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An Atlas of Gut Microbiota Plasma Metabolites
In an extraordinary analysis published recently in Nature Communications, researchers in Sweden report the results of a cross-sectional study which, to date, is the largest and most detailed association study between gut microbiota and plasma metabolites. This study had over 8500 participants between the ages of 50 and 64, identified over 1500 microbial species with…
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Breast Health & the Gut Microbiome
A growing body of evidence points to the intestinal microbiome as an important factor in both the initiation and metastasis of breast cancer. Data from a recent animal study published in Cancer Immunology Research supports the link between increased metastasis and gut dysbiosis, and suggests a novel mechanism for this link, specifically an accumulation as…
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TMAO, Gut Microbiota, & Cardiovascular Health
Researchers from Tufts University recently published results from a large community-based cohort in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. They provide details on the associations between both the intake of animal source foods (ASF) and cardiovascular disease risk among older adults, as well as the portion of that risk that appears to be mediated specifically by…
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UTIs, Antibiotics & Gut Microbiome
In a study recently published in Nature Microbiology, a longitudinal multi-omics analysis was reported for women with a history of recurrent UTIs (n=15) compared to healthy controls (n=16). In this one-year study, all participants provided monthly fecal samples (fecal, urine, and plasma samples were collected at study onset), with additional samples collected during and after…
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The Importance of the Gut Microbiome During Pregnancy
As more data emerges supporting the importance of the gut microbiome during pregnancy, the link between changes in the microbiota during pregnancy and impaired metabolism and GI function also continues to grow. A recent small trial adds to this knowledge base; 32 participants were given a probiotic containing multiple strains of Lactobacillus as well as…
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Polyphenol Metabolism & Gut Microbiota
Polyphenols from plant-based foods are thought to mediate many of the beneficial effects we attribute to a more plant-rich diet. For example, high polyphenol olive oil has been shown to reduce both central and peripheral systolic blood pressure compared to low polyphenol olive oil. In a randomized crossover study, the polyphenol content of olive oil…
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High Fat Diet Alters Gut Physiology
In a study just published in Science, a mouse-model of diet-induced obesity was used to elucidate possible mechanisms by which a high-fat diet can contribute to atherosclerosis. Animals fed a high-fat diet rich in choline had disruptions in mitochondrial bioenergetics in the cells lining the intestinal tract. The subsequent drop in ATP production, as well…
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Poor Gut Health Linked to Lung Function
A recent review has uncovered the relationship between lung function and poor gut health.
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An Avocado a Day Keeps the Microbiome Happy
Recent research on the impact of avocados on microbes in the gastrointestinal tract of people with overweight and obesity has shown positive results.
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Poor Gut Health Linked to Lung Function
A recent review has uncovered the relationship between lung function and poor gut health.