Browsing: bacteria

Type 2 diabetes is estimated to affect more than 460 million people worldwide. Cases have continued to rise over recent decades, with projections suggesting that more than 1 billion people will be living with the condition by 2050

The human gut teems with bacteria and other microbes. They contribute to our health but also influence our susceptibility to certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests.

A landmark Swedish study published Tuesday found that the composition of bacteria in your gut can reliably flag your risk of developing type 2 diabetes years before blood sugar levels reach any clinical threshold — and that whether those bacteria protect you or harm you may depend almost entirely on how much fiber you eat

Gut bacteria evolve rapidly in response to different diets, UCLA evolutionary biologists report in a new study. The researchers found that gene variants that help microbes digest starches found in ultra-processed foods have “swept” the genomes of some species of gut bacteria in industrialized parts of the world. Because these starches are industrially produced and have…

Microbiome Babies’ gut bacteria may influence future emotional health Study links specific gut microbes to brain networks tied to anxiety and depression Credit: iStockPhoto

Living in a poorer neighbourhood in the UK could impact the make-up of your gut microbiome, potentially leading to worse health

With more than 100 million neurons in the digestive tract, the gut is commonly known as the “second brain” in numerous cultures, including ancient Greece, Japan, China and India, linking digestion with physical and mental well-being

Is gut health just about taking probiotics? Or could the bacteria in your gut be shaping your body fat, inflammation, and cholesterol?

Gut bacteria influence social behavior through smell Neurobiologists have discovered that gut bacteria and the nose work together to shape social behavior in mice. These insights could inform research into animal behavior and, potentially, how microbe-produced odors might change perceptions and social responses in other species, including humans. Getty Images