GUT HEALTH & EPILEPSY: WHAT A NEW STUDY REVEALS

GUT HEALTH & EPILEPSY: WHAT A NEW STUDY REVEALS

One of the largest peer-reviewed canine epilepsy microbiome studies to date found that dogs with epilepsy have elevated levels of Collinsella, a bacterium also linked to several neurological diseases in people.

Collinsella is associated with leaky gut, inflammation, altered bile acid metabolism, and lower production of butyrate—one of the gut’s most important anti-inflammatory compounds.

While this study didn’t test ways to lower Collinsella, the authors discuss several clues, and broader microbiome research points to two promising strategies:

Feed small amounts of fermentable fiber & resistant starch: cooked-and-cooled sweet potatoes, green bananas, legumes, oats, and other fermentable fibers help nourish beneficial bacteria while increasing butyrate production.

Support butyrate-producing bacteria.

Rather than targeting Collinsella directly, research suggests supporting butyrate-producing microbes can help restore a healthier microbiome.

With growing evidence supporting the gut-brain axis, supporting a healthier microbiome may become an important part of a comprehensive approach to brain health.

Taken from Dr Karen Becker's Facebook Page