Regular laxative use is a risk factor for dementia
Regular laxative use may be a risk factor for dementia, according to a research study published in the journal Neurology. The study involved over half a million people and compared regular laxative users to those who used laxatives infrequently or not at all. Regular laxative users were 51 percent more likely to develop dementia than […]
Infections in childhood increase obesity risk
Previous studies have assessed the relationship between antibiotic use and childhood obesity, but these studies didn’t take into account the possibility that the infections themselves (and not just the medications used to treat them) may also increase childhood obesity risk. This study followed over 61,000 children over a 4-year period and assessed infection frequency and […]
Variety is key for the microbiome
I’m fond of pointing out that “you are what you feed your microbes”, and more and more scientific evidence is bearing that out. A recent Washington Post article highlights just how important it is to feed your gut bacteria what they need, which is lots of indigestible and hard-to-digest plant fiber. But it turns out […]
Ultra-processed foods tied to colon cancer in men
These results seem odd; why men and not women? Let’s take a closer look at this study. Researchers from Tufts University assessed the influence of ultra-processed foods (including sugar-sweetened beverages, ready-to-eat meat-containing meals, baked goods, etc.) on cancer risk in three groups of men and women. Food consumption was measured using a dietary intake form […]
FMT Plus Diet Intervention Leads to UC Remission
Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT), plus anti-inflammatory diet leads to remission in ulcerative colitis (UC). In a randomized trial, researchers split ulcerative colitis patients into two groups: an FMT group who was also eating an anti-inflammatory diet, and a standard medical therapy group with no dietary recommendations. 66% of patients in the FMT group showed a positive […]
Eating Earlier In The Day Lowers Body Weight & Blood Pressure
Eating within an early 8-hour window is more effective than a 12-hour fast. Eating within a 12-hour window (for example, eating breakfast at 8am and ending your last meal at 8pm) is typical for most of us. To test whether or not timing matters when practicing restrictive eating, researchers split people into two groups – a control […]
Half of Cancer Deaths Linked to Preventable Risk Factors
Half of all cancer deaths are preventable. Yes, you read that correctly! A new study found that close to half of all cancer deaths worldwide are associated with preventable risk factors. The behaviors that contribute to the majority of preventable cancer deaths include: • Smoking• Alcohol consumption• Elevated body mass index (BMI) Other notable risk factors included […]
Gut-Skin Connection Uncovered
Microbial imbalance ages your skin. Microbial health is intimately connected to age-related physical and intellectual decline, but the relationship between the gut microbiome and how your skin ages is less known. New studies show a direct link between cellular senescence and microbial imbalance (dysbiosis). Cellular senescence is simply the process of getting older. As cells age, they […]
Anthocyanins Influence Gut Microbes & Delay Age-Related Decline
Compounds in certain foods prevent age-related disorders. Anthocyanins are a group of chemical compounds in plants that are associated with anti-aging and disease prevention. They’re commonly found in red, purple, and blue fruits and vegetables and they’re strongly associated with healthy aging. Anthocyanins modulate the gut microbiome to help prevent age-related cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative […]
Gut Microbiome Holds Key To Healthy Aging
The gut microbiome is key to healthy aging. We all experience physical and cognitive age-related decline – which can begin as early as age 30! But the onset and rate of this decline could depend heavily on your gut microbiome. “Healthy aging” – or delayed age-related decline – is something we all aspire to and […]
