#gut bacteria diversity

[kp777]

Study shows diverse gut bacteria communities protect against harmful pathogens by nutrient blocking

[jcmarchi]

Gut Bacteria Show Promise for Thwarting Toxic Effects of Cadmium - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/gut-bacteria-show-promise-for-thwarting-toxic-effects-of-cadmium-technology-org/

Gut Bacteria Show Promise for Thwarting Toxic Effects of Cadmium - Technology Org

As a heavy metal that can persist in the human body for decades — and enter it by accumulating in fruits and vegetables — cadmium contributes to cancers of the kidney, lung and prostate, among other organs. Can bacteria mitigate its toxic effects?

Performing blood test in a lab. Image credit: Louis Reed via Unsplash, free license

But research has indicated that cadmium also disrupts the delicate balance of the microbiome: the trillions-strong ecosystem of microorganisms living in the gut, where they sway the function and dysfunction of numerous systems.

Identifying beneficial bacteria, or probiotics, that might buffer against cadmium’s presence there has emerged as a popular but still-preliminary approach to the problem.

So what?

Devin Rose, Jennifer Auchtung, Hollman Motta Romero and colleagues decided to hunt for bacterial species that can withstand cadmium and potentially help their more susceptible brethren do the same. The Nebraska team began by extracting samples of the microbiomes from two healthy adults (A and B), cultivating them in bioreactors, then introducing them to toxic levels of cadmium.

Though the cadmium diminished the diversity of species in Microbiome A, the team found that a few did manage to survive and grow amid high concentrations of the toxic contaminant.

Conversely, Microbiome B generally withered in the face of even modest concentrations, hinting that cadmium resistance may differ across human guts.

The researchers went on to spike Microbiome B with A’s cadmium-tolerant species before again exposing it to the heavy metal. Supplemented by those hardier species, Microbiome B produced higher amounts of butyrate, a vital fatty acid produced by beneficial gut bacteria — and one previously depleted by the cadmium.

That suggests the cadmium-tolerant species, which do not produce butyrate themselves, might ward off enough cadmium to help protect its vulnerable cousins against the toxicity of the contaminant.

Now what?

The team stressed the need for further experimental evidence to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the cadmium-tolerant species identified in its study. And other species might ultimately prove more promising candidates for the job.

But in demonstrating a method for sussing out and testing those candidates, the study represents a serious step toward mitigating cadmium’s punch to the gut, the researchers said.

Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

You can offer your link to a page which is relevant to the topic of this post.

[nanavn]

For @shanastoryteller who asked for the gut bacteria expert's* recipe:

The professor's green energy smoothie

Ingredients

(two servings, according to the original)

half an avocado

half an apple

the juice from half a squeezed lemon

1 pinch fresh ginger

10 grapes or half a kiwi

5 dried walnuts

1 sheet nori (the kind used for sushi)

4 bunches of spinach

1 bunch parsley

a handful of broccoli

a handful of bean sprouts

half a glass of herbal tea

Preparation

Prepare the vegetables and fruits by removing the core from the apple, the peel from the kiwi, etc.

Put the vegetables in the blender with the herbal tea (cooled) and blend until it becomes a very fine-grained, green and fragrant smoothie.

Garnish with fresh herbs according to your taste preferences.

From https://livsstil.tv2.dk/mad/opskrift/professorens-groenne-energigroed (translation: https://livsstil-tv2-dk.translate.goog/mad/opskrift/professorens-groenne-energigroed?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da)

My tips

The taste is pretty neutral (YMMV) but if you substitute ingredients, it may affect the taste - cabbages in particular

I usually double the recipe and have it over two days - I can't be bothered to keep half an apple lying around

I use a tall container with a volume of 1,6L/3.4 pint - that's on the small side for my version

I wouldn't make bigger portions than can be eaten over two days, and unless consumed straight away it must be kept in the fridge - you're risking a bacteria bomb instead of a nice smoothie...

I rarely use lemon, but use a few good slices of ginger (peel the whole chunk, slice and freeze for less fuss)

If you live near an Asian market, they probably have bigger packs of nori. I buy one with 50 sheets - it's *much* cheaper per sheet than the supermarket's price

I skip the parsley (can't be bothered) and buy chopped (see next bullet point) frozen spinach and add to taste

Instead of broccoli (expensive; doesn't last long in the fridge) I buy whatever cabbage is cheapest and use a large handful of it chopped up some (the fibres in cabbage and whole spinach leaves does not play well with my blender - YMMV)

I use a large mug of herbal tea and add psyllium husk for more fibre

In general I substitute/add veggies/fruits if I have something going a bit overripe (buying a load of bananas cheap and freezing them if they go brown before eating: also great for this); if I'm out of grapes, I add raisins ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

IIRC he's a proponent of using organic prooduce. As you can tell from my notes I'm cheap and/or poor cost conscious, so I buy the cheapest. It's up to you :)

I eat this in addition to whatever fruits&vegs I usually have - it's an easy way to up my intake and get some things I don't eat a lot of (e.g. cabbage, spinach)

I make my own beansprouts - but this is already too long, so it's in the next post

*Oluf Borbye Pedersen - from the link:

Intestinal Microbiome Research OP is a leading partner in the EU-Metahit initiative (www.metahit.eu) which delivered the first and second gut microbial gene catalogue of 3.3 and 9.9 mio microbial genes, respectively, from the human intestinal tract.  With quantitative metagenomics he and his team demonstrated in a population sample that about a fourth of adults is markedly deficient in gut microbiota diversity. The same individuals were featured by insulin resistance, overweight, dyslipidaemia and proinflammation. OP et al. reported the first quantitative metagenomics study of gut microbiota in type 2 diabetes, prediabetics and women with gestational diabetes and they discovered a new biological fingerprint, gut enterotypes of the human host. In addition, in recent studies of the human gut microbiome, Pedersen and colleagues have teased out drug effects versus disease effects on gut bacteria composition and function. Recently, they reported the first example of gut microbes linked to human insulin resistance. Mechanistically the investigators extended and validated their findings in in rodents. The Pedersen team has done several interventions targeting the human gut microbiome and blood metabolome including the impact of broad-spectrum antibiotics and of dietary gluten content, respectively. Studies that influence dietary and medical practice.

[eatmangoesnekkid]

I am one of the soft life pioneers but there was something about this movement that felt inauthentic and was bothering me. I didn't have the words to describe it but I finally found them. A soft life is not a life where there are never any problems. Those who have soft lives are not just living our lives, being lazy, not doing much, shopping, watching TV shows, and looking pretty. That is the social media performance. In a real soft life, the aim is not a stress-free, problem-free life where there are never any issues. A truly regulated nervous system can handle some stress, whether being triggered or coming up against an old pattern and habit, and regulate itself into harmony faster than most. Learning to slow down and fully receive when it is time, whether receiving love, intimacy, or support or learning to respond truthfully, whether with playfulness, laughter, or anger or by saying "yes" or "no" are healthy human responses depending upon the experience or situation. Positive stressors like working out with heavy weights, cold showers, warm sun, inversions, barefoot walking on gravel, high-intensity workouts, and the like are healthy for the body. They increase circulation --meaning--lymph flow and blood flow--great signs of healthy body. The strongest most robust bodies thrive under stress as long as basic underlying needs are met over a period of time like hydration or good rest. And what's also true is that not sleeping well for some nights or hydrating properly for a couple of days and getting back in the flow is also okay as long you are mindful and aware and take measures to get back into physiological harmony. All bodies contain cancer cells, but a robust body can have specific "strands" of bacteria in the blood but they never develop into a disease, cancer, or "virus" and eventually become dormant or break down and dissolve out of the body as waste. Robust bodies with diversity in the gut, healthy stressors, and the *occasional* not-so healthy stressors like fried foods in seed oils from the Indonesian restaurant, a slice of cake with refined sugar from Grandma, the alcoholic drink, bouts of sadness or anger, or even a disagreement or conflict with someone you adore that’s capable of being worked out into harmony, are completely human and healthy. A soft life simply means that there is generous space for true rest, relaxation, and care with very little worry or concern about how or when they will happen. -India Ame'ye, Author

[reality-detective]

Did you ever wonder WHY some people get MORE bug 🦟 bites than others?

Nope, it's NOT your "blood type" or because you have "sweet blood."

Instead: It's got to do with your gut bacteria!

Certain species of mosquitoes actually prefer feeding on humans & show preferences between people...depending on your SKIN MICROBIOTA!

Your skin microbiota is an extension of your "gut microbiome" and is home to over 1000 different species of bacteria.

According to studies (Takken & Verhulst, 2017) our skin microbiome produces several "volatile compounds" that determines if mosquitos attack you!

Also, the LESS 👎 DIVERSE your skin microbiome, the MORE LIKELY you are to be "bug bait" too.

Sweat from people who have MORE diverse skin microbiomes is much less attractive to mosquitos than that from those with less diverse bacterial ecosystems.

Lastly, mosquitoes are attracted to ethanol that your body gives off AFTER you've been 🍷🍺🍾 drinking...eating sugary 🧁 ,dairy 🥛 starchy 🍚 salty 🍟 foods...or using AHA(Alpha Hydroxy Acid) skin products, due to the lactic acid they contain!

- Barbara O'neill 🤔

[nenelonomh]

the effect of what (and how) you eat

okay, this is a big topic. and so this is a long post. i'm going to be going over the effect of what you eat and why it's important to think about what foods you are consuming. don't worry! i do my research-- at the end of the post will be a few resources, and i'll show where i've gotten my information.

lots of dietary advice is available over the internet, but often the people absorbing the information do not understand the why. knowing where your information is coming from,, and not believing everything you read online is key to actually maintaining a good, healthy diet.

before you read: TRIGGER WARNING THERE IS MENTION OF EATING DISORDERS,,

let's start with this: like everything in this age, food is a double-edged sword. overconsumption and underconsumption can both kill you. what you eat; how you eat--it can help or hinder whatever your goals may be.

here's the effect/s: the connection between diet and mental health is profound. while we’ve long understood that diet plays a crucial role in overall health, emerging research in the field of nutritional psychiatry sheds light on how what we eat directly impacts our emotional well-being and mental state.

the brain-gut connection: the gut is closely linked to the brain. trillions of living microbes in our gut have essential functions, including synthesizing neurotransmitters. these neurotransmitters send chemical messages to the brain, regulating sleep, pain, appetite, mood, and emotions.

