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The Secret to Gut Health: Feeding Your Microbiome for Maximum SCFAs Darrell Miller 9/11/26
The Ultimate Guide to Cellular Longevity: NAD+, Methylation, and Senolytics Darrell Miller 9/10/26
The Gut Health Blueprint: How Zhou Nutrition Combines Prebiotic Fiber and Superfood Greens Darrell Miller 8/26/26
Leaky Gut vs. The Postbiotic Fortress: Strengthening Your Microbiome Shield Darrell Miller 2/20/26
Can Inulin and Acacia Fiber, Both a prebiotic, cause friendly bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids like Berberine helps promote the growth of beneficial Bacteria? Darrell Miller 11/15/25
Does Berberine Help Stimulate Intestinal Cells (L-cells) to Produce And Secrete More of Your Own Natural GLP-1? Darrell Miller 11/15/25
What else does Akkermansia Muciniphila do for the body? Darrell Miller 11/5/25
Probiotics and Mood Enhancement: The Power of Lactobacillus Reuteri and Oxytocin Darrell Miller 1/29/25
Solaray Multidophilus 12 - A Twelve-Strain Probiotic Blend Darrell Miller 11/10/22
Caprylic Acid - What is it and what are its benefits? Darrell Miller 9/24/22
Follow your gut to digestive health Darrell Miller 4/30/19
6 reasons to care about your gut flora Darrell Miller 4/11/19
New evidence shows that walnuts optimize the gut microbiome tosuppress colon cancer cell growth Darrell Miller 4/6/19
Can Gut Bacteria Affect Your Mental Health? Darrell Miller 4/2/19
Bifidobacterium Lactis: The Bacterium That Could Help You LoseWeight & Fight Inflammation VitaNet, LLC Staff 10/10/18
How to keep your microbiome happy VitaNet, LLC Staff 8/28/18
Microbiome, Herbal Medicine, and Probiotics Combine to Extend Lifespan Darrell Miller 6/2/18
How to care for your gut bacteria when you're taking antibiotics Darrell Miller 2/7/18
Did you have a C-section or take antibiotics while pregnant? Give babies probiotics to avoid diseases like asthma, diabetes Darrell Miller 12/27/17
Are mangos the nutrient filled superfood we need for better health? Darrell Miller 9/23/17
Are gut microbes really a panacea, or just overhyped? Darrell Miller 9/22/17
Now that's good bacteria Darrell Miller 9/7/17
The new science on anxiety and gut health Darrell Miller 9/1/17
Health Matters: How Gut Microbes Influence Depression Darrell Miller 8/29/17
Healthy gut bacteria improve immunity Darrell Miller 7/7/17
Microbiome – Gut health discoveries revealed Darrell Miller 6/29/17
Colostrum - Your Way to Super Gut Health Darrell Miller 6/17/17
Gut bacteria may help explain benefits of breastfeeding Darrell Miller 5/15/17
Could Germs in the Gut Give Rise to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Darrell Miller 5/1/17
Why anti-inflammatory eating is the next big thing Darrell Miller 3/2/17
Stunning scientific discovery finds that gut bacteria control your brain chemistry, altering moods and more Darrell Miller 2/19/17
A Gut Makeover for the New Year Darrell Miller 1/12/17
Gut bacteria may hold key to treating autoimmune disease Darrell Miller 12/29/16



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The Secret to Gut Health: Feeding Your Microbiome for Maximum SCFAs
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Date: September 11, 2026 01:29 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: The Secret to Gut Health: Feeding Your microbiome for Maximum SCFAs


Your Complete Guide to Digestive Support: Building a Thriving Gut microbiome

When we talk about digestive health, the conversation usually stops at taking a daily probiotic or drinking enough water. But true microbiome health goes much deeper. It involves feeding the good bacteria you already have, ensuring your body can properly break down fats, and timing your supplements right.

If you want to optimize your digestion, you need to understand how different fibers work, the magic of "postbiotics," and how specialized enzymes keep everything running smoothly.

The Magic of Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)

To understand gut health, you have to understand a process called fermentation. When you eat dietary fiber that your stomach can't digest, it travels down into your colon. There, your gut bacteria feast on it.

When these good bacteria eat fiber, they release beneficial byproducts called Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) - most notably butyrate, acetate, and propionate.

Think of SCFAs as the ultimate super-fuel for your digestive system. They provide the main energy source for the cells lining your colon, helping to keep the gut barrier strong and preventing "leaky gut." SCFAs also help calm inflammation throughout the body and play a massive role in healthy metabolism. But to get these benefits, you have to feed your microbiome the right type of fibers.

The Ultimate SCFA-Boosting Trio

Not all fibers are created equal. Some just add bulk to your stool, while others are "prebiotics" - meaning they actively feed your good bacteria. To maximize SCFA production, combining different types of prebiotic fibers is incredibly effective.

Here is a functional combination that acts as a powerhouse for your microbiome:

  • Acacia Fiber: Sourced from the sap of the acacia tree, this fiber ferments very slowly in the gut. Because it ferments slowly, it provides a steady stream of food for bacteria all the way through the digestive tract without causing the sudden gas and bloating that other fibers can trigger.
  • Inulin: Found in foods like chicory root and Jerusalem artichoke, inulin is a fast-fermenting fiber. It acts like high-octane fuel for specific beneficial bacteria, particularly Bifidobacteria.
  • Pure Cacao Powder: While not a traditional fiber, pure, unsweetened cacao is packed with polyphenols (plant compounds). Your gut bacteria actually break these polyphenols down, and in the process, they multiply and produce even more SCFAs.
When you combine a slow-fermenting fiber (acacia), a fast-fermenting fiber (inulin), and polyphenol-rich cacao, you create an environment where beneficial bacteria can thrive and churn out maximum SCFAs.

Glucomannan vs. Psyllium: Which Fiber is Right for You?

If you are looking to supplement with an isolated fiber for digestive support, you will likely encounter two heavyweight contenders: Glucomannan and Psyllium. Both are soluble fibers, meaning they dissolve in water to form a gel in your stomach, but they act a bit differently.
Feature Psyllium Husk Glucomannan (Konjac Root)
Main Benefit Daily regularity and gentle bulking. Appetite control and feeling full.
Water Absorption High. Swells nicely to form a sweeping gel. Extreme. Can absorb up to 50x its weight in water.
Digestive Speed Moves smoothly through the digestive tract. Significantly slows down stomach emptying.
Best Used For Keeping bowel movements consistent and solid. Managing weight and curbing between-meal cravings.
The Verdict: If your goal is simply to keep your digestion moving and formed, psyllium is the classic, reliable choice. If your primary goal is to feel full and slow down your digestion to prevent blood sugar spikes after meals, glucomannan is the better option.

Can You Take Fiber With Vitamins?

A very common question is whether you can take your daily fiber supplement alongside your morning vitamins.

The short answer is no. You should separate them.

Because soluble fibers (like psyllium, glucomannan, and even high doses of acacia) form a thick, sticky gel in your digestive tract, they act like a sponge. If you take them at the exact same time as your daily vitamins or minerals, the fiber can bind to the nutrients. Instead of absorbing those vitamins into your bloodstream, your body will simply sweep them out in your next bowel movement.

The Golden Rule: Take your vitamin and mineral supplements at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking a heavy fiber supplement.

Beyond Fiber: The Benefits of Ox Bile for Fat Digestion

Fiber takes care of the carbohydrates, but what about the fats? Many people eat a healthy diet but still experience bloating, indigestion, or floating stools after a rich meal. This is often an issue with bile.

Bile is a fluid produced by your liver and stored in your gallbladder. When you eat fats, your gallbladder squirts bile into your intestines. Think of bile like dish soap on a greasy frying pan—it emulsifies the fat, breaking it down into tiny droplets so your body can absorb it.

If you have had your gallbladder removed, or if your liver is simply sluggish, your body might not release enough bile. This means fats pass through your system undigested, missing out on crucial fat-soluble vitamins (like Vitamins A, D, E, and K).

This is where ox bile comes in.

Taken as a supplement with meals, ox bile closely mimics human bile. The benefits include:

  • Better Nutrient Absorption: Helps your body extract vitamins from healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, and fish.
  • Reduced Bloating: Prevents undigested fats from fermenting and causing gas in the lower intestines.
  • Gallbladder Support: Provides relief for those who struggle to digest fats after gallbladder removal surgery.
By feeding your microbiome the right prebiotic fibers and ensuring your body has the digestive enzymes and bile it needs, you create a top-to-bottom digestive environment that works exactly as nature intended.

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=6652)


The Ultimate Guide to Cellular Longevity: NAD+, Methylation, and Senolytics
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Date: September 10, 2026 10:57 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: The Ultimate Guide to Cellular Longevity: NAD+, Methylation, and Senolytics


Introduction: Understanding Cellular Aging and Energy Decline

Biological aging represents a progressive decline in cellular maintenance, structural repair, and energy generation. Over decades, tissues experience an attrition of functional reserves, compromised stress resilience, and persistent low-grade systemic inflammation. At the cellular scale, biological degeneration is driven by a failure to generate bioenergetic fuel, repair genetic code, and clear metabolic waste.

Cellular aging is characterized by interconnected biological disruptions known as the hallmarks of aging. These encompass genomic instability, epigenetic alterations, mitochondrial decay, loss of proteostasis, and cellular senescence. Rather than operating as isolated occurrences, these phenomena establish a self-reinforcing degenerative cycle: declining cellular power generation impairs enzymatic genetic repair, promoting the accumulation of damaged cells that enter irreversible growth arrest and poison surrounding healthy tissues. Mitigating cellular aging requires examining how microscopic bioenergetic pathways deteriorate and evaluating how targeted nutritional and biochemical interventions can restore cellular homeostasis.

The Role of Mitochondria and ATP Production

Every biological function - from muscular contraction to continuous DNA replication - depends on adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary biochemical energy currency of living systems. Cells produce the vast majority of this energy within mitochondria through oxidative phosphorylation. Within these specialized organelles, metabolic intermediates derived from dietary carbohydrates and lipids donate high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain. The flow of these electrons across protein complexes establishes an electrochemical proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane, driving ATP synthase to manufacture ATP.

A youthful cell functions like an efficient municipal power grid, dynamically matching energetic demands with immediate ATP output. However, as biological aging progresses, mitochondrial efficiency declines. The electron transport chain becomes structurally leaky, inadvertently shedding electrons that react with ambient molecular oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). While regulated levels of ROS participate in vital intracellular signaling, chronic excess induces widespread oxidative stress.

Mitochondria are exceptionally vulnerable to this oxidative burden because they carry their own circular genetic material, known as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Unlike nuclear DNA, mtDNA lacks the protective shielding of histone proteins and possesses rudimentary repair systems. As a result, mtDNA sustains cumulative oxidative damage, encoding increasingly defective electron transport chain proteins. This dynamic generates a bioenergetic deficit: degraded mitochondria synthesize progressively less ATP while emitting greater volumes of damaging free radicals. Deprived of optimal ATP reserves, cells lack the energy necessary to drive vital enzymatic repair cascades, accelerating structural degeneration and functional exhaustion.

