gut microbe – Naturally Inspiring

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).

November 4, 2024

What do mamas’ genes have to do with a babies’ guts?

A little bit about Human Milk and its benefits

For as long as we can remember, breastfeeding has been the ideal way to get all the nutrients to an infant (CDC, 2024). Across the world this has been the most natural way of feeding an infant; today there have been alternatives provided to help substitute breast milk. Having these options help mothers that are not able to breastfeed or would like to substitute.In the studies done by Gomes-Gallego et al and Jost et al, focused on the benefits that breastfeeding brings to a mother as well as the infant(Gomez-Gallego et al., 2016)(Jost et al., 2014). The long term benefits can be a bit difficult to determine past the infant stage. Various studies have focused on the gut microbiome, which is a bunch of microorganisms (bacteria) that are found in your body, that is seen in the maternal milks and how that impacts the infant’s gut microbiome (Gomez-Gallego et al, 2016).

Researchers Babakobi et al., were able to find a link between the changes in the mother’s milk composition and how that change can impact the bacteria that is seen in the infants gut (Babakobi et al., 2020). Researchers focused on human milk oligosaccharides (HMO), a complex sugar that has beneficial effects on the development of a healthy microbiome for an infant. They found that the amount of proteins and lactose sugars that are essential for the composition of human milk can vary between women but is essential for the establishment of a healthy and mature gut (Pace et al., 2021)(Ballard & Marrow, 2013) . The composition of human milk is essential for the proper gut maturation and metabolic function as well as providing immune system development of infants. Human milk is made of fats, proteins, sugars and immune components, but what role do mothers’ genetics play in the composition of milk? Johnson et al., focuses on the relationship between maternal genotype, milk composition and infant health. Going into detail on how maternal genetics and gene expression of milk can lead to benefits in the development of the infant microbiome.

October 22, 2021October 26, 2021

Gutsy Irish Cricket Players Remarkably Transformed by Their Travels

Background:

International travel is part of modern life, your life. Whether that is visiting family in Europe, business trips to Asia, or a dream vacation to the tropics, these all have something in common. The microbes and germs in these places are different and not what your body is used to at home.

Your body is covered, inside and out, with little microbes that influence your health both mentally and physically (Beaumont et al. 2018. Hathaway et al. 2021). These symbionts (organisms that coexist and interact closely with another organism) are not the same for every person, especially at a global scale. Recent advancements in global sampling of microorganisms has shown that novel and unknown microbes are not only common in the cities of the world but often differ based on the climate, country, and various other environmental factors. Consequently, when a person travels to a new part of the globe, they are exposed to microbes that their bodies may never have seen before and contact with microbes like these can lead to some uncomfortable conditions (Danko et al. 2021).

November 1, 2018November 3, 2018

The Connection Between Our Personalities and Our Gut Microbes

Image provided by vrx/Shuttestock via Shape.

Background

Personality, according to the American Psychological Association, refers to “individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving’. In short, it’s what makes us us, what makes me different from you. It shapes how we process and understand our individual lives and all the nuances they bring, and in turn those experiences also shape our personality.

Though it may have seemed obvious, there have been recent findings that personality could play a larger role than we may have thought in determining an individual’s health. For example, Youyou et al found computer-based personality judgements could predict an individual’s physical health or even if they’re more prone to substance use (Youyou et al 2015). Continue reading “The Connection Between Our Personalities and Our Gut Microbes”