Why is Gut Health Important?

 

Everyone needs to understand the importance of gut health not only because there are trillions of  microbes in the gut  but because they play many roles in the body. This collection of microbes is called the microbiota and a person’s entire well-being depends on how well it functions..

The world we live in is full of microorganisms, so it’s natural that our body is home to some of them too. Human bodies carry millions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses which together create a microbiome, especially in the guts or intestines. While many of these microorganisms are associated with diseases, the majority of the ones your gut naturally supports are crucial for the proper functioning of the digestive system, the immune system, and even the nervous system.
So, keeping your gut microbiome thriving and healthy is very important for key body functions and overall health. However, there are situations where the gut microbiome can be jeopardized and its balance disrupted, which can have immense adverse effects on your health.

The microbes (gut microbiome) present in the body can also change as a person grows older. As soon as a baby enters the world, these organisms are already present. As they age, the number of microbes also increases, especially when they reach three years old. During this time, the microbiome is already similar to that of an adult.
They can also differ depending on where they thrive. The bacteria on the cheeks are different from the ones that live in the intestines, for example, the profile of the bacteria will continue to modify, but they have the tendency to dwindle in number as you age.

There is a strong connection between the gut bacteria and the Immune system. The gut flora can also influence the way the immune system behaves. These bacteria teach the immune system to learn to h. good and harmful microorganisms. This way, it doesn’t flare up or create an abnormal response every time it comes across “threats” such as dust, pollen, and other types of microbes.

The Gut Microbiome may also affect mental health.

The Effects of Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis

A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2018 reveals that this disruption in the gut microbiota is called dysbiosis, and the condition is linked to intestinal illnesses like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Moreover, the study shows that dysbiosis can also cause other issues like obesity, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular syndrome, allergies, and asthma. 

A 2019 study published in Nutrients shows that gut microbiota dysbiosis is now also linked to colorectal cancer, diabetes, and even neurological disorders. The study suggests that there are reciprocal interactions between gut microbiota and the brain - popularly known as the gut-brain axis - and changes in this interaction due to dysbiosis can trigger the onset of neurological issues. Overall, studies indicate that dysbiosis is a condition that can affect your health and quality of life immensely and should be prevented at all costs.

Read more here:

https://well.org/healthy-body/gut-health/ 

Dental care and health could protect against Dementia

Brushing, Flossing Could Help Protect Against Dementia

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola - July 20, 2023

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• Dental health is associated with hippocampal atrophy — shrinkage of the hippocampus brain region that serves as a marker for Alzheimer’s disease
• People with mild gum disease and fewer teeth had a faster rate of shrinkage in the left hippocampus; having one less tooth increased brain shrinkage at a rate equivalent to nearly one year of brain aging
• For those with severe gum disease, having more teeth was linked to a faster rate of brain shrinkage, with one more tooth akin to 1.3 years of brain aging
• Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a pathogen involved in chronic periodontitis, has been identified in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease
• Even in young, otherwise healthy, adults, episodic memory and learning rate is improved among those without good oral health compared to those with aggressive periodontal disease

Dementia has been added to the long list of health problems potentially associated with poor oral health. The finding, published in Neurology,1 suggests dental health is associated with hippocampal atrophy — shrinkage of the hippocampus brain region that serves as a marker for Alzheimer’s disease.2

In short, “Retaining more healthy teeth without periodontal disease may help to protect brain health,” study author Satoshi Yamaguchi, an associate professor at Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry in Sendai, Japan, explains.3

Since periodontal disease is also linked with systemic inflammation and bacteria in the bloodstream, leading to chronic disease, keeping your teeth, mouth and gums healthy is a key way to boost your overall health, as well.

Brain Shrinkage Linked to an Unhealthy Mouth

Without proper oral hygiene, gingivitis can develop. This is an inflammatory disease caused by an accumulation of plaque, or bacteria, on your teeth that often leads to bleeding gums. If left untreated, it can lead to periodontitis, which is a more serious infection that can lead to teeth loss.

Periodontitis, or gum disease, has been suggested as a potential risk factor for Alzheimer’s since at least 2015, when researchers with the University of Bristol noted “periodontal pathogens are possible contributors to neural inflammation and SLOAD [sporadic late onset Alzheimer's disease].”4

The Neurology study involved 172 people aged 55 years and over who had no cognitive decline at the start of the study. The participants had dental exams and took memory tests, while brain scans were used to measure hippocampus volume at the start of the study and four years later.

