Diet & Nutrition

Study Links Adult Development of Schizophrenia and Diet During Pregnancy

All expecting parents want to give their baby the best chance at a healthy and happy life. However, until recently there was very little data on exactly how to accomplish this goal. New research on the effects of nutrition in pregnancy is yielding hard data on exactly what comprises a healthy prenatal diet. Surprisingly, there may even be links between psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and diet in pregnancy.

Living with Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is one of the most serious mental illnesses affecting mankind. People with this disease struggle with delusions, hallucinations and cognitive changes. They also have trouble expressing emotions, with many suffering from a flat affect, or a face devoid of emotion. Over time, they lose interest in social activities and become increasingly closed in their own world. Their behavior and speech become disorganized and then completely nonfunctional.

In the past, people believed that schizophrenics were possessed by demons. In modern times, however, we understand that schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain. The brain undergoes atrophy in areas related to emotion and judgment. In addition, dopamine levels increase and cause frenetic biochemical activity. Schizophrenia is a progressive disease that causes structural changes that cannot be reversed. Prevention along with early identification and treatment are the only solutions currently offered by modern medicine. Learning more about how prenatal nutrition impacts schizophrenia could change the lives of many people suffering from this illness.

The Link Between Schizophrenia and Diet in Pregnancy

Omega-3 and omega-6 acids are known to be important in prenatal brain growth. New research suggests that a lack of these nutrients may increase the fetus’ risk of developing schizophrenia over the course of a lifetime. When pregnant mice were deprived of these two polyunsaturated fatty acids, their offspring developed a flat affect (or expression), disordered behavior and other symptoms that are similar to schizophrenia. The mice also developed brain changes associated with schizophrenia.

How can omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have this large of an impact? Researchers found that these fatty acids actually affect the transcription of key genes. These genes govern the expression of key neurotransmitters and are decreased in both fetuses deprived of fatty acids as well as schizophrenics. Genes that support the health of oligodendrocytes, which pass messages in the brain, were also downregulated in these mice, which may be a cause of the structural brain changes seen in this mental illness.

The Impact of Diet on a Growing Brain

Omega-3 fatty acids have been previously found to be important in the brain health of adults, slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and providing a wide variety of cognitive benefit. They appear to be especially important to the rapidly growing brain of a fetus. However, this study is not the only link between maternal diet and schizophrenia. Another recent study found that eating too much of the essential amino acid methionine could also increase the offspring’s risk of schizophrenia. Pregnant mice that were fed three times the normal daily amount of methionine had offspring that showed behavior associated with schizophrenia. When researchers examined their brains, they found that the gene Npas4 had been downregulated, a change also seen in the brains of human schizophrenics.

Methionine is found in cheese, eggs, nuts and other foods that are considered healthy. While pregnant women can enjoy these foods without risk to their future offspring, it is important that they do so in moderation. These studies underscore that a rich and varied diet appears to be one of the most important factors in the health of the fetus.

Good Nutrition for a Lifetime of Health

There are several simple changes that women can make to their diets to increase the chances of good health in their babies. Several studies on the impact of maternal nutrition have found that the following dietary measures are most important:

beginning pregnancy with a healthy BMI
taking a folic acid supplement and avoiding medications that affect folate metabolism
getting plenty of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3s and omega-6s
eating protein from a wide variety of sources
choosing moderation in sugars and simple carbs
taking a multivitamin or high-quality prenatal supplement
eating iron-rich foods and taking an iron supplement if necessary to avoid fetal anemia
taking in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to get an ample supply of vitamins and phytonutrients

As with all health decisions in pregnancy, it is crucial that women discuss their health and their diet with their doctor. Many women have special dietary needs that their doctor can help them to identify and treat.

Pregnancy is one of the most special times in many women’s lives. Eating a healthy diet is one of the simplest and most delicious ways to give your baby the right start in life. New studies are showing that good nutrition is crucial to maintaining whole body health, both for mother and for the child.

8 Ways to Naturally Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Sep 08 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

High cholesterol is one of the greatest risk factors for coronary artery disease, stroke and heart attack. While prescription statins can be an effective way to reduce bad cholesterol levels, they aren’t enough for many adults and they come with side effects. Here are some of the most effective science-backed ways to naturally maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

The Importance of Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a fatty-like substance found in cells that’s necessary to make vitamin D, hormones and some substances for digestion. Cholesterol isn’t bad, because the human body needs it to build cells and hormones, but too much cholesterol can be harmful.

