CHICAGO — Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a very prevalent gastrointestinal condition that usually results in chronic abdominal pain or discomfort. For children, a new study reveals that they are more vulnerable to this condition if they take antibiotics or consume a typical Western diet starting at a young age. While wealth often equates to …
DAVIS, Calif. — Scientists understandably want to learn as much as possible about the gut, given how crucial the system is for human health. With that in mind, a new ingestible capsule is allowing scientists to gather data as it travels through the gut, collecting digestion and microorganism samples in healthy people. “The small intestine …
SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the human body in response to darkness that helps regulate our sleep-wake cycles. In other words, melatonin tips off our brains that it’s bedtime. Of course, sleep is often incredibly elusive, and many people boost their natural melatonin levels with over-the-counter supplements. However, new …
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Scientists may be on the verge of developing an antibiotic with fewer side-effects, such as nausea, indigestion, bloating, and diarrhea. Researchers have identified compounds that could potentially reduce these side-effects, paving the way for an antidote that preserves specific microbes without impeding the eradication of harmful bacteria by antibiotics. Antibiotics often eliminate …
The intestinal microbiota is the set of bacteria and viruses that live inside your gut. Microbiota perform a variety of functions, including digesting food and protecting against specific pathogens. There are several things that can disrupt the gut microbiota, including diet, alcohol consumption, antibiotics and inflammatory bowel disease. These cause imbalances, known as “dysbiosis” which, in …
RALEIGH, N.C. — When it comes to guts, it turns out women have men beat — literally by an entire foot! A new study reveals that women have longer small intestines than their male counterparts. Interestingly, researchers believe this could help women deal with stress better. Despite being, on average, five inches shorter, women have …
If you go through any supermarket or health foods store these days, you’ll likely see lots a prebiotics and probiotics for sale. So, what exactly are these popular products? StudyFinds is breaking down everything you need to know about them and why these items are great for your gut health. Probiotics are “live microorganisms that, …
BETHESDA, Md. — Scientists are continuously in awe at the newest discoveries in our gut microbiomes. Now, new research reveals that our gut bacteria can actually change by the day and even the season, showing stark differences in the summer compared to the winter. “The seasonal variations we see in conditions like allergies or the …
OKINAWA, Japan — A bacteria in our digestive tract could weaken the body’s response to the COVID-19 vaccine. New research out of Japan suggests that the gut bacteria in charge of breaking down a sugar called fucose lowers the immune response after vaccination. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccine helps train the immune system to recognize and …
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The notion of eating insects is enough to make many Americans lose their appetite, but researchers from Colorado State University argue bugs are actually a smart choice for dinner. Scientists report both the chitin (kai’tin) and healthy fats gained by eating insects appear to contribute to healthy gut microbiota and provide plenty …