Tag: microbiome

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What’s in the Gut Microbiome of a Preemie?

Our gut microflora protects us from the dangers of the world around us, but who protects those that are born too soon? What is done for infants that don’t have time to develop a strong microbiome in defense of the diverse world of microbes? 

Preterm infant in an incubator in the neonatal ICU (image from Svendsen et al, 2018 via Copenhagen University Hospital)

Life in the NICU

Premature infants (those with a gestation period of <37 weeks) are often given broad-spectrum antibiotics (drugs that are effective against a wide range of bacteria) to prevent neonatal sepsis, a bacterial infection in the bloodstream of newborns that has high mortality rates due to their weak immune systems (Tripathi et al, 2011). These infants tend to spend the first few weeks of their lives living in the hospital, particularly the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Given that 10 percent of infants are born premature (World Health Organization) and the majority are prescribed one or more of these antibiotics, this is a significant amount of early-life antibiotic distribution. The use of antibiotics in children and infants is highly debated. More studies are emerging to highlight the consequences of antibiotic usage in infants, including fungal infections, intestinal tissue damage, late-onset sepsis (the very infection they’re trying to avoid), and antimicrobial resistance (Tripathi et al., 2011).

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When Healing Hurts: The Hidden Toll of Radiation on Skin Health

Background

As advancements in cancer treatments emerged, they brought along unavoidable side effects. Radiation therapy, now a cornerstone in oncology, comes with persistent impacts on the body, one of the most significant being radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) (Jaschke et al., 2017). This condition remains a common and challenging complication for both patients and clinicians.

The skin serves as a physical shield and a habitat for a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms, collectively known as the microbiota. These microbes play a critical role in maintaining skin health by supporting wound healing, regulating inflammation, and preventing infections. Any disruption to this microbial balance can have extensive consequences for recovery and immune response. 

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Is There an Association between Bacteria and Cancer?

Background

Pancreatic cancer is very deadly, with low survival rates, largely attributed to the fact that it does not present clearly with symptoms until it has reached a more serious stage (Kamisawa et al., 2016). In fact, out of the top 10 cancer-related deaths, pancreatic cancer is ranked number 7 (Khalaf et al., 2021). The pancreas is located near the liver, spleen, and gallbladder; within the abdomen (Fig. 1 Cleveland clinic diagram). It aids in digestion as well as the release of certain hormones. Pancreatic tumors can grow and obstruct the path of bile through the common duct, resulting in jaundice (Puckett, 2024), therefore not only interfering with the aforementioned pancreatic functions, but those of the organs around it. According to the Mayo Clinic, some common symptoms of pancreatic cancer include weight loss, jaundice, back pain, and blood clots.

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How Your Gut Microbiome Might be the Cause of Social Anxiety: New Insights from Science

By Aila Berrigan

Figure 1. Infographic about social anxiety. Graphic from zoelife, 2024.

Introduction: 

Ever wonder how much of an impact your gut microbiome really makes on everyday life? New research suggests your microbiome can affect your physical and emotional well being, including levels of social anxiety. “The gut microbiota shows compositional alterations in a variety of psychiatric disorders including depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia but studies investigating the gut microbiome in social anxiety disorder (SAD) are very limited” (Butler, 2023).Therefore researchers took it upon themselves to study the effects of our microbiome on social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder has become one of the most common psychiatric conditions with rates as high as 13% (Butler, 2023).  The current treatments for SAD are not always effective, “the use of psychosocial/psychotherapeutic approaches declines gradually from initiation of treatment over the course of 8 years” (Keller, 2003).  This has encouraged researchers to look at alternative treatments which ultimately led them to dive deeper into our gut-brain axis. “It is broadly recognized that the gut and brain are in constant bidirectional communication, of which gut microbiota and its metabolic production are a major component, and form the so-called gut microbiome–brain axis” (Sasso, 2023). With this information they hope to be able to predict and treat SAD through understanding the microbes at play.

