Podcasts about bacteroidetes

A One-Year Gut Test Comparison and What I LearnedClick On My Website Below To Schedule A Free 15 Min Zoom Call:www.Over40FitnessHacks.comOver 40 Fitness Hacks SKOOL Group!Get Your Whoop4.0 Here!In this episode, Brad Williams shares his personal journey of improving gut health over the last year using two microbiome tests — one from Diagnostic Solutions and the more recent one from Tiny Health.Last Year's Issue: Brad was dealing with an H. pylori infection caused by food poisoning. Instead of using antibiotics, he chose a natural healing path using supplements, which successfully eliminated the infection and resolved multiple food allergies (including chicken, egg, beef, shrimp, and gluten). His severe milk protein allergy remained, however.First Gut Test Insights: The Diagnostic Solutions report showed high levels of two key bacterial phyla — Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. These are essential for digesting protein, carbs, and fiber, but Brad's high levels indicated dysfunction. Despite using digestive enzymes, he was likely not efficiently digesting protein or fermenting fiber.Second Gut Test - Tiny Health: A much more comprehensive 29-page report rated his gut at 83 out of 100, showing overall improvement, especially in protein and carb digestion. However, fiber fermentation issues persisted, particularly with Bacteroides-related bacteria. Brad has scheduled a consult with Tiny Health but got early insights using ChatGPT.Approach & Solutions:Brad considered both supplemental and food-based protocols.For a keto-friendly gut repair, he opted for the food route due to the high cost of supplements and only a minor time advantage.He incorporated specific foods like leeks, asparagus, raw potato starch, green banana flour, and polyphenol-rich foods (berries, dark chocolate, cabbage, green tea).Due to carb restrictions, he skipped beans/lentils and added a targeted prebiotic supplement (GOS powder) to address his fiber fermentation issue.Key Takeaway: Brad emphasizes the importance of testing before supplementing — noting that generic probiotics can do more harm than good if not tailored. His results show how food-based interventions, when guided by personalized data, can significantly improve gut health and resolve long-standing food sensitivities.If you're interested in online personal training or being a guest on my podcast, "Over 40 Fitness Hacks," you can reach me at brad@over40fitnesshacks.com or visit my website at:www.Over40FitnessHacks.comAdditionally, check out my Yelp reviews for my local business, Evolve Gym in Huntington Beach, at https://bit.ly/3GCKRzV

Studies show that obese individuals have more Firmicutes and fewer Bacteroidetes in their gut bacteria compared to those who are not overweight. Research suggests that consuming apple cider vinegar (ACV) can help improve this ratio. Listen in this week as Dee explains ACV's impact on the gut microbiome and its role in weight loss.Link to Dee's Apple Cider Vinaigrette recipe: https://processedfreeamerica.org/dees-olive-oil-apple-cider-vinaigrette/References:Bouderbala, H., Dib, W., Kheroua, O., Saidi, D., & Kaddouri, H. (2019). Modulation of the intestinal microbiota by apple cider vinegar in rats subjected to cafeteria diet. Archives of Cardiovascular Diseases Supplements,11(3), e373-e374.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acvdsp.2019.05.102Davis C. D. (2016). The gut microbiome and its role in obesity. Nutrition Today, 51(4), 167-174. https://doi.org/10.1097/NT.0000000000000167

Videos: Brought to you by… Pfizer! FORMER PFIZER VP, DR. MIKE YEADON – EVERYTHING WE HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT COVID-19 WAS A LIE Fauci didn't want autopsies done on Covid victims. I wonder why? Dr. Peter McCullough SLAMS Pfizer board member over censorship and propaganda | Redacted News Study explores effects of dietary choline deficiency on neurologic and system-wide health Arizona State University, January 16, 2023 Choline, an essential nutrient produced in small amounts in the liver and found in foods including eggs, broccoli, beans, meat and poultry, is a vital ingredient for human health. A new study explores how a deficiency of dietary choline adversely affects the body and may be a missing piece in the puzzle of Alzheimer's disease. It's estimated that more than 90% of Americans are not meeting the recommended daily intake of choline. The current research, conducted in mice, suggests that dietary choline deficiency can have profound negative effects on the heart, liver and other organs. Lack of adequate choline is also linked with profound changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease. These include pathologies implicated in the development of two classic hallmarks of the illness: amyloid plaques, which aggregate in the intercellular spaces between neurons; and tau tangles, which condense within the bodies of neurons. The new research, led by scientists at Arizona State University and published in Aging Cell, describes pathologies in normal mice deprived of dietary choline and in choline-deficient transgenic mice, the latter of which already exhibit symptoms associated with the disease. In both cases, dietary choline deficiency results in liver damage, enlargement of the heart and neurologic alterations in the AD mice, typically accompanying Alzheimer's disease and including increased levels of plaque-forming amyloid-beta protein and disease-linked alterations in tau protein. Further, the study illustrates that choline deficiency in mice causes significant weight gain, alterations in glucose metabolism (which are tied to conditions such as diabetes), and deficits in motor skills. In the case of humans, “it's a twofold problem,” according to Ramon Velazquez, senior author of the study and assistant professor with the ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center. “First, people don't reach the adequate daily intake of choline established by the Institute of Medicine in 1998. And secondly, there is vast literature showing that the recommended daily intake amounts are not optimal for brain-related functions.” The research highlights a constellation of physical and neurological changes linked to choline deficiency. Sufficient choline in the diet reduces levels of the amino acid homocysteine, which has been recognized as a neurotoxin contributing to neurodegeneration, and is important for mediating functions such as learning and memory through the production of acetylcholine. The growing awareness of choline's importance should encourage all adults to ensure proper choline intake. This is particularly true for those on plant-based diets, which may be low in naturally occurring choline, given that many foods high in choline are eggs, meats, and poultry. Plant-based, choline-rich foods, including soybeans, Brussels sprouts and certain nuts can help boost choline in these cases. Moreover, inexpensive, over-the-counter choline supplements are encouraged to promote overall health and guard the brain from the effects of neurodegeneration. The new study examines mice at 3-12 months, or early to late adulthood (roughly equivalent to 20-60 years of age for humans). In the case of both normal and transgenic mice displaying symptoms of Alzheimer's, those exposed to a choline-deficient diet exhibited weight gain and adverse effects to their metabolism. Damage to the liver was observed through tissue analysis, as was enlargement of the heart. Elevated soluble, oligomeric and insoluble amyloid-beta protein were detected, as well as modifications to tau protein characteristic of those leading to neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Further, choline-deficient mice performed poorly in a test of motor skills, when compared with mice receiving adequate choline in their diet. These adverse effects were heightened in the transgenic mice. Translating these findings to humans, this implies that people who are predisposed to Alzheimer's disease or in the throes of the illness should ensure they are getting enough choline.”Our work provides further support that dietary choline should be consumed on a daily basis given the need throughout the body,” Velazquez says. (NEXT) Melanoma: Vitamin D supplements linked to reduced skin cancer risk University of Eastern Finland & Kuopio University, January 15, 2023 A new study finds that the regular use of vitamin D is associated with lower rates of melanoma skin cancer. The cross-sectional study was a collaboration between the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital. The research involved 498 Finnish adults determined by dermatologists to be at high risk of skin cancer, such as melanoma, as well as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. According to researchers, people who took vitamin D regularly were less likely to have had melanoma in the past or currently and were deemed by dermatologists to be less likely to develop melanoma in the future. Study participants ranged in age from 21 to 79 years old, including 253 males and 245 females. Participants were divided into three groups based on their intake of vitamin D supplements: non-use, occasional use, or regular use. The researchers were also interested in finding out whether regular use of vitamin D supplements corresponded to higher blood levels of vitamin D, known as serum calcidiol or 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3. This is the “storage form” of vitamin D in the body. Some research has linked low serum calcidiol with increased cancer risk, while other research has suggested otherwise. Nonetheless, it is a measure often used to determine a person's vitamin D levels. After testing serum calcidiol levels in 260 participants, researchers found that regular vitamin D supplementation corresponded with the highest levels of serum calcidiol and non-supplementation with the lowest levels. “Human skin itself expresses [the enzyme] CYP27A1 that produces calcidiol from vitamin D, and CYP27B1 that produces biologically very active calcitriol from calcidiol,” Dr. Harvima explained, noting that enzyme expression determines the level of vitamin D and its metabolites in the body. (NEXT) New research furthers case for exercise promoting youthfulness University of Arkansas, January 17, 2023 A recent paper published in the Journal of Physiology deepened the case for the youthfulness-promoting effects of exercise on aging organisms, building on previous work done with lab mice nearing the end of their natural lifespan that had access to a weighted exercise wheel. For this paper, the researchers compared aging mice that had access to a weighted exercise wheel with mice that had undergone epigenetic reprogramming via the expression of Yamanaka factors. The Yamanaka factors are four protein transcription factors (identified as Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc, often abbreviated to OKSM) that can revert highly specified cells (such as a skin cell) back to a stem cell, which is a younger and more adaptable state. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Dr. Shinya Yamanaka for this discovery in 2012. In the correct dosages, inducing the Yamanaka factors throughout the body in rodents can ameliorate the hallmarks of aging by mimicking the adaptability that is common to more youthful cells. Of the four factors, Myc is induced by exercising skeletal muscle. Myc may serve as a naturally induced reprogramming stimulus in muscle, making it a useful point of comparison between cells that have been reprogrammed via over expression of the Yamanaka factors and cells that have been reprogrammed through exercise—”reprogramming” in the latter case reflecting how an environmental stimulus can alter the accessibility and expression of genes. Ultimately, the team determined that exercise promotes a molecular profile consistent with epigenetic partial programming. That is to say, exercise can mimic aspects of the molecular profile of muscles that have been exposed to Yamanaka factors (thus displaying molecular characteristics of more youthful cells). This beneficial effect of exercise may in part be attributed to the specific actions of Myc in muscle. Murach sees their research as further validation of exercise as a polypill. “Exercise is the most powerful drug we have,” he says, and should be considered a health-enhancing—and potentially life-extending—treatment along with medications and a healthy diet. (NEXT) Exploiting the synergy of nutraceuticals for cancer prevention and treatment Research suggests that free radicals (ROS) generated upon mixing two nutraceuticals—resveratrol and copper—can help ameliorate various diseases by inactivating cell-free chromatin particles Tata Memorial Centre (India), January 16, 2023 Chromatin comprises a complex mixture of DNA and proteins that forms the structural basis of chromosomes in the cellular nuclei. When cells die, they release cell-free chromatin particles or “cfChPs” into the circulatory system. In 1996, evidence for tumour-derived DNA circulating in the blood of cancer patients was first reported. This evidence caught the interest Dr. Indraneel Mittra, who is now Professor Emeritus and the Dr. Ernest Borges Chair in Translational Research at Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai, India. His tryst with research on genetic material in cancer metastases began, and after 15 years of research he has presented various papers, developing a body of evidence that indicates the critical role of cfChPs in orchestrating development of not only cancer, but various other diseases. Emerging evidence indicates that cfChPs play an essential role in ageing, sepsis, cancer development, and chemotherapy-related toxicity. With respect to the latter, Prof. Mittra explains, “Chemo-toxicity is not primarily caused by chemotherapeutic drugs, but rather by cfChPs that are released from the first cells that die after chemotherapy. The released cfChPs set in motion a cascading effect, increasingly damaging the DNA of healthy host cells, and triggering inflammatory processes in a vicious cycle that perpetuates and prolongs the toxicity of chemotherapy.” Recently, a team from Tata Memorial Centre have demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of a pro-oxidant mixture of resveratrol and copper, R-Cu, in patients undergoing chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. Combining R with Cu (R-Cu) leads to the generation of free oxygen radicals which can inactivate the offending cfChPs. In this context, the research team launched a single-arm phase II clinical trial to study the synergistic effects of R-Cu administration on cfChPs inactivation in patients with advanced gastric cancer. The primary objective was to determine whether R-Cu, via cfChPs' inactivation, was successful in reducing the grade ≥ 3 toxicity seen with docetaxel-based chemotherapies. To this end, the researchers monitored the likely changes in the toxicities of chemotherapeutic treatments using a grading system that provides a framework for the assessment of unwanted physiological effects. The results were promising—although R-Cu did not reduce haematological toxicities, it significantly reduced the incidence of non-haematological toxicities comprising hand-foot syndrome, diarrhoea, and vomiting. Moreover, R-Cu reduced docetaxel exposure compared to the control arm without affecting efficacy in terms of overall survival. (NEXT) Deep meditation may alter gut microbes for better health Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (China), January 16, 2023 Regular deep meditation, practiced for several years, may help to regulate the gut microbiome and potentially lower the risks of physical and mental ill health, finds a small comparative study published in the open access journal General Psychiatry. The gut microbes found in a group of Tibetan Buddhist monks differed substantially from those of their secular neighbors, and have been linked to a lower risk of anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease. Research shows that the gut microbiome can affect mood and behavior through the gut–brain axis. This includes the body's immune response, hormonal signaling, stress response and the vagus nerve—the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which oversees an array of crucial bodily functions. The significance of the group and specimen design is that these deep-thinking Tibetan monks can serve as representatives of some deeper meditations. Although the number of samples is small, they are rare because of their geographical location. The researchers analyzed the stool and blood samples of 37 Tibetan Buddhist monks from three temples and 19 secular residents in the neighboring areas. None of the participants had used agents that can alter the volume and diversity of gut microbes: antibiotics; probiotics; prebiotics; or antifungal drugs in the preceding 3 months. Sample analysis revealed significant differences in the diversity and volume of microbes between the monks and their neighbors.”Collectively, several bacteria enriched in the meditation group [have been] associated with the alleviation of mental illness, suggesting that meditation can influence certain bacteria that may have a role in mental health,” write the researchers. These include Prevotella, Bacteroidetes, Megamonas and Faecalibacterium species, the previously published research suggests. Finally, blood sample analysis showed that levels of agents associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, including total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, were significantly lower in the monks than in their secular neighbors by their functional analysis with the gut microbes. (NEXT) Curcumin/Boswellia shows promise in chronic kidney disease Baylor University, January 14, 2023. The Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine reports the finding of researchers at Baylor University of a reduction in a marker of inflammation among chronic kidney disease patients given a combination of Curcuma longa (curcumin) and Boswellia serrata. The study included sixteen individuals receiving standard care for chronic kidney disease who were not undergoing dialysis. Participants were randomized to receive capsules containing curcumin from turmeric extract plus Boswellia serrata, or a placebo for eight weeks. Blood samples collected before and after treatment were analyzed for plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (markers of inflammation), and the endogenous antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, as well as serum C-reactive protein (CRP, another marker of inflammation.) Blood test results from the beginning of the study revealed increased inflammation and reduced glutathione peroxide levels. At the study's conclusion, participants who received curcumin and Boswellia serrata experienced a reduction in interleukin-6 in comparison with pretreatment values, indicating decreased inflammation, while IL-6 values rose among those who received a placebo. In their discussion of the findings, the authors remark that curcumin and Boswellia serrata have been separately shown to lower interleukin-6 via inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa beta and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways.