There are two types of cholesterol: LDL or “bad” cholesterol and HDL or “good” cholesterol. Too much LDL cholesterol and not enough HDL cholesterol can increase the risk of cholesterol building up within arteries that feed the brain and heart. LDL cholesterol contributes to this fatty buildup in arteries called atherosclerosis which increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and peripheral artery disease.

HDL cholesterol works a bit differently. It’s believed that this type of cholesterol works as a scavenger to carry LDL cholesterol away from arteries and transport it to the liver so it can be broken down. Healthy HDL cholesterol levels appear to protect against stroke and heart disease.

Now that you have a better understanding of how cholesterol works, it’s time to learn ways to naturally maintain healthier levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol.

Grape Seed Extract

Grapes have long been known for their health benefits, but it wasn’t until recently that scientists were able to understand why. Grape seed extract has been found in several studies to have heart health benefits, including the ability to support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This is due to a high concentration of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs).

According to one study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, grape seed extract can help lower oxidized LDL (bad) cholesterol particles. In this study, 52 people with moderately high cholesterol levels received either a placebo or 200 mg/day of grape seed extract. After eight weeks, the group receiving grape seed extract experienced an average 10.7 mg/dL drop in total cholesterol while LDL cholesterol dropped by an average of 9.7 mg/dL.

Purple Fruits and Vegetables

Purple vegetables and fruits appear to be effective at improving good HDL cholesterol due to unique antioxidants called anthocyanins. Extracts of anthocyanin have been shown in studies to fight free radical damage and possibly raise HDL cholesterol levels.

A 24-week study published in the Journal of Nutrition on participants with diabetes also found that those who took an anthocyanin supplement two times a day had a 19 percent average increase in HDL cholesterol plus other improvements in heart health markers.

Along with taking supplements containing anthocyanin extract, you can eat a diet rich in purple or blue vegetables and fruits like eggplant, blueberries, figs, red cabbage, acai berries and even purple cauliflower.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is the only form of monounsaturated fat that appears to reduce the risk of heart disease, according to a massive analysis of 42 studies involving over 800,000 participants published in Lipids in Health and Disease. It appears that olive oil offers heart health benefits primarily by increasing HDL or “good” cholesterol thanks to its antioxidants called polyphenols.

Not all types of olive oil are equal. Extra virgin olive oil has a higher concentration of polyphenols than olive oils that are more processed, but the amount of polyphenols can still vary by brand. One study found that healthy young men who consumed two tablespoons of different types of olive oil each day had HDL levels significantly higher after three weeks when they consumed olive oil with the higher amount of polyphenols.

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish like sardines, salmon and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fats that have been shown in numerous studies to reduce inflammation and support healthy functioning of cells lining the arteries. Research also indicates that eating fatty fish or taking fish oil supplements supports healthy levels of good HDL cholesterol.

One study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology found that coronary heart disease patients who ate fatty fish four times per week had higher HDL cholesterol levels as well as larger HDL particles.

High-Intensity Exercise

Any form of exercise is an effective way to achieve healthy cholesterol levels, including aerobic exercise, strength training and high-intensity exercise. Still, high-intensity exercise appears to produce the biggest increase in good cholesterol levels.

A 12-week study published in Lipids in Health and Disease involving overweight men found than high-intensity exercise produced an average increase 10 percent of HDL cholesterol while the low-intensity group experienced just a 2 percent increase.

Exercising at least a few times a week can help improve cholesterol levels. Any type of exercise can be beneficial, but high-intensity types of exercise are most effective if cholesterol is a concern.

Green Tea Extract

Some studies have indicated that green tea and tea extract can help promote healthier LDL cholesterol levels as well as healthy blood sugar and blood pressure, other markers of heart health, thanks to the high concentration of antioxidant polyphenols in tea. One study published in 2003 found that people with moderately high cholesterol who took a tea extract for 12 weeks experienced a 16 percent average decline in LDL cholesterol. A separate study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that drinking green tea or taking a tea extract is linked to a significant reduction in bad cholesterol levels.

Niacin

Niacin or vitamin B3 is commonly prescribed along with statin drugs like Crestor to lower cholesterol. Niacin can be extremely effective at promoting higher HDL cholesterol levels. Numerous studies have found that niacin can increase good cholesterol levels while reducing triglycerides, and it has some effect on maintaining healthier levels of bad cholesterol. At the right dose, niacin has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol by up to 30 percent.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes and red wine, offers some promise in protecting against heart disease. One study in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences even concluded that resveratrol helps protect against atherosclerosis by supporting healthy levels of bad cholesterol and by its effects on inflammation.

