Bone & Joint Health

Negative Effects of Antibiotics Target Bones, Immune System and Brain

Since their development in the 1940s, antibiotics have been the medical go-to for eradicating and counteracting the effects of bacterial infections. In fact, at one time antibiotics were even viewed as something of a miracle drug that would possibly bring an end to all infection worldwide. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case; although after nearly 80 years doctors frequently prescribe antibiotics to treat a number of conditions, making them nearly as common as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Since the discovery of antibiotics, one problem that has come to attention is the effect that over-prescribing them has on the immune system. Since our immune system is reinforced through the use of antibiotics, infectious bacteria have adapted in response. Stronger strains of bacteria, referred to as “superbugs” in the media, have developed. These superbugs are seemingly immune to the effects of antibiotics. This adaptation makes it harder to treat infections, requiring stronger doses of antibiotics to reap the same benefits.

Antibiotics and Bone Health

Aside from the problems caused by the over-prescription of antibiotics, recent research has uncovered other negative effects of antibiotics — namely in terms of how they affect bone health. The job of antibiotics is to kill bacteria in the cells, which they do by promoting levels of oxidative stress. Earlier this year, a research team operating out of Wyss Institute at Harvard University found that this process can also cause oxidative stress to occur within the cells. While this helps eliminate unwanted bacteria, high levels of oxidative stress also affect the mitochondria in the body. While mitochondria do resemble bacteria, our cells need these tiny organelles to function: Mitochondria are responsible for producing the energy our cells need to thrive, so, as the mitochondria are attacked, cell function is diminished.

In the study, the researchers exposed human cells to three antibiotics: kanamycin, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin. Initially, they observed no change in cell function. However, after just four days, the oxidative stress had already started to damage the DNA within the cells. Particularly disturbing was the ability of this oxidative stress to attack and destroy glutathione, an antioxidant compound known to protect vital cells related to bone health and brain cell growth.

The Negative Effects of Antibiotics on Brain Health

In another study, a German research team wanted to establish the effects of broad-spectrum antibiotics on mice. They found that as the antibiotics were administered, cell growth was inhibited in the hippocampus of the brain. Since the hippocampus controls memory and the functioning of the nervous system, this research suggests that cognitive functioning can be significantly impacted by exposure to antibiotics.

The researchers then subjected the mice to memory tests. Mice who were given antibiotics performed poorly on those tests, confirming that memory is affected by the oxidative stress that antibiotics produce. Additionally, the mice were found to have a lower monocyte count; monocytes are essential weapons that our immune system uses to fight off infection.

The news wasn’t all bad, however. Once the researchers stopped administering the antibiotics, they found that the mice returned to their healthier states. Memory improved and nervous system function returned to normal as the hippocampus began promoting healthier cell growth. While antiobiotics may be necessary to treat some conditions, this research suggests it should be used only sparingly.

Can Probiotics Help Mitigate the Effects of Antibiotics?

In recent years, the discovery of the health benefits of probiotics has changed how we view human health, particularly because of the way in which these compounds can improve gut health. Probiotics are the “good” bacteria that promote a healthy balance of flora in your digestive tract for optimal gut health. While antibiotics can be beneficial due to their effect on dangerous bacteria, they are at the same time detrimental to the good bacteria living in the digestive tract. Eating foods rich in probiotics or taking a high-quality probiotic supplement can help repair the deleterious effects of antibiotics.

Since probiotics affect gut health directly, ingesting probiotic-rich foods has also been found to be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotics may even be effective in treating H. pylori infections, which are bacteria that attack the digestive tract. Left untreated, H. pylori can cause stomach ulcers and cancer to develop. In recent years, maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut has been linked to a healthier heart, better metabolic health, increased brain health, healthy mood, healthier bones and more.

In women, probiotics can help treat and prevent bacterial vaginosis from occurring. This is a condition in which bacteria levels in the vagina become unbalanced and the necessary healthy bacteria is diminished. While we still don’t know what causes BV, both antibiotics and probiotics can help. The problem with antibiotics is that the infection will likely return in the future, which is less common with probiotic treatments. C. difficile is a bacterial infection more commonly found in hospitals and nursing homes, especially following an antibiotic treatment. The toxins produced by this infection can damage the cells in the intestines, which can result in gut inflammation. Probiotics have also proven effective in fighting off C. difficile infections.

