THE BIOME BUZZ
BUGS AND WORMS AND OTHER GREAT STUFF
Category: Cardiovascular Disease
In Breaking Down Fiber, Our Gut Bacteria Do Us Yet Another Healthy Favor
And here is yet another reason why we love our good gut bacteria. This research perfectly illustrates our symbiotic relationship with our old friends. As my regular readers know, there is so much we still don’t know about fiber: exactly how does it benefit… Continue Reading “In Breaking Down Fiber, Our Gut Bacteria Do Us Yet Another Healthy Favor”
Protection of Pathogenic Bacteria in the Gut? Mind your Taurine
I am on a good news roll! How’s this for cheering? Scientists from the National Institute of Health have discovered that the nutrient taurine – which is an amino acid found naturally in our bodies and also in foods like meat and fish –… Continue Reading “Protection of Pathogenic Bacteria in the Gut? Mind your Taurine”
A Probiotic to Reduce Physiological Effects of Stress and Anxiety: Clinical Trial Results
Today’s good news is brought to you by researchers in Finland and Germany who are looking for natural means of alleviating the development of mood and stress-related disorders.[i] I don’t know about the rest of you, but I sure as hell could use some… Continue Reading “A Probiotic to Reduce Physiological Effects of Stress and Anxiety: Clinical Trial Results”
Progress In Finding Targeted Bacteria to Potentially Treat a Variety of Issues
Again, trying to stay positive this month, for the sake of all our mental health: the results of a recent large, international dietary study including Harvard physicians confirm yet again that a diet rich in plant-based foods is linked with a lower risk of… Continue Reading “Progress In Finding Targeted Bacteria to Potentially Treat a Variety of Issues”
Diet (animal products) and the Gut Bacteria: A Protective and Non-Protective Mechanism?
Lately, I’ve been reading more and more about biome inhabitants that have both good and bad effect. I first introduced you to the word pathobionts in 2018 which is used to describe them. Last week, I wrote about the sometimes-probiotic bacteria, L. reuteri, and… Continue Reading “Diet (animal products) and the Gut Bacteria: A Protective and Non-Protective Mechanism?”
High Blood Pressure and the Microbiome
When I write about the incredible incidence of so many chronic illnesses, I always feel a little like the grim reaper. But what can I do?! Inflammatory diseases are on the rise in the industrialized world and so many are being related to the… Continue Reading “High Blood Pressure and the Microbiome”
Probiotics, Omega 3s and Chronic Inflammation: Part 1
As I am always on the lookout for things we can do now, I was particularly interested in reading a new paper just published in the journal Nutrients which reviewed what we know about using probiotics together with omega-3 fatty acids to reduce chronic… Continue Reading “Probiotics, Omega 3s and Chronic Inflammation: Part 1”
Disrupted Sleep: Bad for the Health of You and Your Microbiome
Researchers at the University of Illinois, Chicago, have recently published research demonstrating that disrupted sleep leads to elevated blood pressure and alterations to the bacterial microbiome.[i] I’ve been covering this subject for a while as I myself am a terrible sleeper, and have a… Continue Reading “Disrupted Sleep: Bad for the Health of You and Your Microbiome”
Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes: Helminths May Hold the Answers
I found a bunch of new research on helminths and will, over the next month or so, make my way through the papers. I wanted to share first an article just published by researchers in Australia (where some of the best hookworm (Necator americanus)… Continue Reading “Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes: Helminths May Hold the Answers”
Inflammation,the Microbiome and…Whole Body Vibration? (No, I’m Not Kidding You…)
Several years ago I was in a gym equipment store buying a cross trainer, and spotted a strange looking machine lying on the floor near the cash register. I asked the assistant what it was: “That’s a whole body vibrating machine,” he responded, “It’s… Continue Reading “Inflammation,the Microbiome and…Whole Body Vibration? (No, I’m Not Kidding You…)”
