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Category: human microbiome

Published on Leave a comment on Kidney Stones and the Gut Microbiome
Kidney stones Credit: Wikipedia

What causes a person to develop kidney stones has long been debated. A recent study found that in persons who develop kidney stones, there are alterations in the gut, salivary, and urinary microbiomes. In other words, the community of fungi, viruses, and bacteria at each of these sites are out of whack or imbalanced.

In the study, not only were the 3 microbiomes imbalanced in the persons with kidney stones (when compared to healthy people without kidney stones), but they also had less diversity (fewer species) in their microbiomes. For example, persons with kidney stones had significantly fewer gut health associated bacteria F. prausnitzii, and significantly more inflammation associated E. lenta.

Those with kidney stones also had a history of having taken more antibiotics (antimicrobials).

The researchers conclusion: To avoid kidney stones a healthy diet is essential (for a healthy gut microbiome). One should also avoid taking antibiotics unless necessary. [BTW, the bacteria F. prausnitzii has long been viewed as a keystone microbe in a healthy gut microbiome. It can be increased by increasing fiber in the diet - e.g., fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, whole grains, legumes.]

From Medical Xpress: New study sheds light on the connection between the microbiome and kidney stones

A new study from Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University published in the journal Microbiome has found changes in the microbiome in multiple locations in the body are linked to the formation of kidney stones. ...continue reading "Kidney Stones and the Gut Microbiome"

Published on Leave a comment on Ear Piercing and the Skin Microbiome
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

We all have a skin microbiome - the community of millions of microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses) that normally live on the skin. New research shows that when we get the ears pierced and start to wear earrings, it causes a disruption to the skin microbiome of the earlobes, and there is an actual shift to different microbes. A new normal develops.

The researchers found that before piercing, the earlobe skin to be pierced is disinfected (which disrupts and kills off microbes), and then after the piercing and insertion of an earring that area of the skin is permanently more moist - thus there is a shift in the community of microbes (their composition). It becomes more complex, with a greater variety of microbes, and some moisture loving species move in.

Therefore. the researchers say that ear piercing represents "ecosystem engineering on the human body". Yes. And wow.

From Science Alert: After an Ear Piercing, Your Skin Microbiome Changes in a Fundamental Way

You may not have ever realized it, but there are many trillions of microorganisms living on our skin – and puncturing the skin and inserting a metal object, also known as getting a piercing, creates a significant shift in that microbiome. ...continue reading "Ear Piercing and the Skin Microbiome"

Published on Leave a comment on Kimchi Made With Seafood and Vegan Kimchi Contain the Same Microbes

Over the years I've received many questions about vegan versus kimchi that contains seafood. Are the microbes in the kimchi the same?

One reason this is an important question is because at certain stages of kimchi fermentation the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus sakei (which treat sinusitis in many people) appears for a time. And during that time when L.sakei is present, dabbing a little kimchi juice in the nostrils helps and treats many individuals with sinusitis. Amazing, yes?

Many people prefer to treat sinusitis with vegan kimchi - which is also my personal preference. I don't want to worry about what is in the seafood used in kimchi. Therefore, it's vegan kimchi for me.

Earlier studies have suggested that even though kimchi is made with cabbage, the L. sakei grows from the surface of raw garlic used in making  the kimchi. From the M.A. Zabat et al (2018) study:

"Because kimchi is made without the use of a starter culture, the raw ingredients play a key role in establishing the bacterial community that is responsible for fermenting kimchi (Jung et al., 2011; Lee et al., 2015)".

"Large amounts of garlic are associated with more kimchi-associated LAB [lactic acid bacteria] in the final product (Lee et al., 2015)." [Note: L. sakei is one of the lactic acid bacteria in kimchi]

This is why the 2018 study, which I just read, is so interesting. The researchers found that both vegan (no seafood)and kimchi made with seafood (e.g., fish sauce) contain the same microbes after fermentation. They may have started out with different populations of microbes, but during fermentation the microbes become similar.

