THE BIOME BUZZ
BUGS AND WORMS AND OTHER GREAT STUFF
Category: Mental Health
More Fascinating Findings on Phages: Affects on Memory and Cognition
For today, a topic I haven’t had a chance to write about in months: the virome. Published last week in Cell Host & Microbe is an article that shows that a specific bacteriophage has been found to improve executive function and memory in both… Continue Reading “More Fascinating Findings on Phages: Affects on Memory and Cognition”
A Bacterial-Derived Metabolite and Anxiety in Autism and Schizophrenia
Readers with (or who have family members with) anxiety issues, autism, or schizophrenia, please pay special attention to today’s post. I have feeling that this is a really significant finding. Researchers at Cal Tech (along with colleagues at Stanford and other major California Universities)… Continue Reading “A Bacterial-Derived Metabolite and Anxiety in Autism and Schizophrenia”
Probiotics and Mental Health: A Review of Human Studies
As regular readers of this blog know, one of my particular areas of interest is the relationship of the gut biome to mental health, including memory and cognition. Very early on, if you remember, I told you the story of losing my grandmother to… Continue Reading “Probiotics and Mental Health: A Review of Human Studies”
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”
L. reuteri: A Review of Its Many Known Benefits
A very happy New Year to you all. I hope your holidays were wonderful. First, an update on me. You may have noticed that I have been writing posts less regularly. My new business has really taken off, and I am working insane hours. … Continue Reading “L. reuteri: A Review of Its Many Known Benefits”
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”
Helminthic Therapy: A Review of the Current Status of Research
A couple of weeks ago, I found an interesting article in The Scientist that does a great job of summarizing the current status of helminth research.[i] I have been too busy in my “real” life to read it though, until this past weekend. So,… Continue Reading “Helminthic Therapy: A Review of the Current Status of Research”
Bacteria to Assess and Correct Neurotransmitter Imbalances in the Gut? The Future Looks Promising
Today a quick note about a novel and seriously interesting bit of research. As many of you likely know, your gut bacteria are responsible for synthesizing much of your neurotransmitters. For example, 95% of the serotonin in your body is produced in your digestive… Continue Reading “Bacteria to Assess and Correct Neurotransmitter Imbalances in the Gut? The Future Looks Promising”
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”
Live to be 100? Fermented Foods, Healthy Aging and the Microbiome
Well, I just learned something new. Did you know that, “Over a century ago, Elie Metchnikoff theorized that health could be enhanced and senility delayed by manipulating the intestinal microbiome with host-friendly bacteria found in yogurt”?[1] I had absolutely no idea that healthy aging… Continue Reading “Live to be 100? Fermented Foods, Healthy Aging and the Microbiome”