Both gum disease and number of teeth were linked to brain changes. Those with mild gum disease and fewer teeth had a faster rate of shrinkage in the left hippocampus. Among this group, having one less tooth increased brain shrinkage at a rate equivalent to nearly one year of brain aging.5

For those with severe gum disease, having more teeth was linked to a faster rate of brain shrinkage, with one more tooth akin to 1.3 years of brain aging.6 Yamaguchi said in a news release:

“Tooth loss and gum disease, which is inflammation of the tissue around the teeth that can cause shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth, are very common, so evaluating a potential link with dementia is incredibly important. Our study found that these conditions may play a role in the health of the brain area that controls thinking and memory, giving people another reason to take better care of their teeth.”

Gum Disease Bacteria Travel to Your Brain

In 2019, researchers with the University of Louisville identified Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a pathogen involved in chronic periodontitis, in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.7 Gingipains — toxic proteases from P. gingivalis — were also found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Levels of gingipains were associated with two markers of the disease, tau protein and another protein called ubiquitin.8

Further, in mice, oral infection with P. gingivalis resulted in brain colonization of the pathogen, along with increased production of Aβ1–42, which is found in amyloid plaques.9 In vivo and invitro studies also showed gingipains were neurotoxic and damaging to tau, which is needed for normal neuronal function.

Gingipain antigens were detected in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease as well as in those with Alzheimer’s pathology who had not yet been diagnosed. This “argues that brain infection with P. gingivalis is not a result of poor dental care following the onset of dementia or a consequence of late-stage disease, but is an early event that can explain the pathology found in middle-aged individuals before cognitive decline,” the researchers explained.10

It's suggested the bacteria may access the brain from an infected oral cavity via infection of endothelial cells protecting the blood-brain barrier, spreading through cranial nerves or infection of monocytes — white blood cells — that travel to the brain.

“After entering the brain, we suggest that P. gingivalis may spread slowly over many years from neuron to neuron along anatomically connected pathways, similar to what has been demonstrated for vascular cell-to-cell transmission of P. gingivalis,” the team added.11

Periodontal Disease Linked to Alzheimer’s

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease often have poor oral health, which has commonly been attributed to declining self-care or neglect for oral health by caregivers. Past research has also revealed that periodontal disease may be a contributory factor in the disease’s development.12

For instance, a systematic review and meta-analysis that included 13 studies showed the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment in patients with periodontal disease was significantly higher than in those without periodontal disease.13 This was especially true in people with severe periodontal disease.

A separate study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s disease, found that among people aged 65 and older, Alzheimer’s disease incidence and mortality were consistently associated with probing pocket depth, a measure of periodontal health, as well as Prevotella melaninogenica (P. melaninogenica) and Campylobacter rectus (C. rectus), bacterial markers of periodontitis.14

New Bacteria Linked to Cavities

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) bacteria are usually blamed for causing cavities, but another species may also be involved, highlighting how much remains to be learned about the microbes in our mouths and how they influence disease processes. The bacteria, Selenomonas sputigena (S. sputigena), have previously been linked to gum disease.

Research published in Nature Communications15 revealed they also partner with S. mutans, enhancing their ability to cause cavities.16 Using plaque samples from 300 children aged 3 to 5 years, the researchers found that S. sputigena don’t cause cavities on their own.

However, they may become trapped by sticky deposits on the teeth called glucans, which are built by S. mutans. According to a University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine news release:17

“Once trapped, S. sputigena proliferates rapidly, using its own cells to make honeycomb-shaped “superstructures” that encapsulate and protect S. mutans. The result of this unexpected partnership, as the researchers showed using animal models, is a greatly increased and concentrated production of acid, which significantly worsens caries severity.”

It's possible that using specific enzymes or tooth-brushing methods could better target S. sputigena superstructures to reduce cavity incidence. “This phenomenon in which a bacterium from one type of environment moves into a new environment and interacts with the bacteria living there, building these remarkable superstructures, should be of broad interest to microbiologists,” study author Hyun Koo noted.18

‘Gum Disease Is Often Silent’

Among adults aged 30 or over, 46% have signs of gum disease, while 9% of adults have severe gum disease.19 However, many aren’t aware they have it, as gum disease is often a “silent” condition, not showing signs and symptoms until more advanced stages.20

In the initial stage of gingivitis, you may notice that your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, floss or eat hard food. Your gums may also be red or swollen. As the disease progresses, your gums may pull away from your teeth, making your teeth appear longer. Your teeth may also become loose, and there may sores in your mouth, bad breath and pus between your gums and teeth.21

In addition to cognitive decline, periodontitis has been linked to a number of systemic diseases, including:22

Diabetes	Heart disease
Respiratory disease	Adverse pregnancy outcomes
Cancer	Nervous system diseases

Protecting Oral Health Early on Is Best

Since deposits of amyloid beta in the brain may start one to two decades before cognitive decline and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, and periodontal disease may also be persistent for about 10 years to initiate Alzheimer’s, positive oral health early on may help prevent the disease.23

This is important not just for older adults, but also middle-aged and younger adults, who may be able to protect their brain health by maintaining good oral health. Even in young, otherwise healthy, adults, episodic memory and learning rate is improved among those without good oral health compared to those with aggressive periodontal disease24 — suggesting damage to brain health may start early on.

