Digestive Health

Artificial Sweeteners Toxic to Gut Bacteria, Harm Digestive Health

In recent years, continued discoveries relating to the importance of the gut microbiome have brought to light the extent to which we rely on the bacteria thriving in our body to determine how we fight off disease. The bacteria in the large intestine are responsible for influencing genetic responses to a number of external factors.

We actually have more microbes in our body than natural human cells. In turn, viruses outnumber the bacteria in our body by as much, helping to complete an entire community of viruses, bacterium and cells that nature intends to work in unison. When there is a healthy balance between harmful bacteria and “friendly” bacteria, we enjoy better digestive, immune and even mental health. New research suggests artificial sweeteners toxic to gut bacteria, leaving millions of people open to illness.

Why is the Gut Microbiome So Important?

Each person’s gut microbiome is different, depending upon the bacteria and viruses to which we have been exposed. Some of this exposure occurs in the womb, but our gut microbiome is also influenced by our diets and environmental factors. While the bacteria in each person’s body is different, it is important that every gut microbiome maintain a balance of good and bad microbes. Recent research has found that an imbalance can expose us to disease and can even weaken the immune system.

It has also been found that each strand of bacteria performs a specific function. For instance, some bacterial strands have been linked to an increased risk of obesity, while other strands have been found to affect the likelihood of developing autism. When an imbalance of the gut microbiome does occur, it produces an inflammatory response in the large intestine. From there, messages are sent to the brain, which then relays messages to the central nervous system and the rest of the body.

This interaction between microbes and human cells is why it’s so important to eat a healthy, varied diet. While you do need the vitamins and nutrients that are found in natural, healthy foods, you also need the bacteria that thrive in a diverse sampling of foods. The more diverse your diet, the more diverse your gut microbiome will become. A wide variety of bacteria will help your body strengthen its immunity against a variety of illnesses.

Artificial Sweeteners Toxic to Gut Bacteria, Says New Research

A recent study, which was conducted at the Weizmann Institute of Science, looked at the effects of non-caloric artificial sweeteners (NAS) on the gut microbiome. The project involved testing mice by providing them with drinking water that was infused with high doses of artificial sweeteners. For the study, sucralose, saccharin and aspartame were used. After an 11-week trial period, the mice fed a supply of NAS-infused water experienced elevated levels of glucose intolerance. Mice in control groups, which were either fed plain water or water infused with sucrose or glucose, did not experience the same increase in glucose intolerance. The intolerance in the test mice was observed as early as eight weeks into the trial, but ultimately peaked at the 11-week point.

When compared with the gut microbiomes of healthy mice, the gut microbiomes of mice fed artificial sweeteners exhibited significant changes. One observation made during the study was that the pathways observed to be common in cases of obesity and diabetes were stronger in mice who had been subjected to NAS-infused water. Among the artificial sweeteners toxic to gut bacteria, the researchers found that saccharin was especially destructive to the gut microbiome. This NAS in particular increased glucose intolerance, while also affecting the gut bacteria known to promote obesity. With continued consumption, saccharin was found to alter certain strains of Clostridiales bacteria. These bacterial strains have been previously linked to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

To verify these findings, the research team used mice that were specially bred to be devoid of gut microbes. The test mice in this new group had fecal bacteria transplanted into them from mice who were fed the saccharin-infused water. In addition to developing a heightened intolerance to glucose, the test mice also developed similar bacterial changes as those of the donor mice.

Additionally, healthy gut microbiomes were transplanted from donor mice to mice who had been fed saccharin. Upon testing the mice, the researchers found that the presence of saccharin did alter the healthy gut microbiome. This confirmed that saccharin was responsible for the changes to the gut microbiomes in the other test mice. The test mice were also found to have developed glucose intolerance after receiving the transplanted gut microbiome.

Sports Drinks May Be Hazardous to Your Gut Microbiome

In another study, researchers looked at how non-caloric artificial sweeteners would affect human subjects when consumed via sports drinks. E. coli bacteria was modified to become luminescent upon interacting with toxins. This helped the researchers determine the level of toxicity in the gut microbiome. As a result, the E. coli bacteria were able to make it evident that exposure to a NAS resulted in increased toxicity in the gut microbiome.

