More than two billion people across the globe — primarily pregnant women and young children in developing countries—are deficient in iron, an essential trace mineral. Deficiency can lead to anemia, resulting in the failure to sustain suitable tissue oxygenation and body homeostasis. According to research, the gut microbiota (GM) influences both the absorption and metabolism […]
Microbiome Environment
Probiotics and Epigenetic Influence on T2DM
Parents’ lifestyle habits such as consuming a high-fat diet can adversely alter their offspring’s metabolism. Unhealthy eating—and numerous other environmental elements— can induce negative changes through altered gene expression in what is called epigenetics. Much research has focused on epigenetic modifications in major processes, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In light of the soaring global […]
COVID-19 and the Microbiome: What Have We Learned?
As of early March 2023, the global health impact of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has been devastating, resulting in a reported 6,866,434 deaths worldwide. Over the past three years, researchers have found strong evidence of the involvement of the gut and lung microbiomes in the development and progression of COVID-19 in […]
Targeting Gut Microbes in Type 2 Diabetes Shows Promise
The worldwide diabetic crisis is becoming more severe, affecting over 537 million adults, which is nearly 10% of the adult population globally. Most diabetics were not born with faulty blood sugar control. Nearly 95% have Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), a complex condition that develops gradually and has various underlying causes. In recent years, the gut microbiome […]
Probiotic Short Chain Fatty Acid Production and Colon Cancer
The colon microbiota is an important player in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), which caused 935,000 deaths in 2020 (the second most deadly cancer worldwide). During carcinogenesis, the colon microbiota composition changes from a normal profile to dysbiosis, interfering with the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have anti-cancer effects. In addition […]
Microbes for Mental Health
By Maile Combs, MS, and David Despain, MS Gut bacteria can influence how you think, feel, or handle stress. Scientists are now exploring how these microbes can affect mood and mental health. In any given year or at some point during their lifetime, nearly one in five U.S. adults and children are affected by mental […]