3 Solutions for regain after gastric sleeve Regain after gastric sleeve is a fear for many. Learn how following these 3 solutions can turn things around! Check out this audio transcript Dawn (00:00): Hello and welcome to the gastric health show. My name is Dawn Boxell. We are going to discuss the three solutions for[Read More] The post 3 solutions for regain after gastric sleeve : Episode 069 appeared first on Gastric Health.

Berberine is an isoquinolone alkaloid that is bitter and bright golden yellow in color. It is derived mainly from the roots, stems and rhizomes of plants such as Coptis chinensis (Chinese golden thread), Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), and Berberis vulgaris (barberry). It has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and is generally considered safe, though it should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. Berberine Click here to learn more about the Hedberg Institute Membership. Gastrointestinal side effects may occur due to berberine's impact on bowel motility. These include abdominal pain, distention, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Side effects appear to be dose dependent, with increased symptoms such as low blood pressure, dyspnea, and flu-like symptoms at higher doses. Berberine is commonly used as an antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antihyperlipidemic agent. The many therapeutic applications of berberine are due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it one of the top supplements of choice in clinical practice. It has traditionally been used for gastrointestinal related issues as well as issues involving liver dysfunction, digestive complaints, blood sugar regulation, inflammation, and infectious diseases. While berberine has exhibited a bioavailability of

Come join Christian and Mike as they discuss how birth, feeding and environmental factors affect the gut, brain and neurodevelopment through the lens of the microbiome. Pika pika. References for those playing at home: 1. Kerns CM, Winder-Patel B, Iosif AM, et al. Clinically Significant Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Varied Intellectual Functioning. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2021;50(6):780-795. 2. Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Published online May 22, 2013. 3. Restrepo B, Angkustsiri K, Taylor SL, et al. Developmental–behavioral profiles in children with autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring gastrointestinal symptoms. Autism Research. 2020;13(10):1778-1789. 4. Wexler HM. Bacteroides: the Good, the Bad, and the Nitty-Gritty. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2007;20(4):593. 5. Ho LKH, Tong VJW, Syn N, et al. Gut microbiota changes in children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Gut Pathogens. 2020;12(1):1-18. 6. Vaiserman A, Romanenko M, Piven L, et al. Differences in the gut Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio across age groups in healthy Ukrainian population. BMC Microbiology. 2020;20(1):1-8. 7. Stojanov S, Berlec A, Štrukelj B. The Influence of Probiotics on the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio in the Treatment of Obesity and Inflammatory Bowel disease. Microorganisms 2020, Vol 8, Page 1715. 2020;8(11):1715. 8. Rizzardi KF, Indiani CM dos SP, Mattos-Graner R de O, de Sousa ET, Nobre-dos-Santos M, Parisotto TM. Firmicutes Levels in the Mouth Reflect the Gut Condition With Respect to Obesity and Early Childhood Caries. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2021;11:472. 9. Magne F, Gotteland M, Gauthier L, et al. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio: A Relevant Marker of Gut Dysbiosis in Obese Patients? Nutrients. 2020;12(5). 10. Korpela K. Impact of Delivery Mode on Infant Gut Microbiota. Ann Nutr Metab. 2021;77:11-19. 11. Niu J, Xu L, Qian Y, et al. Evolution of the Gut Microbiome in Early Childhood: A Cross-Sectional Study of Chinese Children. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2020;11:439. 12. Lin CW, Septyaningtrias DE, Chao HW, et al. A common epigenetic mechanism across different cellular origins underlies systemic immune dysregulation in an idiopathic autism mouse model. Molecular Psychiatry 2022. Published online May 2, 2022:1-12. 13. Liu F, Li J, Wu F, Zheng H, Peng Q, Zhou H. Altered composition and function of intestinal microbiota in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Translational Psychiatry 2019 9:1. 2019;9(1):1-13. 14. de Angelis M, Francavilla R, Piccolo M, de Giacomo A, Gobbetti M. Autism spectrum disorders and intestinal microbiota. https://doi.org/101080/1949097620151035855. 2015;6(3):207-213. 15. Wang M, Li M, Wu S, et al. Fecal Microbiota Composition of Breast-fed Infants is Correlated with Human Milk Oligosaccharides Consumed. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2015;60(6):825. 16. Martin R, Makino H, Yavuz AC, et al. Early-Life Events, Including Mode of Delivery and Type of Feeding, Siblings and Gender, Shape the Developing Gut Microbiota. PLoS One. 2016;11(6). 17. Rutayisire E, Huang K, Liu Y, Tao F. The mode of delivery affects the diversity and colonization pattern of the gut microbiota during the first year of infants' life: A systematic review. BMC Gastroenterology. 2016;16(1).

Broccoli may beneficially affect microbiota diversity: Study University of Illinois Consuming broccoli may change the diversity and composition of the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract, says a new study. Two hundred grams per day of broccoli for 17 days resulted in 37% increase in the proportion of Bacteroidetes relative to Firmicutes, according to data presented at the Experimental Biology meeting in Chicago this week by scientists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, ARS-USDA, and the National Cancer Institute. “These novel results reveal that broccoli consumption affects the diversity and composition of the GI microbiota of healthy adults,” they wrote in the FASEB Journal . “These data help fill the gap in knowledge related to the role of bacterial hydrolysis of phytonutrients. “The increase in Bacteroides spp. is particularly relevant because Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron has been shown in vitro to utilize glucosinolates.”   Acupuncture possible treatment for dental anxiety University of York Researchers have found evidence that acupuncture could help people who experience dental anxiety. Dental anxiety affects up to an estimated 30% of the adult population in countries world-wide. Patients can experience nausea, difficulty breathing and dizziness at the thought of going to the dentist, during an examination, and following treatment. In a review of six trials with 800 patients, researchers used a points scale to measure anxiety and studies show that anxiety reduced by eight points when dental patients were given acupuncture as a treatment. This level of reduction is considered to be clinically relevant, which means that acupuncture could be a possibility for tackling dental anxiety. Studies that compared anxiety levels between patients that received acupuncture and those that did not, showed a significant difference in anxiety scores during dental treatment. A clinically relevant reduction in anxiety was found when acupuncture was compared with not receiving acupuncture.   Omega-3 may help protect against adverse cardiovascular effects of pollution Case Western University An article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reported a protective effect for supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids against some of the harmful cardiovascular effects of exposure to air pollution in China. The randomized, double-blinded trial included 65 healthy college students in Shanghai, China who received 2.5 grams fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo daily. During the last two months of the trial, the subjects participated in four health examinations that included blood pressure assessment and measurement of blood markers of inflammation, coagulation, endothelial function, oxidative stress, antioxidant activity, cardiometabolism and neuroendocrine stress response. Campus levels of fine particulate matter air pollution (PM 2.5) measured during the course of the trial averaged 38 micrograms per cubic meter. The researchers observed greater stability of most biomarker levels in responses to changes in fine particulate matter exposure in the fish oil-treated group in comparison with the placebo group. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was associated with beneficial effects for five blood biomarkers of inflammation, coagulation, endothelial function, oxidative stress, and neuroendocrine stress response.      Snoring causes injuries and prevention of healing in the upper airways Umea University (Sweden) The recurrent vibrations caused by snoring can lead to injuries in the upper airways of people who snore heavily. This in turn, can cause swallowing dysfunction and render individuals more vulnerable for developing the severe condition obstructive sleep apnea. These findings are reported by researchers at Umeå University, Sweden. Their on-going research focuses on the processes behind vibratory damage and healing of the upper airway tract. The data generated will help identify people at high risk of developing sleep apnea and to find novel treatment strategies. Researchers in Umeå have shown that snorers and sleep apnea patients have neuromuscular injuries in the upper respiratory tract. The injuries can be seen at both the structural and molecular level. Researchers could also observe a correlation between snoring and swallowing dysfunction as well as a relation between nerve damage and obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated collapse of the upper respiratory tract leading to respiratory arrest during sleep, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The studies show that people who constantly snore heavily and have sleep apnea displayed a loss of nerves and muscle mass in the soft palate. Furthermore, the attempts by the body to heal damaged tissue were disturbed resulting in an abnormal muscle structure. Another interesting finding was that muscle fibres in the soft palate lacked or had a disturbed organization of certain structural proteins. These proteins stabilize the organelles of the muscle cell and support cellular structures related to energy production and muscle fibre contraction. The researchers also found that a neurotransmitter that is normally associated with healing and regeneration of neurons was present in the muscle cells. This finding suggests that the body is trying to heal the injuries, but the recurrent snoring vibrations prevent proper healing. It becomes a vicious circle where snoring causes damage and at the same time disturb healing of injuries, which can lead to swallowing dysfunction and sleep apnea.   Study: Tai chi can reduce hypertension symptoms in young and middle-aged in-service staff Zhei-jian Hospital (China) Researchers from Zhejiang Hospital in China reported that practicing t'ai chi can help with hypertension.  The treatment group practiced simplified t'ai chi for three months. On the other hand, the control group underwent general daily lifestyle intervention. After one month of exercise, the participants who practiced t'ai chi experienced significant reductions in their systolic blood pressure, heart rate, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. At the end of the intervention period, the t'ai chi group experienced substantial decreases in their BMI, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Practicing t'ai chi also improved their quality of life.   Lemongrass essential oil protects the liver from acetaminophen-induced injury State University of Maringa (Brazil) A study published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that the essential oil extracted from lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) can protect the liver from damage caused by acetaminophen intake.  They pretreated mice with 125, 250, or 500 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of lemongrass essential oil or 200 mg/kg of a standard drug per day for seven days. Then, they induced liver toxicity by administering 250 mg/kg dose of acetaminophen. The researchers found that pretreatment with lemongrass essential oil significantly reduced the levels of liver disease markers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Inflammation in the liver was also reduced by lemongrass essential oil. Liver lesions in mice were also improved after pretreatment with lemongrass essential oil. Pretreatment with lemongrass essential oil increased antioxidant activity in the liver.