The study indicated that artificial sweeteners can alter the bacterial balance in the large intestines, which weakens the immune system. Altered bacteria in the body also increases the chances of developing a number of medical conditions. Heart disease, autism, obesity, diabetes and many other serious medical conditions have been linked to the health of the gut microbiome.

As a whole, this research suggests a healthy diet is even more important than previously believed. To increase the health of the gut microbiome, try adding more colorful plant-based foods to your diet. Switching to whole grains and eliminating processed meats is also important. Eating naturally fermented foods and taking a probiotic supplement can also help you boost the diversity of your gut microbiome. This research also suggests replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners may not be the harmless solution most people have believed for the past two decades.

Gut Bacteria and Autism: Could Supporting a Healthy Gut Microbiome Help?

Jun 12 by Ewcopywriting

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects one’s ability to communicate effectively and/or interact with others. Symptoms of ASD typically appear in childhood and may vary in severity from person to person, thus it is often considered a “spectrum” disorder. A new study has uncovered a link between gut bacteria and autism, suggesting that taking a probiotic supplement could possibly help autistic children.

A Deeper Look at Autism

Autism affects one out of every 59 children born in the United States, and is more common in boys than in girls. A look at past statistics shows that incidences of autism have nearly doubled over the past 14 years. If your child has autism, you already know that the condition affects their ability to interact with others. It can be hard to identify in some children, because it can affect each person differently. Autism may not be curable as of yet, but it can be treated. To obtain the best results from treatment, it’s important to begin as soon as possible. This means being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of autism, such as:

difficulty with language learning
inability to engage in conversation
inability to maintain eye contact
poor executive functioning (reasoning, planning, etc.)
limited interests
inhibited motor skills

In addition to these symptoms, you may also notice that your child is unable to engage in make-believe play, or that they seem uninterested in developing friendships. If these symptoms sound familiar, you may want to seek a doctor’s evaluation of your child’s condition. Starting treatment sooner will help them cope better as they grow into adolescence and adulthood.

A Healthy Gut Microbiome Plays an Important Role

Your body is host to trillions of microorganisms, which are more commonly called microbes. These are bacteria, fungi and viruses that live in and on your body all of the time. A large number of these microbes make a home in your large intestine, forming a community that scientists call the gut microbiome. This community of microbes is vast and diverse, consisting of more than one thousand different types of bacteria. While certain bacteria is good for you and some is harmful, they all work together when your gut microbiome is in balance.

The gut microbiome has been found to play a role in various aspects of our health, which is why it’s now considered to be a body organ of its own. It’s unclear exactly when we’re first exposed to the microbes that form a healthy gut microbiome. Some say we’re not exposed until we pass through our mother’s birth canal, while other research suggests the fetus is exposed to microbes in the womb. In either case, your gut microbiome becomes more diverse as you grow and eat a broader range of foods. The gut microbiome can affect health in a variety of important ways.

Weight Management

The gut microbiome functions best when there’s a proper balance of healthy and unhealthy bacteria in the system. An imbalance with a higher number of unhealthy bacteria results in a condition known as gut dysbiosis, which promotes weight gain.

Gut Health

Overall gut health can also be affected by gut dysbiosis. Those with an imbalance of gut bacteria are more likely to experience bloating, cramps and abdominal pain. People with inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome may have developed gut dysbiosis first.

Heart Health

A higher concentration of unhealthy bacteria have been found to result in the production of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). In studies, this compound was found to increase the risks of heart attacks or stroke by causing blockages in the arteries. A probiotic supplement that contains Lactobacilli may counteract the effects of TMAO.

Exploring the Link Between Gut Bacteria and Autism

New research has found a link between gut bacteria and autism. The findings were the result of a research project intending to see if the common gastrointestinal problems experienced by most autistic children could be treated. Researchers at Arizona State University hoped to alleviate gastrointestinal problems experienced by children with autism through microbiota transfer therapy (MTT). They outlined a secondary goal, which was to show that the therapy would also affect other markers for autism.

