Review 1/13/17

1. Studies show that the human circadian clock system plays a critical role in disease development, even in the absence of other contributing factors. Circadian dyssynchrony has been shown to increase disease risk for diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression, and bipolar disorder. Integrative Practitioner

2. A fascinating conversation between Dr. David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain, and Dr. John Douillard, author of Eat Wheat, this video is a must watch for those interested in the controversy surrounding whether or not we should consume wheat, grains, and gluten. Perlmutter

3. Acid-blocking medications like proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium) and H2 blockers (Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet) increase risk of diff and Campylobacter infections by altering gut bacterial balance. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

4. A randomized controlled trial uncovers key bacteria in curing diff infection, possibly deeming fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from a donor unnecessary in individuals that have the right abundance of critical bacterial species. mBio

5. Can diet alone successfully treat inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)? Yes! On the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) for 12 weeks, 8 out of 10 pediatric patients’ inflammatory bowel disease went into remission. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology

6. A little late on committing to a new year’s resolution? How about a gut makeover? Chutkan’s book, The Microbiome Solution, lays out a step-by-step plan for a successful gut bacteria “make-over”, and this article presents the first and most important step in restoring beneficial bacteria, “eat more fiber by consuming more fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts or seeds.” New York Times

7. Eating lots of red meat puts men at a higher risk of contracting diverticulitis, an inflammatory gut disorder with symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, and constipation. Men who ate the most red meat were 58% more likely to develop the disease when compared to those who ate the least. Gut

8. In the last 30 years, obesity rates have quadrupled in adolescents. A new study points to alterations in the microbiome as the potential cause, and linked 8 groups of gut microbiota to obesity, including one that digests carbohydrates more efficiently and has higher levels of short chain fatty acids in the blood, leading to an elevated accumulation of fat tissue. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

By: Leslie Ann Berg, MSPH