THE BIOME BUZZ
BUGS AND WORMS AND OTHER GREAT STUFF
Tag: biome
Big News on the Gut-Brain Connection
The big biome news of the week was a study out of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign that found a 3-way communication process between gut bacteria, cortisol (our “stress hormone”) and brain metabolites (which can greatly alter brain development).[i] The findings are early… Continue Reading “Big News on the Gut-Brain Connection”
Schizophrenia and the Gut
In my last post, I mentioned illnesses that are now associated with alterations in the microbiome, and included schizophrenia in that list. Out of curiosity, I’d looked it up a few days prior to writing that post. Sure enough, I found quite a bit,… Continue Reading “Schizophrenia and the Gut”
Early Life Trauma, the Biome and the Brain
Researchers at UCLA have shown that gut microbes affect specific brain regions associated with processing sensory information in the body.[i] The study also shows that signals from the brain can inversely affect the composition of the gut microbes, in a two-way biochemical street. Prior… Continue Reading “Early Life Trauma, the Biome and the Brain”
A Probiotic Bacteria in PTSD and Autism
I just found an article[i] in Scientific American describing a study in which the probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus reuteri (derived from human breast milk), is being used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 40 veterans suffering from PTSD are in a clinical trial in which… Continue Reading “A Probiotic Bacteria in PTSD and Autism”
More New Research on the Gut-Brain Connection in Parkinson’s
As I’ve mentioned before, already having 2 friends with Parkinson’s has made me particularly interested in anything that might help. Recently, research[i] came out showing that people who have had an operation called a truncal vagotomy – in which sections of the vagus nerve… Continue Reading “More New Research on the Gut-Brain Connection in Parkinson’s”
My Trip to Moscow
Well, to sum it all up, my week in Moscow was a remarkable experience in so many different ways. The city is magnificent – one of those places that is so saturated in history, that it permeates everything. You feel it in your bones.… Continue Reading “My Trip to Moscow”
Diet and the Microbiome
I found a new article[i] this week, just published, on the influence of diet on the gut microbiome. Pretty interesting stuff: diet can cause temporary shifts within 24 hours of consumption. The article is too complex to describe in detail so just a few… Continue Reading “Diet and the Microbiome”
Alex and Autism: His Perfect Storm
As promised, a little about Alex’s hellishly awful start to life. Looking back – which I really, really try not to do, as it only causes me pain (but I’ve had some emails of readers asking so here goes) – it does seem as… Continue Reading “Alex and Autism: His Perfect Storm”
The Oral Microbiome and…Cancer risk?!
There was an interesting article[i] on Live Science last week, about the link between the kinds of bacteria in your mouth and your risk of certain cancers, as presented by a an New York University researcher, Jiyoung Ahn, at a talk she gave on… Continue Reading “The Oral Microbiome and…Cancer risk?!”
Yet Another Brood, re: IBD…Or…Another Big Judy Eye Roll
Ok, so…remember how I’ve told you that I was a brooder? And that I didn’t let go of things once I’m angry or upset? And, um, remember that I have been kinda fuming over that post[i] from a few weeks ago by Dr. Mercola?…the… Continue Reading “Yet Another Brood, re: IBD…Or…Another Big Judy Eye Roll”