Found in a variety of foods, such as yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut and Kimchi, probiotics have been found to treat many health conditions and are suspected in aiding in the treatment of many more illnesses. Because it is often difficult to consume enough probiotics via diet alone, many people opt for a probiotic supplement that combines a variety of probiotic strains — and sometimes even prebiotics — in a single pill or capsule. As we begin to understand more about how antibiotics negatively impact our health, using probiotics to protect the healthy bacteria in the gut may help to mitigate their negative effects.

Increasing Prebiotics in Your Diet Improves Digestive Health, Sleep and More

Oct 22 by Ewcopywriting

Confused about the difference between probiotics and prebiotics and how they work together? Here, we will take a brief look at what probiotics and prebiotics are, break down the differences between these important digestive helpers and learn how increasing the prebiotics in your diet not only improves digestion but also supports immune function, promotes sleep, lowers stress and provides many other benefits.

What Are Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are types of nondigestible fibers and sugars found in certain foods. Because your body can’t break them down completely, these substances pass undigested through the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Once the prebiotic compounds reach the colon, they’re fermented by the bacteria residing in the gut. There, they feed the communities of bacteria that make up the gut’s microbiota.

So, what exactly is the difference then between prebiotics and probiotics? The term “probiotics” typically refers to foods and supplements that contain live microorganisms known to be beneficial to gut health. Conversely, “prebiotics” are compounds that serve as food for the microorganisms that live in the gut. The also-related but less well-known “postbiotics” are the byproduct that occurs as a result of gut bacteria fermenting the prebiotic compounds. Individually, each of these components possesses a number of health benefits while also working together to improve digestive health and overall well-being.

Why Are Prebiotics Important?

The human body is a host to trillions of bacteria, the vast majority of which live within our large intestines. Many of these bacteria are critical to bodily functions. The bacteria in our guts not only aid in the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients but also help to regulate hormone production and neurotransmitter release, with a direct effect on the immune system and the body’s ability to cope with stress.

Because our guts are so integral to many bodily functions, the abundance and diversity of the good bacteria in our guts is important to our overall health. Prebiotics act as a food source for these bacterial colonies that reside within our GI tracts. Working together, prebiotics and probiotics have been shown to significantly improve health outcomes.

What Are the Benefits of Prebiotics?

Prebiotics improve digestion and promote a healthy gut. Acting as food for good bacteria, prebiotics encourage the growth of the beneficial microbes residing in our guts. When these otherwise nondigestible fibers are metabolized by friendly gut bacteria, the byproduct is another group of beneficial compounds known as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs strengthen the intestinal lining, aid digestion, improve the symptoms of inflammatory bowel conditions and may even lower the chances of developing colorectal cancer.

Prebiotics reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that combining prebiotics and probiotics helps to regulate insulin signaling, lower “bad” cholesterol, balance electrolyte levels and reduce blood pressure, all factors that greatly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular problems.

Prebiotics aid weight loss and the chances of obesity. Numerous studies have indicated that gut dysbiosis can be a contributing factor to weight gain and obesity-related disorders. Increased fiber intake is known to help curb weight gain. Researchers have found that prebiotic fiber regulates the stimulation and suppression of gastrointestinal hormones that control the feelings of hunger and satiation and is associated with a lowered BMI.

Prebiotics can help to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is believed to be a contributing factor for chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers. Studies have demonstrated that increased intake of prebiotic fiber lowers systemic inflammation. Research indicates that this association may be due to the production of SCFAs that occurs during prebiotic fermentation.

Prebiotics improve the body’s immune system response. A healthy gut is key to a strong immune system.Recent findings have shown that adding more prebiotics into your diet elevates SCFA levels and increases the expression of antibodies and antioxiants, important for helping the body to fight off illness and disease.

Prebiotics promote healthier, stronger bones. Imbalances to the gut microbiota have been tied to cases of disease and loss of density within bones. According to research, upping intake of prebiotics improves bone strength by increasing calcium absorption and bone density.