MTT involves administering the frozen fecal matter from healthy adults to those receiving the treatment. Once delivered rectally or orally, the healthy bacteria from the sample should interact with the gut microbiome. As a result, a healthier balance of microbes can be restored in the recipient. In 2017, James Adams and Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown published results from their own study, which found that the restorative effects of MTT did help alleviate the symptoms of autism, including gastrointestinal issues. The new study examined the gut health of the same 18 children used in the initial study.

In the first study, it was found that the children had a more diverse gut microbiome, which helped resolve gastrointestinal and behavioral problems associated with autism. The new study found that the children who received the MTT treatments had an even more diverse gut microbiome two years afterwards. Observing that the children had a better balance of healthy bacteria, the researchers noted that there was a larger amount of Bifidobacteria and Prevotella in the gut microbiome. These two strands of good bacteria are vital to a healthy microbiome, yet autistic children do not possess them in their gut microbiomes. The MTT treatments seemed to restore these important bacteria strands.

All in all, researchers noted a 58 percent decrease in the gastrointestinal problems experienced by the autistic children. Their behavioral symptoms were also affected. Language skills, social interaction and behavior were improved by up to 45 percent when compared to the children’s symptoms at the start of the study.

Even though the research is inspiring, it is only one step in the right direction. Before we can started treating autism by altering the levels of various compounds in the body, more research must be conducted. The study does add support to other findings that supporting a healthy and diverse gut microbiome is essential in reducing the symptoms of autism in children.

Can Diversity in Gut Bacteria Promote Healthy Aging?

Jun 06 by Ewcopywriting

It’s common knowledge that our bodies are comprised of cells, however most people are unaware that we also rely heavily on the presence of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microbes. In fact, these microbes are just as common as human cells. Each person’s body is comprised of up to 40 trillion human cells and up to 38 trillion microbial cells. The vast majority of those microbial cells thrive in the large intestine, where they form a community called the gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome functions in tandem with the immune system, helping to strengthen it against the infections and illnesses people experience. As experiments with mice have shown, an absence of a gut microbiome inhibits the immune system’s ability to function. This is because the microbes in the gut microbiome help the body process vitamins, minerals and other nutrients necessary for good health. In addition to aiding in the digestive process, the gut microbiome, which is considered a hidden organ, helps many other biological functions. According to a new study, gut bacteria promote healthy aging; a discover that makes it even more important to maintain a healthy and diverse gut microbiome.

How Does Your Gut Microbiome Keep You Healthy?

In general terms, the more diverse your gut microbiome, the better your health. Research has found that infants with a limited gut microbiome are more likely to develop allergies to peanuts and dairy products. As we expose ourselves to new microbes through a diverse diet and new environments, our gut microbiomes will grow accordingly. Here are just a few benefits of a diverse gut microbiome:

Weight Gain

Obesity is becoming more and more common, but research conducted at Cornell University in New York and King’s College in London, England has revealed that a specific type of bacteria may affect weight management. Christensenellaceae minuta was commonly found among mice with low body weights. By introducing the bacteria to overweight mice, researchers found that the bacteria may also promote weight loss. Researchers suspect this is just one type of bacteria responsible for helping people maintain ideal body mass.

Cancer

While there are many types of bacteria in the gut microbiome that are helpful, there are also harmful types of bacteria present. For instance, a 2013 study linked Helicobacter pylori to stomach cancer. It may also be responsible for causing duodenal ulcers. It’s suspected that a grouping of different types of bacteria work together to cause colorectal cancer. Some gut bacteria is beneficial in helping the body process cancer treatments, so the news isn’t all bad. Studies of cancer patients revealed chemotherapy and other types of cancer treatments worked more efficiently in people with a more diverse gut microbiome.

Mental Health

The gut microbiome is also responsible for producing neurochemicals, which are sent to the brain for use in regulating cognitive and emotional functioning. In particular, almost all of the serotonin that the brain uses is processed in the gut microbiome. In this way, functions like memory, learning and mood all rely on the gut microbiome.

Autism

Research into gut bacteria and autism found a surprising link. Children diagnosed with autism exhibited lower levels of Coprococcus, Veillonellaceae and Prevotella than those children without autism. This suggests a less diverse gut microbiome may play a part in determining whether or not a child develops autism.

