gut health – Naturally Inspiring

November 5, 2024

The Future of Microbes Could be In Hunter-Gatherer Tribes

Background:

The industrialization of the food industry has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. The average western consumer now consumes more ultra-processed food than ever before, shifting away from more seasonal and traditional diets. This change is being fueled by the advancement in marketing techniques, which shows over 50 percent of all food and beverage advertisements are processed foods (Zhang et al. 2022), and making ultra-processed food more readily available and appealing. However, this convenience comes at a cost: rising rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are at an all time high in Western populations (Rakhra et al. 2020).

The relationship between diet, health, and our microbiome is becoming increasingly clear as more studies are conducted. Diets that are high in unhealthy fats and sugars lead the gut microbial population to decrease (Townsend et al. 2018), which can reduce the overall health of the host. An unhealthy microbiome could lead to inflammation, obesity, diabetes, and even cancer (Zhang et al. 2015). However, most of the research and understanding of the gut microbiomes focuses on western industrialized populations. This leaves significant gaps of knowledge for those populations who are in non industrialized regions, and possibly leaves a wealth of microbes undiscovered.

November 4, 2024December 2, 2024

New study shows probiotics may help treat colon cancer

SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/GETTY IMAGES

Background

Recently there has been a trend in increasing health and a significant portion of this has been tied to gut health. When it comes to gut health the gut microbiome is typically one of the first topics brought up; along with this comes the topic of maintaining and improving the bacteria in our gut. This is done in two fashions: diets and supplements. Within supplements, the ever more popular probiotics play an extremely important role in our gut health. Not only are probiotics beneficial in aiding digestion and other dietary benefits, but a recent study has shown that they may even suppress the formation of tumors, reduce colon inflammation, and cause the death of tumor cells related to colorectal cancer (CRC) (Zhou et al, 2024).

Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly cancer worldwide and it is occurring at an increasing rate, therefore it is of great importance that we continue to research the disease and find treatment options that may increase the outcomes for patients diagnosed with the disease (Patel et al, 2022). It is known that CRC patients may have altered gut microbiomes and that it may play a role in some of the symptoms of the disease as well as its progression (Cheng et al, 2020)(Yu et al, 2023). It’s also known that some probiotics can help restore a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut but can also reduce some of the harmful molecules that are produced by CRC (Amara et al, 2015)(Bender et al , 2023).

November 4, 2024

Heart Health in Your Gut: How the Microbiome Affects Cardiovascular Disease

When we think about heart health, the gut probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, new research is shedding light on how the trillions of microorganisms living in our digestive tract—collectively known as the gut microbiome—may play a surprising role in cardiovascular disease (Zhang, Y. et al., 2022).

Cardiovascular Disease: The World’s Deadliest Threat

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke and high blood pressure. These conditions are the leading cause of death worldwide, with heart attack and stroke being responsible for 85% of these deaths (World Health Organization, 2021). While many factors contribute to CVD, including diet, lifestyle, and genetics, scientists are discovering that the composition of our gut microbiome might also be a key player (Zhang, Y. et al., 2022).

October 23, 2020

Make More Friends: It’s Good For Your Gut

It is currently estimated that the number of bacterial cells in our body roughly matches or exceeds the number of human cells, with the majority of these bacteria residing in the gut (Sender, et. al 2016). You may be familiar with literature identifying a “gut-brain” axis, i.e. a relationship between mental health and the composition of our microbiota. Studies have shown correlations between bacterial community makeup and disorders such as autism, depression and schizophrenia (Foster & Neufield 2013), (Dickerson, et. al 2017). Bacterial disbalance has also been correlated with diseases such as diabetes and obesity (Hartstra, et. al. 2014). A common factor between these disorders is that they are generally associated with lower microbial diversity. While there is a growing body of literature supporting the relationships between disease and dysbiosis, a perturbation of the microbial community, little research has explored the relationships between personality and patterns in variation of the healthy microbiome.

Enter Dr. Katrina Johnson of Oxford, who is especially interested in understanding how microbiota help to create the spectrum of human personality in the general population. To measure variation in personality, Johnson uses the “The Big Five” inventory which measures variation in personality using the following measures: Continue reading “Make More Friends: It’s Good For Your Gut”