to improve your gut health, here's what you can do:

by eating a varied diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, essential nutrients are provided which feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut. high fibre foods promote gut health by supporting good bacteria.

fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso are rich in probiotics—live beneficial bacteria that boost gut health. kombucha (a fermented tea) is another option.

avoiding reducing processed foods can reduce the diversity of good bacteria in your gut. when i say processed foods, i'm referring to ultra-processed foods, for example, fried foods and frozen meals. they may be easy and cheap, but they include preservatives, artificial colouring, chemical flavouring and texturing agents. all of which our bodies are not made to consume. it's ignorant to tell you to avoid processed foods at all costs. that's not realistic, and a horrible mindset. instead, you should manage your intake. enjoy treats every now and then and don't punish yourself for it.

hydration is key to a healthy gut. water supports digestion and nutrient absorption.

stress management, eating well and exercise can also help your gut microbiome's health.

by having a healthy gut microbiome, you are helping your body to have lower chronic inflammation, have regular bowel movements and more effectively absorb nutrients. therefore, you will have a stronger immune system, have clearer skin and support your digestion and metabolism.

why eating protein matters: proteins are made of amino acids, which serve as the fundamental building blocks for various structures in our bodies. these amino acids are essential for forming enzymes, hormones, tissues, and DNA. protein is vital in maintaining and building muscle mass. when activities like strength training and physical exercise are engaged in, protein helps build and repair the muscles.

hemoglobin, a protein in our red blood cells, transports oxygen from our lungs to other tissues. without adequate protein, oxygen delivery would be compromised. antibodies, which defend against infections, are made of proteins. a well-functioning immune system relies on sufficient protein intake. collagen, a protein, maintains the integrity of our skin, hair, and nails. adequate protein supports healthy skin elasticity and wound healing.

the recommended dietary intake for protein relies on factors such as age, weight, height, gender, activity and overall health. remember that individual needs can vary, so consulting with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian is advisable to determine your specific protein requirements.

many diets exist that cut out entire macronutrients (keto for example) but that is not the way. each macronutrient has great importance in helping the body function.

carbohydrates are the body's (including the brain) preferred energy source. they enable muscle contraction during exercise and even at rest. carbs maintain body temperature, support heart function, and aid digestion.

the keto diet comes from the belief that when carbohydrates are not providing energy (are not being consumed), the body will use reserved energy stored in lipids (fat). while this is true, this diet is not maintainable-- it throws the body out of whack, storing more energy to maintain homeostasis.

fats provide energy and are essential for hormone production. they contribute to cell growth, brain health and vitamin absorption.

our brain is composed of ~60% fat. fats are essential for neurotransmitter production, affecting mood, cognition, and hormonal signalling. cholesterol, often associated with heart health, is a precursor for steroid hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone). without adequate cholesterol, our body cannot produce these essential hormones.

effects of diet on mood: firstly, going long periods without eating can cause a drop in blood sugar levels, leading to tiredness and irritability. secondly, consuming excessive amounts of food can make you feel tired and lethargic.

choosing the right carbohydrates can help maintain blood sugar levels. our brain primarily runs on glucose (obtained from carbohydrate-rich foods). you can opt for slow-release carbohydrates to maintain steady energy levels. slow-release carbohydrates (a.k.a low GI food) provide a more sustained and gradual release of energy compared to other carbohydrates. examples include fruits, vegetables, whole grains (grainy bread, brown rice, oats) and sweet potatoes. high GI foods rapidly spike blood sugar levels due to their quick digestion and absorption.

going too long without eating can lead to low blood sugar levels, resulting in irritability and fatigue. overeating to discomfort can also leave you feeling tired and lethargic. consistent, moderate-sized meals help maintain stable blood sugar levels and promote an even mood.

i know, overeating is an issue that one cannot simply 'turn off'. it's important to know the psychology, and if you struggle with it--please talk to a health professional.

here is what i can tell you about overeating:

overeating is typically a learned behaviour and habit. certain foods are associated with pleasure and reward. when enticing food is encountered, we engage in eating behaviour and immediately experience pleasure. this reinforces the habit, making it challenging to change.

overeating may be serving as a coping mechanism for emotions. when feelings of sadness, disappointment, frustration, or even joy arise, someone may turn to food. emotional eating provides temporary relief, reinforcing the behaviour.

the first delicious bite triggers pleasure, satiates our appetite, and improves our emotional state. our memory associates this reward process with eating, leading us to continually seek that pleasure. this is due to immediate reward.

people with eating disorders may disregard their health, body, body image and lifestyle goals. they use food as a way to punish themselves and gain control over their life. restrictive eating disorders can lead to 'binging behaviour'. bingeing serves as a way to numb emotions. anxiety, stress, and depression can trigger binge behaviours. consuming certain foods or substances (like junk food or alcohol) releases dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. this chemical rush can lead to physical addiction, reinforcing bingeing. a culture (unfortunately which is abundant in the world today) that emphasizes consumption as a measure of worth can contribute to bingeing. messages about thinness, drinking, and material possessions can drive these behaviours.

i hate that i am having to say this but alcoholism is bad. and caffeine addiction is bad. in no way is harming your health aesthetic or 'a vibe'.

