microbes – Lacto Bacto

Every Tree Has A Microbiome

SimaFebruary 20, 2026February 22, 2026Leave a comment

Not only humans and many foods (e.g., fruits) have microbiomes - the community of bacteria, viruses, archaea, and fungi living on and in the organism. Researchers found that trees also have microbiomes, and when a tree is diseased, the microbiome changes.

A single tree can be home to a trillion microbial cells! The microbes interact and depend on each other.

Additionally, different tree species have different microbiomes, and different parts of the tree have different microbiomes - the tree bark (sapwood) vs tree interior(heartwood). Makes sense!

Excerpts from NY Times: In Every Tree, a Trillion Tiny Lives

Scientists have found that a single tree can be home to a trillion microbial cells — an invisible ecosystem that is only beginning to be understood.

A forest is a complex, dynamic ecosystem in which a rich array of living things, from old-growth trees to microscopic fungi, interact and depend on one another for survival. ...continue reading "Every Tree Has A Microbiome"

Garlic Extract Mouthwash Appears Promising

SimaJanuary 15, 2026January 17, 2026Leave a comment

There has been discussion over the years regarding mouthwash - what are the harms and benefits? Does using mouthwash regularly disrupt the oral (mouth) microbiome? Chlorhexidine mouthwash is generally considered the best for treating gingivitis and killing bacteria.

Researchers at the College of Dental Medicine, Univ. of Sharjah in the UAE, recently published a review of studies comparing garlic extract mouthwash vs chlorhexidine mouthwash. They found that garlic mouthwash can be as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Garlic (Allium sativum) has natural antimicrobial properties. The researchers found that among the studies there were some differences in effectiveness for both types of mouthwash depending on the concentration used and duration of application.

However, one negative they found is that garlic mouthwash can be more uncomfortable to use - it can cause a burning sensation and unpleasant taste.

Excerpts from Science Daily: Garlic mouthwash shows shockingly strong germ-fighting power

Garlic extract has been found to offer antimicrobial effects that are on par with commonly used antiseptics and disinfectants such as chlorhexidine, according to medical researchers at the University of Sharjah.

The study, published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, reports that garlic-based mouthwash may produce more discomfort than chlorhexidine but appears to provide longer-lasting residual activity.

...continue reading "Garlic Extract Mouthwash Appears Promising"

Loss of Smell from A COVID Infection Can Linger For At Least Two Years

SimaOctober 23, 2025October 24, 2025Leave a comment

Millions of us have had a least one COVID infection. Many suffered a loss of smell during the infection. A recent study by NYU Langone researchers found that the loss of smell can linger for at least 2 years after the infection. And even if you thought that your smell was never impacted or that it has recovered, it actually may not have fully recovered, but only partially recovered.

Among the 3525 participants in the study that reported a loss of smell during a COVID infection - 80% still had not fully recovered their sense of smell 2 years later, and for 23% it was severely diminished or lost. Interestingly, 66% of persons who originally had a COVID infection, but did not notice any smelling issues, also scored abnormally low on the evaluation done 2 years after the infection.

It can be said that their sense of smell has dulled (olfactory dysfunction). This reduced ability to smell is called hyposmia. Researchers administer a 40-odor test to persons to determine their smelling ability. To help recover the sense of smell, vitamin A supplementation and olfactory training are being tried.

From Science Daily: Millions could be living with hidden smell loss after COVID without knowing

People who suspect that their sense of smell has been dulled after a bout of COVID-19 are likely correct, a new study using an objective, 40-odor test shows. Even those who do not notice any olfactory issues may be impaired. ...continue reading "Loss of Smell from A COVID Infection Can Linger For At Least Two Years"

Altered Gut Microbiomes In Persons With Pain Conditions

SimaSeptember 4, 2025September 4, 2025Leave a comment

We know that there are microbiomes (communities of bacteria, viruses, fungi) throughout the body, and that there are microbial patterns or "microbial signatures" found in different diseases. But now it appears that there are microbial signatures for a whole list of pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), arthritis, and migraine.

In other words, the gut microbiome is different between those with a pain condition compared to healthy individuals without the condition. One question is: does chronic pain cause the microbiome to change or do microbial changes or shifts cause chronic pain? Or does the presence of certain bacteria protect against different pain conditions?

It is still unknown whether probiotic supplementation would help these conditions because the studies are not yet done. But researchers do suggest eating an anti-inflammatory diet - which means a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (includes beans), fish, seeds, nuts, and olive oil. This kind of diet has lots of fiber to feed and support beneficial bacteria.

