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microbiome
The devastating impacts on soil are increasingly clear to see. And what are these biocides doing to us as humans?
There's no going back to simpler times, but our survival does depend on respecting our place in this miraculous world. To heal the disconnection, we must reconnect. It's fitting, then, that the theme of this year's World Environment Day on June 5 is "Connecting People to Nature."
The digestive tract truly is the cornerstone to our health. The large surface area provides a barrier to a contained environment that manages exposures to food, chemicals, and infection. To mange these complex exposures, the gut is well equipped. The gut houses trillions of bacteria that make up our microbiome (referred to as the second genome) and help our bodies in the process of digestion, absorption and metabolism.
While 12-year-old boys may revel in the sound of their own gas, those plagued by excess gas will find that it is nothing to laugh about. Excessive burping, bloating and flatulence bring distress and discomfort to more people than would like to admit it.
The question has plagued dental professionals for years. Is chewing gum good or bad for your teeth? Last week, an international team of researchers provided the first comprehensive look at the impact of gum on oral health. It seems a few minutes of gum chewing might be an excellent way to keep a healthy mouth.
The lactobacillus species is one of the most researched. Among the lactobacillus family is one particular strain, lactobacillus GG (also known as Culturelle), which has solid research backing up its use for acute diarrhea, traveller's diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and colic.
Last week an American team of researchers published a paper in which they looked at the microbial content of human hands. They not only found distinct differences in the bacteria between the two groups, but they were also able to identify quite possibly a new way to test for a truly natural being or a Westernized wannabe.
A collaboration of over 20 American researchers found a possible answer although at first glance, it seemed ludicrous. The team looked at the bacteria in the gut of both normal and autistic children in the hopes of identifying any changes. Indeed, there were.
While the overall success of chemotherapy is rising, the challenge of the double-edged sword with respect to the immune system has led scientists to wonder if the side effects can be resolved by good germs. Last week, the answer was revealed -- at least in mice. ALSO ON HUFFPOST:
Halloween is almost here and people of all ages will be finding new and inventive ways to conceal their normal appearance and present a façade that may scare, amuse or entice a crowd. Yet no matter how effective the disguise might be, masking hair, eye and skin colour, there will always be one aspect that cannot be hidden: the nature of one's oral microbiome.