Here’s a little round up of stories that have caught my interest recently, as well as older bits of information that have piqued interest: the gut bacteria of people with chronic fatigue is different to most people’s and obesity may be contagious thanks to sharing microbes with family members and friends. We’ll also get into the different gut bacteria strains found in humans and how we can go about changing them.
In the last twelve months we’ve learned a lot about the human microbiome including that it can affect our moods and behaviours, that a lack of beneficial bacteria in the gut can contribute to or cause Parkinson’s, and that addressing microbiota issues with probiotics can largely be a shot in the dark.
In my recent interview with dentist and author Dr. Steven Lin the topic of gut health and its link to oral cavities and gum disease generally, plus how they affect histamine and mast cells, was the focus of our conversation. That got me thinking about some of the most interesting recent developments:
The gut bacteria of people with chronic fatigue (CFS) is very different to most other folks
We’ve been told for years that chronic fatigue is psychosomatic; that people just need exercise or that they’re actually just downright depressed. Now researchers are finding that the gut bacteria of those with this debilitating illness is far less diverse than those of healthy people. The scientists also found that those with CFS had higher levels of inflammatory molecules called lipopolysaccharides. They believe this may indicate that bacteria is making its way through the gut barriers and into the bloodstream (where they’re obviously not mean tot be). Researchers in this particular study were able to successfully identify over eighty percent of the CFS patients on their blood work alone.
I have no idea what caused my debilitating fatigue in the past, but I’m sure inflammation had something to do with it. I’d run around like speedy Gonzales for a couple of days or weeks and then be confined to my duvet for significantly longer. Eventually, thanks to my change in diet and dealing with my lifelong stress, I stabilised, neither speedy nor crashed out. I never sought medical treatment for it, knowing I would be laughed out of the doctor’s office. I instead initially loaded up on Diet Coke and Pepsi, put five tea bags in one cup of water when the soda (literally) make me sick, popped caffeine pills, and ultimately lived on Provigil, a medication used my pilots to stay awake. Little did I know back then that one of the ways that particular medication works is by boosting histamine levels in the brain.
This and other crazy things I did to myself back in the day…
Having learned from my mistakes, I now believe in eating a balanced diet. That means a few higher histamine (but nutrient dense) foods, a little bit of animal protein (mostly fish) and a ton of plant foods.
Obesity may be contagious (thanks to our gut bacteria)
Researchers have been onto the fact that the use of certain antibiotics (Vancomycin for example) may be linked to obesity, through its effect on gut bacteria. Now they believe that it can spread from one person to another. Mice studies initially showed that mice can spread obesity to each other, but they eat each others droppings. It’s been known for a while that people who live together share similar gut bacteria profiles, they even share them with their dogs, which according to Dr. Michael Gregor of NutritionFacts.org, can act as a bridge, connecting one family member’s microbiota to another. More recent studies have shown that human gut flora affects the way we metabolise fat, so theoretically it’s possible to “catch” weight gain from an overweight family member.
What’s your enterotype?
Recent studies show that the human microbiota is made up of two main species of bacteria that live in the colon. These enterotypes (as they’re known as) are Bacteroides and Prevotella, and their presence is dictated by your diet. The former is associated with an animal protein rich diet and the latter with a plant based one. Bacteroides species are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer related deaths. The great news is that we can “rapidly” change our microbiome through dietary changes. A study pitted two diets against each other: a vegetable, grain, fruit and legume based diet, and an animal protein rich one. Neither diet featured any refined sugars. A vegan in the study who was fed an animal diet had their microbiome shift from a prevotella based one to bacteroides (cancer linked) in just four days. Bacteroides are linked to a number of inflammatory issues that may contribute to cancer.
There’s a few companies offering biome testing at home. I like uBiome – just use this link and you’ll get a 15% discount (and I’ll get one too!)
It’s finally here! Man Food – a high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredient filled book geared towards guys, women who love to work out, yoga like they mean it, or just load up on healing nutrients. Features my personal shopping list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods.
The Anti-cookbook and all liquid Anti-Detox Book, don’t treat any conditions, but feature a plethora of the high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredients that have been instrumental in helping me feed myself on a limited diet. The Anti-cookbook features a four page list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods and comes in regular and Paleo.
The Low Oxalate Cookbook features antihistamine and anti-inflammatory rich recipes.
Don’t miss the Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide for non-toxic beauty tips, the skinny on histamine releasing (mast cell degranulating) beauty ingredients, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory beauty alternatives and the top brands natural brands I’ve found.
Take a peek at my other low histamine and antihistamine cookbooks for more high nutrient recipes
talkhealth are excited to announce that we are now hosting the forums for the charity ‘Action Against Allergy’. Log on to the AAA forums to join the general discussion, view charity news and individual to talkhealth we are especially delighted to announce a forum designed for those living with allergies aged 60 +, the AAAllergy 60 + forum
The Action Against Allergy forums are all now open and we look forward to welcoming you to the conversation.
