Podcasts about Firmicutes

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

Firmicutes. Hinter diesem Fremdwort verbergen sich wohl die unsympathischsten Darmbewohner: die dickmachenden Bakterien. Unsere "Darm-Dramen" informieren uns in der aktuellen Folge darüber, warum diese trotzdem nicht ausschließlich schlecht sind. Und damit sich keine "Darm-Dramen" abspielen, erklären uns Alex und Eva auch, wie man die Darmflora auf "schlank" programmieren kann. Außerdem berichten sie noch von spannend Experimenten an Mäusen, dem Ötzi und was es mit dem Body Mass Index auf sich hat. Bei der Beratung hat dieses Mal ein Mann sein Leid geklagt, weil er so schnell zunimmt und seine Frau essen kann, was sie will und trotzdem dünn bleibt. Beim "Quatsch der Woche" dreht sich alles um Apfelpektin. Ihr findet den Podcast auf Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, YouTube und natürlich auch auf unserer Website. Produziert von DAS POD (https://daspod.at/).

I dag gæster Ninni Kjær (igen) podcasten, fordi Carla lider af at være oppustet og er ofte forstoppet. Ninni er oprindeligt uddannet i "Fødevare Innovation og Sundhed" på KU men har siden da nørdet igennem, blandt andet i tarmens funktioner og vores maves sundhed. Ninni Ninni's råd til Carla, opsummeret:  Prebiotica er maden til vores probiotika. Vi skal altså fodre de bakterier vores tarmbakterier har gavn af, og det betyder flere gode fibre fra alt det grønne, gule, røde, orange og friske mad, som vi nok allesammen godt ved, er gode for os. For når vi gør det, så kalder de bakterier automatisk efter mere arbejde (altså mere mad af samme slags), og det gør det nemmere for os at spise sundt. Ninni fandt først og fremmest en vigtig pointe i Carlas afføringstest. Her blev det afsløret, at hendes bugspytkirtel ikke udskiller nok fordøjelsesenzymer. Det har muligvis medført, at en opportunistisk bakterie, har fået frit slag, fordi immunforsvaret, der normalt holder væksten nede, svækkes når fordøjelsen er svag. Bakterien er således i overvækst og producerer metan, der giver symptomer som mavesmerter og hård mave. Resultaterne viste også, at der er overvækst af firmicutes bakterier hos Carla. De skal sultes hen over en 3 måneders periode, ved ikke at spise sukkerarter og raffineret stivelse samt alkohol, som Carla indtager, og de lever af. Firmicutes bakterierne kan også leve af på bønner, linser og frugt, men det er der ikke meget af i Carlas kost, så det er nok ikke det hun reagerer på. Se på din kost, og overvej hvilke fødevare du spiser, som måske danner denne overvækst af firmicutes bakterier. Do's Skru i stedet op for fibre, det vil sige fuldkorn og grøntsager.Spis til du er 3/4 mæt, for at undgå udmattelse af at overspise. On that note, er faste måske ikke vejen frem, hvis man mister styringen over sin sult, fordi man bliver for sulten.Fordøjelsen kræver fred og ro og at man tygger maden 20 til 30 gange, for at kunne danne de enzymer der skal nedbryde maden, så vi kan få næring af den.  Dont's Fedt er svært er at nedbryde, så spar på især fedt fra dyr, da Carla produceres få fordøjelses enzymer.Nyd din kaffe med mælk/havremælk til - eller efter et måltid, og ikke alene, da der er en del supperholdige stoffer i.Ikke drik for meget mens du spiser. Det fortynder enzymproduktionen, og den skal vi bruge til at fordøje maden. Undgå alt for kolde drikke.  Kosttilskud Bifidobacterium lactis der hjælper mod forstoppelse ved at tilføre nye bakterier. Bacteri 5 Infantis og Bitterstoffet, Berberine Grapefruit mod metan produktion, som hjælper mod overproduktionen af firmicutes bakterierne. Fordøjelsesenzymer, så som Digest Gold. 

Dr. Martin answers questions sent in by our listeners. Some of today's topics include: Castor oil Cream vs milk Repairing myelin sheaths Firmicutes or bacteroides in red meat Dissolving of blood clots Mast cell syndrome Abnormal ventricular function Methylated folate Candida parasite cleanse Oxalates Pilonidal abscess Pericarditis  

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.04.21.537874v1?rss=1 Authors: Ontiveros-Angel, P., Vega-Torres, J. D., Simon, T. B., Williams, V., Inostroza-Nives, Y., Alvarado-Crespo, N., Vega Gonzalez, Y., Pompolius, M., Katzka, W., Lou, J., Sharafeddin, F., De La Pena, I., Dong, T., Gupta, A., Viet, C. T., Febo, M., Obenaus, A., Figueroa, J. D. Abstract: Background: Childhood overweight/obesity is associated with the development of stress-related psychopathology. However, the pathways connecting childhood obesity to stress susceptibility remain poorly understood. Here, we used a systems biology approach to determine linkages underlying obesity-induced stress susceptibility. Methods: Sixty-two (62) adolescent Lewis rats (PND21) were fed for four weeks with a Western-like high-saturated fat diet (WD, 41% kcal from fat) or a matched control diet (CD, 13% kcal from fat). Subsequently, a group of rats (n = 32) was exposed to a well-established 31-day model of predator exposures and social instability (PSS). The effects of the WD and PSS were assessed with a comprehensive battery of behavioral tests, DTI (diffusion tensor imaging), NODDI (neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging), high throughput 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing for gut microbiome profiling, hippocampal microglia morphological and gene analysis, and gene methylation status of the stress marker, FKBP5. Parallel experiments were performed on human microglial cells (HMC3) to examine molecular mechanisms by which palmitic acid primes these cells to aberrant responses to cortisol. Results: Rats exposed to the WD and PSS exhibited deficits in sociability indices and increased fear and anxiety-like behaviors, food consumption, and body weight. WD and PSS interacted to alter indices of microstructural integrity within the hippocampal formation (subiculum) and subfields (CA1). Microbiome diversity and taxa distribution revealed that WD/PSS exposure caused significant shifts in the diversity of gut dominant bacteria and decreased the abundance of various members of the Firmicutes phylum, including Lachnospiracae NK4A136. Interestingly, the WD and PSS synergized to promote hippocampal microglia morphological and gene signatures implicated in neuroinflammation. These alterations were associated with changes in the microbiome, and in the expression and methylation status of the corticosterone receptor chaperone rat gene Fkbp5. HMC3 responses to cortisol were markedly disrupted after incubating cells in palmitate, shown by morphological changes and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and release. Notably, these effects were partly mediated by the human FKBP5 gene. Conclusions: The combination of psychosocial stress and poor diet during adolescence has a deleterious synergistic impact on brain health. This study enhances our understanding of mechanisms and adaptations by which obesogenic environments shape the maturational trajectories of common neurobiological correlates of resilience. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

Co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr discuss leaky gut syndrome in horses, including the type of horses that are more at risk, symptoms, causes and treatment for leaky gut and management tips to implement to prevent leaky gut from developing in horses.____________________________________Notable References:1:00 – Gastrointestinal issues are reported second to only old age as the leading cause of death in horses- https://www.standleeforage.com/standlee-barn-bulletin/leaky-gut-syndrome-in-horses/4:00 – For visuals of the villi and intestinal permeability Dr. Cubitt and Katy mention, visit this research manuscript - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9622321/30:44 – Rate and review the Beyond the Barn podcast on Apple here - https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id154122130630:44 –Rate the Beyond the Barn podcast on Spotify here – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa____________________________________Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZaHave a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.comShare our podcast and learn more about our co-hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast pageSUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.____________________________________Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin BlogFind more nutritional resources from Dr. Stephen Duren and Dr. Tania Cubitt at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/nutritional-resourcesConnect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok____________________________________*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

