Support for use of probiotics in obesity and metabolic disease is growing. Individual studies reveal that rectifying gut microbe disturbances (dysbiosis) can benefit such patients. However, broad population studies are not as available. To that end, researchers in Portugal recently looked at one large cross-sectional study to assess population-based prevalence of probiotic intake and metabolic […]
Articles
Probiotics Figure in Kidney Stones
Small things can cause great pain. As urine streams through our kidneys, minerals may sludge off and form stones, what is known as nephrolithiasis. Irritation and discomfort—sometimes substantial– may result if these nuggets are not flushed out. Drinking lots of water helps but in persistent cases, shock waves (lithotripsy) or surgery may be necessary. Knowns […]
In Targeting Cancer Cells, Postbiotics Let Normal Cells Live
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have proven value that is widely accepted across the arc of human health. Whether involved in infections, immunity, chronic diseases metabolism, LAB are generally regarded as safe and beneficial. Also, numerous animal, human and epidemiological studies have revealed the effects of LAB on colon, bladder, liver, breast, and gastric cancers. […]
Microbes Matter in IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a challenge; it is the most common reason for referral to gastroenterology clinics. Researchers in Malaysia published Microbiome and Irritable Bowel Syndrome – A Review on the Pathophysiology, Current Research and Future Therapy. The excellent overview appeared June 2019 in Frontiers in Microbiology journal. Highlights for our purposes were the […]
Probiotics May Reduce Tolerance to Morphine
By acting directly on the central nervous system, morphine blocks the worst kinds of pain. Its cousins in the opioid family include heroin and OxyContin which have spawned an epidemic of addiction, overdoses and deaths in the United States in the last several decades. Backstory: Morphine was first isolated in the early 19th century […]
Microbes Target Mid-life Brain Crisis
Middle age is hard to nail down. It really demands a psychic ability to predict how long one may live. A better gauge may be when a new spouse or a sports car appears. For scientists, naturally, there is a definition: “Male middle age is a transitional period where many physiological and psychological changes occur […]