Diet Cures Multiple Sclerosis

Source

I am fascinated by how changes in the gut microbiome can alter the course and even reverse human disease. Take the recent surge of fecal transplants for instance to treat chronic diseases such as IBD, Clostridium difficile, Crohn's, and multiple sclerosis (blog post). I am also intrigued by how plant strong and paleo diets seem to be increasingly beneficial for health.

Here is an inspirational TEDx talk by Dr. Terry Wahls (@TerryWahls) on how she used pubmed.gov to research and develop a hunter gatherer diet rich in phytonutrients that cured her multiple sclerosis - an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Note that her approach focussed on the beneficial vitamins and phytonutrients from these foods. She did not mention the changes in the gut bacteria that are also occurring on this diet and that can have positive repercussions on the body's metabolites. I hope her message helps others.

Diet changes the gut microbiome, which in turn changes the metabolic, neuronal, and inflammatory networks that may cause or cure many chronic 'Western' diseases. Nothing short of awesome. The regenerative power of the gut microbiome is akin to stem cells and here to stay.

Wall Street Journal on Wolbachia & Selfish DNA

When Genes/Microbes Look Out Only for Themselves

Wow. Its a fun week for science in the press. First, the Economist cover features the study of the microbiome, and today the Wall Street Journal's Matt Ridley picked up the theme of selfish DNA with a highlight on Wolbachia, cytoplasmic male sterility, and selfish mitochondria. Check out the big link above.