VIDEO: No Bill Maher, Democracy Is NOT On The Ballot (5:00) Michael Moore's Nonstop Lies & Gaslighting For Democrats – Jimmy Dore Dem Party Turns On Anti-War Democratic Primary Winner (2:16 to 5:28) Society is going to COLLAPSE -Neil Oliver ( 5:24) Fear Psychosis and the Cult of Safety – Why are People so Afraid?  – Academy of Ideas (13:25) The Great Reset and Transhumanism | Beyond the Cover (17:50)   Study shows eating prunes daily can help prevent bone loss Penn State University, November 3, 2022 People often eat prunes to boost their digestive health, but a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that consuming a handful of prunes a day may also help prevent bone loss when you are older. Researchers from Penn State University reported that women in their 60s who consumed prunes had significantly less bone loss in their hips in a year compared to those who didn't eat the dried fruits. This suggests that prunes can help reduce inflammation in the body, which is a key driver of bone loss. The researchers recruited 235 women for the study. The volunteers had an average age of 62 and had already gone through menopause. The participants were split into three equal groups: One group didn't consume prunes. Another group consumed at least 50 grams (g) of prunes a day, or four to six pieces daily. The last group consumed 100g of prunes, or 10 to 12 pieces daily. The volunteers ate the “Improved French” prune variety. All of their diet included calcium and vitamin D3 supplements, which can also help prevent bone loss. The research team used scans to measure bone density in the hip, neck and hip socket at the start of the study, after six months and after one year. They found that the hips of the non-eaters had an estimated 1.1 percent loss of bone density a year after the study began. Meanwhile, the bone density of those who consumed four to six prunes a day barely shifted. The result was similar for the group that ate more prunes, but the researchers noted that any protective effect could be masked because of its much higher dropout rate. Blood tests also showed that the women who consumed prunes had significantly lower inflammation levels than those who did not. There was no significant documented difference in bone mass in the spine or hip socket between the groups one year after the study began. Tracing tomatoes' health benefits to gut microbes Ohio State University, November 7, 2022 Two weeks of eating a diet heavy in tomatoes increased the diversity of gut microbes and altered gut bacteria toward a more favorable profile in young pigs, researchers found. After observing these results with a short-term intervention, the research team plans to progress to similar studies in people, looking for health-related links between tomatoes in the diet and changes to the human gut microbiome – the community of microorganisms living in the gastrointestinal tract. “It's possible that tomatoes impart benefits through their modulation of the gut microbiome,” said senior author Jessica Cooperstone, assistant professor at The Ohio State University. The tomatoes used in the study were developed by Ohio State plant breeder, tand co-author David Francis, and are the type typically found in canned tomato products. Ten recently weaned control pigs were fed a standard diet and 10 pigs were fed the standard diet fine-tuned so that 10% of the food consisted of a freeze-dried powder made from the tomatoes. Fiber, sugar, protein, fat and calories were identical for both diets. The control and study pig populations lived separately, and researchers running the study minimized their time spent with the pigs – a series of precautions designed to ensure that any microbiome changes seen with the study diet could be attributed to chemical compounds in the tomatoes. Results showed two main changes in the microbiomes of pigs fed the tomato-heavy diet – the diversity of microbe species in their guts increased, and the concentrations of two types of bacteria common in the mammal microbiome shifted to a more favorable profile. This higher ratio of the phyla Bacteroidota (formerly known as Bacteriodetes) compared to Bacillota (formerly known as Firmicutes) present in the microbiome has been found to be linked with positive health outcomes, while other studies have linked this ratio in reverse, of higher Bacillota compared to Bacteroidota, to obesity. Tomatoes account for about 22% of vegetable intake in Western diets, and previous research has associated consumption of tomatoes with reduced risk for the development of various conditions that include cardiovascular disease and some cancers. But tomatoes' impact on the gut microbiome is still a mystery, and Cooperstone said these findings in pigs – whose gastrointestinal tract is more similar than rodents' to the human GI system – suggest it's an avenue worth exploring. New study examines how breathing shapes our brains Aarhus University (Denmark), November 8, 2022 “Breathe in… Breathe out…” or “take a deep breath and count to ten.” The calming effect of breathing in stressful situations is a concept most of us have met before. Now Professor Micah Allen from the Department of Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University has come a step closer to understanding how the very act of breathing shapes our brain. The researchers synthesized results from more than a dozen studies with rodent, monkey, and human brain imaging, and used it to propose a new computational model that explains how our breathing influences the brain's expectations. “What we found is that, across many different types of tasks and animals, brain rhythms are closely tied to the rhythm of our breath. We are more sensitive to the outside world when we are breathing in, whereas the brain tunes out more when we breathe out. This also aligns with how some extreme sports use breathing, for example professional marksmen are trained to pull the trigger at the end of exhalation,” explains Professor Micah Allen. The study suggest that breathing is more than just something we do to stay alive, explains Micah Allen. “It suggests that the brain and breathing are closely intertwined in a way that goes far beyond survival, to actually impact our emotions, our attention, and how we process the outside world. Our model suggests there is a common mechanism in the brain which links the rhythm of breathing to these events.” Stabilizing our mind through breathing is a well-known and used tactic in many traditions such as yoga and meditation. The new study sheds light on how the brain makes it possible. It suggests that there are three pathways in the brain that control this interaction between breathing and brain activity. It also suggests that our pattern of breathing makes the brain more “excitable”, meaning neurons are more likely to fire during certain times of breathing Close friends linked to a sharper memory Northwestern University School of Medicine, November 1, 2022 Maintaining positive, warm and trusting friendships might be the key to a slower decline in memory and cognitive functioning, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study. SuperAgers—who are 80 years of age and older who have cognitive ability at least as good as people in their 50s or 60s—reported having more satisfying, high-quality relationships compared to their cognitively average, same-age peers, the study reports. Previous SuperAger research at the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center (CNADC) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine has focused on the biological differences in SuperAgers, such as discovering that the cortex in their brain is actually larger than their cognitively average, same-age peers. “You don't have to be the life of the party, but this study supports the theory that maintaining strong social networks seems to be linked to slower cognitive decline,” said senior author Emily Rogalski, associate professor at Northwestern's CNADC. Motivation is affected by oxidative stress, but nutrition can help Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne. Novembre 7. 2022 In life, motivation can be the difference between success and failure, goal-setting and aimlessness, well-being and unhappiness. And yet, becoming and staying motivated is often the hardest step, a problem which has prompted much research. How does stress affect our capacity for motivation?” asks Professor Carmen Sandi at EPFL's School of Life Sciences. “If that is the case, could nutritional interventions that can affect metabolite levels be an effective vehicle to improve motivated performance?” The researchers focused on an area deep into the brain called the “nucleus accumbens”, which is known to play a major role regulating functions like reward, reinforcement, aversion, and not least, motivation. The idea behind the study was that the brain itself—like all tissues in our body—is subjected to constant oxidative stress, as a result of its metabolism. The brain then is often subjected to excessive oxidative stress from its neurometabolic processes—and the question for the researchers was whether antioxidant levels in the nucleus accumbens can affect motivation. To answer the question, the scientists looked at the brain's most important antioxidant, a protein called glutathione (GSH), and its relationship to motivation. What they found was that higher levels of GSH in the nucleus accumbens correlated with better and steady performance in the motivation tasks. “N-acetylcysteine, the nutritional supplement that we gave in our study can also be synthesized in the body from its precursor cysteine,” says Sandi. “Cysteine is contained in ‘high-protein foods', such as meat, chicken, fish or seafood. Other sources with lower content are eggs, whole-grain foods such as breads and cereals, and some vegetables such as broccoli, onions, and legumes.” “Of course, there are other ways beyond N-acetylcysteine to increase GSH levels in the body, but how they relate to levels in the brain—and particularly in the nucleus accumbens—is largely unknown. Our study represents a proof of principle that dietary N-acetylcysteine can increase brain GSH levels and facilitate effortful behavior.” Purple corn found to improve libido in males University of Tlaxcala (Mexico), November 1, 2022 Purple corn (Zea mays) has been used as an aphrodisiac since the time of ancient Mexico. A study published in the journal Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine sought to understand the mechanisms behind this plant's effect. The researchers suspected that purple corn extract stimulated the ejaculatory response in males. They used an animal model composed of male rats able to copulate and male rats whose spinal cord had been transected. Three doses of purple corn extract (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg) were administered to the animals. The rats' copulating behavior was noted before and after the administration of the extracts. In the control group, the researchers noted no change in the animals' mount latency and the number of mounts performed. All doses, however, increased the number of intromissions performed by male animals. Ejaculation latency was decreased In the spinal group, the researchers successfully used the extract to stimulate an increase in the number of discharges of the ejaculatory motor patterns. According to the researchers, these are proof that purple corn extract has aphrodisiac effects.

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.

