The gut microbiome is a community of micro-organisms existing within your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The gut microbiome is incredibly diverse – with roughly 100 trillion organisms living within your gut. These organisms include mostly bacteria but also involve viruses, fungi, and protozoa. This array of tiny organisms play a large role in your overall health and wellbeing¹.

What are the advantages of having a healthy gut microbiome?

Weight management

There is an intimate link between the gut microbiome and the development of obesity. In fact, studies show that overweight and obese individuals tend to have an imbalance in their microbiome. This imbalance is characterized by lower diversity, meaning there is a limited number of bacterial species present in the gut. In terms of microbiome diversity, it is always beneficial to have high diversity, meaning there is a wide array of bacterial species.

The link between obesity and microbial diversity is supported by mice models. However, long-term weight gain in humans is associated with low diversity of the microbiome. This is likely because the imbalance causes inflammation, immune dysfunction, and other adverse effects that contribute to weight gain¹.

Disease prevention

Low bacterial diversity is associated with more than just weight gain and obesity. It is also implicated in several other diseases, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, eczema, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, psoriasis, and arthritis¹.  The mechanisms underlying this association are not always clear, however, there is a link. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, for example, demonstrate lowered microbial diversity compared to healthy patients. In these patients, reduced microbiome diversity has been linked to disease duration and levels of autoantibodies².

Immunity

The microbiota has been shown to activate the immune system, keeping your body healthy and able to fight off illness. The microbiome works by producing vitamins and amino acids that are essential to your health, such as vitamin K and the B vitamins. Additionally, it also helps to break down harmful substances, such as when you ingest contaminated food or beverages³.

Digestion

The gut microbiome is also important to your digestion, particularly when it comes to complex carbs. Complex carbohydrates such as fiber and starch are more difficult to digest than other types of carbs. The microbiome contains digestive enzymes that help to break down these substances. In doing so, it produces short chain fatty acids (SCFA). These provide nutritional value to the body while also helping with muscle function and prevention of certain conditions like cancer. SCFA may also be helpful in treating GI-related conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis³.

Mental health

Surprisingly, what happens in the gut is closely linked to what happens in the brain. In fact, individuals with psychiatric disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, and autism, have pronounced differences in their gut microbiome compared with healthy individuals. Research has shown that promoting beneficial gut bacteria via the use of prebiotics, probiotics, and diet changes can be advantageous for mental health. Doing such can lower feelings of anxiety and improve mood in both healthy individuals and those with mental illness⁴.

Conclusion

The gut microbiome contains trillions of micro-organisms that are small yet mighty, playing several roles in maintaining your overall health and wellness. When supporting gut microbiome and gut health you are likely to experience an array of benefits.

References

1. https://www.bmj.com
2. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-021-00991-6
3. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31530002/

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Artificial intelligence (AI) has made headway across almost every industry, automating complex tasks and increasing efficiency in the modern world. Likewise, it’s no surprise that AI has found a place within the pharmaceutical industry. In pharma, AI utilizes algorithms to mimic responsibilities conventionally performed by people that require human intelligence. This automation has led to breakthroughs in how we diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. This article will discuss how exactly the pharmaceutical industry uses AI to drive science and innovation within the drug development space.

AI in drug discovery

Drug development is a time-consuming and expensive process with a bleak success rate. In fact, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study found that only 13.8 percent of drugs in development get approved, which is greater than the 10.4 percent reported by Hay et al. and the 9.6 percent reported by Thomas et al. AI provides an opportunity for pharmaceutical companies to increase these odds by playing an important role in drug discovery^1,2,3.

Traditional drug discovery methods are lengthy and costly, but AI can mitigate these issues in several ways. AI can help inform drug design by predicting the structure and shape of drug targets, drug-protein interactions, and drug activity. Additionally, AI can assist in screening drug candidates through prediction of a drug’s toxicity and activity profile. Understanding these factors can aid in more careful selection of validated molecules, resulting in a higher chance of clinical success⁴.

AI in manufacturing

Manufacturing is a large part of drug development. These processes have become increasingly complex and health agencies have become more rigid in their expectations of quality. AI can automate these processes, thereby improving workflow and ensuring consistency and quality of product ⁴.

AI in clinical trials

Clinical trials are one of the most expensive and time-consuming aspects of drug development, yet they are necessary to proving the safety and effectiveness of a drug candidate. Likewise, it can take upwards of 10 to 15 years to complete all three phases of clinical studies.

In terms of clinical trial design, AI is particularly useful in the realm of real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE). These terms refer to the plethora of scientific, medical, and research data available in the real world. Oftentimes this data is derived from things such as electronic medical records. AI can help to pull, consolidate, and analyze this data to characterize disease and inform study design, efficacy thresholds, and safety parameters.