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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).

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Fibromyalgia: a Mystery Disease?

What is Fibromyalgia and who does it affect? 

Could you imagine waking up every day with pain that never goes away? That is the reality many fibromyalgia sufferers experience in their everyday lives. Fibromyalgia is from the Latin word fiber (fiber) and the Greek words myo (muscle) and algos (pain). These root words offer a glimpse into what fibromyalgia is and how it causes suffering. It is a pain of the fibrous tissues and muscle in the human body. While anyone of any background regardless of race or ethnicity can get fibromyalgia, it typically affects women more than men (NIH, 2024). You are more likely to develop fibromyalgia as you age, and if a family member has fibromyalgia. There are cases of children and young adults having fibromyalgia, but it usually occurs in middle-aged women (Erdrich et al., 2023).

Around 2 to 4% of adults live with the challenges of fibromyalgia (Stewart, 2022). They wake up, feeling exhausted, struggling to get through daily tasks, and facing unpredictable flare-ups. This chronic condition, along with many other symptoms mentioned can affect your mental health,  sleep and cognitive issues like brain fog, chronic headaches, and memory impairment. In addition, It can also make you more at risk for depression and anxiety by more than 50% (Freirich et al., 2021). Figure 1(A) displays many of the possible or common symptoms that sufferers of fibromyalgia have. The National Institute of Health has a great page about fibromyalgia, including its symptoms, causes and an overview. 

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From Your Gut to Your Heart: The Surprising Role of Exercise in Cardiac Recovery

Background:

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining human health by interacting with host metabolism, immune function, and disease states. The diverse microbial communities within our gut not only contribute to digestion and nutrient absorption but also produce various metabolites (small molecules created when the body breaks down food and other substances) that influence overall health of the body. Who knew that a heart-healthy life might start with some gutsy friends in our microbiome? As exercise continues to grow in popularity as part of a healthy lifestyle, interest is also growing in understanding how it affects health beyond fitness. 

Recent studies have examined how exercise impacts the gut microbiome (Lambert et al., 2015; Motiani et al., 2020) as well as how these microbiome changes may influence cardiovascular health, showing that exercise can modify gut microbiota composition and potentially offer protective effects against cardiovascular conditions (Longoria et al., 2022; Zhou et al., 2022). Understanding the mechanisms behind these relationships could lead to new therapeutic approaches aimed at treating cardiovascular health complications.

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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).

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Could drinking this yogurt beverage daily decrease Polycystic Ovary Syndrome symptoms?

Background

5 to 6 million American women live with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). According to the endocrine society, PCOS affects 7–10% of women of childbearing age and is the most common cause of infertility (Solorzano et al., 2022).  PCOS is characterized by consistent inflammation, an irregular menstrual cycle, an excess production of male hormones, cysts formed on the ovaries (which cause pain in the uterine area), and dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is defined by an imbalance in bacterial makeup, changes in bacterial metabolic activities, or changes in distribution of bacteria within the gut. It is involved in the process by which many diseases develop or progress (“pathogenesis”). There are three types of dysbiosis according to a study in an Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) journal: 1) Loss of beneficial bacteria, 2) Overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria, and 3) Loss of overall number of species of bacteria (DeGruttola et al., 2016).  

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Is city life giving our kids Asthma? 

Have you ever wondered why so many people nowadays seem to suffer chronic illnesses and conditions? Have you ever heard a grandparent say “Back in my day, nobody had inhalers”? It would seem as though despite the medical advances we’ve made, we are only getting sicker. As you probably know, humans are full of bacteria and living organisms. Microbes are becoming a hot topic with lots of talk about how these organisms affect our overall health. The communities of bacteria that inhabit our bodies are known as the human microbiome. Now, you might be pondering about the connection between bacteria and chronic illnesses. Fear not, for in this post we will explore the fascinating world of the human microbiome.

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