How Cellular Senescence Accelerates the Aging Process

When healthy cells confront critical physiological damage - such as severe telomere attrition, persistent DNA double-strand breaks, or oxidative stress - they activate protective cell cycle arrest pathways governed primarily by the p53/p21^CIP1 and p16^INK4a/Rb molecular checkpoints. This defensive shutdown, termed cellular senescence, permanently prevents the replication of potentially premalignant or mutated cells.

Senescent cells, colloquially known as "zombie cells," enter a state of permanent growth arrest while actively resisting programmed cell death (apoptosis). Over time, these cells accumulate within adipose depots, skeletal muscle, the vascular endothelium, and major organs, largely because immune surveillance and clearance pathways simultaneously lose functional efficiency.

The systemic danger of senescent cells stems from their secretome. Rather than remaining biologically inert, senescent cells develop a hyperactive secretory state termed the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP). The SASP is a destructive mixture of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, extracellular matrix-degrading matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and reactive oxygen species.

Through this toxic secretome, even a small burden of senescent cells can impair whole-tissue architecture. SASP factors degrade surrounding structural proteins, induce insulin resistance in neighboring metabolic cells, and biochemically force adjacent healthy cells into secondary senescence. This persistent paracrine signaling fuels chronic, sterile, low-grade systemic inflammation, termed "inflammaging," which accelerates systemic tissue degeneration and elevates susceptibility to degenerative age-related pathologies.

Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and the NAD+ Salvage Pathway

The Biochemistry of NAD+ Depletion Over Time

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an indispensable coenzyme present in every living cell. NAD+ fulfills a dual biological mandate: it serves as a central redox cofactor that shuttles electrons between cellular metabolic reactions, and it functions as an obligatory consumable substrate for regulatory enzymes that preserve cellular viability. In its redox capacity, NAD+ accepts electrons to form NADH during glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and fatty acid beta-oxidation, subsequently donating those electrons to Complex I of the respiratory chain to power ATP synthesis.
NAD+ Pathway / Consumer Primary Biochemical Role Functional Impact of Age-Related Depletion
Mitochondrial Redox Reactions Shuttles electrons (NAD+ <--> NADH) to drive oxidative phosphorylation. Impaired ATP generation, diminished metabolic flexibility.
Sirtuin Enzymes (SIRT1-7) Removes acetyl groups from regulatory proteins; coordinates longevity defense. Blunted mitochondrial biogenesis, degraded metabolic regulation.
PARP Enzymes (PARP-1) Detects DNA strand breaks and synthesizes poly(ADP-ribose) scaffolds. Hyperactivation drains systemic NAD+ pools during genotoxic stress.
CD38 Ecto-Enzyme Glycohydrolase that consumes cellular NAD+ and its precursors. Upregulated by SASP, aggressively accelerating NAD+ depletion.
Tissue concentrations of NAD+ decline with advancing chronological age. Clinical evidence shows that systemic NAD+ levels in midlife and older adults can drop by 50% to over 80% compared to young adult baselines. This deficit is driven not only by reduced biosynthesis, but by accelerating enzymatic consumption.

The primary enzymatic driver of age-related NAD+ destruction is CD38, a membrane-bound glycohydrolase expressed on immune cells that is upregulated in response to chronic SASP exposure. Concurrently, lifelong genotoxic damage causes persistent activation of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1), an enzyme that cleaves the glycosidic bonds of NAD+ to assemble branched poly(ADP-ribose) chains at DNA lesion sites. Because PARP-1 consumes NAD+ without directly recycling the molecule, chronic DNA damage depletes intracellular NAD+ pools, impairing bioenergetics and limiting sirtuin activity.

How NR Efficiently Boosts Cellular NAD+ Levels

The mammalian body maintains its NAD+ supply through three distinct biosynthetic routes: the de novo pathway from dietary L-tryptophan, the Preiss-Handler pathway from nicotinic acid (niacin), and the NAD+ Salvage Pathway. The de novo pathway requires substantial energy expenditure, consuming roughly sixty milligrams of dietary tryptophan to yield a single milligram of NAD+. The Preiss-Handler pathway, while effective, can induce cutaneous prostaglandin-mediated flushing at therapeutic intakes. Consequently, the salvage pathway serves as the primary mechanism for maintaining intracellular NAD+ pools.

The salvage pathway recycles the breakdown product nicotinamide (NAM), which is released whenever NAD+-consuming enzymes execute their functions. Under normal conditions, cells convert free nicotinamide into nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) via the rate-limiting enzyme nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), after which NMN adenylyltransferases (NMNAT1–3) complete the conversion into NAD+. However, NAMPT expression declines with advancing age, chronic inflammation, and metabolic stress, limiting the recycling capacity of the cell.

Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is a naturally occurring pyridine nucleoside that bypasses this enzymatic bottleneck. Upon cellular entry via equilibrative nucleoside transporters, NR is directly phosphorylated into NMN by nicotinamide riboside kinases (NRK1 and NRK2) using a single molecule of ATP. Because the NRK pathway remains intact and robust across the lifespan, NR provides an efficient alternative entry point into the NAD+ salvage cascade.

Clinical evaluations in humans confirm the safety, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics of oral NR supplementation. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials reveal that oral NR chloride produces dose-dependent increases in steady-state whole blood NAD+ concentrations. Dosing regimens of 100 mg, 300 mg, and 1,000 mg daily elevate blood NAD+ levels by approximately 22%, 51%, and up to 142%, respectively, within two weeks of administration, maintaining these elevations throughout continuous use. High-resolution metabolomic analyses also demonstrate parallel elevations in nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide (NAAD), establishing it as a reliable biomarker of active intracellular NAD+ synthesis without hepatic or systemic toxicity.

Sirtuin Activation and DNA Repair Mechanisms

Replenishing intracellular NAD+ supports functions beyond mitochondrial ATP generation. NAD+ functions as an obligatory cofactor for sirtuins (SIRT1 through SIRT7), a family of class III histone and non-histone protein deacetylases that regulate stress resilience, metabolic homeostasis, and cell survival. Sirtuins couple the removal of acetyl groups from target lysine residues to the stoichiometric cleavage of NAD+, producing nicotinamide and O-acetyl-ADP-ribose. In states of NAD+ deficiency, sirtuin enzymes remain inactive regardless of cellular demand.

In the nucleus, SIRT1 coordinates defense against cellular decline. When activated by restored NAD+ levels, SIRT1 deacetylates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1a), the master transcriptional coactivator of mitochondrial biogenesis. This deacetylation stimulates mitochondrial replication and assembly, expanding functional respiratory capacity. Concurrently, SIRT1 deacetylates the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), suppressing the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the mitochondria, SIRT3 utilizes NAD+ to deacetylate metabolic enzymes and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), enhancing the organelle's capacity to neutralize reactive oxygen species.

At the same time, cellular NAD+ levels directly regulate genomic integrity through PARP-1. When genotoxic stress or oxidative damage induces single- or double-strand DNA breaks, PARP-1 binds to the damaged termini using its zinc-finger domains. Bound PARP-1 hydrolyzes NAD+ to synthesize extensive, negatively charged poly(ADP-ribose) polymers on itself and adjacent histones. This modification relaxes chromatin architecture and establishes an electrostatic scaffold that recruits base excision repair and homologous recombination complexes.

Recent discoveries demonstrate close crosstalk between sirtuins and PARP-1 during DNA repair. PARP-1 recruits SIRT1 to double-strand breaks, where SIRT1 deacetylates the chromatin-remodeling ATPase BRG1 to displace nucleosomes and facilitate homologous recombination. However, because PARP-1 and SIRT1 draw from the same intracellular NAD+ pool, severe NAD+ depletion forces a biological compromise: PARP-1 consumes the scarce remaining cofactor to address DNA damage, leaving sirtuins deactivated. Restoring NAD+ via NR prevents this deficit, enabling concurrent genomic repair and sirtuin-mediated metabolic defense.

Quercetin: A Powerful Senolytic and mTOR Regulator

Clearing Senescent "Zombie" Cells from Tissues

The accumulation of senescent cells has driven interest in senolytics: molecules that selectively eliminate senescent cells while sparing healthy, non-senescent populations. Senolytic agents exploit a specific vulnerability in senescent cells. Because senescent cells produce cytotoxic, pro-inflammatory SASP factors that would normally induce their own death, they become dependent on upregulated Senescent Cell Anti-Apoptotic Pathways (SCAPs) to survive. The SCAP network involves anti-apoptotic proteins (such as BCL-2 and BCL-xL), the PI3K/Akt kinase cascade, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors.

Quercetin is a polyphenolic flavonoid found in capers, red onions, apples, and the flower buds of Sophora japonica. Beyond its classical antioxidant properties, quercetin functions as a senolytic compound that exerts multi-target inhibitory effects across the SCAP network. By inhibiting the upstream PI3K/Akt survival axis and downregulating anti-apoptotic defenses, quercetin disrupts the signaling that protects senescent cells from intrinsic apoptosis. Deprived of these survival signals, senescent cells undergo programmed cell death.

Preclinical studies demonstrate that senolytic protocols utilizing quercetin - often combined with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib - reduce senescent cell burden across multiple tissues. This targeted clearance lowers circulating SASP factors, attenuates tissue fibrosis, restores endothelial reactivity, and improves functional health span. By removing senescent cells, quercetin mitigates the primary driver of chronic, low-grade inflammaging.

Modulating the mTOR Pathway for Optimal Autophagy

The mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine protein kinase that coordinates cellular metabolism by balancing anabolic growth with catabolic recycling. Operating within two multiprotein complexes - mTORC1 and mTORC2 - the mTOR pathway integrates signals from amino acids, growth factors, and intracellular energy levels. In nutrient-rich environments, mTORC1 promotes protein synthesis, lipogenesis, and cellular growth, while suppressing catabolic breakdown. Conversely, nutrient scarcity downregulates mTORC1, activating autophagy.

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation system that packages damaged organelles, misfolded protein aggregates, and biological debris into double-membraned autophagosomes for lysosomal degradation and recycling. A specialized branch of this pathway, mitophagy, selectively targets and clears damaged mitochondria. In modern metabolic conditions characterized by continuous caloric intake, mTORC1 can remain persistently active. This persistent signaling suppresses autophagy, causing damaged organelles and toxic aggregates to accumulate within tissues.

Quercetin functions as a natural modulator of mTOR signaling. By inhibiting upstream PI3K/Akt signaling and activating intracellular energy sensors, quercetin attenuates overactive mTORC1, mimicking the metabolic effects of caloric restriction. This down-regulation relieves inhibition on the ULK1 autophagy initiation complex, stimulating both general autophagy and mitophagy. As autophagy proceeds, cells clear protein aggregates and eliminate damaged mitochondria, supporting cellular longevity and proteostasis.

