I hope you start 2024 with a new mindset—that of enriching your microbiome to protect not only your brain, but your whole body. Below you will find several articles to motivate you to maximize the connection between your gut and brain by eating more vegetables and eschewing processed foods, especially sugars.
Hugo Rodier, MD
Four new risk factors for young-onset dementia identified
“MedPage Today (12/26/23, George) reports, “Four new risk factors for young-onset dementia were identified in the prospective U.K. Biobank study.” According to the findings, “orthostatic hypotension, vitamin D deficiency, high C-reactive protein levels, and social isolation emerged as new risk factors for dementia before age 65.” The results were published in JAMA Neurology.”
Comment: it is concerning that, despite overwhelming evidence, a significant number of authors don’t seem to be aware of the brain-gut connection—the role of nutrition and the microbiome in brain health.
Age-Related Cognitive Decline, Focus on Microbiome
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023;24:13680
“The gut microbiome has gained attention for its potential impact on health and disease, including cognitive function. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the relationship between the gut microbiome and cognitive function in the context of aging. Studies exploring the role of the microbiome in cognition and neurodegenerative disorders, published between 2013 and 2023, were included. Sixteen studies involving a total of 1303 participants were included in the analysis. The gut microbiota’s relative abundance was different in individuals with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia, compared to the healthy controls. The most prevalent phyla affected were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Meta-analyses indicated substantial heterogeneity among studies focusing on Alzheimer’s disease. The gut microbiome’s role in cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders warrants investigation. Altered microbial abundance, particularly in specific phyla, is associated with cognitive impairments.”
Comment: the authors contention is that “further studies are needed” to confirm their findings. Sure, we also need further studies to prove that the sun will come up tomorrow.
Cocoa extract and cognition benefits among older adults
“Healio (12/7/23, Rhoades) reports, “Cocoa extract supplementation given over 2 years was linked to benefits for cognition among older adults with unhealthy dietary patterns compared with placebo, according to study data.” The findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.”
Comment: chocolate is great. Just make sure it’s low in sugar and over 72% cocoa.
Pets may help seniors maintain a healthy brain
“HealthDay (12/27/23, Mundell) reports, “For the growing number of American seniors who live alone, having a beloved dog or cat by their side could help them maintain a healthy brain.” According to new research involving more than 7,900 people averaging 66 years of age, “those who lived alone were able to stave off losses in memory and thinking if they had a pet,” although “pet ownership didn’t seem to affect the cognition of older folks who lived with others.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.”
Comment: I have come to detest the word “May” in studies by authors who, despite solid evidence, are not able to take a stand.
A Promethean moment’: Psychedelics could be prescribed in the next few years
Healio Minute, December 01, 2023
“Psychedelics like psilocybin may be available for psychiatric treatment in the next few years. There are still many unanswered questions, though, like the potential harm these treatments could cause. With potential FDA approvals on the horizon, the controversy surrounding psychedelics in clinical practice may soon reach a tipping point, according to experts.
There has been a strong, renewed interest in psychedelics as a potential treatment option for various psychiatric conditions, Jeffrey A. Lieberman, MD, the Lawrence C. Kolb Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center, told Healio. In fact, this summer, Australia became the first country to allow psychedelics — specifically, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and psilocybin — to be prescribed for patients with depression or PTSD.”
Comment: indigenous tribes have a religious exemption to use psilocybin with great results. Researchers are calling it “The God pill” because of its transformative effects.
Atopic dermatitis, other allergic illnesses in children may be inherited from mothers
Healio Minute, November 28, 2023
“Children were 59% more likely to have atopic dermatitis (AD) if their mothers had atopic dermatitis. Similar patterns were observed concerning other allergic illnesses. AD has been associated with other allergic illness (OAI) such as asthma, seasonal allergies and food allergies.” Zelma C. Chiesa Fuxench, MD, MSCE, of the department of dermatology at Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, and colleagues wrote. “AD and these OAI may share a common ‘atopic’ pathophysiology and/or environmental triggers that lead to disease exacerbation and while genetic risk factors and heritability may play a role, there is insufficient data demonstrating a common genetic etiology.”
Comment: “insufficient data?” Yet another example of the persistent blind spot when it comes to the microbiome (which we inherit from our mothers) and the skin. See below.
The Intestinal and Skin Microbiome in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Literature Review
J. Healthcare 2023;11:766
“Bacteria inhabiting the digestive tract are responsible for our health. The microbiome is essential for the development of the immune system and homeostasis of the body. Maintaining homeostasis is very important, but also extremely complicated. The gut microbiome is related to the skin microbiome. It can therefore be assumed that changes in the microbes inhabiting the skin are greatly influenced by the bacteria living in the intestines. Changes in the composition and function of microbes (dysbiosis in the skin and intestines) have recently been linked to changes in the immune response and the development of skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD). This review was compiled by collaborating Dermatologists specializing in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. A comprehensive review of the current literature was performed using PubMed and limited to relevant case reports and original papers on the skin microbiome in atopic dermatitis. The inclusion criterion was that the paper was published in a peer-reviewed journal in the last 10 years (2012–2022). No limitations on the language of the publication or the type of study were made. It has been shown that any rapid changes in the composition of the microflora may be associated with the appearance of clinical signs and symptoms of the disease. Various studies have proven that the microbiome of many systems (including the intestines) may have a significant impact on the development of the inflammatory process within the skin in the course of AD. It has been shown that an early interaction between the microbiome and immune system may result in a noticeable delay in the onset of atopic diseases. It seems to be of high importance for physicians to understand the role of the microbiome in AD, not only from the pathophysiological standpoint but also in terms of the complex treatment that is required. Perhaps young children diagnosed with AD present specific characteristics of the intestinal microflora. This might be related to the early introduction of antibiotics and dietary manipulations in breastfeeding mothers in the early childhood of AD patients. It is most likely related to the abuse of antibiotics from the first days of life.
Comment: what does a steroid cream do to your eczematous skin? Push dirt under the carpet. Best to address the real problem—dysbiosis, or an unbalanced microbiome on account of poor diets, antibiotics and chemicals in our environment, Genetics? Read about EPIGENETICS.
The role of navy beans in enhancing gut microbiome
“HCPlive (12/13, Brooks) reports, “Findings from a single-center dietary intervention study are underscoring the prebiotic and potential therapeutic role of navy beans in enhancing the gut microbiome and regulating host markers associated with metabolic obesity and colorectal cancer.” Trial results “suggest consistent and sustainable dietary adjustments among high-risk patients may be viable for targeting the composition and metabolic function of the microbiome.” The findings were published in eBioMedicine.”
Comment: prebiotics are foods that feed probiotics/microbiome. The best are in veggies. Now you know the main role of fiber.
