When, from November to February, people sniffle, cough, and complain about influenzal infections or the common cold, we are repeatedly reminded to boost our immune system. A strong immune system helps our body to defeat diseases and infections. A crucial factor for our immune system is amongst others a well-performing and well-balanced gut flora (gut
Category Archives: General
Healthy Bacteria in Breast Milk Important for Newborns Body, Digestion, General, Well-being
When we speak of mother’s milk, it is usually in the context of breastfeeding – which is literally that: by nursing, a mother feeds its baby’s first hunger. Yet breast milk is able to achieve so much more: It also provides infant guts with healthy bacteria. Scientists at the University of Zurich have shown that
Using Healthy Bacteria to Prevent Diabetes Body, Digestion, General
The adult gut contains some 1.5 kilogrammes of bacteria. While a small percentage of these are considered to be potentially harmful, they are outweighed by a large number of “good bacteria”. Should this healthy balance in the gut flora or gut microbiota become destabilised, many processes in the body are similarly disrupted, with research showing
The Link Between Gut Bacteria and Autism Body, Digestion, General
Similar to other disorders, prevalence of autism is increasing, but its causes have yet to be fully understood. According to the United Nations, about one percent of the global population suffer from autism spectrum disorders – in all some 70 million people. Recent studies suggest that bacteria play an important role in causing or preventing
Are Lactic Acid Bacteria Able to Prevent Cancer? Body, General
Are lactic acid bacteria able to help prevent breast cancer? Canadian scientists report that the breast tissue of women contains lactic acid bacteria which may provide protection from cancer. They compared the number and species of bacteria in the tissue of women with breast cancer with tissue of healthy women. The result: On the one
Healthy Bacteria Help to Lower Blood Pressure Body, Cardio-vascular system, General
Scientists have found that beetroot juice can help lower blood pressure. In the study, patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) drank 250 ml of beetroot juice per day. “On average, systolic blood pressure dropped by 11.2 mmHg for three to six hours after drinking the juice”, reports the Austrian journal “Ärzte Woche”. Even 24 hours
Difficult Legacy: Gut Flora Diminishes from Generation to Generation Body, General, Stomach
Not washing your hands after working in the garden or playing in the woods – that may at first sound like dirt and dust, but is actually good for your health. Again and again, scientists advocate coming in contact with naturally occurring bacteria intentionally in order to maintain a healthy bacterial balance and diversity, in
Doctors Swab C-Section Babies with Bacteria Body, General
Time and time again, the media report on rising numbers of C-section births. Some are performed because the baby is in an adverse position, others because the mother-to-be is afraid of labour pains. There are many reasons for having a caesarean section, and it does have some advantages – but also disadvantages for the child.
Our Immune System is in the Gut Body, Digestion, General, Well-being
Some 80 percent of our immune system is in the gut – says paediatric neurologist Maya Shetreat-Klein in her book “The Dirt Cure”. Heal the gut, heal the brain, heal the body: The book emphasises what healthy bacteria are able to achieve. A healthy gut will have a positive impact on the entire body. Good
Faecal Transplantation: One Way to a Healthy Gut Body, Digestion, General, Well-being
In a recent headline, the German news website SPIEGEL ONLINE called it “the gross cure”, and transferring gut bacteria does indeed not sound too appetising. Yet there is increasing scientific proof that faecal transplants – or transfers – offer a highly effective and simple way of treating gut diseases. After a first controlled transfer of