The hottest Microbiota Substack posts right now

Human nutrition often uses reductionism, but different foods like honey and sugar have distinct impacts due to their unique properties and effects on the microbiota.
Honey acts as a prebiotic, supporting a healthy microbial system, unlike processed white sugar which can lead to dysbiosis and metabolic issues.
Long-term effects of food choices, like replacing ultra-processed foods with real, whole foods, can have significant impacts on health beyond what is immediately visible or understood.

Gut microbiota plays a key role in the anti-seizure effects of the ketogenic diet.
The composition of gut microbiota changes with the ketogenic diet, impacting seizure protection.
The gut microbiota alters neurochemistry to provide seizure protection.

Gut microbiota and probiotics play a vital role in human health.
Dysbiosis can lead to health issues and can be caused by factors like antibiotics and diet.
Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics are essential for maintaining a healthy gut.

Vitamin K2 in foods comes from the conversion of other K vitamins to MK-4 in animals or from bacterial production of various MKs, highlighting how cheese production involves these processes.
Different cheeses have varying amounts of vitamin K2 based on the specific bacteria used in fermentation, showcasing how the type of bacteria impacts the levels of MKs like MK-7 and MK-10 in the final product.
The presence of MK-10 and MK-11 in pork products raises questions about their bioavailability compared to other MKs found in foods like cheese and natto, emphasizing the need for further research on the different biological functions of various MKs.

DNA storage in hydrogels can last 1000 years, showing potential for efficient information storage.
Mapping the human pangenome with 47 people aids in understanding genetic diversity and phenotypes.
A single genetic mutation in ants created a 'supergene' impacting social organization, hinting at collective behavior research possibilities.

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