Tag: health

New Information on the Ever-Growing Parkinson’s Disease/Microbiome Connection

As you know, I’ve been following the developing story of the bacterial microbiomes relationship to the development of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) for years now.  This past week, science took another step forward: Brazilian researchers published a paper in Scientific Reports that suggest, yet again,… Continue Reading “New Information on the Ever-Growing Parkinson’s Disease/Microbiome Connection”

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”

Children, Allergies, the Microbiome and Heavy Metals

For your reading pleasure (NOT), two distressing pieces of research. New research out of Ohio State University is truly horrifying.[i]  These scientists have traced a link between low dose exposure to the heavy metal, cadmium, and the activation of the antibodies that cause allergies.… Continue Reading “Children, Allergies, the Microbiome and Heavy Metals”

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”

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”

Agricultural Chemicals and Autism: A Growing Link

This past weekend, I finished reading a paper in the journal, Environmental Research, which was an overview of what we know about the relationship of pesticide exposure to the development of autism.[i]  Interesting  that it came out of China, where, “According to University of… Continue Reading “Agricultural Chemicals and Autism: A Growing Link”

Akkermansia Fans: The Day You Have Been Waiting For!!!

There are going to be some VERY happy biome buzzers out there today! I got pretty darn excited when I read over the weekend that the European Food Safety Authority (their version of the FDA) has confirmed that pasteurized Akkermansia municiphila is a safe… Continue Reading “Akkermansia Fans: The Day You Have Been Waiting For!!!”

More Evidence that Helminths Protect Against Metabolic Diseases, Including Diabetes

Another great macrobiome article for you this week – two in one month!  Exciting times!  This one just appeared in the major journal, Frontiers in Endocrinology.  Researchers conducted a review of the existing literature, and meta-analysis of the data presented in the papers, looking… Continue Reading “More Evidence that Helminths Protect Against Metabolic Diseases, Including Diabetes”