Broccoli may beneficially affect microbiota diversity: Study University of Illinois Consuming broccoli may change the diversity and composition of the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract, says a new study. Two hundred grams per day of broccoli for 17 days resulted in 37% increase in the proportion of Bacteroidetes relative to Firmicutes, according to data presented at the Experimental Biology meeting in Chicago this week by scientists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, ARS-USDA, and the National Cancer Institute. “These novel results reveal that broccoli consumption affects the diversity and composition of the GI microbiota of healthy adults,” they wrote in the FASEB Journal . “These data help fill the gap in knowledge related to the role of bacterial hydrolysis of phytonutrients. “The increase in Bacteroides spp. is particularly relevant because Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron has been shown in vitro to utilize glucosinolates.”   Acupuncture possible treatment for dental anxiety University of York Researchers have found evidence that acupuncture could help people who experience dental anxiety. Dental anxiety affects up to an estimated 30% of the adult population in countries world-wide. Patients can experience nausea, difficulty breathing and dizziness at the thought of going to the dentist, during an examination, and following treatment. In a review of six trials with 800 patients, researchers used a points scale to measure anxiety and studies show that anxiety reduced by eight points when dental patients were given acupuncture as a treatment. This level of reduction is considered to be clinically relevant, which means that acupuncture could be a possibility for tackling dental anxiety. Studies that compared anxiety levels between patients that received acupuncture and those that did not, showed a significant difference in anxiety scores during dental treatment. A clinically relevant reduction in anxiety was found when acupuncture was compared with not receiving acupuncture.   Omega-3 may help protect against adverse cardiovascular effects of pollution Case Western University An article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reported a protective effect for supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids against some of the harmful cardiovascular effects of exposure to air pollution in China. The randomized, double-blinded trial included 65 healthy college students in Shanghai, China who received 2.5 grams fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo daily. During the last two months of the trial, the subjects participated in four health examinations that included blood pressure assessment and measurement of blood markers of inflammation, coagulation, endothelial function, oxidative stress, antioxidant activity, cardiometabolism and neuroendocrine stress response. Campus levels of fine particulate matter air pollution (PM 2.5) measured during the course of the trial averaged 38 micrograms per cubic meter. The researchers observed greater stability of most biomarker levels in responses to changes in fine particulate matter exposure in the fish oil-treated group in comparison with the placebo group. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was associated with beneficial effects for five blood biomarkers of inflammation, coagulation, endothelial function, oxidative stress, and neuroendocrine stress response.      Snoring causes injuries and prevention of healing in the upper airways Umea University (Sweden) The recurrent vibrations caused by snoring can lead to injuries in the upper airways of people who snore heavily. This in turn, can cause swallowing dysfunction and render individuals more vulnerable for developing the severe condition obstructive sleep apnea. These findings are reported by researchers at Umeå University, Sweden. Their on-going research focuses on the processes behind vibratory damage and healing of the upper airway tract. The data generated will help identify people at high risk of developing sleep apnea and to find novel treatment strategies. Researchers in Umeå have shown that snorers and sleep apnea patients have neuromuscular injuries in the upper respiratory tract. The injuries can be seen at both the structural and molecular level. Researchers could also observe a correlation between snoring and swallowing dysfunction as well as a relation between nerve damage and obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated collapse of the upper respiratory tract leading to respiratory arrest during sleep, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The studies show that people who constantly snore heavily and have sleep apnea displayed a loss of nerves and muscle mass in the soft palate. Furthermore, the attempts by the body to heal damaged tissue were disturbed resulting in an abnormal muscle structure. Another interesting finding was that muscle fibres in the soft palate lacked or had a disturbed organization of certain structural proteins. These proteins stabilize the organelles of the muscle cell and support cellular structures related to energy production and muscle fibre contraction. The researchers also found that a neurotransmitter that is normally associated with healing and regeneration of neurons was present in the muscle cells. This finding suggests that the body is trying to heal the injuries, but the recurrent snoring vibrations prevent proper healing. It becomes a vicious circle where snoring causes damage and at the same time disturb healing of injuries, which can lead to swallowing dysfunction and sleep apnea.   Study: Tai chi can reduce hypertension symptoms in young and middle-aged in-service staff Zhei-jian Hospital (China) Researchers from Zhejiang Hospital in China reported that practicing t'ai chi can help with hypertension.  The treatment group practiced simplified t'ai chi for three months. On the other hand, the control group underwent general daily lifestyle intervention. After one month of exercise, the participants who practiced t'ai chi experienced significant reductions in their systolic blood pressure, heart rate, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. At the end of the intervention period, the t'ai chi group experienced substantial decreases in their BMI, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Practicing t'ai chi also improved their quality of life.   Lemongrass essential oil protects the liver from acetaminophen-induced injury State University of Maringa (Brazil) A study published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that the essential oil extracted from lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) can protect the liver from damage caused by acetaminophen intake.  They pretreated mice with 125, 250, or 500 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of lemongrass essential oil or 200 mg/kg of a standard drug per day for seven days. Then, they induced liver toxicity by administering 250 mg/kg dose of acetaminophen. The researchers found that pretreatment with lemongrass essential oil significantly reduced the levels of liver disease markers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Inflammation in the liver was also reduced by lemongrass essential oil. Liver lesions in mice were also improved after pretreatment with lemongrass essential oil. Pretreatment with lemongrass essential oil increased antioxidant activity in the liver. Videos:  2022.05.05 Zelensky Is Trapped (8:07)  

We're talking about the skin microbiome and it is wild how much it interconnects with your gut microbiome.  It's kind of interesting to make that connection, being able to do things to the skin by working on the gut microbiome and vice versa. Joining us today at Maximal Being Fitness, Nutrition, and Gut Health, is Dr. Yug Varma, the king of the skin microbiome, is the Cofounder & CEO of Phyla, the world's most advanced probiotic acne system.Topics - Bacteriophages- The good and bad bacteria of the skin microbiome- Pimple Popping- The importance of wearing sunscreens- Why lesser is betterDoc Mok an advanced GI doctor specializing in nutrition, gut health, and cancer. Joining him is the podcast's layman, Jacky P, smashing the broscience on this week's podcast. Their guest Dr. Yug Varma is a skin and microbiome expert and the Cofounder & CEO of Phyla, the world's most advanced probiotic acne system.If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a differenceReach Out to use team@maximalbeing.comOr Speak pipe https://www.maximalbeing.com/contact/Support the Show at https://www.patreon.com/maximalbeingOur sponsorsiHerb supplement – https://www.maximalbeing.com/iherbBDB5528 and receive 10% off your ordersInstacart – https://www.maximalbeing.com/instacartResourceshttps://www.maximalbeing.comSocialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maximalbeing/Twitter:  https://twitter.com/maximalbeingInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/maximal_being/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maximalbeing/Linked'in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximal-being-13a5051a1/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi7KVUF8U-gfhOE1KSNAqIgJOIN OVER 3,418 MAXIMAL BEINGS AND GET OUR FREE 9 STEP GUIDE TO REMODELING YOUR GUT, FREE MACRO CALCULATOR, & 10% OFF COUPONhttps://maximalbeing.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ce1e2f527d19296e66d8a99be&id=2d68acf4e0Sign-up for our Kombucha Coursehttps://www.maximalbeing.com/product-category/courses/Need a FREE consult book it nowhttps://www.maximalbeing.com/contact/#start-booking-servicesNeed a Custom Nutrition, Fitness or Guthealth planhttps://www.maximalbeing.com/product-category/personalized-plans/Our Gearhttps://www.maximalbeing.com/product-category/clothing/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/maximalbeing)

Ready for some gut health coaching? Find Nicole Carter at www.healthywithnicole.com Find Erika Smith at www.keepinitrealcoaching.com Excerpt: Long-term dietary habits play a crucial role in creating a host-specific gut microbiota community in humans. Despite the many publications about the effects of carbohydrates (prebiotic fibers), the impact of dietary fats, such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), on the gut microbiota is less well defined. The few studies completed in adults showed some common changes in the gut microbiota after omega-3 PUFA supplementation. In particular, a decrease in Faecalibacterium, often associated with an increase in the Bacteroidetes and butyrate-producing bacteria belonging to the Lachnospiraceae family, has been observed. Coincidentally, a dysbiosis of these taxa is found in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Omega-3 PUFAs can exert a positive action by reverting the microbiota composition in these diseases, and increase the production of anti-inflammatory compounds, like short-chain fatty acids. In addition, accumulating evidence in animal model studies indicates that the interplay between gut microbiota, omega-3 fatty acids, and immunity helps to maintain the intestinal wall integrity and interacts with host immune cells. Finally, human and animal studies have highlighted the ability of omega-3 PUFAs to influence the gut-brain axis, acting through gut microbiota composition. From these findings, the importance of the omega-3 connection to the microbiota emerges, encouraging further studies. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29215589/ PUFAS and Alzheimers/Parkinsons http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/fats-functions-malfunctions.shtml https://lindsayfuce.com/what-are-pufas/

Manche Bakterien begünstigen eine Gewichtszunahme, andere schützen davor. Wozu neigen deine Bakterien? Das derzeit wohl am häufigsten untersuchte und diskutierte Element in der Gesundheit ist unser Darm und seine Beschaffenheit. Aus aktuellen Studien wissen wir heute, dass unsere Darmflora, auch Mikrobiom genannt, unsere gesamte Gesundheit beeinflusst. Eine Gemeinschaft aus Viren, Bakterienstämmen und Pilzen, die das Mikrobiom bilden, sind für wahnsinnig komplexe Vorgänge – wie unser Immunsystem, Stressreaktionen, Schlaf, unsere Stimmung, unser Verhalten, den Stoffwechsel und auch unser Gewicht, verantwortlich. Die eigentlichen Helden im großen Verdauungssystem sind die Bakterien, die den Darm besiedeln. Als eine der wichtigsten Schlüsselfaktoren entscheiden sie darüber, ob wir gesund oder krank, dick oder dünn, gut gelaunt oder depressiv, mutig oder ängstlich sind. Bei den Menschen mit geringer Vielfalt im Verdauungstrakt dominieren dagegen die Bakterienarten, die mit Entzündungsreaktionen des Körpers in Verbindung stehen. Welche Bakterien machen schlank und gesund? Seit wenigen Jahren weiß man, dass es bei den Bakteriengruppen im menschlichen Körper zwei dominante Arten gibt. Es sind die Bacteroidetes und die Firmicutes, die zusammen 90% der Darmflora – Mikrobiota – eines Menschen ausmachen. Das Verhältnis zwischen den Bakteriengruppen Firmicutes und Bacteroidetes steht in direkten Zusammenhang zum Körpergewicht eines Menschen. Schlanke Menschen haben bis zu 90% Bacteroidetes. Bei übergewichtigen Menschen liegt der Anteil an Firmicutes jedoch weit höher. Aber welche Bakterien nehmen einen besonders positiven Einfluss auf unser Gewicht, und wie sieht ein ausgewogenes gesundes Darmmilieu aus, das uns schlank und gesund hält? Zu diesem spannenden Thema habe ich mit Nikoaus Gasche, Gründer von myBioma, gesprochen. Im Interview erfährst du… ✨ Welchen Einfluss die Darmbakterien auf dein Gewicht haben ✨ Was du vom Verhältnis von Bacteroidetes und Firmicutes ablesen kannst ✨ Was du tun kannst, um ein gesundes Darmmilieu zu fördern ✨ Wie du darmgesund isst und lebst Möchtest du dein Mikrobiom analysieren lassen? Mit meinem persönlichen Gutschein-Code erhältst du das Analyse Kit vergünstigt. Verwende bei deiner Bestellung den folgenden Code: EASYDETOX Shownotes: • Mehr über mybioma: https://www.mybioma.com/de/ • https://www.instagram.com/mybioma/ Mehr Infos zu mir: • Mein Blog: https://www.naturallygood.de/ • Mein Buch findest du unter: https://www.naturallygood.de/natuerlich-gut/ • Du findest mich auch auf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturallygood_by_adaeze/ • Hol dir mein Buch ‚Natürlich gut‘: https://shop.verlagsgruppe-patmos.de/natuerlich-gut-401443.html • Drücke auf Reset und starte neu mit dem Easy Detox Online Kurs: https://www.naturallygood.de/easy-detox-online-kurs

