The majority of people have at one time or another been told to “take a probiotic” by their healthcare provider to boost their immunity either during or after being unwell. But, which probiotic we take is usually limited to the first bottle we see on the pharmacy shelf with the word ‘probiotic’ in it, which is probably […]
How bad bacteria gain an edge in the gut
The bacterium Clostridium difficile, which is responsible for the majority of antibiotic-associated diarrhea outbreaks worldwide, produces a unique compound called p-cresol to gain a competitive advantage over natural protective gut bacteria. The findings were reported by Lisa Dawson and Team at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and colleagues on September 11 in […]
Eating crickets may benefit your gut health, scientists say
Lately, more and more scientists are becoming interested in insects. They, as well as nutrition-curious people, are asking whether we might be missing a trick by not enriching our diets with a handful of ants, or a cricket or two. A study published earlier this year found that insects are no harder to digest than […]
How your immune system promotes friendly gut bacteria
They found that immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies released by the gut can alter how bacteria express their genes. This encourages the microorganisms to form communities that work together to defend against disease and safeguard the health of their “host.” Antibodies are involved in the immune response and have long been recognized as fighters of harmful […]
Gut bacteria and heart health: Is there a link?
If the latest medical research has taught us anything, it’s that our gut bacteria hold the key to our health. The trillions of micro-organisms that live in our gut seem to control every aspect of our well-being, from the size of our belly to the risk of chronic disease and even that of mental health […]