It is likely you have heard about the Brain-Gut connection. It comes to no surprise to those who have learned to rely on “gut feelings.” But let science be our main guide: articles on this vital topic are found on practically every medical journal. I will never forget the one I read decades ago alerting me that Parkinson patients tend to be constipated. See the latest report on this below.
Hugo Rodier, MD
Parkinson’s disease may begin in gut
“The Washington Post (9/5/24, Kim) reports, “A new study adds to a growing body of evidence that Parkinson’s disease, long believed to have its origins in the brain, may begin in the gut.” Researchers “found that people with upper gastrointestinal conditions – in particular, ulcers or other types of damage to the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or upper part of the small intestine – were far more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease later in life.” Study results indicate that “mucosal damage – an erosion, break, or sore in the mucous lining of the gastrointestinal tract – was associated with a 76% greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease during the follow-up period, an average of 14.9 years for the whole cohort.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.”
Overgrowth of gut microorganisms may be linked to severe constipation
“HealthDay (9/4/24, Thompson) reports, “An overgrowth of gut microorganisms that produce methane could be a cause of severe constipation in many people, a new review finds.” These gut microorganisms “belong to a class of microbe called archaea, and when they flourish too well in a person’s gut they cause a condition called intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO), researchers explained.” Investigators found that “people with IMO are twice as likely to have constipation as those with a healthy gut.” The findings were published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.”
Comments: the other related terms are Dysbiosis and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO.) Overgrowth takes place because we feed those organisms too much sugar. So, to just take a laxative for constipation and not change your diet is sure to increase your risk of practically all diseases, including cancer, immunologic and and metabolic problems.
Daily almond consumption improves sleep quality
Healio Minute, September 23, 2024. Perspective from Lena Bakovic, MS, RDN, CNSC
“Adults with poor sleep quality had improved Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores with 20-week daily almond consumption, according to data presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. “Almonds are rich in bioactive phytochemicals, magnesium, zinc and melatonin, all of which are known to promote sleep,” Lancelot Pinto, MBBS, DNB, MSc, consultant pulmonologist and epidemiologist at P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre in India, and colleagues wrote on the presented poster.”
Comments: yes, improve your Brain-Gut connection, too. Almonds should help—they suppress appetite as well.
Cancer cases and deaths among men expected to surge by 2050
“CNN (8/12/24, Gumbrecht) reports, “Cancer cases and deaths among men are expected to surge by 2050, according to a study published Monday, with large increases among men age 65 and older.” Investigators came to this conclusion after analyzing “cases and deaths from 30 different types of cancer in 185 countries and territories in 2022 to make projections for 2050.” The Hill (8/12/24, Weixel) reports the study estimates that between 2022 and 2050, cancer cases among men will “increase 84% from 10.3 million to 19 million.” Deaths are also “expected to rise 94%, from 5.4 million to 10.5 million, with a 117% increase among men aged 65 years and older.” The findings were published in J. Cancer.”
Comments: 2/3 of cancers are due to environment and diet. And there is a strong association with a poor microbiome. Eat your veggies! They have a lot of Prebiotics to feed your good gut bacteria.
Sugar substitute erythritol may increase risk of heart attack and stroke
“USA Today (8/8/24, Alltucker) reports, “The popular sugar substitute erythritol found in keto products, sweets and low- or no-calorie diet drinks might increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to” a study. The study, which included 20 patients, “found the sweetener made blood platelets more active, increasing the risk of blood clots, while food sweetened with sugar did not have the same effect.” The findings were published in J. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.”
Comments: Erythritol is fermented fructose. By feeding the bad bacteria in your gut too much sugar, you disrupt your metabolism. Heart Disease and Strokes are metabolic problems. Better to lose your sweet tooth, then you don’t need to sweeten everything you put in your mouth. BTW, bad gut bacteria addicted to sugar send messages to your brain to keep feeding them in the style you got them accustomed to.
Remedy hope for polycystic ovary syndrome
Antimalarial (Artemisia/Wormwood) suppresses ovarian androgen synthesis to relieve polycystic ovary syndrome. J. Science 2024;384:1174
“Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains a major public health problem that affects millions of women worldwide during their reproductive years. This syndrome is characterized by elevated androgen levels, which leads to excessive hair growth, acne, thinning hair, ovulatory disorder, irregular menstrual cycles, and/or the presence of polycystic ovaries. PCOS and hyperandrogenemia are associated with a range of health impacts, including impaired fertility with implantation failure and recurrent miscarriages; long-term metabolic complications with a high incidence of hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes; and mental health problems. Despite the high prevalence of the syndrome, the mechanistic basis of PCOS is poorly understood, and present treatments are nonspecific and focused on eliminating symptoms. Artemisinins, compounds known for their antimalarial properties, suppress ovarian androgen synthesis by promoting degradation of cytochrome P450 11A1 (CYP11A1), making them a promising new approach for preventing and treating PCOS.”
Comments: Take Artemisia after giving up sugar and optimizing microbiome.
Processed red meat intake linked to 14% higher risk for dementia
Healio Minute, July 31, 2024
“Replacing red meat with every day lower risk dementia by 20%. Individuals who consumed about two weekly servings of processed red meat had a 14% higher risk for dementia, as well as accelerated cognitive aging, vs. those who ate less than three servings a month, according to research. “Study results have been mixed on whether there is a relationship between cognitive decline and meat consumption in general, so we took a closer look at how eating different amounts of both processed and unprocessed meat affects cognitive risk and function,” Yuhan Li, MHS, lead study author and research assistant in the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.”
Comments: cold cuts have long been know to affect circulation to the brain.