The May 2021 Issue of the online, peer reviewed journal Nutrients provided an excellent narrative review of the ketogenic diet from researchers in the Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University.  Ketogenic diets, which traditionally have emphasized keeping total carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams per day, have increased in usage from its inception in the 1930's to treat epilepsy. Restricting carbohydrate consumption, emphasizing moderate protein intake and increasing caloric consumption from fat, causes the body to draw more from fat for energy than from glucose metabolism.According to the Nutrients research – The Potential Health Benefits of the Ketogenic Diet: A Narrative review – “recent studies utilizing Low-carbohydrate, High-fat (LCHF) diets, such as the ketogenic diet, show promise in helping patients lose weight, reverse the signs of metabolic syndrome, reduce, or eliminate insulin requirements for type II diabetics, reduce inflammation, improve epigenetic profiles, alter the microbiome, improve lipid profiles, supplement cancer treatments, and potentially increase longevity and brain function.”That's important, since WebMD estimates that 27 million people are Type 2 diabetic – 86 million pre-diabetics. In addition, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says almost 40% of adults and around 20% of American children are obese.The Western Kentucky reviewers segment the ketogenic diet (KD) into two classifications versus the standard American diet. The therapeutical keto diet's caloric distribution is 5% carbohydrate, 5% protein, and 90% fat, while the standard keto variation is 5% carbohydrate, 20% protein, and 75% fat. The standard American diet is 55% carbohydrate, 15% protein, and 30% fat.The researchers point out that “ketosis is normally achieved through either fasting or carbohydrate restriction. It is important to clarify that a low-carb diet typically refers to a diet with an intake of 50 to 150 g of carbohydrate per day. However, although this is a lower amount of carbohydrates than the standard American diet, it is not low enough to enter nutritional ketosis. Only when a patient restricts carbohydrates to less than 50 g/day will the body be incapable of fueling the body by glucose and will switch to burning fat.”The areas of focus by the Kentucky investigators centered on the effects of the keto diet (KD) on the microbiome (intestinal bacteria), epigenome (changes “on top” of the genome, which modify our gene expression), diabetes, weight loss, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.The microbiome is composed of trillions of microscopic organisms housed in the intestinal tract – supporting 70% of our immune function. While there is limited long-term data on the effects of the keto diet, “based on various studies, many predict that the diet will positively affect the microbiome by increasing the Bacteroidetes and Bifidobacteria species associated with improved health and decreasing microbial species known to increase health risks,” comment the reviewers. As for the epigenome, our heritable markers, it's suggested that by changing our environment to a more favorable status, we can affect our genetic predisposition to heritable disease risk. According to the reviewers, “the benefits of the ketogenic diet might also go beyond treating existing disease, and instead help prevent chronic and degenerative disease.”Read the rest at maxwellnutrition.com

Welcome back to episode 405 of the Whole View. (0:27) Today Stacy and Sarah are talking about a super interesting topic submitted a listener. Which, if you didn't know this already, we love it when you email us. Sarah shared some behind the scenes information on where listener questions come from. There are Stacy's requests, listener questions, and the really challenging listener questions. The question in discussion in this episode is one of those really hard ones that has been in the queue for a long time. Sarah was able to pull together the information for this show because she actually did a lot of research on this topic for her gut microbiome book. And of course, Sarah did extra research to address the many facets of this challenging question. Stacy is excited about this science rich show.   Listener Question Is the EWG's dirty dozen list based on strong science? (3:37) My husband listened to two episodes of the Skeptoid podcast on organic vs. conventional farming. Mr. Dunning said that we are being duped into paying extra for organic produce. It is sprayed with larger amounts of pesticides than those used in conventional farming and the organic pesticides have been shown to cause disease. My husband believes Mr. Dunning because he provides references and appears to be liberal and non-biased in other podcasts.   I have been purchasing organic produce according to the Environmental Working Group's dirty dozen list. It says on the Activist Facts website that "There’s really only one thing you need to know about the Environmental Working Group when it comes to its studies of toxins: 79 percent of members of the Society of Toxicology (scientists who know a little something about toxins) who rated the group say that the Environmental Working Group overstates the health risk of chemicals. I am walking around with holes in my shirts, and I haven't gotten the air conditioning fixed in my car, so that I can afford organic food. Am I wasting my money? I feel like I cannot trust anyone but you.   Preface Stacy wanted to refer listeners to listen back to previous episodes for information on how both Stacy and Sarah have evolved the way they purchase and prioritize their own foods within their budget. (5:06) Neither Stacy nor Sarah buys everything organically. Nothing that Stacy and Sarah are going to discuss in this episode is intended to be a judgment on you or your family or what you did in the past or what you are doing now. This is all education so that you can be empowered to make the choices that are best for your family at the correct time for you. Where Stacy's family is today, ten years later, is a lot different than where they were ten years ago. The goal of this episode is to help you so that you can walk away and ask questions. There is a larger philosophy that each family needs to adapt to what works best for them. No one is perfect. If you are starting in your journey, you don't need to forego the necessities to have organic food. There is a way to prioritize your budget in a way that is consistent with what your family believes in. Healthy living choices are so personal.   Foundational Choices & Next Level Choices Sarah wanted to emphasize that there are foundational health principles. Nutrient density diet, eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and living an active lifestyle. Then Sarah thinks of the next level steps like adding some biohacks, supplements, purchasing grass-fed beef, and organic fruits and vegetables. We need to first make sure that we are focusing on the foundational principles and adding in the next level choice if and when it makes sense. Eating organic is beyond the basic principles, but is overall a better choice. The EWG's overall approach is in many ways more rigorous than the American regulatory agencies. The EWG tends to align with the European Union, Health Canada, and these other regions of the world where the criterion for approving a chemical or pesticide is firmer. In America, the thought process is that chemicals are assumed fine unless proven bad. In Europe, a chemical is not ok until proven safe.   Conventional Evaluation of Pesticide Safety The FDA's safety assessment for chemicals in foods have a variety of criteria. (13:11) They look at acute chronic and subchronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. Pesticides also go through additional impact evaluation on the environment and ecology. The vast majority of the studies evaluating the effects of pesticides show problems to human health only with occupational exposure, rather than the much lower exposure the majority of us would have simply by eating produce from crops treated with these chemicals. However, there are some challenges with this. We can see high exposure in rodents causing all kinds of problems. The assumption is that acute exposure is not the same as low dose chronic exposure.   Where the Standards Differ One of the challenges that we have in evaluating pesticides is that our exposure is already so vast. There are no humans that don't already have multiple points of exposure to pesticides. There are studies that are linking the chronic low dose exposure to pesticide residues that have correlated pesticide exposure in the food supply with a number of health issues. In the United States, there are 72 pesticides that are routinely used that are completely banned or are in the process of being completely phased out in Europe. Of the pesticides used in USA agriculture in 2016, 322 million pounds were of pesticides banned in the EU. Twenty-six million pounds were of pesticides banned in Brazil and 40 million pounds were of pesticides banned in China. Pesticides banned in the EU account for more than a quarter of all agricultural pesticide use in the USA. It is important to understand that the European Union is looking at the same science as the EPA. And they are making a different judgment based on the strength of the data. We have a challenge that our metric is, 'is it toxic' and 'does it cause cancer'. WHO Guidelines for Safety of Chemicals in Food are much more thorough, and add to the above. They include general system toxicity, allergy and hypersensitivity, and GI Tract Considerations (includes microbiome).   Pesticides and the Microbiome (Sarah’s Biggest Concern) Microbial diversity is generally considered to be the most important measurable criteria for a healthy microbiome. (24:31) The more different species you have, they tend to keep each other in balance. The bacteria basically control the growth of each other. We are also looking for the growth of these really important probiotic strains. In addition, we are looking for completely absent levels of pathogens. We are also looking at the balance between the two main phylum of bacteria in the gut. It is important to understand that rodent studies are actually really good studies for understanding the gut microbiome. We would want to eventually be able to do a similar study in humans. But what Sarah wants to emphasize is that these rodent studies are a really good model for understanding what is happening in humans. Let’s go through some of the most commonly-used pesticides in agriculture for food crops. Permethrin is a broad-spectrum chemical often used as an insecticide for cotton, corn, alfalfa, and wheat crops—unfortunately, it’s also lethal to bees. It’s also used to treat lice, ticks, and scabies.  For more on this, visit this link here. PEM has higher antibacterial activity against some beneficial bacteria, (including Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium). Than against pathogens (such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, which only respond to higher concentrations of PEM). Carbendazim (CBZ) is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole fungicide, widely used in agriculture. In mice, 28 days of exposure to CBZ resulted in gut dysbiosis. It suppresses the growth of some of the most important probiotic families while increasing the growth of some problematic families of bacteria. And it decreases bacterial diversity. To learn more about this pesticide, see here. Epoxiconazole (EPO) is a broad-spectrum fungicide often used on grain crops, and that works by inhibiting the metabolism of fungal cells. It reduces the production of conidia—the asexual spores of a fungus that facilitate reproduction. In rats, EPO for 90 days decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, while also selectively enriching Lachnospiraceae and Enterobacteriaceae. To learn more about this pesticide, see here.   More Commonly Used Pesticides Imazalil (IMZ) is a systemic fungicide used to combat fungi on vegetables and fruit (especially citrus), as well as tubers during storage. (30:39) In mice, IMZ exposure (at doses of 100 mg per kg of body weight daily for up to 14 days) reduced the cecal relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, while also reducing microbiota richness and diversity. The IMZ-treated mice also exhibited colonic inflammation. In another study of mice, low-dose, environmentally relevant exposure to IMZ (0.1, 0.5, or 2.5 mg per kg of body weight daily) for 15 weeks resulted in gut microbiota changes. These changes included reduced mucus secretion, decreased the expression of genes related to cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CTFR) in the ileum and colon, and generally disturbed intestinal barrier function. Stacy shared her perspective on how she looks at this information. Think through the way how these pesticides are more heavily used on grains. Chlorphyrifos (CPF) is an extremely common organophosphate pesticide used to kill insects and worms, by interfering with acetylcholine signaling and disrupting their nerve processes. It’s commonly used on fruit and vegetable crops, as well as vineyards. This is one that was going to be banned in the USA, but Scott Pruitt reversed the planned ban. You can learn more about this here. Sarah shared on this study, this study, this study, and this study. This information should stimulate a reevaluation of the use of these chemicals in the food supply. Diazinon is an organophosphate insecticide used on a variety of crops—including fruit trees, rice, sugarcane, nuts, potatoes, and corn. You can learn more about this pesticide here. It causes different changes in male rodents versus female rodents. The researchers speculated that these differences—with male mice experiencing the most severe changes—were due to sex-dependent gut microbiota profiles present before treatment. You can read more about this study here.   Two More Commonly Used Pesticides Propamocarb (PMEP) is a systemic fungicide used to control root, leaf, and soil diseases caused by oomycetes (water molds) by interfering with fatty acid and phospholipid biosynthesis and therefore changing the membrane in fungi. (41:41) It can accumulate in fruit at high levels, thus reaching humans.  You can find more information on this pesticide here. In mice, 28 days of exposure to PMEP (at levels of 300 mg/L in drinking water) induced gut dysbiosis and changes in 20 fecal metabolites, including SCFAs, succinate, bile acids, and TMA. You can read more about this study here. Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide that can kill both grasses and leafy weeds. It works by inhibiting an enzyme (5-enolpyruvylshikimic acid-3-phosphate synthase, or EPSP synthase), which is used by bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, some protozoans and plants to synthesize folates (vitamin B9), ubiquinone, menaquinones (vitamin K2), phenolic compounds, and the aromatic amino acids tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine. The pathway this affects doesn’t exist in animals, which is part of why glyphosate has historically been considered to have low toxicity in animals.  Now that we understand that we have at least as many bacterial cells living within our body as we do human cells and that those bacteria are essential to our health, the relevance of glyphosate exposure comes into focus. Many bacterially-derived compounds that benefit human health are produced via the shikimate pathway. One rat study evaluated the impact on the microbiome of two weeks of glyphosate consumption, and showed a dose-dependent increase in fecal pH attributable to a reduction in acetic acid production, implying the metabolomic impact of glyphosate exposure.   More on Glyphosate It's not that glyphosate is necessarily directly impacting our cells, but it is dramatically impacting the gut microbiome at levels that we are already being exposed to in the food supply. (48:50) In studies in poultry, cattle, and pigs, glyphosate exposure increases the ratio of pathogenic bacteria to probiotic microbes, reducing Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus while increasing Salmonella and Clostridium. In a long-term rat study, the impact on the gut microbiome was evaluated following nearly two years of glyphosate exposure via drinking water at three different doses. Glyphosate caused a large increase in the Bacteroidetes family S24-7 (associated with obesity and inflammation) and a decrease in Lactobacillus species in females (more modest changes in males). It also altered the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio to one more closely associated with chronic disease. The authors concluded “our data suggests that the exposure to an environmental concentration of [Roundup] residues could have a role in the current epidemic of gut dysbiosis”. This occurs even at levels well below the US ADI of 1.75 mg/kg body weight /day.  There is no strong dose-response. Sarah wants to emphasize that our glyphosate exposure in food is quite high. It is definitely above the cusp for an impact on our gut microbiome composition. The FDA has a report where they have been mandated to measure glyphosate residue in the food supply. In their 2016 report they measured measurable levels of glyphosate residues in 63% of corn food crops and in 67% of soybean food crops. However, they did not say how much residue was there. The 2018 report goes to a dead link now. A Swiss study of foods purchased at a grocery store showed that legumes had the highest concentrations of glyphosate residues, up to 2.95 mg/kg. United Kingdom government testing of glyphosate residues in wholegrain bread showed levels up to 0.9 mg/kg. A study of foods purchased in Philadelphia, USA metropolitan area showed 59 percent of honey samples contained glyphosate residues, and 36 percent of soy sauce contained glyphosate residues. Third-party testing of popular breakfast cereals, crackers, and cookies by the Detox Project and Food Democracy Now! showed alarming levels of glyphosate residues in all products. Roundup Ready GMOs have the highest level of glyphosate residues. Studies prove that our current levels of exposure are sufficient for measurable amounts of glyphosate to get into our bodies.  One study showed that 44% of city dwellers in 18 countries in Europe had detectable glyphosate residues in their urine, despite Europe’s more aggressive campaign against GMO foods. A pilot study in the United States of America evaluating 131 urine samples from across the country detected glyphosate residues in the urine of 86.7% of them. The highest observed detection frequency in the Midwest was at 93.3% and the lowest in the South at 69.2%.   How to Look at this Science The EWG is looking at this much more broad group of criteria and they are taking a very similar standpoint to the European Union. (58:09) A small effect is still an effect and we need to be concerned about it. When Sarah does a deep dive look to look at the impact on the gut microbiome this is where Sarah sees the biggest area of concern. Sarah thinks it is especially important because it is not currently part of the criteria by the FDA and the EPA for whether or not these chemicals are going to be approved for use. This is the thing that Sarah really thinks needs to change. The good news is that a healthy gut microbiome and high fiber consumption can actually protect us from absorbing a lot of these pesticides.  There have been studies that showed that lactobacilli can help reduce how much pesticide on our food gets into our bodies.  There are also studies that show that higher fiber consumption can at least partially reverse the gut dysbiosis. As we get back to the heart of this question, there are studies that show that the answer is no. High vegetable consumption is still really important because it does support a healthy gut microbiome, to begin with. And a healthy gut microbiome is going to protect us in a lot of ways. For example, they can protect us against heavy metals. Even if we can't afford organic to not let that dissuade us from eating that high vegetable consumption because of this. Sarah sees this as an exciting two-way street. Even though pesticide residues are impacting the composition of our guts, the composition of our gut is influenced by more than just that. It is influenced by how many fruits and vegetables we eat, mushrooms, nuts and seeds, variety, how much fish, how quality the olive oil is that we are consuming, etc. All of these things help to determine the composition of our gut microbiome. Doing all of these foundational things becomes more important when we are not necessarily in a position to be able to seek out and afford the highest food quality. It is still really important to eat a vegetable-rich diet. That's why Sarah wants to classify all of this science as the next level. The foundational principle is still eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, even if our only access to that is conventional. Beyond that, yes the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists from the EWG are a wonderful tool. Not that Sarah agrees with everything the EWG has said, Sarah thinks that these are spot on in the sense of trying to minimize our exposure to pesticide residues.   How to Limit Pesticide Exposure Stacy feels that the podcast referenced and the information they are sharing aren't so far apart. (1:02:10) Sarah and Stacy discussed a point shared in the documentary Food Inc. that really hit this information home. We do the best that we can with what we can, and become educated on what other things we can do to support healthy living. Nothing is ever perfect. Prioritize the foods you purchase and do the best you can. It is not good to stress about these things. The dirty dozen list includes strawberries, spinach, kale, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery and potatoes The clean fifteen list includes avocados, sweet corn, pineapple, onions, papaya, sweet peas (frozen), eggplants, asparagus, cauliflower, cantaloupes, broccoli, mushrooms, cabbage, honeydew melon, and kiwifruit. If you are going to get something off the dirty dozen conventional, look at ways that you can wash that food very well or ways you can peel the food to remove the majority of the pesticide residue. USDA certification is very expensive, so a lot of small family farms are growing organically, but don't have the certification. Talk to farmers and find out how they are growing their food. Stacy can't handle the sight of bugs in her fresh vegetables. Eating fruits and vegetables is a good thing. Perfection is not the goal. Neither Stacy nor Stacy eats 100% organic, they both do the best that they can. Sarah has found that the prices at her local farmer's market are best. Develop relationships with your local farmers, and shop at the end of the market. Stacy subscribes to Hungry Harvest, which has a waiting list right now. Sarah prescribes to MisFit Market, there is also one called Imperfect Produce. One of the things that Sarah loves about her subscription is the surprise element of it, which forces her to get creative with her meal planning. At Stacy's house they meal plan when their box arrives, based on what they received. Stacy shared more information on their meal planning process as a family, and how focused they have become to make sure they are not wasting food. Building relationships with your local farmers is a point that Stacy echoed from Sarah. Buying things in season or frozen can also be a helpful way to save money. Stacy's organic box is at least 30% off had they purchased those items at a grocery store regularly. The thing that Stacy most loves about Hungry Harvest is that they give back to the community.   Closing Thoughts Stacy thanked Sarah for all the research she did for this show! (1:23:13) If you have any follow up questions on all of this, you are welcome to email Stacy and Sarah using the contact forms on their blogs. You can comment on social media posts as well. Stacy and Sarah are always happy to hear from you! If you have been loving this show, please help spread the word to others by sharing a link to an episode you enjoyed with a family or friend, or leave a review. Stacy and Sarah so greatly appreciate your support! Thank you again for tuning in! Next week is another science-heavy show that builds off of this week's episode. We will be back again next week! (1:25:57)

