Free Republic

A new U-M study finds a complex interplay between diet, genes, and the gut microbiota that could explain why IBD develops. The newest study builds on previous work that found that a low fiber diet led to a proliferation of mucin degrading bacteria—bacteria that thrive by eating the mucus lining of the intestine. In some people, genetic loss of a cytokine—a protein that affects the immune system—known as interleukin-10 (IL-10) or its receptor, leads to the early onset of IBD. While some of these mice spontaneously developed inflammation in their intestinal tracts as well, the level of severity varied and...

A new study shows that a ketogenic diet significantly delays the early stages of Alzheimer's-related memory loss in mice. This early memory loss is comparable to mild cognitive impairment in humans that precedes full-blown Alzheimer's disease. The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat, and moderate-protein diet, which shifts the body's metabolism from using glucose as the main fuel source to burning fat and producing ketones for energy. Researchers previously found that mice lived 13% longer on ketogenic diets. The new study, which follows up on that research, found that the molecule beta-hydroxybutyrate, or BHB, plays a pivotal role in preventing...

— Reports are promising, but rigorous trials are needed, experts sayThe ketogenic diet has long been known for its use in treatment-resistant epilepsy, but attention is now turning to its potential benefits in mental illness as well. Could something as simple as a diet actually improve notoriously difficult-to-treat conditions including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia? The evidence to date has been less rigorous than gold-standard randomized controlled trials. But new studies are underway, and more clinicians are keen to explore reports of patientsopens in a new tab or window whose psychiatric conditions improved when they adhered to a...

Research suggests that the gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), paving the way for new therapeutic treatments. Key discoveries include the identification of distinct gut bacteria associated with COPD and the potential effectiveness of fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) as a COPD treatment. The study also demonstrated improved outcomes for COPD patients through nutritional interventions tailored to the microorganisms found in the gut. "The gut hosts the largest and most diverse microbiome in the body that, depending upon its composition, can either trigger or inhibit inflammation, including in the lung," said Professor...

I have seen recommendations for including chia seeds in the diet for a lot of health reasons. One of the biggest reasons for me is that chia has a LOT of fiber, which most people don't get enough of. So I jumped into the trend. I mainly eat them in chia "pudding" I prepare the day before. really like this for breakfast with some sliced almonds and/or berries. Any other Freepers out there on board?

Understanding diabetes today requires holding two conflicting realities in your head simultaneously. First, diabetes therapy has been revolutionized by a world of new drugs that have become available since the turn of the century—most notably, drugs of the same class as Wegovy and Ozempic that began their existence as diabetes medications and are now hailed as wonder drugs for treating obesity. These drugs do the best job yet of controlling blood sugar and, of course, body weight, which is critical for those Type 2 diabetes, the common form of the disease that constitutes over 90 percent of cases and is...

The founder of Lululemon is blasting the athleisure apparel company's push to include diversity, equity, and inclusion in its marketing— specifically by featuring overweight, plus-size women to model their clothes. Billionaire Chip Wilson is taking swings against Lululemon's DEI programs, saying they are destroying the company he created that once featured fit, healthy women in its ads. "I think the definition of a brand is that you're not everything to everybody. You've got to be clear that you don't want certain customers coming in," Wilson said, adding that the brand is trying to "become like the Gap, everything to everybody."...

The right diet can help stave off dementia, according to new collaborative research. Even better, the report even tells us which foods we should include with breakfast, lunch, and dinner to best support the brain. The new study concludes that diets emphasizing plants, such as the Mediterranean diet or traditional diets seen in China, Japan, and India, appear to reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk, especially when compared to a fattier, more processed Western diet. In this article we’ll share the important findings of this study, and include a table of the suggested foods (and their anti-Alzheimer’s properties) to help ward off...

An international team of public health specialists, addiction researchers, cardiovascular and metabolic health professionals and nutritionists has found that switching from a typical Western diet to a healthier regimen could add 10 years of life for the average middle-aged person. In their study, the group analyzed dietary data for people listed in the UK Biobank study. Prior research has shown that unhealthy diets lead to more than 75,000 premature deaths every year in the U.K. alone. Other studies have suggested healthier eating patterns could reduce the risk of early death for people living in the U.S. In this new effort,...

Increasing the amount of folate through our diet or taking supplements could help to reduce bowel cancer risk. These are the findings of new research. It suggests that increasing the intake of folate—which can be found in leafy greens, such as spinach, cabbage and broccoli—could help to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 7%. In line with previous studies, they found that people consuming higher levels of dietary folate, the odds of developing CRC (including proximal colon, distal colon, and rectal cancer) were reduced by 7% for every 260 micrograms higher consumption of dietary folate, which corresponds...