The link between red wine and a lower risk of heart attacks and heart disease isn’t completely understood yet, but resveratrol is believed to increase levels of good cholesterol to protect against a build-up of cholesterol in the arteries.

Our Resverchron supplement is a complete, broad-spectrum regimen designed with heart health in mind. With a combination of the best-researched nutrients, extracts and minerals found to promote healthy cholesterol and blood pressure within normal ranges as well as a healthy cardiovascular system. Resverchron contains resveratrol, plus grape seed extract, niacin, green tea extract, Omega-3 fatty acids and more — all in a single supplement.

New Research on Lutein and Cognitive Aging Shows Definitive Benefits

Sep 01 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Lutein, a carotenoid found in fruits and vegetables, has long been associated with eye health. A new study conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has found that this nutrient may also help slow cognitive decline. This pigment or carotenoid may play an important role in the development and maintenance of brain function while improving memory and learning. The link between lutein and cognitive aging may be important in future dementia research and offer adults another way to stay sharp mentally.

What is Lutein?

Lutein is one of 600 carotenoids that’s often called the “eye vitamin” for its use in the prevention of eye diseases. This antioxidant is responsible for giving vegetables and fruits their yellow color. Lutein can only be obtained through diet and supplements; it isn’t produced by the human body.

Lutein is most known for its benefits for eye health, especially when it comes to age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. The eye contains lutein and zeaxanthin in levels much higher than other tissue in the human body. Both the retina and lens of the eye are exposed to oxygen and light constantly, and these carotenoids work to reduce damage from oxygen and light.

The natural lens of the eye collects and focuses light on the retina which requires a clear lens. The most common cause of cataracts is oxidation, which results in clouding. Lutein and other antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals associated with oxidation and retinal damage. Higher intake of zeaxanthin and lutein has been associated with a much lower risk of developing cataracts.

Lutein also helps reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, a disease that causes progressive vision loss. According to one study, taking just 6 mg of lutein per day lowers the risk of macular degeneration by 43 percent.

Lutein and Cognitive Aging: What’s the Link?

A new study conducted by University of Illinois researchers examined the levels of lutein in 60 adults between 25 and 45 years old. According to researchers, the middle-aged study participants with higher lutein levels had neural responses similar to those of younger participants than with peers.

This study, published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, is different than most studies that focus on older adults who have already started to experience cognitive decline. The researchers chose to focus on young and middle-aged participants to see if there was a difference based on lutein levels. The study also found that age-related cognitive decline begins earlier than many suspected with signs beginning in the 30s.

To study lutein levels, the researchers measured lutein in the eyes of the participants by having them look into a scope and responding to a flickering light. Electrodes were used on the scalp to measure neural activity while participants completed a task requiring attention.

Researchers didn’t examine how lutein works, although past studies have indicated that lutein offers anti-inflammatory properties that improve brain function. It appears that lutein offers protection for the brain.

The next step for the team is to conduct intervention trials to investigate how increasing consumption of lutein increases lutein levels in the eyes and whether it improves cognitive function.

Other Cognitive Benefits of Lutein

This is not the first study involving lutein and cognitive aging. Another study, published in the Journals of Gerontology, found that higher lutein intake is associated with a lower risk of dementia. This study, published in 2016, examined the relationship between plasma carotenoids like lutein and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The study began with 1,092 older participants with no signs of dementia. During the 10-year follow-up, 199 cases of Alzheimer’s and dementia were diagnosed. After adjusting for socioeconomic status, diet quality, and other variables, only higher lutein levels were significantly associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Research has also suggested that as babies receive more lutein from formula or breast milk, they have higher levels of lutein found in their brains. This may speed up cognitive milestones. Children in school may have higher test scores with a diet higher in lutein. The benefits can also continue throughout life as college students with higher levels of lutein seem to have better memory and mental sharpness.

Getting Enough Lutein Through Diet and Supplementation

According to the American Optometric Association, most Western diets are low in lutein. Lutein, as well as the related carotenoid zeaxanthin, are found in leafy green vegetables like spinach and some other foods like eggs. Good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin include:

kale: 1 cup cooked has 23.8 mg
spinach: 1 cup cooked has 20.4 mg
collards: 1 cup cooked has 14.6 mg
spinach: 1 cup raw has 3.8 mg
green peas: 1 cup has 2.2 mg
broccoli: 1 cup cooked has 1.6 mg
eggs: 1 large eggs have 0.3 mg

Lutein is also available alone in soft-gel capsule form or as a part of some natural supplement formulas. When taken as a supplement, lutein should be taken at mealtime as it’s absorbed best when ingested with some fat. A dose of 6 mg to 30 mg per day is recommended.

