Review – 5/26/17

1. A vegetable/fruit juice diet for 3 days resulted in a gut microbiome associated with weight loss in 20 healthy individuals. An important factor to consider is the pre-study diets of participants. And while green juices can play an important role in healthy dietary habits, at Gutbliss, we recommend green smoothies that incorporate the whole food. Scientific Reports

2. The mainstream use of probiotics is getting ahead of the research – and not in a good way. While probiotic supplements may benefit some conditions, research supporting the use of probiotics clinically to treat disease is premature. Dr. Chutkan recommends getting your pre- and probiotics from food, focusing on indigestible plant fiber and fermented foods. Reading Eagle

3. More research emerges to support the Firmicutes-Bacteroidetes ratio association with obesity. In Ukraine, researchers found that “the content of Firmicutes was gradually increased while the content of Bacteroidetes was decreased with increasing body mass index.” Yet, not all Firmicutes-Bacteroidetes ratio studies are conclusive. A large study from data gathered by the Human Microbiome Project, showed no difference in obese versus lean gut bacteria ratios. Low bacteria diversity continues to be an indicator of obesity and disease. BMC Microbiology

4. While a strong association appears to exist between the gut microbiome and various disease states, some scientists are skeptical about using the gut microbiome as a clinical tool in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal disorders. A recent opinion paper on this topic states, “…with rare exceptions, the incrimination of an altered microbiota in disease pathogenesis seems premature at this time given our incomplete understanding of the composition of the gut microbiota in health and the effect of many confounding factors in the interpretation of supposedly abnormal microbial signatures.” Nature – Gastroenterology & Hepatology

5. Ever wonder if you could manipulate your microbiome with the food you eat to prevent and treat disease? Scientists are working on a model to quantify dietary interventions and their effects on the gut microbiome and disease. At Gutbliss, we recommend 1) listening to your body and 2) consuming lots of vegetables (and resistant starches). While scientific study is hugely important, common sense goes a long way too! Frontiers in Immunology

6. Fungi, not only gut bacteria, play an integral role in IBD pathogenesis, studies suggest. BMJ

7. Your genes, emotions, and gut microbiome work together in creating GI disorders associated with bad eating and stress. This mini-review explains the interaction between these three entities and how integrative methods can help in preventing the onset of diet and stress-related GI disorders. World Journal of Gastroenterology

8. Frozen versus fresh feces – is there a difference when administering fecal microbiota transplants for C. diff? A recent meta-analysis finds that both are just as effective. Diagnostic Microbiology & Infectious Disease

9. Probiotic bacteria are a possible cure for the worldwide leading cause of death in children under the age of 5. Malnutrition (and micronutrient deficiencies) has a distinct microbial footprint, and researchers hope to formulate interventions that restore the microbiome and improve survival rates. Frontiers in Microbiology

By: Leslie Ann Berg, MSPH