gut microbe tagged posts

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have demonstrated at a molecular level how bacteria in the human gut influence the entire body. Among other things, they can lower blood sugar levels and reduce fatty liver disease. The work is published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine.

For several years, a wide range of over-the-counter products designed to have a positive effect on the gut microbiome have been available. They promise greater bacterial diversity in the digestive tract and, as a result, better overall health. For the same purpose, doctors prescribe medications aimed at restoring gut microbial balance, for instance, following antibiotic treatment.

But why does the gut microbiota have such a prof...

The trillions of microbes living in the human gut are increasingly recognized as important partners in human health. Scientists have linked the gut microbiome to several aspects of health, from metabolism and immunity to mental health.

A recent study suggests that these microbes may also influence an important aspect of fitness—muscle strength.

Muscle strength is a crucial feature of health for many reasons. It supports our joints and keeps our bones healthy, boosts athletic performance and even plays a role in metabolic health.

Muscle strength also helps us maintain independence later in life. As muscles gradually weaken as we get older, everyday tasks become harder and the risk of falls increases...

In an analysis of more than 50,000 individuals from around the world, carriers of gut Blastocystis, a single-celled organism that has been labeled either a parasite or harmless organism but is commonly found in the digestive system, was linked to indicators of good cardiovascular health and decreased body fat.

The research is published in Cell by an international team led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

“Blastocystis’ effects on health and disease are controversial and likely context-dependent, but our research suggests that it may play a beneficial role in how diet impacts human health and disease,” said co-lead author Long H...

Researchers from Charité and McGill University quantify association between Helicobacter pylori and Alzheimer’s disease. Infection with the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori could increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease: In people over the age of 50, the risk following a symptomatic infection can be an average of 11 percent higher, and even more about ten years after the infection, at 24 percent greater risk. These are the findings of a study by Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin and McGill University (Canada), now published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.* The researchers analyzed three decades’ worth of patient data.

As today’s populations age, dementia is set to become more common, tripling in prevalence in ...