The Link Between Vitamin B3 and Birth Defects: Why You Should Supplement During Pregnancy

Aug 29 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

There are an estimated 23,000 miscarriages every year in the United States. About 3 percent of babies born in the U.S. have some type of birth defect, and these congenital defects are responsible for about 20 percent of all newborn fatalities. It is common knowledge that many different vitamins are crucial for a healthy pregnancy. Now, a new study claims to have made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying vitamin B3 deficiency as a major cause of both miscarriages and birth defects. Getting enough vitamin B3 during pregnancy may help prevent many congenital birth defects and miscarriages among pregnant women, according to researchers.

What is Vitamin B3?

Also known as niacin, vitamin B3 is essential for healthy cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health. It’s also necessary for the production of NAD, a molecule identified in a new study as crucial for metabolic regulation, energy production, DNA repair and organ development.

Several studies have found that niacin is effective at reducing triglycerides and boosting HDL (good) cholesterol levels, and it has a modest effect on lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol. Many people prescribed drugs to control cholesterol, such as Crestor, are also prescribed vitamin B3 supplements. Research has found that niacin can only help control cholesterol when prescribed at high doses, which comes with risks such as liver damage and glucose intolerance. Niacin may also help reduce hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, and it may be recommended for people who have already had a heart attack.

The Link Between Vitamin B3 and Birth Defects

Professor Sally Dunwoodie of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Australia and her team of researchers pioneered a new study that identified an important factor responsible for many miscarriages and congenital defects of the cleft palate, kidneys, heart and spine. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, is an important breakthrough in pregnancy research as it found that vitamin B3 may cure the molecular deficiencies behind these birth defects and miscarriages.

Researchers discovered that a deficiency in NAD, an important molecule, can prevent a baby’s organs from developing properly in utero. NAD is an essential molecule that is important for cell communication, energy production and DNA repair. Both genetic and environmental factors can disrupt the body’s production of NAD.

The study began by focusing on families with a condition called VACTERL in which people are born with three or more rare congenital defects. The researchers found that NAD deficiency negatively affected the formation of embryos in people exhibiting VACTERL, causing birth defects or miscarriage, but 12 years of research found that NAD deficiency may also be to blame for other cases of congenital defects and miscarriage.

The team discovered that NAD deficiency has a simple cure: Vitamin B3, or niacin, which is used by the body to synthesize NAD. During the study, the researchers found that increasing levels of niacin during pregnancy was able to prevent both birth defects and miscarriages. By introducing high enough levels of vitamin B3 into the diets of pregnant women, miscarriages no longer happened and the babies were born healthy.

A separate study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that at least one-third of pregnant women are low in vitamin B3 during their first trimester, a crucial time for organ development. This study found that vitamin B3 levels were low in about 60 percent of women by the third trimester, despite taking prenatal supplements.

Vitamin B3 for a Healthy Pregnancy

The researchers who discovered the link between vitamin B3 and birth defects believe that the use of B3 complex supplements can be effective at preventing miscarriages and common congenital defects like spina bifida and some kidney and heart defects. Because the earlier separate study found that many pregnant women have a B3 deficiency in their first trimester despite taking prenatal supplements, the scientists believe that an even higher amount of vitamin B3 may be necessary for women than what is available with current supplements.

The researchers say that pregnant women should only take B3 supplements on the recommendations of their physicians as they don’t know which doses are necessary to prevent these complications in every case. Soon, however, they will begin developing a test to measure NAD levels in pregnant women to identify women at risk of miscarriage or birth defects.

The American Pregnancy Association recommends 18 mg of niacin per day for pregnant women, a slightly higher daily dose than 14 mg recommended for all women. Pregnant women can also supplement their diet with foods rich in niacin. This includes:

chicken breast: 9 mg per 3 ounces
turkey: 101 mg per breast
peanuts: 22 mg per 1 cup
tuna: 11 mg per 3 ounces
green peas: 3 mg per 1 cup
mushrooms: 7.5 mg per 1 cup
lean pork chop: 9 mg per 3 ounces
lean beef: 7.5 mg per 3 ounces

While most women can get their daily suggested intake of vitamin B3 from diet alone, this new study suggests that these recommendations should be revisited, especially for women who are at high risk of miscarriage and those found to have low vitamin B3 during pregnancy or while trying to become pregnant.