Also, avoid ultra-processed food as much as possible, including processed meats and soda, because these are associated with harmful bacteria in the gut. Read the ingredient list, and try to avoid foods with ingredients not found in your kitchen (e.g., emulsifiers, colors, natural flavors, artificial flavors, carrageenan, soy lecithin, guar gum)

From Medscape: Gut Microbiome Changes in Chronic Pain — Test and Treat?

A new study adds to what has been emerging in the literature — namely that there appear to be gut microbiome “signatures” for various pain conditions — suggesting that microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutics may one day be routine for a broad range of pain conditions. ...continue reading "Altered Gut Microbiomes In Persons With Pain Conditions"

The Pesticides We’re Exposed to Disrupt the Gut Microbiome

SimaAugust 20, 2025August 21, 2025Leave a comment

Millions of pounds of pesticides are used each year in the US: on farms, in buildings and homes, on lawns, in pet flea and tick products - basically everywhere. And so the pesticides eventually wind up in us - from the foods we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe (when pesticides drift during applications or when used indoors), and the treated lawns and ground we walk on.

We are continuously exposed to low levels of multiple pesticides, but it is unknown what this does to us. Recently, a study examined the effect of multiple pesticide exposures on gut health and found that they killed off many beneficial (good) bacteria and had harmful alterations on gut bacteria metabolism. Uh-oh.

Bottom line: Many studies show that we can quickly (within 2 weeks) reduce the amount of pesticides (pesticide residues) in our bodies by eating as many organic foods as possible. Also, use nontoxic IPM (Integrated Pest Management) in the home, and reduce pesticide use in and out of the home (on lawns and gardens).

From Beyond Pesticides: Study Maps the Gut Microbiome and Adverse Impacts of Pesticide Residues

Researchers developed a novel tool* in a recent study published in Nature Communications this year that successfully creates a map of the “pesticide-gut microbiota-metabolite network,” identifying “significant alterations in gut bacteria metabolism.”

...continue reading "The Pesticides We’re Exposed to Disrupt the Gut Microbiome"

Exercise Is Beneficial In Cancer

SimaJuly 16, 2025August 1, 2025Leave a comment

Exercise helps fight cancer. Wow! What a headline. But is it true?

Researchers studied exercise, and its effect on gut microbes and the molecules they produce in response to the exercise. They found that certain gut microbes produce a metabolite (formate) that is increased with exercise and which boosts the potency of CD8 T cells in the immune system – which are key to fighting cancer. The initial tests were done in mice, but then the researchers took their results and applied them to humans with melanoma.

They found that in humans with melanoma, high levels of formate had longer progression-free survival (they live with the cancer, but it doesn't get worse). This is big news! Of course, further studies are ongoing.

Bottom line: Exercise is beneficial for all sorts of reasons, but one may be its effects on cancer. Studies find that exercise is known to help prevent cancer and suppress the growth of existing tumors.

From New Scientist: Exercise helps fight cancer – and we may finally know why

Exercise seems to help prevent cancer and reduce the growth of tumours, and that protective effect may be due to the way working out changes the gut microbiome. ...continue reading "Exercise Is Beneficial In Cancer"

Woman Dies After Using Contaminated Water For Nasal Rinses

SimaJune 13, 2025Leave a comment

Saline nasal rinses have become very popular, usually to ease symptoms of nasal congestion during colds, allergies, or sinus infections. It is very important to only use boiled (and cooled), commercially bottled, sterile, or distilled water for nasal rinses to make sure any harmful microbes and organisms in the water are killed. One person in Texas ignored this advice and paid with her life.

The woman used nonboiled water from the RV faucet (in her RV vehicle), which was unfortunately contaminated with the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. This amoeba traveled to her brain and caused primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also known as Naegleriasis. Which is almost always fatal. In her case, she died within 8 days from the first symptoms.

Authorities were unable to determine if the amoeba was in the RV campsite drinking system or if it was picked up in another site when filling up her RV's water. But, they did point out that drinking water contaminated with Naegleria fowleri does not cause problems. It is only a problem when rinsing contaminated water into the nasal passages and sinuses - the amoeba can then travel to the brain.

As the CDC points out on its web-site (also see page on safe nasal rinsing):

"Germs such as the amebas Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba can grow in public and private water tanks and pipes. They can also grow in the pipes and water heaters in some homes and buildings.

Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba can pose a serious risk to your health if they are in the water you use to rinse your sinuses or nasal passages. If the amebas go up the nose and to the brain, they can cause nearly always fatal brain infections. Although rare, people have died from rinsing their sinuses with tap water containing Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba."

