Digestion News and Research

RSS

Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breaking down of food into smaller components, to a form that can be absorbed, for instance, into a blood stream. Digestion is a form of catabolism; a break-down of macro food molecules to smaller ones.

Ginger has beneficial effects against metabolic syndrome

A new review notes that recent epidemiological and clinical studies have built a consensus that ginger has beneficial effects against obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and related disorders--more commonly referred to as metabolic syndrome.

16 May 2017

New research could lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of inflammatory bowel disease

A University of Manchester test on the mucus lining of the intestine, performed in mice, has found changes in bacteria that could lead to inflammatory bowel disease 12 weeks earlier than previously possible through looking at stool samples, leading to the possibility of earlier diagnosis and better management of the disease in humans.

From The University of Manchester 15 May 2017

Long periods of physiological stress can change composition of intestinal microbiota in soldiers

A new study finds that long periods of physiological stress can change the composition of microorganisms residing in the intestines, which could increase health risks in endurance athletes and military personnel.

4 May 2017

Experts highlight need for further research on differences between milk proteins

New knowledge on milk composition and quality is of essential importance to consumers as well as the industry. There are therefore considerable research efforts in milk worldwide.

28 Apr 2017

Study provides preliminary evidence that Parkinson's disease may start in the gut

Parkinson's disease may start in the gut and spread to the brain via the vagus nerve, according to a study published in the April 26, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The vagus nerve extends from the brainstem to the abdomen and controls unconscious body processes like heart rate and food digestion.

27 Apr 2017

Johns Hopkins study shows that healthy adult gut loses and regenerates nerve cells

Johns Hopkins researchers today published new evidence refuting the long-held scientific belief that the gut nerve cells we're born with are the same ones we die with.

19 Apr 2017

Experts to present diverse advances in neuromodulation at INS congress

Experts will present diverse advances in neuromodulation from May 27 to June 1, 2017 at the 13th World Congress of the International Neuromodulation Society in Edinburgh, Scotland.

30 Mar 2017

Research provides new insight into how coevolution could shape microbial diversity in human gut

What drives bacterial strain diversity in the gut? Although there are a number of possible explanations, a recent opinion piece published in TRENDs in Microbiology by Dr Pauline Scanlan, a Royal Society - Science Foundation Ireland Research Fellow at the APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, addresses one potentially important and overlooked aspect of this unresolved question.

28 Mar 2017

Study links gastrointestinal disturbances of GWI with changes in intestinal microbiota

A new study from the University of South Carolina has found a gastrointestinal link that could help explain many of the health issues facing those with Gulf War Illness (GWI) as well as opening new pathways to treatment options that may improve both gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms associated with the disorder.

23 Mar 2017

Parasitic fish offers unique insights into evolution of gut neurons in ancient vertebrates

Lamprey are slimy, parasitic eel-like fish, one of only two existing species of vertebrates that have no jaw. While many would be repulsed by these creatures, lamprey are exciting to biologists because they are so primitive, retaining many characteristics similar to their ancient ancestors and thus offering answers to some of life's biggest evolutionary questions

21 Mar 2017

Oral sprays, topical methods can be easier option to guarantee vitamin and mineral absorption, says expert

Many people don’t realise that how they take their vitamin and mineral supplements is just as important as what they take.

From BetterYou Ltd 21 Mar 2017

Electroacupuncture triggers neurological mechanism to promote tissue repair and relieve pain, study shows

A study led by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers demonstrates how electroacupuncture triggers a neurological mechanism that can help promote tissue repair and relieve injury-induced pain.

16 Mar 2017

Timing of carbohydrate intake plays role in blood glucose regulation for men with prediabetes

According to a nutrition study led by the German Institute of Human Nutrition, a partner of the German Center for Diabetes Research, the so-called internal clock also influences how people with impaired glucose metabolism react to carbohydrate-rich food.

9 Mar 2017

Random variability may contribute to differences in gut microbe populations, study finds

Within the human digestive tract, there are trillions of bacteria, and these communities contain hundreds or even thousands of species. The makeup of those populations can vary greatly from one person to another, depending on factors such as diet, environmental exposure, and health history.

6 Mar 2017

Study shows how ‘secondhand sugar’ can pass from mother to infant through breast milk

Add breast milk to the list of foods and beverages that contain fructose, a sweetener linked to health issues ranging from obesity to diabetes.

2 Mar 2017

Structure of unique amyloid fibrils could lead to discovery of new antibiotics

The highly pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is one of the five most common causes of hospital-acquired infections. In the US alone, approximately 500,000 patients at hospitals contract a staph infection. It is the bacteria responsible for MRSA, for which there is no vaccine.

24 Feb 2017

NIH workshop: Zika-affected infants may face complex health and developmental problems

Children exposed to Zika virus in the womb may face complex health and developmental problems as they grow older, according to discussions at a National Institutes of Health workshop.

21 Feb 2017

Plant-based drug for hemophilia shows promise in animal models

People with hemophilia require regular infusions of clotting factor to prevent them from experiencing uncontrolled bleeding. But a significant fraction develop antibodies against the clotting factor, essentially experiencing an allergic reaction to the very treatment that can prolong their lives.

13 Feb 2017

Whole grain consumption increases calorie loss and metabolism, study suggests

A new study suggests that substituting whole grains for refined grains in the diet increases calorie loss by reducing calories retained during digestion and speeding up metabolism.

9 Feb 2017

Researchers uncover key molecular pathways behind gut bacterial imbalance during inflammation

A study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has uncovered key molecular pathways behind the disruption of the gut's delicate balance of bacteria during episodes of inflammatory disease.

8 Feb 2017