Love and Hate

Love and Hate

Microbes play a huge role in molding human behavior and relationships. The microbial population you harbor in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract can influence everything from the intensity of your love life and relationships to provoking bad behaviors such as hatred,...
Champion probiotic: Lactobacillus plantarum

Champion probiotic: Lactobacillus plantarum

From Smetanková et al 2012 Lactobacillus plantarum, L. plantarum, is an endlessly fascinating microbe with an impressive range of potential benefits on human health and performance. Many of the probiotic microbial species I’ve discussed over the years are meant...
Can your microbiome make you fat?

Can your microbiome make you fat?

Yes, absolutely: a disrupted gastrointestinal (GI) microbe can indeed be a major factor causing weight gain. Managing a disrupted GI microbiome can thereby also be an important strategy for regaining control over weight. Of course, there are other factors that...
Fake Kefir

Fake Kefir

I’ve previously posted my thoughts on this issue of commercial kefirs that should not be labeled “kefir,” as they lack several crucial components. They are no more kefir than a counterfeit $100 bill I printed on my inkjet printer. Ironically, they...
Liver: Front line in the Battle of the Microbiome

Liver: Front line in the Battle of the Microbiome

It’s not often discussed, but the portal vein is the large blood vessel that carries venous blood from the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract (stomach, pancreas, small and large intestine, etc.) to the liver. The liver is therefore the first organ to receive...