Antibiotics are effective against harmful bacteria in the body, but not only against these: Destroyed are not only pathogens (i.e. bacteria with disease-causing properties), but also bacteria which are useful, harmless, and occasionally very important for our health. Gut bacteria, in particular, are seriously affected during treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Recently, a group of researchers
Category Archives: General
How the Gut Flora Impacts Mental Health and Depression General, Well-being
Scientists have long since suspected a connection between gut function and mental health (see also http://www.gesunde-bakterien.de/en/ravenous-hunger-and-anxiety-when-your-gut-affects-your-mind/). Now, this thesis is supported by recent scientific research. In Belgium, microbiologists of the “Flemish Gut Flora Project” surveyed the gut bacteria population of more than 1000 participants, some of which suffered from medically diagnosed depression. The result: among
Bacteria Protect Skin Against Pollution General, Skin
At the end of March, the Society for Dermopharmacy (Skin Pharmacology and Physiology) will hold its annual meeting in Dusseldorf. Dermatologists, medical practitioners, experts in environmental medicine, as well as members of the scientific and pharmaceutical communities will debate issues such as inflammatory and infectious skin conditions, novel sunscreens, and specific anti-pollution skincare. This wide
Bacteria Are Effective against Diabetes and Old-Age Diseases Digestion, General, Overweight, Well-being
The older people get, the more vulnerable they become to specific diseases. As we advance in years, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, or adult-onset diabetes, for example, become increasingly more frequent. In experiments on mice and monkeys, US scientists have now found that insulin resistance, a cause of diabetes, can be reversed using good and healthy bacteria. German
Beautiful Summer Skin General, Well-being
As soon as spring is in the air, many home making, women’s and beauty magazines overwhelm readers with advice on getting your skin bikini-ready for summer. You’re supposed to give your skin “a fresh, youthful” and “well cared-for, attractive” appearance, preserve its youthfulness and avoid premature ageing. Facial tonic should be used to remove blemishes,
Psoriasis Treatment with Bacteria General, Skin
Doctors and patients continue their search for an effective psoriasis treatment. As this condition is characterised primarily by abnormal skin, and hence noticed by others, those affected not only suffer from the immediate symptoms such as itching and inflammation, but also psychological consequences. Psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease – possibly a hereditary form of
Preventing Antibiotic Resistance with the Aid of Healthy Bacteria General, Well-being
Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium which has a kick to it. Many of its strains are being referred to as MRSA, i.e. they can often no longer be treated with conventional pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics (c.f. antibiotic resistance). In patients with weak immune systems, infection with S. aureus may result in serious health issues, including
Microorganism: Bacteria Produce Their Own Nutrients Body, Digestion, General
The bacteria in our bodies – on the skin, in the gut, in the throat – constitute a microorganism of their own called the microbiome. Just like the rest of our organism, the latter has to be fed. We call the bacteria’s nutrition probiotics: i.e. what exists before the bacteria’s life (“bio”). But what do
Lactobacillus, Microbe of Year 2018, Also Important On the Skin General, Skin
The German Association for General and Applied Microbiology (Vereinigung für Allgemeine und Angewandte Mikrobiologie, VAAM) has selected the bacterial species lactobacillus as Microbe of the Year 2018. Every day, these bacteria are ingested by billions of people, for instance in sourdough bread, with cheese, yoghurt, or as sauerkraut, red beets, or pickled gherkins. In our
Bacteria Are the Right Remedy Against Colds General, Well-being
The cold season is also high season for doctors and pharmacists as, troubled by coughing and sore throats, sufferers seek the right drug against their cold. Here – frequently at the patients’ urging – antibiotics are still prescribed too often and in excessive quantities. These, however, remain in many cases unable to provide relief as