Proper oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing and tongue scraping, and getting regular cleanings with a mercury-free biological dentist, will go a long way toward keeping your teeth and gums healthy. A lifestyle that includes a diet based on fresh, whole foods is also essential to a naturally clean mouth and good oral health.

Oil Pulling Works Wonders for Healthy Teeth and Gums

For extra care, try oil pulling using coconut oil. I’ve previously detailed how simple it is to incorporate oil pulling into your dental hygiene routine. Coconut oil is antibacterial and antiviral, and oil pulling has been found to reduce gingivitis and plaque, significantly lowering plaque index scores compared to a control group, while also reducing bacterial colony counts in saliva.25

Notably, researchers also found that coconut oil pulling worked as well as chemical (chlorhexidine) mouthwash for plaque score, gingival index score and bleeding-on-probing.26 The oil may also be effective against gingivitis. In a pilot study of 20 people with plaque-induced gingivitis, coconut oil was used as a mouthwash daily for 30 days.

A control group carried out normal daily oral health procedures but without coconut oil. Both plaque and bleeding decreased in the groups, but the coconut oil group had a more significant decline, showing promise for reducing plaque formation and gingivitis.27

To try it, take a small amount of the oil and swish it around your mouth, “pulling” it between your teeth and ensuring it moves around your entire mouth. After about 20 minutes, spit the oil out into the garbage. You can use oil pulling daily along with regular brushing and flossing.

More Ways to Protect Your Brain Health 

Shortly after the draft of this article was written I serendipitously discovered Dr. Ellie Phillips, a dentist trained in the U.K., from a recommended YouTube video on how to regrow receding gums. I purchased her book "Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye" which outlines her complete program to eliminate tooth decay by removing the bacteria from your mouth. Her program is very inexpensive and highly counterintuitive, and, among other strategies, uses 10 grams of xylitol per day to alkalinize the saliva and kill dental bacteria..

I have been doing her program for the past week and notice a radical decrease in dental plaque which I have been plagued with my entire life. I hope to interview her later this year and give you an update at that time but thought it was important to give you a sneak preview now.

Beyond oral health, nourishing brain health is best done with a comprehensively healthy lifestyle, including healthy diet, which will also work to reduce your risk of gum disease. Your risk of cavities increases the more sugar you eat, for instance. One study found that, in order to minimize your risk of cavities, processed sugars should make up no more than 3% of your total energy intake (with 5% noted as a “pragmatic” or more realistic goal).28

Mineral deficiencies, like magnesium, can weaken bones and teeth,29 while B vitamins are also important. Research published in PLOS One compared brain atrophy in participants taking folic acid (0.8 milligrams (mg) per day), vitamin B12 (0.5 mg per day) and vitamin B6 (20 mg per day) for 24 months with that in patients taking a placebo.30

Those taking B vitamins had a lower rate of brain atrophy per year — 0.76% — than those not taking them, who had an atrophy rate of 1.08%. According to the researchers, “The accelerated rate of brain atrophy in elderly with mild cognitive impairment can be slowed by treatment with homocysteine-lowering B vitamins.”31

Vitamin B3 is found in grass fed beef, mushrooms and avocados,32 while vitamin B6 is plentiful in grass fed beef, potatoes, bananas and avocados.33 You can find folate, or vitamin B9, spinach, broccoli, avocado and asparagus.34

Vitamin B12-rich foods include grass fed beef liver, wild rainbow trout and wild sockeye salmon. Other important strategies to boost your brain health include exercise, ketogenic diet, time-restricted eating, optimizing vitamin D and other hormones, increasing sleep, meditation and detoxification and eliminating processed food.