Prebiotics may improve sleep quality. Every cell in the human body responds to circadian rhythms, and this includes the microbial life within us. Under normal circumstances, subjects with a higher intake of prebiotics tend to spend more time in the restorative sleep phase, except for after stressful events, which observed longer periods of REM sleep, the phase of sleep thought to help recover from stress. This suggests that prebiotics encourage better, more restful sleep and help to ease stress. Prebiotics also alter the release of hormones such as melatonin and serotonin that are known to play a role in or have an effect on sleep and sleep quality.

Prebiotics help to regulate moods and hormone levels. As our knowledge of the gut-brain connection grows, it’s becoming more and more clear that many conditions, including mental health issues, are affected by gut health. Not only does our gut flora affect bodily function, but studies suggest that our gut’s microbial makeup may even be responsible for how bodily systems, such as our stress response system, are actually developed. Increased consumption of prebiotics has been shown to improve stress responses, reduce cortisol levels and alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety.

How to Incorporate More Prebiotics Into Your Diet

Want to know how you can increase your daily intake of prebiotics? There are a handful of prebiotic-rich foods that you can add to your diet. Remember that, as with most foods, cooking changes the nutritional makeup. For the most benefit, try to consume foods that are raw and unprocessed. Here are a few food choices that are packed with health-promoting prebiotics:

asparagus
chicory root
dandelion greens
garlic
jicama
leeks
onions
under-ripened bananas

Dietary supplements are also available for those unable to fit enough prebiotics into their diet. Look for supplements that combine both prebiotics and probiotics for the greatest impact.

Beyond Bone Health: Researchers Uncover New Vitamin D Benefits

Aug 30 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

With old research under fire and new research turning up previously unknown vitamin D benefits, the “sunshine vitamin,” has been an increasingly hot topic among the research community. As the summer draws to a close and the days begin to once again shorten, it’s a good time to take a look back at some of this year’s vitamin D research highlights and evaluate if you should be adding more vitamin D to your diet.

Vitamin D: What is It and What Does It Do?

Vitamin D is both a hormone that our bodies naturally synthesize as well as an essential nutrient that can be found in foods such as beef liver, eggs, mushrooms and certain fatty fish. It is nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin” because our bodies are able to produce vitamin D through cholesterol when exposed to sunlight. Because few food sources exist that naturally contain high amounts of vitamin D, the best dietary sources of vitamin D are dietary supplements and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals and dairy products.

A critical component in the building of bone, vitamin D helps the body to absorb and hold on to calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D’s role in the body, however, goes far beyond our bones and calcium regulation. Many of the organs and tissues in the body have receptors specifically for vitamin D. Aside from bone health, we know that vitamin D is also important to immune function and helping to control infections. Studies have shown that vitamin D may affect the body’s inflammatory response as well. Researchers continue to study vitamin D in an effort to glean its other potential functions.

Research Roundup: Vitamin D Benefits Beyond Bone Health

Vitamin D and Cancer

Because of vitamin D’s role in cell growth and regulation, there’s been increasing research into the link between vitamin D levels and cancer. One study conducted by scientists at UC San Diego and published in the journal PLOS ONE found that postmenopausal women with high levels of vitamin D were one-fifth less likely to develop breast cancer when compared to those who had lower levels of the vitamin.

In another study, which was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, scientists found that individuals with higher concentrations of vitamin D were 22 percent less likely to develop colorectal cancer, while those deficient in the vitamin were 31 percent more at risk. While research may yield mixed results, overwhelmingly, the evidence seems to suggest that higher vitamin D levels could decrease the risk of developing certain cancers.

Vitamin D and Diabetes

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) and published earlier this year in the journal Diabetes found a link between appropriate levels of vitamin D in infancy and childhood and a decreased likelihood of islet autoimmunity in children who are genetically at risk for Type 1 diabetes.

In a decade-long epidemiological study, which was published in PLOS ONE, researchers from Seoul National University and the UC San Diego School of Medicine determined that deficient levels of vitamin D can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by five-fold.