limiting caffeine and alcohol can also improve mood. again, i'd like to stress that there is never going to be one perfect diet, and allowing yourself to enjoy whatever food you like is perfectly fine- as long as you are doing so in moderation.

everything is a balance.

resources/further reading, to end: Fat Requirements For Optimal Hormonal Health - Clean HealthHow Dietary Fat Benefits Hormones - Women's International Pharmacy (womensinternational.com) The truth about fats: the good, the bad, and the in-between - Harvard HealthDietary fats | healthdirectMacronutrients: Definition, importance, and food sources (medicalnewstoday.com)Know Your Macros-Why Macronutrients Are Key to Healthy Eating | Cedars-SinaiWhy the Proper Balance of Macronutrients is Vital for Good Health - Functional Diagnostic Nutrition What Is Protein & Why Do You Need It? (eatingwell.com)Protein: Why Your Body Needs It (webmd.com)Protein | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBinge-Eating Disorder (Compulsive Overeating) | Psychology Today AustraliaThe Psychology Behind Binge-Watching | PsychregBingeing: Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It (greatist.com) Understanding Overeating: The Psychology Behind It - Listen-HardWhy stress causes people to overeat - Harvard HealthThe Truth About Overeating | Psychology TodaySlow-release carbs list (medicalnewstoday.com)Why understanding carbs (and how to count them) matters | Diabetes UK Food and your mood - Better Health ChannelHow food can affect your mood | Nutrition AustraliaStress-related stomach pain: When to see a doctor - UChicago MedicineWhat Is Gut Health? A Comprehensive Guide to Digestive Wellness | U.S. News (usnews.com)Why Gut Health Matters More Than You Think | Well.Org Probiotics: What They Are, Benefits & Side Effects (clevelandclinic.org)Probiotics: What You Need To Know | NCCIH (nih.gov)What should I eat for a healthy gut? - BBC FoodLet’s Eat: How Diet Influences the Brain (brainfacts.org)

i know the fact that the resources are one big block may be annoying, but i don't have the commitment to in text reference lmao. hours of research and writing for a blog post, yes, but in text referencing is just too far.

i hope you learnt something

❤️joanne

[nightbunnysong]

Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Rosemary Polyphenols

Inflammation plays a significant role in the development of diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), IBD-related colon cancer, and diabetes. Polyphenols, particularly those from Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary), are known for their diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Key Molecules

1. Rosmarinic Acid: The primary phenolic compound in rosemary, noted for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

2. Caffeic Acid: Another major phenol that contributes to reducing inflammation and protecting the gastrointestinal tract.

3. Carnosic Acid and Carnosol: Phenolic diterpenes that inhibit inflammatory pathways and reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines.

4. Flavonoids (Quercetin, Kaempferol): These compounds have antioxidant effects and modulate the inflammatory response.

Mechanisms of Action

- Inflammation Suppression: Rosemary polyphenols reduce inflammatory cell infiltration and block inflammatory signaling pathways such as NF-κB and NLRP3.

- Gut Microbiota Modulation: They promote the growth of beneficial probiotics and decrease pathogenic bacteria, improving gut microbiota composition and intestinal health.

- Improvement of Gut Barrier Function: They increase mucus secretion and strengthen tight junctions, contributing to a healthier intestinal barrier.

Therapeutic Potential

Due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, rosemary polyphenols hold promise for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases and related disorders. Their ability to modulate the inflammatory response and improve gut health positions rosemary as a promising candidate for new therapeutic approaches.

source of the information:

Achour, M., et al. (2024). "Anti-inflammatory properties of rosemary polyphenols: Mechanisms and potential applications."

[science-lover33]

The Human Microbiome: Your Body's Little Ecosystem

Within each of us exists a fantastic and complex microscopic universe known as the human microbiome. This ecosystem of microorganisms that inhabits our body plays a fundamental role in health and homeostasis. Today, we will fully explore this fascinating microbial world and its influence on our physiology.

What is the Human Microbiome?

The human microbiome is a profoundly intricate biological system integral to our health and well-being. This term, "the human microbiome," encompasses a diverse consortium of microorganisms that have firmly established themselves within and upon our bodies. This assemblage comprises a wide array of microorganisms, encompassing bacteria, viruses, fungi, and various other microbes, each with their specialized ecological niches within our anatomy.

Upon a deeper examination of the human microbiome, we uncover a meticulously organized distribution of these microorganisms. They do not merely coexist haphazardly within us; instead, they strategically colonize specific regions of our body. For instance, they form robust communities within the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in the gut harboring a densely populated microcosm. Similarly, they stake their claim on our skin, and even the respiratory tract serves as a habitat for these microbial entities.

The human microbiome's remarkable aspect lies in the intricate and dynamic interactions it maintains with our own organism. These microorganisms are not passive bystanders; they are active participants in the intricate orchestra of physiological processes. They exert influence over our digestion, bolster our immune system, and wield the potential to affect our mental and cognitive faculties. This complex web of symbiotic relationships between our human cells and these microorganisms constitutes an ever-evolving interplay that exerts a profound impact on our overall health.

The human microbiome is not a mere collection of microbes; it is an entire ecosystem nestled within us, a thriving and dynamic world with the potential to significantly modulate our health. Comprehending the intricacies and subtleties of this microscopic community represents an ongoing and critical pursuit in the realms of scientific and medical research, with profound implications for the fields of medicine and biology.