When it comes to working towards long-term fat loss, it can be frustrating if you don’t have the tools and knowledge to set yourself up for success. In this episode, we dive into all things fat loss including common obstacles that can inhibit it, and healthy ways to achieve and optimize fat loss goals. We also cover what the difference is between weight loss vs fat loss, how stress plays a role, and so much more that will help give you an edge when it comes to losing fat safely and feeling your best.     In this episode you’ll learn:  Healthy ways to measure your success when it comes to fat loss  About why eating in a moderate calorie deficit is crucial for fat loss  Why you don’t want to eat too low calorie  That basal metabolic rate and total daily energy expenditure are important if you’re tracking macros and calories  What basal metabolic rate means  Why tracking calories and macros is helpful for long-term weight loss  Start tracking everything that makes you feel good, bad, etc.  About portion control and its role in fat loss  Why eating less refined foods and more whole foods is critical to healthy weight loss  About the 80/20 rule and how it can be helpful  Why eating fat doesn’t make you fat  Why a “sad” salad is not nearly as effective as a more filling salad  Some healthy fats to incorporate into your routine  That it’s critical to eat plenty of protein, produce, and fiber throughout the day  Why it’s better to eat fruit after your workout and veggies at all times of the day  Why a nutrition plan is so much more effective than a short-term, restrictive diet plan  About obesogenic environments and why they can make it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight  Tips for how to overcome an obesogenic environment About compensatory physiological adaptations and how they affect your hunger levels Why it’s critical to properly adjust your calorie levels as you lose weight  The difference between tracking body composition and tracking weight  That chewing your food is crucial for breaking down your food and healthy digestion What nutrient timing is and how it can help optimize weight loss  That stress can play a huge role in multiple aspects of your health  Tips for maintaining healthy insulin levels  That maintaining hormone levels is imperative to healthy fat loss  What xenoestrogens are and how they can affect hormone levels and weight  Ways to avoid leptin sensitivity  About hunger hormones like ghrelin and neuropeptide Y and ways to optimize them  Why sugary drinks like fruit juices are not helpful for weight loss  About intermittent fasting to help with fat loss  Ways to address and optimize gut health  That the supplement glutamine can be helpful  Why choosing smaller plates and silverware can be helpful with portion control  That sprinting is extremely effective for fat loss  References:  If you need help with calculating macros/calories, contact Chris here: Chris Rocchio on Instagram | masteryourhealth.net  Master Your Health Episode:  Things Preventing You From Reaching Your Goals (Stress)  Gut health pt 1  Gut Health pt 2 w Mary Pardee  How to Set the Stage for Better Sleep       Products:  Oura sleep tracking ring  Sources:  “Diets w/ a lot of ultra-processed-foods caused excess calorie intake which in turn led to weight gain unlike the unprocessed food diet.” https://osf.io/preprints/nutrixiv/w3zh2 Feb 2019 study published in the journal of the American medical association linked an increase in consumption of ultra processed foods w with a higher risk of all-cause mortality. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2723626  “Dieting: proxy or cause of future weight gain?”  2015 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25614200 “Dieting and restrained eating as prospective predictors of weight gain” 2013 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3759019/ “Physiological adaptations to weight loss and factors favouring weight regain” 2015 https://www.nature.com/articles/ijo201559 “Weight loss, weight maintenance, and adaptive thermogenesis” 2013 https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/97/5/990/4577235 “Effect of physical activity on weight loss, energy expenditure, and energy intake during diet induced weight loss.” 2014 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23804562 “Eating slowly led to decreases in energy intake within meals in healthy women.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18589027 “Eating slowly increases the postprandial response of the anorexigenic gut hormones, peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide-1.” 21010 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19875483 “Increased chewing reduces energy intake, but not postprandial glucose and insulin, in healthy weight and overweight young adults.” 2019 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29767425 “Eating attentively: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of food intake memory and awareness on eating” 2013 https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/97/4/728/4577025 “The effect of protein timing on muscle strength and hypertrophy: a meta-analysis.” 2013 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24299050 “Pre- versus post-exercise protein intake has similar effects on muscular adaptations” 2017 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5214805/ “International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrient timing” 2017 https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-017-0189-4 One study found leptin levels in obese patients were 4x higher than those at normal weight https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8532024/ Glutamine has been shown to be a promising therapeutic approach to stimulating insulin secretion in obesity and type 2 diabetes patients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19056578 Glutamine can reduce Firmicutes by balancing out the ratio between them and another class of bacteria, Bacteroidetes, which in turn can also decrease the amount of ghrelin and leptin-mimicking secretions that come from this class of bacteria. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2593349

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.04.29.069575v1?rss=1 Authors: Brichacek, A. L., Nwafor, D. C., Benkovic, S. A., Chakraborty, S., Kenney, S. M., Mace, M., Jun, S., Gambill, C. A., Wang, W., Hu, H., Ren, X., Povroznik, J. M., Engler-Chiurazzi, E. B., Primerano, D., Denvir, J., Percifield, R., Infante, A., Franko, J., Schafer, R., Gemoets, D. E., Brown, C. M. Abstract: Recent literature implicates gut epithelia mucosa and intestinal microbiota as important players in post-stroke morbidity and mortality. As most studies have focused on the acute effects of stroke on gut dysbiosis, our study objective was to measure chronic, longitudinal changes in the gut microbiota and intestinal pathology following ischemic stroke. We hypothesized that mice with experimental ischemic stroke would exhibit chronic gut dysbiosis and intestinal pathology up to 36 days post-stroke compared to sham controls. Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to 60 minutes of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) or sham surgery. To determine the long-term effects of tMCAO on gut dysbiosis, fecal boli were collected pre- and post-tMCAO on days 0, 3, 14, and 28. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrate significant differences in abundance among Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes taxa at the phylum, family, and species levels in tMCAO compared to sham mice that persisted up to one month post-stroke. The most persistent changes in post-stroke microbial abundance were a decrease in bacteria family S24-7 and significant increases in Ruminococcaceae. Overall, these changes resulted in a persistently increased Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio in stroke animals. Intestinal histopathology showed evidence of chronic intestinal inflammation that included marked increases in immune cell infiltration with mild-moderate epithelial hyperplasia and villous blunting. Increased astrocyte and microglial activity were also detected one-month post-stroke. These results demonstrate that acute, post-stroke disruption of the gut-brain-microbiota axis progresses to chronic gut dysbiosis, intestinal inflammation, and chronic neuroinflammation. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

SHR # 2483 :: Probiotic Re-imagined: Repopulate Your Gut With Healthy Microbes - Wade Lightheart and Matt Gallant - I've always asked why we couldn't just plant new healthy microbes in our gut the way we re-seed our lawns. Well now it may be possible. This single strain firmicute has been shown to: improve protein digestion and absorption; reduce SIBO, IBS and autoimmune symptoms; protect against bad bacteria and pathogens taking up residence in your gut; reduce morning brain-fog and improve mental clarity. It's also associated with leaner more muscular bodies in scientific papers that look at ratios of firmicutes to Bacteroidetes in lean versus obese individuals. And the patented delivery system makes it double its population every 20 minutes helping to repopulate your gut like reseeding your lawn.

