Apr 19, 2021 04:31 PM
(This post was last modified: Apr 19, 2021 04:36 PM by C C.)
Are you eating foods that harm your 'microbiome'?
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/...microbiome
EXCERPT: In the new study, researchers found that people who ate diets rich in plant-based foods and fish — akin to the famous Mediterranean diet — had an advantage: More collections of gut bacteria that can temper inflammation. On the other hand, people who favored meat, processed foods and sugar tended to have clusters of gut microbes that are pro-inflammatory.
Many studies have tied Mediterranean-style eating and plant-rich diets to lower risks of various diseases. The researchers said the new findings add to evidence that effects on the gut microbiome are one reason why. "Our study provides support for the idea that the gut microbiome could be one link between diet and disease risk," said senior researcher Dr. Rinse Weersma, a gastroenterologist and professor at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
His team found that people who ate more vegetables, fruit, fatty fish, nuts and fiber-rich grains generally had higher concentrations of bacteria that churn out short-chain fatty acids. Short-chain fatty acids are produced when gut bacteria ferment non-digestible fiber, and they are anti-inflammatory, Weersma explained.
On the opposite end of the spectrum was the "fast-food cluster," where people had a high intake of meat, french fries, soda and processed snack foods... (MORE - details)
At 38.5% vaccinated, US may be running low on people eager for a shot
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/04/...or-a-shot/
EXCERPTS: The US logged another 4 million or so vaccinations Friday, bringing the total doses administered in the country over 200 million at the time of writing. Over 127 million adults—38.5 percent of the US population—have received at least one shot. Over 80 million adults—24 percent of the US population—are now fully vaccinated. The seven-day rolling average of US vaccinations per day is now around 3.35 million, and the Biden administration is on track to make its latest goal of 200 million vaccinations within the first 100 days in office.
[...] Walensky and other officials stressed in the briefing how critical it is to keep up the pace of vaccinations. ... But the latest survey results and vaccination distribution data are pointing in the opposite direction. Together, they suggest that the US may be close to running out of people eager for their shot and that the robust pace of vaccination in the country may soon wane.
The latest data from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccine survey suggests that enthusiasm for vaccines continues to increase. In February, 55 percent of people said they had already gotten at least one dose or plan to get one as soon as possible. That figure rose to 61 percent in March. But the percentage of people saying they “definitely” will not get vaccinated has held fairly stable, currently standing around 13 percent. The fraction of people who say they’ll only get vaccinated if they're required to do so has also stayed put at around 7 percent.
The data further suggests that in some demographics and locations, the most eager have largely already gotten their vaccines. By age group, the most enthusiastic to get vaccinated are those ages 65 and older. An impressive 81 percent of the 65+ groups reported they have either already gotten vaccinated or will soon. But most are already vaccinated. Sixty-four percent of the 65+ group reported that they have already gotten at least one shot. And just 17 percent say they’re still waiting to get one as soon as possible.
There’s less enthusiasm in the younger groups, suggesting demand will be slower for these groups. The least inclined demographic is the 18 to 29 age group, in which less than 50 percent said they have either already gotten vaccinated or will as soon as possible. And 15 percent of the groups said they were already vaccinated.
[...] “This analysis shows that despite the general vaccine enthusiasm we are seeing now in the United States, things are going to get really difficult really soon,” Surgo Ventures CEO Sema Sgaier said in a statement. “Without significant investment in addressing people’s barriers and making vaccines available to those below 18, reaching herd immunity will be a real challenge.”
So far, some real-world data seems to be backing up the worries... (MORE - details)
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/...microbiome
EXCERPT: In the new study, researchers found that people who ate diets rich in plant-based foods and fish — akin to the famous Mediterranean diet — had an advantage: More collections of gut bacteria that can temper inflammation. On the other hand, people who favored meat, processed foods and sugar tended to have clusters of gut microbes that are pro-inflammatory.
Many studies have tied Mediterranean-style eating and plant-rich diets to lower risks of various diseases. The researchers said the new findings add to evidence that effects on the gut microbiome are one reason why. "Our study provides support for the idea that the gut microbiome could be one link between diet and disease risk," said senior researcher Dr. Rinse Weersma, a gastroenterologist and professor at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
His team found that people who ate more vegetables, fruit, fatty fish, nuts and fiber-rich grains generally had higher concentrations of bacteria that churn out short-chain fatty acids. Short-chain fatty acids are produced when gut bacteria ferment non-digestible fiber, and they are anti-inflammatory, Weersma explained.
On the opposite end of the spectrum was the "fast-food cluster," where people had a high intake of meat, french fries, soda and processed snack foods... (MORE - details)
At 38.5% vaccinated, US may be running low on people eager for a shot
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/04/...or-a-shot/
EXCERPTS: The US logged another 4 million or so vaccinations Friday, bringing the total doses administered in the country over 200 million at the time of writing. Over 127 million adults—38.5 percent of the US population—have received at least one shot. Over 80 million adults—24 percent of the US population—are now fully vaccinated. The seven-day rolling average of US vaccinations per day is now around 3.35 million, and the Biden administration is on track to make its latest goal of 200 million vaccinations within the first 100 days in office.
[...] Walensky and other officials stressed in the briefing how critical it is to keep up the pace of vaccinations. ... But the latest survey results and vaccination distribution data are pointing in the opposite direction. Together, they suggest that the US may be close to running out of people eager for their shot and that the robust pace of vaccination in the country may soon wane.
The latest data from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccine survey suggests that enthusiasm for vaccines continues to increase. In February, 55 percent of people said they had already gotten at least one dose or plan to get one as soon as possible. That figure rose to 61 percent in March. But the percentage of people saying they “definitely” will not get vaccinated has held fairly stable, currently standing around 13 percent. The fraction of people who say they’ll only get vaccinated if they're required to do so has also stayed put at around 7 percent.
The data further suggests that in some demographics and locations, the most eager have largely already gotten their vaccines. By age group, the most enthusiastic to get vaccinated are those ages 65 and older. An impressive 81 percent of the 65+ groups reported they have either already gotten vaccinated or will soon. But most are already vaccinated. Sixty-four percent of the 65+ group reported that they have already gotten at least one shot. And just 17 percent say they’re still waiting to get one as soon as possible.
There’s less enthusiasm in the younger groups, suggesting demand will be slower for these groups. The least inclined demographic is the 18 to 29 age group, in which less than 50 percent said they have either already gotten vaccinated or will as soon as possible. And 15 percent of the groups said they were already vaccinated.
[...] “This analysis shows that despite the general vaccine enthusiasm we are seeing now in the United States, things are going to get really difficult really soon,” Surgo Ventures CEO Sema Sgaier said in a statement. “Without significant investment in addressing people’s barriers and making vaccines available to those below 18, reaching herd immunity will be a real challenge.”
So far, some real-world data seems to be backing up the worries... (MORE - details)