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Does summer affects your gut microbiota?

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Do you have trouble going to the bathroom? Do you feel more bloated?
These could be some of the problems that come with summer and are related to our gut microbiota.

 

What is Gut Microbiota?

Gut microbiota is the group of microorganisms living in our intestines, previously known as “intestinal flora.” And it’s not just bacteria; other little creatures also live in our gut, such as viruses, fungi like yeast, and special cells called archaea.

 

Does it Serve a Purpose?

Lots of them. Gut microbiota works a lot for us. In fact, when this community in our intestines is disrupted, we start having problems.

 

To name just a few tasks, our gut microbiota is responsible for:

 

  • Digesting and fermenting parts of food that we couldn’t digest in the stomach to extract energy and absorb more nutrients.
  • Producing and releasing enzymes, hormones, and vitamins like vitamin K.
  • Controlling metabolism.
  • Fighting off other microorganisms that could cause infections (pathogens).
  • Supporting the immune system.

Thanks to all these functions, many organs and systems in our body work properly, such as muscles and even the brain.

 

Why Are All These Critters in My Intestines?

 

The answer is simple: because we don’t live in a sterile environment. We are surrounded by microorganisms from the moment we are born. Actually, a baby’s microbiota varies depending on whether they are born vaginally or by cesarean section, and whether they are fed breast milk or formula.

 

The environment is different for each one of us. That’s why not everyone has the same microorganisms or in the same amounts. Our microbiota is unique, like a fingerprint.

 

 

What Affects Our Gut Microbiota?

Each of us has a variety of different microorganisms in our intestines, and they vary depending on many factors, including:

 

  • Diet.
  • Physical exercise.
  • Sleep.
  • Stress.
  • Whether you live in the countryside or the city.
  • Whether you are taking medication (especially antibiotics).

How Does Summer Affect It?

As we’ve seen, many factors affect our gut microbiota and its ability to perform all those beneficial tasks. So, you can imagine that, if during the summer we change our diet, exercise routine, and the quality of our sleep, the microorganisms living in our intestines won’t be too happy.

 

We eat more junk food, snack more between meals, and drink more sugary drinks and alcohol. Plus, in summer, we stay up later and sleep worse due to the heat. And on top of that, we become more sedentary.

 

Additionally, changes in the environment and travel (especially long trips involving time zone changes) can also affect us. Not to mention, many people don’t feel comfortable using the bathroom when they’re not at home.

 

That’s why you might have noticed feeling more bloated, having more gas, or experiencing constipation these past months.

 

And let’s not forget about seasonal changes. Many things in our body change with the seasons. Remember, we follow biological rhythms, such as circadian rhythms, which last 24 hours.

 

Depending on the time of day or the season of the year, and therefore the environmental conditions (light, temperature, humidity, pollution…), things like our hormone levels or digestion can change.

 

Research on 24-hour cycles and their effect on the microbiota is more robust than studies on microbiota changes by season, as these often relate to the availability of certain types of foods.

 

However, let’s be cautious with the information because, as I said, there are still many things we don’t know about this community of critters living in our gut.

 

 

 

But What About the Heat?

Temperature is part of the environment, and there are already plenty of studies on heat and its effects on the gut microbiota of various animal species. And yes, there is also research on how heat affects human gut microbiota.

 

Heat is considered a stressor, and we already know that stress is not good for gut microbiota.

 

In a study published less than three months ago, researchers found that exposing athletes to heat, a common practice to improve sports performance, altered their gut microbiota. The conclusion of this and other studies (which I’ve linked in the references) is that the more heat there is, the less blood reaches our intestines, meaning less oxygen there.

 

According to various studies, high temperatures prevent microorganisms from functioning properly and cause dysbiosis, which is a variation in the microbiota balance. Two consequences of dysbiosis are inflammation and changes in permeability, which is the ability of our intestines to allow nutrients (and other things) to pass into the blood.

 

These changes in gut microbiota can lead to certain disorders and make it easier to get infections. Dysbiosis has been linked to chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, metabolic disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diseases, and even mental health conditions.

 

We still have a lot to learn about gut microbiota, but it seems that high temperatures stress both our nervous system and immune system. This sends signals to our intestines, through neurotransmitters and hormones, telling the community of critters that something is wrong.

