All articles tagged with #gut bacteria
On Sable Island off Nova Scotia, feral horses from the same herd share more similar gut microbiomes than would be expected by genetics alone, and social interactions appear to shape these microbial communities even more than kinship, with microbiome differences linked to survival; the study suggests microbiome-mediated adaptive evolution in a wild population, though it remains preliminary and focused on one island.
Cambridge researchers showed in vitro that common sweeteners slow growth of several gut bacteria; most notably, the isosteviol–duloxetine combination strongly suppressed Roseburia intestinalis and Parabacteroides merdae, reducing microbial diversity and altering interactions with host cells. The team tested 25 bacterial species against 39 sweeteners and examined interactions with substances like caffeine, vanillin, and eight drugs, uncovering over 100 interaction effects. Although the findings suggest that sweeteners can affect gut microbes—especially when mixed with other compounds—these were lab experiments and real-world health implications require further study.
A study from Emory University in mice shows that a high-fat Western-style diet increases gut permeability, allowing live gut bacteria to travel through the vagus nerve into the brain, which could help explain links between diet and neurological conditions; the movement was tracked using an engineered barcoded bacterium, occurred without bacteria appearing in the blood, and returning to a normal diet reduced brain bacterial load, suggesting reversibility.
California researchers link a gut-bacteria toxin called colibactin to rising colorectal cancer cases in adults under 50; while not everyone with colibactin develops cancer, factors like diet, inflammation, and antibiotic exposure can influence risk. To promote a healthier gut, eat fiber-rich and probiotic foods, stay hydrated, exercise regularly (about 150 minutes weekly), and avoid unnecessary antibiotics, especially in early life.
MIT researchers identify intelectin-2 as a gut lectin that both reinforces the mucus barrier and directly traps and neutralizes a broad range of bacteria, suggesting a host-derived antimicrobial approach that could help prevent infections and support mucus integrity in inflammatory bowel disease.
A mouse study suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria may influence neural connectivity and depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder, with treatments like lithium showing behavioral improvements, highlighting the gut-brain connection's potential role in bipolar depression.
A study has identified 168 common chemicals, including pesticides and industrial compounds, that harm beneficial gut bacteria, potentially impacting human health and increasing antibiotic resistance, prompting calls for safer chemical testing and regulation.
A compound called TMA produced by gut bacteria may help prevent and manage type 2 diabetes by reducing inflammation and improving insulin response, offering a potential new avenue for treatment and prevention, though more research is needed.
New research from the University of Basel shows that gut bacteria resembling myelin can trigger or slow multiple sclerosis progression in mice, highlighting both risks and potential for microbiome-based treatments that train the immune system to tolerate myelin.
Recent research suggests that gut bacteria, through their metabolites like TMAO and SCFAs, play a significant role in heart attack risk by influencing inflammation, cholesterol, and blood clot formation. Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome via high-fiber diets, probiotics, prebiotics, and lifestyle changes could be a promising strategy for cardiovascular prevention, challenging traditional views that focus solely on cholesterol and blood pressure.
A long-term study suggests that a single dose of healthy gut bacteria can reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and related health issues in obese teens, with the bacteria remaining in the gut years later, paving the way for targeted probiotic treatments.
Research from the University of Gothenburg shows that gut bacteria can produce serotonin, which may lead to new treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as certain bacteria like Limosilactobacillus mucosae and Ligilactobacillus ruminis increase serotonin levels and improve gut function, offering hope for addressing IBS symptoms.
Scientists analyzed the preserved intestines of a 1,000-year-old man from Mexico, revealing a diverse and largely intact ancient gut microbiome that offers insights into pre-industrial human diets and health, highlighting the loss of microbial diversity in modern humans.
The well-preserved 1,000-year-old Zimapán mummy from Mexico revealed an ancient human gut microbiome, including bacteria still common today and a previously unobserved species, providing insights into ancient diets, lifestyle, and microbial evolution.
UC Irvine researchers found that consuming inulin, a vegetable-derived fiber, can reprogram gut bacteria to reduce fructose's harmful effects on the liver, potentially reversing fatty liver disease and insulin resistance, offering new avenues for nutrition-based disease prevention.