If you’re healthy, can you benefit from taking a probiotic supplement? Recent studies suggest maybe. While previous studies show probiotic supplementation was insignificant in altering the fecal microbiome of healthy individuals, some studies show that probiotic use in healthy people could significantly impact the “function of colonizing microbes,” and may help promote gut bacteria balance, […]
An apple a day and a statin a day show statistically equal effects in protecting against death from vascular disease. Researchers conclude, “With similar reductions in mortality, a 150 year old health promotion message is able to match modern medicine and is likely to have fewer side effects.” Eat more apples, take less medicine! BMJ […]
A 7-week course of antibiotics in mice destroys gut bacteria and affects neurogenesis, resulting in a 40% decrease in the formation of newborn brain cells when compared to untreated mice. Probiotics and exercise helped reverse the effects in the treated mice, while fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) showed no improvement. Scientists speculate that gut bacteria alter […]
Dirt could take the place of your antidepressant. Mycobacterium vaccae, a microbe found in soil, causes a rise in cytokines, which stimulates serotonin production, increasing feelings of relaxation and happiness. Exposure through inhalation and contact with skin leads to antidepressant effects that last up to 3 weeks. Studies also show that Mycobacterium vaccae may help […]
Does overeating cause weight gain? Maybe not! A Harvard scientist presents compelling evidence that insulin resistance – which increases hunger and slows down metabolism – caused by eating a low-fat diet, high in processed carbohydrates, is the root cause of weight gain. “The types of calories you eat can affect the number of calories you […]
Those who live in areas surrounded by the most greenery, have a 12% lower mortality rate when compared to those who live in places surrounded by the least greenery. This includes a 34% lower rate of deaths from respiratory illness and a 13% lower rate of dying from cancer. Live Dirty! New York Times […]
“The microbiome plays a pivotal role in determining whether we’re overweight or lean.” Restore your microbiome, and improve your chances for weight loss. Check out the The Microbiome Solution Kit and book for ways to promote a healthy microbiome. MindBodyGreen From coffee (reduces colorectal cancer risk by 26% in recent study) to aspirin (could help […]
Meet new people, shake hands, improve your microbial diversity! Social interaction, including physical touch, could help reverse the microbial extinction we’re witnessing inside our guts. The Academic Minute Eat fermented foods, reduce your anxiety. It may not be quite that simple, but a new study shows that encouraging the growth of beneficial gut bacteria […]
Eat prebiotic fiber to promote bone health and prevent osteoporosis. Prebiotic fiber acts as food for probiotic gut bacteria and, when fermented, produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs increase calcium absorption by improving the gut lining’s ability to absorb calcium and by decreasing intestinal pH levels, which increases calcium solubility. Increase your prebiotic fiber […]
Could bacteria drastically reduce the amount of commercial fertilizer we use? Yes! Scientists isolate bacteria that encourage plant growth, increase root size and nutrient absorption, and produce antimicrobial agents that fight plant pathogens. But what effect might these bacteria have on the human microbiome? lfpress Scientists create a molecule that disarms ulcer-causing bacteria. By […]