Summary   Hello and welcome to episode #17! This is Ralph Sanchez and today I'll be expanding on the first episode's overview with regard to beta-amyloid and tau protein clearance and detoxification. If you did not catch that episode (#16), I provided an in-depth overview on the role of the blood brain barrier (BBB) and the glymphatic system in clearing and transporting toxic beta-amyloid and tau protein from the brain. In today's episode, I'll review the emerging science and research with regard to the brain-liver axis in beta-amyloid clearance and metabolism, and how the gut fits into that, and a little on tau protein too. Now, the peripheral metabolism of beta-amyloid in the body is a very complex overview, however, I will cover two important organs that are associated with the origin and degradation of beta-amyloid in the body—the gut and liver. And, I will provide key features about that to illustrate what I term—the gut-brain-liver axis in late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). First, there are three points I will make here with regard to the gut-brain axis, and its potential role for a healthy brain, or for neurological disease such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. First, the gut is potentially a powerful vector for proinflammatory cascades that induce neuroinflammation responses.   Secondly, alteration of the gut barrier integrity leads to similar loss of the blood brain barrier integrity,   And lastly, the generation of beta-amyloid proteins produced by bacteria in the gut. Yes, certain gut bacteria have been identified as specific beta-amyloid peptide producers linked to a beta-amyloid burden in the brain. Now note the latter point I just made about gut-derived beta-amyloid-like peptides (proteins) generated by gut microbiota which I will elaborate on more here soon. Nevertheless, the role gut-derived beta-amyloid-like proteins has in recent years been identified as drivers of neuroinflammation, AND amyloid and tau protein aggregation and deposition in the brain. Of course, pro-inflammatory pathways are driven by a host of physiological and pathological mediators that includes the gut, and numerous chronic diseases such heart disease and diabetes (cardiometabolic disease) which is well-described in the research literature.   Gut-Brain Axis in Neuroinflammation   The role of the gut-brain axis is a significant factor in the risk for numerous health disorders throughout life, and it can have substantial implications on your body-brain health as you age. Numerous studies that have examined the role of gut health disorders such as small intestine bacterial overgrowth or dybiosis to the detriment of brain health and the risk for cognitive decline and dementia have been accruing now for many years. BTW, for those of you who have not run into the reference to gut dysbiosis, it simply refers to the altered gut ecosystem that is reflected by unhealthy imbalances of the gut microbiota. And, as before, one significant driver of gut inflammation is the disordered ecological balance of the gut microbiota (dysbiosis). Additionally, bacterial overgrowth patterns of dysbiotic bacteria are highly associated with elevations of a potent gut-brain toxin— lipopolysaccharides. Lipopolysaccharides are bacterial surface molecules that are a major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Lipopolysaccharides are normally shed by gut bacteria, but in the case of microbiome imbalances associated with bacterial overgrowth patterns (dysbiosis), a proliferation of dysbyotic bacteria—the bad guys, too much pro-inflammatory lipopolysaccharide matter is shed into the gut and peripheral circulation which can lead to powerful systemic toxic and inflammation reactions. With regard to the central nervous system and individuals at risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease, dysbiosis and the excessive generation of pro-inflammatory lipopolysaccharides alter the integrity of the BBB, and can induce beta-amyloid and tau protein aggregation and accumulation in the brain—plaques and tangles. Both gut bacteria and lipopolysaccharides can migrate into the brain and upregulate neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative mechanisms there that include damage to the myelin. Apart from the pro-inflammatory cascades associated with dysbiosis and intestinal permeability or leaky gut, the gut microbiota are producers of amyloid proteins that contribute to the progression of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD).   Gut-Derived Amyloid Protein   Now that you hopefully have an understanding of dysbiosis and the overgrowth patterns of potentially toxic bacteria in the gut-brain axis, there is an additional risk for neurotoxicity that dysbiotic bacteria generate. They are also a source of beta-amyloid like proteins as I mentioned a little earlier here. Yes, species of gut bacteria are known sources of amyloid-like proteins (similar but not duplicate structure), and these gut-derived amyloid proteins also are known to cross a leaky gut barrier and a leaky BBB. Plus, gut-derived amyloid-like proteins can function through a phenomenon known as “molecular mimicry”, as prion proteins (infectious pathogens made of protein) that cross-seed and stimulate aggregation of beta-amyloid in the brain. BTW, if the term molecular mimicry is new to you, it describes the molecular likeness or similarity of a foreign antigen or protein to self-proteins that can elicit immunological reactions as evident in several autoimmune disorders. Examples of amyloid secreting gut microbiota are E.coli and Clostridium that are singled out in a few recent studies. However, there are many species of E.coli and Clostridium that are not toxic. In fact, they are beneficial bacteria of the gut terrain too . Dysbiosis, Metabolic Disease and the BBB   Now, one more important point with regard to dysbiosis, gut-derive beta-amyloid proteins, the BBB and metabolic health. Over the years, microbiome studies have become an intense and significant component of the gut-brain axis and its role in Alzheimer's and dementia. And, what these studies do ultimately signify as a body of evidence is that imbalances in ratios of the major phyla of bacteria in the gut—Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes—and dysbiosis are associated with a greater risk for cognitive impairment and dementia. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio is significantly higher in obesity and T2D and thus serves as a valuable biomarker for metabolic diseases, which underscores the importance of dysbiosis and gut microbiome assessments and a personalized evaluation of those results for individuals at risk or for those already diagnosed with metabolic disease and cognitive impairment. Of course, I elaborate on the role of obesity, T2D, metabolic syndrome, hypertension and cardiovascular disease in my book—The Diabetic Brain in Alzheimer's Disease. One critical aspect of metabolic disease that I cover in my book is the deleterious consequences of glycation in the body that leads to the metabolism of advanced glycation-end products (AGEs) that results from persistent elevations of blood glucose or hyperglycemia. Glycation is the process—a chemical reaction—that occurs when certain types of sugars such as glucose or fructose attach to proteins, fats (lipids), and DNA. Glycation that is not inhibited by a healthy diet and lifestyle causes severe damage to protein and fat structures in our body and brain, and to the DNA structure. Unrestrained and prolonged glycation reactions are associated with aging, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular and renal disease, and many other disorders. Additionally, an unrestrained glycation process leads to the upregulation of AGEs and the progression of the same diseases. Advanced glycation-end products or AGEs bind to the receptor for AGEs or RAGE, which is acts at the BBB as a conduit for beta-amyloid entry or reentry into the brain. Plus, AGE-RAGE interactions amplify pro-inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress cascades in the brain that is a significant factor in the risk for Alzheimer's disease and its progression in aging. So, to summarize what I've covered so far, there is an intersection between gut dysbiosis, inflammation pathways and the microbiota, and with metabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes, that damages the BBB and facilitates beta-amyloid entry into the brain. Last week I briefly covered the role of diabetes in disruption of the BBB and the inhibition of beta-amyloid clearance out of the brain, and now you have a more robust review of the gut-brain axis and the metabolic factors that damages the efflux mechanism of beta-amyloid clearance from the brain and which also facilitates the influx of beta-amyloid into the brain. And, I must add one more feature of the shared pathophysiology between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease—amyloid deposition. Amyloid deposition is also a pathogenic feature of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Amyloid deposition in T2D transpires in the Islet of Langerhans beta cells of the pancreas—the insulin producing cells. I share that pancreatic amyloid protein deposition aspect of diabetes to point out that there are several tissues in the body that harbor the amyloid precursor protein (APP) which generates amyloid proteins associated with amyloid lesions. And, these peripheral amyloid proteins are often associated with the increased risk and in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. There is more to this pancreas-diabetes-Alzheimer's link that will be the subject of another podcast here in the future. And in episode #8 (The Role of Cardiometabolic Disease and Insulin Resistance in Vascular Dementia, Type 3 Diabetes and Alzheimer's disease) I provide a synopsis of my book in which I provide the links between obesity, cardiometabolic disease, insulin resistance, and its role in T3D—a type of insulin resistance pattern in the brain associated with AD Now onto the liver as it also plays major role in the metabolism and detoxification of beta-amyloid in the periphery, and how that influences the risk for Alzheimer's.   Liver Metabolism and Clearance of  Beta-amyloid Protein   Now last week, I promised to review the all-important aspect of beta-amyloid detoxification in the body by the liver. And, I ‘ll start by making two crucial points about the liver-brain axis in Alzheimer's disease. The liver is both a source of circulating beta-amyloid that can cross the blood brain barrier (BBB), and it is the PRIMARY site of beta-amyloid disposal or detoxification once it is cleared out of the brain. Please refer to the previous episode here for an overview on clearance mechanisms of beta-amyloid across the blood brain barrier. Now, here is an excerpt from a very recent study (02/2020) on the role of the liver in the metabolism beta-amyloid: "the liver is the origin of brain beta-amyloid deposits and that it is involved in peripheral clearance of circulating beta-amyloid in the blood. Hence the liver could be targeted to decrease beta-amyloid production or increase peripheral clearance." The title of that study—"Is Alzheimer's Disease a Liver Disease of the Brain?"—was published in 2020. However, that 2020 study was actually preceded by studies in 2011 and earlier, that the described a “blood to brain” pathway of amyloid protein derived from their processing in the liver that crossed the BBB. Now, if you were able to listen in to the previous episode on role of the BBB and glymphatic system in brain detoxification of beta-amyloid and tau protein, the clearance of beta-amyloid from the brain and across a healthy blood brain barrier is essential in the detoxification of beta-amyloid in the liver. But once it is transported into the blood, what happens next? Well, therein lies to rest of the story and one whereby the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP1) plays a major role again. Yes, the role of LRP1 and LRP2 at the BBB in the brain clearance of beta-amyloid was an important mechanism in that process that I covered in Part 1 of this three-part “brain detoxification” series. Now, the type of LRP1 in peripheral circulation is another form of LRP1 referred to as soluble LRP1 (sLRP1), which I will herein after reference as sLRP. sLRP is a major plasma transport protein of beta-amyloid once it is cleared from the brain, and it is theorized that sLRP binds to 70–90% of the beta-amyloid that circulates in peripheral blood. This peripheral pool or “sink”—as it is often referred to in the research—of beta-amyloid is now considered to be a critical component of a “peripheral sink hypothesis” in which the increase in the peripheral clearance of beta-amyloid could reduce the brain burden of beta-amyloid protein. Indeed, while the clearance and removal of beta-amyloid from the brain is an essential first step in its detoxification in the body, the next crucial step is its clearance from the body and sLRP is pivotal in that regard. Next step? Once it is transported to the liver, the liver LRP1 receptor takes up beta-amyloid to liver cells (hepatocytes) where it is degraded and/or excreted through the biliary system (bile). Without going into the details, the kidneys also clear circulating beta-amyloid in the urine. And lastly, in last week's episode I also described the clearance pathway for tau protein. There is evidence in a mouse model that the peripheral tau protein pool is cleared by the liver and kidney too. Tau protein may also be cleared through immune system cells such as macrophages that ingest (phagocytize) and break it down (catabolize). And that brings to the end here today. This podcast episode— Brain Detoxification—Part 2—The Gut-liver-Brain Axis—has the rest of the details not included in this summary. Please listen in if you want the rest of the story! Thank you for reading or listening in!   Ralph Sanchez, MTCM, CNS, D.Hom BrainDefend® https://www.TheAlzheimersSolution.com   https://www.facebook.com/TheAlzheimersSolution/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-sanchez/ https://www.instagram.com/alzheimers_solution/ https://twitter.com/RalphSanchez  

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.

Für den Darm und seine Funktion ist sehr wichtig, dass die Bakterien in großer Vielfalt und in ausreichender Menge vorhanden sind. Dabei beziehe mich jetzt hauptsächlich auf die für uns nützlichen Bakterien. Da inzwischen ausreichend Erkenntnisse darüber vorliegen, wie das Mikrobiom und speziell die Darmbakterien unsere Gesundheit beeinflussen, garantiert nur eine ausreichende Vielfalt an guten Bakterien einen Schutz vor vielen Krankheiten. Die Vielfalt oder auch Diversität an Darmbakterien hat ebenfalls einen großen Einfluss auf unser Körpergewicht. Wie es gelingt, den Darm auf schlank zu programmieren erfährst Du in dieser Sendung.

