Introduction When something doesn't feel right in the stomach, it can be difficult to concentrate on anything else. Digestive problems are a common issue that many of us face, but we don't always know how to solve them. In fact, according to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, up to 74% of the general population experiences some form of gastrointestinal discomfort. The World Gastroenterology Organization also states that functional gastrointestinal disorders, which include common issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia, affect about 40% o ..read more

Our gut microbes constantly interface with the immune system, influencing disease risk for various conditions, including cancer. Keep reading to discover the role of gut bacteria in cancer prevention and treatment, including how they can prime the immune system to fight cancer cells. Microbiome-Immune Axis Microbiota, inflammation and cancer development Is gut bacteria key to immunotherapy? Targetting cancer via the microbiome Article Summary You play host to trillions of microbes, outnumbering the stars in our galaxy and weighing around the same as a cat's brain! Alongside your 30 million ..read more

Research suggests that common medications other than antibiotics can alter microbiome composition. Likewise, the microbiome appears to influence drug response. We explore how drugs such as proton pump inhibitors and Metformin impact our gut microbiota and vice versa. Table of contents Antibiotics: gut bacteria are harmed in the taking The gut microbiome: a new frontier in health research Metformin: a microbially mediated medication Proton pump inhibitors: harmless antacids or microbial foe? Pharmacomicrobiomics: gut bacteria shape how we respond to medication Article summary Antibiotics: gu ..read more

To mark the upcoming World Microbiome Day, we've compiled 7 top tips to cultivate your gut bacteria for health. Table of contents Use antibiotics and other medications judiciously Eat plenty of prebiotic fibre Add colour to your plate Get into nature Experiment with fermented foods Make time to de-stress Limit or avoid artificial sweeteners Get moving Nutritionist top tips to improve your diversity score Celebrate Microbiome Day by testing your own Earth hosts multiple unique ecosystems, from deserts to arctic tundra, tropical rainforests to soaring vistas. Each of these sustains an array o ..read more

To celebrate the upcoming World Microbiome Day, we’ve compiled seven crazy facts about your resident gut bacteria; from microbial CSI to crapsules, these facts will leave you as mad about the microbiome as we are! Table of contents 1.) The microbiome has been coined the “second genome” 2.) Our microbiome is as unique as a fingerprint 3.) Gut bacteria can “steal” genes 4.) The microbiome educates our developing immune system 5.) There are numerous bacterial species yet to be discovered 6.) Faecal Microbiota Transplants can treat Clostridium Difficile infections 7.) Our microbiota may influenc ..read more

The microbiome exists symbiotically with us, shaping immunity, metabolism, digestive health and potentially even mood. But what constitutes a "healthy" microbiome, and how can we cultivate our gut bugs to improve well-being? Join us as we explore this question. Table of contents The gut microbiome: your inner jungle Diversity and balance: key markers of microbiome health Butyrate-producing bacteria and anti-inflammatory potential The good, the bad and the commensal What constitutes an unhealthy microbiome? Challenges in the hunt for a healthy microbiome How can I improve my overall microbiom ..read more

The microbiome is central to human health, even playing a key role in the education of the developing immune system. But where does our microbiome come from, and how do we acquire our gut bacteria? In this article, we explore the origins and development of the microbiome in early life, including how to nurture a growing microbiome. Table of contents Humans and the gut microbiome: partners in health Thank Mum for your microbiome The first three years: a time of flux Breastfeeding: microbiome fertiliser Puppy power: pets and microbiome diversity Rubbing off on each other How to nurture a growi ..read more

Your gut bacteria is what you eat, but can they influence your food cravings to get a say at the table? Keep reading to find out. Table of contents Food cravings: Is microbial manipulation to blame? The evidence so far Every bacteria for himself Final verdict Food cravings: Is microbial manipulation to blame? "Who ordered this burger- me, or my gut bugs? Good shout either way!" Food cravings. We have all experienced them, whether it's a sudden pang for chocolate or a longing for salt and vinegar. These urges often strike us randomly without rhyme or reason, but what causes them? It is comm ..read more

Discover how stress impacts your gut health, including its impact on microbiome diversity and digestion. If you've ever felt "butterflies in your stomach" when you were anxious, you'll know that stress can play out in the gut. But what happens when you enter a fight-or-flight state, and how does a psychological response translate to digestive symptoms? Keep reading to find out. Table of contents The gut-brain axis How stress affects the gut Stress and the microbiome Key takeaways The gut-brain axis Discover how the gut and brain communicate bidirectionally in this video from the Neural Ac ..read more

We all acknowledge that food impacts our physical health, but emerging evidence suggests it can shape our mental health also, spawning a new field of science known as nutritional psychiatry. Though the field is still in its infancy, research suggests that adherence to a Mediterranean diet reduces your risk of depression and cognitive decline. Parallel to this, studies broadly show that a Western diet high in fried foods, refined grains and saturated fats is positively associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and depression. Multiple biological pathways have been suggested for ho ..read more