Solid Scientific Evidence

To support the importance of the human microbiome, here are three relevant scientific references:

Title: "The Human Microbiome: A Key Contributor to Health." Autores: Sender, R., Fuchs, S., & Milo, R. Revista: Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2016. Abstract: This article reviews the role of the human microbiome in health and disease, highlighting its influence on digestion, immunity, and nutrient synthesis. It also emphasizes its contribution to metabolic and autoimmune diseases.

Títle: "The Human Microbiome: Gut Microbiota and Health." Autores: Marchesi, J. R., Adams, D. H., Fava, F., Hermes, G. D., Hirschfield, G. M., Hold, G., ... & Rook, G. A. Revista: The Journal of Infection, 2016. Abstract: This study focuses on the intestinal microbiota and its relationship with human health. Explore how alterations in the microbiome can contribute to gastrointestinal, inflammatory, and metabolic disorders.

Títle"The Skin Microbiome: Impact of Modern Environments on Skin Ecology, Barrier Integrity, and Systemic Immune Programming." Autores: Kong, H. H., Andersson, B., & Clavel, T. Revista: World Allergy Organization Journal, 2016. Summary: This article examines the skin microbiome's influence on skin health and immune response. It highlights how modern environmental factors can upset the microbial balance and affect the skin's health.

Future perspectives

Studying the human microbiome is a constantly evolving field that promises new therapeutic strategies and a deeper understanding of human health. As we continue to investigate this small ecosystem, doors are opening to personalized interventions to promote health and prevent disease.

Would you like to learn more about this fascinating subject? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments!

[nomsfaultau]

I recognize exactly zero people follow me for this type of content, but this is the kind of nerd I am. The following post is an exploration of Tommy’s anomalous ability (Red) on bacteria, specifically on gut microbiota systems, as well as the implications. Link to the research paper that finally convinced me to write this post, though I’d deffo been toying with thoughts for a while. 

The main question is this:

Some important details that have been established: 

Red causes individuals to attack indiscriminately (excluding Tommy)

Red effects germs

Red does not cause the cells in multicellular organisms to attack one another (else the effects would include some symptom of that, such as white blood cells attacking the body. Allergy attacks, the like, I haven’t researched this vein as it isn’t what occurs)

The main idea that I started with was that Tommy’s gut bacteria would be fascinating as a result of the fact he often consumes Red due to not having a fork. Tommy’s main concern is that it makes his meals slimier and taste Red-er, but theoretically there’d be massive disruptions to the stability of his bacteria system. Specifically in the fact he’d be constantly sending it into overdrive competition, likely decimating colonies of helpful bacteria. Instability builds resilience and all that but the constant waves of self destruction would leave decimated diversity and have severely reduced redundancy. He’d almost constantly be in an undesirable stable state and likely unhealthy. Go far enough and you get the question of if he can properly produce all the enzymes needed for digestion. Unless he was getting probiotics pretty constantly, his microbiota would be incredibly unstable and fluctuating wildly. Major health problems would arise. 

This is not seen to occur, so it leads me to the question of how Red interacts on the microbiology level. I can see two directions that this can be taken in: Possibility 1. Stomach acid denatures Red—and other processes to render Red useless. 

Red is classified as a biohazard by the SCP Foundation, though it is not entirely clear what that entails. If it’s treated as something biological, its effects could be disrupted by the acidity. Ergo wouldn’t effect digestion. Hurray, Tommy can still eat stuff. (Could possibly still be used for toothpaste? I would have to research mouth bacteria.)

For someone who isn’t Tommy: Good news! All the bacteria in body isn’t now single mindedly trying to kill them. Also wouldn’t be permanently affected by Red should it become integrated into their body via digestion. 

This further rises the question of what can be done to eliminate Red’s affects. It is noted to not cause reactions after it has dried. I am assuming there is some type of denaturing from temperature. Furthermore it does not appear to retain effect merely for staying wet. The evidence for this is two fold: 

There have not been uncontrolled outbreaks of zombie-like mindless violence from contaminated water.

Presumably Tommy has showered at least once in the last x years. He is canonically mentioned to have showered inside the SCP Foundation, who could be decontaminating all water he uses. However, there is a period of a few months between the appearance of Red and his capture and Mother Innit would NOT allow him to get that stanky.

Ergo Red can be made into a safe state that can come into contact with people both externally and internally without problems. Especially given British/American water sanitation procedures tend to involve bacteria. Because Tommy did not cause a water safety crisis of disastrous proportions, I’m going to assume temperature/UV (possibly) at minimum effect it. Could be internal body heat destroys it. Other possibilities: Acidity naturally, dilution of the substance (minimum dose necessary?), or time since disconnected from Tommy.

Possibility 2. Red only affects super organisms. 

Now it’s a strenuous definition, but I think it makes a lot of things easier. The gut bacteria would be considered part of the person. Because frankly if we went all the way and individual cells started fighting each other inside a multicellular being…it would drastically conflict with what’s depicted. So Tommy wouldn’t be destroying his digestive system and probably a lot of other things.

