Glyphosate, the key ingredient in Bayer AG’s weed-killer Roundup, is the most commonly used herbicide in the United States. Although its effects on wildlife and the environment are well-documented, its impact on humans remains controversial. But that may soon change, thanks to a recent study by a team of European researchers. Published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, it showed that exposure … Continue reading Glyphosate disrupts gut microbiome – even at “safe” doses
Study: Taking common drugs linked to impaired microbiome health and increased risk of obesity and intestinal infections
Researchers from the University Medical Center Groningen and Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands have found that 18 common drug categories can negatively impact the gut microbiome, the total population of microbes present in the gut and their collective genetic material. Many of these drugs, such as the diabetes drug metformin and the antidepressant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can disrupt … Continue reading Study: Taking common drugs linked to impaired microbiome health and increased risk of obesity and intestinal infections
The ketogenic diet helps reduce epileptic seizures through its effects on gut microbiota
The ketogenic diet is one of the oldest forms of medical treatment for epilepsy in infants and children. But the mechanisms underlying its anti-seizure effects have remained unclear until recently. In a recent study, researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that certain bacteria in the gut play an important role in mediating the anti-seizure effects … Continue reading The ketogenic diet helps reduce epileptic seizures through its effects on gut microbiota
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
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
Colorectal cancer is a microbial disease: Changes in the gut microbiome can be used for early detection
A study published in the journal Nature Medicine found an increase in specific microorganisms in the gut which are linked to colorectal cancer. The researchers said that these microorganisms can potentially be used to detect the disease long before it progresses to late-stage cancer. “Our results show that changes in the gut microbiome are present at the very early … Continue reading Colorectal cancer is a microbial disease: Changes in the gut microbiome can be used for early detection
Shake it off: Study finds that whole-body vibrations can reduce inflammation in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is prevalent worldwide. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 34.2 million Americans had diabetes in 2018. An overwhelming chunk of this population is diagnosed with Type 2, the most common form of diabetes. In the face of this chronic disease, researchers from Augusta University in Georgia and Ohio State University found that whole-body vibration has potential benefits on the … Continue reading Shake it off: Study finds that whole-body vibrations can reduce inflammation in patients with Type 2 diabetes
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
Study shows how viruses affect the bacteria populations in your gut, and what that means for your health
Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are viruses that target and destroy bacteria. An interesting thing about phages is that each one targets one specific strain of bacteria. Because of this, doctors used phages to fight bacterial infections before the dawn of antibiotics. Now, with the prevalence of antibiotic resistance, researchers are revisiting the idea of using … Continue reading Study shows how viruses affect the bacteria populations in your gut, and what that means for your health
Is a healthier gut microbiome the master key to longevity?
Researchers now believe that boosting the health of the gut microbiome may be the secret to living healthier in old age. In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers looked at how fecal transplantation from young mice to older ones stimulated the gut microbiome and revived the gut’s immune system. The gut, more so than many other internal … Continue reading Is a healthier gut microbiome the master key to longevity?
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 