An example of how companies leverage AI in clinical studies involves the use of RWE in clinical trial design. Many investigational programs have begun constructing historical control arms using RWE. Doing such eliminates the need for a placebo arm in clinical trials, eliminating the need for patient enrollment in a control arm. This can help to save time, money, and resources for the pharmaceutical company, thereby increasing the efficiency in which drugs get approved.

Conclusion

Pharma can greatly benefit from implementing AI across the industry. Doing so will not only optimize drug development programs but also get drug to patients faster.

 References

1. Wong, C. H., Siah, K. W., & Lo, A. W. (2019). Estimation of clinical trial success rates and related parameters. Biostatistics, 20(2), 273–286. https://doi.org/10.1093/biostatistics/kxx069
2. Hay, M., Thomas, D. W., Craighead, J. L., Economides, C., & Rosenthal, J. (2014). Clinical development success rates for investigational drugs. Nature Biotechnology, 32(1), 40–51. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.2786
3. Thomas D. W, Burns J., Audette J., Carrol A., Dow-Hygelund C. and Hay M. (2016). Clinical Development Success Rates 2006–2015. San Diego: Biomedtracker.
4. Paul, D., Sanap, G., Shenoy, S., Kalyane, D., Kalia, K., & Tekade, R. K. (2021). Artificial intelligence in drug discovery and development. Drug Discovery Today, 26(1), 80–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2020.10.010

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If you have ever suffered from a stroke, you know that it is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. While at the hospital, doctors can make several interventions to decrease the likelihood that you will suffer long-term complications. However, what many people do not consider is the importance of continuing treatment and taking preventative measures after leaving the hospital.

Approximately 25 percent of stroke survivors will have another stroke within five years. Additionally, in the days and weeks following a stroke, you have a 17 percent chance of developing another stroke within the next 90 days¹. These statistics emphasize the importance of managing your pre-existing conditions that may cause stroke and implementing a healthy lifestyle. This article will discuss what changes you should consider making post-stroke.

Management of chronic conditions

There are multiple conditions that can increase your chances of having another stroke. These diseases include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Atrial fibrillation
• Transient ischemic attacks (TIA)

These conditions are serious and require treatment to manage them and prevent long-term complications, like stroke. If you have any of these diseases, it is important to follow-up with your doctor after your stroke to make sure you are adequately treating these conditions².

Medication

Your doctor may prescribe you new medications to help manage other pre-existing conditions you have that can contribute to your stroke risk. Your doctor may also recommend taking aspirin after having a stroke. Aspirin thins the blood, preventing the formation of clots in the body. Aspirin can also be combined with other anti-clotting agents for additional stroke protection.

Do not take aspirin unless recommended by your doctor. While aspirin can have a protective effect, it also carries some risks such as serious bleeding and gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, aspirin can pose some serious risks if you are over the age of 70, and therefore it is not recommended in this age group³.

Lifestyle changes

There are many non-pharmacologic ways to reduce your risk of stroke in the future. These include engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, limiting your alcohol intake, and stopping smoking.

Regular exercise

Physical activity is important to maintaining a healthy weight and managing other comorbid conditions. For example, exercise can help to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Experts currently recommend engaging in 2 hours and 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every week. Aerobic exercise could include things like walking, running, cycling, or swimming.

Healthy weight and diet

Being overweight or obese can increase your chances of having another stroke. To manage your weight, it is important to engage in regular exercise and have a healthy diet. Make sure your diet is low in cholesterol, salt, and saturated and trans fats. Choose healthy foods and incorporate vegetables and fruit into your meals.

Stop smoking and limit alcohol

Smoking cigarettes is a large risk factor for having a stroke. Stopping smoking will lower this risk. Your doctor can also prescribe certain medications that can help you quit. Additionally, limit your alcohol intake to a maximum of two drinks daily for men and one drink daily for women⁴.

References

1. Stroke Treatment | cdc.gov. (2021, May 25). https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/treatments.htm
2. Stroke—Prevention. (2017, October 24). Nhs.Uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/prevention/
3. Aspirin and stroke. (n.d.). Www.Stroke.Org. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://www.stroke.org/en/life-after-stroke/preventing-another-stroke/aspirin-and-stroke
4. Preventing stroke: Healthy living habits | cdc. Gov. (2021, August 2). https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/healthy_living.htm

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The stress response is coded for in our biological nature. In the very beginning of time, our bodies needed to be able to initiate a fight-or-flight response to protect us from the dangers of our environment.

We have evolved as a human race since then, and while we do not face the same dangers that we did thousands of years ago, the stress response persists. You may be very familiar with the symptoms of stress: the pounding heart, the tensing of muscles, and the racing thoughts. For many, our work and our career can be the cause of these stress symptoms¹.

