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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 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...

People who report being gluten intolerant but do not have coeliac disease may be experiencing gut symptoms unrelated to gluten intake, new research suggests. A study involving individuals with self-reported gluten sensitivity has found that they experienced gut symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain regardless of whether or not they consumed gluten. Assoc Prof Jessica Biesiekierski of the University of Melbourne, one of the study’s senior authors, said the findings were significant in light of popular blame on gluten as a trigger for various symptoms. AirPods Pro 2 Australians can now use Apple AirPods Pro as hearing aids –...

“We proved that the Einstein field equation from general relativity is actually a relativistic quantum mechanical equation,” the researchers note in their study. In simple words, this new framework connects the science that governs the macroscopic world with that of the microscopic world. Therefore, it has the potential to explain every physical phenomenon known to humanity ranging from the mysterious dark matter in space to the photons emitted by your phone’s flashlight. “To date, no globally accepted theory has been proposed to explain all physical observations,” the researchers added. They claim that their theory can challenge the foundations of physics...

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) said Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that the Trump administration’s proposed deportations would be “an absolute gut punch” to the U.S. economy. Partial transcript as follows: MARGARET BRENNAN: Let me ask you about immigration. You’re a former governor. Incoming border czar, Tom Homan, has said that there will be massive deportation raids beginning as soon as Mr. Trump takes office. There are just about 300,000 undocumented individuals believed to be living in your state, according to Pew Research. And I know your current governor, Youngkin, has pledged to fully support efforts through state law enforcement...

Elderberry juice may be a potent tool for weight management and enhancing metabolic health, according to a recent study. A clinical trial found that drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week causes positive changes in the gut microbiome and improves glucose tolerance and fat oxidation. Elderberry, a small dark purple berry found on elder trees native to Europe, is commonly used as a medicinal plant and supplement to promote immune function. The researchers tested the effects of elderberry on metabolic health in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 18 overweight adults. Participants consumed either elderberry juice or...

Researchers have found that tapping into the nervous system could help reduce the gut inflammation that drives inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A new study reveals how electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve—a major nerve connecting the brain and gut—may combat the stress-related inflammation that worsens IBD symptoms. The study showed that vagus nerve stimulation in stressed mice with colitis, a form of IBD, reduced inflammation, improved symptoms, and boosted survival rates. By engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, the team observed that inflammation could be eased by inhibiting SUMOylation, a cellular process that shapes immune response. Ayman Youssef, MD, analyzed data...

Healing the gut may be the key to improving long-term recovery in stroke patients, scientists have found. The team demonstrated how a drug that was effective at protecting the brain in the immediate aftermath of a stroke failed to prevent long-term cognitive impairment when applied only to the brain. The same drug, when applied to the gut, reduced impairment significantly. What happens in the gut after a stroke? Within mere moments of a stroke, patients experience a cascade of symptoms, many of which are immediately apparent, Sohrabji said. Less apparent, is the damage being done to key structures in the...

The food additive carrageenan (E 407) can be responsible for the development of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, and increased blood sugar levels in animals. However, it is not yet known what effect carrageenan has on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in humans. This question has now been investigated in a clinical study. In the study, young, healthy men with a BMI of less than 30 kg/m² (average BMI 24.5 kg/m²) were given either carrageenan in addition to their normal diet, in an amount roughly equivalent to two to three times the daily dose consumed in the U.S.,...

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 pioneering study has uncovered the vital role that gut microbiota plays in regulating stress responses by interacting with the body's circadian rhythms. The findings open the door for developing new microbial-based therapies that could help individuals better manage stress related mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression which are often associated with alterations in circadian and sleep cycles. This breakthrough research offers compelling evidence that the trillions of microorganisms in the gut orchestrate the body's hormonal responses to stress in a time-dependent manner, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches targeting the gut-brain axis. This study shines a...