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)  

Sale a la luz el estudio en el que surgió la idea de diseñar unas pastillas de caca que pudieran pasar unos controles de producción y asegurar que únicamente contenían los elementos beneficiosos para el receptor. El proceso consistió en elegir cuatro donantes sanos, de los cuales fueron obtenidas sus heces y aislaron un tipo concreto de bacteria: Firmicutes. Después, los investigadores se quedaron únicamente con las esporas de estas bacterias. Estas esporas serían una forma inerte de la bacteria, y por ese motivo resultan más fáciles de aislar y preservar en forma de pastillas.Comparte este contenido de ciencia y divulgación con humor en tus redes sociales.Gracias por escuchar nuestros contenidos, ¡¡¡que tengas un feliz día!!!Suscríbete a nuestras revistas con descuento especial para oyentes de podcast https://suscripciones.zinetmedia.es/mz/

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)

Natural compound in basil may protect against Alzheimer's disease pathology University of South Florida, October 5, 2021 Fenchol, a natural compound abundant in some plants including basil, can help protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease pathology, a preclinical study led by University of South Florida Health (USF Health) researchers suggests. The new study published Oct. 5 in the Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, discovered a sensing mechanism associated with the gut microbiome that explains how fenchol reduces neurotoxicity in the Alzheimer's brain. Emerging evidence indicates that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)– metabolites produced by beneficial gut bacteria and the primary source of nutrition for cells in your colon—contribute to brain health. The abundance of SCFAs is often reduced in older patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. However, how this decline in SCFAs contributes to Alzheimer's disease progression remains largely unknown. Gut-derived SCFAs that travel through the blood to the brain can bind to and activate free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2), a cell signaling molecule expressed on brain cellscalled neurons. "Our study is the first to discover that stimulation of the FFAR2 sensing mechanism by these microbial metabolites (SCFAs) can be beneficial in protecting brain cells against toxic accumulation of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein associated with Alzheimer's disease," said principal investigator Hariom Yadav, Ph.D., professor of neurosurgery and brain repair at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, where he directs the USF Center for Microbiome Research. One of the two hallmark pathologies of Alzheimer's disease is hardened deposits of Aβ that clump together between nerve cells to form amyloid protein plaques in the brain. The other is neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein inside brain cells. These pathologies contribute to the neuron loss and death that ultimately cause the onset of Alzheimer's, a neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of memory, thinking skills and other cognitive abilities. Dr. Yadav and his collaborators delve into molecular mechanisms to explain how interactions between the gut microbiome and the brain might influence brain health and age-related cognitive decline. In this study, Dr. Yadav said, the research team set out to uncover the "previously unknown" function of FFAR2 in the brain. The researchers first showed that inhibiting the FFAR2 receptor (thus blocking its ability to "sense" SCFAs in the environment outside the neuronal cell and transmit signaling inside the cell) contributes to the abnormal buildup of the Aβ protein causing neurotoxicity linked to Alzheimer's disease. Then, they performed large-scale virtual screening of more than 144,000 natural compounds to find potential candidates that could mimic the same beneficial effect of microbiota produced SCFAs in activating FFAR2 signaling. Identifying a natural compound alternative to SCFAs to optimally target the FFAR2 receptor on neurons is important, because cells in the gut and other organs consume most of these microbial metabolites before they reach the brain through blood circulation, Dr. Yadav noted. Dr. Yadav's team narrowed 15 leading compound candidates to the most potent one. Fenchol, a plant-derived compound that gives basil its aromatic scent, was best at binding to the FFAR's active site to stimulate its signaling. Further experiments in human neuronal cell cultures, as well as Caenorhabditis (C.) elegans (worm) and mouse models of Alzheimer's disease demonstrated that fenchol significantly reduced excess Aβ accumulation and death of neurons by stimulating FFAR2 signaling, the microbiome sensing mechanism. When the researchers more closely examined how fenchol modulates Aβ-induced neurotoxicity, they found that the compound decreased senescent neuronal cells, also known as "zombie" cells, commonly found in brains with Alzheimer's disease pathology. Zombie cells stop replicating and die a slow death. Meanwhile, Dr. Yadav said, they build up in diseased and aging organs, create a damaging inflammatory environment, and send stress or death signals to neighboring healthy cells, which eventually also change into harmful zombie cells or die. "Fenchol actually affects the two related mechanisms of senescence and proteolysis," Dr. Yadav said of the intriguing preclinical study finding. "It reduces the formation of half-dead zombie neuronal cells and also increases the degradation of (nonfunctioning) Aβ, so that amyloid protein is cleared from the brain much faster." Before you start throwing lots of extra basil in your spaghetti sauce or anything else you eat to help stave off dementia, more research is needed—including in humans. In exploring fenchol as a possible approach for treating or preventing Alzheimer's pathology, the USF Health team will seek answers to several questions. A key one is whether fenchol consumed in basil itself would be more or less bioactive (effective) than isolating and administering the compound in a pill, Dr. Yadav said. "We also want to know whether a potent dose of either basil or fenchol would be a quicker way to get the compound into the brain."   Researchers find sense of purpose associated with better memory Florida State University, October 6, 2021 Add an improved memory to the list of the many benefits that accompany having a sense of purpose in life. A new study led by Florida State University researchers showed a link between an individual's sense of purpose and their ability to recall vivid details. The researchers found that while both a sense of purpose and cognitive function made memories easier to recall, only a sense of purpose bestowed the benefits of vividness and coherence. The study, which focused on memories related to the COVID-19 pandemic, was published in the journal Memory. "Personal memories serve really important functions in everyday life," said Angelina Sutin, a professor in the College of Medicine and the paper's lead author. "They help us to set goals, control emotions and build intimacy with others. We also know people with a greater sense of purpose perform better on objective memory tests, like remembering a list of words. We were interested in whether purpose was also associated with the quality of memories of important personal experiences because such qualities may be one reason why purpose is associated with better mental and physical health." Nearly 800 study participants reported on their sense of purpose and completed tasks that measured their cognitive processing speed in January and February 2020, before the ongoing coronavirus pandemic took hold in the U.S. Researchers then measured participants' ability to retrieve and describe personal memories about the pandemic in July 2020, several months into the public health crisis. Participants with a stronger sense of purpose in life reported that their memories were more accessible, coherent and vivid than participants with less purpose. Those with a higher sense of purpose also reported many sensory details, spoke about their memories more from a first-person perspective and reported more positive feeling and less negative feeling when asked to retrieve a memory. The researchers also found that depressive symptoms had little effect on the ability to recall vivid details in memories, suggesting that the connection between life purpose and memory recall is not due to the fewer depressive symptoms among individuals higher in purpose. Purpose in life has been consistently associated with better episodic memory, such as the number of words retrieved correctly on a memory task. This latest research expands on those connections to memory by showing a correlation between purpose and the richness of personal memory. "We chose to measure the ability to recall memories associated with the COVID-19 pandemic because the pandemic is an event that touched everyone, but there has been a wide range of experiences and reactions to it that should be apparent in memories," said co-author Martina Luchetti, an assistant professor in the College of Medicine. Along with the association with better memory, previous research has found other numerous benefits connected with having a sense of purpose, from a lower risk of death to better physical and mental health. "Memories help people to sustain their well-being, social connections and cognitive health," said co-author Antonio Terracciano, a professor in the College of Medicine. "This research gives us more insight into the connections between a sense of purpose and the richness of personal memories. The vividness of those memories and how they fit into a coherent narrative may be one pathway through which purpose leads to these better outcomes.   Vitamin D protects against severe asthma attacks Queen Mary University of London, October 3, 2021 Taking oral vitamin D supplements in addition to standard asthma medication could halve the risk of asthma attacks requiring hospital attendance, according to research led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). Asthma affects more than 300 million people worldwide and is estimated to cause almost 400,000 deaths annually. Asthma deaths arise primarily during episodes of acute worsening of symptoms, known as attacks or 'exacerbations', which are commonly triggered by viral upper respiratory infections. Vitamin D is thought to protect against such attacks by boosting immune responses to respiratory viruses and dampening down harmful airway inflammation. The new study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research, and published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, collated and analysed the individual data from 955 participants in seven randomised controlled trials, which tested the use of vitamin D supplements. Overall, the researchers found that vitamin D supplementation resulted in: a 30 per cent reduction in the rate of asthma attacks requiring treatment with steroid tablets or injections - from 0.43 events per person per year to 0.30. a 50 per cent reduction in the risk of experiencing at least one asthma attack requiring Accident and Emergency Department attendance and/or hospitalisation - from 6 per cent of people experiencing such an event to 3 per cent. Vitamin D supplementation was found to be safe at the doses administered. No instances of excessively high calcium levels or renal stones were seen, and serious adverse events were evenly distributed between participants taking vitamin D and those on placebo. Lead researcher Professor Adrian Martineau said: "These results add to the ever growing body of evidence that vitamin D can support immune function as well as bone health. On average, three people in the UK die from asthma attacks every day. Vitamin D is safe to take and relatively inexpensive so supplementation represents a potentially cost-effective strategy to reduce this problem." The team's use of individual participant data also allowed them to query the extent to which different groups respond to vitamin D supplementation, in more detail than previous studies. In particular, vitamin D supplementation was found to have a strong and statistically-significant protective effect in participants who had low vitamin D levels to start with. These participants saw a 55 per cent reduction in the rate of asthma exacerbations requiring treatment with steroid tablets or injections - from 0.42 events per person per year to 0.19. However, due to relatively small numbers of patients within sub-groups, the researchers caution that they did not find definitive evidence to show that effects of vitamin D supplementation differ according to baseline vitamin D status. Professor Hywel Williams, Director of the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, said: "The results of this NIHR-funded study brings together evidence from several other studies from over the world and is an important contribution to reducing uncertainties on whether Vitamin D is helpful for asthma - a common condition that impacts on many thousands of people worldwide." Dr David Jolliffe from QMUL, first author on the paper, added: "Our results are largely based on data from adults with mild to moderate asthma: children and adults with severe asthma were relatively under-represented in the dataset, so our findings cannot necessarily be generalised to these patient groups at this stage. Further clinical trials are on-going internationally, and we hope to include data from them in a future analysis to determine whether the promise of today's results is confirmed in an even larger and more diverse group of patients."     Study Shows Lifestyle Choices Have Significant Impact on Multiple Chronic Conditions, Significant Implications For Reducing Costs Yale University,  October 05, 2021 In a study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine, Adams and colleagues showed a linear association between a number of modifiable risk factors and multiple chronic conditions, making those modifications a key to health care cost savings and to preventing a wide range of conditions. The data analyzed for the study, https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1VpFeKt2pmc9H, were from the publicly available 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and included 483,865 non-institutionalized US adults ages 18 years old or older. Chronic conditions included asthma, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cognitive impairment, cancer other than skin, and kidney disease. Risk factors included obesity, current smoking, sedentary lifestyle, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption and sleeping other than seven to eight hours, while depression, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes were considered in each category. Previous research by Thorpe and colleagues had estimated that the care of adults with four or more chronic conditions (17.1% of all adults in the study) is responsible for 77.6% of all health care costs in the U.S. today. The potential savings by reducing just two risk factors (diabetes and hypertension) and their related comorbidity was estimated previously by Ormond and colleagues at $9 billion annually over one to two years and closer to $25 billion a year after 5 years or more, factoring in possible complications. True Health Initiative founder, at Yale University  Director and study co-author David L. Katz, MD, MPH, FACLM, pointed out that in addition to costs, another implication of the study results is an individual's access to healthcare if they have one or more of the chronic conditions. "Although insurers decide what qualifies as a pre-existing condition, all the chronic conditions used in this study except cognitive impairment are commonly included," he said. "Individuals with a pre-existing condition could be denied coverage or face higher premiums. While having a pre-existing condition might not affect coverage for adults eligible for Medicare, over half of all adults with multiple chronic conditions are ages 18 to 64 years." American College of Lifestyle Medicine President George Guthrie, MD, MPH, FACLM, said the study confirms the necessity for addressing the root cause of chronic conditions. "The evidence shows that the risks for chronic disease are rooted in lifestyle choices," he said. "More than ever, it is important to emphasize lifestyle medicine as the first treatment option for preventing, treating, and in some cases, reversing the cause of chronic conditions. If we can help people with chronic conditions, we can add years to their life and life to their years, as well as lower the ever-increasing costs of healthcare for everyone."     Physical athletes' visual skills prove sharper than action video game players University of Waterloo (Canada), October 7, 2021 Athletes still have the edge over action video gamers when it comes to dynamic visual skills, a new study from the University of Waterloo shows. For an athlete, having strong visual skills can be the difference between delivering a peak performance and achieving average results. "Athletes involved in sports with a high-level of movement—like soccer, football, or baseball—often score higher on dynamic visual acuity tests than non-athletes," said Dr. Kristine Dalton of Waterloo's School of Optometry & Vision Science. "Our research team wanted to investigate if action video gamers—who, like e-sport athletes, are regularly immersed in a dynamic, fast-paced 2D video environment for large periods of time—would also show superior levels of dynamic visual acuity on par with athletes competing in physical sport." While visual acuity (clarity or sharpness of vision) is most often measured under static conditions during annual check-ups with an optometrist, research shows that testing dynamic visual acuity is a more effective measure of a person's ability to see moving objects clearly—a baseline skill necessary for success in physical and e-sports alike.  Using a dynamic visual acuity skills-test designed and validated at the University of Waterloo, researchers discovered that while physical athletes score highly on dynamic visual acuity tests as expected, action video game players tested closer to non-athletes.  "Ultimately, athletes showed a stronger ability to identify smaller moving targets, which suggests visual processing differences exist between them and our video game players," said Alan Yee, a Ph.D. candidate in vision science. All participants were matched based on their level of static visual acuity and refractive error, distinguishing dynamic visual acuity as the varying factor on their test performance. These findings are also important for sports vision training centers that have been exploring the idea of developing video game-based training programs to help athletes elevate their performance. "Our findings show there is still a benefit to training in a 3D environment," said Dalton. "For athletes looking to develop stronger visual skills, the broader visual field and depth perception that come with physical training may be crucial to improving their dynamic visual acuity—and ultimately, their sport performance."  The study, Athletes demonstrate superior visual dynamic visual acuity, authored by Waterloo's School of Optometry & Vision Science's Dalton, Yee, Dr. Elizabeth Irving and Dr. Ben Thompson, was recently published in the journal Optometry and Vision Science.     Probiotic Akkermansia muciniphila and environmental enrichment reverse cognitive impairment associated with high-fat high-cholesterol consumption University of Oviedo (Spain), September 8, 2021 Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the most prevalent diseases globally. A high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet leads to an early NASH model. It has been suggested that gut microbiota mediates the effects of diet through the microbiota–gut–brain axis, modifying the host's brain metabolism and disrupting cognition. Here, we target NASH-induced cognitive damage by testing the impact of environmental enrichment (EE) and the administration of either Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) or Akkermansia muciniphila CIP107961 (AKK). EE and AKK, but not LGG, reverse the HFHC-induced cognitive dysfunction, including impaired spatial working memory and novel object recognition; however, whereas AKK restores brain metabolism, EE results in an overall decrease. Moreover, AKK and LGG did not induce major rearrangements in the intestinal microbiota, with only slight changes in bacterial composition and diversity, whereas EE led to an increase in Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia members. Our findings illustrate the interplay between gut microbiota, the host's brain energy metabolism, and cognition. In addition, the findings suggest intervention strategies, such as the administration of AKK, for the management of the cognitive dysfunction related to NASH. In this study, we described cognitive, brain metabolism, and microbiota alterations associated with high-fat and high-cholesterol consumption. In addition, we clearly showed that environmental enrichment and A. muciniphila CIP107961 restore cognitive dysfunction. Furthermore, we revealed that cognitive improvement is associated with differential effects of environmental enrichment and this strain of A. muciniphila on brain metabolism and gut microbiota. Finally, we discovered that restored cognitive function was associated with the administration of A. muciniphila CIP107961, but not L. rhamnosus GG, which may be clinically relevant when selecting probiotics for treating HFHC-derived pathologies. In conclusion, the microbiota and cognition are intimately connected through the gut–brain axis, and in HFHC pathologies they can be influenced by environmental enrichment and A. muciniphila CIP107961 administration. Cognitive improvement was accompanied by changes in brain metabolic activity and gut microbial composition analysis, pointing to specific microbiota targets for intervention in diet-induced pathologies. However, some mechanisms other than major changes in microbiota composition and the combined effect of environmental enrichment and A. muciniphila administration, which we identified in this study, may also be biologically relevant and will need to be investigated in future studies due to their relative contributions to the selection of effective treatments for patients.           

