The Chinese Academy of Sciences published new research saying that gut bacteria is associated with how well we maintain our body temperatures. Mice were shown to have difficulty staying warm when their gut microbiomes were limited by antibiotic usage. Is gut bacteria to blame if you always run cold?
read moreThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is hyper-regulating FMT therapies and still trying to categorize the therapy as a drug. "A Poop Drug Cartel" "...The interests of investors may be exceeding those of patients" - Dr. Alexander Khoruts. "The concern is that corporate greed will get in the way of patient access" - Catherine Duff of the Fecal Transplant Foundation pleads.
read moreThe scientists and collaborators at Argonne National Laboratory have 'successfully established a correlation between GABA-producing bacteria and depression'. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that slows down activity in our nervous systems. Looks like another potential link between emotional health and the microbiome!
read moreHere's a great list on all the revolutionary research on our gut microbiomes and its connection to our health! Big data is compiling as we speak, uncovering even more implications for FMT!
read moreRobert E. Wilkens was an active leader and dedicated advisor for Achieving Cures Together. Upon his passing last September, our organization, his friends, and his family were deeply saddened. Given his commitment to our mission, we felt compelled to honor him and created the Robert E. Wilkens award. Robert had a special intuition for spotting opportunities. He was very successful in his endeavors throughout life, and as a businessman, he had an unrivaled work ethic and a burning passion to learn. Most importantly however, Robert was a loving father and grandfather. He had a big heart for people and was determined and committed to progressing cures and alleviating suffering. He believed in Achieving Cures Together and was beyond generous with his time and treasure. Much of our early success can be attributed to his leadership and generosity. We will be forever grateful for his work as an advisor and supporter and we are humbled to present this award to exemplary members of our community. Grit and determination. Two words to describe Ashley Margarit as she crossed the finish line at the Twin Cities Marathon this past October. Not only did Ashley finish her first marathon on arguably one of the toughest race courses in the country, but she completed the marathon while battling a flare of Ulcerative Colitis. Her determination to finish the race and her commitment to Achieving Cures Together gives us the honor and privilege to recognize Ashley Margarit as the 1st recipient of the Robert E. Wilkens award. Congratulations Ashley, and thank you for your spirit of hard work and perseverance.
read moreThe body’s microbial community may influence the brain and behavior, perhaps even playing a role in dementia, autism and other disorders.
read more"What is a Fecal Transplant, and Why Would I Want One?" If you have questions about the procedure, this New York Times article may give you some answers!
read moreWhat's the best way to prepare a fecal microbiota transplantation? In attempts to keep all gut bacteria alive, a clinical trial was done in ulcerative colitis patients, using FMT prepared without the bacteria touching oxygen. This anaerobic (without oxygen) preparation seemed to be more effective for UC patients, according to Samuel P. Costello.
read moreClostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common hospital-acquired infection in the U.S., and has become a global public health issue. The infection can cause a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, which estimates suggest ultimately result in nearly 30,000 deaths every year in the U.S. alone. While the most significant risk factor for CDI is antibiotic treatment, studies in mice by a team at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine now provide new evidence that connects the use of common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) with increased severity of CDI. Their results also point to the molecular mechanisms that underpin this link.
read more"Those bacteria are not there by chance..we have developed with them from the time we're born" - Joseph Murray, MD. So interesting to see a conversation about how microbes play a role in rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS) and celiac disease.
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