 Sources and References

• 1 Neurology July 5, 2023
• 2 Neurology January 24, 2006; 66 (2)
• 3 Drugs.com July 6, 2023
• 4 Br Dent J. 2015 Jan;218(1):29-34. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.1137
• 5, 6 Science Daily July 5, 2023
• 7, 11 Science Advances January 23, 2019
• 8 Science Alert November 22, 2022
• 9 Alzheimer’s Research UK January 23, 2019
• 10 Science Advances January 23, 2019, Discussion
• 12, 24 Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021; 11: 766944, Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Dysfunction
• 13 Psychogeriatrics. 2021 Sep;21(5):813-825. doi: 10.1111/psyg.12743. Epub 2021 Jul 11
• 14 J Alzheimers Dis. 2020;75(1):157-172. doi: 10.3233/JAD-200064
• 15 Nature Communications volume 14, Article number: 2919 (2023)
• 16, 17, 18 Penn Today June 9, 2023
• 19 U.S. CDC, Gum Disease
• 20, 21 American Academy of Periodontology, Gum Disease Information
• 22 Front. Aging Neurosci., 23 June 2022
• 23 Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2020 Nov;18(11):1063-1066. doi: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1792292. Epub 2020 Jul 14
• 25, 26 Heliyon August 2020, Volume 6, Issue 8, e04789, Into
• 27 Eur J Dent. 2020 Oct; 14(4): 558–565
• 28 BMC Public Health September 16, 2014
• 29 Weston Price Foundation September 23, 2010
• 30, 31 PLOS One September 8, 2010
• 32 My Food Data, Vitamin B3 September 26, 2022
• 33 My Food Data, Vitamin B6 September 26, 2022
• 34 My Food Data, Vitamin B9 September 26, 2022

 

The gut’s role in viral immunity 

Robert G. Silverman, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, MS, CCN, CNS, CSCS, CIISN, CKTP, CES, HKC, FAKTR 

February 17, 2021 

Katemangostar/Freepik 

An individual patient’s immune response to infection is closely linked to their gut health. Patients with healthy gut microbiomes tend to have an immune system that responds quickly and appropriately to viral attacks. An unhealthy gut is linked to immune activation, mild chronic inflammation, and greater susceptibility to viral infection and more severe illness. During a long viral pandemic, helping patients restore or maintain a healthy gut microbiome and a healthy immune system has never been more consequential.

The Gut-Immune Link

The crosstalk between the gut microbiota and the immune system is constant—and central to mounting an effective immune defense. Between 70 and 80 percent of all immune cells are found in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) surrounding the intestines. When the GALT is compromised, the entire immune system is weakened.

The intestinal immune system can distinguish between the wide and ever-changing range of harmless microbes within the gut and pathogens. This constant, delicate immune homeostasis is disrupted when antibiotics, poor diet, lack of exercise, and other harmful factors such as environmental toxins alter the gut bacteria's balance, causing dysbiosis.

In dysbiosis, the GALT is continuously stimulated to produce immune cells and inflammatory response. When dysbiosis continues, the gut epithelial barrier can become permeable—the patient now has a leaky gut syndrome. Bacteria, bacterial metabolic and breakdown byproducts, and large undigested food particles can escape the gut and enter the circulation through tight junctions that open too widely. The result is further immune activation as well as localized and systemic inflammation, usually along with other dysbiosis symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and brain fog.

The LPS Effect

The triggering factor for systemic inflammation from increased gut permeability often begins with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) endotoxin from bacteria. An endotoxin is a complex lipopolysaccharide (LPS) found in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli and H. pylori. About 65 percent or more of the bacteria in the gut are gram-negative. As some of these bacteria are dying off at any given time, small amounts of LPS are constantly being released.

The gut produces enzymes that neutralize the endotoxin, and any amount of LPS that escapes is easily handled by the immune system. In dysbiosis, however, the gut may have more LPS-producing bacteria than it can handle. If the dysbiosis causes the gut barrier to become permeable, LPS can leak through and trigger endotoxemia, or inflammation throughout the body. Studies also show that LPS damages the blood-brain barrier by making it more permeable.

Leaky gut syndrome and dysbiosis can lead to endotoxemia, but they’re not the only causes. A diet high in saturated fat can kill off gram-negative bacteria, which causes the release of excess LPS into the gut. If the gut barrier is permeable, as it may be from a diet high in bad fats and processed foods, LPS can get through and enter the circulation.

Endotoxemia does its damage by triggering the pro-inflammatory protein complex NLRP3. Activation starts when the LPS component of gram-negative bacteria is detected by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the cell membrane, which activates the transcription factors IRF1 and NF-κB.

IRF1 drives the NLRP3 complex to release the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β). This inflammatory pathway may be behind a wide range of chronic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes.