According to a paper published in the journal Cell, scientists from the Salk Institute found that activating pancreatic vitamin D receptors had the potential to repair and protect beta cells, the cells in the pancreas that synthesize, store, and dispense the insulin hormone, posing a potential new method of treatment for diabetics.

Vitamin D and Heart Disease

Clinical studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Heart-related diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and hypertension can cause significant damage to the cardiovascular system. In findings that were published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine, a team of researchers from Ohio University investigated the effects of vitamin D on heart health and found that vitamin D3 reduces oxidative stress to the cardiovascular system and “significantly” restores the cardiovascular damage caused by such diseases.

Arterial stiffness is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease. In a study conducted by researchers at Georgia’s Augusta University and published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers found that supplementing with vitamin D improved symptoms of rigid arteries.

In findings that were published earlier this year in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, a team of Norwegian researchers from the University of Bergen revealed that vitamin D reduced the risk of death by 30 percent in patients who are suffering from cardiovascular disease. Supporting research from the Westmead Institute for Medical research and published in the journal Heart, Lung and Circulation found that vitamin D protects heart tissues and decreases the likelihood of heart failure after a heart attack.

Vitamin D and Obesity

According to data presented by the Netherland’s VU University Medical Center and Leiden University Medical Center at this year’s annual meeting European Society of Endocrinology, low vitamin D levels are strongly related to an increased accumulation of belly fat.

Researchers from the University of Southern California reported in Pediatric Obesity that children born to vitamin D-deficient mothers were more likely to be overweight when compared to the children of mothers who had plenty of vitamin D throughout their pregnancies, suggesting that a deficiency of vitamin D during pregnancy “pre-programs” children for obesity.

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

The amount of vitamin D needed depends mostly on the individual’s age. According to the National Institutes of Health recommendations, persons between the ages 1-70, including women who are pregnant or nursing, are encouraged to consume 400 IUs of vitamin D daily. It is recommended that individuals over the age of 71 consume 800 IUs of vitamin D daily.

However, many experts agree that a higher intake should be observed. A report issued in The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism by the Endocrine Society suggests a significantly higher intake is needed to raise the amount of vitamin D in the blood to therapeutic levels.

Probiotic Supplementation Proven to Protect Bone Health in Women

Aug 21 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

As adults grow older, their bones become more brittle and, as a result, they can fracture more easily. While this phenomenon can affect both men and women, women are more at risk for bone loss as they age, suffering more commonly from conditions such as osteoporosis and osteopenia. Women over 80 years of age are at the highest risk for developing osteoporosis. Compounding the problem is the fact that osteoporosis is rarely identified until an actual bone fracture occurs.

Due to these alarming facts, a recent study, conducted at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Mölndal, Sweden focused on the effect that probiotics had on bone health in women. In the study, comprised of older women, subjects were divided into two equal groups. The test group received probiotic supplements, while the control group were given placebo replacements. When bone health of the women taking probiotics was compared to those who only received a placebo, the women taking the probiotics were shown to have experienced half as much bone loss, suggesting that probiotics protect bone health.

Probiotics Protect Bone Health in Older Women

The study looked at probiotics as a means of preventing fractures in elderly women. Researchers took a pool of 90 test subjects, comprised of women with an average age of 75, and administered either probiotics or placebos in daily dosages. During the year-long experiment, both researchers and test subjects were kept in the dark as to which women were receiving the probiotics.

CT scans were taken of each subject’s lower legs at the start of the study, and again after the 12-month term had concluded. When the scans were compared, researchers found that the women on the powdered probiotic supplement developed only half the bone degradation of the women taking the placebo. Additionally, researchers noted that the probiotics didn’t cause any negative side effects in the subjects.

Researchers are hopeful that the study’s findings will be used to benefit elderly patients. Previously, it has been noted that beneficial stomach bacteria helped protect the bone structure in mice, but this was the first time probiotic supplements were tested in humans. The results of the research may provide hope for preventing osteoporosis through regular doses of probiotic supplements.

Everyone Can Benefit from Supplementing With Probiotics

Through this study and other types of research, we have learned that probiotics protect bone health in a number of ways. They generally increase bone mass and prevent the breakdown of our bones, while also storing up higher levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Combined, these factors can have long-lasting benefits for the skeleton and the various systems in our bodies.