Dendritic cells play a key role in the mammalian immune system. These cells are present throughout the human body and are known to capture foreign bodies, or antigens, using extendable "arms" called dendrites. Once captured, dendritic cells present these substances to immune T cells, thereby initiating an immune response. Dendritic cells are responsive to their environment. For instance, dendritic cells in the intestine's mucosa (inner layer) capture harmful bacteria by extending their dendrites through the epithelium (outermost layer) and into the intestinal lumen (inner space). Researchers found short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by intestinal bacteria are responsible for initiating the...

Digesting a crunchy critter starts with the audible grinding of its rigid protective covering—the exoskeleton. The hard cover might be good for the metabolism, according to a new study, in mice. The researchers, led by Steven Van Dyken, Ph.D., found in mice that digesting chitin, an abundant dietary fiber in insect exoskeletons and also mushrooms and crustacean shells, engages the immune system. An active immune response was linked to less weight gain, reduced body fat and a resistance to obesity. The immune system is well known for safeguarding the body against various threats, including bacteria, viruses, allergens and even cancer....

A collaboration between researchers has shown the classic Mediterranean diet with added dairy has the potential to change the composition of gut bacteria for the better, triggering a variety of health benefits. The study assessed how the classic Mediterranean diet, supplemented with milk, cheese and yogurt, can affect gut microbiome. Adult trial participants at risk of heart disease who followed the diet for an eight-week period showed a sizeable increase in beneficial microbes associated with positive effects on overall gut health, alongside a simultaneous decrease in bad bacteria linked to heart disease risk. Dr. Karen Murphy says that gut microbiota...

New research has found a link between the important micronutrient zinc and a sensor protein in the gut in the prevention and management of a range of bowel conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Professor Christer Hogstrand investigated the role of zinc and a sensor named the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) that helps the body react to nutrients, drugs and toxic substances in the bowel. Mice fed a diet containing zinc and a chemical from cruciferous vegetables—such as broccoli—that stimulates the AHR were almost completely alleviated of IBD. In contrast, mice fed a zinc-deficient diet received no benefit from...

High intake of several emulsifiers (part of the "E numbers" group of food additives), widely used in industrially processed foods to improve texture and extend shelf-life, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), suggests a study. Given that these food additives are used ubiquitously in thousands of widely consumed ultra-processed food products, these findings have important public health implications, say the researchers. Emulsifiers are often added to processed and packaged foods such as pastries, cakes, ice cream, desserts, chocolate, bread, margarine and ready meals, to enhance their appearance, taste, texture and shelf life. They include celluloses, mono- and...

Patients report that a ketogenic diet (KD) improves multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, according to a study. Emma Wetmore and colleagues evaluated patient perceptions of the KD. The analysis included three-month follow-up from 52 participants with relapsing MS previously enrolled in a prospective six-month KD trial. The researchers found that 21 percent of participants reported continued adherence to a strict KD, while 37 percent reported adhering to a liberalized, less restrictive form of the KD. At the end of the trial, participants with greater reductions in body mass index and fatigue while on the diet were more likely to continue on...

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease is disruption to the body's circadian rhythm, the internal biological clock. Nearly 80% of people with Alzheimer's experience these issues, including difficulty sleeping and worsening cognitive function at night. However, there are no existing treatments for Alzheimer's that target this aspect of the disease. A study has shown in mice that it is possible to correct the circadian disruptions seen in Alzheimer's disease with time-restricted feeding, a type of intermittent fasting focused on limiting the daily eating window without limiting the amount of food consumed. In the study, mice fed on a time-restricted...

A study revealed a range of health and dietary benefits of consuming cardamom, including increased appetite, fat loss and inflammation reduction, making the spice a "superfood." Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, Ph.D. said the study shows cardamom could be a healthy dietary choice, and that its consumption can help maintain lean body weight and reduce fat. Cardamom is a popular spice in many parts of the world and the study findings should expand its popularity. The spice has a warm herbal flavor and an aroma that blends eucalyptus, mint and pepper. "Cardamom is a spice little known in the U.S. but very common...

Chris Stewart, 37, used to drink 12 cans of Mountain Dew a day and eat large McDonald’s meals for lunch — until he saw a photo of himself at his dad’s funeral that made him feel “sick.” “Who is going to carry my casket?” Stewart recalled to SWNS. “I thought if I didn’t change something I’m going to die.” The Illinois forklift driver weighed 400 pounds at his heaviest, wearing a size 5XL. He would consume two cans of Mountain Dew each morning when he woke up and two McDonald’s cheeseburgers, a McChicken sandwich and fries for lunch.

A study shows that a diet containing suitable amounts of inulin can influence even the length and other macroscopic characteristics of the intestines. This beneficial action is possible only in the presence of bacteria that digest the fiber, however. Positive alterations in immunity are among the healthy interactions. "In mice that ingested a 10% inulin diet, the gut was larger than in mice that consumed only insoluble fiber [cellulose]. When we analyzed their intestinal tissue, we found more epithelial stem cell proliferation in the animals fed an inulin-rich diet. The epithelium is the layer that separates gut contents from other...