Berries Improve Gut Health and are Protective Against Neuroinflammation!

Experts believe that gut dysbiosis is a cause of environmental illness. Changes in the gut biome can be caused by antibiotic use, environmental insults from chemicals in food and water and high fat and high sugar diets. These changes lead to morphological changes in the wall of the intestines that allows for easier translocation of harmful bacteria. It is believed that translocation may be one significant cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. In addition, it is believed that dysbiosis may lead to neuroinflammation that is believed to be a major source of symptoms in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

Numerous studies published in the recent past have shown that consumption of some fruits and herbs may improve gut health. Research has demonstrated that anthocyanins in berries may counteract dysbiosis. In addition, they also have anti-neuroinflammatory properties and allow for better communication between the gut and the brain. Lastly, they alter tryptophan metabolism increasing the neuroprotective metabolite kynurenic acid. (1) Incidentally, this pathway also produces the antioxidant 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid which inhibits inflammatory proteins by activating Nrf2. (2) 





1. Gut microbiota modulation accounts for the neuroprotective properties of anthocyanins. Scientific reports, Vol. 8, No. 1. (27 July 2018) by Cláudia Marques, Iva Fernandes, Manuela Meireles, et al.

2. 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid, one of L-tryptophan metabolites, inhibits monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression via heme oxygenase-1 induction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Atherosclerosis, Vol. 187, No. 2. (August 2006), pp. 274-284 by Hyun-Ock O. Pae, Gi-Su S. Oh, Bok-Soo S. Lee, et al.

Protein Signalling From POPs: A Case for Environmental Illness!

Over the past several years, I have proposed that aberrant signalling from the AhR and the NRF2 may influence the development and chronicity of an environmental illness. Mant experts believe there is also chronic low-level inflammation that coincide with their development and continues through the course of conditions like MCS, CFS and fibromyalgia. In addition, I have made the case for the fact, that low-level inflammation from these conditions contributes to obesity which I also believe should be included under the umbrella of environmental illnesses. Mainly, because of the way low-level inflammation affects the adipocytes and because many environmental factors contributes to the development of obesity and as obesity progresses to the development of diabetes. I also point out several times, how the Western diet may contribute to environmental illnesses, especially as they become chronic and proceeds to last many months or years. Numerous studies in recent years have shed some light on adipocytes function and physiology. Many experts now consider the presence of healthy adipocytes as a necessary part of being healthy. The problems begin when low-level inflammation infiltrates the adipose tissue and leads to disease.
       As Greenburg and Obin point out, in 2001 the number of obese adults reached almost 21%. That statistic has grown to 34.9% of adults are obese adults in the U.S. alone. As the numbers of obese grow, obesity becomes more a more a public health issue. "Numerous diseases are considered to be either caused by obesity as the sole cause or in part caused by it. Just a few these include type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, hypercholesterolemia, arthritis, and certain cancers. Within the past few decades, more understanding of adipocytes has taken place. It is now known they are important metabolically. Their function is also dictated by a number of factors which include diet, exercise, hormones and genetics. Adipocytes play a role in controlling how much fat is deposited in important organs such as the liver and muscle, improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing triglycerides. They also regulate two important hormones, adiponectin and leptin.   Adiponectin is a hormone that regulates glucose tolerance and sensitivity. In addition, its levels are associated with type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, leptin influences food uptake. In mice, missing the gene for leptin, exhibit extreme obesity and are diabetic. It also regulates fat mass.
     In individuals that are becoming obese, changes occur in adipocytes. Compared to their leaner counterparts, the obese have an inflammatory phenotype. In addition to TNF-a, they also produce higher levels of Il-6 and MCP-1. Macrophages increase with obesity and their presence is responsible for the production of TNF-a and a lot of IL-6. There is also a large increase in insulin. All of which decrease upon application of a diabetes drug. The inflammation also contributes to the downregulation of adiponectin which naturally  inhibits TNF-a." (Greenberg and Obin)
    In other blogs, I have explained that for those who suffer from environmental illnesses, it is important to clean up the gut. Recent studies show that there is a direct connection from the gut to the brain. I believe that many people that suffer from these conditions must be vigilant in how they eat and what they drink because the health of the gut depends on it. Again, let me mention that I also believe that aberrant signalling from the AhR and Nrf2 may contribute to environmental illness. At least in terms of  the AhR, Zhang et al states that the AhR plays an influential role in the gut and that role plays an important part in metabolism in obesity from persistent organic pollutants.  In a new study, Zhang and his colleague hypothesized that gut homeostasis is disturbed by exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPS) through the diet and those exposures can lead to obesity. I must comment here that whether exposure to POPS or a Western diet leads to obesity, the process and the physiology is much the same as I described above. "During this study, 6 weeks old wild-type and mice that were AhR -/- were fed 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), a persistent environmental contaminant for 5 days. Several studies were done to assess how this contaminant affected the gut microbiome and what other effects presented themselves from exposure to the TCDF. At the end of the study, the researchers determined there was a change in the populations from more Firmicutes to Bacteriodetes. Both of which have metabolic responsibilities.  Also, TDCF-treated mice were enriched with Butyrivibrio but depleted in Oscillobacter and the change was associated with altered bile metabolism. Also, there was a significant increase in inflammation as a result of bacterial fermentation  and altering hepatic lipogenesis, gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, in an AHR-dependent manner. It is concluded that POPs alter signalling the AhR to affect changes in metabolism. Changes also occur simultaneously in the gut species that increase inflammation. " The author states that past studies have demonstrated that the AhR-Il22 impacts mucosa in the gut. In addition, dietary components and environmental contaminants alter gut homeostasis and leads to disease including obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. (Zhang)


For further reading: (there are more than those listed here)
Inflammation Can Cause Depression!
Health Consequences Can Be More Severe When Multiple Environmental Toxicant Exposures Occur at the Same Time! 


