Eat more fiber, dietitians advise. To be sure, health-conscious, disease-fearing humans love their beans, fruits, vegetables and whole grains — until the dreaded intestinal gas shows up in the end. Healthy plant-based diets are rich in fermentable residues. These components (resistant starches, pectins, cellulose and others) arrive in the colon after incomplete digestion and absorption […]
Microbiome Environment
Lacto…WHAT…cillus? What happened to my Lactobacillus probiotics?
On June 22, 2020, IPA will host a free webinar titled: Lacto…WHAT…cillus? What happened to my Lactobacillus probiotics? REGISTER NOW FOR THE FREE WEBINAR By 2019, there were over 255 species of the genus Lactobacillus that had been named for the same common property of lactic acid production from sugars. Today the nomenclature of the […]
Probiotics and Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Like its name, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is nasty: death of tissue in the bowel. Primarily affecting preterm infants born before 32 weeks’ gestation, NEC—though fairly rare— is a serious and sometimes fatal disorder. Though the causes of NEC are not completely understood, an abnormal gut microbiome is one important factor. Another one is the type […]
Probiotics: Part of the Skeleton Crew?
Bone fractures severely affect quality of life and mortality in aging populations. Fortunately, research on the impact of gut microbiota (GM) on bone metabolism identifies potential new targets to modify bone mineral density. Indeed, probiotics may one day be part of effective treatment. Brief review Our skeletons are not inert — far from it. Our […]
Probiotics May Improve Blood Lipid Profile
An abnormal blood lipid profile is one crucial target in the risk-reduction, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death worldwide. Hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, increased low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and reductions in the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) may respond well to medications, exercise and diet. Functional foods enriched with bioactive components such […]
Yogurt: Beyond Breakfast
Yogurt holds a special place at the breakfast table and even finds its way into the lunch box. By dinnertime, this fast and easy staple is usually consigned to the refrigerator. Time to change it up. Quick review Yogurt is produced by fermentation of milk (mostly cow’s milk but also from goat, ewe, camel and […]