The Gutbliss Weekly Review – May 22, 2016

1. 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 neurogenesis through the immune system. The New Scientist

 

2. The microbiome continues to be named as the primary factor in causing weight gain and obesity. Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) improve metabolic health by balancing the intestinal microbiome and improving intestinal permeability. A diet rich in MCT (think coconut oil) could be a viable treatment option for obesity by improving metabolic functioning through gut bacterial modifications. Nutrients

 

3. Your gut health has profound effects on your skin. While face mapping may not have the supporting research to adopt as scientific truth, there’s no doubt that what you eat and the lifestyle you lead show up on your skin (and hair and nails too!). At Gutbliss we think of the gut as the inner lining of the skin and your skin, the outer lining of your gut. Shop Gutbliss for natural remedies that can help clear up your skin. Telegraph

 

4. The average American woman today weighs as much as the average American man in the 1960’s. For women and men, the weight increase from the 1960’s is approximately 18.5 and 17.6 pounds, respectively. While there are many explanations for this, Gutbliss believes in two driving forces: a decrease in fiber in the average American diet and an increase in medications that alter gut bacteria – both contributors to an imbalanced microbiome that can promote weight gain. Washington Post

 

5. Your gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be caused by an immune system reaction, rather than from stomach acid-induced injury. In some circumstances, esophageal inflammation may be caused by an immune system response. JAMA

 

6. The new FDA nutrition label points a microscope on added sugars. While this is one of the first things we should look at when purchasing packaged foods, Gutbliss recommends a diet centered on foods that don’t wear a label – vegetables, fruits, and raw nuts and seeds. Washington Post

 

7. Scientists uncover compelling evidence that supports The Hygiene Hypothesis.Comparing the microbiome of children, a wealthier population had six times greater prevalence of Type 1 diabetes, and a less diverse microbiome, dominated by Bacteroides. Investigating further, scientists discovered when Bacteroides is mixed with E. coli, it hinders the immune-activating properties of E. coli, possibly inhibiting immune system development. Cell

 

8. The Obama administration announces the National Microbiome Initiative – a scientific effort to create microbial tools and techniques to solve health and environmental problems. Jo Handelsman, a White House microbiologist says, “The microbiome represents the only organ that can be replaced without surgery… Just by eating differently, taking [probiotics], exercising and other things, you can have fairly immediate effects on your microbiome and your health, if we only knew how.” New York Times

 

9. Scientists hypothesize drug addiction could be a result of imbalanced gut bacteria. On-going research targeting addiction and the gut-brain axis continues to reveal potential microbial treatment options. Science Direct

 

10. Use this easy, 12-minute yoga sequence for physical relief from digestive symptoms (bloating, gas, and abdominal pain). Recommended for those suffering from chronic bloating, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Sarah Beth Yoga

 

By: Leslie Ann Berg, MSPH