SHR # 2483 :: Probiotic Re-imagined: Repopulate Your Gut With Healthy Microbes - Wade Lightheart and Matt Gallant - I’ve always asked why we couldn’t just plant new healthy microbes in our gut the way we re-seed our lawns. Well now it may be possible. This single strain firmicute has been shown to: improve protein digestion and absorption; reduce SIBO, IBS and autoimmune symptoms; protect against bad bacteria and pathogens taking up residence in your gut; reduce morning brain-fog and improve mental clarity. It’s also associated with leaner more muscular bodies in scientific papers that look at ratios of firmicutes to Bacteroidetes in lean versus obese individuals. And the patented delivery system makes it double its population every 20 minutes helping to repopulate your gut like reseeding your lawn.

  On this week's episode, Stacy and Sarah are updating us about mushrooms! Since our last episode, Episode 307, we've discovered so much new information on mushrooms. Sarah considers them to be another food group! Find out why on Episode 392!   If you enjoy the show, please review it on iTunes! The Paleo View (TPV), Episode 392: Are Mushrooms Really Magic? Part 2 Introduction (0:44) Stacy isn't in charge this week! Time for Sarah to nerd out! Sarah is almost done with her gut microbiome book. She thinks only 2 months before she turns it in. Now that she has all this information on the microbiome, it's now of equal importance as nutrient density. "One of the foods that I have realized needs to be its own food group, needs to be emphasized, that just doesn't get enough play in any health conscious community is mushrooms." We did an episode on mushroom extracts in episode 307, but we only scratched the surface. Now we see mushrooms as a foundational food. We'll explore why in this episode. Stacy wants to see if we can figure out why she craves mushrooms with her steak when she has PMS Sponsored Episode by Real Mushrooms (8:48) Real Mushrooms is the premier provider of organic mushroom extracts, verified for the beneficial medicinal compounds like beta-glucans and free from starchy fillers like grains. With over 40 years of mushroom growing experience, Real Mushrooms prides itself on providing a transparent source of medicinal mushrooms that you can trust. Sarah has fallen in love with their super high quality, lab tested mushroom extracts as powder or pill or chocolate! Landing Page: https://www.realmushrooms.com/lp-thepaleoview/ Deal: 25% off, no coupon needed What mushrooms are their own food group (11:41) Not a vegetable! Fungus are a different kingdom from plants. Unique phytochemicals we can’t get anywhere else: polyphenols, triterpenes. Unique fiber we can’t get anywhere else: chitin, beta-glucans, chitosan Extremely nutrient dense Uniquely beneficial for the gut microbiome (mediates health benefits) A 100-gram serving of the least impressive mushroom (the white or common mushroom), raw, contains a whopping 24% of the RDA of vitamin B2, 18% of vitamin B3, 15% of vitamin B5, 16% of copper, 13% of selenium, 9% each of phosphorous and potassium, and smaller but still impressive amounts of vitamins B1, B6, B9, C and D as well as iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc—all for only 22 calories. While we don't count calories, that's certainly nutrient dense! Phytochemicals and fiber are very important for the gut microbiome. And then the gut microbiome breaks down nutrients for us to use. Phenolic compounds (17:50) All antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and many other beneficial properties. protocatechuic acid. Studies suggest protocatechuic acid is a potent antioxidant that can reduce inflammation, protect the liver from damage, prevent cancer, protect against ulcers, and protect against cardiovascular disease, in addition to both anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. gentisic acid. Studies suggest gentisic acid has anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic and antioxidant properties, can protect cells from damage caused by gamma radiation, can protect the liver from damage, and enhances antioxidant enzyme activity. gallic acid. Studies show that gallic acid has potent antioxidant effects, reduces inflammation, and may protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, and infection. In fact, gallic acid may prove useful in the treatment of depression, cancer, and some types of infection. vanillic acid. Studies show that vanillic acid has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may even act as a pain reliever. It’s also cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. p-coumaric acid. Studies suggest p-coumaric acid can reduce inflammation, reduce intestinal inflammation, regulate the immune system, improve bone density, act as an antidepressant, prevent cancer, protect against kidney damage, and protect against tissue damage caused by drugs and alcohol. Cinnamic acid. Another potent antioxidant, studies suggest that cinnamic acid has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties in addition to protecting against cancer and diabetes. syringic acid. Studies show that syringic acid may protect against cancer, diabetes, liver damage and lung damage. myricetin. Studies show that myricetin is a superstar thanks to its strong anti-oxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. It may protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as cardiovascular disease, liver damage, and glaucoma. Myricetin also protects against photoaging, thrombosis, hypertention, allergies and can even act as a pain reliever! catechin. Studies show that catechins act as antioxidants but also boost the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Catechins are also anti-inflammatory and modulate the immune system, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and can boost metabolism and promote healthy weight loss. Catechin also helps shifting the gut microbiome towards a healthy microbiome from an obese microbiome. Present when they do a fecal transplant in mice. Triterpenes (26:37) Mushrooms are also particularly rich in triterpenes (including ergosterol, ganoleucoin, ganoderic acid and pyrrole alkaloids), which have a variety of properties that are important for cancer prevention, including antiproliferative, antimetastatic, and antiangiogenic. About 80 different triterpenes have been isolated from reishi alone, some of which are known to kill hepatoma cells (liver cancer cells), to inhibit histamine release from mast cells (anti-allergic effect), to have cardioprotective effects (by modulating angiotensin) and hepatoprotective activity. Fiber (29:28) Chitin Chitin is a type of fermentable oligosaccharide fiber made of long chains of a glucose derivative called N-acetylglucosamine with amino acids attached. It can only be obtained from mushrooms and other fungi, insect exoskeletons, fish scales, and shellfish shells. In studies, chitin has been shown to support the growth of species from Bifidobacterium (including Bifidobacterium animalis), Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, and Bacteroides while also decreasing the abundance of the inflammatory microbe Desulfovibrio. In mice, chitin oligosaccharides are also able to modulate the gut microbiota to combat diet-induced metabolic syndrome in mice, inhibiting the destruction of the gut barrier, restoring the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio to what it was before high-fat feeding, and reversing the decreases in Porphyromonadaceae, Deferribacteraceae, and Coriobacteriaceae and the increases in Rhodospirillaceae, Christensenellaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, Verrucomicrobiaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae induced by high-fat feeding. At the genus level, chitin fiber dramatically increased levels of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, and Bacteroides in these mice, while decreasing the abundance of the less favorable Desulfovibrio. In human fecal culture, chitin-glucan fiber also beneficially increases the Lactobacillus/Enterococcus ratio. Chitosan Chitosan is also composed of a long chain of N-acetylglucosamine molecules, but it also contains randomly distributed D-glucosamine molecules linked in a beta configuration. It is only naturally-occurring in the cell walls of fungi, like mushrooms. In mice, chitosan increases gut microbial diversity (along with a general increase in Bacteroidetes and a decrease in Firmicutes) and decreases levels of potentially pathogenic genera Escherichia and Shigella. In diabetic mice, chitosan has also been shown to reshape the microbiota to induce an anti-diabetic effect, relieving dysbiosis by raising levels of Akkermansia muciniphilia and suppressing the growth of Helicobacter. Beta-Glucans Glucans are polysaccharides derived from D-glucose, linked by either alpha-glycosidic bonds (making them alpha-glucans) or beta-glycosidic bonds (making them beta-glucans). Mushrooms are particularly rich sources of beta-glucans (more specifically (1-3),(1-6)-beta-glucans which are different than the (1,4)-beta-glucans in grains like oats), which feed anaerobic microbes in the gut and can significantly increase levels of, butyric and propionic acids (the second best source of beta-glucans is oats). Beta-glucans have been shown to increase levels of Roseburia, Bifidobacterium and Dialister, and in particular the species Eubacterium rectale, Roseburia faecis, and Roseburia intestinalis. In a human trial, foods rich in beta-glucan, increased levels of Roseburia hominis, Clostridiaceae (Clostridium orbiscindens and probiotic Clostridium species), and Ruminococcus species, while lowering the levels of Firmicutes and Fusobacteria were lowered. Levels of acetic, butyric, and propionic acids also increased. In vitro studies have also demonstrated that beta-glucan can boost the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium animalis lactis. In an extensive review of the health effects of beta-glucan, researchers concluded that this fiber’s actions upon the gut microflora, including enhancing the production of short-chain fatty acids, contributes to its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and immune-modulating effects. FAQs (37:44) Taken all together, these unique properties found in no other food groups elevates mushrooms to their own food group! Serving size? Servings per week? Let’s look at the science! Servings are defined same way as veggies, 80-100g, one cup raw (a fist-sized amount) or 1/2 cup cooked. Cancer studies show highest magnitude of effect in relation to frequent mushrooms consumption. Many (but not all) CVD and T2D studies show null effect in context of SAD diet. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.32591 Compared to participants with mushroom consumption

