Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118 is a well-characterized and evidence-based probiotic strain. A feeding study led by Fergus Shanahan, MD and his research group at the University College Cork was conducted in patients with ulcerative colitis. This pilot-scale, open-label study aimed to determine the ability of L. salivarius UCC118 to adhere to human enterocyte epithelial cells. The bacterial strain was administered to patients with ulcerative colitis at ~109 CFU/day for 12 days. Biopsy specimen analyses demonstrated that the ingested bacteria effectively adhered to…

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has become a significant health problem seen in many clinical practices. The prevalence estimates for SIBO in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) range from 4-78% (higher prevalence in diarrhea-predominant IBS)1 and is thought to be almost as high in many other disorders of the digestive tract. Defined as an increase in the concentration of bacteria of more than 100,000 colony-forming units per mL in the small intestine, SIBO can lead to malabsorption and malnutrition that…

In this video, Dr. Fergus Shanahan presents “An Overview of the Human Microbiome.” Originally delivered at ASPEN in 2015, this presentation provides a glimpse of success stories in the past with microbiome, as well as a glimpse into the future of using probiotics as preventive and treatment-focused therapies. He chooses to discuss the microbiome as a therapeutic target in the body. He also discusses the use of microbial biomarkers in the body for diagnostic testing. There are very few such…

The purported roles of the microbiota is ever emerging, and the associated technology is rapidly changing, but what do we know today? In this presentation, Mark Lyte, PhD, MS, MT (ASCP) discusses, “The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Shared Neurochemistry and Its Potential Role in Infection and Behavior.” Dr. Lyte reviews recent literature on the microbiome, taking a long-range view of the microbiome field and where it may be headed. He discusses the microbiota from a neuroendocrine vantage point. Dr. Mark Lyte is…

Chronic inflammatory diseases have root causes that may include gut dysbiosis or leaky gut. Leaky gut syndrome is a proposed condition some health practitioners claim is the cause of a wide range of serious long-term conditions, including diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. In this webinar, Dr. Robert Martindale discusses the pathology of leaky gut, if it is a real condition, its mechanisms, and treatment opportunities. Proponents of leaky gut syndrome state that an altered or damaged bowel lining or gut…

In this presentation Lars Bode, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California San Diego, examines how the microbiome develops in the early stages of infant feeding. He explains how human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) differ from infant formula oligosaccharides and the unique value of HMOs shaping the gut microbiome in infants and also potentially impacting the adult gut, too. Presented at the 2015 Nutrition Pro Symposium .

by Vincent Pedre, MD Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a controversial diagnosis that can masquerade behind a variety of symptoms, not all of which involve the characteristic bloating, gas and abdominal pain. SIBO also manifests as rosacea,1 diarrhea, constipation, anxiety,2 depression, fatigue, and iron deficiency. The astute clinician needs to hold a high degree of suspicion because a patient with SIBO may not present with the classic symptoms. For example, a recent severe case I saw presented only with diarrhea. Definitions First…

by Lewis Chang, PhD Clostridium difficile, or "C. diff", is a bacterium that can cause infection in at-risk individuals, triggering symptoms ranging from mild diarrhea to severe pseudomembranous colitis. Major risk factors for C. diff infection include depletion of protective gut microorganisms due to antibiotics use (e.g. fluoroquinolones), compromised immune system, age, healthcare environment, and certain medications. Hospitalized older individuals with recent antibiotic exposure and those admitted to long-term care facilities are particularly susceptible for C. diff infection.1 Two fluoroquinolone-resistant…

by Christopher Moulton, PhD Pectin is a complex and heterogeneous aggregation of polysaccharides first isolated from plant matter in 1825 by French chemist and pharmacist Henri Bracconot.1 Pectin is the major constituent of all plant primary cell walls, contributing to the plant’s structural integrity and providing a barrier to the external environment. Consequently, pectin is a component of all omnivorous diets. Pectin is known to be a soluble, prebiotic fiber that bypasses human digestion in the small intestine, but is…