 

Dehydration and Its Effects

Additionally, heat also causes dehydration. And since the body is wise, it has mechanisms to save water, such as producing less urine and making stools drier.

 

It’s been observed in animals that chronic dehydration alters the composition of gut microbiota, meaning the types of bacteria we have. There are even fewer immune cells in the intestines.

 

But again, we need more research, especially in humans.

 

How Can We Support Our Gut Microbiota?

  • Eat a healthy diet: As I always say, prioritize plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts. The more of these, the better. Partly because they contain fibre, which is a prebiotic, meaning food for bacteria.
  • Avoid foods high in fat and loaded with sugar and/or salt: These types of foods, like ultra-processed ones, encourage the growth of bad bacteria.
  • Eat probiotic foods, meaning foods that contain live good bacteria like yoghurt, kefir, and fermented foods.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Avoid taking antibiotics without a prescription.
  • Take care of your mental health.

By following these tips, the community of critters living in your body and you will get along better, helping to prevent many health problems.

 

References:

https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-022-03296-9

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405654521001773 

https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)01125-8 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38994870/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12088-021-00948-0#Sec13

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1440244020306629

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0723202015000454

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835969/ 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gut-microbiome-fluctuates-throughout-the-day-and-across-seasons#Details-from-the-gut-microbiome-study

https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/pdf/S1550-4131(21)00122-4.pdf

https://www.pexels.com/es-es/foto/mujer-en-vestido-blanco-libro-de-lectura-5852476/ 

Book: Tu cerebro tiene hambre. Boticaria García (2023)

Images: 

Picture from cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/es-es/foto/mujer-en-vestido-blanco-libro-de-lectura-5852476/ 

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

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We are in summer, and that means we lose control a bit. We lose our usual routines, we are less careful with our diet, exercise, and sleep…

 

Moreover, the season of fairs, concerts, and festivals begins, and on many occasions, this is accompanied by alcohol consumption, maybe other drugs, and sexual encounters.

 

All of this increases the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

 

 

What arte Sexually Transmitted Diseases? 

STDs are infectious diseases caused by different microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or parasites) that are transmitted through sex, whether vaginal, anal, or oral.

 

Here, I’m going to be a bit explicit because if these things aren’t talked about, they aren’t known. It’s not just about putting genitals in contact with each other, or genitals with the mouth or anus. When there is a transmission of fluids, we’ve got a problem. Let me explain.

 

If sexual toys are used or one person masturbates another without precautionary measures, we can have an issue. Let me explain, if two or more people are going to share a sex toy, it must be washed with soap and water after use and before passing it to another person. The same goes for hands.

 

I was myself very surprised when, reading and learning about this topic, I found out that if you masturbate someone who has an STD and then rub your eye without realizing it. Boom, eye infection. Yes, you can have, for example, gonorrhoea in the eye.

 

How does that sound?

 

But they are not only transmitted this way, they can also be contracted by sharing needles and coming into contact with blood, passing from mother to fetus during pregnancy, or passing from mother to baby during childbirth and breastfeeding.

 

There are more than 30 sexually transmitted diseases. Some of them are quite well-known such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, or Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infection. Others that might be less known are different types of hepatitis, lymphogranuloma, or trichomoniasis.

What are the symptoms?

They vary depending on the disease and the location of the infection (vagina, penis, anus, or mouth/throat).

 

While there are many, I’ll list the symptoms of the most well-known diseases to avoid making this article too long. But don’t worry, I’ll provide plenty of links with information in the references.

Signs and symptoms take a minimum of 2 days to appear, and in some people, they may take months, which can cause the infected person not to suspect and delay seeking medical attention.

 

The most characteristic signs and symptoms are:

  • Discharge from the penis or vaginal discharge. It can be thick and cloudy.
  • Pain and difficulty urinating.
  • In women, heavy periods or bleeding between periods.
  • In men, pain and swelling in the testicles.
  • Pain during bowel movements.
  • Itching in the anus.
  • Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen.
 

This is a somewhat more complicated disease because, although most people who get infected do not have symptoms, the disease progresses through stages: primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, latent period, and tertiary syphilis.

 

Like gonorrhoea, if symptoms do appear, they take time to show up, between 20 and 40 days, which can delay seeking medical attention.