Enhancing Absorption: Phytosomes and Dietary Fats

Despite the biological activities of quercetin identified in experimental models, its clinical translation has historically been limited by poor oral bioavailability. Raw quercetin aglycone is a crystalline, hydrophobic polyphenol with poor solubility in water and gastrointestinal fluids. When ingested in unformulated powder forms, quercetin molecules aggregate in the gut lumen, resisting dissolution and passive absorption. Consequently, the vast majority of an unformulated dose passes into the colon unabsorbed, where it undergoes microbial degradation without reaching meaningful systemic concentrations.

To address these pharmacokinetic limitations, advanced delivery systems such as phytosomes were engineered. A phytosome is a 100% food-grade molecular complex where individual polyphenolic molecules are bound to dietary phospholipids, typically sunflower-derived phosphatidylcholine. Unlike a classical liposome - which encapsulates water-soluble compounds inside an aqueous core enclosed by a lipid bilayer - a phytosome forms an amphiphilic complex at the molecular level.

The polar head of the phosphatidylcholine molecule forms hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups of the quercetin molecule, while its lipophilic fatty acid tails extend outward. This structural arrangement shields the polar regions of the flavonoid, creating a lipid-compatible complex that integrates smoothly into the intestinal mucosa.

Pharmacokinetic Parameter Unformulated Quercetin (500 mg) Quercetin Phytosome (500 mg) Clinical Significance
Peak Plasma Concentration (C_max) 10.93 +- 2.22  ng/mL

[cite: 36]

223.10 +- 16.32 ng/mL

[cite: 36]

Approximately 20-fold higher peak circulating concentration.
Area Under the Curve (AUC_last) 4,774.93 +- 1,190.61  min . ng/mL

[cite: 36]

96,163.87 +- 9,291.31 min . ng/mL

[cite: 36]

Roughly 20-fold increase in total systemic biological exposure.
Time to Peak Concentration (T_max) 290.00 +- 31.19 min

[cite: 36]

202.50 +- 35.97 min

[cite: 36]

Faster intestinal absorption and systemic distribution.
Formulation Matrix Crystalline aglycone; high luminal aggregation. Phospholipid complex; enhanced membrane transit. Direct cellular entry via physiological lipid pathways.
Human pharmacokinetic trials demonstrate that quercetin phytosomes achieve up to 20-fold greater oral bioavailability compared to standard unformulated quercetin extracts. For standard, non-phytosome quercetin preparations, co-ingestion with dietary lipids provides an alternative method to enhance absorption. Ingesting fats stimulates the release of cholecystokinin, triggering biliary secretion and the formation of mixed micelles in the small intestine. These micelles solubilize hydrophobic quercetin molecules, facilitating their diffusion across the unstirred water layer of the enterocyte brush border.

The Importance of Methylation in Healthy Aging

Vitamin B-Complex and Choline as Essential Methyl Donors

Methylation is an essential biochemical process occurring billions of times each second across all human tissues. It involves the transfer of a single-carbon unit - a methyl group consisting of one carbon atom bound to three hydrogen atoms - (CH3) - from a donor molecule to diverse recipients, including DNA, RNA, structural proteins, neurotransmitters, and membrane phospholipids. This transfer of one-carbon units is coordinated by the methionine-homocysteine cycle, which sustains genetic stability, detoxification pathways, and cellular repair.

At the center of this pathway sits S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the universal methyl donor in human biology. When a methyltransferase enzyme transfers a methyl group from SAM to an acceptor molecule, SAM is converted into S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). SAH functions as a potent competitive inhibitor of intracellular methyltransferases. To maintain functional methylation, SAH is rapidly hydrolyzed into homocysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid that must be remethylated or cleared through transsulfuration.

Homocysteine clearance proceeds through two distinct remethylation pathways. The primary route operates across most tissues via the enzyme methionine synthase, which requires vitamin B12 in its active methylcobalamin form. Methionine synthase transfers a methyl group from 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF, the active form of folate) to homocysteine, regenerating methionine. The ongoing production of 5-MTHF depends on the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), which utilizes riboflavin (vitamin B2) as a cofactor.

Alternatively, excess homocysteine can be routed into the transsulfuration pathway by vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal-5'-phosphate) to synthesize cystathionine, cysteine, and ultimately the antioxidant glutathione.

A secondary remethylation pathway, active predominantly in hepatic and renal tissues, bypasses folate entirely. In this route, dietary choline is oxidized to betaine (trimethylglycine or TMG). The enzyme betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT) then transfers a methyl group from betaine directly to homocysteine, yielding methionine and dimethylglycine.

When dietary intake of active B-vitamins or choline is insufficient, or when genetic variations like MTHFR polymorphisms reduce pathway flux, the methylation cycle slows. Homocysteine accumulates in circulation, promoting vascular and neurological inflammation, while SAM reserves decline, restricting cellular methylation capacity.

Understanding DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Health

Every somatic cell in an organism carries an identical genetic code. Cellular differentiation and tissue-specific functions are governed by the epigenome: a regulatory layer of chemical modifications that dictates gene expression without altering underlying DNA sequences. DNA methylation represents the primary and most stable epigenetic modification. In this process, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes utilize methyl groups donated by SAM to add a methyl tag to cytosine bases adjacent to guanine residues, forming 5-methylcytosine within CpG dinucleotide sites.

Under physiological conditions, DNA methylation maintains genomic stability and coordinates transcription. Methylation of promoter regions condenses chromatin, repressing transposable elements and silencing genes inappropriate for a given cell type. Conversely, hypomethylated promoters maintain an open chromatin state, allowing transcription factors to bind and initiate gene expression.

During biological aging, this epigenetic landscape undergoes progressive dysregulation, a phenomenon termed "epigenetic drift". Aging cells experience global hypomethylation alongside focal hypermethylation of specific gene promoters. Global loss of methyl tags destabilizes the genome, activating retrotransposons and pro-inflammatory pathways. Simultaneously, hypermethylation at targeted promoter sites silences critical tumor suppressor genes and DNA repair complexes.

This systematic change in DNA methylation patterns is consistent across populations, allowing researchers to develop molecular "epigenetic clocks". Algorithms such as the Horvath clock, PhenoAge, and GrimAge quantify biological age by profiling the methylation status of specific CpG sites across the genome. These clocks assess whether individuals are aging faster or slower than their chronological years. Ensuring a steady supply of methyl donors and preventing unnecessary SAM depletion supports DNMT activity, maintaining epigenetic patterns and genomic stability.

How the Methylation Cycle Impacts Energy and Cognitive Focus

Beyond long-term epigenetic regulation, the methylation cycle directly modulates immediate biochemical processes that govern daily energy, neurotransmission, and cognitive focus. Compromised methylation capacity frequently manifests as cognitive slowing, executive fatigue, and reduced physical stamina.

A major consumer of methyl reserves is the endogenous synthesis of creatine. Approximately 40% of all SAM-derived methyl groups in the human body are utilized by guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT) in the liver to synthesize creatine. Creatine then translocates to the brain and skeletal muscle, where it is phosphorylated into phosphocreatine.

Phosphocreatine functions as a rapid energy buffer, donating a high-energy phosphate group to regenerate ADP into ATP in milliseconds during demanding physical or cognitive tasks. When methyl donor availability falls, endogenous creatine synthesis drops, depleting phosphocreatine reserves and increasing susceptibility to neuromuscular and cognitive fatigue.

Methylation is equally central to central nervous system architecture. SAM provides methyl groups to convert phosphatidylethanolamine into phosphatidylcholine, the predominant phospholipid comprising neuronal cell membranes and the myelin sheaths that insulate axons. Intact myelin preserves rapid action potential conduction throughout the nervous system.

Furthermore, free choline derived from this pathway is the direct precursor to acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter required for attention, working memory, and learning.

The methylation cycle also governs monoamine neurotransmitter metabolism. SAM is required for the synthesis of adrenaline (epinephrine) from noradrenaline, while catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) relies on SAM to degrade dopamine and norepinephrine within the prefrontal cortex. Sluggish methylation disrupts this balance, contributing to cognitive fatigue, mood variability, and impaired mental performance.

Building a Comprehensive Longevity Protocol

Synergizing NR, Quercetin, and Methylated B-Vitamins

Longevity supplementation often falters when single molecules are administered in isolation, ignoring interconnected metabolic pathways. Designing an effective cellular longevity protocol requires combining complementary mechanisms that reinforce one another while preventing secondary metabolic deficits. The combination of Nicotinamide Riboside, Quercetin Phytosome, and Methylated B-Vitamins illustrates this multi-target synergy.

This synergy is grounded in the direct biochemical intersection between the NAD+ salvage pathway and the methylation cycle. When high-dose NR is supplemented to boost systemic NAD+, sirtuins and PARP enzymes consume the newly synthesized cofactor, generating substantial quantities of free nicotinamide (NAM). This intracellular nicotinamide faces two primary metabolic fates: it can be recycled back into NAD+ through the NAMPT-dependent salvage loop, or it can be cleared via methylation.

When the influx of nicotinamide exceeds salvage recycling capacity, the excess is cleared to avoid feedback inhibition of sirtuin enzymes. To accomplish this, the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) transfers a methyl group from SAM directly onto nicotinamide, forming 1-methylnicotinamide (1-MNA/MNAM), which is subsequently excreted in urine.

Prolonged, high-dose precursor administration without nutritional methyl support can elevate NNMT flux, depleting intracellular SAM reserves. As methyl groups are consumed clearing nicotinamide, the cellular SAM-to-SAH ratio falls, which can elevate circulating homocysteine and reduce methyl availability for DNA methylation and neurotransmitter synthesis.

Co-administering a fully methylated B-complex alongside choline or betaine addresses this potential bottleneck. Providing active methyl donors (such as 5-MTHF, methylcobalamin, and betaine) maintains the one-carbon donor pool. Even during increased NNMT activity, SAM pools remain stable, protecting DNA methylation fidelity and maintaining homocysteine within safe parameters.

Quercetin reinforces this protocol through complementary mechanisms. By clearing senescent cells and reducing SASP-mediated inflammation, quercetin downregulates CD38, the primary enzyme responsible for age-related NAD+ degradation. Suppressing CD38 prevents unnecessary breakdown of newly synthesized NAD+, enhancing the efficiency of NR supplementation.

Furthermore, while NR provides the NAD+ necessary to activate SIRT1-driven mitochondrial biogenesis, quercetin concurrently modulates mTORC1 to stimulate autophagy. This coordinated action ensures that newly generated mitochondria operate in an environment cleared of proteotoxic cellular debris.

The Crucial Role of Magnesium Glycinate and Zinc in Cellular Function

Longevity protocols require essential mineral cofactors to function efficiently. Without adequate divalent minerals acting as enzymatic cofactors and structural stabilizers, metabolic longevity pathways cannot operate at full capacity. Among these, magnesium and zinc are required for cellular repair, genomic stability, and energy production.

Magnesium serves as an obligatory cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions, primarily through its interaction with ATP. In biological systems, ATP exists predominantly as a chelate with a divalent magnesium ion, forming biologically active Mg2+ -ATP.

