Monthly Archives: May 2016
Fasting-like diet reduces multiple sclerosis symptoms
“During the fasting-mimicking diet, cortisone is produced and that initiates a killing of autoimmune cells,” said Valter Longo, the study’s lead author and professor who directs the USC Longevity Institute at the Davis School of Gerontology. “This process also leads to the production of new healthy cells.”
Prolonged antibiotic treatment might impact brain function
“Antibiotics strong enough to kill off gut bacteria can also stop the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, a section of the brain associated with memory, reports a study in mice published May 19 in Cell Reports.”
Common antimicrobial agent rapidly disrupts gut bacteria
“A new study suggests that triclosan, an antimicrobial and antifungal agent found in many consumer products ranging from hand soaps to toys and even toothpaste, can rapidly disrupt bacterial communities found in the gut.”
What foods can help fight the risk of chronic inflammation?
“A new study has identified food stuffs that can help prevent chronic inflammation that contributes to many leading causes of death.”
Genetic switch turned on during fasting helps stop inflammation
“The study, published the week of May 16, 2016 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows a molecular pathway by which the brain communicates with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to prevent unnecessary activation of the immune system during fasting by strengthening the barrier against gut microbes.”
Fathers’ age, lifestyle associated with birth defects
“A growing body of research is revealing associations between birth defects and a father’s age, alcohol use and environmental factors, say researchers. They say these defects result from epigenetic alterations that can potentially affect multiple generations.”
MS Microbiome Connection
“New research by investigators at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) suggests that bacteria living in the gut may remotely influence the activity of cells in the brain that are involved in controlling inflammation and neurodegeneration.”