A question would then be ‘what constitutes a super organism?’. Possible solution: 

Souls. They are an integral aspect of the Fault magic system. However, based off my components of a soul (memory, emotion, true name/agency, bonds) it rises the question of if the bacteria in question have souls. Which I kinda don’t think they do. Then again they are single cell organisms so that wouldn’t be a concern on their own save when they’re contributing to the whole. A body integrates their gut microbiota into their soul, likely through the bonds aspect Red recognizes via the individual soul. Bacteria then count as individuals unless they’re contributing to a multicellular organism, in which case they’d not fall into infighting. This is viable because Red is shown to affect bodiless souls such as voidlings. Therefore it has some recognition of the soul for the purpose of constructing super organisms. 

Now, if it’s effecting exclusively souls that’s a problem, because I’m still unconvinced germs have a soul by Fault’s definition of one. I think Red transcends both soul and being, which ever is necessary in order to cause conflict. I’d go into that but this is already lengthy and it would involved insanely massive spoilers. 

One problem: Tubbo is a super organism by classic definition. However, Tommy’s Red does not affect the whole of Tubbos’ hive mind, instead individual bees. Though the personality known as Tubbo is an amalgamation of many souls, so I think that can function as explanation since it is shown the bees technically have their own thoughts/emotions even if they’re very small bee feelings. Bees have their own definition as super organisms due to their own digestive bacteria. Turtles all the way down. But notably, not all the way up, or we could involve macro cohesive units such as, say, entire countries going to war. 

Plants though. Very different forms of sentience. And if we take into account mycorrhizal networks and consider them as creating super organisms (not of the same species, but as earlier established between humans and gut bacteria this isn’t a pre-requisite of classification according to Red) what happens once contaminated by Red? Is an entire community of plants going to attack? What would that even look like?

So the biggest question of all: What happens when Tommy touches grass?

[princetonuniversitypress]

Molds, Mushrooms, and Medicines

This is the story of the human relationship with the fungi, from the billions of yeasts that live in the digestive system and cover our skin, to the fungi that we use as food and to produce medicines, and our dependence on mushroom colonies that sustain forests. Nicholas Money takes readers on a guided tour of a marvelous unseen realm, describing the continuous conversation between our immune systems and the teeming mycobiome inside the body, and how we can fall prey to life-threatening infections when this peaceful coexistence is disrupted. He also explores our complicated relationship with fungi outside the body, from wild mushrooms and cultivated molds that have been staples of the human diet for millennia to the controversial experimentation with magic mushrooms in the treatment of depression.

What is the big idea behind your book?

NPM: The big idea is that we are affected by fungi throughout our lives, from our fetal life in the womb, to birth, childhood, adulthood, and at the end of life. Fungi affect our bodies after death too, when their colonies participate in the decomposition of the solid tissues in the soil. The fungi are with us at every moment, in an intimate fashion as they reproduce on the skin and in the digestive system, and in an extended way when we use them as a source of food and medicines. This is an ancient relationship that has changed during our evolutionary history and intensified when we developed agricultural practices and, most recently, as we have adopted fungi in biotechnology. Our interactions with the fungi go even further when we think about our dependence on their ecological activities, including the roles of the fungi in fertilizing soils, purifying water, and supporting plants by forming mycorrhizas with their roots. I wanted to tell the whole story in this book, which has captivated me since I began working on the fungi as a graduate student in the 1980s. It is easy to dismiss the fungi as the stuff of fairy tales, but there is so much more to the deep relationship between humans and fungi. 

What is one of the features of the book that you think will surprise readers?

NPM: The fast pace of discovery in medical mycology is really inspiring. Earlier generations of mycologists misunderstood the fungi that they found on the body, regarding most of them as germs that damaged hospital patients and overlooking the significance of the yeasts growing peacefully on everyone else. Even when molecular genetic techniques began to reveal the incredible diversity and number of microbes in the gut, the fungi were missed because the methods were limited to identifying the DNA sequences of bacteria. This picture is changing at last, and new investigative methods are exposing the yeasts and molds multiplying from scalp to toes on the outside of the body and from mouth to anus on the inside. As this examination of the fungi has proceeded, the vision of the microbiome as a mostly bacterial territory has shifted to an appreciation of the diverse communities of fungi that fight and cooperate with bacteria through webs of chemical interactions to make a living on the body.  Through these innovations we are beginning to fathom the extraordinary influence of the mycobiome on our health and well-being.

“Appreciating the fungi … can begin with something as simple as looking at a mushroom—this beautiful oddity of nature—or inhaling the wondrous scent of a handful of rotting pine needles. There is so much beauty in this orgy of decomposition.”

What did you find most surprising when you were researching the subject of the mycobiome (the fungal part of the microbiome)?

NPM: The size of fungal cells is an esoteric detail with huge consequences. Billions of fungi, mostly yeasts, live in the gut alongside trillions of bacteria. These gut fungi weigh no more than a raisin, but their combined surface area is equivalent to an eight-person dining table. This huge area of fungal cell wall material is moving through the digestive system all the time, which may explain how the fungi punch above their weight in their effects on our health. Recent research has shown that yeasts and molds are associated with a range of illnesses in the gut ranging from inflammatory bowel disease to colorectal cancer. Although it is difficult to distinguish between cause and effect when we find changes in the numbers and types of fungi in these illnesses, some specialists are convinced that the fungi are a missing link in medicine. 

