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

How does oral microbiota increase liver cancer risk?

Poor oral hygiene not only affects dental health, causing tooth decay and gum disease, but it can also lead to heart disease and diabetes. Now, recent research suggests that poor oral health can also increase your risk of developing certain cancers. A study published in the United European Gastroenterology Journal found an association between poor oral health and an … Continue reading How does oral microbiota increase liver cancer risk?

Chemicals in regular sunscreen can accumulate in the blood over time, warn scientists

Sun protection is important to keep the skin healthy, that’s why sunscreen is a common component of any everyday kit. But a study conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that chemicals in sunscreen can be absorbed into people’s bloodstreams. The absorption happens so quickly that the FDA wants to continue testing … Continue reading Chemicals in regular sunscreen can accumulate in the blood over time, warn scientists

Researchers investigate the antibacterial activity of Albizia adianthifolia

In this study, researchers from Cameroon and Turkey isolated phytochemicals from the root of Albizia adianthifolia and assessed their anti-microbial effects against Gram-negative and multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. Their results were published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. A. adianthifolia is used in Cameroon as a natural medicine for bronchitis and skin diseases. In their previous study, the … Continue reading Researchers investigate the antibacterial activity of Albizia adianthifolia

Researchers look at the benefits of probiotic supplementation in elderly

Immune function declines with age, and this decline is said to be largely influenced by the composition of a person’s gut microbiota. The gut microbiota protects the digestive system from external pathogens by modulating immune responses. However, aging reduces the diversity of the gut microbiota, and this leads to unfavorable conditions, such as frailty, increased susceptibility to … Continue reading Researchers look at the benefits of probiotic supplementation in elderly

Nutrients and brain health: Which ones are great for improving mental health?

An increasing number of studies suggest that supplementation with a combination of micronutrients benefits people with mental health issues. The results of randomized controlled trials show that vitamin and mineral supplements are effective alternative medications for people with psychiatric conditions. According to experts, supplementation allows people to meet their daily nutritional requirements, which helps ensure optimal brain functioning. … Continue reading Nutrients and brain health: Which ones are great for improving mental health?

Investigating the efficacy of honey for treating bronchial asthma

In this study, an international team of researchers investigated whether honey alone or in combination with other ingredients can treat bronchial asthma. Their findings were published in the Journal of Medicinal Food. Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases.The use of complementary and alternative medicine to treat bronchial asthma is increasing worldwide.To … Continue reading Investigating the efficacy of honey for treating bronchial asthma

Probiotics improve cellular immune function in elderly

Published in the journal Nutrition Research, this study evaluated the effect of probiotic supplementation on the cellular innate activity of healthy elderly participants. All experiments were conducted by researchers from Finland and the US. Immune function declines with age, but scientists believe that probiotic supplementation can slow or reverse age-related changes.The researchers hypothesized that probiotic supplementation could enhance immune … Continue reading Probiotics improve cellular immune function in elderly

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

A potential cholesterol-lowering agent in olive leaves?

Diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes, is now considered a global pandemic. According to the World Health Organization, the global prevalence of diabetes among adults has risen from five percent to nearly nine percent in 2014. Diabetes is a chronic condition that can cause blindness, heart attacks, kidney failure, stroke and even death. Statistics show that in 2016, diabetes directly caused … Continue reading A potential cholesterol-lowering agent in olive leaves?