Every enzymatic reaction that synthesizes, transfers, or consumes cellular energy - including the enzymes of the NAD+ salvage pathway (NRK and NMNAT) and DNA polymerases - strictly requires Mg2+ -ATP as its substrate. Magnesium deficiency impairs these phosphorylation reactions, reducing the cellular utilization of NAD+ precursors.

Additionally, magnesium is an essential cofactor for the enzymes that activate dietary B-vitamins into their active forms. Supplying magnesium as magnesium glycinate provides high gastrointestinal bioavailability, minimal laxative effect, and yields glycine to support inhibitory neurotransmission and restful sleep.

Zinc serves as a vital structural component for more than 3,000 human transcription factors and enzymatic proteins. Its most prominent structural role in longevity occurs within zinc-finger motifs. These are specialized protein conformations stabilized by a zinc ion coordinated to cysteine and histidine residues.

The DNA damage sensor PARP-1 utilizes three zinc-finger domains to identify, track, and physically bind to single- and double-strand DNA breaks. Without adequate intracellular zinc, PARP-1 cannot properly assemble or dock onto damaged chromosomes, impairing DNA repair and increasing genomic instability.

Zinc is also an obligatory structural component of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD or SOD1), the primary cytosolic antioxidant enzyme that dismutates superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide, protecting mitochondrial membranes and nuclear DNA from premature senescence.

Integrating Prebiotics (like Acacia and Inulin) for Gut-Derived Longevity Markers

A comprehensive cellular longevity framework must extend beyond somatic tissues to encompass the gut microbiome. The intestinal microbiome functions as a central regulator of systemic inflammatory tone, immune development, and metabolic signaling. Age-associated dysbiosis - characterized by the loss of beneficial commensals and an overgrowth of pathobionts - frequently leads to breakdown of the intestinal barrier.

The gut epithelium consists of a single-cell monolayer sealed by tight junction proteins, including zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, and claudins. When this physical barrier is disrupted by poor dietary fiber intake or dysbiosis, gut permeability increases.

This allows lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, to enter the portal and systemic circulation. The resulting "metabolic endotoxemia" activates Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on immune cells, inducing NF-kB and systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine production. This persistent gut-derived inflammation exacerbates the SASP, accelerates tissue senescence, upregulates CD38, and drains systemic NAD+ reserves.

Prebiotic Soluble Fiber Fermentation Kinetics Primary Physiological Benefits
Acacia Fiber (Gum Arabic) Slow, uniform fermentation throughout the distal colon. High digestive tolerance without sudden gas; sustained distal SCFA generation.
Inulin (Fructo-oligosaccharides) Rapid, targeted bifidogenic fermentation. Promotes Bifidobacteria; upregulates tight junctions; reduces LPS translocation.
Supplying non-digestible prebiotic soluble fibers, such as acacia fiber and inulin, directly targets this inflammatory cascade. Acacia and inulin resist enzymatic hydrolysis in the upper gastrointestinal tract, reaching the colon intact to nourish beneficial commensal microbes, particularly Bifidobacterium species and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Through saccharolytic fermentation, these bacteria convert prebiotic fibers into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs): acetate, propionate, and butyrate.

These short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate, exert direct protective effects on systemic longevity. Butyrate provides the primary metabolic fuel for colonic epithelial cells, supplying more than 70% of their baseline energy needs and supporting mitochondrial function within colonocytes.

Furthermore, SCFAs upregulate the expression of epithelial tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1), restoring intestinal barrier integrity and preventing the translocation of inflammatory LPS into systemic circulation.

Systemically absorbed butyrate also functions as an endogenous histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, suppressing pro-inflammatory gene expression and supporting regulatory T cell (T_reg) development. Reducing metabolic endotoxemia dampens systemic inflammation, protecting vascular function and preventing premature NAD+ depletion.

Conclusion: The Integrated Cellular Longevity Matrix

Cellular longevity is achieved not by addressing isolated biomarkers in isolation, but by systematically supporting interconnected biological pathways. As bioenergetic capacity declines, cellular senescence accelerates, epigenetic patterns degrade, and gut barrier integrity weakens. A comprehensive approach addresses these biological vulnerabilities simultaneously.
Protocol Component Primary Biological Target Primary Biochemical Mechanism Coordinated Longevity Outcome
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) NAD+ Salvage Pathway Phosphorylated by NRK1/2 to bypass rate-limiting NAMPT. Restores mitochondrial ATP, activates SIRT1/3, fuels PARP-1 DNA repair.
Quercetin (Phytosome Form) Senescent Cells & mTORC1 Disrupts anti-apoptotic SCAP networks and suppresses PI3K/Akt/mTOR. Clears zombie cells, blunts toxic SASP, and triggers autophagic cleanup.
Methylated B-Complex & Choline/TMG One-Carbon Methylation Cycle Supplies methyl groups to regenerate SAM and clear homocysteine. Offsets NNMT clearance demands, protects DNA methylation, and fuels creatine.
Magnesium Glycinate & Zinc Enzymatic Cofactors & DNA Binding Forms active Mg2+ -ATP; stabilizes zinc-finger repair motifs. Ensures optimal ATP function, powers salvage kinases, supports PARP-1 docking.
Prebiotic Fibers (Acacia & Inulin) Gut microbiome & Intestinal Wall Fermented into SCFAs (butyrate) via beneficial commensals. Seals intestinal tight junctions, halts LPS endotoxemia, lowers inflammaging.
Integrating these interventions creates clear biological synergy. Nicotinamide Riboside raises intracellular NAD+, providing the substrate for sirtuin-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis and PARP-1-mediated DNA repair.

Quercetin Phytosome clears senescent cells and modulates mTORC1, stimulating autophagy while dampening the inflammatory SASP cascade that accelerates CD38-mediated NAD+ destruction.

Methylated B-vitamins, active folate, and choline replenish SAM reserves, balancing the methyl requirements of NNMT-mediated nicotinamide clearance, preserving epigenetic DNA methylation, and maintaining neurotransmitter production.

Magnesium glycinate and zinc provide the structural and catalytic foundation required for ATP utilization, B-vitamin activation, and PARP-1 zinc-finger DNA repair docking.

Finally, prebiotic fibers generate short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, reinforcing the intestinal barrier and preventing metabolic endotoxemia from fueling systemic inflammation.

By coordinating energy replenishment, cellular waste clearance, epigenetic maintenance, and the suppression of systemic inflammation, this unified approach directly addresses the underlying drivers of cellular aging to support long-term physiological vitality.

--
Content Put together by Darrell Miller CEO of VitaNet LLC

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=6650)


The Gut Health Blueprint: How Zhou Nutrition Combines Prebiotic Fiber and Superfood Greens
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Date: August 26, 2026 01:25 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: The Gut Health Blueprint: How Zhou Nutrition Combines Prebiotic Fiber and Superfood Greens


Your digestive tract is home to trillions of beneficial bacteria that influence everything from smooth daily digestion to your energy levels and immune health. Think of these friendly microbes as an internal garden that needs the right daily fertilizer to thrive. Without enough plant fibers and phytonutrients, the beneficial bacteria starve, which can lead to occasional bloating, irregular digestion, and sluggishness. Combining targeted prebiotic fibers with organic green superfoods gives your digestive tract the exact whole-food nutrition it needs to stay balanced, resilient, and healthy.

The foundation of effective gut support starts with a dual-action fiber blend of psyllium husk and resistant potato starch. Psyllium husk acts like a gentle, natural broom, absorbing water to form a soft gel that sweeps metabolic waste smoothly through the intestines and supports effortless regularity. Meanwhile, resistant potato starch bypasses early digestion to travel deep into the colon. Once there, friendly bacteria feast on it and produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate - the primary fuel that repairs and strengthens the cells lining your intestinal wall to keep your gut barrier tight and protected.

Adding a vibrant spectrum of organic greens, microalgae, and botanicals takes digestive wellness to the next level. Living cereal grasses - including barley grass, wheatgrass, oat grass, and alfalfa - deliver soothing chlorophyll, trace minerals, and natural plant enzymes that help maintain a balanced internal pH. When paired with nutrient-packed kale, cell-cleansing spirulina and chlorella, immune-fortifying astragalus root, and refreshing lemon juice, this formula helps calm gut irritation, stimulates natural digestive fluids, and creates the ultimate nourishing habitat for your microbiome to flourish.

Key Benefits

  • Smooth, Gentle Regularity: Psyllium husk absorbs water to create comfortable, bulk-forming transit through the intestines without harsh cramping or urgency.
  • Deep Colon Fuel: Resistant potato starch feeds beneficial bacteria to produce butyrate, strengthening the gut lining and supporting a tight intestinal barrier.
  • Whole-Food Enzyme & Mineral Matrix: Organic barley grass, wheatgrass, oat grass, and alfalfa provide natural chlorophyll and enzymes to soothe the digestive tract and reduce bloat.
  • Algae & Cellular Detoxification: Spirulina and chlorella supply bioavailable plant protein, antioxidants, and trace nutrients that help bind and clear metabolic impurities.
  • Immune & Mucosal Shield: Astragalus root supports the mucosal barrier and the 70% of your immune system that resides directly within the gut.
  • Digestive Spark: Pure lemon juice naturally encourages healthy bile flow and stomach acid balance for smoother meal breakdown.
 

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=6647)


Leaky Gut vs. The Postbiotic Fortress: Strengthening Your Microbiome Shield
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Date: February 20, 2026 01:50 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Leaky Gut vs. The Postbiotic Fortress: Strengthening Your microbiome Shield


The "Postbiotic" Revolution: Why Your Gut’s Waste is Its Best Asset

For years, the conversation around gut health was a two-player game. You had Prebiotics (the fiber-rich "fuel") and Probiotics (the "live bacteria"). But in 2025 and 2026, the scientific community has pivoted to the third and most important piece of the puzzle: Postbiotics.

While we’ve long obsessed over the "tenants" living in our gut, we are finally realizing that it’s their work - specifically the chemical metabolites they produce - that actually runs the show. Postbiotics, particularly Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) like Butyrate, Propionate, and Acetate, are the actual "workers" that translate bacterial activity into human health.

The Big Three: Acetate, Propionate, and Butyrate

When you eat a high-fiber meal, your microbiome ferments those fibers into SCFAs. These aren't just waste products; they are high-powered signaling molecules that act like a Wi-Fi signal between your gut and the rest of your body.
Metabolite Primary Role System Targeted
Butyrate Fuel & Barrier Integrity Colon Health & Epigenetics
Propionate Satiety & Liver Health Metabolism & Appetite
Acetate Systemic Energy & pH Balance Brain & Weight Management

Feeding the Gut from the Inside Out

Most cells in your body get their energy from the bloodstream. Your colonocytes (the cells lining your large intestine) are different. They are the only cells in the human body that prefer to eat "locally."

Butyrate serves as the primary fuel source for these cells, providing up to 70% of their total energy requirements. Research from late 2025 emphasizes that without adequate butyrate, colon cells undergo a form of "cellular starvation," leading to a breakdown in the gut barrier—often referred to as "leaky gut." By "feeding" these cells from the inside, butyrate ensures the intestinal wall remains a tight, fortress-like seal against toxins.

