Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) share more than a room. Researchers say “microbiome cross-talk” boosted bacterial diversity in the ICU, and everyone benefited. In one small community hospital, probiotics protected against diarrhea not only in the patients for whom they are prescribed, but in fellow patients resting nearby. Probiotics aren’t called “friendly bacteria” for […]
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Microbes and the Paleo Diet
The trendy Paleo diet is far from new. The diet is based on foods eaten during the Paleolithic era, dating from 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. A Paleo diet typically includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds — foods obtained through hunting and gathering. It limits dairy products, legumes and grains, foods […]
Butyrate in Colorectal Cancer
Amidst the cluster of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), butyrate is a stand-out. Gut bacteria create helpful amounts of this SCFA from soluble fibers such as inulin. This has lead researchers to try to define its benefit in diseases. Dysbiosis in colorectal cancer Changes in the bacterial composition of the gut have been reported in colorectal […]
Probiotics Influence Iron Status
Gut microbes play a big part in iron balance. Quick review: As a component of hemoglobin, myoglobin and various enzymes, iron status is vital to health. Deficiency leads to anemia, and excess can increase oxidative stress and insulin resistance. Gut microbiota interactions with iron Gut microbiota increases the availability of dietary iron to the host. […]
Melatonin and Microbes
Melatonin has long been tapped by tired travelers to adjust to new time zones. As a natural hormone in mammals, melatonin is now being explored for its role in disease, as demonstrated by its strong connection to gut microbiota and inflammation. Pointedly, metabolic disorders and intestinal diseases are accumulating relevant results pointing to potential treatment […]
Probiotics Protect Bowel in Aspirin Use
A daily dose of aspirin may help your heart. But as with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), these widely used analgesics and anti-inflammatories may not be as kind to your gut. Mucosal lesions, ulcers, perforations, and hemorrhage may occur but the extent is unknown. Notably however, the stomach and bowel may need different prevention strategies. […]