Gutbliss Weekly Review – December 11, 2015

1. Competition is the key to health. A 3-yr study finds that the competition between bacterial species in the gut is responsible for maintaining stability, which promotes gut and overall health; it’s not about good bacteria verses bad bacteria, it’s about finding balance. Science

2. How you were born may affect your brain development. We already know that babies born via C-section have higher rates of allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases and obesity, but a new study shows that mice born via C-section have an increased rate of brain cell death too. Science Alert

3. The products we use daily are contaminating our bodies, affecting our fertility, cancer risk, and neurological health. So much so that “to a disturbing extent babies are born pre-polluted.” New York Times

4. Take a probiotic and lose weight? It’s not quite that simple, but in conjunction with a diet high in indigestible plant fiber, studies show that probiotics may help encourage weight loss, supporting the finding that there is a link between gut bacteria and weight gain. TIME

5. Milk consumption is linked to Parkinson’s disease. The disease causing mechanism may be pesticide-contaminated milk. Eat organic whenever possible! Even without pesticides, dairy may not be the best choice. TIME

6. Learn everything you need to know about “The Microbiome as a Key Regulator of Brain and Behavior” in this lecture by leading scientist, Dr. John Cryan, professor and Chair in the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience at University College Cork in Ireland. NIH

7. If you fell asleep listening to #7, try this quiz to wake you up and test your microbiome IQ. American Museum of Natural History

8. A new way to cook rice with gut-healing, anti-inflammatory properties! Food & Wine

By: Leslie Ann Berg MSPH