TLR4 Activity in the Gut Contributes to Symptoms in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!

What is the NRF2 and Why is Food Better than Supplements?

Adult Obesity Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

Obesity and the role of adipose tissue in inflammation and metabolism American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 83, No. 2. (February 2006), pp. 4615-4655 by Andrew S. Greenberg, Martin S. Obin. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13568522

Persistent Organic Pollutants Modify Gut Microbiota-Host Metabolic Homeostasis in Mice Through Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation. Environmental health perspectives (13 March 2015) by Limin Zhang, Robert G. Nichols, Jared Correll, et al. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/13565027

Tomato Juice May Reduce Inflammation and Lower Cholesterol!

Tomatoes are an important part of the Mediterranean diet and contain large amounts of lycopene and other polyphenols. A recent study was designed to find out how a diet supplemented daily with tomato juice would impact waist size and inflammatory adipokines. The result of the study showed improvements in cholesterol, reducing inflammatory  MCP-1, reduction in body weight and BMI and other health-related measurements. There was a significant increase in lycopene, triglycerides and adiponectin. The author's concluded that tomato juice can reduce weight circumference, inflammatory adipokines and  cholesterol in young women and these changes were independent of changes in body fat!

For further reading: Mediterranean Diet May Improve Symptoms of Depression! 
                                The Mediterranean Diet : The Key to Preventing Disease and Life Extension?
                                Cytokine Found that May Cause "Brain Fog" in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!
                   
Tomato juice supplementation in young women reduces inflammatory adipokine levels independently of body fat reduction. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), Vol. 31, No. 5. (May 2015), pp. 691-696 by Yu-Fen F. Li, Ya-Yuan Y. Chang, Hui-Chi C. Huang, et al. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13582919

The Mediterranean Diet : The Key to Preventing Disease and Life Extension?

  



    You might ask so what is so great about the Mediterranean diet? Unlike some, it is more of a lifestyle way of eating instead of just a diet. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by "high consumption of vegetables high in flavonoid content, one of the most important sources of antioxidants in the human diet." (Matalas) "This dietary pattern is characterized by the abundant consumption of olive oil, high consumption of plant foods (fruits, vegetables, pulses, cereals, nuts and seeds); frequent and moderate intake of wine (mainly with meals); moderate consumption of fish, seafood, yogurt, cheese, poultry and eggs; and low consumption of red meat, processed meat products and seeds. " (Casas) It is one of the best diets to raise the Nrf2 which is proposed to be "lifespan and healthspan extending." (Pall) The typical Western diet is lacking in the nutrients that raise the Nrf2. The Mediterranean diet reduces inflammatory markers...the kind that are present in a lot of diseases. For instance, several studies show that it reduces oxidative stress and lowers levels of MCP-1, an inflammatory cytokine.
    So what is MCP-1 or monocyte chemotactic protein? In his overview of the protein, Satish Deshmane describes 'how MCP-1 or CCL2 is produced parallel to the production of oxidative stress or the production of cytokines or growth factors. It can be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory depending on what cell receptors are available. MCP-1 is a strong attractant of monocytes and regulates the infiltration of memory T cells, lymphocytes and natural killer cells. It is produced in a variety of different cell types including epithelial, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Several studies have shown that MCP-1 is an important factor in several diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, obesity and diabetes. It is also believed to be responsible for the widespread pain that may occur with health conditions such as fibromyalgia. (Ang) In experiments, ccl2-/- cells show abnormalities in monocyte recruitment and cytokine expression. It has been found that drugs and chemicals like quercetin, a phytonutrient that is present in significant amounts in foods that are part of the Mediterranean diet,  can block the inflammatory cytokine Tnf-a induced expression of MCP-1.'


For further reading: Natural Foods that Activate the Body's Antioxidant Response Against Cellular Stress



The immune protective effect of the Mediterranean diet against chronic low-grade inflammatory diseases. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets, Vol. 14, No. 4. (2014), pp. 245-254 by Rosa Casas, Emilio Sacanella, Ramon Estruch. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13570548
Mediterranean Diet: Constituents and Health Promotion (23 January 2001) edited by Antonia-Leda Matalas, Antonis Zampelas, Vassilis Stavrinos, page 118.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1): an overview. Journal of interferon & cytokine research : the official journal of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research, Vol. 29, No. 6. (June 2009), pp. 313-326, doi:10.1089/jir.2008.0027 by Satish L. Deshmane, Sergey Kremlev, Shohreh Amini, Bassel E. Sawaya. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/7529418
Nrf2, a master regulator of detoxification and also antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other cytoprotective mechanisms, is raised by health promoting factors. Sheng li xue bao : [Acta physiologica Sinica], Vol. 67, No. 1. (25 February 2015), pp. 1-18 by Martin L. Pall, Stephen Levine
MCP-1 and IL-8 as pain biomarkers in fibromyalgia: a pilot study. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), Vol. 12, No. 8. (August 2011), pp. 1154-1161 by Dennis C. Ang, Michele N. Moore, Janna Hilligoss, Rebeka Tabbey. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13571668