There is so much truth behind the power of the stool. Your stool may be the secret behind weight loss, or why you're not seeing those weight loss gains that you're expecting. And so in this podcast, we're going to be talking about the microbiome, and how it affects your weight. Topics-Calorie in, calorie out-What are the habits we should be doing to get us in the right direction for weight loss from a microbiome's perspective?-Fecal transplant-Dysosmobacter welbionis-Ways to be good to your microbiomeDoc 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.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 difference.Reach 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)

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

Un numeroso grupo de investigadores españoles de varias universidades catalanas y valencianas evalúan tanto las capacidades intelectuales como el perfil de las especies bacterianas de la flora intestinal en 143 personas voluntarias obesas y no obesas, y comparan los resultados. Comprueban que la presencia en la flora intestinal de varias especies bacterianas del genero Firmicutes se vio asociada con una mejor capacidad memorística. Las especies bacterianas Bacteroidea y Proteobacteria, por el contrario, mostraron asociaciones negativas con las puntuaciones de memoria obtenidas por los participantes. Estas especies bacterianas no se encontraron en la misma proporción en personas obesas que en las no obesas.

Un numeroso grupo de investigadores españoles de varias universidades catalanas y valencianas evalúan tanto las capacidades intelectuales como el perfil de las especies bacterianas de la flora intestinal en 143 personas voluntarias obesas y no obesas, y comparan los resultados. Comprueban que la presencia en la flora intestinal de varias especies bacterianas del genero Firmicutes se vio asociada con una mejor capacidad memorística. Las especies bacterianas Bacteroidea y Proteobacteria, por el contrario, mostraron asociaciones negativas con las puntuaciones de memoria obtenidas por los participantes. Estas especies bacterianas no se encontraron en la misma proporción en personas obesas que en las no obesas.

