How can we age well? We all want to do it, and we've all seen how aging can go sideways for many people. Many of us see our parents aging, and the inevitable decline that we all face. Fortunately, we have a ton of research at our disposal that our parents and grandparents never had. … Continue reading How to age well: The role of the microbiome
Category: Inflammation
Mast cell activation syndrome treatment: What’s the best diet?
Mast cell activation syndrome treatment currently centers around the use of anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers. Mast cells are immune cells found in connective tissues in your body. Organs and tissues exposed to the external environment such as the gut have the highest density of mast cells. Activation of mast cells causes the release of … Continue reading Mast cell activation syndrome treatment: What’s the best diet?
Health benefits of polyphenols: A focus on the gut
There are many health benefits of polyphenols based on the research we have today. The literature points to several beneficial effects on common diseases such as: CancerNeurodegenerative diseaseCardiovascular diseaseType 2 diabetesObesity Data also supports the idea that polyphenols have a beneficial effect on gut health. Subsequently, the gut health benefits of polyphenols seem to center … Continue reading Health benefits of polyphenols: A focus on the gut
The virome: How viruses shape your gut health
You've likely heard of your microbiome, but have you heard of your virome? Your virome is the suite of viruses living in your body. And just like bacteria and fungi, they play a role in your health. A small number of them come from the viruses that infected you throughout your life. But most of … Continue reading The virome: How viruses shape your gut health
Benefits of fermented food vs high fiber: The FeFiFo study
Are you looking for the benefits of fermented food to see if you want to add them to your diet? Would it be better to increase fiber intake instead? Well, you're in luck, a paper published last year looked at this very topic. Unfortunately, you often won't get the full picture of a study from … Continue reading Benefits of fermented food vs high fiber: The FeFiFo study
Inflammatory bowel disease diet: The role of food additives
Is there an inflammatory bowel disease diet that helps achieve remission? Anecdotally speaking, numerous people on the interwebz and social media believe so. But the interesting thing about this is that there really isn't a single diet. Some people do great with a whole food plant-based(WFPB) diet. Others do well with Carnivore or Keto. So … Continue reading Inflammatory bowel disease diet: The role of food additives
Frailty, aging, and the microbiome
Frailty is something we often associate with weakness. When we think of it, we more often than not think of a physical form. For example, an elderly person with low muscle mass and osteoporosis. But it actually encompasses a lot more than an outward looking appearance. Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability to death … Continue reading Frailty, aging, and the microbiome
Is intestinal inflammation caused by an energy imbalance in the gut?
Intestinal inflammation has some serious deleterious consequences for your overall health. Most importantly, gut inflammation impairs gut function. This messes with digestion, absorption, as well as permeability of the gut. We just dropped a video on Youtube covering why the gut is such an energy hog. We cover: How the gut rivals the brain as … Continue reading Is intestinal inflammation caused by an energy imbalance in the gut?
Systemic inflammation drives the severe response to infection
Systemic inflammation describes a chronic state of mostly sterile inflammation. In other words, it describes a steady-state of inflammation with no immediate infectious cause. Different factors drive this state of chronic inflammation. For one, it increases with age. Furthermore, lifestyle plays a very important role, with obesity and behaviors that drive it increasing it as … Continue reading Systemic inflammation drives the severe response to infection
Want a strong immune system? This is where you start!
A strong immune system is important for protecting you against a range of pathogens from viruses to fungi to bacteria. In addition, it helps keep you healthy and robust as you grow older. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on. As the more virulent variants keep the pandemic fire smoldering, now is an opportune … Continue reading Want a strong immune system? This is where you start!