Boosting the level of probiotics in our bodies benefit us by:

helping our bodies absorb calcium and magnesium more efficiently
reducing lactose intolerance
minimizing the symptoms of leaky gut syndrome
alleviating food allergies
strengthening our immune system
inhibiting the activities of dietary phytates, which can negatively impact mineral absorption
allowing our bodies to process phytoestrogens more effectively

Are Probiotics Safe?

As a natural part of your gut’s microbiome, you already have some probiotics in your system. These “friendly bacteria” aid your digestive process and benefit bone health. The Sahlgrenska University Hospital study showed that women taking additional supplements didn’t suffer from side effects that weren’t experienced by the women taking the placebo. This indicates that a supplement shouldn’t negatively impact your health, if you choose to take one.

In fact, boosting your level of probiotics can benefit various health conditions. If you have a sensitive digestive system or an unusually weak immune system, introducing higher levels of probiotics can help strengthen those biological processes. Additionally, probiotic supplements can be taken to help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms of candida. A daily regimen that includes a high-quality probiotic supplement can help you resolve these types of concerns.

Obtaining Probiotics From Your Diet

If you’re still unsure about taking a supplement directly, probiotics can be found in a variety of foods. They’re commonly found in fermented foods, such as yogurts or pickled products. In fact, yogurt and kefir are some of the best sources of probiotics.

The following foods are also good sources of natural probiotics:

buttermilk
sauerkraut
olives
pickled ginger
kimchi
tempeh
miso
pickles
natto

Your doctor or a nutritionist may be able to give you a broader list of foods that contain probiotics. Alternatively, a supplement can be added to a healthy diet that includes these foods to maximize your intake of healthy bacteria. Beginning sooner may help you strengthen your bones before your first fracture occurs.

As these findings and additional research reinforce the idea that probiotics protect bone health, doctors will likely begin prescribing supplements to their older patients. That’s not to say an increased intake of probiotics won’t benefit individuals of any age. Bone strength varies from person to person, so some people may have weaker bones at younger ages. For those individuals, taking probiotic supplements may be just as beneficial in preventing fractures and further bone loss. While there are many ways to strengthen bones naturally, incorporating probiotics in your diet or taking a daily probiotic supplement may be the most promising method yet.

New Study Supports Connection Between Dietary Soy and Bone Strength

Aug 17 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Menopause brings with it a whole new set of health concerns for the aging woman. The impacts of menopause on bone and metabolic health can lead to a loss of bone density, reduced physical ability and weight gain, however, new research on soy and bone strength suggests that soy protein may help to curb some of these negative health effects.

What is Osteoporosis? Are You at Risk?

Our bones are actually living, continuously growing tissues. They are comprised mostly of collagen and calcium phosphate, the combination of which makes the bone material strong and yet flexible so that it is able to withstand stresses. Throughout our lives, old bone is reabsorbed by the skeleton as new bone is formed. As children and teenagers, the rate at which new bone is created far outpaces that which it is removed, resulting in larger and denser bones. Around the age of 30, our bones reach their maximum strength and density, after which point bone reabsorption gradually begins to outpace the rate of new bone formation.

For women in particular, the greatest amount of bone loss tends to occur in the first few years after the onset of menopause and will continue on into the postmenopausal years. It is estimated that, on average, women stand to lose around 20 percent of their bone density after reaching menopause. Osteoporosis develops when either bone resorption is happening too quickly or when bone formation is occurring too slowly. This loss of bone density can result in weak, brittle bones that may easily break.

Osteoporosis and bone weakness can affect both men and women, but it is much more prevalent in females. More than 53 million Americans are diagnosed or at high risk of developing osteoporosis. According to the CDC, nearly a quarter of women over the age of 65 live with the disease. Osteoporosis is more likely to develop if peak bone mass was not reached during the developmental years. Postmenopausal women are particularly susceptible due to falling estrogen levels, which can further speed up bone resorption rates. With this in mind, researchers wondered if foods rich in isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen, may be beneficial to the postmenopausal woman.