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

  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

Az Egészségügyi Világszervezet (WHO) szerint az elhízás világszerte terjedő járvány. A legújabb klinikai kutatások egyértelműen bebizonyították, hogy az elhízás okát az emésztőrendszerben kell keresni, hiszen a szénhidrát és zsír anyagcserénk, de még a szteroid hormonjaink metabolizmusa is itt zajlik le. Amikor táplálkozunk, egyúttal az emésztőrendszerünk baktériumait is tápláljuk, de nem mindegy mely törzseket, hiszen nem csak a testsúlyunk, hanem az egészségünk is függ tőle. Az elhízásért felelős Firmicutes baktériumok hatására hatékonyabban tudjuk kivonni a zsírokból és a cukrokból az energiát, serkentik a máj triglicerid termelését, tehát több kalória tárolására kényszerítik a testet, melynek következménye a zsírpárnák kialakulása. Ugyanakkor a klinikai tesztek kimutatták, hogy a némely Firmicutes típusú baktériumok endotoxinokat, méreganyagokat is termelnek. Ezen méreganyagok lassú, krónikus gyulladásokat okoznak a teljes szervezetben. Ennek is köszönhető a metabolikus-szindróma kialakulása, ami elsősorban zsigeri, hastájéki elhízáshoz vezet. A FATBOND egyedülálló súlycsökkentő világújdonság és az egyetlen 5 az 1-ben termék. Receptúráját kutató farmakológusok fejlesztették ki. A négyszeres kalóriagátló hatást kombinálja a fogyasztó bélflóra kiegyensúlyozásával. A három szabadalommal védett, prebiotikus hatású növényi rost-komplexnek köszönhetően olyan természetes vegyületek szabadulnak fel a vastagbélben, amelyek megakadályozzák a hizlaló, Firmicutes típusú baktériumok túlszaporodását, és segítik a jótékony, változatos, fogyasztó bélflóra kiegyensúlyozását! A világon egyedülálló módon a FATBOND klinikai vizsgálatokkal igazoltan 30%-al képes csökkenteni a hizlaló Firmicutes baktériumok arányát, már 48 óra alatt! Magas gyártási minősége és előállítási technológiája miatt Orvostechnikai eszköz minősítést kapott az Európai Unió-ban. Így végre a fogyni vágyóknak nem csak a jojó-diéta marad átmeneti megoldásként, hanem az elhízás egyik jelentős oka szűnik meg a FATBOND használata során. Ezért a FATBOND a fogyás új dimenziója!

Mielőtt azt hinnéd, hogy marketing fogás a HIZLALÓ BAKTÉRIUM, tudj meg többet róla! A FIRMICUTES népes törzshöz tartozó számos baktérium család, ha túlszaporodik a vastagbélben, hízásra tesz hajlamossá! Az emésztőrendszertől függ amúgy az anyagcseréd és a hormonszinted is! A Firmicutes típusú baktériumok hatására a szervezeted a bevitt táplálékból sokkal több kalóriát köt meg! A májat extra mennyiségű triglicerol (vérzsír) termelésre késztetik, ezáltal sokkal több zsírpárnát hoz létre a szervezeted az extra kalória tárolására. Mit tehetsz ellenük?

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. 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

90% of your microbiome is made up of two phylum’s, the Firmicutes, and the Bacteroides. There is a lot of research going into these two bacteria because the more we learn about gut health, the more links there are to obesity and disease epidemics --- check out this weeks podcast as we chat a bit more about these two bugs and how they work.

Welcome to the ATP Project Episode 132 Microbiome - Firmacutes make you fat.  In today's podcast Steve, Matt and Jeff discuss the microbiome and the role the gut plays in relation to the hormones oestrogen and testosterone and how the oddly named organism firmacutes that live in your gut, do anything but make you Firm and Cute. They also answer FAQs on Detoxing after taking antibiotics, Fat loss plateau and nodular acne. As always this information is not designed to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any condition and is for information purposes only - please discuss any information in this podcast with your health care professional before making any changes to your current lifestyle stay tuned the ATP project is about to start…   Check out ATP Science's range of products at our online store

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!

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0100 https://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/18720/ https://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/18720/1/Fang_Chong.pdf Fang, Chong

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0100 https://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/18720/ https://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/18720/1/Fang_Chong.pdf Fang, Chong