"We found that, despite initial differences in microbial composition between vegan and non-vegan kimchi, there was no notable difference in the final products. Ultimately, the microbial community of both vegan and non-vegan kimchi is dominated by Lactobacillaceae and Leuconostocaceae, and lacks the Enterobacteriaceae found in the fish sauce or miso paste."

Well... that's a relief. What kimchi you choose to eat and use as a sinusitis treatment is personal preference. It's all good. And yes, fermented foods such as kimchi are great for the gut microbiome. They increase gut microbial diversity (good!) and reduce inflammation.

From Physics News: Vegan and traditional kimchi have same microbes, study finds

Good news, vegans: A new study finds that kimchi made without fish products has the same type of bacteria as more traditionally made kimchi. That finding suggests that any "probiotic" benefits associated with traditional kimchi could be present in vegan versions as well. ...continue reading "Kimchi Made With Seafood and Vegan Kimchi Contain the Same Microbes"

Published on Leave a comment on The Vaginal Microbiome

We have microbiomes all over our bodies. Millions of microbes in communities - for example, the ear, the sinuses, the skin, the gut, and on and on. Women also have a vaginal microbiome. When the microbiome of the vagina gets disrupted, health effects such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) can occur.

The Scientist recently published a good article on the vaginal microbiome, as well as the microbes in the vagina associated with health and those associated with health problems. [Note: All these microbes live together in a healthy vaginal microbiome - it's just that sometimes the balance gets disrupted.] Much has been learned since they first wrote about the microbiome of the healthy vagina in 2014 - but much is still unknown.

Some good news is that the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus crispatus, which is very important for a healthy vagina, is now easily available as a probiotic supplement (to be taken when needed) in the US. Back in 2016 it was only available in Europe for BV and urinary tract infections (UTIs). This bacteria has been referred to as the "golden child of all the lactobacilli" in the vaginal microbiome.

Excerpts from The Scientist: The Vaginal Microbiome is Finally Getting Recognized

Vaginal dysbiosis has long been a taboo subject, but studying and optimizing the vaginal microbiome could be a game changer for women's health. ...continue reading "The Vaginal Microbiome"

Published on Leave a comment on Adding Herbs and Spices To Your Foods Improves Gut Microbiome
Thyme Credit: Wikipedia

It turns out that even making minor adjustments to your usual diet can improve the gut microbiome (the community of bacteria, fungi, viruses living in the gut) within a few weeks. Two separate studies found that eating some peanuts daily or adding some herbs or spices to the  foods you eat can improve the numbers of beneficial bacteria living in the gut.

In the peanut study - eating or not eating peanuts didn't change the diversity or main types of bacteria living in the gut. But eating peanuts did increase the numbers of several beneficial species --Roseburia and Ruminococcaceae, which are butyrate producing bacteria (good!). The peanut group ate 28 grams of peanuts (1 ounce or about 33 peanuts) as a night-time snack for 6 weeks.

In the spice and herb study, adding a combination of spices and herbs to the diet for 4 weeks increased microbial diversity in the gut (good!), and also increased beneficial Ruminococcaceae numbers (good!) in persons at risk for heart disease. Faecalibacterium and Agathobacter  numbers also increased (good!). A variety of dried spices and herbs (1/8 tsp, 3/4 tsp. or 1/1/2 tsp) were added to foods in the daily diet, and not taken as a capsule.

Dried spices added to foods in the spice and herb study included coriander, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, oregano, thyme, onion powder, garlic, ginger, rosemary, thyme, basil, black pepper, paprika, parsley, red pepper, etc. - 24 in all!

Bottom line: These studies agree with other research finding that eating peanuts (and all sorts of nuts, legumes), as well as adding spices and herbs to your foods is beneficial to the gut microbiome. They feed beneficial microbes in your gut, have all sorts of micronutrients, and they also have multitudes of microbes. A win-win.

