Gut wonder
I was lucky enough to attend the Yakult International Symposium a few months ago and hear the latest science on the gut microbiota. If you thought the gut was all about digestion and bowel habits, think again. Nowadays, the science spans respiratory infections, major depression, neurological conditions, metabolic health, obesity and more.
Infinity and beyond
Kicking off the conference, Prof. Christine Moissl-Eichinger (Austria) talked about research into the microbiome of astronauts. This is a vital area of research as it's impossible to access proper medical help if you get sick on the International Space Station. Studies have been done on astronauts taking part in space simulations – living in cramped quarters for months – as well as on the International Space Station itself. Thankfully, so far there's no evidence that microorganisms are any more virulent or antibiotic resistant in space, but the human gut microbiome does change drastically after a rocket flight to the stars which could impact on health.
Fermented foods
A few speakers, such as Prof. Paul Cotter (Ireland) and Prof. Lorenzo Morelli (Italy), talked about the benefits of fermented foods. These include sourdough, kefir, Parmesan cheese and kombucha – foods that have increased in popularity in recent years. Fermented foods contain live beneficial bacteria, as well as the metabolites of bacterial activity such as lactic acid and bioactive peptides. Studies show that eating fermented foods can lower blood pressure, improve mineral absorption and influence brain health. Another good reason to eat fermented foods.
Gut origins of Parkinson's
Another fascinating speaker was Prof. Aletta Kraneveld (Netherlands) who explained how the wrong types of gut bacteria increase the risk of Parkinson's disease. Drawing on research in mice, she demonstrated that a build-up of α-synuclein (Lewy bodies) in the brain leads to neuro-inflammation and neurodegeneration. Gut dysbiosis – where the gut is dominated by less healthy species of bacteria – is a vital step in the pathogenic changes that lead to Parkinson's disease. Giving probiotics to patients with existing Parkinson's disease can help alleviate symptoms such as constipation and could be a future intervention to slow progression of the disease.
Other speakers talked about the use of medical grade probiotics for ICU patients, the challenges of regulating probiotics, how to best design studies to test health effects of probiotics, and how the gut microbiome evolves from infanthood to old age. The impact of the gut microbiome on immune ageing was also explored.
I've published a full report on the conference in the journal, Gut Microbiome, so, if you'd like to learn more, take a look here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/gut-microbiome/article/microbiota-and-probiotics-chances-and-challenges-a-symposium-report/0FA2F12EBB631A2E5F8BA1345799E039