All articles tagged with #probiotics
In a mouse study, early-life exposure to a high-fat, high-sugar diet permanently shifts hypothalamic appetite pathways and adult feeding behavior even after weight normalizes; however, interventions targeting the gut microbiome—probiotic Bifidobacterium longum APC1472 or prebiotic fibers FOS/GOS—can restore brain–gut signaling and mitigate these long-term effects, with some sex-specific vulnerabilities observed.
Gastroenterologists say antibiotics cause the most disruption to the gut microbiome, but other medications—including proton pump inhibitors, laxatives, NSAIDs, and certain cardiac drugs—can also alter gut bacteria, with some changes lasting years after stopping. Probiotics aren’t reliably regulated or proven to protect the microbiome, though Saccharomyces boulardii may reduce the risk of C. difficile diarrhea. If you must take such meds, focus on fiber-rich foods to support gut health and discuss qualquer protective steps with your doctor.
Gastroenterologists warn antibiotics are the single biggest disruptor to the gut microbiome, though other meds like proton pump inhibitors, laxatives, NSAIDs, and certain cardiac drugs can also alter gut bacteria for years after use; probiotics are not reliably protective, though Saccharomyces boulardii may reduce the risk of C. difficile diarrhea; if you must take antibiotics, focus on fiber-rich foods to support gut health.
A global atlas of gut bacteria shows that B. infantis, a microbe important for digesting foods and training the immune system, is largely absent in Western babies—about 98.6% lack it in the first two months in Europe and the US, versus ~29% in South Asia and Africa. The absence persists in many Western infants and could hinder immune development, potentially helping explain rising allergies and autoimmune diseases. Researchers suggest lifestyle factors such as antibiotic use, dietary shifts, reduced environmental exposure, and shorter or less exclusive breastfeeding may limit transfer of B. infantis from mother to child. The finding also questions the suitability of some commercial probiotic products, as they may not reflect regional strains, underscoring a need for tailored probiotic strategies and further study of microbiome-health links.
A randomized trial in adults aged 60–80 shows that how probiotics are prepared alters their brain effects: encapsulated bacteria survive digestion longer and enhance memory, attention, and orientation, while non-encapsulated powder more strongly improves mood and reduces anxiety/depression. MRI-based brain connectivity differences between the two forms suggest the delivery method can personalize brain health strategies for aging, targeting cognition or emotional well-being.
A global metagenomics study across more than 11,000 people finds the uncultured gut bacterium CAG-170 consistently higher in healthy individuals and capable of producing Vitamin B12, suggesting it helps sustain the gut ecosystem and could become a biomarker for gut health or a target for new probiotic therapies.
A Vogue health feature explains that gut health influences immune, brain, and metabolic health, and outlines a five-step, personalized approach—remove triggers, replace digestive factors, reinoculate with beneficial bacteria, repair the gut lining, and rebalance lifestyle factors—guided by professionals and sometimes stool testing, with emphasis on consistency over quick detoxes.
The article explains how the gut microbiome influences mood, sleep, energy, and overall health, and offers five practical steps to support it: eat fermented foods (yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso); consider a scientifically backed probiotic for specific issues; prioritize prebiotics (fiber types like inulin, FOS, and GOS); increase overall fiber intake through plant-based foods; and consider dairy like yogurt or kefir that can nourish beneficial bacteria, with sleep and exercise also playing a role. It also cautions to rule out other causes for symptoms and notes that microbiome science is still evolving.
DTU researchers identify 4-hydroxyphenyl lactate (4-OH-PLA), a metabolite produced by specific bifidobacteria in early-life guts, that dampens IgE production and lowers the risk of allergies and asthma. The study followed 147 children to age five across Sweden, Germany, and Australia, showing that early colonization with these bacteria correlates with reduced allergic sensitization; vaginal birth, exclusive breastfeeding, and contact with other infants increase these bacteria. The team suggests probiotic supplements or infant formula enriched with the bacteria or metabolite as preventive strategies, with a patent filed. Translation to preventive use could appear in a few years, while therapies for existing allergies may take up to a decade to develop and approve.
A Westminster microbiology expert argues that a healthy gut boosts sleep by producing mood- and sleep-regulating chemicals and supporting circadian rhythm, then lays out five steps: keep regular meal times, eat more prebiotic and probiotic foods, cut sugar and ultra-processed foods, cut stress, and stay hydrated to strengthen the gut–brain axis and improve sleep.
Eating fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut can support gut health by providing probiotics, which in turn can enhance the gut-brain connection, potentially improving mood, stress regulation, and sleep. Incorporating these foods into your diet is simple and beneficial for overall health.
A comprehensive review of over 500 studies suggests that probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic supplements may benefit skin conditions like eczema and atopic dermatitis, especially in children, but more standardized research is needed to confirm these effects and guide clinical use.
Experts warn that regularly consuming ultra-processed bagged potato chips can harm gut health by promoting inflammation, disrupting the microbiome, and increasing disease risk. They recommend healthier snacks like nuts, berries, legumes, and probiotic-rich yogurt to support gut health and reduce inflammation. Small, sustainable dietary changes are emphasized over strict diets.
To support immunity and prevent seasonal illnesses during winter, it is important to consume a nutrient-rich diet including vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, antioxidants, probiotics, and proteins, along with maintaining healthy habits like hydration, exercise, sleep, and hygiene.
As flu cases rise across the US, experts recommend eating foods like garlic, red bell peppers, yogurt, and berries to boost immune health and potentially reduce illness severity.