From CIDRAP (The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the Univ. of Minnesota): Woman dies from brain ameba after flushing nose with RV water

A previously healthy 71-year-old woman in Texas died within 2 weeks of using tap water from a recreational vehicle (RV) for nasal irrigation. She was diagnosed as having primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) a rare, often fatal brain infection caused by the ameba Naegleria fowleri, according to a report yesterday in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. ...continue reading "Woman Dies After Using Contaminated Water For Nasal Rinses"

Recovery From Physical and Mental Symptoms of COVID May Take Months

SimaJune 12, 2025June 13, 2025Leave a comment

Most of us have had at least one COVID infection, with many having had the virus several times. Some recover quickly, but for others recovery is slow. But how long does it usually take to fully recover from symptoms?

A new study reported that it takes about 3 months to recover from COVID-19 physical symptoms, but 9 months for many to return to how they felt mentally before they became ill with the virus.

To repeat, in this study of 1096 persons who had COVID and 371 persons who did not become infected with COVID (as measured by a FDA approved SARS-CoV-2 test) − it took about 3 months to fully recover physically from COVID, but 9 months mentally. The mental symptom recovery showed gradual improvement over time. But even at a year about 1 in 5 had not fully recovered from the mental symptoms, which may be indicative of long COVID.

People participating in the study were surveyed about physical functioning, fatigue, pain, anxiety, depression, cognitive function, and sleep. This was not a long COVID study. It was a look at how persons who had a COVID infection recover from COVID symptoms over time (they were followed for 1 year).

From Discover: Mental Recovery From COVID-19 Symptoms Can Take Up to 9 Months

Some infections are tougher to recover from than others. Take COVID-19 infections, for instance. According to a new study in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, people with COVID and COVID-like symptoms typically take around nine months to recover from their infections mentally, and around three months to recover from their infections physically, suggesting that mental recovery is a particularly lengthy process that requires more study and more medical attention. ...continue reading "Recovery From Physical and Mental Symptoms of COVID May Take Months"

Herpes Simplex Virus and Alzheimer’s Disease

SimaMay 31, 2025June 1, 2025Leave a comment

Over the past decade there has been as increasing amount of research suggesting that the herpes virus (cold sores!) is implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease. (here, here, here).

A recent study suggests the same possibility - herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) has a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. And treating cold sores with antiviral therapy (antiherpetic medications) results in a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease - thus the antivirals are protective.

The researchers found that having herpes virus type 2 (genital herpes) and varicella zoster virus (chicken pox, shingles) also resulted in increased risk of later developing Alzheimer's disease. But infection with cytomegalovirus was not.

From Medical Xpress: Cold sore viral infection implicated in development of Alzheimer's disease

Symptomatic infection with the virus responsible for cold sores around the mouth–herpes simplex 1, or HSV-1 for short—may have a key role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, suggests a large US study published in BMJ Open. ...continue reading "Herpes Simplex Virus and Alzheimer’s Disease"

The Viruses and Fungi Living In Our Gut

SimaMay 9, 2025Leave a comment

It has long been known that fungi and viruses live in the gut microbiome (the bacteria, fungi, viruses living in the gut), but generally the focus has only been on the bacteria living there. The viruses tend to be bacteriophages - viruses that go after bacteria by infecting them and killing them.

Bacteriophages have a large influence on what lives in the gut, as well as having an effect on the immune system. They start living in the human gut (the GI or gastrointestinal tract) shortly after birth. Scientists are now studying phages to see if they can be used against harmful bacteria and as a treatment for chronic diseases that involve the gastrointestinal system. They think that they could be used in place of antibiotics for antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Fungi are considered immune stimulating. They can have beneficial effects (cause immune responses that promote metabolic health and protect against infection). Others (sometimes even the same species!) can have harmful effects, such as promoting inflammation, for example, in intestinal bowel diseases (IBD). Candida albicans is one such fungi - it is found in the gut of most people, and can cause problems or not.

From Medscape: The Extra-Bacterial Gut Ecosystem: The Influence of Phages and Fungi in the Microbiome

Research on the gut microbiome — and clinical attention to it — has focused mainly on bacteria, but bacteriophages and fungi play critical roles as well, with significant influences on health and disease, experts said at the Gut Microbiota for Health (GMFH) World Summit 2025.

Fungi account for < 1% of the total genetic material in the microbiome but 1%-2% of its total biomass. “Despite their relative rarity, they have an important and outsized influence on gut health” — an impact that results from their unique interface with the immune system, said Kyla Ost, PhD, of the Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, in Denver, whose research focuses on this interface. ...continue reading "The Viruses and Fungi Living In Our Gut"