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 … [Read more...] about Individual Response to Prebiotics Varies
butyrate
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 … [Read more...] about Prebiotics in a Nutshell
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 … [Read more...] about Gut Feeling: More than a Hunch
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 … [Read more...] about Butyrate in Colorectal Cancer
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 … [Read more...] about Microbes Target Mid-life Brain Crisis
Inulin: A Prebiotic to Remember
If you can’t recall the top food sources of inulin, keep reading. Soluble fiber such as inulin—a prebiotic—may offset dysbiosis common in aging, potentially leading to mental benefits such as improving memory. These fibers can’t be digested but they can be fermented; bacteria feast on … [Read more...] about Inulin: A Prebiotic to Remember