From Science Daily: Peanuts and herbs and spices may positively impact gut microbiome

Adding a daily ounce of peanuts or about a teaspoon of herbs and spices to your diet may affect the composition of gut bacteria, an indicator of overall health, according to new research from Penn State. In two separate studies, nutritional scientists studied the effects of small changes to the average American diet and found improvements to the gut microbiome. ...continue reading "Adding Herbs and Spices To Your Foods Improves Gut Microbiome"

Published on Leave a comment on Lupus Involves Changes In Gut Microbes

Recent research found that flare-ups of the disease lupus involves microbial changes in the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is the community of microbes (fungi, bacteria, viruses) living in the small intestine.

NYU School of Medicine researchers found in a study that about half of the individuals having flare-ups of lupus (Systemic lupus erythematosus) had an overgrowth (or "bloom") of the bacteria Ruminococcus blautia gnavus. They also found that during flare-ups the gut microbiome was out-of-whack, with an increase in some harmful (pathogenic) species.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, especially kidneys, joints, skin, blood vessels, brain, heart, and lungs. A tell-tale sign of lupus that many people get is a butterfly shaped rash across the nose and cheeks.

These research results raise the possibility that future treatments for lupus may involve somehow altering gut microbes. Maybe dietary changes or certain probiotics?

From Science Daily: Lupus flare-ups strongly linked to specific bacterial growth in gut

Recurrent bouts of systemic lupus erythematosus, marked by the body's immune system attack of its own tissues, closely tracked with measureable upticks in growth in the gut of a certain species of bacteria. ...continue reading "Lupus Involves Changes In Gut Microbes"

Published on Leave a comment on Technique May Improve the Microbiome of C-section Babies

Recent studies suggest that "vaginal seeding " of a newborn is effective and also has beneficial health effects for the baby. Vaginal seeding is transferring some of a mother's vaginal fluids (which contain beneficial microbes) onto newborns delivered via C-section.

The reason for doing this procedure (using gauze pads) is because during a vaginal birth the baby picks up the mother's microbes as it moves through the birth canal (this is good!). Babies delivered by C-section don't pick up all these beneficial microbes - instead they get what is floating around the delivery room.

Rutgers Univ. researchers found that infants that received vaginal seeding hosted a different microbial population in their stool and skin (more like the mother's) than those who didn't in the first month after birth. The vaginal seeding had worked - the mother's microbes had become part of the baby's microbiome.

Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello has been doing research in the area of vaginal seeding and infant microbiome for a while. (Description of vaginal seeding method she uses.)

By the way, breastfeeding the baby is also a great way to transfer maternal microbes to the baby. There are hundreds of species in the breast milk, and the species in the milk vary over time.

From Medical Xpress: Technique may restore healthy bacterial balance in C-section babies

Newborns delivered by cesarean section who are swabbed with the vaginal fluid of their mothers after birth have beneficial bacteria restored to their skin surface and stools, according to a new study.  ...continue reading "Technique May Improve the Microbiome of C-section Babies"

Published on Leave a comment on Health Risks From Popular Artificial Sweetener

Artificial sweeteners are very popular, with sucralose (Splenda) being the most widely used artificial sweetener in the US. However, there is increasing evidence that these sweeteners are linked to health problems. Recently, a study found that basically all safety claims by the manufacturer of sucralose are nonsense (deceptive advertising!), and that the sweetener instead can cause health harms.

Health harms from sucralose include: damages DNA (it's genotoxic), it causes "leaky gut" (makes the wall of the gut more permeable), bioaccumulates in the body, leukemia, alters gut microbes, drives glucose intolerance, causes weight gain, increases appetite. decreases insulin sensitivity, metabolic dysfunction, enters into breastmilk of nursing mothers, promotes intestinal inflammation, and more.

Of course the European Union has stricter standards regarding sucralose than the US. (Why am I not surprised?).

The following two articles discuss different aspects of sucralose and its health harms. The one from US Right to Know is worth reading in full.