The transcription factor NF-κB is activated by LPS and other harmful stimuli, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and IL-6. Once activated, NF-κB enters the cell nucleus. There, it upregulates the genes that tell the immune system’s T cells to get active. It also controls many of the genes involved in inflammation. High levels of NF-κB are associated with chronic inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, and gastritis.

The Viral Link

Modern life puts many adults into a constant state of dysbiosis and low-grade chronic inflammation from immune system activation. Obesity, chronic illness, a poor diet low in fiber and high in sugar, bad fats, processed foods, and a lack of physical activity all promote dysbiosis and gut permeability.

On top of a lifetime of these pro-inflammatory factors, older adults often have an additional source of low-grade chronic inflammation known as “inflammaging.” Among the causes of inflammaging may be a decrease in the overall variety of bacterial species in the gut microbiome, along with an increase in pro-inflammatory species. The dysbiosis this causes leads to greater gut permeability and more immune activation in older adults and adds to any preexisting inflammation from obesity, chronic illness, and lifestyle.

In the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, the patients who have experienced the most severe disease and mortality are generally older, or have chronic illnesses, or are obese—or all three. In other words, the sickest patients are also the ones that are the most likely to have already elevated markers of inflammation from disturbances of the gut microbiome/immune system link before they become ill. COVID-19 is associated with increased levels of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine markers such as IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and C-reactive protein. When added to preexisting inflammation, the COVID-19 inflammatory response may lead to a cytokine storm and cytokine release syndrome, which is associated with severe illness and high mortality.

Patients who have recovered from the worst of COVID-19 may still have ongoing dysbiosis, ongoing immune activation, and ongoing inflammation. A recent study published in the journal Gut of hospitalized COVID-19 patients after viral clearance showed significant alterations in their gut microbiomes compared to non-COVID-19 individuals. The COVID-19 patients also showed elevated concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and blood markers that corresponded to disease severity.

“Associations between gut microbiota composition, levels of cytokines, and inflammatory markers in patients with COVID-19 suggest that the gut microbiome is involved in the magnitude of COVID-19 severity, possibly via modulating host immune responses,” the authors concluded. “Furthermore, after disease resolution, gut microbiota dysbiosis could contribute to persistent symptoms, highlighting a need to understand how gut microorganisms are involved in inflammation and COVID-19.”

When their major symptoms have resolved, the disrupted gut/immune crosstalk may still be causing inflammation and lingering “long COVID-19” symptoms, such as fatigue and joint pain. Looking upstream and treating leaky gut syndrome and gut dysbiosis may help resolve these symptoms.

An Integrative Approach

COVID-19 will likely be with us for a long time, even when cases have dropped below epidemic level. A key step to prevention, both now and in the future, will be recognizing and treating dysbiosis and leaky gut syndrome and restoring normal active immunity.

This is particularly important for vulnerable patients, the elderly and those with obesity or chronic illness. Now more than ever, all patients should be encouraged to improve their gut microbiome through a better diet, more exercise, and the use of prebiotic and probiotic supplements to promote a healthy diversity of gut bacteria.

References:

• d’Hennezel, E., Abubucker, S., Murphy, L., and Cullen, T. (2017) Total Lipopolysaccharide from the Human Gut Microbiome Silences Toll-Like Receptor Signaling. Host-Microbe Biology. Retrieved from: https://msystems.asm.org/content/2/6/e00046-17
• Hirano, T. and Murakami, M. (2020) COVID-19 A New Virus, but a Familiar Receptor and Cytokine Release Syndrome. Immunity. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32325025/
• Hooper, L.V., Littman, D.R., Macpherson, and A.J. (2012) Interactions between the microbiota and the immune system. Science. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22674334/
• Levy, M., Kolodziejczyk, A., and Thaiss, C. (2017) Dysbiosis and the immune system. Nature Reviews Immunology. Retrieved from: nature.com/articles/nri.2017.7
• Toor, D., Wsson, M.K., and Kumar, P. (2019) Dysbiosis Disrupts Gut Immune Homeostasis and Promotes Gastric Diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31100929/  
• Yeoh, Y.K., Zuo, T., Lui, G.C., Zhang, F., Liu, Q., Li, A.Y., Chung, A.C., Cheung, C.P., Tso, E.Y., Fung, K.S., Chan, V., Ling, L., Joynt, G., Hui, D.S., Chow, K.M., Ng, S.S.S., Li, T.C., Ng, R.W., Yip, T.C., Wong, G.L., Chan, F.K., Wong, C.K., Chan, P.K., Ng, S.C. Gut microbiota composition reflects disease severity and dysfunctional immune responses in patients with COVID-19. Gut. Retrieved from: https://gut.bmj.com/content/early/2021/01/04/gutjnl-2020-323020