Action Against Allergy were founded in 1978 and have since offered help, support and advice to those who’s lives are affected by allergies.
Unique to Action Against Allergy is their ‘Find a Doctor’ service which will supply you with the names and contact details of any clinics, appropriate NHS and private specialists dealing with allergy-related illness in your area or, if there are none locally, those which are nearest to you – visit here for more information.
together we can #talkhealth
Drinking mud: Natural remedy or health hazard?
… Clay because lab tests revealed elevated lead levels that could cause lead poisoning. And in January, the FDA warned consumers that Bentonite Me Baby, a product marketed by Alikay Naturals of Fort Myers, Fla., also contained high lead levels …
Read more on azcentral.com
Cord-Cutting Technique Smooths Cellulite for 3 Years
WASHINGTON, DC — A procedure to smooth cellulite by cutting the fibrous "cords" that pull the skin down is effective and safe, new 3-year data show. And the study results confirm that fibrous septae is the source of most types of cellulite that pull …
Read more on Medscape
Experience With Fathers of Overweight and Obese Children
The short- and long-term effects of childhood obesity are significant physically, psychologically, and economically for the individual, as well as for society. Adverse effects include both acute and chronic physical and psychological health problems …
Read more on Medscape
Drastic Weight Loss: Testosterone May Help You Drop Fat, Maintain Muscle
All of the men had low testosterone levels; 20 percent had diabetes, and 10 percent had heart disease. For the first 10 weeks, all participants were placed on a super-low calorie diet. The men were urged to abstain from alcohol and perform at least 30 …
Read more on Men’s Fitness
It's The Perfect Time for relief from Eczema That Actually Works
If you're ready to locate a cure for eczema that actually works, then possibly today may be the day to do your homework in your options. There's relief from eczema that is useful for you, and it just takes that you should anticipate to stop the …
Read more on TheSequitur.com
Editorial: Congressional 'fix' causes more VA problems
Every time you turn around, a member of Congress is criticizing the Veterans Administration health care system. What you don't hear lawmakers say: We are responsible for a good share of the problems. But they are. In response to a national scandal over …
Read more on DesMoinesRegister.com
Battling children's allergies
There have been some very good studies published [showing that] eczema, food allergies, hay fever have increased dramatically. … We will bring them into the hospital and challenge them with the food they used to be allergic to to see if they've …
Read more on Royal Gazette
My cure for eczema was cutting out the deadly nightshade, says MasterChef …
Experts believe that touching these foods can trigger an allergy that exacerbates eczema when they are then eaten. Incredibly, the eczema eased after a month and, even more incredibly, has never returned, even though he no longer follows a restricted …
Read more on Daily Mail
Peanut Mush In Infancy Cuts Allergy Risk. New Study Adds To Evidence
Now, there's a growing consensus about how to prevent peanut allergies in kids who are at high risk. This includes children with a strong family history of food allergies and those with eczema. Last year, a landmark study published in the New England …
Read more on NPR
No, You Shouldn't Start Eating Avocado Seeds
“I'm a huge avocado fan. I eat them daily, and recommend them to my clients, but I have reservations about eating the seeds,” she says. “While there is some research about beneficial compounds in the seed, the safety of ingesting it hasn't been …
Read more on Health.com
How to maintain healthy skin in dry season
A rash can be caused by an allergic reaction, viral illness or a medical problem that affects the skin. Common types of rashes in children include diaper rash, a skin condition called eczema, baby dandruff called cradle cap, and infections such as …
Read more on National Mirror
More people diagnosed with eczema in Singapore
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common inflammatory skin condition, affecting about one in 10 adults and up to one in five children worldwide. Skin specialist Gavin Ong said: "Although we have gained much knowledge about atopic eczema …
Read more on AsiaOne
£350000 Investment for Wales-Based Company to Develop New Treatments for Skin …
Curapel, a healthcare company developing innovative new treatments for eczema and psoriasis as well as skin pigmentation conditions, has set up its headquarters at the Life Sciences Hub Wales in Cardiff. Finance Wales has invested £250,000 alongside …
Read more on Business News Wales (press release)
Another Reason to Give Babies Peanut Butter
To complicate matters further, the advice on when babies should first try peanut-containing products has changed dramatically in that time. Fifteen years ago, doctors told parents to wait until … There seemed to be other benefits among peanut-eaters …
Read more on The Atlantic
Having a little work done: Now as routine as 'eating kale and going to spin class'
“Twenty-five, 30 years ago, everybody thought of dermatology as psoriasis, eczema, acne and warts,” said Tina Alster, a high-profile Washington dermatologist who gave several lectures during the convention. These days, dermatology is as much the …
Read more on Washington Post