Gut bacteria can fluctuate with the seasons! This discovery, in a study of hunter-gatherers in Africa, eventually may help scientists learn how modern diets have affected health. Read more in this post from The New York Times. In Tanzania, not far from the Serengeti, live the Hadza, a community of about 1,300 people. For such a small group, they attract a lot of scientific ... Continue Reading
How the Gut-Brain Connection Affects Your Mood and Health
There is more than one joke made about the brain in your stomach. The gut-brain connection tells us much more than just “Feed me,” or “Pass the popcorn.” Jokes aside, the mind-gut connection is an information superhighway between what we eat and our emotional well-being. Scientists are discovering that influences everything from mental health to obesity to autism. Recent ... Continue Reading
Scientist Uncovers the Role of Fungus in Gut Health
The role of bacteria in gut health is well established, but a crucial player has been overlooked: fungus. This post from Goop explains the impact of fungus on the body. The role of the gut in our overall well-being seems to grow bigger with every new study. But while attention—and research dollars—have focused on the importance of bacteria in our gut, a crucial player in ... Continue Reading
Psychobiotics Improve Mental Health Via Gut Microbes
Scientists are looking to gut bacteria to improve mental health, mood and cognition. This article from Huffington Post explains how targeting the gut could create a new class of psychiatric treatments. Researchers have long known that the bacteria living in your gut can “talk” to your brain. Gut microbes, which collectively make up what’s called the gut microbiome, can have a ... Continue Reading
Does Your Gut Flora Regulate Your Feelings?
Recent research suggests that gut flora plays a role in regulating emotions and thoughts. This post from The Atlantic sheds light on the studies researching the connections between the microbiome and the brain. By now, the idea that gut bacteria affects a person’s health is not revolutionary. Many people know that these microbes influence digestion, allergies, and metabolism. ... Continue Reading