[intro music]   Hello, and welcome to Episode Thirty-One of Multiple Sclerosis Discovery, the podcast of the MS Discovery Forum. I’m your host, Dan Keller.   This week’s podcast features an interview with Dr. Lloyd Kasper about the gut microbiome and its role in MS. But to begin, here is a brief summary of some of the latest developments on the MS Discovery Forum at msdiscovery.org.   Last week our parent organization, the Accelerated Cure Project, launched its latest endeavor called “iConquerMS.” iConquerMS aims to enroll 20,000 people living with MS to play an active role in research, empowering them to securely submit their health data, influence the studies that are carried out by the initiative, and stay informed about the research. Visit iConquerMS.org for more information.   Vision and sensorimotor problems go together in some MS patients. A recent publication in the journal Neurology examined the relationship between MRI measures of the spinal cord and retina in patients with MS. The investigators found some correlation between the two types of metrics, but they also found that damage in each structure had independent relationships with disability. Read the full story in our “news and future directions” section.   And lastly, our previous podcast contained an error. We mentioned a story about a proof-of-concept study of a novel way to monitor lesion repair. However, the story was withheld from publication due to a delay in the release of the research article. The story is now live on our website.   [transition music]   Now to the interview. Dr. Lloyd Kasper is a faculty member of the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. He met with MSDF Executive Editor, Bob Finn, to talk about his research on the gut microbiome and MS.   Interviewer – Robert Finn Dr. Kasper, welcome.   Interviewee – Lloyd Kasper Thank you.   MSDF So to start, why on earth would someone interested in a neurological disease such as MS concern himself with bacteria in the intestines; what’s the connection?   Dr. Kasper That’s actually a very valid question. And the answer to that question is pretty straightforward, is that there’s a very clear brain-gut access so that the brain talks to the gut primary modulating the physiology of the gut through secretion of a variety of molecules, vasoactive proteins, etc. That in turn affects the motility of the gut. By affecting the motility of the gut, you also affect everything that’s inside the gut, which is – as you mentioned just previously – the 100 trillion bacteria that each and every one of us in this world has. And those bacteria in response to the changes in motility shift their behavior, because these are living organisms, and they secrete a wide range of metabolites.   For the purposes of simplicity, you can look at those metabolites and the effect of those various metabolites on the immune system, taking into account that the gut is the largest immune system in our body – 80% of our immune cells are in the gut. So you’ll have this clear interaction between the brain, its activity physiologically on the gut, and the gut’s activity on the bacteria, and then the bacteria’s activity back on the immune system which leads to issues related to the brain.   MSDF So you partly answered my next question. There are microbiomes in other places besides the gut – the skin, the urinogenital tract, etc. Do those other microbiomes have any affect or any relationship to multiple sclerosis, do you think?   Dr. Kasper First of all, the association between the gut microbiome and MS has not yet been fully established, there’s experimental data that would suggest that there is a relationship between the two but that’s still at the experimental level. There really has been very little exploration of the other microbiomes within the body. Remember, the microbiome is not just the microflora. What the microbiome is is the genome of the flora in its relationship to the genome of its host. So when you look at the genomics of MS, for example, in the host – which there’s a lot of work that’s being done – you’re only looking at a fraction of the genetic material that’s involved in this relationship between the gut and the body that it’s in OR any of the other sites that we have microflora – our mouth, as you pointed out; our ears – inside of our ears; our lungs. Those are all areas that bacteria in our body exists in balance with us to achieve a homeostasis. The reason for looking at the gut microbiome is that because it’s the largest, probably the most complex as well.   MSDF So you focused much of your attention on a single bacterial species. Let me see if I pronounce this correctly – Bacteroides fragilis– am I close?   Dr. Kasper Correct.   MSDF And a single substance that it produces, polysaccharide A, or PSA – which has no relation to prostate specific antigen. Why are you focusing on that species and that product?   Dr. Kasper Well, there is mounting evidence that there are several phyla that colonize the gut. The two major phyla of interest are Firmicutes, which are gram-positive aerobes, and Bacteroides, which are gram-negative anaerobes. I’m talking about at the phyla level over which there is no kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species. Under each one of those phyla there are many different species. We’ve focused in on primarily Bacteroides because Bacteroides fragilis is a very common commensal that essentially inhabits in the neighborhood of 80-90% of all mankind in the world. Bacteroides as a phyla has been associated with the induction of regulatory T cells. Regulatory T cells live in the colon, in and around the colon, and that’s where Bacteroides live. And it’s been shown that Bacteroides as a phyla have the capacity to drive regulatory T cells.   The reason it’s important in MS is because there is a known deficit in the regulatory T cell population in patients with MS. And we chose Bacteroides fragilis because of all the Bacteroides species, that’s the one that we actually know most about immunologically. There’s at least 20 or 25 years’ worth of very, very important data that shows how this particular molecule, this polysaccharide A – and it’s a polysaccharide, it’s not a peptide, it’s a polysaccharide – how this polysaccharide can drive the immune system to a regulatory phenotype that’s associated with the induction of regulatory T cells, production of IL10, all those factors which are important in MS which we know are deficient in those with MS.   MSDF When you say drive the immune system, drive T regs, what do you mean by that?   Dr. Kasper Basically, these bacteria have the capacity to convert effector cells, which would be CD4 positive CD25 negative cells to a regulatory phenotype, which would be CD4 CD25 positive associated with sort of the standard-bearer of regulatory cells, which is Foxp3, which is a nuclear antigen that’s been characterized with it. So this molecule has a remarkable capacity to do that both in vivo and our studies show you can do that actually in vitro as well. So you can take cells that are negative that would be considered naïve or effector-type cells, culture them with this PSA molecule, and convert them to regulatory cells which we know are important in controlling the disease.   MSDF So remind me whether you want more or fewer of these regulatory T cells.   Dr. Kasper It depends where you are in life. To give you sort of a circumstantial argument, we know that Firmicutes, which is that other major phyla, has been associated with a number of disease states, including obesity – just to name one – atherosclerosis, but we also know that the Firmicutes have the capacity to drive IL-17. The regulatory T cells are cells that control the IL-17 response, so it’s important to have regulatory T cells to control the IL-17. We know experimentally that IL-17 drives the experimental form of multiple sclerosis EAE, and there is mounting data – and pretty conclusive, I think – MS is probably at least in part driven by IL-17 cells. So you need these regulatory T cells to control that IL-17 response which is probably being driven by the Firmicutes population. And I’m oversimplifying this, because you remember, you’ve got a hundred trillion cells downstairs making god knows how many different metabolites with over a million genes. So what I’m presenting to you is a very simplified version of this remarkably complex organ.   MSDF So is this leading toward clinical utility for polysaccharide A?   Dr. Kasper We hope so.   MSDF Can you tell me more about that?   Dr. Kasper Well, again, our experimental data – at least in EAE – demonstrates that animals that have been induced with EAE are protected by this polysaccharide. Animals that have EAE, we can therapeutically treat them with this. So this is the first demonstration that a commensal-derived bacterial product that’s within essentially pretty much all of mankind has the capacity to induce regulatory T cells. We don’t know if MS patients are deficient in this or they have the genetic makeup that they can’t respond to it, or whatever it may be. As I said, there’s a real complexity. But the simple observation as we know is that if we take animals that are susceptible to EAE and we treat the prophylactically or therapeutically, we’re able to protect them very, very nicely against the disease process.   And now we have preliminary data in humans that we can take human cells in vitro out of a person and we can drive those human cells from an effector CD4-positive CD25-negative phenotype to a regulatory phenotype by this molecule; just five days of exposure and you see this very nice conversion that’s associated with increased IL10 protection, etc.   MSDF Do you imagine that the PSA molecule itself, if drug development goes on, is there any chemistry that needs to be done before it might possibly be therapeutic?   Dr. Kasper A lot of the chemistry has been done. We have a pretty good idea of what the molecule looks like, it’s a repeating polysaccharide chain. And we know what the conditions are at least in animals as far as innate response molecules – TLRs, toll-like receptors, etc. So as far as the molecule itself, I think we have a pretty good understanding. As I said, there’s about 20 years’ worth of very solid biology behind this molecule. So how far we are away from the clinic at this point is a matter of time, resources, and money to be able to move it from the experimental stage that we’re in into the clinic.   MSDF So you’re not the only research group working on the connection between the gut microbiome and multiple sclerosis. I wonder if you can talk a little bit about how your research fits in with the various other approaches that are going on.   Dr. Kasper Our research has been focused primarily on immune regulation – how to get the disease under control, at least experimentally and hopefully in MS patients. Most of the other labs are looking primarily at what bacteria or bacteria populations are responsible for affecting the disease; what’s driving the disease. We’ve sort of kept away from that because we were fortunate in being able to find this one molecule derived from a bacteria, as I said, that much of mankind is colonized with, so we’ve been focused mostly on how to regulate the disease rather than what’s driving the disease.   MSDF Now, as you know, there’s been a lot of talk and controversy about the role of diet in multiple sclerosis. Do you think that gut bacteria and the substances they product may provide that missing link connecting diet with MS.   Dr. Kasper I think that diet’s going to turn out to be one of the more critical environmental factors that’s associated with the disease process.   MSDF Can you say a little bit more about that?   Dr. Kasper Well, if you look at all the risk factors that we know for MS, that being genetics, obesity, smoking, gender – just to name a few – there’s about six or seven of them. Every one of those risk factors is associated with the microbiome. The common denominator for all the risk factors we know so far in MS is the microbiome, and that includes genetics. As I said, the microbiome is a two-way street; it induces things in us and we do things in turn to it, so it’s a binary system. So our speculations – and we just had a paper published in FEBs – Federation of Experimental Biology – is we’re speculating that the gut microbiome is the major environmental risk factor for MS because it includes all of the known risk factors.   So how can you adjust that? Well, the most logical way is diet, right, because it’s the change in the human diet over the last hundred years that may be accountable for the rise in the disease process. It may also be the change in the diet in Africa as well as Asia which were relatively unknown for MS, but now the incidents in Asia as well as in Africa is approaching about the same as it is in the United States and Europe. So as diet has changed, so has the incidence of the disease gone up. So I’m speculating that diet will turn out to be a very important factor in controlling the microflora, which in turn allows for the balance, the homeostasis, in individuals.   MSDF Well, very interesting. We’ve come to the end of our time, but is there anything you’d like to add, any important questions that I haven’t asked that I should have asked?   Dr. Kasper No. I think the question about the diet, you know, where do you go from here? Because it’s going to take years and years for scientists and clinicians to sort out what’s actually going on in the microbiome. We’re at the tip of the iceberg in this really, because not only is it the immunology that’s important but it’s the physiology and the physiologic changes that the gut microbiome may be creating in people. So as we get better definition of what activities are going on in the microbiome, the greater the likelihood we’ll have of understanding a whole range of human diseases. And not just MS, but that’s all other autoimmune diseases, cancer, obesity, you know, it’s a long list.   And it may ultimately turn out that it’s a clue to our understanding of cancer, for example, because as the microflora shifts as we grow older – which it does – perhaps what we’re seeing is that early on we have bacteria that induce inflammatory processes – which is why MS is a disease of young people – that tends to peter out as you get older. It’s a well-known thing. It doesn’t go away but it tends to peter out. But that may be parallel to the shift in the microflora that’s going on. So early on in the western diet you’re having mostly Firmicutes. As we get older that shifts to more of Bacteroides, which has more regulation. What does more regulation equal? Well, you’re down-regulating the immune system, and as we get older what do we become susceptible? Cancer. So there’s a real balance that’s going on here. And I think a lot of the clues to human biology as far as disease state are going to ultimately be related to the microbiome.   MSDF Dr. Kasper, thank you very much.   Dr. Kasper Thank you.   [transition music]   Thank you for listening to Episode Thirty-One of Multiple Sclerosis Discovery. This podcast was produced by the MS Discovery Forum, MSDF, the premier source of independent news and information on MS research. MSDF’s executive editor is Robert Finn. Msdiscovery.org is part of the non-profit Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis. Robert McBurney is our President and CEO, and Hollie Schmidt is vice president of scientific operations.   Msdiscovery.org aims to focus attention on what is known and not yet known about the causes of MS and related conditions, their pathological mechanisms, and potential ways to intervene. By communicating this information in a way that builds bridges among different disciplines, we hope to open new routes toward significant clinical advances.   We’re interested in your opinions. Please join the discussion on one of our online forums or send comments, criticisms, and suggestions to editor@msdiscovery.org.    [outro music]  

In their habitats, microorganisms are often in competition for limited nutrients. In order to succeed, many Gram-positive bacteria resort to production of peptide antibiotics. Therefore, resistance mechanisms against these compounds are essential. The first step of ensuring survival is the perception of the harmful drugs and mediation of resistance against it. In recent years, a group of ABC-transporters have been recognized as important resistance determinate against antimicrobial peptides. The expression of these transporters is generally regulated by a two-component system, which in most cases is encoded next to the transporter. Together they are described as detoxification modules. The permeases of the transporters are characterized by a large extracellular domain, while the histidine kinases lack an obvious input domain. One of the best understood examples is the BceRS-BceAB system of Bacillus subtilis, which mediates resistance against bacitracin, mersacidin and actagardine. For this system it was shown that the histidine kinase is not able to detect the substrate directly and instead has an absolute requirement for the transporter in stimulus perception. This describes a novel mode of signal transduction in which the transporter is the actual sensor and therefore regulates its own expression. To date, mechanistic details for this unique mode of signal transduction remain unknown. Several other examples have been described for transport proteins that have acquired additional sensing or regulatory functions beyond solute transport, and these have been designated trigger transporters. For these bifunctional transporters a direct protein-protein interaction with membrane-integrated or soluble components of signal transduction relays has been postulated. However, for most sensor/co-sensor pairs, conclusive proof of such an interaction is lacking, and so far little is known about the sites that might mediate contacts between the putative protein interfaces and how communication is achieved. Based on sequence and architectural similarities, we identified over 250 BceAB-like transporters in the protein database, which occurred almost exclusively in Firmicutes bacteria. To whether the regulatory interplay between the ABC transporter and the two-component system was a common theme in these antimicrobial peptide resistance modules, we carried out a phylogenetic study of these identified systems. We identified a clear coevolutionary relationship between transport permeases and histidine kinases. Furthermore, we identified conserved putative response regulator binding sites in the promoter regions of the transporter operons. Additionally, we were able to provide a tool to identify TCSs for transporters lacking a regulatory system in their genomic neighbourhood, which was based on the coclustering of histidine kinases and transporter permeases. These findings also suggested the existence of a sensory complex between BceAB-like transporters and BceS-like histidine kinases. To further investigate the signaling mechanism, we performed a random mutagenesis of the transport permease BceB with the aim to identify regions or residues within the transporter that are involved in signaling and/or resistance. With this approach we were able to identify mutations that affected either the ability for signaling or mediation of resistance. This showed a partial genetic separation of the two qualities, which could be achieved by single amino acid replacements. These results provide first insights into the signaling mechanism of the Bce system. In order to analyse the proposed communication between two-component system and ABC transporter, we further characterized their interactions by in vivo and in vitro approaches. We could demonstrate that the transporter BceAB is indeed able to interact directly with the histidine kinase. Because it was unknown how the signal perception by BceAB-type transporters occurs, we next analyzed substrate binding by the transporter permease BceB and could show direct binding of bacitracin by BceB. Finally, in vitro signal transduction assays indicated that complex formation with the transporter influenced the activity of the histidine kinase. In summary this thesis clearly shows the existence of a sensory complex comprised of BceRS-like two-component systems and BceAB-like ABC transporters and provides first functional insights into the mechanism of stimulus perception, signal transduction and antimicrobial resistance mechanism employed by these wide spread detoxification systems against antimicrobial peptides.

