THE BIOME BUZZ
BUGS AND WORMS AND OTHER GREAT STUFF
Category: Immune System-Brain Connection
The Latest News on the Link Between Autism, Inflammation, Maternal Immune Activation, and the Microbiome
There have been two papers recently on the growing understanding of the relationship between autism and inflammation. Both, ultimately, point to maternal immune activation (inflammation present in the mother leading to inflammation in her baby) as being the key factor. I’ve covered this topic… Continue Reading “The Latest News on the Link Between Autism, Inflammation, Maternal Immune Activation, and the Microbiome”
Mechanism Discovered: How Stress Leads to Crohn’s Flare Ups
Today’s news is on a topic very near and dear to my heart, especially right now: stress. And the news isn’t good. Researchers at McMaster University have isolated a mechanism by which stress causes a flare up of Crohn’s disease.[i] And surprise, surprise –… Continue Reading “Mechanism Discovered: How Stress Leads to Crohn’s Flare Ups”
IBD, the Microbiome, Mental Health: Inflammation is the Key
The link between inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and mental health issues has long been observed, and I have covered the topic before on this blog. (Look here and here, for example.) On the one hand, it makes sense: living with persistent pain, diarrhea, fatigue,… Continue Reading “IBD, the Microbiome, Mental Health: Inflammation is the Key”
Saccharomyces boulardii: Protection Against Dysbiosis and Cognitive Decline
Several months ago I came across a paper[i] that really interested me on the probiotic yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii, and its effect on cognitive declines associated with gut dysbiosis, but I am so swamped with work that I never got a chance to read it. … Continue Reading “Saccharomyces boulardii: Protection Against Dysbiosis and Cognitive Decline”
Parkinson’s Disease, the Microbiome, Gum Disease and More: An April 2021 Update
I have been following the research into Parkinson’s disease for years, having been forced to watch the inevitable physical decline in several friends now who developed the illness frighteningly early in life (40s and 50s). See here and here for just a couple of… Continue Reading “Parkinson’s Disease, the Microbiome, Gum Disease and More: An April 2021 Update”
Prebiotics: What We Currently Know About Their Use in Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases
One of the questions I get asked the most by my readers is “what prebiotic and/or probiotic is the best?” Unfortunately, there is no good answer to that because we just don’t have the research to know. To boot, everyone’s body is different. Still,… Continue Reading “Prebiotics: What We Currently Know About Their Use in Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases”
More on the Gut Immune-Brain Immune Systems Connection
Another area of study that seems to be exploding recently is the relationship between the gut and neurodegeneration. Just 3 months ago, back in November, I wrote about research from Cambridge University which described their finding that the immune system of the brain is… Continue Reading “More on the Gut Immune-Brain Immune Systems Connection”
The Bacterial Microbiome and Dementia: A Definitive Link
I’ve been covering the growing body of research confirming a link between Alzheimer’s disease and the biome since the inception of this blog years ago. My grandmother – one of my best friends on earth – died of dementia years ago and the horror… Continue Reading “The Bacterial Microbiome and Dementia: A Definitive Link”
Maternal Stress, Autism and a Possible Preventative Probiotic Treatment?
A few weeks back, a study came out of the University of Colorado, Boulder, which is worth reporting.[i] It is one in a long line of similar studies which show that exposure to our “old friends” modulates the immune system in such a way… Continue Reading “Maternal Stress, Autism and a Possible Preventative Probiotic Treatment?”
Don’t Worry, Be Happy…You’ll Make Your Gut Biome Happy Too!
University of Texas Southwestern scientists looked at how serotonin – one of the “feel good” hormones (90% of which is actually produced in the gastrointestinal tract) – can reduce fatal intestinal infections.[i] As serotonin is such a major player in the GI system, it… Continue Reading “Don’t Worry, Be Happy…You’ll Make Your Gut Biome Happy Too!”
