We are born alone. But soon bacteria, viruses and others crowd in, creating our first microbiota. These essentials will determine many aspects of our future health. A mission this monumental is sadly given little planning or thought. Vaginal delivery which immediately seeds the newborn with its mother’s microflora is preferred yet often mothers and their […]
Articles
Seasons Change Our Microbes
Cold weather seems to pack on the weight. Are we eating more hot apple pie or just not going outside to exercise? (Answer: both.) Seasonal variations affect our weight, our moods—and now our microbes. Early evidence comes from a group known as the Hutterites, who were chosen as research subjects because their diets are similar […]
Extremes of Life: The Microbial Arc
Childhood has never been longer than it is today. Launching offspring into adulthood often continues into three decades of life; physical growth and mental development carry on. It is surprising then that our microbiota may reach adulthood by age 2 or 3. Toddlers are climbing about with a set of microbes that will stay remarkably […]
Probiotics Take a Stab at Cancers
The Big C strikes without warning. As diagnosis comes earlier and more often, whether due to sensitive imaging, increased awareness or even more toxic causes, we are being asked to accept cancer as a price of living. Fair enough. But know this: we are not without some control. Changing our behavior can prevent 30% of cancer […]
Probiotics Protect Insulin Sensitivity
Poor blood sugar control is not only the province of the full-blown diabetic. New evidence shows that a brief bout of high-fat, calorie-laden foods can lead to insulin resistance, a biomarker of the disease. A small study out of the United Kingdom has pitted a popular probiotic against insulin resistance brought on by diet. The […]
Probiotics Enrich the Poor
As obesity engulfs the planet, we may forget that many millions of children still go hungry. Nearly one in five children (115 million) under five years was underweight according to World Health Organization 2011 estimates. Stunting, also a result of undernutrition, affected 178 million that year. The fallout can be dire: reduced immunity can lead […]