Titulares: La salud del coral, censo de los microbios marinos, la gripe que viene del hielo, y microbios del infierno. La salud del coral Los científicos calculan que, debido a la contaminación producida por factores que van desde los residuos tóxicos y las bacterias patógenas hasta los barcos embarrancados y los proyectos urbanísticos en primera línea de mar, para el año 2030 el sesenta por ciento del coral del mundo habrá desaparecido. Pero si usted es un ávido submarinista o buceador, puede ayudar de manera muy sencilla a que esto no ocurra.                                    En el año 2003, la reserva natural marina de los Cayos de Florida cerró algunas zonas a nadadores y buceadores debido a una enfermedad bacteriana que mataba el coral asta de ciervo. Se creía que las personas podían difundir la enfermedad desde las zonas afectadas a las que no lo estaban.                        Los científicos pusieron a prueba esta teoría poniendo en contacto material de neopreno con tres tipos de bacterias que causan enfermedades en peces, en los corales y en las personas. Cuando se mantenía el neopreno colgado durante una hora para que se secase, algunas poblaciones de bacterias en su superficie incluso aumentaban.Kay Marano-Briggs, profesora de la Universidad George Mason, dice que incluso después de haber secado durante dieciocho horas un traje de neopreno y haberlo enjuagado en agua dulce, en su superficie seguía habiendo cantidades significativas de bacterias.                                            Marano-Briggs explicó que necesitaba encontrar una respuesta positiva al problema, por lo que probó con una solución de lejía al 5 por ciento y eso mató prácticamente todas las bacterias.                Ella sugiere que los buceadores laven sus trajes de neopreno con agua y lejía después de cada inmersión. Esta simple rutina ayudará a prevenir la dispersión de enfermedades en los arrecifes de coral, y prevendrá también infecciones de la piel. Censo de los microbios marinos Se calcula que un mililitro de agua de mar contiene aproximadamente un millón de células bacterianas y de diez a cien veces más virus. Si tenemos en cuenta que los mares y océanos ocupan las dos terceras partes de la superficie del planeta, y que el 90 por ciento de la biomasa marina es microbiana, las cifras son asombrosas.                                                        Ahora, un equipo internacional de científicos está observando el conjunto de los microorganismos marinos. El trabajo forma parte de un gran proyecto subvencionado por la Fundación Sloan llamado “Censo de la Vida Marina”, que representa un esfuerzo para realizar un inventario de toda la vida marina.                                          Los microbios desempeñan un papel vital en el mantenimiento de las condiciones climáticas adecuadas para la Tierra. Lo hacen al modificar la producción de gases de efecto invernadero, pero es sorprendente lo poco que se sabe todavía de esos microbios. Ante el panorama de una dinámica del clima que está cambiando, como es el calentamiento global, Lucas Stal, jefe del Departamento de Microbiología Marina del Instituto Holandés de Ecología, cree que nos queda mucho que aprender sobre el funcionamiento de los microbios en el océano.                                Stal cree que la investigación es interesante pero además, por el bien del planeta, es necesaria para comprender estos procesos.La gripe que viene del hielo                    El cambio climático global alterará muchos aspectos de la vida en la Tierra, y también los microbios notarán los efectos. Se ha descubierto que la tendencia al calentamiento puede llegar incluso a despertar a los virus que viven en el hielo del Ártico de su letargo en el frío.    Scott Rogers, catedrático de la Universidad Estatal Bowling Green, en Ohio, ha estudiado la supervivencia de los virus de la gripe aviar transportados hacia el norte por las aves migratorias y congelados en los lagos siberianos.      Rogers explica que los pájaros defecan sobre el hielo y que el hielo va cubriéndose de más nieve que se va convirtiendo en más hielo.Ha encontrado que algunas cepas del virus de la gripe pueden sobrevivir en el hielo durante muchísimo tiempo. A medida que aumenten las temperaturas, el hielo de los lagos siberianos irá fundiéndose lentamente y se liberarán virus de la gripe y otros patógenos que hayan vivido atrapados en él durante largos periodos de tiempo.    Rogers y sus colegas tienen planeado investigar si los virus de la gripe procedentes del hielo fundido de lagos siberianos pueden infectar de nuevo a las aves después de haber estado congelados. Dice que es probable que también se liberen algunos patógenos humanos del hielo polar cuando éste se funda, pero cree que probablemente no serán una amenaza para la salud humana    Microbios del infierno                    ¿Quién necesita la cadena alimentaria cuando se puede vivir a base de agua, radiactividad y rocas a alta temperatura a unos tres mil metros de profundidad de la superficie de la Tierra? Pues bien, a unas bacterias primitivas pertenecientes al grupo de los Firmicutes les va muy bien con este menú más propio del infierno en las minas de oro más profundas y oscuras de Sudáfrica.            En algunos puntos de fractura que contienen agua a unos tres mil metros de profundidad de la superficie son abundantes algunos Firmicutes, que no se parecen a ningún otro microorganismo en el planeta. Viven de agua fósil de hace veinticinco millones de años, de radiactividad y de minerales que obtienen de rocas que están a temperaturas que alcanzan más de cincuenta grados Celsius. Tullis Onstott, catedrático de ciencias de la Tierra en la Universidad de Princeton, que dirigió el grupo que investigaba estos microbios, dice que es posible que esto ocurra también en Marte, donde hay rocas del mismo tipo. Si hay también agua y radiactividad a esas profundidades significa que allí también existen los ingredientes para la vida. La incógnita es saber si la vida se originó en Marte y produjo tipos de organismos parecidos a los hallados en Sudáfrica.             Los Firmicutes son muy parecidos a las primeras bacterias que se originaron en la Tierra hace unos tres mil quinientos millones de años. Crecen muy lentamente y tardan en dividirse entre cincuenta y trescientos años.

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.

The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of diversity and activity of dominant bacterial populations in the rhizospheres of three economically important grain legumes (Vicia faba, Lupinus albus and Pisum sativum). A cultivation-independent approach was employed to achieve this aim bearing in mind the limitation of cultivation-dependent technique that only 10% of bacteria present in rhizosphere can be cultured. PCR amplification of 16S rDNA and subsequent separation of the amplicons by DGGE was used in an initial screening of replicates for experimental variation and for the first characterization of bacterial community composition of the three rhizospheres under study. Specific profiles generated by the three legumes, derived by both 16S rDNA and rRNA, emphasized the need to perform detailed analysis of the communities present in these rhizospheres. Clone libraries for PCR and RT-PCR products were generated for representative samples of all the three legumes. Firmicutes were found to be the most dominant in all the legumes, both in DNA- and RNA-derived libraries, indicating them to be the most active group as well. A plant-dependent rhizosphere effect was reflected by the absence of ?-subdivision members in Pisum and ?-subdivision members of proteobacteria in Vicia rhizosphere. High numbers of as yet unclassified bacteria were also obtained. With this experimental set-up, using the same soil material but three different legumes and a uniform inoculation with Rhizobium sp., it became evident that plant roots influence the development of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere in a plant-specific manner. The extent of the rhizosphere effect could vary in natural field conditions as the present study was performed under controlled conditions in green house using soil from agricultural site. Extraction and analysis of rRNA has enabled identification of active taxa in the present study. Fingerprints were obtained for total RNA using two different primers. The profiles generated revealed marked differences between the three rhizospheres of the three legumes under study, indicating differences between the metabolic status of the bacterial communities present in the rhizospheres of these three legumes. To address the question of functional diversity, mRNA extraction and subsequent RT-PCR were performed for various genes important in nutrient cycling. The presence of chitinase genes could be established by specific PCR amplification using DNA extracted from the three rhizospheres. However, no expression of the gene could be detected by RT-PCR. Enzyme assays confirmed no or very low levels of the chitinase protein in the rhizospheres. Analysis of proteolytic enzymes (serine and neutral metallopeptidases) showed the presence and activity of serine peptidase in the three rhizospheres. Neutral metallopeptidase gene was also present in the three rhizospheres but no expression could be detected in the Lupinus rhizosphere. This was a confirmation of plant-dependent effect at the level of functioning of the bacterial communities. Genes for nitrite reductase (nirK and nirS), which may lead to removal of nitrogen from the system by denitrification, were targeted to gain an understanding of the importance of this enzyme in a nitrogen-enriching environment. The presence of nirS was not detected in any of the legume rhizospheres, but both the presence and activity of nirK was established for the three rhizospheres. The diversity of this gene was investigated by generating clone libraries with the RT-PCR products from the three plant rhizospheres. The observation of distinct differences in the distribution of phylotypes of expressed nirK gene in the three legume rhizospheres confirmed a plant specific effect on the functions of the rhizosphere bacterial communities. The present study revealed a hitherto unknown diversity of rhizospheric bacteria associated with grain legumes. Entirely cultivation-independent approaches to characterize the structure and function of the bacterial community of the rhizosphere of the three grain legumes clearly revealed plant-dependent rhizosphere effect on bacterial community structure and function.