New Studies Suggest Gut Bacteria Promote Healthy Aging

As we get older, our gut microbiomes go through changes just like other aspects of our health. As a result, the gut immune response becomes inhibited, opening the door to a variety of gastrointestinal illnesses. However, a study at the Babraham Institute in the United Kingdom has provided new hope that the gut microbiome could possibly be restored to full functionality.

In this study, the research team found that they could boost the diversity and strength of the gut microbiome in older mice by feeding them the fecal matter of younger mice. The experiment produced findings that suggested revitalizing the gut microbiome in this manner could boost metabolism, cognitive function and gut immune responses. Finding that gut bacteria promote healthy aging has given the researchers hope that the research could lead to a treatment for alleviating age-related conditions.

As people age, their immune system reaches its weakest point since birth. This is the result of a combination of factors. In addition to changes in one’s diet, exposure to medications and antibiotics cause alterations in the gut microbiome. By weakening the microbiome, the gut immune response is also inhibited. These findings raise the question of whether or not the process can be reversed.

A study at Queen Mary University of London looked at how the Caenorhabditis elegans worm reacted to this process. The lifespan, stress, fertility and growth of the worm was examined as it was exposed to 4,000 bacterial genes. They found that they could affect the health of the worm by deleting or removing certain types of bacteria. For exampl, they found a reduced risk of tumor growth, while general immunity was enhanced.

The team also found that the worms were helped by administering a diabetes drug called metformin. Previously, the drug has been found helpful in reducing the risks of cancer, but it is now suspected to alleviate age-related conditions. Results of administering the drug to the worms suggested that the degeneration of the gut microbiome could be reversed. In this way, gut immunity could also be improved.

Probiotics Encourage a Diverse Gut Microbiome

Probiotic supplements may hold the key to benefiting from a fully diverse gut microbiome. Lactobacillus reuteri was administered to mice in a recent study and, as a result, symptoms of autism were greatly alleviated. Additionally, signs of depression and anxiety were similarly helped in the mice that were administered the bacteria. Lactobacillus is the best known series of probiotics and is widely available in high-quality probiotic supplements.

There are many more types of probiotics that can help improve the health of the gut microbiome and strengthen overall immunity. For instance, Prevotella histicola was found to alleviate some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Other probiotics protect against type 2 diabetes, eczema and many other medical conditions. By combining a probiotic supplement with a diverse and healthy diet, it may be possible to maximize the strength and benefits of your own gut microbiome.

New Research Confirms Probiotics Protect the Liver

May 10 by Ewcopywriting

You may be aware that your body is exposed to bacteria every time you eat something, but what you may not know is that your digestive system relies on some of that bacteria to function. The “good” bacteria that you ingest helps to form the gut microbiome in your gastrointestinal tract. This system relies on a continued supply of bacteria, particularly bacteria that’s similar to the microbes already thriving in your system. Bacteria that resemble the bacteria already present in your body is more commonly known as probiotics. In addition to helping the digestive system function more efficiently, new evidence suggests probiotics protect the liver.

Why It’s Important to Get Probiotics in Your Diet

Unfortunately, most of the bacteria we ingest is harmful to us. Additionally, poor diets, which rely on foods high in sugar and trans-fats, encourage the growth of harmful bacteria into the digestive system. This is why it’s important to be more conscious of what you eat, and to try to eat foods that are naturally high in probiotics. Foods like kimchi, cheese, yogurt, sauerkraut and other fermented foods are excellent sources of probiotics.

What can probiotics do for you? Their primary function is to improve the balance of bacteria in the gut microbiome. Since probiotics are good bacteria, ingesting foods rich in these microorganisms will help ensure you have enough good bacteria to balance the bad. Maintaining this balance is helpful in preventing or minimizing diarrhea, especially when it has been caused by taking antibiotic medications. In fact, a recent study found that diarrhea linked to antibiotics was reduced by 42 percent, while diarrhea instigated by other infections was decreased by 25 hours when exposed to probiotics.

There’s also evidence that probiotics can improve certain types of mental illness. Depressive episodes, anxiety, autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder have all been improved through the regular consumption of probiotics. In some cases, memory has also been improved, suggesting probiotics may help to boost cognitive functioning. Additionally, heart health, skin allergies, immunity and obesity have all benefited with regular exposure to probiotics.

