Biome

The application of next generation sequencing techniques has allowed the characterization of the urinary tract microbiome and has led to the rejection of the pre-established concept of sterility in the urinary bladder. Not only have microbial communities in the urinary tract been implicated in the maintenance of health but alterations in their composition have also been associated with different urinary pathologies, such as urinary tract infections (UTI). Therefore, the study of the urinary microbiome in healthy individuals, as well as its involvement in disease through the proliferation of opportunistic pathogens, could open a potential field of study, leading to new insights into prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies for urinary pathologies. In this review we present an overview of the current state of knowledge about the urinary microbiome in health and disease, as well as its involvement in the development of new therapeutic strategies.

(NaturalHealth365) Increasing antibiotic resistance leads to deaths due to neonatal and pediatric infections globally.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative motor neuron disease accompanied by both systemic and central nervous system–specific…

Studies in rodents provide compelling evidence that microorganisms inhabiting the gut influence neurodevelopment. In particular, experimental manipulations that alter intestinal microbiota impact exploratory and communicative behaviors and cognitive performance. In humans, the first years of life are a dynamic time in gut colonization and brain development, but little is known about the relationship between these two processes.

Background Microorganisms in the human intestine (i.e. the gut microbiome) have an increasingly recognized impact on human health, including brain functioning. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with abnormalities in dopamine neurotransmission and deficits in reward processing and its underlying neuro-circuitry including the ventral striatum. The microbiome might contribute to ADHD etiology via the gut-brain axis. In this pilot study, we investigated potential differences in the microbiome between ADHD cases and undiagnosed controls, as well as its relation to neural reward processing. Methods We used 16S rRNA marker gene sequencing (16S) to identify bacterial taxa and their predicted gene functions in 19 ADHD and 77 control participants. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we interrogated the effect of observed microbiome differences in neural reward responses in a subset of 28 participants, independent of diagnosis. Results For the first time, we describe gut microbial makeup of adolescents and adults diagnosed with ADHD. We found that the relative abundance of several bacterial taxa differed between cases and controls, albeit marginally significant. A nominal increase in the Bifidobacterium genus was observed in ADHD cases. In a hypothesis-driven approach, we found that the observed increase was linked to significantly enhanced 16S-based predicted bacterial gene functionality encoding cyclohexadienyl dehydratase in cases relative to controls. This enzyme is involved in the synthesis of phenylalanine, a precursor of dopamine. Increased relative abundance of this functionality was significantly associated with decreased ventral striatal fMRI responses during reward anticipation, independent of ADHD diagnosis and age. Conclusions Our results show increases in gut microbiome predicted function of dopamine precursor synthesis between ADHD cases and controls. This increase in microbiome function relates to decreased neural responses to reward anticipation. Decreased neural reward anticipation constitutes one of the hallmarks of ADHD.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The human body is populated by a diverse community of microbes, dominated by bacteria, but also including viruses and fungi. The largest and most complex of these communities is located in the gastrointestinal system and, with its associated genome, is known as the gut microbiome. Gut microbiome perturbations and related dysbiosis have been implicated in the progression and pathogenesis of CVD, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure. Although there have been advances in the characterization and analysis of the gut microbiota and associated bacterial metabolites, the exact mechanisms through which they exert their action are not well understood. This review will focus on the role of the gut microbiome and associated functional components in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Potential treatments to alter the gut microbiome to prevent or treat atherosclerosis and CVD are also discussed.

(NaturalHealth365) Scientists believe delayed gut microbiota maturation is responsible for childhood allergies.

There are some foods you can cut around the mold, while others may make you sick; here are some tips for how to reduce mold growth on your food.

Founded by a chronic UTI sufferer, Uqora makes UTI relief products and proactive urinary tract health supplements that work. Try Uqora risk-free today!

Significant interest in recent years has focused on gut microbiota-host interaction because accumulating evidence has revealed that intestinal microbiota play an important role in human health and disease, including cardiovascular diseases. Changes in ...

Founded by a chronic UTI sufferer, Uqora makes UTI relief products and proactive urinary tract health supplements that work. Try Uqora risk-free today!

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are frequent in humans, affecting the upper and lower urinary tract. Present diagnosis relies on the positive culture of uropathogenic bacteria from urine and clinical markers of inflammation of the urinary tract. The bladder is constantly challenged by adverse environmental stimuli which influence urinary tract physiology, contributing to a dysbiotic environment. Simultaneously, pathogens are primed by environmental stressors such as antibiotics, favoring recurrent UTIs (rUTIs), resulting in chronic illness. Due to different confounders for UTI onset, a greater understanding of the fundamental environmental mechanisms and microbial ecology of the human urinary tract is required. Such advancements could promote the tandem translation of bench and computational studies for precision treatments and clinical management of UTIs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the ecological interactions of the human urogenital microbial communities which precede rUTIs. This review aims to outline the mechanistic aspects of rUTI ecology underlying dysbiosis between both the human microbiome and host physiology which predisposes humans to rUTIs. By assessing the applications of next generation and systems level methods, we also recommend novel approaches to elucidate the systemic consequences of rUTIs which requires an integrated approach for successful treatment. To this end, we will provide an outlook towards the so-called ‘uncomplicated enviro...

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The recurrence of the urinary tract infections (UTI), following the antibiotic treatments suggests the pathogen’s resistance to conventional antibiotics. This calls for the exploration of an alternative therapy.The anti-uropathogenic and bactericidal ...

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2016 Interview If you're not optimally healthy, could candida be at fault? In this interview, British osteopath and naturopath, Dr. Leon Chaitow, author of "Candida Albicans: Natural Remedies for Yeast Infection," discusses its dangers — and more i…

Here's how your gut impacts your brain through your immune system!

(NaturalHealth365) A recent study reveals certain bacteria in the gut increase the amount of plaque that forms within coronary arteries.

For many years, beginning with my book, Brain Maker, I have been discussing the symbiotic bond we share with our microbiome. This connection, while multifaceted, influences our health in ways we …

(NaturalHealth365) new research shows that metal nanoparticles found in foods may disrupt healthy gut environment in humans.

3 pathways connecting your gut microbes to your thoughts and mood KEY POINTS Microbes in your gut (aka: the gut microbiome) may change the way you think and feel Microbes in the gut may be capable of changing brain function through their effects on the vagus nerve Changes in immune function that affect our brain function may be driven by gut microbes Breakdown products of gut microbes (like short-chain fatty acids) may have a variety of effects on our brain state In the mid-1880’s, a pediatricia

(NaturalHealth365) A new FDA report shows food chains and retailers are fueling the antibiotic resistance crisis. Discover why that matters.

Disease, Digestion & Fecal Transplants