1. Prebiotic supplementation could replace the low FODMAPs diet as a treatment for functional gut disorders (IBS, constipation, functional dyspepsia, etc.). A 4-week study compared the effects of a prebiotic supplement plus Mediterranean-type diet, versus a placebo supplement plus low FODMAP diet for 2 weeks. Fecal microbiota composition, intestinal gas production, and digestive sensations were measured […]
1. Intermittent fasting (typically defined as going 12 to 18 hours a day without food) positively impacts the gut microbiome and protects against central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity. A recent study in mice found that IF increases gut bacteria richness and diversity (resulting in an increase in Lactobacillaceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Prevotellaceae families), and positively alters […]
1. Weight gain and metabolic dysfunction in adulthood could be linked to maternal omega-3 fatty acid intake during gestation and lactation. A recent mouse study found that maternal PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid) production during pregnancy and nursing significantly reduced weight gain and markers for metabolic dysfunction in male offspring fed a high fat diet. The […]
1. Patterned hair loss could be due to gut bacteria imbalance. Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, characterized by an overgrowth of Lactobacillus murinus (a gut bacteria strain that depletes biotin – vitamin B7, a nutrient associated with hair growth), in mice fed a biotin deficient diet altered gut metabolic function and resulted in alopecia (or hair loss). When […]
1. Cancer risk in the distal colon in women is lower in those who avoid eating red meat. In a 17-year study in over 32,000 women, researchers found that those women who did not eat red meat had a reduced risk of distal colon cancer. A red meat-free diet was not protective against cancer elsewhere […]
1. The question we’re all wondering as we pop our daily probiotic – is probiotic supplementation in healthy adults helpful, or is it all hype? A 2018 review of probiotic supplementation in healthy adult populations analyzed the literature published between 1990 and August 2017. The review included 45 studies. Results showed that probiotic supplementation can […]
1. A 20-year long study, including 6,235 participants with an average age of 34, uncovers the long-term impact of spray cleaners on lung function in women. The study found that women who regularly clean with cleaning sprays experience worsening of lung function over time when compared to women who don’t clean. To put the findings […]
1. Fermented milk rich in Bifidobacterium breve does not improve remission in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). In a double blind study comprised of 195 UC patients, researchers administered 1 packet of Bifidobacterium breve fermented milk (consisting of 10 billion CFUs) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (1 billion CFUs) for 48 weeks. Time between relapses was not […]
1. Looking for a new type of exercise that’s easy, free, and more beneficial than yoga? Try hiking! Predicted to surpass yoga in popularity in 2018, hiking has all the benefits of yoga and then some. “There are few things more important to our health than spending time in nature.” MindBodyGreen 2. Engineered probiotics in the […]
Severe periodontitis (inflammation of tissue around the teeth) is linked to increased cancer risk (highest for lung and colorectal cancers), with a 24% increased risk in those with severe periodontitis compared to controls. Could differences in mouth microbes be the culprit? A recent study also linked alterations in the oral microbiome to autism spectrum disorder. […]