New Study Finds Probiotics Protect the Liver

A newer study has found that probiotics are also beneficial to liver health. The recent study involved administering the common probiotic LGG, or lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, to mice over a two-week period. After the level of LGG had been built up in the rodents, they were given heavy doses of acetaminophen, which has been shown to cause liver damage. The drug can also cause death by boosting levels of free radicals in the body, resulting in high levels of oxidative stress.

However, the researchers found that in the mice, the probiotics helped protect liver functioning. While the mice in the control group, which did not receive doses of probiotics, did suffer liver damage, the mice in the test group were not as seriously affected. The probiotics seemed to help protect their livers so that the acetaminophen affected their livers to a lesser degree. According to the study’s authors, the probiotics provided the liver with the antioxidants necessary to fight off the oxidative stress.

This is an important finding, because the liver is responsible for removing toxins from the blood, while also turning food into energy for cell functioning. By protecting the liver against the damage caused by certain medications, probiotics ensure that the entire gastrointestinal system stays healthy. Additionally, the probiotic LGG has been found to protect against liver damage caused by alcohol consumption. This particular probiotic can also guard against the development of fatty liver disease which is not caused by alcohol consumption. Findings that confirm probiotics protect the liver suggest that a healthy gut microbiome benefits other parts of the body — not just the gastrointestinal tract.

What Can You Do to Build a Strong Gut Microbiome?

This new research suggests that your overall health can be protected, or improved, by enhancing your gut microbiome. This can be done with just a few dietary changes that may even enhance your eating experience.

Eat a More Diverse Diet

The typical diet in the Western world is very limited, relying on foods derived from just a few sources. However, eating a broader range of foods, which includes more fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, will introduce a broader range of bacteria into your gut microbiome. The more bacteria you introduce into your system, the stronger your gut microbiome will become.

Avoid Artificial Sweeteners

Often, people turn to artificial sweeteners, including Aspartame, as a means of controlling their blood sugar levels. However, recent studies have found that artificial sweeteners may be just as bad for you in this regard as regular sugar. While they may help limit weight gain, artificial sweeteners still cause a spike in blood glucose levels and also inhibits insulin production.

Eat Prebiotic Foods

Prebiotic foods are foods that encourage the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut after they have been consumed. These are foods that are harder to digest, including fiber and complex carbohydrates. Resistant starches, fruits and vegetables and whole grains all contain prebiotics. By consuming foods rich in prebiotics, you can reduce the risks of developing diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

Considering the vast benefits that probiotics supply, many people are also turning to supplements. In addition to making these dietary changes, taking a high-quality probiotic supplement can help you enhance the health of your gut microbiome. As recent research suggests, this will help you experience better digestive health, boost liver health and strengthen protection to systems throughout your body.

Can Chili Pepper Compound Capsaicin Curb Cancer?

Apr 17 by Ewcopywriting

Capsaicin is the compound in chili peppers that give them their spicy kick, but ongoing research has found that it does even more than that. A new study confirms capsaicin slows cancer, backing up previous research indicating that this spicy compound may hold the key to more successful treatments. Specifically, researchers found that the compound has a powerful effect on adenocarcinoma, which is a condition that’s responsible for approximately 40 percent of all lung cancer cases. Previous studies have examined the powerful health benefits that capsaicin provides, but the latest research is the most promising.

When cancer develops, its ability to spread to various parts of the body (a process called metastasis) is what makes it so deadly and so difficult to cure. This is also one of the reasons it has been so challenging to come up with effective treatments. Thus, much cancer research centers on finding methods to negatively influence metastasis.

In a recent study out of Marshall University in West Virginia, it was found that the anti-metastasizing properties in capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, worked to hinder the spread of cancer cells in earlier stages of the disease, before healthy cells were affected. These findings suggest that early diagnosis would be vital to the successful use of medications derived from capsaicin.

New Research Finds That Capsaicin Slows Cancer

The reason capsaicin has gained the attention of researchers in the United States is that there are lower instances of cancer in countries where spicy dishes are more common. Thailand and India in particular have lower numbers of lung cancer cases. Seeking to understand if there was a link between spicy foods and cancer, researchers began investigating and found that capsaicin seemed to be the common factor.