2025/2026 Research: The Signaling Revolution

The most exciting shift in recent research (2025-2026) is the discovery of how these metabolites act as "systemic messengers." They don't just stay in the gut; they enter the bloodstream and talk to your most vital systems:
  • The Brain (Neuro-Metabolism): Studies published in mid-2025 have mapped the "SCFAs-microglia" pathway. It turns out SCFAs like Acetate can cross the blood-brain barrier to regulate neuroinflammation. This is opening new doors for treating "brain fog" and mood disorders by targeting the postbiotic profile.
  • The Immune System: New 2026 clinical trials on postbiotic blends (such as the Postbiotic Active Lifestyle Blend) are showing that these metabolites can "prime" the immune system without the risks associated with live probiotics. They act as HDAC inhibitors, effectively "turning off" inflammatory genes in T-cells.
  • Metabolism: Research from early 2026 indicates that Propionate is a heavy hitter for weight management. It signals the release of gut hormones like GLP-1 (the natural version of popular weight-loss drugs), naturally suppressing appetite and improving insulin sensitivity.
Key Discovery (2025): A landmark study found that "cooled starches" (like potatoes cooked then refrigerated) can boost butyrate production by up to 70%, proving that the postbiotic revolution is as much about how we eat as what we eat.

Why Postbiotics are the Future

The beauty of postbiotics lies in their stability. Unlike probiotics, which can die on the shelf or in your stomach acid, postbiotics are heat-stable and have a predictable impact.

We are moving away from the "spray and pray" method of taking random bacteria and toward a precision model: delivering the specific metabolites your body needs to thrive.

The "Postbiotic" Revolution marks a pivotal shift in gut health, moving beyond live bacteria to focus on the powerful metabolites they produce, specifically Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) like Acetate, Propionate, and Butyrate. While 2025/2026 research highlights how these molecules act as systemic messengers - regulating neuroinflammation in the brain and triggering natural satiety hormones like GLP-1 - the most critical scientific breakthrough remains the role of Butyrate as the primary energy source for colon cells. By fueling colonocytes from the inside out, these postbiotics maintain the integrity of the gut barrier and serve as the "actual workers" that translate microbial activity into tangible improvements for the immune system and metabolism.

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=6631)


Can Inulin and Acacia Fiber, Both a prebiotic, cause friendly bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids like Berberine helps promote the growth of beneficial Bacteria?
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Date: November 15, 2025 11:00 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Can Inulin and Acacia Fiber, Both a prebiotic, cause friendly bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids like Berberine helps promote the growth of beneficial Bacteria?

Yes, absolutely!

Both inulin and acacia fiber are classic examples of prebiotic soluble fibers, and their primary mechanism is to feed beneficial gut bacteria, which in turn produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including butyrate.

Here’s a breakdown of how they compare to the berberine mechanism you mentioned.

Prebiotic Fibers (Inulin & Acacia)

This is a direct fermentation process.
  1. Bypass Digestion: You consume inulin or acacia fiber. Your body cannot digest or absorb these fibers in the small intestine.
  2. Arrive in Colon: They travel largely intact to your colon (large intestine), which is where the vast majority of your gut bacteria live.
  3. Bacterial "Food": In the colon, specific strains of beneficial bacteria (like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli) eagerly "eat" or ferment these fibers.
  4. Produce SCFAs: The primary metabolic byproduct of this fermentation process is a release of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) - mainly acetate, propionate, and butyrate.

Berberine

Berberine's route to creating SCFAs is more indirect.

As you noted, berberine isn't a fiber that bacteria ferment. Instead, it acts as a microbiome modulator:

  1. Shifts the Population: Berberine alters the gut environment, helping to promote the growth of SCFA-producing bacteria and potentially suppressing less beneficial bacteria.
  2. Encourages Production: By fostering a healthier bacterial population, it indirectly leads to an increase in SCFA production from the other fibers and foods you are already eating.

Key Takeaway

You are right on track. While berberine helps manage the bacterial "team" to favor SCFA production, inulin and acacia fiber are the actual "food" or "fuel" that the team uses to create those SCFAs.

Both pathways can lead to the same beneficial outcome - more of your body's own butyrate and other SCFAs.

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=6627)


Does Berberine Help Stimulate Intestinal Cells (L-cells) to Produce And Secrete More of Your Own Natural GLP-1?
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Date: November 15, 2025 10:56 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Does Berberine Help Stimulate Intestinal Cells (L-cells) to Produce And Secrete More of Your Own Natural GLP-1?

Yes, scientific research indicates that berberine does help stimulate intestinal L-cells to produce and secrete more of your body's own natural GLP-1.

This isn't just a simple, single-action effect. Berberine appears to work through several different and complementary mechanisms to increase GLP-1 levels.

Here is a detailed explanation of how it works.

How Berberine Stimulates GLP-1 Secretion

Berberine's influence on GLP-1 is a multi-step process that involves direct action on your intestinal cells, interaction with your gut bacteria, and even protecting the L-cells themselves.

1. Direct Stimulation via Bitter Taste Receptors2

Your intestinal L-cells (the cells that make GLP-1) have receptors on their surface that are similar to the taste receptors on your tongue.
  • Berberine is Bitter: Berberine is a naturally bitter compound.
  • Activation: When berberine comes into contact with the L-cells in your gut, it binds to and activates these specific bitter taste receptors (like TAS2R38).
  • Signaling: This activation triggers an internal signaling cascade within the L-cell, which directly results in the production and secretion of GLP-1.

2. Indirect Stimulation via the Gut microbiome

Berberine is not fully absorbed by your body; a significant amount remains in the gut, where it has a powerful effect on your gut bacteria.
  • Modulates Microbiota: Berberine helps promote the growth of beneficial bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate.
  • SCFAs as Signals: These SCFAs then act as fuel and signaling molecules for your intestinal L-cells.
  • Increased Secretion: When SCFAs bind to their own receptors on the L-cells, it provides another strong signal for those cells to produce and release GLP-1.

3. Protecting the L-Cells

In conditions like metabolic syndrome or high-fat diets, the intestinal L-cells can become stressed, damaged, and dysfunctional, which reduces their ability to secrete GLP-1. Berberine (and its metabolites, like berberrubine) appears to have a cytoprotective, or "cell-protecting," effect.
  • Reduces Oxidative Stress: It helps alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation within the gut lining
  • Improves Cell Health: By protecting the L-cells from this damage and improving their mitochondrial function (their "powerhouses"), berberine helps restore their normal, healthy ability to secrete GLP-1 in response to food.

4. Promoting L-Cell Growth

Some research also suggests that berberine may help increase the total number of L-cells in the intestine and boost the expression of the proglucagon gene. This gene is the blueprint for making GLP-1, so increasing its expression means the cell is actively manufacturing more of the hormone.

Summary: What This Means

Instead of just one pathway, berberine acts as a comprehensive GLP-1 promoter:
  1. It directly tells L-cells to secrete GLP-1 (via bitter taste receptors).
  2. It indirectly tells L-cells to secrete GLP-1 (by nourishing gut bacteria that create SCFAs).
  3. It protects the L-cells from damage, ensuring they are healthy enough to do their job.
  4. It may even help create more L-cells.
This multi-pronged mechanism is why berberine has gained significant attention for its positive effects on blood sugar regulation and metabolic health.

Disclaimer: While this information is based on scientific research, it is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, including berberine, to ensure it is appropriate for your individual health needs and to discuss correct dosing.

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=6626)


What else does Akkermansia Muciniphila do for the body?
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Date: November 05, 2025 03:58 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: What else does Akkermansia Muciniphila do for the body?

1. Supports Metabolic Health (A Major Benefit)

This is the second most-studied benefit after gut integrity. Higher levels of Akkermansia are consistently linked to a healthier metabolic profile.
  • Weight Management: It's inversely correlated with obesity. Studies show that individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes often have much lower levels.
  • Improves Insulin Sensitivity: It helps your body respond to insulin more effectively, which is crucial for managing blood sugar. This makes it a key area of research for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.
  • Reduces Fat Storage: It has been shown to reduce fat mass, particularly by influencing how the body stores fat and improving lipid metabolism (like lowering total cholesterol).
  • Liver Health: It can help reduce fat accumulation in the liver, offering protection against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

2. Modulates the Immune System

Akkermansia acts as a key communicator between your gut and your immune system.
  • Reduces Inflammation: It helps "calm down" systemic inflammation. By strengthening the gut barrier, it stops inflammatory molecules (like LPS) from leaking into the bloodstream, which reduces the body's overall inflammatory burden.
  • Balances Immune Response: It helps train the immune system to react appropriately-attacking real pathogens while tolerating harmless food and resident bacteria. This is vital for preventing autoimmune conditions.
  • Enhances Cancer Immunotherapy: This is a very exciting area of research. Some studies have found that cancer patients with higher levels of A. muciniphila respond significantly better to certain immunotherapy treatments (PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors).

3. Promotes a Healthy microbiome (Cross-Feeding)

Akkermansia isn't just a solo artist; it's a team player.
  • It's a "Cross-Feeder": As it consumes mucin, it produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly acetate and propionate.
  • It Feeds Other Good Bacteria: These SCFAs are the preferred food for other critical beneficial bacteria (like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii). These other bacteria then feast and, in turn, produce butyrate-a super-molecule that is the primary fuel for your colon cells and a powerful anti-inflammatory.
In short, Akkermansia creates an environment where other good bacteria can thrive, leading to greater microbial diversity, which is a key sign of a healthy gut.

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=6625)


Probiotics and Mood Enhancement: The Power of Lactobacillus Reuteri and Oxytocin
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Date: January 29, 2025 10:41 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Probiotics and Mood Enhancement: The Power of Lactobacillus Reuteri and Oxytocin


Unlocking the Benefits of Lactobacillus Reuteri 2.5 Billion by Now Foods


Probiotics have gained considerable attention for their ability to support gut health and overall well-being. Among the many probiotic strains, Lactobacillus reuteri stands out not only for its digestive benefits but also for its unique ability to stimulate the production of oxytocin. Now Foods Lactobacillus reuteri 2.5 Billion offers a targeted and effective way to harness these advantages. Let’s explore the fascinating connection between probiotics, oxytocin, and the wide-ranging benefits this “feel-good” hormone offers.

What Is Oxytocin and Why Does It Matter?

Oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone," is a powerful molecule released in the brain that promotes feelings of bonding, trust, and emotional connection. It plays a vital role in childbirth, breastfeeding, and even in fostering social interactions. However, oxytocin isn't just limited to emotional well-being—it impacts physical health in surprising ways.

By regularly consuming Now Foods Lactobacillus reuteri 2.5 Billion, you can naturally boost your body's oxytocin levels. This is because the probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri has been shown in research to stimulate the production of this hormone. But what does that mean for your overall health? Let's take a closer look.