About the Author: 

Robert G. Silverman, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, MS, CCN, CNS, CSCS, CIISN, CKTP, CES, HKC, FAKTR

Robert Silverman is a chiropractic doctor, clinical nutritionist, international speaker, author of bestseller Inside-Out Health, and founder and CEO of Westchester Integrative Health Center. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic and has a master’s degree in human nutrition. The ACA Sports Council named Silverman Sports Chiropractor of the Year in 2015. Silverman is on the advisory board for the Functional Medicine University and is a seasoned health and wellness expert on both the speaking circuits and the media. A frequently published author in peer-reviewed journals and other mainstream publications, Silverman is a thought leader in his field and practice. Silverman was the principal investigator on a Level 1 laser U.S. Food and Drug Administration study. Silverman’s new book, Superhighway to Health, is expected to be published in June 2021.

Study Suggests Milk Could Increase Breast Cancer Risk

 Study Suggests Milk Could Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Veronica Hackethal, MD

February 28, 2020

Hot on the heels of a review from top nutrition scientists that cautioned against drinking cow's milk comes another study with another caution: drinking milk increases the risk of developing breast cancer, say the researchers. But this finding comes from an observational study, and there may be confounders that are not accounted for, says an expert not involved with the study.   

The latest research was based on data from the long-running larger study called Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2), which is looking at diet and health among Seventh Day Adventists in North America. Past results from this study have suggested that Seventh Day Adventists have longer life spans and lower rates of some cancers, perhaps because of healthier lifestyles.

The latest analysis suggests that milk raises breast cancer risk, and the more you drink the higher your risk may be. 

"Consuming as little as 1/4 to 1/3 cup of dairy milk per day was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer of 30%," first author Gary E. Fraser, MBChB, PhD, said in a press statement. Fraser is affiliated with the School of Public Health at Loma Linda University, California.

"By drinking up to 1 cup per day, the associated risk went up to 50%, and for those drinking 2 to 3 cups per day, the risk increased further to 70% to 80%," he added.

The findings were published February 25, 2020 in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

"The AHS study is provocative, but it's not enough to warrant a change in guidelines. The caution being espoused by the authors is not warranted given the observational nature of this study," commented Don Dizon, MD, director of Women's Cancers, Lifespan Cancer Institute at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He was not involved with the study and was approached by Medscape Medical News for comment.

Because of its observational design, the study cannot prove that cow's milk causes breast cancer, Dizon emphasized.

"I'd want to see if the findings are replicated [by others]. Outside of a randomized trial of [cow's] milk vs no milk or even soy, and incident breast cancers, there will never be undisputable data," he said.

"Probably the biggest point [about this study] is not to overinflate the data," Dizon added.

He noted that the results were significant only for postmenopausal women, and not for premenopausal women. Moreover, analyses showed significant associations only for hormone receptor-positive cancers.

"We know that breast cancer increases in incidence with age, so this tracks with that particular trend. It suggests there may be confounders not accounted for in this study," he said.

Research so far has been inconclusive on a possible link between dairy and increased risk for breast cancer. Dairy has even been tied to decreased risk for breast cancer, according to the World Cancer Research Fund.

Study Details

The current study included 52,795 Seventh Day Adventist women from North America who did not have cancer at the start of the study. Women had a mean age of 57.1 years, and 29.7% were black. At baseline, women reported their dietary patterns for the past year using food frequency questionnaires. For 1011 women, researchers double-checked food intake with 24-hour diet questionnaires, and verified soy intake by analyzing urine levels of soy isoflavones.

Data on invasive breast cancer diagnoses came from national registries in the US and Canada. Over the course of 7.9 years, 1057 women developed invasive breast cancer. Results were adjusted for a range of factors related to breast cancer risk, including diet, lifestyle, and family history of breast cancer.

Overall, women who consumed the most calories from dairy per day had 22% increased risk for breast cancer, compared with women with the fewest calories from dairy (hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 - 1.40, P = .008). Women who drank the most cow's milk per day had 50% increased risk for breast cancer compared with women who drank the least (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.22 - 1.84, P < .001). 

Drinking full or reduced fat cow's milk did not change the findings (P for trend = .002 and P for trend < .0001, respectively).

No significant association was found between breast cancer risk and cheese or yogurt consumption (P = .35 and P = .80, respectively).

Need for Change?

US dietary guidelines are under review. A new version, which will cover pregnant women and children under age 2 for the first time, is expected later this year.

