1. Changes to the gut microbiome resulting from acarbose treatment are associated with increased longevity in mice

   New preprint posted to the bioRxiv

   I'm excited to announce that we've posted a preprint of our latest manuscript to the bioRxiv, as well as submitted it for peer review to the open access journal Microbiome. I'll update this note if and when it gets accepted.

   Edit 2019-06-20: Our submission to Microbiome was tranferred to BMC Microbiology, and was finally accepted (more than a full year in review!). Check it out in print.

   These days it seems like the only research more over-hyped than "microbiome" is longevity-enhancement. It is therefore with some trepidation that I have released into this world of buzz the first chapter of my dissertation, titled: "Changes in the gut microbiota and fermentation products associated with enhanced longevity in acarbose-treated mice."

   Previous work (done by my co-authors on this paper as well as others) has conclusively demonstrated that treatment with the anti-diabetic drug acarbose substantially increases lifespan in mice (also). The magnitude of …

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2. Not all carbs are bad

   Getting enough fiber might do more than keep you regular.

   This brief post was written as a popular science article for a class on science communication. My own research is currently focused on exactly this topic: describing microbial community dynamics associated with acarbose treatment and the production of butyrate.

   A quick internet search search for “low-carb diets” comes back filled with promises to make you sleek, spry, and slim just by cutting out this entire category of foods. The popularity of these diets shouldn't surprise you. Recent research has implicated overconsumption of sugars, the simplest form of carbohydrates, and starchy foods, which can quickly be broken down into sugars, in the increased risk of heart disease, obesity, even some forms of dementia. Americans have responded quickly, with 50% trying to limit their intake of sugars and carbohydrates according to a 2014 survey. That same survey found only 74% of respondents believe that a healthy diet can include moderate amounts of …

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