The Physical and Emotional Benefits of Oxytocin

Increasing your oxytocin levels can have remarkable effects on your health. Below is a breakdown of some of the most notable benefits:

1. Improved Stress Levels and Mental Clarity

Oxytocin helps reduce cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone, creating a calming and relaxing effect. Lower stress levels mean better focus, fewer mood swings, and improved mental clarity, which can significantly enhance your quality of life.

2. Enhanced Heart Health

Oxytocin contributes to cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and promoting anti-inflammatory effects on the heart. This hormone supports a healthy circulatory system and reduces the risk of heart-related diseases.

3. Stronger Relationships and Social Connections

By fostering feelings of trust and empathy, oxytocin plays a crucial role in building and maintaining relationships. Whether it’s with family, friends, or your partner, increased oxytocin leads to stronger bonds and deeper emotional connections.

4. Pain Relief and Healing

Research indicates that oxytocin has natural pain-relieving properties. It can alleviate headaches, muscle pains, and even chronic conditions by acting as a natural analgesic. Furthermore, oxytocin promotes cellular repair and wound healing, enabling the body to recover faster.

5. Better Sleep

Higher oxytocin levels can improve sleep quality by calming the nervous system and reducing anxiety. This means you’ll wake up feeling more refreshed and energized to take on your day.

6. Boosted Digestive Health

Oxytocin complements the role of probiotics in supporting overall digestive wellness. With Now Foods Lactobacillus reuteri 2.5 Billion, not only will your gut be balanced and healthy, but your body will also benefit from the additional oxytocin-boosting effects.

How Does Lactobacillus Reuteri Help Produce Oxytocin?

Lactobacillus reuteri works within the gut microbiome to stimulate pathways that lead to oxytocin production. Studies suggest that this strain interacts directly with the vagus nerve—the nerve that connects the gut to the brain—reinforcing the mind-body connection. This explains why Lactobacillus reuteri isn't just good for digestive support, but also for mental and emotional health.

What sets Now Foods Lactobacillus reuteri 2.5 Billion apart is its high-quality formulation designed to ensure maximum potency and effectiveness. Each capsule delivers 2.5 billion viable organisms, formulated to survive harsh stomach acids and reach your intestines where they are most effective.

Why Choose Now Foods Lactobacillus Reuteri 2.5 Billion?

Now Foods is a brand known for its commitment to quality, safety, and value. Their Lactobacillus reuteri 2.5 Billion product meets rigorous standards, ensuring you receive a pure, reliable probiotic supplement every time. This probiotic is non-GMO, gluten-free, and packaged to preserve potency, making it a trusted choice for health-conscious individuals.

Additionally, Now Foods has earned a reputation for transparency. They follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure that every ingredient is of the highest quality, making their wellness products stand out in a crowded market.

Adding This Probiotic to Your Routine

Including Now Foods Lactobacillus reuteri 2.5 Billion in your daily routine is simple. For optimal results, take the capsule with a meal or as directed by your healthcare provider. Over time, you may notice improvements in your mood, digestion, and energy levels as oxytocin-boosting effects take hold.

A Perfect Match With VitaNet

When shopping for health supplements, purchasing from a trusted platform is key. VitaNet is a reputable source for high-quality wellness products, offering competitive prices and reliable customer service. By shopping on VitaNet, you can enjoy the benefits of Now Foods Lactobacillus reuteri 2.5 Billion with the confidence of knowing you’ve chosen a trustworthy supplier.

Elevate Your Health Today

Whether you’re looking to enhance your digestive health, improve your mood, or simply support your overall well-being, Now Foods Lactobacillus reuteri 2.5 Billion is a powerful addition to your wellness routine. Thanks to its oxytocin-boosting properties, this probiotic goes beyond basic gut support to deliver benefits that enhance emotional, physical, and mental health.

Take Action Today!

Don’t wait to experience these incredible benefits for yourself. Shop at VitaNet today and order Now Foods Lactobacillus reuteri 2.5 Billion to unlock better health and happiness. Your well-being starts with a single step—make it now.

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=6620)


Solaray Multidophilus 12 - A Twelve-Strain Probiotic Blend
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Date: November 10, 2022 11:23 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Solaray Multidophilus 12 - A Twelve-Strain Probiotic Blend

Probiotics are live bacteria that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. They can improve your gut health and even boost your immune system. But with so many different probiotics on the market, it can be hard to know which one to choose. That's where our new twelve-strain probiotic blend comes in. This blend contains over 20 billion living organisms, including B. lactis, B. bifidum, B. infantis, B. longum, L. acidophilus, L. brevis, L. bulgaricus, L. paracasei, L. planatarum, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius and Streptococcus thermophilus—strains that have been shown to be particularly effective in supporting gut health.

But why take a probiotic? Probiotics can help to improve your gut health by restoring the balance of good bacteria in your gut microbiome. They can also help to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Plus, taking a probiotic regularly can help to boost your immune system. So if you're looking for a probiotic that will support your overall health, our twelve-strain probiotic blend is an excellent option.

How the Twelve-Strain Probiotic Blend Works

When you take the twelve-strain probiotic blend, the live bacteria begin to work immediately—restoring balance to your gut microbiome and improving your gut health. The strains in the blend work together synergistically to provide the most effective results possible; for example, Bifidobacterium longum has been shown to increase the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), while Streptococcus thermophilus has been shown to reduce intestinal permeability (a common cause of inflammation). Together, these strains provide comprehensive support for gut health and immunity.

The Benefits of Taking the Twelve-Strain Probiotic Blend

There are many benefits to taking the twelve-strain probiotic blend on a regular basis. In addition to restoring balance to your gut microbiome and improving your gut health, the blend can also help to:

  • Reduce inflammation
  • Alleviate symptoms of IBS and IBD
  • Boost your immune system
  • Reduce the number of colds and other respiratory infections you get
  • Protect you from food poisoning
  • Reduce cholesterol levels
  • Improve skin health
  • Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms
  • Increase weight loss
  • Improve cognitive function

If you're looking for a probiotic that will support your overall health, our new twelve-strain probiotic blend is an excellent option. This potent blend contains over 20 billion live organisms—including Bifidobacterium longum, Streptococcus thermophilus, and other strains that have been shown to be particularly effective in supporting gut health—and it works immediately to restore balance to your gut microbiome and improve your gut health. Plus, the twelve-strain probiotic blend offers numerous other benefits, like reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, reducing anxiety and depression symptoms, and increasing weight loss. So if you're looking for a powerful probiotic that will support your overall health and well-being, our twelve-strain probiotic blend is an excellent option!

(https://vitanetonline.com:443/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=1&Message_ID=6565)


Caprylic Acid - What is it and what are its benefits?
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Date: September 24, 2022 10:55 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Caprylic Acid - What is it and what are its benefits?

NOW® Caprylic Acid is a naturally derived nutrient also known as octanoic acid. Caprylic acid is a medium-chain fatty acid (MCT) that is naturally found in coconut and palm kernel oil. Caprylic acid feeds friendly bacteria and fights candida. Candida overgrowth can lead to feelings of fatigue, moodiness, headaches, and digestive issues. Taking caprylic acid can help restore balance in the gut and improve overall health.

What is Caprylic Acid?

Caprylic acid is a type of saturated fatty acid that has antimicrobial properties. It occurs naturally in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and human breast milk. Caprylic acid is also known as octanoic acid. It gets its name from the Latin word for “egg” because caprylic acid was first isolated from egg white in 1807.

Benefits of Caprylic Acid

Caprylic acid has many potential health benefits. It has been shown to fight candida, which is a type of yeast that can overgrow in the body and lead to fatigue, moodiness, headaches, and digestive issues. Caprylic acid also helps to restore balance in the gut microbiome by killing bad bacteria and promoting the growth of good bacteria. Additionally, caprylic acid has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to improve cognitive function and joint health.

How to Take Caprylic Acid

Caprylic acid is available in SoftGel form. It can also be taken as an oil or added to food or beverages. The recommended dosage depends on the form you are taking as well as your age, health, and other factors.

In Summary:

NOW® Caprylic Acid is a naturally derived nutrient with many potential health benefits. It can help fight candida, restore balance in the gut microbiome, improve cognitive function, and reduce inflammation. Caprylic acid is available in SoftGel form. If you're struggling with Candida or other bacterial overgrowth in the intestinal tract, consider using caprylic acid and take back control of your life.

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Follow your gut to digestive health
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Date: April 30, 2019 04:02 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Follow your gut to digestive health





"Microbiome" is the term that refers to the good and bad bacteria that resides within your digestive system. When that bacteria is in healthy balance, you have optimal equilibrium in your gut. Prebiotics and probiotics can contribute to this balance, enhancing your overall digestive health. You can get prebiotics and probiotics from both supplements and food. By making an effort to maintain a healthy microbiome, you will reap the benefits of overall immune support, heart health, an improved mood, and regularity in your bowel movements.

Key Takeaways:

  • Probiotics are healthy bacteria that live inside a person's gut, while prebiotics are the fibers that fuel probiotics.
  • Some examples of prebiotic fibers are lentils, different kinds of beans, and fruits and vegetables.
  • Yogurts, kefir, fermented vegetables, and kombucha are examples of probiotic foods.

"While all fiber is important to feeling your best every day, only certain fibers are what we call prebiotics."

Read more: https://www.austindailyherald.com/2019/03/follow-your-gut-to-digestive-health/

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6 reasons to care about your gut flora
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Date: April 11, 2019 08:12 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: 6 reasons to care about your gut flora





Gut flora is made up of the bacteria that resides in our intestines and stomach. While we are born with some of this, the rest can be affected through our diets. Having good bacteria helps eliminate what is not good and there are several examples. First, there is a link between good bacteria in the gut flora and our overall mental health. There is a lot of bacteria already identified, with some of the benefits not known yet and a deepening understanding is important. Bad bacteria can cause a number of diseases, but being healthy and eating appropriately can decrease the need things like probiotics, which people may needlessly use while on antibiotics. Finally, prebiotics found in foods that promote good gut flora can lead to a decrease in blood pressure.

Key Takeaways:

  • Because the microbiome in the gut has been linked to various physical and mental health situations, we have to be interested in what is going on there.
  • The microbiome is made up of good bacteria that reside in our intestines that help us when we want to digest food.
  • The bacteria in our gut is partly what we were born with (that is from our mother) and partly from our lifestyle and dietary choices.

"With probiotics, fermented foods and kombucha all trending in recent years, we wanted to find out what all the fuss was about when it comes to our gut health."

Read more: https://www.dw.com/en/6-reasons-to-care-about-your-gut-flora/a-47429707

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New evidence shows that walnuts optimize the gut microbiome tosuppress colon cancer cell growth
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Date: April 06, 2019 09:26 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: New evidence shows that walnuts optimize the gut microbiome tosuppress colon cancer cell growth





Tree nuts, especially walnuts have been a controversial topic talked about for decades. In a new study, it was found that walnuts can help optimize the way your biology works and possibly suppress colon cancer. It is important to note that this study was done with mice, one group of which was fed a concentration of walnuts and was found to have around 2 times fewer tumors at the conclusion of the study. A quick overview of the nutrient profile of the walnut is also included for reference.