Current guidelines recommend that adults and children aged 9 and over drink three 8 oz glasses of milk per day, or equivalent portions of yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products.

"Evidence from this study suggests that people should view that recommendation with caution," Fraser said.

Milk Is Complex Topic

A top nutrition scientist agrees. Walter Willett, MD, DrPH, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, told Medscape Medical News: "There is little scientific justification for the recommendation of 3 cups of milk per day. This new study adds a further reason for caution.” 

"This was a high-quality study conducted by experienced investigators," Willett said. Strengths of the study include the high soy intake and low consumption of foods from animal sources, factors that are hard to study in other populations.

Willett was a coauthor, along with David Ludwig, MD, PhD, also from Harvard, of the recent review published in the New England Journal of Medicine that questioned the science behind milk-drinking recommendations. An article about this review on Medscape Medical News has attracted a huge number of comments from our readers.  

Milk is a complex topic, Willett explained. As a good source of essential nutrients, especially calcium and vitamin D, cow's milk has been touted to have several health benefits, especially decreased fracture risk. But Willett said calcium recommendations have probably been overstated, and current evidence does not support high milk intake for fracture prevention.

Other benefits include improved nutrition in low-income settings, taller stature, and decreased colorectal cancer risk. But cow's milk has also been linked to increased risk for some cancers, including prostate and endometrial cancer. Many of the benefits derived from nutrients found in milk may be obtained from other sources without these risks, according to Willett.

"Given the risks and benefits, we suggest a possible range from zero to two servings per day of dairy foods, including milk, cheese, and yogurt. If intake is zero or one serving, taking a calcium/vitamin D supplement would be good to consider," he said.

However, Fraser and Willett also suggested another option: replacing cow's milk with soy milk. Analyses from the current study showed no significant association between consumption of soy and breast cancer, independent of dairy (P for trend = .22).

In addition, substituting average amounts of soy milk for cow's milk was linked to a 32% drop in risk for breast cancer among postmenopausal women (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.55 - 0.85, P = .002). However, these results were not significant among premenopausal women (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.36 - 1.38, P = .31).

"The suggestion that replacing some or all of [cow's] milk with soy milk may reduce risk of breast cancer is consistent with other studies supporting a benefit of soy milk for risk of breast cancer," Willett said.

"If someone does choose soy milk, picking one with minimal amounts of added sugar is desirable," he added.

Drinking Milk, or Some Related Factor?

Fraser, the lead author of the current study, said in a statement that the results provide "fairly strong evidence that either dairy milk or some other factor closely related to drinking dairy milk is a cause of breast cancer in women.”

That 'other' factor is probably complicated, but may be related to what humans have done to cows. To increase milk production, humans have bred cows to have higher levels of insulin-like growth factor, which in turn has been linked to some cancers, including breast cancer.

Sex hormones in cow's milk may also be involved. About 75% of a dairy herd is pregnant and the cows are by definition lactating. So the milk they produce may have higher levels of progestins and estrogens, which may play a role in hormone-responsive breast cancer. 

Other factors that researchers did not measure in this study, such as poverty and the income of participants, may be at play.

But to know what's really going on, all agree that more research is needed.

"The overall evidence so far has not shown a clear increase or decrease in risk of breast cancer with higher [cow's] milk intake. Thus, this topic needs further examination," Willett said.

Dairy, soy, and risk of breast cancer: those confounded milks

Gary E Fraser,  Karen Jaceldo-Siegl,  Michael Orlich,  Andrew Mashchak,  Rawiwan Sirirat,  Synnove Knutsen

International Journal of Epidemiology, dyaa007, https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyaa007

Published: 25 February 2020 Article history

Abstract

Background

Associations between soy, dairy intakes and breast cancer risk are inconsistent. No studies exist with large numbers of dairy consumers and soy consumers to assess mutual confounding.

Methods

The study cohort contains 52 795 North American women, initially free of cancer, followed for 7.9 years (29.7% were Black). Dietary intakes were estimated from food frequency questionnaires and, for 1011 calibration study subjects, from six structured 24-h dietary recalls. Incident invasive breast cancers were detected mainly by matching with cancer registries. Analyses used multivariable proportional hazards regression.