How does work-related stress effect our quality of life?

Approximately a quarter of employees believe their job is their number one cause of stress. When stress is infrequent or transient, it has little effect on your health.

Chronic stress, however, can have negative impacts on your physical and mental health. With persistent stress, your body is constantly in a state of activation. This can cause fatigue and impair your body’s ability to work properly. Chronic stress can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease, weakened immune systems, cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health issues².

How do you prioritize your mental health in the workplace?

There are many ways to deal with the everyday stress at work in a healthy way to better your mental health. Here we discuss the different ways you can achieve a better work-life balance.

Prioritize your health with adequate diet and exercise

It can be easy to put other aspects of your life on the backburner when you are overwhelmed with responsibilities at work. However, neglecting your physical and mental health will only make things worse in the long run. It is important to take care of yourself and your body.

Frequent exercise at least 30 minutes a day can help to relieve stress and soothe your mind. A proper diet will help to keep you fueled, alert, and positive so that you can maximize your time throughout the workday. Try to minimize how much sugar and refined carbs you ingest daily. Also avoid food and drinks that may negatively impact your mood, such as caffeine and trans fats³.

Build a good support system

Having someone to vent to is perhaps one of the best ways to relieve stress. If possible, try to build some personal relationships with your coworkers. They are likely to best people to understand your day-to-day work struggles.

You can also turn to your friends and family for support to help ground you, offer advice, or help to take your mind off things. Finally, consider seeing a therapist or physician to talk things through and get a professional opinion ³.

Get enough sleep

Sleep is not just for the weak. A proper night’s rest is essential to maintaining a clear mind, focus, and productivity during the day. The optimal amount of sleep for adults is 8 hours every night. Do not compromise a full night’s sleep for work or other responsibilities ³.

References

1. MA, N. J. L., & PhD, L. M. (2019, April 17). How to handle stress at work. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-handle-stress-at-work-2019041716436
2. Stress at work. (2020). https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB99101
3. Stress at work—Helpguide. Org. (n.d.). Https://Www.Helpguide.Org. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-in-the-workplace.htm

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A sufficient diet that contains all the nutrients your body requires is incredibly important. Many health conditions related to poor diet and nutrient intake are on the rise, including obesity. In fact, roughly 22% of men and 23.5% of women now meet the criteria for obese, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30 kg/m2. Obesity is one of the most prevalent public health crises, escalating at a rapid pace. But even outside of obesity risk, it is still essential to maintain a wholesome daily diet so that your body can function the way it’s supposed to. We get our energy and nutrients from the food that we eat, so it is critical that we are constantly fueling up with proper food intake. The combination of a proper diet and active lifestyle yields many health benefits, including a decreased risk of obesity, heart disease, and cancer.

What about fad diets?

Fad diets are popular amongst the general population, as they often catch people’s eyes as being fast and easy ways to lose weight and get healthy. In reality, most of these diets are not evidence-based or researched-backed. In fact, they often involve elimination of nutritious foods, ingredients, and even entire food groups. Some may even instruct individuals to only eat at certain times. Though special diets may be required for particular health conditions or situations, for the vast majority of people, these fad diets are not adequate to support daily nutritional needs. Fad diets can lead to malnutrition, nutrient deficiencies, and an unhealthy relationship with food. They also aren’t sustainable, as they only offer a short-term solution to a long-term problem. These diets almost never include lifestyle modifications, which are necessary to maintaining one’s goal weight. Once these diets are stopped, individuals will often find they regain the weight back.

How do I know that a diet is a fad diet?

It might be hard to spot a fad diet, but there are some patterns that many will follow, including:

• Advertising the diet as a “quick fix”
• Listing out what are considered to be “good” and “bad” foods
• Making recommendations without evidence-backed research and methods
• Eliminating a major food group
• Promising immediate and dramatic results

So, what makes a healthy diet?

A healthy diet consists of a variety of different nutrients. These will include:

• Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• Carbohydrates
• Protein
• Healthy fats

We can get these nutrients through many different types of food and food groups. A balanced diet will include the following types of food:

• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Grains
• Protein foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and nuts

A proper diet that includes all of the above food groups should be accompanied by an active lifestyle. This method is optimal to maintain a healthy lifestyle and lose weight (if that is your goal).

Conclusion

With all the hype surrounding fad diets, it’s easy to get sucked in and fall victim to false claims. However, a diet should never be restrictive and instead should be balanced and nutrient-dense.

References

1. Contributor, N. T. (2005, January 4). Understanding the importance to health of a balanced diet. Nursing Times. https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-archive/nutrition/understanding-the-importance-to-health-of-a-balanced-diet-04-01-2005/
2. Fad diets: Diet, types, tips. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved September 30, 2021, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9476-fad-diets

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