Key Takeaways:

  • According to the latest research, walnuts support the microbiome and contribute to the suppression of colon cancer cells.
  • Many vegans are fond of walnuts because because they contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
  • The phytonutrients in walnuts have a variety of healing properties that target and obliterate cancer cells.

"To date, colon cancer is the third most common type of the disease around the globe."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-02-10-walnuts-optimize-gut-microbiome-to-suppress-colon-cancer-cell-growth.html

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Can Gut Bacteria Affect Your Mental Health?
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Date: April 02, 2019 02:06 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Can Gut Bacteria Affect Your Mental Health?





There are two different microbes called Coprococcus and Dialister that are now showing a correlation between depression and the absence of these two floras. A study was done in which 1,000 participants filled out assessments that analyzed their quality of life. Those who were shown to have significant signs of depression were more likely to have a deficiency in the two previously mentioned forms of gut flora. Since the microbes in our gut are responsible for other conditions such as childhood Leukemia and inflammatory diseases, their correlation to mental wellness is not a complete shock.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gut bacteria, or gut microbiome, are bacteria which can be found living in our digestive tracts and these bacteria have been the focus of many medical studies.
  • Gut microbiome significantly affects one’s physical health and it is known that each person has a different mix of this bacteria.
  • The work examining the relationship between gut bacteria and mental health is a large scale work that has never been undertaken in humans until now.

"Researchers from Belgium recruited more than 1,000 people in order to examine their gut microbiome. Of them, 173 participants were diagnosed with depression or fared poorly in a survey assessing their quality of life."

Read more: https://www.medicaldaily.com/can-gut-bacteria-affect-your-mental-health-429678

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Bifidobacterium Lactis: The Bacterium That Could Help You LoseWeight & Fight Inflammation
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Date: October 10, 2018 03:26 PM
Author: VitaNet, LLC Staff (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Bifidobacterium Lactis: The Bacterium That Could Help You LoseWeight & Fight Inflammation





Bifidobacterium Lactis: The Bacterium That Could Help You Lose Weight & Fight Inflammation

The probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis, or B. lactis, is a powerhouse for gut health. Why is this strain of bacteria so important? One study published in 2015 showed that B. lactis could improve unpleasant and painful symptoms associated with poor gut motility, dysbiosis, and GI hypersensitivity. B. lactis is definitely one of the “good guys” of the gut bacteria world because it contributes to a healthy and balanced microbiome, which positively affects balanced blood sugar and optimal weight maintenance.

Key Takeaways:

  • While probiotics are ingested live organisms that are good for gut health, a prebiotic is food that helps these organisms thrive.
  • Bifidobacterium lactis in fermented milk is good for gut health because it improves gastrointestinal symptoms and well-being.
  • Oral health is tied to gut health in intricate ways. Studies with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shown this truth.

"A particular strain of B. lactis, known as HN019, has been shown to have a significant impact on those with metabolic syndrome. This probiotic had beneficial effects on inflammation, nitric oxide metabolites, and antioxidant measurements, and the authors of the study stated that if their results are confirmed, supplementation with this probiotic should be considered further."

Read more: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/bifidobacterium-lactis-weight-loss-inflammation

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How to keep your microbiome happy
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Date: August 28, 2018 05:53 PM
Author: VitaNet, LLC Staff (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: How to keep your microbiome happy





How to keep your microbiome happy

Your microbiome is an ecosystem of trillions of bacteria, yeast and other microbes inhabiting your digestive tract. Probiotic foods such as kimchi, miso soup and yogurt, along with probiotic supplements, can help keep up a robust microbiome. They are especially beneficial after a course of antibiotics. Foods like sauerkraut, full fat yogurt, and kombucha, a form of fermented tea, also support a healthy microbiome. Green tea and meditation, meanwhile, can help make your gut more hospitable to beneficial microbes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Probiotics, which are found in foods such as yogurt, pickles, and dark chocolate, help promote gut health.
  • Green tea is filled with nutrients as well as antioxidants that protect and nourish the lining of the digestive system.
  • If you can't spend more time in the sun, consider taking Vitamin D tablets, as Vitamin D is necessary for a healthy gut.

"Keeping your microbes in balance is the key to good health and has been shown to affect weight, well being and fat storage."

Read more: https://www.hippocraticpost.com/ageing/how-to-keep-your-microbiome-happy/

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Microbiome, Herbal Medicine, and Probiotics Combine to Extend Lifespan
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Date: June 02, 2018 05:16 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: microbiome, Herbal Medicine, and Probiotics Combine to Extend Lifespan





Microbiome, Herbal Medicine, and Probiotics Combine to Extend Lifespan

Scientists at McGill University were able to significantly increase the life expectancy of Drosophila fruit flies by using probiotics and the prebiotic Triphala mixture, an element of traditional Indian medicine. The experiment was based on the theory of the gut-brain axis, a two way superhighway of communication between the neurons and the digestive tract that helps the body respond to its environment and handle stress. Changes associated with the aging process, such as depletion of beneficial gut flora in the gastric microbiome, can interfere with the body’s ability to handle stress, inflammation and damage effectively. It is thought that the pro- and pre- biotics mixture helped mitigate these changes to the gastric microbiome.

Key Takeaways:

  • The theory of the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) posits that the digestive tract and nervous system engage in constant and extensive communication.
  • The aging process tends to alter the gastric microbiome in harmful ways as populations of beneficial gut bacteria die off, potentially impacting all parts of the GBA.
  • As the body ages, it becomes more vulnerable to inflammation, oxidative stress and other forms of damage, many of which can be aggravated by the loss of gut bacteria and other changes in the GBA.

"The researchers, headed by Satya Prakash, Ph.D., a professor of biomedical engineering in McGill’s Faculty of Medicine, hope that the combination of probiotics and the prebiotic Triphala formulation could help to prevent or treat human disorders ranging from diabetes and obesity, to neurodegeneration, chronic inflammation, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and perhaps even cancer."

Read more: https://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/microbiome-herbal-medicine-and-probiotics-combine-to-extend-lifespan/81255870

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How to care for your gut bacteria when you're taking antibiotics
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Date: February 07, 2018 07:59 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: How to care for your gut bacteria when you're taking antibiotics





Gut bacteria are highly necessary for our well being, but what do you do when you take antibiotics to fight other bacteria? One major tip is only take them for as long as you need. This will allow you to still have a gut biota that is health, but maybe a bit knocked down thanks to this antibiotic. Take extra probiotics to seed your guy with good bacteria and maybe even take extra time to heal up and give them time to grow back and make you healthy again.

Key Takeaways:

  • Watch the time you take it to make sure you aren't putting too much in your body
  • Give your gut time to recover and build back up after this round of antibiotics
  • Take probiotics to add in more bacteria to your body and build up the ones you have

"The best way to restore your gut to its pre-antibiotic glory is by eating lots of fibre-rich foods to fuel good bacteria growth."

Read more: https://coach.nine.com.au/2018/01/31/12/29/antibiotics-gut-bacteria-microbiome

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Did you have a C-section or take antibiotics while pregnant? Give babies probiotics to avoid diseases like asthma, diabetes
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Date: December 27, 2017 03:59 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Did you have a C-section or take antibiotics while pregnant? Give babies probiotics to avoid diseases like asthma, diabetes





Probiotics have many benefits when given to newborns, especially those delivered by c-section. These probiotics when added to either brestmilk or formula help aid in digestion and replace many healthy bacteria that were not acquired due to the c-section. These probiotics helped relieve the onset of several ailments, making early life for the infant much easier and enables him to grow strong and have a better quality of life. Several studies were conducted to confirm this and it will be utilized more often I the future.

Key Takeaways:

  • Giving babies probiotics along with breast milk reduces the levels of potential pathogens in the infants.
  • Giving probiotics to newborns results in healthier gut levels of beneficial bacteria.
  • Newborns who are given probiotics for the first week of life are protected from asthma and diabetes.

"The study is extremely important in that it shows how important a healthy gut microbiome is. The work had major implications for reduced infection rates and atopic issues like eczema and asthma."

Read more: https://www.naturalnews.com/2017-12-22-c-section-or-antibiotics-while-pregnant-give-babies-probiotics.html

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Are mangos the nutrient filled superfood we need for better health?
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Date: September 23, 2017 09:14 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Are mangos the nutrient filled superfood we need for better health?





A recent comprehensive review was published about all of the benefits of eating mangos. Review focused on the anti-inflammatory and health benefits of the pulp and flash of the mango. Recent research has shown that the mango enhances intestinal, grain in skin health. It also has shown to help prevent obesity as well as type 2 diabetes. Research into this low-calorie nutrient rich food needs to continue but it looks like the mango is a promising superfood.

Key Takeaways:

  • According to a recent review published in Food and Function, mangoes are great for the microbiome, vascular health, glycemic control, and the brain.
  • The delicious and popular fruit is a great source of essential and phyto-nutrients that have anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, and anti-cancer properties.
  • Mangoes can be consumed alone or can be used in a variety of dishes, such as fruit salads, chutneys, ice creams, and salsas.

"Mangos have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties according to a comprehensive review of all available science literature on the fruit."

Read more: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Are-mangos-the-nutrient-filled-superfood-we-need-for-better-health

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Are gut microbes really a panacea, or just overhyped?
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Date: September 22, 2017 09:14 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Are gut microbes really a panacea, or just overhyped?





Gut microbes and their role in physical as well as mental health has received a lot of attention in the past few years. Researchers are claiming that some day probiotic medicines can be taken to combat disease, both mental and physical. his is not just hype. Serious research is being done to learn how these microbes work on the human body with the hopes of creating probiotic like medications someday. Read here about these recent research advances.

Key Takeaways:

  • Though historically microbial entities have been pointed at as a source of disease, the assumption is not accurate, as only a fraction are truly harmful.
  • Trillions of beneficial, potentially integral to human life, microbes live in the human abdomen in environments scientists call microbiomes.
  • From these internal environments emerge chemicals that influence brain function and development, potentially influencing diseases, like Parkinson's.

"The gut microbiome does indeed show huge potential, but the research is still in its infancy, and many of the big questions remain unanswered."

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/07/gut-microbes-panacea-brain-probiotic

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Now that's good bacteria
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Date: September 07, 2017 09:14 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Now that's good bacteria





All bacteria that reside in your body is not harmful. "Good" bacteria are found mostly in your gut. This good bacteria is called probiotics, and it helps keep your gut healthy. Besides keeping your gut healthy, probiotics have been found to help with allergies, oral health, and boost your overall immune system. A balance between good (probiotics) and bad bacteria in your gut must be maintained. In order to do this, one must consume prebiotics and probiotics every day. Foods that should be eaten daily are fermented foods and high-fibre foods. In addition to making sure there is good bacteria in your gut, one must get enough sleep and exercise daily. This will keep your gut microbiome on course.

Key Takeaways:

  • probiotics are living microorganisms of a beneficial nature, found within the human body, specifically in the stomach.
  • These microorganisms can boost the body's immunity, which makes them useful for cold's, urinary tract infections and influenza.
  • To boost levels of probiotics in the body, it's a good idea to consume fermented foods, like yoghurt, miso and tempeh.

