#Good Microbiome

[lookingforcactus]

“How do you supercharge vegetation growth for a reforestation project? Bring in the microorganisms.

That’s the finding from a new study, which shows that incorporating a microbial community of fungi, bacteria, algae and archaea into ecosystem restoration can accelerate plant biomass production by 64% on average.

Researchers say this application holds plenty of promise for restoration work in Southeast Asia, where large swaths of once-forested landscapes have been degraded for large-scale agriculture.

Soil microbiome like fungi carry out a critical task known as soil transplant, moving soil and associated microbial communities from one location to another. But they’re often overlooked in conservation and restoration efforts, said study lead author Colin Averill, a senior microbial and ecosystem scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, or ETH Zürich.

“When we think to plant a tree, we never think to ‘plant’ the microbiome, right? But what if we did?” Averill told Mongabay.

To find out how big a role the microbiome plays in ecosystem restoration, Averill and colleagues from ETH Zürich, the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague and Vrije Universiteit in the Netherlands pored over the date from 27 restoration projects that incorporated microbial restoration.

Their study, published in the journal Nature Microbiology, found that across all the restoration works, there was an average of 64% increase of plant growth. In one case, plant growth was stimulated by 700%.

The study shows that incorporating the microbiome in managed landscapes like farmland and forestry concessions has the greatest potential. This is because managed landscapes account for the majority of human land use, covering half of the global habitable land surface.

But by introducing microbial communities, these agricultural and forestry plantations [and monocultures] that are currently devoid of biodiversity could become reservoirs of it, Averill said.

To increase biodiversity and enrich these managed landscapes, it’s important to avoid using single species or very low-diversity, non-native soil organisms at a large scale, Averill said.

The study notes an increasing number of microbial inoculant companies advocating for just this on the argument that it could improve crop yields. But the mass application of a single species could lead to a loss of genetic and ecological diversity, and is unlikely to account for ecosystem-specific requirements, the study says.

It instead recommends using locally sourced, native and biodiverse communities of soil organisms as these can promote biodiversity in managed landscapes without limiting crop yields.” -via Mongabay, 1/5/23

[desired-misery]

i am so locked in right now on this scene of Leon losing his temper and yelling at Hunnigan (not really Hunnigan's fault for what is happening, but she is the only person who Leon has contact with who is remotely in charge of the mission). I've completely abandoned working on the "luis does surgery on himself" fic so idk if I'll make the sunday night deadline I set.

I just gotta get this scene completed, I keep thinking about it.

[mars-ipan]

nurses…..

[tinyreviews]

Rabbit Hole: Fiber and Health

The difference between soluble and insoluble fiber

Soluble and insoluble fibers are both essential components of a healthy diet, particularly for gut health, but they differ in their properties and how they function in the digestive system.

Soluble Fiber:

Dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance.

Fermentable by gut bacteria.

Benefits for Gut Health:

Feeds Gut Bacteria: Acts as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Regulates Blood Sugar: Slows down digestion, leading to a more gradual release of glucose into the bloodstream.

Lowers Cholesterol: Binds with bile acids, helping to lower blood cholesterol levels.

Improves Digestion: Softens stool, making it easier to pass and helping to prevent constipation.

Insoluble Fiber:

Does not dissolve in water.

Adds bulk to stool.

Benefits for Gut Health:

Promotes Regularity: Adds bulk to stool and helps it pass more quickly through the intestines, reducing the risk of constipation.

Prevents Diverticulitis: Helps prevent small pouches from forming in the colon, which can become inflamed or infected.

Supports Weight Management: Adds bulk to the diet without adding calories, which can help with feeling full and reducing overall food intake.

What are good common sources of fiber?

Soluble Fiber: Oats, barley, nuts, seeds (e.g., chia seeds, flaxseeds), beans and legumes (e.g., lentils, chickpeas), fruits (e.g., apples, oranges, pears), vegetables (e.g., carrots, Brussels sprouts).

Insoluble Fiber: Whole grains (e.g., whole wheat, brown rice, bulgur), nuts and seeds (e.g., almonds, sunflower seeds), vegetables (e.g., cauliflower, green beans, potatoes with skin), fruits (e.g., apples with skin, berries, bananas), bran (e.g., wheat bran, corn bran).

Do gut bacteria break down fiber to produce beneficial compounds like vitamins? What other beneficial compounds do they produce?

Vitamins

Vitamin K: Certain gut bacteria synthesize vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting and bone health.

B Vitamins: Some gut bacteria produce B vitamins, such as biotin (B7), folate (B9), and riboflavin (B2), which are crucial for energy metabolism and overall cellular function.

Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)

Acetate, Propionate, and Butyrate: These SCFAs are produced when gut bacteria ferment soluble fiber. They have numerous health benefits:

Butyrate: Acts as a primary energy source for colon cells, helps maintain the integrity of the gut barrier, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Propionate: Metabolized in the liver and can help regulate glucose production.

Acetate: Used in various metabolic processes and can influence fat storage and appetite regulation.

Other Beneficial Compounds

Gases: Such as hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide, which are normal byproducts of fermentation and usually harmless.

Phenolic Compounds: Fermentation of polyphenols (a type of antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables) by gut bacteria can produce bioactive phenolic compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLAs): Produced from the fermentation of certain fats, CLAs have been shown to have anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Health Benefits

Improved Gut Health: SCFAs, particularly butyrate, nourish the cells lining the colon, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal disorders.

