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Ulcerative colitis linked to missing gut microbe; 70% of our body's molecules produced by gut bacteria

Feb

26

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The research we are witnessing on the gut microbiome is nothing short of revolutionary and its importance to health care is still just scratching the surface. Two perennial institutions just one day apart came up separately with two keys to the puzzles that could forever alter the way we administer health care to digestive system related diseases. These two are Stanford University and University of California San Diego.

A February 25, 2020 study by Stanford University's School of Medicine has found links between ulcerative colitis and a missing gut microbe. Led by Aida Habtezion, MD, associate professor of gastroenterology and hepatology, and Sidhartha Sinha, MD, assistant professor of gastroenterology and hepatology, scientists found a large deficiency in levels of a group of substances called secondary bile acids in the intestines of seven FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis) patients.

FAP is a rare genetic deficiency condition where a person lacks the ability to produce the secondary bile acids (produced by gut bacteria) which derive from primary bile acids produced in the liver. Bile acids are important for effective digestion.

A February 26, 2020 study by University Of California San Diego (UCSD) found that microbes play an intimate role in the production of bile acids. In a trial of mapping the microbiome of mice, they found that 70% of the molecules in our bodies are actually produced by our gut bacteria. UCSD researchers "have created the first-ever map of all the molecules in every organ of a mouse and the ways in which they are modified by microbes," according to the UCSD press release. The research team was led by Pieter Dorrestein, PhD, professor at the UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Robert Quinn, PhD, assistant professor at Michigan State University (see article https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2020-02-26-how-resident-microbes-restructure-body-chemistry.aspx ). The findings were first published in Nature.com (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2047-9 ).

The production of these metabolites have been linked to a family of bacteria called Ruminococcaceae, according to the Stanford study. The deficiency of these metabolites makes individuals particularly susceptible to ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Specifically by testing their stool samples, deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid were much lower in stool specimens taken from the ulcerative colitis patients.

Currently ulcerative colitis patients endure an invasive surgery putting them at risk of other health issues such as infections. Over a million Americans have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.

The Stanford findings were first published online in Cell Host & Microbe. More information is available at Stanford University's website, http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2020/02/stanford-scientists-link-ulcerative-colitis-to-missing-gut-micro.html .

"I am who I am" because of my gut bugs?

Feb

14

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A February 13, 2020 article published by Psychology Central claims that our personality is shaped by the bugs, or microbes, in our gut.

Microbial diversity seems to be the key indicator to a healthy personality. Strong microbial diversity supports good mental health while a low microbial diversity points toward mental health problems such as autism or neuroticism. "Personality is both inherited and influenced by one’s environment. And the environment inside humans may matter just as much as the external environment", says Katerina Johnson in the Inverse article, and a research associate at Oxford. It is believed based on ongoing research that a lack of the Akkermansia, Lactococcus, and Osciollospir bacteria in our gut shows a tendency to autism, says the report (source: https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/microbiome-mental-health-study-links-gut-bacteria-personality/amp ). Conversely, a study of primates shows that social interactions can promote gut microbiome diversity, adds Dr. Johnson (see https://psychcentral.com/news/2020/02/13/gut-bacteria-may-be-linked-to-personality-traits/154172.html ). So the research suggests it goes both ways, even though it is not explicitly stated in these articles. We are predisposed in part to being social or anti-social based on the pre-existing level of microbiome diversity in our gut, but we can promote healthy microbiome diversity in our gut by being more social.

BBC Science reported in December 2019 that probiotics and prebiotics by nurturing and nourishing our gut bugs can help ease stress and anxiety, even aid in reducing other mental health risks. (See article, https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/psychobiotics-your-microbiome-has-the-potential-to-improve-your-mental-health-not-just-your-gut-heath/amp/ ). So yes, be at ease; the bottom line is we do have self determination; we can steer and shape and mold our own personality. . . with a little help from our microbiome friends.

Is strong Beer, the best probiotic? (in moderation)

Jan

11

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According to December 03, 2019 report by a professor at Amsterdam University, strong beers can be “very, very healthy” for gut health when consumed in moderation. The key word here is "moderation", as excessive drinking can be very damaging to your gut and overall health.

Professor Eric Lassen’s research revealed that strong Belgian beers like Hoegaarden, Westmalle Tripel, and Echt Kriekenbier have more probiotics than their weaker counterparts. The research found that strong beers that go through two fermentation cycles, unlike most beers, has more of a "specific type of probiotic yeast that kills disease-causing bacteria in the gut."

There actually is a local company, Fermented Brewing Company, (FBC) which offers twice fermented beer in its bottle conditioned Saison brand. FBC is located in Hood River not far from Seattle and Portland along the Columbia River. Stop by their tasting room for a try! (http://fermentedbrewing.com)

https://amp.travelandleisure.com/food-drink/beer/probiotics-gut-benefits-belgian-beer?source=dam

Can you get drunk without drinking alcohol? Yes.

Sep

20

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The answer is yes, and it's more common than you think. Researchers have discovered a new culprit to liver damage without even picking up your favorite alcoholic drink. That culprit is the bacteria in your gut, specifically a strain called Klebsiella pneumonia.

Not everyone's k. pneumonia creates liver damaging levels of alcohol. This gut bacteria produces a large amount of alcohol in the body in a select number of people. These bacteria reside in over 60% of patients who contract non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in some leading to fibrosis and in fewer, the life threatening cirrhosis of the liver. An estimated 25% of the human population has alcohol producing bacteria in their body.

So "what's the point?" quoting the local AA meeting reading. "The point is" . . . well, watch what you eat. Apparently, non-alcohol induced inebriation is triggered by eating too much carbo- rich, sugary foods, according to a study by co-author Jing Yuan, a professor and director of the bacteriology laboratory at the Capital Institute of Pediatrics in Beijing. He recently shared his team's findings with Live Science (see article,
https://www.livescience.com/alcohol-producing-gut-bacteria-harm-liver.html ).

The good news is that even if you're an "alcoholic" without consuming even a drop of alcohol, the new finding offers opportunity to diagnose and treat NAFLD early. . . And a solution- "put down that sprinkle donut!"