Tag: Anaerobic bacteria

According to a study published in *eLife*, some human gut *Bacteroides* are so adept at acquiring vitamin B12 that they can actually pirate it from the human intrinsic factor. This highlights a key nutritional relationship: certain vitamins, particularly vitamin B12 and K, are absolutely required for the growth of *Bacteroides*.

An estimated 10 to 100 trillion bacteria reside in the human gut, with species of the genus Bacteroides being one of the most substantial and influential populations. The primary food source of Bacteroides consists of complex carbohydrates and polysaccharides from plant-based dietary fiber that the human body cannot digest on its own.

While once notoriously difficult to cultivate in a lab, several innovative companies now offer specific probiotic supplements that directly contain *Akkermansia muciniphila*. This advanced probiotic is now available in both live and pasteurized forms, providing a direct route to boosting levels of this beneficial gut microbe.

Recent research shows that Akkermansia muciniphila levels can decrease by up to 90% with age and other lifestyle factors. This unique bacterium is considered a 'next-generation probiotic' because of its pivotal role in maintaining gut health and metabolism. By feeding on the mucus layer that lines the intestine, Akkermansia helps reinforce the gut barrier and influences overall wellness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, home-canned foods are the most common cause of botulism outbreaks in the United States. This critical fact underscores the importance of understanding which bacteria is often linked to improperly canned foods and the serious, often deadly, risks involved.

An estimated 5-15% of the total bacteria in a healthy adult's intestine is composed of *Faecalibacterium prausnitzii*, a key species linked to gut health. However, unlike typical over-the-counter supplements containing *Lactobacillus* or *Bifidobacterium*, this species is rarely found in commercial products. This raises a critical question: is *Faecalibacterium* a probiotic, and if so, how can its benefits be accessed?

According to the U.S. Dairy industry, milk can safely last for several weeks past its sell-by date when stored properly in the refrigerator. However, attempting to vacuum seal raw or pasteurized milk to make it last longer is extremely dangerous and not a recommended preservation method due to the significant risk of anaerobic bacterial growth.

According to the CDC, *Clostridium perfringens* causes nearly 1 million foodborne illnesses in the United States every year. So, which of the following foods is likely to contain Clostridium? High-risk foods include meat and poultry dishes, especially when cooked in large batches and improperly cooled or stored.