- Gluten-free eating is not a fad; it’s a medical necessity for many. Eliminate gluten for 2 weeks. If you experience symptoms when reintroducing it into your diet, avoiding gluten is best. NPR
- Founding researchers of The Unified Microbiome Initiative discuss the importance of mapping microbiomes. Let me break it down for you – it could save the world and all mankind. Live Science
- Committed to a low-fat diet to lose weight? Here’s more proof it doesn’t work. Focus on healthy fats (including dark chocolate!) for long-term weight loss. Harvard
- Consuming coconut oil inhibits the growth of fungi and kills Candida (C. albicans) in the GI tract within 30 hours. American Society for Microbiology
- Searching for an effective treatment for your autoimmune disorder? Cutting out gluten, dairy, and sugar may be a meaningful starting point. Huffington Post
- Michael Pollan offers his simple yet revolutionary take on the American diet and what really matters: “Eating real food is the most important thing you can do if you’re concerned about your health.” Vox
- If you liked #6 (and even if you didn’t), don’t miss Michael Pollan’s new film In Defense of Food, airing December 30th at 9pm on PBS. Kikim
- Changes in gut bacteria are strongly associated with obesity, but how can gut bacteria cause weight gain? In a recent study, altered gut bacteria reduce resting metabolic rate causing weight gain. The University of Iowa
- Poop in space – From radiation shields to building structures on the surface of planets, astronaut poop proves invaluable beyond measure. Microbe Net
- Gut microbe warfighters? The US Navy is funding a 3-yr project that focuses on manipulating bacteria to fight obesity and disease, and to rapidly shift “body weight and metabolism as necessary” in wartime environments. Scientific America
- What New Year’s resolution will make a lasting impression on your long-term health? Embracing Dr. Robynne Chutkan’s 1,2,3 Rule! Digestive Center for Women
By: Leslie Ann Berg MSPH