Curcumin and Neuroblastoma: Promise for Treatment-Resistant Tumors

Aug 15 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical and the main component of turmeric. While curcumin and neuroblastoma (a type of cancer most common in infants) may seem entirely unrelated, a new study found that this chemical, which is currently used in food coloring, cosmetics and spices, may help in the treatment of neuroblastoma tumors that are resistant to treatment.

What is Curcumin?

Curcumin is the biologically active chemical in the spice turmeric and the component that gives it its distinctive color. Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, which is dried and powdered to use as a spice. Turmeric is widely used in cooking, especially in Indian cuisine. It’s turmeric that gives Indian curry its distinctive yellow color. Previous research has indicated that curcumin may have cancer-protective properties.

Curcumin that is consumed orally is poorly absorbed in the human body, which means it is mostly metabolized and eliminated. The potential for curcumin in treating illness is limited by this limited bioavailability outside of the digestive tract, although novel solutions exist, such as evidence in this latest study.

Curcumin and Neuroblastoma: A Novel Treatment Approach

A new study published in Nanoscale explored the potential of curcumin in the treatment of neuroblastoma, which accounts for 50 percent of all cancers in children under age one. A team of researchers at the University of Central Florida and Nemours Children’s Hospital discovered that attaching the curcumin chemical to nanoparticles can help target and kill neuroblastoma cells that are treatment-resistant.

Neuroblastoma cancer begins in early nerve cells and forms in adrenal gland tissue. There are nearly 700 new cases of this cancer every year in the United States with most cases diagnosed in children under five. High-risk neuroblastoma is currently very difficult to treat and is often highly resistant to treatment. This form of cancer is also associated with symptoms after treatment ends, such as hearing loss and developmental delays.

This novel approach combining nanoparticles and curcumin can treat neuroblastoma tumors without the toxicity of alternative aggressive therapies and the associated risks. While curcumin has poor bioavailability when consumed orally, researchers were able to show that it can be attached to nanoparticles to deliver the chemical directly to tumor sites.

During the study, researchers attached curcumin to Cerium oxide nanoparticles and coated them with dextran to test the system in the cell lines of high-risk neuroblastoma (MYCN-amplified) and non-high-risk neuroblastoma. The team found that the combination of nanoparticles and curcumin resulted in significant cell death in neuroblastoma tumor cells with no or minor toxicity to healthy cells. The high-risk neuroblastoma cells, which are usually more treatment-resistant, had a more pronounced effect with the treatment.

How Does Curcumin Kill Cancer Cells?

Previous research has helped identify the mechanism by which curcumin targets tumor cells. A study published in the AAPS Journal showed that curcumin works by modulating the growth of cancer cells by regulating cell signaling pathways.

Curcumin works upon several molecular and biochemical processes and physically binds to up to 33 different proteins. This chemical can inhibit the survival and growth of almost any type of tumor cell by activating cell death pathways or inhibiting cell proliferation pathways. This study identified over 40 biochemicals involved in cancer cell death induced by curcumin.

Research has indicated that curcumin selectively affects cancer cells rather than healthy cells. It has a far lower likelihood of causing treatment resistance because it acts through so many cell pathways.

Curcumin and Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in men in the United states. Every year, about 30,000 men are killed by castration-resistant prostate cancer that has become resistant to docetaxel, the first-line treatment. According to one recent study, curcumin may have some therapeutic benefit in treating prostate cancer.

One study found that curcumin is able to downregulate the expression of androgen receptor (AR) expression and limit AR binding to the androgen response mechanism of the prostate specific antigen gene. It has also been found to delay tumor growth.

Health Benefits of Curcumin

In addition to acting directly on tumor cells in laboratory settings, curcumin is a powerful antioxidant that can protect against free radicals in the body that cause cell damage. It has also been found to help maintain healthy levels of two enzymes that cause inflammation while also promoting healthy blood flow.

Research has indicated that curcumin and turmeric may have some benefit when it comes to a host of conditions, including osteoporosis via its effects on inflammation, heart disease by promoting healthy platelet clumping, uveitis or inflammation of the iris of the eye, neurodegenerative disease and even diabetes. One study published in Phytotherapy Research even found that curcumin supplements may be more effective than NSAID therapy at treating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms like joint swelling, tenderness and disease progression.

