A recent study published in the journal Neuron found that alpha-synuclein (a-syn), a protein genetically linked to Parkinson’s disease, spreads from the gut to the brain through the vagus nerve. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore tested a previously proposed hypothesis suggesting that the gut-brain axis is involved in the progression of Parkinson’s — a neurodegenerative disorder that … Continue reading This neuron-killing protein travels from the gut to the brain by hijacking a nerve
Understanding the “gut-brain axis” – Can people with anxiety benefit from probiotic foods and supplements?
Anxiety is linked to various mental and physical disorders, especially those caused by stress. Many natural therapies offer relief, but a recent study suggests that maintaining a healthy gut microbiota as a novel treatment for anxiety. In a review, a team of scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China examined the relationship between the gut and anxiety … Continue reading Understanding the “gut-brain axis” – Can people with anxiety benefit from probiotic foods and supplements?
Understanding the gut-brain axis: Can a probiotic help reduce stress levels?
Scientists have long believed that bidirectional communication exists between the gut and the brain. In fact, evidence suggesting that the gut microbiota — the diverse community of microbes living in the human gut — interacts with the central nervous system (CNS) and influences brain function has increased over the years. Recent studies even propose that this happens via several … Continue reading Understanding the gut-brain axis: Can a probiotic help reduce stress levels?
Proton pump inhibitors linked to increased risk of depression due to destructive effects on gut microbiota
New research published in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics has identified a strong and seemingly causal link between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs for stomach acid reduction and severe depression, which researchers say is probably a result of the way these drugs severely disrupt the gut microbiome. The study’s comparative analysis looked at 2,366 patients who had at … Continue reading Proton pump inhibitors linked to increased risk of depression due to destructive effects on gut microbiota
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 