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

Here’s to “good” bacteria: Eating raw organic fruits and veggies helps boost your gut health

To avoid harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the food that you consume, it’s best to buy organic fruits and vegetables. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology found that consuming organic produce promotes gut microbiome diversity. Birgit Wassermann, the first author of the study and a researcher at the Graz University of Technology in Austria, explained that consuming raw … Continue reading Here’s to “good” bacteria: Eating raw organic fruits and veggies helps boost your gut health

Insulin resistance happens in the gut – but how? Researchers explain

Insulin resistance is a metabolic condition often studied in relation to diabetes. This is because it is considered a precursor to Type 2 diabetes. According to a group of researchers from Canada and the U.S., obesity can bring about insulin resistance, and it all starts in the gut.Published in the journal Nature Communications, their groundbreaking finding highlighted … Continue reading Insulin resistance happens in the gut – but how? Researchers explain

This neuron-killing protein travels from the gut to the brain by hijacking a nerve

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

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

The gut’s role in food allergies: Scientists identify changes in gut microbiota that may prevent or even reverse food allergies

The effects of food allergies can range from simply being annoying or inconvenient, preventing you from eating your favorite food, to life-threatening, like difficulty breathing. While medical means of combating food allergies do exist, a recent study has found a more natural, and potentially more effective, method of fighting food allergies – adjusting gut bacteria. A … Continue reading The gut’s role in food allergies: Scientists identify changes in gut microbiota that may prevent or even reverse food allergies

Exploring the ”gut-heart” connection: Can heart failure be treated by boosting gut microbiota health?

As it turns out, dietary fiber isn’t just good for the digestive system — it’s also good for the heart. This is according to Cristiane Mayerhofer of Oslo University Hospital in Norway, who proposed that heart failure patients who consume more dietary fiber tend to have healthier gut bacteria. A healthy gut microbiota is associated with a reduced risk of … Continue reading Exploring the ”gut-heart” connection: Can heart failure be treated by boosting gut microbiota 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

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?

A healthy gut is the first step in getting the most benefits from Chinese ginseng

A healthy digestive system is just as important for overall health as a healthy immune system. In fact, the two are connected. Several studies have shown how the body benefits from having a healthy gut microbiota — the community of microorganisms that live in the human gut. However, the exact role of this microbial community in … Continue reading A healthy gut is the first step in getting the most benefits from Chinese ginseng