The Gutbliss Weekly Review – February 21, 2016

1. The FDA will test for glyphosate (the most active ingredient in the pesticide weed killer, Roundup) levels in food beginning this year. Declared a carcinogen in 2015, preliminary studies show glyphosate may disrupt microbial balance in the gut. Civil Eats

 

2. Scientists discover that leafy greens contain a sugar (sulfoquinose or SQ) that feeds “good” gut bacteria, allowing them to grow and crowd out pathogenic bacteria. Eat leafy greens daily, along with prebiotics, for a balanced microbiome! Medical News Today

 

3. Dietary fiber improves brain health. Butyrate, a byproduct created when gut bacteria metabolize fiber-containing carbohydrates, plays a role in protecting the brain and improving plasticity in neurological diseases. A February 2016 review presents the evidence. Neuroscience Letters

 

4. Probiotic and prebiotic foods are the most important foods for cultivating a balanced microbiome, one that promotes long-term health and longevity. Here’s a great list to get you started, and for more probiotic and prebiotic ideas, check out recipes in The Microbiome Solution. Dr. Perlmutter

 

5. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with an increased risk of dementia in older populations. Find out more about acid-blocking drugs and Gutbliss recommended alternatives treatments to alleviate acid reflux and GERD. Medscape

 

6. Prebiotic intake during pregnancy and lactation in obese mothers can protect their offspring from negative genetic, metabolic, and microbial outcomes. Keep in mind that while maternal weight impacts offspring microbial health, the greatest determining factor is the introduction of food. Nature

 

7. A vaccine for Crohn’s disease (CD)? Yes! The vaccine was invented based on the hypothesis that a bacteria (mycobacteria or MAP) found in milk, infant formula, dairy, and possibly meat is the cause of the disease – the bacteria “hides from the body’s immune system defenses by invading white blood cells” and alters gut physiology and bacteria leading to leaky gut and putting individuals at risk for CD. With an 80% increase in inflammatory bowel disease in children over the last 30 years, scientists are hopeful that the vaccine will help minimize risk. Edinburgh News

 

8. Kegel exercises aren’t everything when it comes to treating pelvic floor disorders and improving strength, but they can be helpful if used properly and in moderation. While some sources advise stopping Kegels altogether, others, including Gutbliss.com, recommend a combination of Kegels, pelvic floor strength exercises (like squats and bridges) and biofeedback, to help prevent and treat pelvic floor disorders.

 

9. Necrotizing enterocolitis, the most common GI complication in premature infants caused by inflammation in the intestinal wall, is associated with dysbiosis, or imbalanced gut bacteria. In a review of the literature, scientists find benefits in establishing the gut microbiome of premature infants through breast milk and dietary supplements. Kangaroo Care can also increase breast milk intake of premature infants and can help in shaping a health-promoting microbiome. Clinical Therapeutics

 

10. A new class of drugs is in development for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – synthetic biotics. These new drugs are synthetic probiotics that interact with the gut microbiome to carry out important metabolic functions that are otherwise missing or dysfunctional in IBD patients. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

 

By: Leslie Ann Berg, MSPH