system, not just a single symptom. We are excited about what the future holds in medicine. If you have interest to reach out to us or if you have any questions about the treatments, availability, etc. we will do our best to get you the information you need.
If you are interested in receiving guidance for at-home fecal microbiota transplant, either for C diff infection or another indication, we are unable to offer help in this situation. The importance of donor screening and anaerobic handling and processing of samples is so important we believe it is ideal to have this done with a proper laboratory.
We look forward to helping you in any way we can.
Q: What is a fecal transplant (FMT)?
A: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is a procedure where healthy donor fecal matter is introduced into a patient's digestive tract to restore the balance of gut microbiome. This can help treat conditions like Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection, inflammatory bowel disease, and other gastrointestinal issues.
Q: Is FMT safe and effective?
A: Yes, FMT has been proven to be safe and effective in treating various gastrointestinal conditions, especially antibiotic-resistant C. diff infections. At Purety Clinic, we prioritize safety, quality, and efficacy by using extensively screened 'super donors' and following strict guidelines.
Q: How is FMT administered?
A: FMT can be administered via retention enema or oral capsules. The method and dosage depend on the specific patient and their needs.
Q: What conditions can FMT treat?
A: FMT has been used to treat a range of gastrointestinal conditions such as C. difficile infection, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune disease, dysbiotic gut flora, and more. Currently, FMT is only FDA approved for recurrent clostridium difficile.
Q: How are donors screened for FMT?
A: As explained above, donors undergo a rigorous screening process, including meeting strict criteria regarding their health history, lifestyle, and absence of chronic diseases. They are also tested for various infections and pathogens through blood and stool samples to ensure the highest quality of fecal matter.
Q: How effective is FMT for treating C. difficile infections?
A: FMT has shown to have a well over 90% cure rate for refractory (antibiotic-resistant) C. diff infections.
Q: Do I need a referral from my doctor for FMT?
A: While it is encouraged to discuss FMT with your doctor, a referral is not required. If you decide to reach out to Purety Clinic, we will gather as much health information as possible to determine if FMT is a suitable treatment for you.
Q: Can Purety Clinic provide guidance for at-home FMT?
A: No, due to the importance of donor screening and proper handling of samples, we do not provide guidance for at-home FMT. We believe it is ideal to have this procedure done with a proper laboratory.
Q: How can I contact Purety Clinic for more information or to schedule a consultation?
A: You can call or text us at (805) 500-8300 or send an email to [email protected]. Please include your phone number with your email. We are based in Santa Barbara, California, and offer remote consultations as well.