Results

The participants (mean age of 57.1 years) experienced 1057 new breast cancer cases during follow-up. No clear associations were found between soy products and breast cancer, independently of dairy. However, higher intakes of dairy calories and dairy milk were associated with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.22 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–1.40] and 1.50 (95% CI 1.22–1.84), respectively, comparing 90th to 10th percentiles of intakes. Full fat and reduced fat milks produced similar results. No important associations were noted with cheese and yogurt. Substituting median intakes of dairy milk users by those of soy milk consumers was associated with HR of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.55–0.85). Similar-sized associations were found among pre- and post-menopausal cases, with CIs also excluding the null in estrogen receptor (ER+, ER-), and progesterone receptor (PR+) cancers. Less biased calibrated measurement-error adjusted regressions demonstrated yet stronger, but less precise, HRs and CIs that still excluded the null.

Conclusions

Higher intakes of dairy milk were associated with greater risk of breast cancer, when adjusted for soy intake. Current guidelines for dairy milk consumption could be viewed with some caution.

6 Must Have Summer Herbs...

 This was such amazing information and so easily read and understood that I had to share it with all of you. Now, you can easily add these fabulous herbs to your diet.

6 Must Have Summer Herbs

Basil

Basil is so versatile, and its scent is divine. It is high in Vitamin A and is known to be excellent for eye health and vision, eliminating bad bacteria and viruses in the body, reducing inflammation, and promoting a healthy gut.

From pesto to caprese salads, you’ll want to have this plant front and center on your countertop. Pick its fresh leaves and sprinkle liberally in salads, sauces and even desserts for a sweet and savory contrast. 

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle has been used for at least 2,000 years to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. It’s most famous as a hair tonic and its other benefits include regulating blood sugar, enhancing circulation, and treating gout and impotence. 

Dried stinging nettle leaves can be steeped to make a delicious herbal tea, while its fresh leaves, stems and roots can be cooked and added to soups, stir-frys, and smoothies. The leaves get their ‘sting’ from histamine and formic acid contained in their underleaf hairs. But once cooked, stinging nettle is nothing but tasty. 

Mint

Mint smells great, grows fast, and has many healing properties. It’s great for reducing flatulence, masking bad breath, relieving headaches, soothing digestion, and has a calming quality that’s good for heart health. 

Having a supply of fresh mint water or tea is a great way to keep cool. The easiest way to enjoy this lovely leaf is to place a handful of fresh mint leaves in a quart pitcher or jar, add spring or distilled water and leave it in the refrigerator overnight for a cold-brewed infusion. Sip, hot or cold throughout the day. 

Dill

Similar to mint’s attributes, a warm dill tea treats an upset stomach, is a light aromatic that freshens breath and adds a tasty zing to any dish. Another surprising benefit of dill is its high calcium content and antibacterial properties. 

Mix this feathery favorite in with your favorite tuna or chicken salad or use it to garnish grilled asparagus. 

Rosemary

Rosemary, fresh or dried, is a pungent, sturdy herb with superb health benefits. Rosemary, high in antioxidants and volatile oils, has long been used for everything such as pain relief, digestion, hair growth, and treating depression. 

One of its lesser known benefits is as a memory enhancer. Studies have shown that rosemary boosts memory and helps students recall facts if they smelled the herb while studying, and again while taking their tests. 

Use a fresh sprig of rosemary or some essential oil as an herbal cheat sheet during your exam for better recall! Also, while cooking, rosemary goes great with a variety of dishes such as soups, salads, stews, fish, and grains. 

Chives

Mild and oniony, chives are a delicious addition to many dishes. They are high in Vitamins A and K. Chives also contain allicin (similar to garlic, onions, leeks), a plant compound that is good for keeping cholesterol levels in check. 

The best way to eat chives is to snip them with scissors instead of chopping and add them to garnishes, salads, sandwiches, soups, and sauces just before serving. 

Who knew these summer herbs had so many healing properties? If you’re interested in a free online course that shows simple healthy recipes to try at home, check out Healthy Eating Tips: Easy Vegan Recipes led by certified rejuvenation chef, Kryssi Gala. 

Written by Gabi Petrylaite @ Changeyourenergy.com

You stole my soul!

As many may know I have closed my office in Monticello and have taken a bit of a sabbatical to work on my personal journey to health and this is what I wrote due to that:



Dear mother,

You gave me a body to journey through this world and supplied little else. Your breast was denied me and with it, colostrum, taurine and nurturing! The good bacteria inoculation at birth would have been free, but you couldn't give that, instead you gave me psychological damage and many valuable lessons to learn...an education well earned!!

I even doubt the thought of feeding my brain with fish oils entered your mind, instead you fed it with doubt, fear and uncertainty.

The joys of childhood escaped as you watched and blamed not yourself but me.

................thank you for being the vessel of my birth as I now turn to my true mother, the one that nurtures, sustains my life, cares and embraces me, mother earth.