Turmeric and curcumin may be consumed in food, as a powder or as a tincture. While turmeric is considered safe in food or taken at the recommended doses, the low bioavailability of curcumin means it’s unlikely to have any cancer-protective benefit when consumed except in the case of conditions directly affecting the gastrointestinal tract, which are more likely to be prevented or treated with oral curcumin.

Gut Bacteria Found to Influence Diet, Reproductive Success and More

Aug 09 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

A growing body of research suggests that bacteria in the gut influence overall human health. While past research has indicated that trillions of bacteria thriving in the human digestive tract can affect everything from immune system function and nutrition to mood, two new studies have found that gut bacteria influence diet as well as reproductive success in fruit flies. These new findings may have important implications for humans.

How Gut Bacteria Influence Diet

The digestive tract of humans and most other animals contain trillions of microorganisms that are known to affect many physiological traits. Two new studies from the Macquarie University Department of Biological Sciences and the University of Sydney’s SOLES department examined the impact of gut bacteria in fruit flies.

The research, which was published in Current Biology, found that gut bacteria in the flies had an effect on their foraging habits and ultimately their reproductive success. The research also indicated that this influence could be passed down to the next generation of fruit flies.

The teams found that fruit flies do not simply forage for nutrients that will balance their diet; they also forage for bacteria to encourage healthy cultures in their digestive tract. The fruit flies showed a strong preference for smells associated with beneficial forms of bacteria in food with less preference shown for foods lacking these types of bacteria.

Gut Bacteria Also Influences Reproductive Success

A separate study, conducted by the same team of researchers, examined the reproductive success of fruit flies based on changes in gut bacteria. Researchers began by inoculating fruit flies with different species of microbes to examine how the changes in gut bacteria influenced the sexual interaction of the flies.

This study, published in Biology Letters, found that the investment the flies make in reproduction and their ultimate success, along with offspring body mass, was influenced by bacteria in the gut.

Gut Bacteria Can Trick Flies Into Reproduction

These are not the only studies published this year on fruit flies and gut bacteria. Another study, published in PLOS Biology, demonstrated how the bacteria influence the flies’ nutritional decisions. Researchers divided the flies into three groups. One was fed a solution with all necessary amino acids and the second group received a mix of amino acids necessary to make protein but without the amino acids to synthesize it. With the third group, researchers removed amino acids one by one to analyze which could be detected by the bacteria.

After three days, flies in all groups received a buffet with their typical solution or the option of a protein-rich yeast. The flies in the groups without amino acids got a strong craving for the yeast to make up for the nutrients. When five types of bacteria were introduced, the flies lost the desire to eat protein. The team also found that the amino acid levels in the flies were not replenishing, which indicates the bacteria were not replacing nutrients in the flies’ diet by producing the amino acids but instead turning them into new chemicals. The researchers believe the bacteria was producing chemicals that may tell the host fly it could continue without amino acids. This would trick the flies into continuing reproduction, even though the deficiency would impact cell growth.

This study found that Acetobacter and Lactobacillus bacteria were the most effective at influencing the flies’ appetites. Increasing the levels of both bacteria could essentially suppress a fly’s appetite for protein and encourage sugar consumption, restoring reproductive function when it would normally be hampered by the nutritional deficiency.

Previous research has also shown that fruit flies prefer mating with partners who have a similar gut bacteria composition rather than flies whose gut bacteria is too different from their own.

Maintaining a Healthy Balance of Gut Bacteria

In humans and other animals, microorganisms in the gut and on the body—collectively called the microbiome—play a role in many physiological traits and behaviors. The immune system, gastrointestinal system and stress have all been found to interact. For example, psychological stress causes a near-immediate change in the population of gut bacteria, and some of the bacteria influence the effect of stress on the immune system.

Stress, through its effect on gut bacteria, and the immune system can also alter brain function. In some people, gut bacteria can play a role in anxiety, stress, depression and memory. Researchers have even found that to communicate, gut microbes can produce many of the same neurochemicals that relay information in the human brain. Among these neurochemicals are dopamine, serotonin and GABA, all of which are used by human neurons to regulate mood.

All of this research indicates that it may be more important than anyone really understands to maintain a healthy balance of gut flora. There are several ways to do this, including eating a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, fruit and beans, eating fermented foods like yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut, supplementing with a high-quality probiotic formula and cutting back on artificial sweetener, which may negatively affect gut bacteria.