This article summarises some on the research on the role our oral microbiome plays in both oral health, and most importantly our systemic health. Microbes appear in every corner of human life, and microbes affect every aspect of human life (4). The oral cavity is inhabited by a variety of microorganisms, their control aids
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What Is Hydrogen Sulfide? Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless and odorless gas that is produced both endogenously, and, by bacteria in the large intestine. Hydrogen sulfide has emerged as an important ‘gasotransmitter’ that regulates several bodily systems including: the cardiovascular, digestive, immune, hormonal, and nervous systems. Hydrogen Sulfide Production The precise locations of its production
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What is an enterotype? Recent research suggests that the human microbiome can be assigned to three main groups – so-called enterotypes. Intestinal bacteria develop – depending on the enterotype – stable, clearly different clusters with typical metabolic properties. The three enterotypes are thought to consist of, or be dominated by, the following bacteria: Enterotype 1
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There is an increasing interest in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii given its potentially important role in promoting gut health. Interestingly, it may be a useful biomarker to help in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease discrimination (both inflammatory bowel diseases). There are large population of F. prausnitzii bacteria in the normal human body, occupying 6–8%, even 20% among all kinds
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Many of us are now very familiar with the role bacteria play in our digestive, and systemic, health, but not as many are likely familiar with the role of archaea. What Are Archaea? It has been estimated that about 33% of the world’s human population is considered to be methane producers Archaea are single-celled microorganisms
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Blastocystis hominis is a parasite that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of humans and many animals. It has a worldwide distribution, and, is often identified as the most common parasite reported in human fecal samples (5–15% of individuals in developed countries and 50–100% of individuals in developing countries). The parasite has been known since the early
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Although chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been defined as a separate syndrome, up to 70% of patients with fibromyalgia are also diagnosed with CFS and 35-70% of patients with CFS have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Thus studies of patients with CFS may have clinical relevance to Fibromyalgia. Every patient with chronic widespread pain requires at the
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What Is Ankylosing spondylitis? Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis, thought by some to be autoimmune in origin. It would appear that the most likely causative agent in the development of Ankylosing spondylitis is an environmental factor in the genetically susceptible, HLA-B27 positive, individuals. What is HLA-B27? It has been shown that more
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Many of us are now familiar with the terms lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. These are often included in probiotic supplements, and found in fermented foods such as kefir, now widely available in many supermarkets and health food stores. But are you familiar with the bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila (bare with me!)? What Is Akkermansia muciniphila? Akkermansia muciniphila
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In part 1 of this two part series on mindfulness (click here if you haven’t yet read it) we discussed the three components of mindfulness (intention, attention, attitude), introduced the term “reperceiving”, and, highlighted the four direct mechanisms which lead to this shift in perspective. “Reperceiving—the capacity to dispassionately observe or witness the contents of
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