Credit: iStock/Elena Istomina Did you know that the trillions of bacteria residing in your gut actively influence one of the most critical numbers in your life: your blood pressure? For a long time, scientists mainly looked at genetics, diet and lifestyle as the key reasons behind high blood pressure. While these factors are important, there’s … Continue reading Beyond the Bugs: Could Chemicals from Microbes Help Lower Blood Pressure?
gut microbiome
Gone Fishing for Signals in the Gut-brain Connection
Credit: iStock Zebrafish is a small tropical freshwater fish, named for their zebra-like stripes. Though tiny, this little fish plays a big role in biomedical research. It might surprise you that humans share about 70% of their genes with zebrafish. This makes the fish a powerful model for studying health and disease. Meet the zebrafish … Continue reading Gone Fishing for Signals in the Gut-brain Connection
How Too Much Salt Makes Your Gut Bacteria Sick
Credit: iStock Salt is widely used as a seasoning in our everyday food. It is sometimes used to preserve food. The American Heart Association advises eating less than 2,300 milligrams of salt daily. Eating salt in moderation is good for the muscles and the nerves. However, eating too much salt is linked to several diseases, … Continue reading How Too Much Salt Makes Your Gut Bacteria Sick
What You Need to Know About the Gut Microbiota and High Blood Pressure
Credit: iStock The gut microbiome is an ecosystem of microbiota (microscopic organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi) in the intestine or gut. There are trillions of microbiota living in our guts. During disease or under unfavorable conditions, harmful bacteria in our digestive tract overgrow, and a balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria is lost. … Continue reading What You Need to Know About the Gut Microbiota and High Blood Pressure
The Gut Check: The Hidden Impact of Preservatives on Your Microbiome
Credit: iStock/anyaberkut Preservatives are used extensively in food products worldwide. They play a vital role in preventing foods from spoiling or discoloring, extending their shelf life and making sure they arrive safely to supermarkets and other destinations. Despite the widespread use of preservatives in canned foods, processed meats, snacks and beverages, little is known about … Continue reading The Gut Check: The Hidden Impact of Preservatives on Your Microbiome