A healthy gut microbiome may be key to living a long, healthy life. A recent review covered what we know to date, and another paper identified the microbiome as an effective clock to measure aging. While not as accurate as the epigenetic clocks, it still had reasonable accuracy. Using deep learning, they were able to … Continue reading Keys to a healthy gut microbiome
Category: Bile
Beta glucans: Metabolic and immune boosting powerhouses
Have you every heard of beta glucans? Well if you haven't, today's your lucky day. This source of soluble dietary fiber has a rich history of research for its purported benefits. However, as with many other types of fiber, beta glucans aren't just one thing. Depending on the source, they have different effects. Therefore, it's … Continue reading Beta glucans: Metabolic and immune boosting powerhouses
Benefits of coffee: Greater motility and antimicrobial?
There are numerous benefits of coffee consumption. Coffee contains many polyphenols as well as caffeine. But some people just don't tolerate caffeine all that well. Fortunately for those folks, results of a study presented earlier this years show caffeine isn't necessary for the benefits of coffee. The research was presented at Digestive Disease Week 2019. … Continue reading Benefits of coffee: Greater motility and antimicrobial?
What causes gallstones? Immune cells set a trap
What causes gallstones? This question has plagued the more than 20 million people who have or will have gallstones. Gallstones are hardened crystals that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. They contain cholesterol, bilirubin, or a combination of the 2 along with other components. Gallstones are extremely painful and often require removal of the … Continue reading What causes gallstones? Immune cells set a trap
Got gallstones? Start here for relief
Gallstones are hardened "stones" that form in your gallbladder out of Cholesterol or bilirubin. Cholesterol and bilirubin are 2 components of bile: a substance stored in the gallbladder and released when we eat. If the gallbladder doesn't empty properly or bile has too much cholesterol in it, this causes gallstones. They're quite painful and affect … Continue reading Got gallstones? Start here for relief
Is bile the key that turns on the gut clock?
If you've found your way to this blog, chances are you've heard of the term "leaky gut". You're also probably familiar with how chronic inflammation can wreak havoc on your health. In a previous blog I went over how the gut regulates how leaky and inflamed it is via the pregnane X receptor. If you … Continue reading Is bile the key that turns on the gut clock?
The circadian influence on gut health and disease
Synopsis Circadian rhythms play an important role in our biology by adjusting it in a way that takes advantage of patterns in food availability. They exert a substantial influence over our physiology by controlling many aspects of our behavior including state of arousal, motivation, appetite, and digestion. Circadian disruption is associated with a number of … Continue reading The circadian influence on gut health and disease
Trying to increase bile output? This is your first step…gallbladder or not
One of the most frequent questions I received early on was what someone without a gallbladder should do to optimize their bile output. I didn't have an answer then, but after doing a little digging I believe I may have that answer.
But, the answer I came across isn't specific to people with poor bile flow or a missing gallbladder. In fact, what I found may answer the question, "How do you optimize bile output in all organisms?" Even if it doesn't answer that question, the study I found that provided the answer was done in humans, so it directly applies to us.
Bile flow, bacteria, and chronic inflammation
Of all the factors I've discussed on this blog, one of the most important variables involved in gut health is something called the enterohepatic circulation. The enterohepatic circulation more or less functions as a detoxification loop between the gut and liver. As toxins enter your gut, some are detoxified by cells of the gut wall … Continue reading Bile flow, bacteria, and chronic inflammation
Is taurine good for the gut? 10 reasons why it may…
If you're sick of dealing with digestive issues and haven't looked in to the amino acid taurine, I'm here to wake you up. While you may know taurine from its starring role in energy drinks or the neurological problems experienced by Pottenger's Cats, it plays a powerful role in the gastrointestinal environment. But how powerful? … Continue reading Is taurine good for the gut? 10 reasons why it may…