Excerpts from Medical Xpress: Chemical found in common sweetener damages DNA

A new study finds a chemical formed when we digest a widely used sweetener is "genotoxic," meaning it breaks up DNA. The chemical is also found in trace amounts in the sweetener itself, and the finding raises questions about how the sweetener may contribute to health problems. ...continue reading "Health Risks From Popular Artificial Sweetener"

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Published on 4 Comments on Ten Plus Years of Successfully Treating Sinus Infections With Probiotics

It is now my eleventh year of successfully treating sinus infections with only the probiotic Lactobacillus sakei. This includes regular sinus infections, chronic sinusitis, and even when there are just a few sinus symptoms (you know, the gradual slide toward sinusitis). No antibiotics and no antibacterials in all this time! Yes, it still feels miraculous!

Studies show that the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus sakei occurs naturally (in tiny amounts) in healthy sinuses, but is depleted or missing in those with sinusitis. It is normal for a community of bacteria, viruses, fungi to live in the sinuses - this is the sinus microbiome.

My journey started in the winter of 2013 after reading research in late 2012 about L. sakei. I started with kimchi back then, but in the last few years I've used the product Lanto Sinus, which contains a kimchi-derived strain of Lactobacillus sakei.

Since starting this blog in 2013, I have heard from hundreds of people and the majority agree that L. sakei works great as a sinus treatment! Other probiotic species just don't work, even though they may help with some symptoms. [See Best Probiotics For Sinusitis for details on results and products used.]

Lessons Learned Over the Past Decade:

1) Lactobacillus sakei alone is enough to treat sinus infections or sinusitis. It helps with all the associated symptoms: mucus dripping down the throat (post-nasal drip), sinus pressure, sinus headaches, earaches and coughs from sinusitis, etc.

2) Using L. sakei (whether in kimchi or Lanto Sinus) should take about a minute! No fancy methods or protocols needed.

3) Only use L. sakei when needed. This means when there are sinus symptoms (e.g., lots of mucus, post nasal drip) or you're sliding towards sinusitis. No need to wait till the sinus infection is full-blown.

4) Stop using it when feeling better. Don't use it daily or as a preventive, but only when needed. There are many species of microbes living in the sinuses, so you don't want to flood the sinuses with just one species for weeks on end.

5) After using it for a few days, evaluate whether you can stop or whether you need to keep using it longer. The sinuses frequently keep improving and rebalancing after stopping L. sakei.  One can always use more if needed. ...continue reading "Ten Plus Years of Successfully Treating Sinus Infections With Probiotics"

Published on Leave a comment on Certain Foods Are Great For Gut Health

Another recent study confirmed that what you eat determines the microbes living in your gut (small intestines). This is the gut microbiome or microbiota (the community of bacteria, fungi, viruses). The microbes living in a person's gut can be determined by analyzing a sample of a person's poop.

The researchers found that persons eating more fruits, vegetables, and foods high in fiber (e.g., whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds) have gut microbes associated with health. They also have more diversity of species in the gut (this is a sign of health). But eat a diet rich in highly processed foods and low in fiber, and you'll have microbes associated with health problems (e.g., heart disease, cancer, diabetes).

The researchers point out that following the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) supports a healthy gut microbiome. Especially important for a healthy gut microbiome were vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and dairy. Yes, dairy foods have oodles of microbes (your cheese is alive!), whole fat dairy is beneficial, but skim milk or 0% is not. Eating a variety of high fiber foods is important because then you'll be eating a variety of fibers.

Bottom line: you are what you eat.

Excerpts from Medical Xpress: How diet quality affects the gut microbiota to promote health

We know that eating a healthy diet affects body weight, cholesterol levels, and heart health. A new study from the University of Illinois focuses on another component: the role of diet in supporting a healthy gastrointestinal microbiota. The researchers conclude that following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) promotes a gut microbiota composition that may support overall health. ...continue reading "Certain Foods Are Great For Gut Health"