Enhanced Immune Function: A healthy gut microbiome can help modulate immune responses, reducing inflammation and protecting against infections.

Metabolic Health: The production of SCFAs can influence metabolic health, helping regulate blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Mental Health: There is emerging evidence that SCFAs and other metabolites produced by gut bacteria can influence brain function and mood, potentially impacting conditions like anxiety and depression.

Specific benefits of SCFAs

Digestive Health

Nourishment of Colonocytes: Butyrate serves as the primary energy source for colonocytes (cells lining the colon), promoting a healthy gut lining and reducing the risk of gastrointestinal disorders.

Gut Barrier Function: SCFAs enhance the integrity of the gut barrier, preventing the leakage of harmful substances from the gut into the bloodstream, which can lead to systemic inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory Effects: Butyrate has potent anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce inflammation in the gut, which is beneficial for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Metabolic Health

Blood Sugar Regulation: Propionate can help regulate blood glucose levels by influencing gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose) in the liver.

Lipid Metabolism: Acetate and propionate are involved in lipid metabolism, which can influence cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Appetite Regulation: SCFAs can influence the release of hormones that regulate appetite and satiety, such as peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), potentially aiding in weight management.

Immune Function

Immune Modulation: SCFAs play a role in modulating the immune system by influencing the activity of various immune cells, including T cells and macrophages, which helps maintain immune balance and reduce chronic inflammation.

Anti-carcinogenic Properties: Butyrate has been shown to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancerous cells in the colon, reducing the risk of colorectal cancer.

Brain Health and Mental Well-being

Neurotransmitter Production: SCFAs can influence the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which is involved in mood regulation.

Blood-brain Barrier Integrity: Butyrate can enhance the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, protecting the brain from harmful substances.

Anti-inflammatory Effects on the Brain: By reducing systemic inflammation, SCFAs can help protect against neuroinflammatory conditions, potentially lowering the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

General Health Benefits

Reduction of Systemic Inflammation: SCFAs help reduce systemic inflammation, which is linked to numerous chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.

Bone Health: Propionate may have a role in calcium absorption and bone health, although more research is needed in this area.

The above is the result of my curiosity going down the rabbithole with ChatGPT. I post my rabbithole curiosities to this blog.

[pagesofkenna]

not Midnight Mass Erin and Riley talking about their different visions of death and the afterlife, seemingly not realizing that they were using very different words to describe exactly the same thing, and making me openly cry at my desk while doing so

[bpod-bpod]

Bacterial Identity Cards

These are electron microscope pictures of near-identical looking bacterial flagella – the tiny tail-like structures that propel the microorganisms through fluids. According to recent research, all flagella are not the same, however, and the small differences that exist are critical to how the human immune system determines which bacteria are friendly and which are not. The principal component of flagella is flagellin, and recognition of this protein by gut immune cells can trigger an immune response. Since both friendly and pathogenic bacteria can have flagellin, scientists wondered how the immune cells tell them apart. Screening the flagellins of a variety of gut bacteria has revealed that while some bind and activate the immune cells, others bind and do not, and some don’t bind at all. Subtle differences in the amino acid sequence of the protein, it turns out, are enough to give some bacteria a free pass and others the boot.

Written by Ruth Williams

Image by Michael Bell, Ley Lab, Max Planck Institute

Research by Sarah Clasen et al, Ley Lab, Department of Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany

Image copyright held by the original authors

Research published in Science Immunology, January 2023

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[reasonsforhope]

“For years scientists have been demonstrating the therapeutic potential of gut microbiota transplants in mice for a variety of medical conditions; now the FDA has approved this procedure for the first time to treat a murderous bacterial infection.

The exact method may make someone squeamish, as its technical term is a “fecal matter transplant,” which is exactly the method approved for use.

We now know for certain that one of the most important markers for overall wellness is the size and species diversity of the bacterial community in our intestines, stomach, and colon. Its influence goes way beyond anything related to digestion, and affects the immune system, cognition, hormonal regulation, athletic performance, and more.

Fecal matter transplants have been shown in some cases in humans to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and in mice to counteract pulmonary hypertension, reduce symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and even to reduce biological age clocks.

However Switzerland-based Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ procedure is meant to treat Clostridium difficile, or C. difficile, a superbug responsible for 15,000 – 30,000 deaths every year in the US...

The FDA approval panel convened in September and most regulators on the panel sought standardization of the treatment, which would pave the way to its application for more diseases and infections.” -via Good News Network, 12/2/22

[brightyearning]

i've had some kombucha. i've regrouped. i've recovered.

[cherrygarden]

,

[unfictitious]

searching for the doctor mental illness moments/analysis online gets similarly grating because on one hand the main series often only outright mentions it as vague eccentricities for comedy or whimsy/as a result of a scifi/drama thing and subsequently handwaved as being like an actual condition because the writers don’t want to deal with that, and on the other fans seem purely interested from a character flaw standpoint or as a fanfic trope to torture them with, and also don’t really know what the illnesses they’re alluding to are like.

[eclecstasies]

Carnivore gf: I need more fiber in my diet that doesn't make me farty

Omnivore gf: no, you have to toss my salad to process your salad

[healthyhubeveryday]

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[kaleidoscopic-refractions]

Ate spicy food last night, now the forces of Minas Morgul are marching through my gut. I'm so tired of my gut being such a little bitch, I wanna eat spicy food you fuckers!

[housedyke]

My prescription mouthwash is turning my teeth a very faint shade of blue...