All articles tagged with #probiotics
A study in Bioresource Technology reports that a lactic acid bacterium found in kimchi can bind nanoplastics in the intestine and be excreted in feces, with mice fed kimchi-derived bacteria showing higher nanoplastic levels in stool, suggesting fermented foods may help reduce bodily microplastics.
A kimchi-derived lactic acid bacterium (CBA3656) appears to bind nanoplastics in the gut, increasing their excretion in mice and suggesting fermented foods could help reduce plastic toxins in humans, though more research is needed to confirm effects in people and to understand where the plastics go after excretion.
Experts explain bloating is common and can stem from gas, constipation, diet, or IBS, and outline 25 practical fixes—from staying hydrated and monitoring salt to probiotics, gentle exercise after meals, and mindful eating—that help reduce bloating quickly and safely. They also discuss when to use OTC aids like simethicone, the potential benefits of ginger, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes, and note that a low-FODMAP plan should be done with a registered dietitian; seek medical advice for sudden, persistent, or alarming symptoms.
A human/mouse study ties Roseburia inulinivorans, a gut bacterium, to greater muscle strength. In humans, higher bacterial abundance correlated with stronger grip and other strength metrics in both young and older adults. In mice, the bacterium boosted forelimb grip by about 30% and promoted fast-twitch muscle growth by altering amino acid metabolism and related pathways, supporting a gut-muscle axis and suggesting probiotic approaches to help preserve muscle strength with aging.
Experts say yogurt is beneficial for protein, calcium, and gut-friendly bacteria, with different varieties (plain, Greek, Skyr, kefir) offering varying protein and satiety. There isn’t a universal best time to eat it; digestion and circadian rhythms matter, and yogurt is generally best tolerated with meals to help probiotic survival. Daytime consumption (mid-morning to lunch) is often preferred, but individual lactose tolerance and gut health matter. To boost benefits, pair yogurt with honey or nuts and explore savory uses; eating yogurt at night isn’t inherently harmful, though evidence is limited and Ayurvedic cautions are not strongly supported by science.
Experts say a plant-forward, fiber-rich diet supports colon health and may lower risk of colorectal issues. The top foods—broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, apples, pears, whole grains, legumes, yogurt, kimchi, and flaxseed—provide fiber and probiotics that feed good gut bacteria, boost beneficial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids, and help reduce inflammation. A varied daily pattern matters more than any single 'superfood'; aim for about 25 grams of fiber daily and plenty of water to support regularity.
Researchers linked higher gut levels of the bacterium Roseburia inulinivorans with stronger muscle performance in adults; in mice, introducing the microbe improved grip strength, increased muscle fiber size and a shift toward more powerful type II fibers, and altered energy pathways and amino-acid levels. Older adults tended to have fewer of these bacteria, suggesting a possible role in age-related muscle decline. While the mouse data imply a causal effect, human findings remain correlational, and larger studies are needed. If confirmed, probiotics or a high-fibre diet to support such microbes could help maintain muscle function alongside regular exercise.
A review of 15 trials with about 4,275 adults suggests that modulating the gut microbiome through diet, probiotics/prebiotics, or fecal microbiota transplantation can modestly improve memory, executive function, and overall cognition in older adults—especially those with early cognitive impairment—though effects are limited in advanced Alzheimer's. Dietary approaches like the Mediterranean diet show promise, FMT shows rapid microbial shifts with some cognitive gains in small Alzheimer’s cases, but long-term safety and efficacy require more randomized trials.
Researchers found bacteria common to the mouth and gut, especially Rothia aeria, can degrade peanut allergen proteins Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 in lab tests, markedly reducing allergenicity in vitro and correlating higher Rothia aeria with non-allergic or tolerant individuals; this points to potential probiotic or adjunct oral immunotherapy approaches for peanut allergy, with further work in animals and humans.
In a mouse study, early-life exposure to a high-fat, high-sugar diet permanently shifts hypothalamic appetite pathways and adult feeding behavior even after weight normalizes; however, interventions targeting the gut microbiome—probiotic Bifidobacterium longum APC1472 or prebiotic fibers FOS/GOS—can restore brain–gut signaling and mitigate these long-term effects, with some sex-specific vulnerabilities observed.
Gastroenterologists say antibiotics cause the most disruption to the gut microbiome, but other medications—including proton pump inhibitors, laxatives, NSAIDs, and certain cardiac drugs—can also alter gut bacteria, with some changes lasting years after stopping. Probiotics aren’t reliably regulated or proven to protect the microbiome, though Saccharomyces boulardii may reduce the risk of C. difficile diarrhea. If you must take such meds, focus on fiber-rich foods to support gut health and discuss qualquer protective steps with your doctor.
Gastroenterologists warn antibiotics are the single biggest disruptor to the gut microbiome, though other meds like proton pump inhibitors, laxatives, NSAIDs, and certain cardiac drugs can also alter gut bacteria for years after use; probiotics are not reliably protective, though Saccharomyces boulardii may reduce the risk of C. difficile diarrhea; if you must take antibiotics, focus on fiber-rich foods to support gut health.
A global atlas of gut bacteria shows that B. infantis, a microbe important for digesting foods and training the immune system, is largely absent in Western babies—about 98.6% lack it in the first two months in Europe and the US, versus ~29% in South Asia and Africa. The absence persists in many Western infants and could hinder immune development, potentially helping explain rising allergies and autoimmune diseases. Researchers suggest lifestyle factors such as antibiotic use, dietary shifts, reduced environmental exposure, and shorter or less exclusive breastfeeding may limit transfer of B. infantis from mother to child. The finding also questions the suitability of some commercial probiotic products, as they may not reflect regional strains, underscoring a need for tailored probiotic strategies and further study of microbiome-health links.
A randomized trial in adults aged 60–80 shows that how probiotics are prepared alters their brain effects: encapsulated bacteria survive digestion longer and enhance memory, attention, and orientation, while non-encapsulated powder more strongly improves mood and reduces anxiety/depression. MRI-based brain connectivity differences between the two forms suggest the delivery method can personalize brain health strategies for aging, targeting cognition or emotional well-being.
A global metagenomics study across more than 11,000 people finds the uncultured gut bacterium CAG-170 consistently higher in healthy individuals and capable of producing Vitamin B12, suggesting it helps sustain the gut ecosystem and could become a biomarker for gut health or a target for new probiotic therapies.