Kriben Govender (Honours Degree in Food Science & Technology) and James Shadrach (Honours Degree in Psychology) interview the father of Psychobiotics, Professor Ted Dinan.  We discuss how the gut and brain is connected, and the future of probiotics, prebiotics and food as a treatment option for IBS, anxiety, depression, stress and mood management.   Bio: Ted Dinan is Professor of Psychiatry at University College Cork. He was previously Chair of Clinical Neurosciences and Professor of Psychological Medicine at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London.  Prior to that, he was a Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin.   He has worked in research laboratories on both sides of the Atlantic and has a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of London.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Psychiatrists and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.  His main research interest is on the role of the gut microbiota in influencing brain function and development.  Within this context he has focused on depression and irritable bowel syndrome. He has made significant contributions to the literature on the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in situations of stress.  In 1995 was awarded the Melvin Ramsey Prize for this research into the biology of stress. His current research is funded by Science Foundation Ireland, the Health Research Board and the European Union through FP7.  He has published over 400 papers and numerous books on the pharmacology and neurobiology of affective disorders.   Research interests:   The “Brain-Gut-Microbe Axis” research  addresses the communication between the brain and gut and how it can be influenced by the gastrointestinal microbiota. This is an area of significance in infancy, where important links between diet, microbes and cognition are established. The influence of the microbiota on obesity and metabolic syndrome are also increasingly recognised. A better understanding of the role of this axis in the stress response, and its links with other debilitating psychiatric conditions, will help provide new treatment and management strategies – these will represent opportunities for both the food ingredients business and the pharmaceutical industry. Within this context papers Prof. Dinan’s group  have promoted the concept of Psychobiotics, probiotics that have a mental health benefit.   Professional activities: Prof. Dinan runs a clinic for treatment refractory depression at Cork University Hospital.  The research focus at this clinic is on biomarkers of response and the development of new therapies.   Publications: Please see  http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2316-7220   Topics discussed:   Brain Gut - Microbiome Axis What are Psychobiotics? Modulating the gut Microbiome to treat psychological disease and improve mental health Species of Psychobiotic bacteria Probiotic health claims  European Food Safety Standard for claiming health benefits of probiotic  Food industry issues on probiotic health claims Convergence of Food and Pharma Treatment options for Mental health issues How the Gut and Brains are connected? Bi- directional Vagus communication Bacterial communication via the vagus nerve Importance of short chain fatty acids via Fibre Tryptophan metabolism  Synthesis of Tryptophan by gut microbiota Immune system cytokines and brain activity Decline of Bifidobacteria with age The effect of Bifidobacterium longum 1714 on tryptophan levels and mood https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27801892 Mechanism of tryptophan and stress The impact of elevated and sustained Cortisol  Reduction of Cortisol by Bifidobacteria Cushing’s disease Cortisol and Depression Future prospect of improving cardiovascular health with Psychobiotics The impact Birth Method on asthma, allergies, antibiotics, obesity and stress response Antibiotics and Depression Early life Antibiotics use and Obesity Risk Impact of Anti- Depressants on gut microbiota Lithium and gut microbiota alteration Antidepressants and weight gain Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes ratio, weight gain and Antidepressants Bariactric surgery and alteration of the gut microbiota composition Faecal Matter Transplants and the risk of depression transfer Transferring the Blues Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27491067 The Psychobiotic Revolution: Mood, Food, and the New Science of the Gut-Brain Connection by Scott C. Anderson (Author), John F. Cryan (Author), Ted Dinan (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Psychobiotic-Revolution-Science-Gut-Brain-Connection/dp/142621846X The discovery of lactic bacteria as a treatment for depression in 1910 Opportunity for the development of food based mood enhancers (Prebiotics or Probiotics) Benefits of the Mediterranean diet for mental health Processed Foods, Trans fats and Mental Heath  Benefits of Aerobic Exercise Anti anxiety effect of Prebiotics- Fructose Oligosaccharides (FOS Inulin)  and Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)  Good Food and Mood Bifidogenic effects of Prebiotics What is the potential Road Map for Psychobiotic use in a clinical setting? Nutritional Psychiatry- Diet and Exercise Education of Health Care Professionals  Fibre intake and Mental Health  Is there any link between Stress and IBS? Anxiety + IBS link Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 and IBS https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28166427 “A good diet is the best way to deliver nutrients to the brain" Ted’s No 1 recommendation for mental health Ted’s Diet and Lifestyle habits       Brought to you by:   Nourishmeorganics- Gut Health Super Store- Shine from the Inside https://www.nourishmeorganics.com.au/   Shop Prebiotic Products here (10% off using code Ted):   FOS Inulin   https://www.nourishmeorganics.com.au/products/organic-fos-inulin-powder-200g   GOS   https://www.nourishmeorganics.com.au/products/bimuno-daily-prebiotic-30-x-3-65-sachets    Allele Microbiome- Gut Microbiome Testing   Shop Microbiome Stool testing (10% off Gut Explorer Pro using code: gutlove)    https://www.allele.com.au/collections/frontpage/products/gut-microbiome-analysis         Connect with Professor Ted Dinan:   Twitter: https://twitter.com/teddinan Website- http://apc.ucc.ie/ted_dinan/    Connect with Kriben Govender:  Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/kribengee/ Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/kribengovender/ Youtube- https://www.youtube.com/c/Nourishmeorganics?sub_confirmation=1 Gut Health Gurus Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nourishmeorganics/     Download links                 If you enjoyed this episode and would like to show your support:   1) Please subscribe on Itunes and leave a positive review     Instructions:   - Click this link  https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/gut-health-gurus-podcast/id1433882512?mt=2   - Click "View in Itunes" button on the left hand side - This will open Itunes app - Click "Subscribe" button - Click on "Ratings and Reviews" tab - Click on "Write a Review" button     2) Subscribe, like and leave a positive comment on Youtube   https://www.youtube.com/c/Nourishmeorganics?sub_confirmation=1   3) Share your favourite episode on Facebook, Instagram, and Stories 4) Let your friends and family know about this Podcast by email, text, messenger etc   5) Support us on Patreon for as little as $5 per month and get same day, early access to our latest podcasts (typically around 4 to 6 weeks earlier than the general public) https://www.patreon.com/nourishmeorganics   Thank you so much for your support. 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Kriben Govender (Honours Degree in Food Science & Technology) and James Shadrach (Honours Degree in Psychology) interview The Probiotic Advisor- Dr Jason Hawrelak on how to optimise your Gut Microbiome using DNA based Stool Testing, Diet, Prebiotics and Probiotics.   Dr Hawrelak is Head of Research at ProbioticAdvisor.com. His passion for gastrointestinal health, the GIT microbiota, and probiotics was ignited during the final year of his undergraduate training. Subsequently, Dr Hawrelak did his Honours (First Class) and PhD degrees in the areas of the gastrointestinal microbiota, irritable bowel syndrome, and the clinical applications of pre- and probiotics. He has written extensively in the medical literature on these topics – including 16 textbook chapters – and his research has been cited over 800 times.    Topics discussed:   - The digestive disease epidemic and the associated causes - What is the Gut Microbiome vs Gut Microbiota - DNA Based Stool Testing - How to interpret a Stool Testing Report - Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria - The negative effects of Proteobacteria endoxins/Lipopolysaccharides - Strategies to reduce Proteobacteria genera - Hydrogen sulfide gas producers - eg Desulfovibrio, Bilophila  - Methane producing Archae- Methanobrevibacter. smithii - Using Prebiotics to decrease abundance of Pathobionts - Partially Hydrolysed Guar Gum, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) Inulin, Lactulose, Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), Acacia Fibre - What are Short Chains Fatty acids, eg Butyrate, Acetate, Propionate - Impact of Bile Acid Supplements - Peace Keeping Bacteria- Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Akkermansia - Leaky Gut - Increasing levels of the Peace Keeping to improve gut integrity - Beneficial Butyrate Producing Bacteria - Gut healing properties of Butyrate - Foods that feed good bacteria- polyphenols, resistant starch - Exogenous Butyrate supplementation - Gut Dybiosis and Mental Health - Endotoxin, brain inflammation and the link to depression/ anxiety - Foods/ Diets to avoid to prevent depression and anxiety - The importance of fibre for health and mental health - The impact of sleep on microbiome diversity - The synergistic impact of poor diet and sleep deprivation - What is Small Intestinal Overgrowth (SIBO)? - SIBO and the oral microbiome - Is there a place for a mouth probiotic? - The negative impact of proton pump inhibitors - Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 for gum disease, and SIBO - Helminthic Therapy, hook worms and celiac disease - Are parasites a problem? Giardia, Blastocystic hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis - The role of commensal protozoa and fungi - Are probiotics effective after a course of antibiotics? (study discussed in a previous podcast - Episode 3 - The Truth about Probiotics) https://podcast.nourishmeorganics.com.au/the-truth-about-probiotics - How to effectively use probiotics? - Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 and gut transit time - Digestive enzymes, Hydrochloric Acid         Brought to you by:   Nourishmeorganics- Gut Health Super Store- Shine from the Inside https://www.nourishmeorganics.com.au/   Shop Probiotics (10% off using code: jason)   https://www.nourishmeorganics.com.au/collections/prebiotics   Shop Prebiotics (10% off using code: jason)   https://www.nourishmeorganics.com.au/collections/probiotics   Shop Digestive Enzymes (10% off using code: jason)   https://www.nourishmeorganics.com.au/collections/digestive-enzymes      Allele Microbiome- Gut Microbiome Testing   Shop Microbiome Stool testing (10% off Gut Explorer Pro using code: jason)    https://www.allele.com.au/collections/frontpage/products/gut-microbiome-analysis      Show Links:     Connect with Jason Hawrelak:   https://www.probioticadvisor.com/      Connect with Kriben Govender:  Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/kribengee/ Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/kribengovender/ Youtube- https://www.youtube.com/c/Nourishmeorganics?sub_confirmation=1 Gut Health Gurus Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nourishmeorganics/   Available on Itunes and Spotify   If you enjoyed this episode and would like to show your support:   1) Please subscribe on Itunes and leave a positive review     Instructions:   - Click this link  https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/gut-health-gurus-podcast/id1433882512?mt=2   - Click "View in Itunes" button on the left hand side - This will open Itunes app - Click "Subscribe" button - Click on "Ratings and Reviews" tab - Click on "Write a Review" button     2) Subscribe, like and leave a positive comment on Youtube   https://www.youtube.com/c/Nourishmeorganics?sub_confirmation=1   3) Share your favourite episode on Facebook, Instagram, and Stories 4) Let your friends and family know about this Podcast by email, text, messenger etc   5) Support us on Patreon for as little as $5 per month and get same day, early access to our latest podcasts (typically around 4 to 6 weeks earlier than the general public) https://www.patreon.com/nourishmeorganics   Thank you so much for your support. It means the world to us.

Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Cabral HouseCall of the weekend! I’m looking forward to sharing with you some of our community’s questions that have come in over the past few weeks… Let’s get started!  Anonymous: I am curious about your thoughts on iron levels. I don’t recall hearing you ever talk about it on the podcast. A few months ago I thought I had mono - I had all the classic symptoms. Though I didn’t check my blood work I started taking iron and felt much better. My doctor said I was most likely anemic as I was a vegetarian at the time. What are your thoughts on iron levels as it relates to mood, energy etc? Vivian; After listening to your podcast on signs that a disease is coming , i got really concerned cause my husband showed one , very clearly - the diagonal crease on ear lob - His mom passed in 2010 at age of 60 , suddenly from heart disease they never knew she had. After that , in 2011 , he did a full scan and all showed fine. I told him about the podcast and forced him to do it over....we just got a call from the doctor , saying that he has the early stage of a heart disease...that one one of the markers that in 2011 came as zero, came as a 4 now and his red blood cells are kind of "sticky" and can result in heart problems if he doesn't eat right and follow the recommendations. Since i met him , over 2 years ago, his diet has changed completely, i thought him how to eat and all i have learned about nutrition. He finished a doctor Cabral 7 days detox couple weeks ago. Please , what are your recommendations ( what to avoid and what to supplement with) so we can do our best to have him with us for many ,many, years?? I appreciate your help and all you do. Suzanne:  Hello Stephen! Thank you for all the wonderful work you do in the healing world! My question involves a few different sicknesses I’ve accumulated over the last year. Last year during a stressful teaching stint I was diagnosed with an Epstein Bar (Glandular Fever) relapse, despite having the condition in my late teenage years. (I am now 25 years old.I suffered with a chronic sore throat initially which turned into fatigue, muscle aches and peeling fingers and toes. After changing a huge amount of my lifestyle and stress I have helped things but still suffer from the sore throat every few days, fatigue and constant peeling of my fingers and toes. (Despite many coconut oil applications I can’t seem to stop the peeling) On a side note: I have travelled a lot (and did get bitten by a tick in Nepal.) I have been on far too many antibiotics (If only I knew) and did go on a course of Roaccutane for three months. I was also vegan for almost four years in an attempt for perfect health which has since changed since the long absence of my period. My sickness also began when I was vegan. I now eat a small amount of meat including salmon, organic chicken and kangaroo which has fixed my hormones. (Still no dairy, eggs and limited gluten.) BUT Despite my best efforts I’m still fatigued and working part time as a result with peeling fingers and a sore throat most of the time) I believe I will get there I just need a little help and advice. Thank you for all the work you do in this field. The path to wellness in the best gift you could give. Elizabeth: Hi Dr Cabral, I don't think you have done a podcast on this but I was wondering if there is anything you would specifically recommend for PMLE? I have read online that Shirudo AGR+E lotion is good but I wondered if there is also anything else or any supplements that would help (and/or potentially reverse) this? It may help to mention, I believe I have hypothyroidism (which I am naturally treating the past year or so) and that I have changed my sunscreen various times (minor PMLE occurs with each different sunscreen brand; I am also trying to find a natural sunscreen). The PMLE type reaction is relatively minor and has only started to happen the last couple of years. Last summer vacation I had a minor reaction on my arms, legs/ankles and chest and this vacation this past week (mid-June) I had it only on my hands, knees, feet and partly on my collarbone/upper chest. It's not immediate, it seems to take a few days to occur. I remain out of the sun when it does, although using more sunscreen does not help. Not sure if reaction on different areas of the body signifies anything? I am from London, where we don't get much sun. Perhaps there is a relation with thyroid but it would be useful to know what may help it going forward and what may have caused it. I am going away again soon so I did contact your support email in hope for a earlier response but they directed me to ask cabral, however hopefully this may help some others... Thank you so much for you and your podcasts! Andrea: My 25 yr old daughter has had gut issues for years and has been to many dr,’s but still no relief. She was then diagnosed with Hashimotos and thyroid cancer and had her thyroid removed 12/2016. She now also has psoriasis. She now see’s a local Functional medicine dr here in STL who has been trying to help her. She tried a candida cleanse late last year but still has gut pain. She is gluten free and has done food allergy tests that show mild allergy to yogurt but that’s it. She decided to do a GI Map and here are the things that seem off:Enterotoxigenic E. coli LT/ST 1.19e6 High; Normal Bacterial Flora; Bacteroides fragilis 8.8e8 Low; Bifidobacterium spp. 1.6e10; Enterococcus spp. 5.7e6; Escherichia spp. 7.9e5 Low; Lactobacillus spp. 2.6e6; Clostridium spp. 9.66e4; Enterobacter spp. 1.69e5 Low; Phyla Microbiota Result; Bacteroidetes 1.94e10 Low; Firmicutes 7.87e9 Low; Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes Ratio 0.40; Additional Dysbiotic/Overgrowth Bacteria Result Normal; Bacillus spp. 2.71e4; Enterococcus faecalis