"Keeping a proper balance between the good and bad bacteria of your gut microbiome is important, and the way to achieve it is by ensuring that your ratio of beneficial-to-bad bacteria in your gut is kept in equilibrium."

Read more: http://www.star2.com/health/nutrition/2017/09/05/now-thats-good-bacteria/

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The new science on anxiety and gut health
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Date: September 01, 2017 09:14 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: The new science on anxiety and gut health





Probiotics may be a new treatment for mental health disorders. A new study creates a connection between good digestive health and good mental health. Lab mice showed that a lack of probiotics increased anxiety, but that anxiety decreased as the bacteria was reintroduced. The study claims there is a link to the brain and the digestive tract that creates a link between the the two, leading one to compliment the other, benefitting health, and positive mental health.

Key Takeaways:

  • In the study, researchers discovered the mice living a germ-free life ended up having unusual amounts of anxiety.
  • While the microbiome-brain connection—AKA the link between digestive and mental health—has been established in other studies, this time they found a first-of-its-kind connection between gastrointestin
  • If your probiotics seem to help keep your anxiety at a healthy level, keep doing what you’re doing: The little guys in your stomach are on your side.

"Probiotics are arguably the new Prozac already — and now there’s a concrete case for combating anxiety with good bacteria, too."

Read more: https://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/anxiety-gut-health-microbiome-new-study/

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Health Matters: How Gut Microbes Influence Depression
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Date: August 29, 2017 12:14 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Health Matters: How Gut Microbes Influence Depression





Your gut microbes can influence the depression you feel. There are many different things that contribute to depression in people. Substance abuse and chronic fatigue are two of these things. Microbiomes play a huge role in helping us maintain a very healthy immune system. But, many people might not be aware that they also have an ability to influence our brain chemistry. The microbial community in our gut communicates with our brain. It does this using many different mechanisms.

Key Takeaways:

  • High fiber foods contain prebiotics which are good for people.
  • Bad foods give people gut microbiome which is bad for someone's health.
  • Psychobiotics may cause a person to have mental health issues.

"our gut’s microbial community is actively communicating with and influencing our brain"

Read more: http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/article/health-matters-how-gut-microbes-influence-depression

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Healthy gut bacteria improve immunity
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Date: July 07, 2017 09:14 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Healthy gut bacteria improve immunity





Having healthy gut bacteria improves your overall immunity. The human body has ten times the amount of bacteria than cells do. These bacteria live on the skin and in the mouth and in the intestines. Many people turn to hand sanitizing to solver their problems. But, that can actually do more harm than good if you use a lot of it. There are studies that show no matter how much hand sanitizing you do, you will still have tons of bacteria in you.

Key Takeaways:

  • no matter how much hand sanitizer people use, their bodies are filled with good bacteria and other microbes.
  • Helpful bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi that live in the body make up the microbiome which helps us digest food, protect us against disease-causing bacteria and make vitamins.
  • eating fruits and vegetables, limiting processed food, and consuming at least 25 grams of fiber a day can help rebuild good bacteria in the body.

"Consider adding probiotics to the diet, preferably through natural foods rather than supplements."

Read more: http://www.centredaily.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/article159366034.html

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Microbiome – Gut health discoveries revealed
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Date: June 29, 2017 12:14 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: microbiome – Gut health discoveries revealed





The microtome, bacteria found in our digestive tracts, are responsible for maintaining our health and well being. Gut flora are responsible for secreting neurotransmitters that regulate ability to sleep, appetite and mood. Maintaining a good diet keeps the good gut microbes healthy and thriving. You want to avoid heavy carbohydrate diets that feed bad bacteria and focus on fermented, probiotic rich foods instead. Dr. Charles Gant, an expert on nutrition and the microbome has recorded a show on this topic which is available for free through a link provided.

Key Takeaways:

  • 80 percent of our neurotransmitters are produced by gut flora
  • A proper diet and probiotics can help to keep gut flora healthy
  • 70 percent of the immune system is in the gut

"there are way more bacterial cells than human cells in the human body"

Read more: http://www.naturalnews.com/2017-06-22-microbiome-gut-health.html

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Colostrum - Your Way to Super Gut Health
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Date: June 17, 2017 04:14 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Colostrum - Your Way to Super Gut Health





Colustrum is your way to achieving super gut health. Your body is one big ecosystem that is defended by the gut. The human body is such a complex thing with so much uncertainty about it. Every part has interrelated functions that keep our bodies chugging along all day. Your gut is constantly given new things from food and drink throughout the day. From the beginning of your life, you gut is exposed to brand new microorganisms.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prior to moms making milk, they produce colostrum for baby to drink for the first 2-5 days.
  • Colostrum provides optimal health for baby including a strong, functioning gut and immune system.
  • Your body can be poisoned or healed through your gut.

"In recent years, research has shown beneficial bacteria in your microbiome may help you fight infection anywhere in your body."

Read more: https://www.mrvitamins.com.au/news/uncategorized/colostrum-your-way-to-super-gut-health/

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Gut bacteria may help explain benefits of breastfeeding
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Date: May 15, 2017 06:44 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Gut bacteria may help explain benefits of breastfeeding





There are many kinds of necessary bacteria in the body and examining it can sometimes teach us things. Gut bacteria can show us how important breastfeeding is for example. Doing it even for a short time increases this bacteria which is good for us. It helps us to break down our food. There are many other benefits to breastfeeding which are well known by now. It boosts the baby's immunity and creates a close emotional bond.

Read more: Gut bacteria may help explain benefits of breastfeeding

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Could Germs in the Gut Give Rise to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
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Date: May 01, 2017 10:59 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Could Germs in the Gut Give Rise to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?





New research has uncovered a possible link between chronic fatigue syndrome and an out-of-balance gut microbiome. Chronic fatigue syndrome, which affects about 1 million Americans, leads to joint and muscle aches, clouded thinking, and sleep problems. However, most people suffering from it are never diagnosed. The new research attempts to link the types and quantity of bacteria present in the gut to symptoms of chronic fatigue. More research is needed to draw a more conclusive link, but physicians have made an important first step.

Read more: Could Germs in the Gut Give Rise to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

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Why anti-inflammatory eating is the next big thing
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Date: March 02, 2017 07:59 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Why anti-inflammatory eating is the next big thing





It is becoming increasingly clear that chronic inflammation is the root cause of many serious illnesses – including heart disease, many cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease. We all know inflammation on the surface of the body as local redness, heat, swelling and pain. It is the cornerstone of the body’s healing response, bringing more nourishment and more immune activity to a site of injury or infection. But when inflammation persists or serves no purpose, it damages the body and causes illness. Stress, lack of exercise, genetic predisposition, and exposure to toxins.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new eating fad is the anti-inflammatory diet. Gisele has a flat stomach, follow this diet and way of life. So if you want to be like Gisele start eating the anti-inflammatory diet.
  • This is a strict diet and some staple vegetables are prohibited.
  • The diet seems like it is here to stay. People are busy and stressed and this diet seems to help balance things our for them.

"Said to support everything from a balanced microbiome and strong bones to helping fight cancer, the anti-inflammatory diet is not only proven to be powerful medically, but mimics much of the same clean-eating philosophy."



Reference:

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=//www.goodfood.com.au/good-health/why-antiinflammatory-eating-is-the-next-big-thing-20170221-guhx33&ct=ga&cd=CAIyGmZmMDFkMTU2YWMzMmQ5OTU6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNGf1QVhRFp0sFlPQZqvckUKH0PmIw

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Stunning scientific discovery finds that gut bacteria control your brain chemistry, altering moods and more
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Date: February 19, 2017 12:59 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Stunning scientific discovery finds that gut bacteria control your brain chemistry, altering moods and more





It has long been known that things in your body are connected. We don't know all the ways yet but studies are often done about it. This provides information about a new finding. It explains what your gut bacteria can do to the chemicals in the brain and how that affects you in daily life.

Key Takeaways:

  • Studies have shown that the gut microbiome plays a key role in regulating everything from digestion and metabolism to immune function and even mood, but the mechanisms of this action remain largely a mystery.
  • Research has also confirmed that people with IBD have a different gut microbiome composition than healthy people.
  • The human gut alone hosts approximately 100 trillion bacteria and other microbes of many different species.

"Studies have shown that the gut microbiome plays a key role in regulating everything from digestion and metabolism to immune function and even mood, but the mechanisms of this action remain largely a mystery."



Reference:

//www.naturalnews.com/2017-01-28-new-study-finds-how-microorganisms-living-in-thehuman-gut-could-affect-your-physiology.html

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A Gut Makeover for the New Year
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Date: January 12, 2017 12:59 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: A Gut Makeover for the New Year





When it comes to new years resolutions, one of the resolutions that you should consider for the new year is a gut makeover. When it comes to long term health investments, reestablishing the community of microbes and bacteria that make up your intestinal tract can be one of the best ones in general. A diminished microbial system can have consequences that extend for a long period of time, which is why this makes for a great long term new years resolution.

Key Takeaways:

  • If you’re making resolutions for a healthier new year, consider a gut makeover.
  • Much of the composition of the microbiome is established early in life, shaped by forces like your genetics and whether you were breast-fed or bottle-fed.
  • Changing your diet to one containing a variety of plant-based foods, the new research suggests, may be crucial to achieving a healthier microbiome.

"A diminished microbial ecosystem, on the other hand, is believed to have consequences that extend far beyond the intestinal tract, affecting everything from allergies and inflammation, metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity, even mental health conditions like depression and anxiety."



Reference:

//www.nytimes.com/2016/12/29/well/eat/a-gut-makeover-for-the-new-year.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

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Gut bacteria may hold key to treating autoimmune disease
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Date: December 29, 2016 07:59 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (support@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Gut bacteria may hold key to treating autoimmune disease





Inflammation and autoimmunity are caused by inappropriate activity of the body's own regulatory T immune cells. A mutation in a gene called Foxp3 causes a fatal disease, IPEX syndrome, where these cells run amok. But new research shows an unexpected link to the gut: Foxp3 mutant mice end up missing a particular type of bacteria from their intestines. By replacing the missing bacterial species in the gut microbiome, many of the T cell-mediated inflammatory symptoms could be improved.

Key Takeaways:

  • T reg cells suppress the immune system and prevent it from attacking the body's own tissues by mistake.Defects in T reg cells therefore lead to various types of autoimmune disease.
  • This inherited autoimmune disorder is characterized by a variety of inflammatory conditions including eczema, type I diabetes, and severe enteropathy.
  • Autoimmune diseases can also be caused by changes in the gut microbiome, the population of bacteria that reside within the gastrointestinal tract.

"The study, published online in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, suggests that replacing the missing gut bacteria."



Reference:

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=//news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20161220/3016593.html&ct=ga&cd=CAIyGmZmMDFkMTU2YWMzMmQ5OTU6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNFb8uS7IaUdJHpkyGkFpLZ5BESXeA

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