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A new study has found that many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who believe they are sensitive to gluten or wheat may not actually react to these ingredients. The study included participants with clinically diagnosed IBS who reported feeling better on a gluten-free diet. These individuals were given cereal bars to eat containing either gluten, whole wheat, or neither—without knowing which was which, in a random order. Researchers found the number of people who experienced worse symptoms was similar across all three groups, including the gluten-free placebo, suggesting that expectations and beliefs, rather than the ingredients themselves, may be...

Consumption of soft drinks, supplemented with white sugar, alters the DNA of gut bacteria and affects the host immune system. The good news? These effects are reversible. Gut bacteria are important members of the microbial community within our body, i.e., the microbiome. These bacteria, which have co-evolved with humans for generations, are so essential to human health in general and to the development of the immune system in particular that we cannot function without them. The human gut is constantly influenced by changes in the environment. To keep up, our gut bacteria must adapt quickly. They do this through a...

A groundbreaking study published in PNAS has identified two gut bacteria as triggers for Multiple Sclerosis (“MS”).The study involved 81 pairs of identical twins, where only one sibling had MS, and found that these bacteria were consistently linked to MS.The researchers transplanted gut microbes from MS-affected twins into germ-free mice, which developed MS-like symptoms, establishing a causal link between the bacteria and the disease.A New Multiple Sclerosis Study Is Actually Ground-BreakingBy Dr. Jessica Rose, 29 July 2025A study was published on 21 April 2025 in PNAS entitled ‘Multiple sclerosis and gut microbiota: Lachnospiraceae from the ileum of MS twins trigger...

People with an underactive thyroid may have an increased risk of developing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a risk that may be reduced with thyroid hormone treatment, according to a study. "We now know that people with hypothyroidism, especially those with autoimmune thyroiditis, are more likely to develop SIBO, but this risk appears to be mitigated in those taking thyroid medications," said Ruchi Mathur, M.D. Mathur said their research also suggests there may be a microbiological mechanism driving this association, which could lead to more personalized treatments. The researchers investigated the relationship between SIBO and hypothyroidism in people older than...

Nearly one in four infants lacks enough healthy gut bacteria essential for training their immune systems, putting them at greater risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as allergies, asthma, and eczema by age 2. Bifidobacteria are among the first group of good bacteria to colonize the human gut, and their presence has been linked to positive health outcomes for the host, including protection against metabolic diseases, gastrointestinal tract infections, and inflammation. A recent study analyzed the gut microbiomes of 412 infants, selected to represent the diverse demographics of the U.S, and found a widespread deficit of Bifidobacteria in infants....

A study published in July 2024 investigated how often 1,425 people went number two, and compared those stats to their demographic, genetic, and health data. Pooping too often or too rarely were both associated with different underlying health issues, while the healthiest participants reported pooping once or twice a day – a 'Goldilocks zone' of bowel movement frequency. The study, led by a team from the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), investigated the bathroom habits of people who were "generally healthy" – that is, with no history of kidney or gut issues like kidney disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or Crohn's...

Imagine living with a persistent, debilitating fatigue that no amount of rest can alleviate, coupled with a constellation of other symptoms such as brain fog, pain, and sleep disturbances. This is the reality for millions suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Now, envision a similar struggle following a viral infection, long COVID. Our recent review delves into a fascinating area that could hold a key: the intricate world of the gut microbiome and its profound influence on our health. For instance, studies in ME/CFS patients indicate changes in gut composition, including a deficiency in butyrate-producing bacteria and disturbances in...

A recent study involving 684 adults has uncovered a significant connection between gut microbiota, aging, and bone health, particularly in relation to osteoporosis. The study emphasized how gut bacteria may influence bone mineral density (BMD). The study revealed significant associations between microbial pathways related to L-arginine biosynthesis and butyrate production with higher BMD. L-arginine is an amino acid that is essential for nitric oxide (NO) production, which has been shown to inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, ultimately promoting bone health. These findings suggest that enhancing the production of L-arginine and butyrate through gut bacteria could be an important strategy in maintaining...

Strawberry tree extracts helped treat ulcerative colitis in rats. (HJBC/Shutterstock) In a nutshell A traditional Mediterranean plant, the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), showed strong protective effects against ulcerative colitis in rats, performing nearly as well as a common prescription drug. The extract worked by reducing inflammation, preventing tissue damage, and restoring antioxidant enzyme levels, suggesting multiple mechanisms of action. While promising, these findings are from animal studies, and more research is needed before the extract can be considered a safe or effective treatment for humans. ======================================================================== JENDOUBA, Tunisia — A humble fruit from the Mediterranean region might hold the key...

