New Study Shows HOW the Microbiome Protects Us!

How do good gut bacteria protect against harmful ones?

📢 New research alert!!

The gut microbiome consists of hundreds of different bacterial species and strains. One health benefit is that these bacteria can protect against the invasion of harmful bacteria.

But until now, there have been unanswered questions about how this works and whether some strains are more important than others.

A new study published in Science found that it was NOT any single bacterial strain that was protective but instead the combined effect of at least 50+ strains together.

Also, the WAY the collective bacterial communities protected against harmful invaders was by consuming nutrients those invaders might need.

The takeaway?

An optimal microbiome is a diverse microbiome.

Gut health is always something we look at as part of the bigger picture of our patient’s health.

Reference

Spragge F, Bakkeren E, Jahn MT, et al. Microbiome diversity protects against pathogens by nutrient blocking. Science. 2023;382(6676):eadj3502. [link]

🗞️ Probiotics Safety: Latest Update

Update on Probiotic Safety 👇

Most people assume that if something is “natural” then it’s safe.

I recommend a lot of natural products and supplements to my clients—but only with specific intention and caution because here’s the thing:

Even natural products can be dangerous if:

X Taken by the wrong person

X Taken for the wrong reason

X Mixed with medications that interact

X Contaminated with potential toxins

To give you an example, The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) just released an update on probiotic safety, saying:

✅ Probiotics should be used with extra caution in newborns, pregnancy, short-bowel syndrome, and people who are immunocompromised.

✅ Probiotic supplements should be tested for purity, potency, and potential contaminants.

I believe that if a natural product has the potential to do good (as in—to actually improve a person’s health) then it also has the potential to do harm. We can’t have one without the other!

One thing I do to keep my clients safe is to recommend products that meet the highest quality standards, such as using the most effective ingredients and third-party testing for purity.

Let’s respect natural products for the powerful therapeutics they are.

Reference

Merenstein D, Pot B, Leyer G, et al. Emerging issues in probiotic safety: 2023 perspectives. Gut Microbes. 2023;15(1):2185034. [link]

📣 New Study Shows Powerful Probiotic Effect

🤯 What most people don’t know about probiotics 🤯

Most people who take probiotics don’t think twice about what strains are in it. Does it have Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1? Bifidobacterium lactis BI-07? Or one of the other thousands of strains out there?

You might think it doesn’t matter, but the truth is that different strains have different benefits.

For example…

👉👉 A new study just found that a probiotic strain of Bacillus subtilis eliminated more than 95% of the dangerous Staph aureus bacteria in people with detectable levels in their intestines and noses.

That’s huge.

Because even though Staph aureus can be present without causing any symptoms, it can turn deadly—especially when it spreads in hospitals or nursing homes.

‼️ PLUS it’s almost impossible to eliminate because of antibiotic resistance.

This new research showing that a specific strain of probiotic can eliminate Staph without adverse effects is truly amazing.

But we have to remember that the effects of probiotics are specific to the strain. This doesn’t mean that just ANY probiotic can eliminate Staph infections.

It’s why we test instead of guess.

Reference

Piewngam P, Khongthong S, Roekngam N, et al. Probiotic for pathogen-specific Staphylococcus aureus decolonisation in Thailand: a phase 2, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Microbe. 2023;4(2):e75-e83. [link]

Why Some People Feel Worse Taking Probiotics 💊

✨Why some people feel WORSE taking probiotics✨

The microbiome and probiotics are all the rage. These healthy bacteria support gut health, immunity, brain function, and more.

❌ But probiotics are not for everyone! In some people, probiotics make gut problems even worse.

The most common explanation for this is that there is already an overgrowth of bacteria— called SIBO.

SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. Excessive numbers of bacteria convert carbohydrates into gas, causing bloating and digestive problems.

Adding more bacteria to the mix? It’s like adding fuel to a fire 🔥

Prebiotics can be equally problematic, so look closely at supplement labels for things like inulin, chicory, arabinogalactan, FOS, or GOS.

Questions about probiotics? Drop them below! ⤵️