Artificial sweeteners have a bad track record. We do well to replace them with more natural sweeteners like stevia and xylitol. They can also help us to cut back on the ubiquitous high fructose corn syrup. Unfortunately, the latter just got a bad report. See below. Hugo Rodier, MD
Sugar substitute xylitol associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events
“The Washington Post (6/6/24) reports, “The popular sugar substitute xylitol, commonly used by those wanting to lose weight or who are diabetic, is associated with an increased risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack and stroke, according to a new study published in the European Heart Journal on Thursday.” The study “found that those who drank the xylitol beverage showed a marked increase in clotting ability of their blood right after they ingested it.”
Comment: even though it is an isolated study, it may be best to use stevia until this study is corroborated by other researchers.
Stool samples could help diagnose autism early
Healio Minute, July 22, 2024
“Findings from a study that identified differences in the gut microbiota of children with autism indicate that stool sample testing could be used as an early, noninvasive diagnostic tool for autism, researchers reported. Other studies have also found links between gut microbiota and autism or other conditions, including diabetes. In the new study, which was published in Nature Microbiology, researchers sequenced fecal samples from more than 1,600 children aged 1 to 13 years and found 51 bacteria, 27 microbial genes, 18 viruses, 14 archaea, 12 metabolic pathways and seven fungi that were altered in children with autism compared with children who did not have autism.”
Comment: even though it is difficult to change the diet of these children, there are many other interventions that can improve their Brain-Gut connection. See below.
Gut bacteria-driven homovanillic acid alleviates depression by modulating synaptic integrity
J. Cell Metabolism May 7 2024.
“Intestinal B. longum, R. intestinalis, or the neurotransmitter, homovanillic acid, improved depressive symptoms in mice. This highlights the role of gut microbial metabolism in maintaining synaptic integrity and suggests potential treatment strategies for depression.”
Comment: the Brain-Gut connection is driven by our microbiome-based metabolism AND immune-detoxification. The brain needs energy AND the absence of inflammation to function optimally. See below.
Infant microbes and metabolites point to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders
J. Cell April 11 2024
“This prospective, birth cohort multi-omic study reveals disruptions in the infant gut microbiome associated with later-diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders. Microbial and metabolomic changes, correlating with risk factors, HLA genetics, and mood/gastrointestinal issues, support the hypothesis of early-life origins of neurodevelopmental disorders, underscoring an important role of gut microbiota.”
Comment: we get our microbiome from our mothers. Unborn babies do best when women eat healthy foods, avoid toxins, and follow up with breast feeding. See below
Prenatal exposure to EDCs may increase metabolic syndrome risk for children
Healio Minute, May 30, 2024
“Children exposed to higher prenatal levels of EDCs had higher metabolic syndrome risk scores. The findings could be used to develop interventions to mitigate metabolic syndrome risk.Children exposed in utero to higher levels of some types of endocrine-disrupting chemicals have a higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome, according to findings published in JAMA Network Open.”
Comment: toxins make us more insulin resistance by compromising receptors on our cell membranes A lot of them are now dubbed obesogens. See below.
Bisphenol A tied to decreased insulin sensitivity for healthy adults
Healio Minute, July 01, 2024
“ORLANDO — Exposure to bisphenol A may lower insulin sensitivity for healthy adults and may lead to higher risk for type 2 diabetes, according to a speaker at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. In a small, 4-day randomized controlled trial, adults receiving 50 µg/kg of body weight of once-daily oral bisphenol A (BPA) had a greater decline in insulin sensitivity than adults receiving placebo. With no changes observed in other endocrine measures, the change in insulin sensitivity could be attributed to exposure to BPA, according to Todd Hagobian, PhD, associate vice president of research in the department of kinesiology and public health at California Polytechnic State University.”
Comment: artificial sweeteners also affect our cell membranes. This is why diet soda and other refined foods do not help people lose weight. Bisphenol is found in polycarbonate plastics (used in containers for food and beverages), epoxy resins (lining the inside of some metal food and drink cans), shatterproof windows, eyewear, water bottles, some medical devices, dental sealants, compact discs, and thermal paper used for till/cash register receipts.
Our extended microbiome: The human-relevant metabolites and biology of fermented foods
J. Cell Metabolism April 2 2024
“One of the key modes of microbial metabolism occurring in the gut microbiome is fermentation. This energy-yielding process transforms common macromolecules like polysaccharides and amino acids into a wide variety of chemicals, many of which are relevant to microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions. Analogous transformations occur during the production of fermented foods, resulting in an abundance of bioactive metabolites. In foods, the products of fermentation can influence food safety and preservation, nutrient availability, and palatability and, once consumed, may impact immune and metabolic status, disease expression, and severity. Human signaling pathways perceive and respond to many of the currently known fermented food metabolites, though expansive chemical novelty remains to be defined. Here we discuss several aspects of fermented food-associated microbes and metabolites, including a condensed history, current understanding of their interactions with hosts and host-resident microbes, connections with commercial probiotics, and opportunities for future research on human health and disease and food sustainability.”
Comment: fermented foods are the most effective way to improve our microbiome, more so than supplementing probiotics.
Eating more potatoes may reduce risk for mortality, researchers find
Healio Minute, May 30, 2024
“Weekly intake of 14 or more potatoes was tied to a lower risk for death vs. an intake of six or fewer potatoes. Each 100 g per day increment of potatoes was associated with a 4% lower risk for death.”
Comment: potatoes, nuts and bananas are excellent doughy, sweet treats when you get the munchies.