Soy Foods for Women’s Health?

For centuries, soy products like miso and tofu have been widely consumed staples of much East Asian cuisine, however, soy foods have not been nearly as popular in a Western diet until recently. An uptick in vegetarian diets and a rise in the amount of research regarding soy’s health benefits has seen an increased adoption of soy into non-Asian diets.

Women facing menopause must contend with a number of disruptive symptoms. Traditionally, most women have opted for hormone therapy to treat the symptoms of menopause, but research has raised questions about the safety of its long-term use. Alarming studies have shown that estrogen plus progestin therapy increases the risk and mortality rates for breast cancer, leaving many to seek out healthier alternatives. Because of the high content of isoflavones present, soy is considered by many to be one such healthful alternative therapy, and the research is starting to agree.

Studies have shown that the estrogen-like compounds in soy may be able to ease hot flashes in menopausal women, and there is evidence to suggest that soy products are good for the heart too. Soy foods, which are low in saturated fats and high in the good polyunsaturated fats, have been shown in clinical trials to lower cholesterol levels, inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis, and help to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. It has even previously been suggested that isoflavones, such as those present in soy, could hold the potential of slowing bone loss, but until now, the research has been largely inconclusive.

Investigating Soy and Bone Strength: Women May See Improved Bone Health by Adding Soy Protein to Their Diet

Scientists from the University of Missouri recently set out to investigate how dietary changes — the addition of soy protein in particular — could affect bone health. Their findings have recently been published in the journal Bone Reports. In an animal model, the researchers examined the effects of soy proteins versus a corn-based diet on rats which were bred to have lower than average fitness levels. In order to mimic the hormonal changes of menopause, the ovaries of half of the rats were removed.

“Prior research has shown that these rats are good models, as average American women are relatively inactive both before, and especially after, menopause. As such, understanding how dietary protein sources, such as soy, can impact metabolism and bone health in these rats can help us better understand how such diets might impact women’s health across the lifespan,” explained co-author Victoria Vieira-Potter, an associate professor of nutrition and exercise physiology at the University of Missouri, in a press release.

The rats were fed two distinct diets, one soy-based and the other corn-based, which were comprised of the same amount of calories. The researchers then compared the impacts of the soy-based diet on the rats’ bone strength and metabolic health with those of the rats which were fed a corn-based, completely soy-free diet. The team analyzed blood samples, bone density and strength and also studied the body composition of the rats using EchoMRI technology, which is a method of imaging that is used to obtain accurate measurements of body fat and water mass in living creatures.

Their analysis revealed that soy seemed to be beneficial across the board. “Bottom line, this study showed that women might improve bone strength by adding some soy-based whole foods to their diet,” said the study’s leading co-author, Professor Pamela Hinton.

Soy Protein May Strengthen Bones and Improve Metabolic Function, Researchers Find

The team found that regardless of whether the rats still possessed their ovaries, the tibia bones of the soy-fed rats were stronger when they were compared to the rats who were part of the corn diet group. Furthermore, the researchers found that a soy-based diet also improved the metabolic health in all rats, whether they were with or without their ovaries.

“The findings suggest that all women might see improved bone strength by adding some soy-based whole foods, such as tofu and soy milk, to their diet. We also believe that soy-based diets can improve metabolic function for postmenopausal women,” said Hinton

The researchers believe their data to suggest that all women, whether premenopausal or postmenopausal, would find benefit in consuming even small amounts of soy from sources such as bean sprouts, soy milk, edamame and tofu. “Our findings suggest that women don’t even need to eat as much soy as is found in typical Asian diets, but adding some tofu or other soy, for example foods found in vegetarian diets, could help strengthen bones,” Hinton concluded.

High-Salt Diet Kills Beneficial Gut Bacteria, Leading to Disease

Jun 29 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

A team of international researchers has found a high-salt diet reduces the population of the beneficial gut bacteria Lactobacillus. This, in turn, impacts immune cells which can lead to the development of hypertension and autoimmune disease. Probiotics may help to curb these effects.

