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 […]
butyrate
Individual Response to Prebiotics Varies
By the current definition, a prebiotic is “a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit.” A fiber-rich diet —containing non-digestible carbohydrates and other substrates such as polyphenols — as well as supplements containing such compounds are thought to provide much of our prebiotic needs. FYI: For a concise overview of […]
Prebiotics in a Nutshell
Throughout human history, beneficial microbes have adapted to thrive on specific substances in the food we eat. Yet only in the past few decades have scientists homed in on which substrates —and underlying mechanisms of action—are used to best nourish them. The concept of “prebiotics” has since expanded into a new category with heightened importance […]
Gut Feeling: More than a Hunch
The gut microbiome has an intriguing relationship to mental health. Communication along the gut-brain axis is strongly implicated in depression and anxiety in animal models. Attempts to replicate rodent study outcomes in humans are encouraging. In one study, a strain of bifidobacterium which was able to normalize anxiety-like behavior in mice went on to show […]
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 […]
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 […]