ISLAMABAD,FEB 28 (ONLINE): A healthy gut microbiome is essential for an overall healthy digestive system.
\nDifferent foods impact the gut microbiome in different ways.
\nA new study has found that distinct types of dairy products appear to affect the gut microbiome differently.
\nScientists observed that drinking more milk was linked to an increase in two types of bacteria that may support gut health, while consuming more cheese seemed to lower levels of another beneficial type of bacteria.
\nFor some time now, the gut microbiome has taken center stage when it comes to improving the health of the digestive system.<\/p>\n
This is because the gut microbiome can help the digestive system better break down food and create much-needed nutrients.<\/p>\n
Recent research suggests that a healthy microbiome can help lower a person\u2019s risk for gastrointestinal-related conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), irritable bowel disease (IBD), and leaky gut syndrome.<\/p>\n
We also know that different foods affect the gut microbiome in different ways. For example, whole foods high in dietary fiber support the microbiome, while certain ultra-processed foodsTrusted Source can have a negative impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that the microbiota \u2014 including bacteria, fungi, virus, and other microbes \u2014 [that] naturally live in our gut are important for our overall health, immune function, and various health conditions,\u201d Li Jiao, MD, MS, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Medicine-Gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine told Medical News Today.<\/p>\n
She explained that:<\/p>\n
\u201cOur diet affects our health through the gut microbiota, at least partially. If we fully understand how food impacts the trillions of bacteria in our gut, we can better maintain gut health, overall health, and provide evidence-based dietary guidelines. We would be able to use tailored nutrition approaches to prevent and manage diseases in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jiao is the senior author of a new study recently published in the journal Nutrients, providing evidence that different types of dairy products affect the gut microbiome differently.<\/p>\n
In this case, Jiao and her team found that drinking more milk was correlated to an increase in two types of bacteria that may support gut health, while consuming more cheese was linked to lower amounts of a third beneficial type of bacteria.<\/p>\n
Why study the impact of dairy on gut bacteria?
\nFor this study, researchers\u2019 final analysis included samples from 34 people who had a scheduled colonoscopy between August 2013 and April 2017.<\/p>\n
The study excluded people with a family history of colon diseases or IBD, colorectal polyps within the previous 3 years, and those with other conditions or taking medications that could affect the study results. People who had recently changed their eating habits were also excluded from the study.<\/p>\n
Study participants\u2019 provided information on their intake of total dairy, milk, cheese, and yogurt via a self-reported questionnaire.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe set out to study dairy products and their impacts on gut bacteria for two main reasons,\u201d Jiao explained. \u201cOne, fermented foods are thought to influence gut microbiota. Many dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese, are fermented foods. Two, there is still some debate about whether milk and cheese are good for our health. This study [was] meant to provide more biological evidence about [the] health impacts of milk and cheese.\u201d<\/p>\n
More milk, less cheese increases microbial diversity
\nResearchers analyzed 97 colonic mucosal biopsies \u2014 samples of the lining tissues of the colon \u2014 and used 16S ribosomal Ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequencingTrusted Source to find out what types of microbes they held.<\/p>\n
Upon analysis, scientists discovered that participants who consumed more total dairy and milk, and those who ate less cheese, appeared to have a higher alpha-microbial diversity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe variety of species plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall health and stability of the ecosystem,\u201d Jiao explained. \u201cHaving higher alpha-diversity in the gut means a healthier and more balanced gut microbiota community.\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cA diverse microbiota is more resilient to external disturbance such as infections, changes in diet, and antibiotic use, allowing for a quicker recovery. It is like a forest with many different types of trees [that] can recover faster from natural disasters,\u201d she detailed.<\/p>\n
Current research suggests that the composition of the gut microbiomeTrusted Source, or the abundance of specific types of bacteria present, may be an even better indicator of gut health than alpha-diversity.<\/p>\n
Why eating more cheese could negatively affect health
\nScientists observed that participants who ate higher amounts of cheese had a lower amount of the bacterium BacteroidesTrusted Source in their gut microbiome.<\/p>\n
Past studies provide conflicting evidence on the health effects of Bacteroides. Some research suggests this bacterium produces toxins that promote tumor formationTrusted Source and are associated with colorectal cancer developmentTrusted Source. However, low levels of Bacteroides have also been linked to IBDTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
\u201cBacteroides are among the common bacteria in our body and some of their species offer health benefits,\u201d Jiao said. \u201cIn the large intestine, Bacteroides help digest food, absorb nutrients, and promote gut health. We found that middle-aged men [who] consumed higher amounts of cheese had less abundant of these beneficial bacteria in the gut, making higher cheese consumption less helpful in our study population.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMeanwhile, higher consumption of cheese [reduced] was related to a lower diversity of the gut bacteria in our study. However, some species of Bacteroides can have both beneficial and harmful effects. Therefore, interpreting the results is not straightforward. More research is needed to understand the different strains of Bacteroides and their roles in the human body.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013 Li Jiao, MD, MS, PhD<\/p>\n
How drinking more milk could improve gut health
\nJiao and her team also observed that those who consumed more total diary and milk had a higher amount of the bacteria Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia in their microbiome.<\/p>\n
Faecalibacterium may help reduce inflammationTrusted Source and protect the gut against intestinal diseases, and Akkermansia may help avoid or slow the progression of conditions like IBD.<\/p>\n
In animal studies, Akkermansia also shows potential in helping prevent chronic conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n
\u201cFaecalibacterium and Akkermansia are two common bacteria essential for a healthy gut,\u201d Jiao explained. \u201cBoth can help regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and promote a healthy gut. Akkermansia, in addition, helps maintain and strengthen the gut lining. They are considered beneficial for our health based on the current evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMilk and dairy products may help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, supporting the idea that milk is good for our health,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor people who aren\u2019t lactose intolerant, consumption of low-fat dairy products may boost these beneficial bacteria and the diversity of the gut microbiota. Those with lactose intolerance issues may opt for yogurt, kefir, lactose-free dairy, or dairy alternatives. However, it is important to pay attention to how your body responds to dairy products,\u201d the researcher cautioned.<\/p>\n
Do all types of cheese have the same effect on health?
\nMNT also spoke with Rudolph Bedford, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, about this study.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes sense in that the process of pasteurizing cheese versus what we do with milk are quite different, and there are different potential bacteria that are involved in either both processes or what\u2019s actually left after the process is finished,\u201d Bedford, who was not involved in the study, told us.<\/p>\n
Based on these recent findings, Bedford said people who haveIBD or other gut-related diseases may want to consider drinking more milk and eating less cheese.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut obviously, I think that much more research needs to be done,\u201d he cautioned. \u201cIn terms of patients with things like inflammatory bowel disease, we\u2019re encouraging more of a Mediterranean diet these days, which does incorporate various dairy-like products, yogurts, and things of that sort.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like [researchers] to break down the types of cheeses that are actually associated with lowering the Bacteroides colonies, and whether or not the processing of the cheeses really has more to do with that than not,\u201d\u00a0Bedford\u00a0added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD,FEB 28 (ONLINE): A healthy gut microbiome is essential for an overall healthy digestive system. Different foods impact the gut microbiome in different ways. A new study has found that distinct types of dairy products appear to affect the gut microbiome differently. Scientists observed that […]<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":119751,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9821],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-119750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-health-news"],"yoast_head":"\n