Gut Flora and Salt-Sensitive Diseases

A high-salt diet has long been identified as a contributing factor to high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and heart failure. When salt accumulates in the bloodstream, the body retains fluid in order to dilute the sodium. The heart and blood vessels then have to work harder to deal with the excess water, which causes the blood vessels to stiffen and can lead to cardiovascular complications and potentially death.

Higher intake of salt has also been linked to the development of stomach cancer, and it may further exacerbate osteoporosis symptoms. Previous research has shown that reducing salt intake both lowers your risk for cardiovascular disease and related deaths over the long term, but scientists are still trying to understand the mechanisms underlying these connections.

Imbalances in the gut’s microbiota have been implicated as underlying factors in systemic inflammatory conditions and immune system disruptions. Research has shown that gut bacterial imbalance may be involved in many of the same cardiovascular health problems that arise from a high-salt diet. “But so far, nobody had studied how salt affects the bacteria in the gut,” said the lead researcher of the study, Professor Dominik Müller of the Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin, Germany.

Müller and his colleagues felt that this was a deserving point of focus. According to fellow team member and ECRC researcher Dr. Nicola Wilck, “gut bacteria influence the host organism, and the immune system is also very active in the gut.” The team decided to investigate the effect that salt has on the bacterial populations of the gut to determine what changes occur and discern if those changes may be linked to the detrimental effects of a salt-laden diet. The team’s research has been published in the journal Nature. Their findings were recently presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester in the United Kingdom.

High-Salt Diet Kills Off Lactobacillus Populations

With their research, Müller and his team have successfully demonstrated that excess sodium decreases the Lactobacilli in our guts while raising blood pressure and increasing the number of Th17 helper cells, immune cells that stimulate inflammation, cause hypertension and are associated with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. According to Müller, “we should start to see our gut microbiome as a viable target for treating conditions that we know are aggravated by salt, such as high blood pressure and inflammation.”

In their experimentation, the team fed mice a high-salt diet in which sodium made up 4 percent of their daily intake, compared to the 0.5 percent sodium intake of a normal diet. The team found that the higher salt intake led to a decline in the population of Lactobacillus murinus bacteria. Mice fed this diet had higher blood pressure and were also found to have increased populations of the Th-17 cells. When the mice with high blood pressure were given a probiotic which contained Lactobacillus murinus, Th-17 populations declined and the symptoms of hypertension decreased.

The researchers then decided to investigate if this effect would carry over to human subjects. The team investigated the gut microbiota of 12 healthy men who were administered six additional grams of salt, roughly doubling their sodium intake, every day over the course of two weeks. As was observed with the mice, within human test subjects, lactobacilli were sensitive to salt intake, becoming almost undetectable after 14 days. As expected, participants’ possessed higher blood pressure and an increase in the number of Th-17 helper cells in their blood. Participants who took an over-the-counter probiotic for a week prior to starting the high-salt diet retained normal blood pressure levels, and their Lactobacillus populations remained intact.

A Window Into Future Therapies

According to the researchers, “it is still unclear exactly how Th-17 cells contribute to the development of high blood pressure and other ill effects of a high-salt diet,” but they are hopeful their research will help shed light on potential treatments for salt-sensitive illnesses.

Fellow researcher, Dr. Ralf Linker from the Friedrich-Alexander University said, “multiple sclerosis may be one of the salt-sensitive diseases which we might be able to treat in the future with individually-tailored probiotics as add-on to standard immune therapies.”

While the role gut microbiota plays in our health is increasingly an important focus of research attention, there is much we still don’t know about how other organisms impact and interact with our gut flora. “Our study goes beyond just describing the changes caused by salt. We want to consider interrelated processes,” said Dr. Müller. “We can’t exclude the possibility that there are other salt-sensitive bacteria that are just as important as Lactobacillus,” he continued. “This could be the tip of the iceberg in targeting gut bacteria for treating serious illnesses.”

“We’re learning that the immune system exerts a lot of control on the body, above and beyond what we generally think of as immunity. The mechanisms by which it exerts that control are still being unraveled,” said team member Professor Eric Alm of MIT. “We hope that our findings, along with future studies, will help to shed more light on the mechanism by which a high-salt diet influences disease.”