Pregnancy may be the transfer point for a fetus’s first microbes, contrary to popular belief. This thesis is considered in an article in Clinical and Experimental Allergy in relation to appropriate microbiomes to avoid allergic responses. The authors also contend that disturbed gut microbe have been associated with allergic disease, but whether as the cause or […]
Can Probiotics Plug Leaky Gut in Athletes?
For elite athletes–who always stretch limits– heat stress can interrupt workouts, cause sickness or even be deadly. Runners cross a finish line only to vomit or collapse onto a stretcher. World-class swimmers struggle in water that proves dangerously warm. Excess heat—caused either by outside temperatures or the metabolic fire within—stresses the body, blunting performance. Heat-stressed athletes […]
Probiotics Not a Sure Thing for Hypertension
As many as a billion people on the planet struggle with high blood pressure which puts them at risk for heart attacks and stroke. A low-salt diet is the cornerstone of treatment; as many as half are salt-sensitive and will respond positively by ingesting less. Some experts think probiotics can help. The theory is […]
Pickles Pack Probiotics
Pickles are underrated. They pack a powerhouse of probiotics and so few calories they aren’t even worth counting. One downside: most are high in sodium. Therefore, if you are salt-sensitive and your blood pressure rises easily, search for low-salt varieties, which unfortunately may have the good bacteria removed. Pickles are made from “pickling” or […]
Probiotics in Respiratory Infections
We know a lot about probiotics, especially how they figure in gastrointestinal and allergic diseases. Less is known about a role for probiotics in respiratory tract infections. Some data confirm that certain strains may prevent or alleviate symptoms while others find no such benefit. Researchers in Milan did their homework. A meta-analysis involving 3,451 […]
Probiotics May Improve Immunity in Aging
Even for the healthiest, old age brings challenges to both mind and body. Changes are inevitable and built into the DNA of every cell. The immune system weakens in aging, making the elderly more likely to catch colds, flus, and also deadly infections from germs including Clostridium dificile which are rampant in hospitals. This impaired […]