A study of almost 400,000 people is the first to indicate, in humans, that the signaling of substances called short-chain fatty acids or SCFAs, released when gut bacteria break down dietary fiber, significantly protects against cardiovascular disease and hypertension by up to 20%. A previous clinical trial has shown these SCFAs—when provided as a supplement—lead to lowered blood pressure. Another trial is underway. The current study used data from the UK Biobank database and found rare genetic variants that profoundly impact the function of receptors that bind to SCFAs essentially prevent people from utilizing the cardiovascular protection offered by their...

Researchers have found that the source of protein in your diet may dramatically shape your gut microbiome, influencing key metabolic processes and even gut lining health. The results suggest certain proteins, like egg whites, could have surprising and possibly harmful effects on gut function. ================================================================================ New research from NC State reveals that different protein sources in animal diets can dramatically alter the gut microbiome, both in composition and function. A new study from researchers at North Carolina State University has found that the type of protein in an animal’s diet significantly influences both the composition and activity of the gut...

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...

Scientists could be on the verge of a medical breakthrough in understanding what's driving a rise in blood cancers among older adults. Research has long suggested that the colony of trillions of bacteria living in our digestive systems – known as the gut microbiome – could be the key to our overall health. The more diverse those microscopic colonies are, the better our immunity to a host of diseases from heart disease to dementia. But US researchers have now discovered that patients with leukemia — an aggressive form of blood cancer — have higher levels of one specific bacteria in...

The microbial community living within our large intestine is a highly dense and complex ecosystem. While some of these microbes cause illness and disease (such as bacteria and viruses), others are friendlier to us and help keep us in good health. Akkermansia muciniphila is one of these friendly bacteria. One of the important roles it plays in our gut is maintaining the function of our gut barrier. But when there's an imbalance of A. muciniphila in the gut, it can lead to problems with our health. This unusual bacteria lives in our large intestine and survives off of mucin—the layer...

A study researchers suggests that a diet rich in soluble fiber can protect the intestine against pathogenic bacteria. The conclusion is based on experiments with mice exposed to Clostridioides difficile, which causes colon inflammation and diarrhea. "We were able to treat the mice that had an infection with a diet supplemented with soluble fiber. This is digested by intestinal microbiota, which produces compounds such as acetate. This initiates a cascade of interactions that leads to an appropriate immune response to deal with the infection," explains José Fachi. The authors observed that the mice that consumed a diet rich in soluble...

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...

An international team has found a compound in ginger, called furanodienone (FDN), that selectively binds to and regulates a nuclear receptor involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Through a screen to identify chemical components of ginger that bind to receptors associated with IBD, the team observed a strong interaction between FDN and the pregnane X receptor (PXR). FDN reduces inflammation in the colon by activating PXR's ability to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body. "We found that we could reduce inflammation in the colons of mice through oral injections of FDN," said Jiabao Liu. IBD patients typically...

Scientists may have identified a way to naturally regulate blood sugar levels and sugar cravings in a similar fashion to drugs like Ozempic. In mice and humans, the key to unlocking this natural process was found to be a gut microbe and its metabolites – the compounds it produces during digestion. By increasing the abundance of this one gut microbe in diabetic mice, researchers led by a team at Jiangnan University in China have shown they can "orchestrate the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1". Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body and which helps regulate...

Researchers have identified a gut bacterium that may be associated with reduced dietary sugar intake. The findings, which are based on analyses of humans and mice, could aid the development of therapies to manage obesity and metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. Animals are biologically hardwired to crave sugars, but unmanaged sugar preference can lead to high sugar intake, resulting in high blood glucose and increased risk of metabolic diseases. Previous research suggests that our cravings for different foods originate from signals sent to the brain from the gut, a key organ in transmitting dietary preferences. However, the regulation...

Early treatment of pediatric Crohn's disease with anti-tumor necrosis factor medications can substantially reduce the risk of perianal fistulas, a particularly debilitating complication of Crohn's disease. Researchers confirmed this using prospective data. Around 40,000 children in the United States suffer from Crohn's disease. Around 1 in 3 will develop perianal fistulas. Perianal fistulas are tunnels that develop near the anus. Standard treatment for perianal fistulas involves anti-TNF drugs at higher doses than would be prescribed before complications begin. There's also no guarantee that treatment can completely solve the problem. Around 70% of such patients require at least one surgical procedure....