Working with mice, researchers in the study discovered that mice who were fed capsaicin manifested a lower number of metastasized cells than mice who were not fed the compound. It’s believed the compound works by preventing the activation of Src, which is a protein that helps cancer cells metastasize. The researchers involved in the latest study also found that capsaicin helps by making the lungs more sensitive to chemotherapy.

The next step for lead researcher Dr. Friedman and the rest of the team is to find a way to make capsaicin more palatable. They hope to dull the spicy sensation of the compound without diminishing its cancer-fighting properties. In its natural state, capsaicin can cause some extreme side effects, especially for those unaccustomed to spicy foods. Some side effects include burning diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea and vomiting, extremely teary eyes and reddening of the skin.

While capsaicin may not be a cure for cancer, it may be useful in helping to prevent the spread of the disease. In this way, capsaicin-based medication may become part of a broader treatment regimen, especially in treating lung cancer. However, Dr. Friedman cautions there’s still more research needed to determine if capsaicin can really serve as a beneficial treatment option.

What Else Can Capsaicin Do for Your Body?

As previously mentioned, this isn’t the first study to focus on the health benefits of capsaicin. There has been previous research on the chili pepper compound that has found it helps the body in a number of ways. Below are just a few examples of the benefits that this natural compound provides.

Pain Relief

We experience pain because our nerves carry pain messages to the brain. This process is aided by the release of a chemical called substance P. It has been found that capsaicin helps exhaust the supply of substance P, making it more difficult for your nerves to carry those pain messages back to the brain. To prove this effect, researchers administered 2.5 grams of capsaicin to heartburn sufferers on a daily basis. Initially, the heartburn pain worsened, but it improved significantly after the first few days.

Weight Loss

In another study, subjects were given 10 grams of red pepper with their meal. Following the meal, the subjects’ energy levels were monitored. Researchers found that those who consumed the red pepper exhibited a hike in energy expenditure. As a result, the study’s authors concluded that consuming capsaicin on a regular basis could help burn up to an extra 50 calories each day.

Hypertension

If you have high blood pressure, eating more chili peppers may help. Research has found that eating foods rich in capsaicin helps maintain blood pressure levels already within healthy ranges. It’s believed that the compound activates TRPV1, which is a receptor responsible for reducing vascular tension and maintaining healthier blood pressure levels.

Digestive Health

There are a few ways capsaicin helps boost your digestive health. It helps by buffering the digestive tract during gastric secretion and prevents the damage caused by alcoholic beverages. Additionally, it may help heal gastric ulcers, since capsaicin does inhibit the secretion of acids in the digestive tract.

Research continues to uncover more health benefits provided by capsaicin. This is good news for those of us who love our spicy foods. For the rest of us, it may not be long before we see mild capsaicin supplements available in concentrated capsule form. In addition to helping to promote cellular health, capsaicin could have a bright future in helping to alleviate a number of other health concerns.

New Gut Bacteria Research Finds Link Between Gut Health, Stroke and Cancer

Apr 04 by Ewcopywriting

The gut microbiome is filled with bacteria and other microbes that assist in the digestion of the foods we eat. While there are some bacteria that are harmful to us, many of the bacteria in our digestive tract are beneficial, helping to withdraw nutrients and vitamins from our foods through the digestion process. In addition, these bacteria help to boost immune function and can even influence other aspects of our health.

In a study that was released in 2014, researchers revealed that each person’s DNA actually influences what kinds of bacteria are able thrive within his or her microbiome. Furthermore, for each individual, the population of bacteria in the gut is different, a fact which scientists now believe may play a role in determining which people are likely to become obese or overweight. Other recent studies have found that the health and diversity of the gut microbiome may even influence how the immune system fights cancer or stroke.

The Changing Microbiome

The process of populating the microbiome begins with the development of the fetus. As the fetus develops, the digestive tract is exposed to the microorganisms from the mother’s gut microbiome, as well as bacteria from the immediate environment. This mixture of microorganisms comes together to form a unique microbiome in the infant’s digestive tract. Even after birth, the baby’s microbiome is still developing. This is why there’s more bacteria in the digestive tract of a breast-fed baby than in the digestive tract of a formula-fed infant.

