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Scientists have discovered a surprising new connection between gut health and blood cancer risk—one that could transform how we think about aging, inflammation, and the early stages of leukemia. As we grow older—or in some cases, when gut health is compromised by disease—changes in the intestinal lining allow certain bacteria to leak their byproducts into the bloodstream. One such molecule, produced by specific bacteria, acts as a signal that accelerates the expansion of dormant, pre-leukemic blood cells. The study suggests that this mechanism may reach beyond leukemia to influence risk for other diseases and among older people who share a...

A recent study found that babies treated with antibiotics within the first few weeks of their life showed weaker immune response to vaccines due to reduced levels of Bifidobacterium—a bacterial species that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract. Replenishing Bifidobacterium in the gut microbiome using probiotic supplements such as Infloran showed promising results in restoring the immune response. The researchers followed 191 healthy, vaginally born infants from their birth to 15 months: 86% of the participants received the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, and, by six weeks of age, began their routine childhood vaccinations. The infants were grouped based on...

Scientists have suspected gut bacteria may influence a person's risk of developing multiple sclerosis. In our research, we found that the ratio of two bacteria in the gut can predict multiple sclerosis severity in patients. Specifically, we showed that a group of bacteria called Blautia was more common in multiple sclerosis patients, while Prevotella, a bacterial species consistently linked to a healthy gut, was found in lower amounts. In a separate experiment, we observed the balance between two gut bacteria, Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia, was critical in distinguishing mice with or without multiple sclerosis-like disease. Mice with multiple sclerosis-like symptoms had...

A study provides new insight into the complex interactions of the "tumor-immune-gut axis," and its role in influencing immunotherapy responses in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. The findings emphasize the role of the patient's microbiome—the collection of microorganisms in the body—and lay the groundwork for future clinical trials aimed at improving treatment outcomes. That goal is critical, because epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer—all categorized under the umbrella of ovarian cancer—are the deadliest gynecological malignancies, with a five-year survival rate of less than 50%. Most deaths occur as a result of disease that is refractory, or...

Researchers have found definitive proof of a kidney microbiome that influences renal health and kidney stone formation, demonstrating that the urinary tract is not sterile and low levels of bacteria are normal. They also identified certain bacteria within the microbiome that could promote or block kidney stone development and showed that antibiotic misuse (commonly associated with kidney stone development in a hospital setting) skewed the microbiome towards stone-promoting bacteria. The team's methods showed that bacteria living in the urinary tract were not only there because of disease, since they found them in the urinary tract of people without evidence of...

A large international team of medical researchers has found that people who drink coffee regularly have much more of one type of gut bacteria than people who do not. In their study, the group analyzed stool and blood samples from a large number of patients and also studied similar data in large medical databases, looking for impacts of coffee drinking on the gut biome. In this new study, the research team sought to learn more about the impact of a single food, or in this case a beverage, on the gut biome. They chose coffee for two reasons: First, because...

A cancer study has found that certain gut bacteria may influence whether or not a patient's immune system is successful in fighting mesothelioma. It has led experts to believe that in the future, dietary changes could improve the benefits of treatment. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer which develops in the lining of the lungs or abdomen, and is known to be caused by exposure to the now-outlawed industrial material, asbestos. The research team evaluated the effectiveness of two immunotherapies; atezolizumab and bevacizumab, in patients with relapsed mesothelioma. Professor Fennell said, "We have seen that the immunotherapies we used...

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...

Incorporating navy beans into the diet of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors has the potential to positively impact both gut and host health by modulating markers linked to obesity and disease, according to research. The findings revealed BE GONE trial participants who added a cup of navy beans daily to their regular meals saw positive changes in their gut microbiome, which is associated with cancer prevention and improved treatment outcomes. Changes included an increase of alpha diversity, or beneficial bacteria (Faecalibacterium, Eubacterium, and Bifidobacterium) and decreased pathogenic, or opportunistic, bacteria. "Observing a shift in microbiome diversity with diet intervention alone is...

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), one of the most common forms of dementia, has no cure. Now, a group has identified three bacteria involved in DLB—Collinsella, Ruminococcus, and Bifidobacterium. Their findings suggest new avenues for diagnosis and treatment. The onset of DLB is associated with abnormal deposits of alpha-synuclein, a protein in the brain. A research group discovered that three intestinal bacteria, Collinsella, Ruminococcus, and Bifidobacterium, were associated with patients with DLB. The bacteria Akkermansia, which degrades the intestinal mucosa, increased. On the other hand, the bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the gut decreased. On the other...

The results make for an interesting read. First, an analysis of nine astronauts, published in Scientific Reports in 2019. This study looked at crew members who stayed on the ISS between six and 12 months, and found that, surprisingly, their gut microbiomes actually grew more diverse in the relatively sterile and bacteria-free environment of space. This unexpected find might be a result of the carefully controlled diets on board the ISS: NASA works hard to make more than 200 food and drink options available on the space station, probably giving astronauts a more varied choice than they would get at...

I am so sorry but perhaps copying paragraphs is not allowed on his blog because I can't grab some. What we are talking about is a good decent layman explanation of the newest cancer studies, incorporating just what our gut bugs, I.e. Our immune system (pretty much the same thing, as will be explained), will do to help you fight cancer. The most important thing for cancer patients to take away from this post is that before you undergo chemotherapy, you need gut bacteria testing. The makeup of your gut biome, if good, will allow the chemo to kill the...