What concerns you most about the future of our relationships with the fungi?

NPM: The ecological importance of the fungi, including their role in supporting plant growth and their efficiency as decomposers has led popularizers of mycology to suggest that fungi can restore logged forests, clean water polluted by oil spills, and even break down radioactive waste. These claims are unfounded, but they have convinced many young people that there are relatively simple remedies for the human impact on the biosphere. The actions of the fungi are amazing, but they will not save us from ourselves. In a similar vein, many of the assertions about the medicinal properties of mushrooms are absurd. Mycology is a field that has attracted a lot of wishful thinking, but I have always believed that the facts about the biology of the fungi are far more interesting than the fiction. This book sets the record straight.

Did anything make you laugh as you worked on this book project?

NPM: There is great humor in some of the pronouncements made by the more colorful figures who have promoted mycology in the last century. For example, Terence McKenna, who took “heroic doses” of drugs in the 1970s, declared that the psilocybin molecule found in magic mushrooms was so unusual that it must have originated elsewhere in the galaxy. He went on to postulate that psilocybin mushrooms were a higher form of intelligence that had arrived from outer space and shaped the evolution of the human brain. Although he faces some stiff competition, McKenna’s alien mushroom theory is one of the least enlightening things ever written about fungi. When you have made the scientific study of mycology your life’s work, as I have done, it impossible to treat anyone who takes an idea like this seriously as anything but a buffoon.

What is one of the questions that continues to puzzle researchers about the fungi?

NPM: Despite decades of research, we are a long way from understanding why only a few hundred of the hundreds of thousands of species of fungi damage our tissues. There are some clues. These include the way that some fungi can evade the body’s defenses by hiding inside the cells of the immune system until they find themselves inside the central nervous system. This is known as the Trojan Horse strategy and allows these microbes to reach the brain and cause mayhem. On the other hand, pathogenic fungi are not attacking us in any deliberate fashion, because the body is a dead end for them. Unlike viruses, fungi get stuck in our tissues and cannot get out. Some investigators are convinced that coping with the warmth of the body is a big part of the explanation for fungal virulence, but this mild thermotolerance is probably inconsequential. Tens of thousands of fungi that live in the soil can grow at our body temperature and never cause disease. The difference lies in the chemical conversations between the body and the microbes that cause problems, which explains why damage to the immune system makes us so vulnerable to fungal infections.     

“Life without fungi is impossible. There are as many of them living on the human body as there are stars in the Milky Way and, more importantly, they have a far greater influence on our lives than all but one of these galactic incinerators. They are everywhere and will outlive us by an eternity: in myco speramus.”

Nicholas P. Money is professor of biology at Miami University in Ohio and the author of many books on fungi and other microbes, including The Rise of Yeast: How the Sugar Fungus Shaped Civilization, Mushrooms: A Natural and Cultural History, and Microbiology: A Very Short Introduction.  

[realcleverscience]

interesting microbiome research:

"To investigate this, researchers at the University of Oxford tested 100 different gut bacteria strains individually and in combination for their ability to limit the growth of two harmful bacterial pathogens: Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica. Individual gut bacteria showed a very poor ability to restrict the spread of either pathogen. But when communities of up to 50 species were cultured together, the pathogens grew up to 1000 times less effectively than when cultured with any individual species. This 'community protection effect' was seen regardless of whether the bacteria were cultured together in vials, or in 'germ-free' mice (which had no resident gut bacteria at the start of the experiments).

Author Professor Kevin Foster (Departments of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Oxford) said: 'These results clearly demonstrate that colonization resistance is a collective property of microbiome communities; in other words, a single strain is protective only when in combination with others.'...

The researchers demonstrated that protective bacterial communities block pathogen growth by consuming the nutrients that the pathogen needs. By assessing the genomes of the different bacterial species, they found that the most protective communities were composed of species with highly similar protein compositions to the pathogenic species. They also used metabolic profiling to demonstrate that the protective species had similar demands for carbon sources as the pathogens."

[o-craven-canto]

By ceaselessly experimenting novel genetic combinations, the prokaryotes managed to “invent” photosynthesis, aerobic respiration, nitrogen fixation, acetogenesis and methanogenesis, methanotrophy, the anammox pathway, numerous form of lytotrophy and much more. Eukaryotes, in contrast, adopted phagotrophy as the primary feeding mechanism and restrained sexual recombination within the relatively narrow space allowed by meiosis. Consequently, the main way they could expand their metabolic repertoire was through endosymbiotic association with prokaryotes. If today all eukaryotes disappeared from the Earth, global productivity would reduce dramatically and large parts of the continents would become dry, inhospitable deserts. Yet, the Earth would most likely remain a planet teaming [sic] with life, and its geochemistry would not change radically. Conversely, if all prokaryotes suddenly disappeared, the geochemistry of the planet would be completely overturned and the eukaryotes almost certainly would not make it alone. In spite of their superior metabolic versatility, prokaryotes are exceedingly conservative in terms of morphologic and genomic complexity, to the point that bacteria living 3 billion years ago do not appear to be morphologically different from those existing today. We do not quite understand why prokaryotes have remained morphologically simple, despite being so diverse in their biochemistry and so versatile in their ability to extract a living from gases and rocks. Eukaryotes, in contrast, have a propensity to develop increasing complexity. Although usually retaining unicellular forms, all major eukaryote lineages independently evolved a multicellular organization, and five evolved complex multicellularity. Eukaryotes have a superior ability in niche construction encompassing the inside of their cells, multicellular organs (e.g. the animal gut and plant roots), and large-scale phenotypic extensions such as the soil, coral reefs and forest canopies up to multi-level oceanic and terrestrial ecosystems, for none of which there is a counterpart in the prokaryotic world.