Even throughout adulthood, we believe the gut microbiome continues to change or evolve in accordance with changing diets, environmental influences and lifestyle choices. This is good news, because it suggests that we can consciously alter our gut microbiome through changes in lifestyle habits and diets. Why would we want to alter the bacteria in our guts? The reasoning lies in recognizing that, when it comes to overall health, certain bacteria affect specific risk factors. For instance, we know that the bacteria called Christensenellaceae minuta is more often found in the guts of people with low body weight. Similarly, a deficiency of Prevotella, Veillonellaceae and Coprococcus is common in children with autism. If we can learn more about the bacteria in our microbiome and how they affect overall health, it may be possible to manipulate the gut microbiome to live healthier lives.

Gut Bacteria Research Finds a Link to Stroke

A stroke is a common occurrence in modern times, and the Center for Disease Control estimates that a stroke affects someone in the U.S. every 40 seconds. This is a particularly unsettling statistic, when you stop to consider how severely a stroke affects the human body. While a stroke is considered to be a cardiovascular event, it primarily affects the brain by cutting off the flow of oxygen-rich blood. This means the brain isn’t getting the oxygen it needs to feed cells, causing cell die-off.

In addition to the potential for brain damage, new gut bacteria research indicates that the population of bacteria in the digestive tract may also be affected by stroke. Working with rodents, test subjects were divided into two groups. The first group of mice were subjected to ischemic strokes, while the second group consisted of healthy mice. The researchers evaluated the health of the mice in each group at regular intervals.

The research team found that, unlike the healthy group of mice, the group of mice subjected to strokes had elevated levels of a specific bacteria called Bifidobacteriaceae. The presence of Bifidobacteriaceae was found at 14-day and 28-day intervals, suggesting the increase in these bacteria was a long-lasting result of the stroke. Bifidobacteriaceae is a member of the Bifidobacterium family and is considered a healthy probiotic that enhances gut health. The presence of Bifidobacteriaceae may also precipitate better recovery in those who’ve suffered from a stroke.

The news wasn’t all good. The team also found heightened levels of bacteria belonging to the Helicobacteraceae family; a group of bacteria which have been linked to poorer health outcomes. Additionally, the mice that had suffered from strokes exhibited a significantly higher Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio. This type of imbalance has been linked to a greater risk of inflammation, obesity and diabetes. Finally, researchers noted changes in the intestinal tissue of the stroke subjects which could cause poorer absorption of nutrients, thus also hindering recovery.

The discovery of negative effects in the intestinal tract of subjects who had suffered from a stroke open the door to the possibility of encouraging recovery from stroke by manipulating bacteria in the gut. The research team hopes to continue their studies, focusing on a way to treat the symptoms of a stroke by focusing on the health of the gut microbiome.

Can a Healthy Gut Microbiome Help Fight Cancer?

In another study, which was conducted at the University of Chicago, researchers found that 11 strains of bacteria in the gut help slow the progression of tumors in the body. Using mice as test subjects, the team found that the UPR, or unfolded protein response, served as a link between the gut bacteria and the immune system’s tumor-fighting capabilities. Since UPR is responsible for keeping cells healthy and clean, its presence can indicate which patients are more likely to benefit from immunotherapy treatments.

The study used a test group of mice that lacked the RING finger protein 5 (RNF5), which helps cells identify improperly folded proteins. The mice in this group were more successful in fighting off melanoma, provided their immunity and gut bacteria was also healthy. The researchers also discovered that housing these mice with RNF5-rich mice inhibited their ability to fight off the tumors.

In another phase of the experiment, the 11 strains of bacteria were transplanted into mice that had been previously free of the bacteria. Once transplanted, the new strains turned on the tumor-fighting capabilities of the immune systems in these mice. This suggests that the 11 strains of bacteria identified in the study may boost the immune system’s cancer fighting capabilities.

The team concluded the study by suggesting that UPR may be useful as a biomarker in determining which individuals are more likely to benefit from immunotherapy. Additionally, there’s hope that further research will help uncover the anti-tumor molecules produced by those 11 strains of bacteria. In the future, the research may lead to more effective customized cancer treatments.