A new study has revealed that gut bacteria may play a key role in aging, and that specific microbes could be targeted to promote healthy aging. Aging is a complex, multi-factorial phenomenon with progressive decline in several physiological functions. As Singapore faces a rapidly growing aging population, researchers are seeking ways to understand the aging process and identify key lifestyle and dietary factors to encourage healthy aging. As part of this effort, the team conducted the first large-scale study on over 200 octogenarians (people aged 80–89) in Singapore. Their investigation revealed how the gut microbiome changes with age, highlighting key...

Researchers have pinpointed two proteins that could serve as markers for identifying patients with long COVID. Elahi and his team discovered that the long COVID group had higher levels of immune cells called neutrophils and monocytes that cause inflammation, and fewer protective lymphocytes. In the blood of the long COVID patients, the team also found higher levels of various proteins related to systemic inflammation—especially galectin-9 and artemin. Higher levels of galectin-9 in patients are associated with increased inflammation and brain fog. In the case of artemin, higher levels are associated with widespread pain, more severe pain and cognitive impairment. They...

“My gut says” former President Donald Trump will win the election, Nate Silver wrote Wednesday, with a warning not to trust “anyone’s gut” instinct. Silver, a statistician, writer, and poker player, says the election remains a “50/50” coin flip, a characterization that many political experts argue is true with just 13 days until Election Day. Newsweek reported on Silver’s history of predicting elections: 2008: Nate Silver successfully predicted the winner in 49 out of 50 states in the presidential election. 2012: He correctly predicted the winner in all 50 states. 2016: Although Donald Trump won in an upset, Silver’s model...

Vice President Kamala Harris recently said her last “gut decision” was choosing Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) — a man who has lied about his military career for nearly 20 years — as her running mate. During Harris’s second solo TV interview of the campaign, she was asked what her last “gut decision” was. MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle asked her, “The economy is an unpredictable beast. And you are running for a job that takes extraordinary instinct and guts. When’s the last time you had to make a gut decision?” “Probably the biggest gut decision I have made most recently is to...

A new study led by Prof. Omry Koren has unveiled significant evidence connecting the gut microbiome to aggressive behavior in mice. The research explores how disruptions in the microbiome, particularly due to antibiotic use in early life, can lead to increased aggression. The study builds on previous findings that demonstrated a correlation between antibiotic exposure and heightened aggression in fruit flies. By utilizing a mouse model, the researchers have taken this investigation a step further, examining behavioral, biochemical, and neurological changes in response to microbiome alterations. The team also transplanted a microbiome derived from infants who had received antibiotics shortly...

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...

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly prevalent and a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The primary curative treatment for CRC is surgical resection of the affected bowel segment. However, postoperative complications often include a weakened gut barrier and the dissemination of bacterial proinflammatory lipopolysaccharides. Researchers discuss how gut microbiota and microbial metabolites regulate basal inflammation levels in the gut and the healing process of the bowel after surgery. "We and others have shown in the last few years that gut microbiota influences the healing process of the bowel and the restoration of the gut barrier after surgery," explain the researchers....

Early life exposure to 'forever chemicals' in the environment permanently disrupts the gut microbiome in mice, contributing to the development of metabolic disease in later life, according to new research. The results suggest that human exposure to these chemicals during early childhood may be contributing to the recent epidemic of metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes among adults. The researchers focused specifically on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), a widespread persistent organic pollutant (POP) that is a byproduct of waste incineration, metal production, and fossil-fuel and wood combustion. TCDF accumulates in the food chain, and humans are primarily exposed through consumption...

A comprehensive study across diverse populations linked specific bacterial strains and bacteriophages within the gut microbiome to type 2 diabetes risk, suggesting potential pathways for intervention. By studying a large and varied cohort, researchers have identified novel microbial species associated with diabetes and highlighted the importance of personalized microbiome profiles in disease prevention and management. Researchers from Brigham, Broad, and Harvard Chan School have discovered that certain species and strains of bacteria are associated with alterations in the gut microbiome’s function and an individual’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The most extensive and diverse study yet on the gut...