THE BIOME BUZZ
BUGS AND WORMS AND OTHER GREAT STUFF
Category: Human Biome
Losing Weight – Gaining it Back…and the Microbiome
Today, for your reading pleasure, a kind of amazing 14 month long clinical trial out of Ben-Gurion University, in Israel![i] As I am sure you all know, after dieting and losing weight, it is incredibly difficult to keep it off. I read, not that… Continue Reading “Losing Weight – Gaining it Back…and the Microbiome”
The Macrobiome and Mycobiome in IBD: A Look at the Role of “Dirty Old Friends”
A very recent paper, published just this past May, caught my eye because of its title: “Inflammatory bowel diseases, the hygiene hypothesis and the other side of the microbiota: Parasites and fungi.”[i] How often on this blog have I talked about the incredible complexity… Continue Reading “The Macrobiome and Mycobiome in IBD: A Look at the Role of “Dirty Old Friends””
Introducing Proteobiotics: Natural Pathogen Fighters
A new topic – and vocabulary word – for The Biome Buzz: proteobiotics. You know that I am very enthused about research into using bacteriophages (viruses native to the human biome which target specific bacteria) as an old/new therapy to deal with infection. (You… Continue Reading “Introducing Proteobiotics: Natural Pathogen Fighters”
More on How Little We Know About Archaea
Twice ever, I have gotten to write about archaea, some of the least studied members of the human biome. These sort-of bacteria (they are kind of like bacteria but their cell walls are different and they have no defined nucleus) are actually pretty remarkable… Continue Reading “More on How Little We Know About Archaea”
ALS and the Microbiome: Yet Another Potential Connection
Earlier this year, another study was published showing alterations in the gut microbiomes of patients with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).[i] And,yet again, it shows an imbalance in the ratio of protective microbial species to pro-inflammatory ones. The study included 50 ALS patients ranging in… Continue Reading “ALS and the Microbiome: Yet Another Potential Connection”
Helminths in the Time of COVID: A Protective Action?
As soon as I first read about the recognition by physicians that that death from COVID-19 was often caused by a cytokine storm – a massive inflammatory response to an invader, which causes major tissue damage – my first thought was, “I wonder if… Continue Reading “Helminths in the Time of COVID: A Protective Action?”
Prevotella: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
How many times on this blog have a talked about how insanely complex is the human biome? Yesterday, I had one of those moments where I almost threw up my hands and thought, “I give up!” Everything seems so damn contradictory. Then, of course,… Continue Reading “Prevotella: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”
A Hodgepodge of Probiotics/Prebiotics, ADHD, Critically Ill Patients on Ventilators, and More
As you know, I’m always looking for published clinical trials on things-that-can-help now, and thought that today, I’d cover one I’ve had on my to-read list for a while. Earlier this year, a double-blind, placebo controlled study was conducted on children and adults with… Continue Reading “A Hodgepodge of Probiotics/Prebiotics, ADHD, Critically Ill Patients on Ventilators, and More”
More on the Circadian Rhythm of the Gut Bacteria…and Its Relationship to Melatonin
Several months ago a very dear friend of mine had a cancer relapse. Coincidentally, I had been doing a little reading about new ideas surrounding cancer, including the causes and the treatment, and it turned out that my friend had been doing the same,… Continue Reading “More on the Circadian Rhythm of the Gut Bacteria…and Its Relationship to Melatonin”
Treating Psychiatric Disorders with Fecal Microbiota Transplant
Maybe it’s me who’s weird (ok – it’s definitely me who’s weird!), but unlike many people it seems, I don’t find the idea of the organisms of the biome, including worms (helminths), repulsive, nor do I think fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is disgusting…as someone… Continue Reading “Treating Psychiatric Disorders with Fecal Microbiota Transplant”