 

Primary: Generally, the disease first shows up with a small, painless sore at the site of infection. This phase lasts between 6 and 8 weeks, and the sore disappears on its own without treatment.

 

Secondary: Red or brown sores appear, but in this case, anywhere on the body, even on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, which are very contagious. Also, people in this phase may have fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, discomfort, and pain.

 

Tertiary: In this phase, symptoms can include numbness, lack of coordination, paralysis, blindness, and dementia.

Again, symptoms take time to appear, in this case between 7 and 21 days after infection.

 

In men: Clear and transparent discharge from the penis and pain when urinating due to inflammation of the urethra, the tube through which urine exits the bladder. There may also be pain or discomfort in the testicles.

 

In women: Increased bleeding during menstruation, bleeding between periods, increased vaginal discharge, changes in vaginal discharge (colour, odour, and amount), bleeding after intercourse, and abdominal pain.

Most of the time, it does not cause symptoms.

 

Quite sometime later, between 1 and 20 months after the sexual encounter, warts appear on the genitals, anus, and mouth. They can be flat or have a “cauliflower-like” appearance.

Between 2 and 20 days after contact with the virus, tiny blisters or painful sores appear. These lesions heal on their own, but the virus remains latent in our body and can reappear with signs or symptoms during times of high stress or if our immune system is weakened.

 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, in both men and women, can be asymptomatic or cause flu-like symptoms 2 to 4 weeks after exposure to the virus: fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, sore throat, and cough.

 

Other signs and symptoms that are less like the flu may include mouth sores, diarrhoea, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck.

Different viruses (A, B, and C) that cause Hepatitis can be transmitted through fluids like blood or sexual contact (although it can also be transmitted in other ways). It involves an infection that causes inflammation of the liver.
 

As with many other sexually transmitted diseases, it may not cause symptoms. The poor liver complains very little and doesn’t show itself until it’s quite affected.

 

The first signs and symptoms can take between 6 weeks and 6 months to appear, and although there are more, they can include: fever, extreme fatigue, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), and pale or gray-colored stools.

It’s very important to know that Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) can cause serious complications.

 

What serious complications do STDs have?  

  • In women: If left untreated for a long time, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy (dangerous because it occurs outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes).
  • In men: It can cause a painful infection in the testicles.
  • In both men and women, it can lead to infections in other parts of the body such as the skin and joints.
  • In pregnant women: At the time of delivery, it can cause conjunctivitis in the newborn.

If left untreated, the infection can travel through the bloodstream, reach various organs, and cause long-term problems including in the heart, brain, or joints.

 

In pregnant women: Miscarriage/stillbirth or serious illness in the baby can occur, known as congenital syphilis.

  • In women: Pelvic inflammatory disease causing pain in the abdomen and pelvis, bladder issues, and long-term infertility and ectopic pregnancies.
  • In men: It can cause severe pain in the testicles.
  • In babies born to mothers with the infection, it can be transmitted during childbirth and cause infections in the eyes, ears, or lungs.
In both women and men, HPV (Human Papillomavirus) can lead to various types of cancer: vaginal cancer, penile cancer, cervical cancer (cervix), anal cancer, and even throat cancer.
 

During childbirth, if a woman has genital warts, they can be transmitted to the newborn.

In pregnant women, the virus can be transmitted to the newborn during childbirth, causing an infection that can lead to the death of the baby, known as neonatal HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) infection.

This is an infection that affects the baby’s brain, skin, and other organs.

Long-term, liver damage can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

If left untreated, people with HIV can live for years with the virus dormant in their body without experiencing symptoms until they develop Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

 

Over time, as the white blood cells (the body’s defences) die and more copies of the virus accumulate in the body, the person begins to suffer from various infections.

 

The immune system becomes increasingly weaker, and symptoms of common infections appear more frequently and last longer, such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, fever, fatigue, or outbreaks of herpes (shingles), etc.

