Gut bacteria may manipulate what we eat in order to ensure for themselves the best environment. One of the major determining factors of our intestinal environment, of course, is the food we eat. Some gut bacteria prefer to consume fat, for example, while others prefer sugar. That’s why the researchers have suggested that gut bacteria might seek to actively manipulate their environment for their own benefit. That, in turn, would mean manipulating our behavior by means of food cravings, food aversions or feelings of distress that are only satisfied by eating certain foods. While it is unclear exactly what mechanisms bacteria would use to manipulate our behavior, there is strong theoretical support for just such a possibility. Research has confirmed a strong connection between the makeup of our gut flora and the functioning of the immune, nervous and endocrine (hormonal) systems. Some research has suggested that bacteria may release signaling molecules that affect the activity of the vagus nerve, which runs from the gut to the base of the brain. “Microbes have the capacity to manipulate behavior and mood through altering the neural signals in the vagus nerve, changing taste receptors, producing toxins to make us feel bad, and releasing chemical rewards to make us feel good,” senior author Athena Aktipis, PhD, said. So I think we can manipulate our bacteria thats manipulating us by giving them the food they need (prebiotics) and the strains of bacteria they need in cultured food. Youll feel the difference in your body and mind. If you cant beat them you might as well work with them- all 100 trillion of them.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 00:00:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015