BLOG

Knowledge, like food,
is powerful medicine.

Table setting with white plate, modern cutlery (fork and knife) and little leaf of fresh parsley on wooden background, top view, copy space. Diet, fasting, vegan raw food concept.
Overview Intermittent fasting (IF) – typically defined as anywhere from 12 to 18 hours without food in each 24 hour period OR full days of fasting interspersed throughout the week – is a dietary pattern that focuses on when to eat, not what to eat. Research has linked IF to a myriad of health benefits, including weight […]
Cauliflower Hummus
The roasted cauliflower and tahini blend into a creamy, zesty, and lighter hummus that’s made for dipping! Nobody will even notice the missing beans. Serve with a rainbow of veggies for ultimate nourishment and satisfaction. Serves 4-6 Ingredients 1 medium to large head of cauliflower 1 tablespoon olive oil (for roasting the cauliflower) 1 large garlic clove, roughly […]
Fermented Foods For Weight Loss
Introduction Fermented foods are projected to be one of the leading weight loss trends throughout 2019, but they’ve actually been around for a long time. The fermentation process is one of the oldest examples of food preservation, and fermented foods have been a foundational staple of the human diet throughout history.  Unfortunately our modern ways […]
Collagen powder in bowl and measure spoon on palm leaf background. Extra protein intake. Natural beauty and health supplement. Minimal concept. Plant based collagen concept. Flatlay, top view. Copy space.
Collagen has been deemed one of the most popular gut and beauty supplements, found in products ranging from lotions to tonics. With a quick Google search, you can find “proof” that collagen is a useful supplement for a myriad of gut health issues – leaky gut, liver health, IBS, acid reflux, IBD, inflammation, digestive upset, stomach ulcers, […]
Selection of Fresh Root Vegetables on Bright Scratchy Background
Eating dirt has become a recent health fad amongst some people who are concerned about improving their gut microbiome. Dirt? Yes, dirt! But does it really confer benefits for the gut and overall health? And should we literally be eating spoonfuls of the stuff? Let’s dig a bit deeper (into the dirt!) to learn more. […]
Disclaimer
While colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality rates are decreasing in those 50 years of age and older, CRC in young adults is on the rise. New research sheds light on the differences between early and late onset CRC. Analyzing data from 36,000 patients, a recent study found that younger patients (aged 18 to 29 years) […]
Bottles with rosemary essential oil on light background, top view
Are cholesterol-lowering drugs necessary? Essential oils may be just as effective. A recent study fed rats a high fat diet for 6 weeks that resulted in high cholesterol. Over the subsequent 6 weeks the rats maintained their high fat diets but were given oral doses of ginger and rosemary oils, alone and in combination. Oil administration […]
Planting vegetable garden
Gardening could be just as important in living longer as diet, exercise, and social connection. Researchers found that gardening is a common theme amongst centurions living in blue zones (areas of the world with the highest number of people over 100 years of age), and that those in their 60’s who garden regularly have a 32% lower […]
Vibrant Veggie Soup
This sumptuous soup is great to have on hand and enjoy any time of day. It makes a nourishing snack as well as a filling addition to any meal. If you have a limited amount of time to prepare your food during the week, this is an easy way to guarantee that you get your […]
High Number Of Disease-Causing Gene Mutations Found In Infants
An unusually high number of disease-causing gene mutations in babies were uncovered in a genetic screening study that consisted of 159 babies and tested for over 5,000 genetic variations linked to disease. Approximately 9% of the babies tested possessed genetic alterations that put them at risk for childhood diseases, such as cancer, vitamin deficiencies, hearing loss, […]
Professional surgery. Selective focus of a surgical instrument being taken by a nice smart professional surgeon during the operation
General anesthesia negatively alters the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome. A 4-hour exposure to anesthesia (Isoflurane) in mice resulted in a significant decrease in microbial diversity and depletion of several commensal bacteria including Clostridiales. Anesthesia & Analgesia →Takeaway: Researchers conclude that anesthesia may lead to dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria) in patients following an operation. If you have […]
Winter landscape seen through the window, and green plant on a windowsill.
 A recent study unveils the likely cause behind seasonal depression, a condition that affects 1 in 5 people. Light-sensing cells in the retina that affect whether you feel happy or sad connect with your brain. When the retina cells detect shorter days, the cells send signals to the brain that can result in feelings of sadness […]
Cute tiny Syrian hamster on a bright blue background
The stress experienced during competitive social situations negatively affects the gut microbiome. The experiment was performed in Syrian hamsters, animals that compete to establish hierarchies of dominant and subordinate groups. The study analyzed gut bacteria before the hamsters met and after they had competed for hierarchical placement, then compared these samples to a control group of […]
Jar and bowl with brown sugar on wooden table
Sugar silences a protein necessary for the colonization of beneficial gut bacteria. In a mouse model, Yale researchers found that fructose and glucose (sugars extremely abundant in the Western diet) block Roc, a protein essential for the colonization of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a beneficial gut bacteria strain associated with processing fiber rich foods like vegetables. Proceedings of the National […]
Cucumbers ready for pickling and ingredients on white table with copy space. Homemade vegetable canning. Flat lay, top view.
This recipe can be scaled up or down, but I wanted to give you the basic instructions for 10 pounds of cucumbers. As for equipment, have a vegetable brush handy. You’ll need a 5-gallon ceramic or glass crock or a 5-gallon bucket of food-grade plastic. Please make sure it’s food-grade; that is, it originally was […]
Pill Bottle.
Are you a victim of “legacy prescribing”? As 2018 concludes, it could be time to check your medicine cabinet! A McMaster University study looked at 50,813 patients older than 18 years of age and found that 46% of patients receiving antidepressants, 45% receiving proton pump inhibitors, and 14% receiving bisphosphonates had a legacy prescription (a prescription […]
Dr Robynne Chutkan
Dr. Chutkan's Newsletter
Read the latest news and research from Dr. Chutkan’s blog. From the most up to date science on the microbiome, to the best in gut-derived wellness – we are your complete guide to gut health! Sign-up now and receive FREE access to the Gutbliss Food Guide, Meal Plan, & Recipes, which includes all the basics on how to eat to optimize your microbial health.