Gut bacteria can help fight the harmful effects of processed foods like cereals and pasta, scientists find

Research shows how a certain bacterium found in the human gut can break down a chemical commonly found in processed foods, such as ultra-pasteurized milk, pasta, chocolate and breakfast cereals. Published in Cell Host & Microbe, the findings generate invaluable insight into how gut microbes break down processed foods and lower the risk of health conditions often associated with those foods, such as … Continue reading Gut bacteria can help fight the harmful effects of processed foods like cereals and pasta, scientists find

Researchers say taurine trains your gut microbiota to resist subsequent infections with the same pathogen

Your gut microbiota helps shield you from infections, and for the longest time, scientists have wondered how. A new study published on Jan. 15 in the journal Cell details the process involved in gut immunity, or specifically, how your gut microflora functions to give you colonization resistance. Using mouse models, a team from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) identified which bacteria help your body … Continue reading Researchers say taurine trains your gut microbiota to resist subsequent infections with the same pathogen

Researchers investigate green tea compounds that may help resolve antibiotic resistance

Scientists have reported that compounds present in green tea may improve the efficacy of antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In their report, researchers from the University of Surrey‘s School of Veterinary Medicine in the U.K. noted this effect is because of the compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is present in green tea. EGCG is a plant compound with potent antioxidant properties. This means that … Continue reading Researchers investigate green tea compounds that may help resolve antibiotic resistance

Auto-brewery syndrome – when gut bacteria produce too much alcohol – may cause fatty liver disease

Some microorganisms can raise a person’s blood alcohol to dangerously high levels, even if he hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol his whole life. In a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, certain types of gut bacteria can ferment carbohydrates into alcohol within the body — a condition known as auto-brewery syndrome (ABS). A team of researchers from the Capital Institute of Pediatrics in … Continue reading Auto-brewery syndrome – when gut bacteria produce too much alcohol – may cause fatty liver disease

157 Organisms form the “baseline biome” of a healthy gut, say researchers

In a paper published in the journal PLOS ONE, a group of researchers identified 157 microorganisms that may be essential for a healthy gut. These organisms form a “baseline biome” that may hint at what a normal human microbiome looks like. According to co-author Keith Crandall of George Washington University (GWU) this baseline microbial list, which they called GutFeelingKB, provides preliminary data that may be useful for future … Continue reading 157 Organisms form the “baseline biome” of a healthy gut, say researchers

Drugs can turn your gut microbiome against you – and even kill you

People respond differently to medical treatments. Certain medications may be effective for some, while others may find that they need large doses to see some improvements. But increasing the quantity of a certain drug you’re taking may lead to serious consequences, like in the case of the Parkinson’s drug, levodopa (L-dopa). Gut microbes and L-dopa L-dopa is a replacement … Continue reading Drugs can turn your gut microbiome against you – and even kill you

Study: The health of your gut microbiome influences muscle strength

The gut microbiome affects muscle strength, found a study published in the journal Experimental Gerontology. Researchers from Tufts University said that the gut microbiome — the community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract — helps increase or decrease muscle strength depending on the amount of certain bacteria. The findings of the study benefit not only athletes but also older … Continue reading Study: The health of your gut microbiome influences muscle strength

Keeping your gut flora healthy is the key to maintaining good health

Keeping a well-balanced gut microbial composition is key to controlling hunger, managing weight and maintaining good overall health, according to a recent study. Chinese researchers discussed the concept behind the gut flora-centric theory (GFCT), a new hypothesis that focuses on the biological motivation of why humans need to eat food every day. The GFCT was born from the experience of … Continue reading Keeping your gut flora healthy is the key to maintaining good health

Researchers discover gut bacteria that can render some drugs ineffective

If you’ve ever wondered why your body reacts differently despite being given the same medication as other people, the bacteria living in your gut may be to blame. In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers from Yale University found that gut microbiome – the colony of microorganisms that live inside the human gastrointestinal tract – can metabolize over 150 … Continue reading Researchers discover gut bacteria that can render some drugs ineffective

Seven Wonders of the Microbe World

Getty Images All seven videos from the 'Seven Wonders of the Microbe World' series combined into one, talking about Microbes and why some are good, some are bad and what they have done for mankind. Seven Wonders of the Microbe World Video Length: 25:49 minutes Related Posts How the gut microbes you’re born with affect … Continue reading Seven Wonders of the Microbe World