Lauren Petersen, PhD, is a postdoctoral associate working for Dr. George Weinstock and investigating the microbiome. Our knowledge of the 100 trillion microorganisms that inhabit the human body is still very limited, but the advent of next-generation sequencing technology has allowed researchers to start understanding what kind of microorganisms inhabit the human body and identifying the types of genes these organisms carry. As part of the NIH-funded Human Microbiome Project, her lab is focused on developing and applying the latest technologies to characterize the microbiome and its impact on human health. One of her main projects is metatranscriptomic analysis whereby they are attempting to characterize gene expression of an entire community from human samples such as stool and saliva. Gaining information on what signals or environmental factors can trigger changes in global gene expression of an entire microbial community may provide us with the tools to better treat certain types of diseases in humans. Lauren is currently working on the Athlete Microbiome Project. By collecting stool and saliva samples from a cohort of highly fit professional cyclists, she will make an attempt to understand how their microbiomes may differ from those of the general population. The goal is to characterize the species present, the genes they carry, and how gene expression is modulated in athletes who push their bodies to the limit. Here’s the outline of this interview with Lauren Petersen: [00:00:28] George Weinstock, PhD. [00:01:27] Jeremy Powers interview. [00:01:43] Jeff Kendall-Weed. [00:02:15] Why care about the gut microbiome? [00:03:32] Metabolic functions. [00:03:51] NIH Human Microbiome Project. [00:04:39] Phase II longitudinal study. [00:06:01] Microbial diversity. [00:07:33] Lyme and antibiotics. [00:08:15] Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. [00:09:35] Gordon conferences - Rob Knight. [00:10:27] American Gut Project. [00:10:48] Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. [00:11:05] Enterobacteriaceae. [00:11:59] Fecal transplant. [00:13:16] Screening donors. [00:13:32] DIY. [00:13:52] C. diff. [00:14:14] Transplants started in the 50s. [00:14:47] IBS. [00:16:12] Healthy donor. [00:17:43] Within a month, Lauren was feeling a lot better. [00:18:13] Instantaneous improvement on the bike. [00:19:22] No more stomach issues, "more energy than I knew what to do with". [00:19:54] Retest data showed perfect match with donor. [00:20:56] Sequencing large vs. small intestinal microbes. [00:21:28] FDA has no idea what to do. [00:23:02] Strategies for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. [00:23:31] Whole foods, lots of fruit and vegetables. [00:23:48] No gels. [00:24:26] Athlete Microbiome Project. [00:26:34] Microbiome doping? [00:27:05] Ruminococcus - starch digester. [00:28:26] Enterotype - the dominate species in the gut. [00:28:56] Prevotella. [00:30:14] Teasing apart the cause and the effect. [00:32:28] Endotoxins released during intense exercise. [00:32:49] 25 participants at the time of recording, I'm number 26! [00:33:29] Matching cohort of healthy controls. [00:34:28] Ibis World Cup racer. [00:35:01] uBiome. [00:35:08] My app. [00:35:54] The problem with 16S sequencing. [00:36:16] Missing bifidobacteria. [00:37:05] A combination of methods is required for accurate testing. [00:38:30] New commercially available test? [00:39:11] Probiotic quality. [00:40:04] Testing probiotics. [00:41:37] Bifido doesn't like oxygen (or your stomach). [00:42:02] Lactobacillus is more resilient. [00:42:50] Bifido love fructooligosaccharides. [00:43:36] Lack of association with dietary restrictions. [00:44:53] Feed your microbiome!

How many genes can a species lose and still stay alive? It turns out, bacteria can lose just about all of them! In this podcast, I talk to Nancy Moran of Yale University about her fascinating work on the microbes that live inside insects such as aphids and cicadas. After millions of years, they have become stripped down creatures that are revealing some profound lessons about how superfluous most genes are--at least if you live inside a host. Recent Publications: Bacterial genes in the aphid genome: absence of functional gene transfer from Buchnera to its host Symbiosis and insect diversification: an ancient symbiont of sap-feeding insects from the bacterial phylum Bacteroidetes

The seasonal culturability (February, April, August) of bacterial cells from a microbial community of an alpine calcareous soil was assessed employing the MicroDrop technique using different laboratory media with humic acid analogs (HA), a mixture of polymers (POL), artificial root exudates (RO), nutrient broth, or soil extract as carbon and energy sources. Thereby, the summer August sample showed the highest culturability value in media supplemented with soil extract (13.5%). Since only 81 wells of a total number of 1008 individual growth tests were overgrown with the February soil sample, the cultivation success was the lowest for the winter environment (0.16%). The major aim of the present study, however, was to assess the cultivation success for cells even exposed to extreme environmental conditions by using defined media. Therefore, subsequent analysis focused on the cultures obtained from the February sample and in media supplemented with RO. It was shown that the monomeric organic carbon of RO proved to be superior to POL and HA for the optimization of the cultivation success (i.e., 71 of the total number of 81 cultures). The quantitative PCR approach confirmed the high coverage of the present analysis since the target groups (Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria) constituted 73.6% of all eubacteria in the sample whereas the major part was composed of Alphaproteobacteria (49.2%) and Acidobacteria (20.1%). A total of 251 bacteria were analyzed representing 53 distinct phylotypes of which 73% are previously unknown. The majority of the cultured fraction was closely related to the Alphaproteobacteria with the largest number of different phylotypes and the highest evenness value. Although this phylum dominated the cultivated fraction, its cultivation success was hundredfold lower than its abundance in the natural community (0.4% of total cell numbers). Also the Bacteroidetes were most frequently cultured but were dominated by one phylotype (Sphingoterrabacterium pocheensis). The relative culturability of the Bacteroidetes was the highest of all groups and reached 25% of the numbers detected by real-time PCR. The lowest culturability was assessed for the Acidobacteria with only one single cultivated phylotype using media with POL supplemented with signal compounds. However, this phylotype represents a novel, previously unknown acidobacterium, strain Jbg-1. The phylum Acidobacteria mostly consists of environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences and so far comprises only the four validly described species Holophaga foetida, Geothrix fermentans, Acidobacterium capsulatum and Terriglobus roseus. In the present thesis two different novel strains of acidobacteria were isolated. Strain Jbg-1 and the second strain Wbg-1, which was recovered from a coculture with a methanotrophic bacterium established from calcareous forest soil. Both strains represent members of subdivision 1 of the phylum Acidobacteria and are closely related to each other (98.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). At a sequence similarity of 93.8-94.7%, strains Jbg-1 and Wbg-1 are only distantly related to the closest described relative, Terriglobus roseus, and accordingly are described as members of the novel genus Edaphobacter gen. nov. Based on the DNA-DNA-similarity between strains Jbg-1 and Wbg-1 of 11.5-13.6% and their chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, the two strains are assigned to two separate species, Edaphobacter modestus sp. nov. with strain Jbg-1T (= ATCC BAA-1329T = DSM 18101T) as the type strain, and E. aggregans sp. nov. with strain Wbg-1T (= ATCC BAA-1497T = DSM 19364T) as the type strain. The two novel species are adapted to low carbon concentrations and to neutral to slightly acidic conditions. It was shown that strain Jbg-1 was also well adapted to long-term survival and to higher carbon concentrations after subcultivation. Unexpectedly, a high percentage of interspecific interaction was obtained for the cultivation approach of the February alpine soil (75% cocultures), which represented the major reason for the low cultivation success. Only 16 out of 71 cultures with RO consisted of single cultivated strains. Due to the frequent occurrence of different bacteria in the same cultures, the actual cultivation success was 4.9 fold higher than the value calculated from the abundance of positive cultures. For subsequent analysis, the effect of different treatments during the cultivation approach on the number and composition of bacteria cultured was investigated. In order to differentiate between free-living and attached cells, bacteria were detached from soil particles and used to set up parallel incubations. The detachment from soil particles prior to inoculation had no effect on the total cultivation success and on co-cultivation. Furthermore, signal compounds (cyclic AMP and N-butyryl homoserine lactone), however, increased the cultivation success and co-culturability. Addition of signal compounds yielded different types of activated bacteria and enhanced the total number of phylotypes per co-culture towards 4, 5, 6, and 7 different bacteria. The major part of the single cultivated strains represented a single phylotype, which was related to Sphingoterrabacterium pocheensis. In contrast, most co-cultures contained members of the Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria whereas relatives of Phyllobacterium brassicacearum, Rhodospirillum rubrum, Inqulinus ginsengisoli, Delftia tsuruhatensis, and Rhodocyclus tenuis were the most abundant ones. In conclusion, it is supposed that cell-to-cell interaction routinely occurs between different species of microorganisms, although the way, how these aerobic microorganisms beneficially interact remained to be shown. The elucidation of such interactions seems to be the most successful approach to enhance the culturability of interesting soil bacteria to promote their growth in pure or defined co-cultures.

Soils harbor highly diverse bacterial communities. It is still poorly understood whether functional redundancy or a multitude of ecological niche modify the abundance and community composition of bacteria in soil. Understanding why soil microorganisms are so diverse and which factors control their community composition is of importance because they are essential for maintaining ecosystem processes and functions. Alterations of biotic or abiotic factors as results of natural or anthropogenic disturbances are known to influence soil bacterial diversity. However, the relation of those factors on microbial diversity is not well understood. This work examined effects of several environmental factors, specifically the presence of higher plant species, water content, land use, and soil properties, on bacterial diversity by employing two different soil sources. The reproducibility of bacterial community composition in manipulated soil was analyzed by use of group-specific phylogenetic PCR-DGGE fingerprinting. Soils were taken from lysimeters that had been planted with four different types of plant communities and the water content was adjusted. The composition of Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Plancto-mycetes, and Verrucomicrobia populations were clearly different from soils without plants compared to that of populations in planted soils. In contrast, the composition of Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Archaea, and Firmicutes populations did not influenced by the environmental factors tested. No clear influence of plant diversity and water content could be observed. The reproducibility of bacterial composition associated with the absence or presence of plants was true, even for the low-abundance phylotypes as shown by phylotype beta10 representing up to 0.18% of all bacterial cells in planted soils compared to 0.017% in those unplanted. A high throughput cultivation approach was performed by employing the MicroDrop and the soil slurry dilution techniques. Soil-solution-equivalent medium (pH 7.0) supplemented with artificial root exudates, yeast extract, and inducers was utilized. From 217 cultures obtained, isolate byr23-80 showing the same sequence with phylotype beta10 was recovered and studied in detail as this phylotype displayed a distinct response towards the presence of higher plant species and its sequence affiliated with uncultured bacteria, so far. The strain exhibited high physiological flexibility and was capable of utilizing major constituents of root exudates. A polyphasic taxonomic analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization data supported an assignment of strain byr23-80 as a novel species to the genus Massilia within the family Oxalobacteraceae of the subphylum Betaproteobacteria, for which the name Massilia brevitalea is proposed. Effects of land use and soil properties on the bacterial diversity and activity were determined by employing natural soil from the Kavango region, Namibia. Soil properties in fact controlled the soil respiration rates rather than land use as pristine dark loam soil had remarkably higher respiration rate than pristine sand soil. Exoenzyme activities greatly varied among sites, but did not show a clear correlation to one of the two factors. The quantitative PCR identified Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria as the most abundant phyla about of 30 and 20% of all Bacteria, respectively. Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Planctomycetes accounted for below 10%, whereas Betaproteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Firmicutes represented less than 1%. Clone library of 16S rRNA genes from pristine dark loam soil revealed a high bacterial diversity with an estimated number of about 5600 phylotypes. The PCR-DGGE fingerprinting of Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria did only show minor differences in composition of the bacterial communities among sampling sites. This study suggests that the bacterial species compositions in soil are determined to a significant extent by abiotic and biotic factors, rather than by mere chance, thereby reflecting a multitude of distinct ecological niches.