To conclude, I want you to see some of the myths surrounding STDs:

 

  • Using a condom prevents all STDs 100%: False. It is crucial to debunk this. There are areas on and around the genitals that a condom cannot cover. The only way to avoid STDs 100% is not to have sex.
  • There is more risk of STDs if you shave: True. This is not a myth! If you shave with a razor, it is more likely that you could get a cut or scratch, making it easier for an infection to occur.
  • STDs are only transmitted through penetration: False. For example, oral sex or masturbation with the hand or sex toys used by someone with an STD can lead to infection. Or through skin-to-skin contact if there are lesions. However, if the item used for masturbation is clean, there is no risk of transmission.
  • If a person does not have warts or sores around their genitals, they do not have an STD: False. We have seen that you can have an STD and be asymptomatic for a long time.
  • If you wash after having sex, you can clean away viruses/bacteria and not contract an STD: False. Once the pathogen comes into contact with mucous membranes, blood, or a wound, it doesn’t matter if you wash.
  • Rinsing your mouth or gargling after oral sex kills viruses and bacteria, and thus, prevents STDs: False. For the same reason as before.
  • If the man does not ejaculate, you cannot get infected: False. Besides the fact that you can get infected just by coming into contact with lesions (ulcers, sores, warts), pre-ejaculate fluid also transmits the pathogens that cause the disease.
  • Only people from the LGBTQ+ community get STDs: False. Anyone who has sexual relations is at risk. What is true is that men who have sex with men are the population group with the most cases.
  • You can get HIV from hugging an infected person, kissing them, or sharing utensils: False. The infection is transmitted through sexual contact, sharing needles, blood transfusions from an infected person, and from mother to child during pregnancy (vertical transmission) and breastfeeding. It is also very important to know that if a person with HIV is undergoing treatment and the virus cannot be detected in their blood, they cannot transmit the virus.

 

Many of these diseases can be cured. For example, those caused by bacteria such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia are treated with antibiotics.

 

Others, caused by viruses such as different types of hepatitis viruses or the human papillomavirus (HPV), can be prevented with vaccines or treated with antiretrovirals and other medications, such as HIV and herpes virus infections.

 

What can you do if you think you might have an STD?

Basically, visit your primary care doctor to get tested for STDs. Testing for various diseases is important because it’s common to contract more than one at a time.

 

Depending on the STD, tests may include blood tests, urine tests, or taking samples from the genitals, anus, or throat.

References:

 

 

Images:

 

Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/kieutruongphoto-5099306/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=3392348″>Kiều Trường</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=3392348″>Pixabay</a>

Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/draconianimages-182808/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=8302895″>John Collins</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=8302895″>Pixabay</a>

Synaptic Pruning: The Science behind Inside Out 2.

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Inside Reily’s head, the emotions are sleeping in their room when suddenly an alarm bell rings and a demolition ball destroys the windows. Right after some construction workers appear and start destroying the whole place.

 

What’s going on?

 

 

Synaptic pruning

What the creators of the movie are trying to represent in these scenes is the synaptic pruning, a normal process in the brains of teenagers.

 

Neurons are connected through a space called synapses, where they release and receive chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) and electrical signals to communicate with each other.

 

Since we are born, the pace at which neurons create connections with other neurons around is really fast, and that allows our brain to absorb a huge amount of knowledge.

 

But as we grow, especially during adolescence, we need to filter what is important for us and what is not. Therefore, we need to clear synapses that we don’t usually use, that is the synaptic pruning. In other words, our body gets rid of weak connexions between neurons that won’t be relevant for us in the future.

 

In the movie, the construction workers would be immune cells, as the immune system is the one in charge of the synaptic pruning.

 

This process is essential to make important connections stronger and create mature neuronal circuits to develop an adult brain, and it’s controlled by our genes and our experiences.

 

Why do our experiences determine what connections are weak?

When we are babies everything is new for us. What we see, what we feel, what we eat. So neurons are creating synapses all the time. But there are experiences that we do over and over during the following years. For example, walking or using a spoon. 

 

Our brain knows that information is important, is relevant for us. So we can do those actions without even thinking, automatically. Those connections are stronger.

 

But other experiences didn’t prove to be as important. We barely use them, so they get weak. Those are the connections that are erased during the synaptic pruning. 

 

What happens if it goes wrong?

Some research shows that if the synaptic pruning doesn’t take place correctly, the brain would have more connections than it should and it is more likely to develop disorders such as epilepsy or schizophrenia.

 

References:

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7368197/ 


https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/synaptic-pruning

 

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