-- Roberto Ligrone, Biological Innovations that Built the World: A Four-billion-year Journey through Life and Earth History, 2019, p. 222 (6.11)

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Ello! Do you have any idea of how autism correlates with food? Like I know we tend to be picky eaters, but is there something about craving more sugar than the average person? Or do I just have a very sweet tooth lmao, thank you! Have a nice day! /Lh

Hi there,

Sorry I just got to this. I also have a sweet tooth and can eat an entire box of lofthouse cookies. Lol. I didn’t find some interesting information from an article. Here are some excerpts:

“Sugar cravings and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - two things that shouldn't go together, but often do. Have you ever wondered why cravings exist in the first place? Well, it all starts with cells in our body sending signals to our brain, asking for food. And it's not just our own cells, but also the microbes that reside within us.

These tiny organisms have a big influence on our cravings, especially when they all have a sweet tooth. Microbes outnumber human cells by tenfold, and if they all prefer sugar, you can bet your cravings will be off the charts.”

“Research has shown that Autistic Children tend to have less diverse communities of gut microbes compared to neurotypical children. And we know that a healthy gut is crucial for healing Autism. So, how do we improve gut health? Well, it starts with the right kind of food.

Foods that require a community of microbes to digest, like complex fibres and prebiotics, are essential. On the other hand, foods that can be easily digested by a single strain of yeast or bacteria, such as sugar, contribute to an unhealthy gut.”

The full article will be below:

Here’s a discussion thread. Other than that, all the information I found was about food insecurities. I hope this helps answer you’re question. Thank you for the inbox. I hope you have a wonderful day/night. ♥️

[bacteriashowdown]

Bacteroidota

Group: Hydrobacteria; FCB Group

Gram-stain: Negative

Etymology: For Bacteroides fragilis. From the Latin "bacter" and the suffix "-oid", meaning "rod-like"; there are numerous rod-shaped species in this phylum.

About: Bacteroidota is one of the larger and longer-studied bacterial phyla, with the first species being isolated in 1898. It mostly consists of endosymbiotic bacteria found in the digestive systems of animals, but they are also prevalent in soil, and some are halophiles (salt-lovers) that live in a marine environment. The environmental Bacteroidota are known for their ability to break down complex organic compounds, and thus are important in nutrient-cycling.

Bacteroidota have diverse metabolic strategies, and may be aerobic or anaerobic. They are noted for being able to digest complex polysaccharides such as cellulose and starches, and for producing acetic and succinic acid. Some are able to use urea as a nitrogen source. The endosymbiotic Bacteroidota are hyperspecialized to the gut environment, and help their hosts break down nutrients. They may act as opportunistic pathogens, and infect cells of their host that are already weakened. 

The genus Bacteroides is important for humans, especially infants, since they break down otherwise indigestible components of breastmilk. Have you noticed a theme yet? Breaking down complex nutrients is sort of this phylum's thing. And Bacteroidota are our little helpers from the very beginning: during vaginal birth, some Bacteroides are transferred from mother to child. The presence of these Bacteroides in the infant gut is associated with (and may be necessary for) healthy neurodevelopment. That means you have them to thank for your ability to read this post right now!

[hummussexual]

Excerpt:

Our mouths and guts are teeming with mysterious somethings that are unknown to science, new research suggests. A team says they’ve discovered distinct virus-like structures hanging out among the bacteria that live in our bodies. The researchers have coined these structures “obelisks,” and they might further redefine what it means to be a living thing. ...

“As such, obelisks comprise a class of diverse RNAs that have colonized, and gone unnoticed in, human, and global microbiomes,” the authors wrote in their preprint paper, released on bioRxiv this month.

[meret118]

The study he co-authored includes the largest and most diverse analysis of gut microbiomes ever created for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D), prediabetes and healthy glucose status. In the process, the researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health discovered both specific viruses and genetic variants in specific bacteria which correspond to T2D risk.

"Therefore, we are confident that the observed changes in the gut microbiome happen first and that diabetes develops later, not the other way around," Wang said. "However, future prospective or interventional studies are needed to prove causation firmly."

. . .

Perhaps the paper's most important contribution to understanding T2D is that it firmly establishes that different species of microbes are linked to with varying levels of diabetes risk.

. . .

"If future mechanistic studies can confirm specific microbial strains are causally related to diabetes risk, we could develop intervention measures, such as dietary supplements or pharmacological approaches that target the specific microbial strains to prevent and treat diabetes," Wang said.

The last few years have seen an explosion of research into humans' gut microbiomes. Scientists have learned about the gut-brain axis, in which the gut biome helps control our cravings and may also be linked to neurological diseases. Technologies like fecal transplants are being considered to treat conditions like ulcerative colitis and yes, diabetes.