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The Group 7 podcast discusses the gut microbiome and a specific bacteria called Fusobacterium. The microbiome consists of trillions of different microbial cells, with each individual having a unique composition. Recent research has discovered new species of bacteria in the gut, which helps scientists detect bacteria more accurately. Fusobacterium is commonly associated with gastrointestinal disorders and can be found in various locations in the body. It has been linked to diseases like colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel syndrome. The bacterium can affect the body by causing inflammation, adverse pregnancies, and potentially contributing to the development of cancer tumors. However, there are dietary options and remedies, such as consuming high-fiber foods and herbal teas, that can help reduce the abundance of Fusobacterium. While it can be harmful in large amounts, Fusobacterium also has a beneficial role in the mouth. Welcome to the Group 7 podcast where we inform our listeners about the gut and what we can be doing to keep it healthy. I'm Jillian. I'm Meredith. I'm Stephen. And I'm Keoki. Today we are talking primarily about the human gut microbiome and a type of bacteria found in the microbiome called Fusobacterium. The microbiome consists of 10 to 100 trillion different microbial cells. Each individual has a unique microbiome estimating that the gut alone has 500 to 1,000 species of bacteria at a time. Recent research has discovered 100 new species of bacteria from the human gut, which will help scientists be able to detect which bacteria are present in the human gut more accurately and faster than ever before. So what is Fusobacterium? Fusobacterium can be commonly associated with gastrointestinal disorders like colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Fusobacterium, or Fusobacterium nucleatum, is an anaerobic bacteria, meaning the bacteria does not need oxygen. The bacteria has a rod-shaped with tapered ends. Fusobacterium is also gram-negative, which means when the bacteria is died, it turns out red. Where can the bacteria be located? Fusobacterium can be found in many different locations for various reasons. It can be located in the oral cavity, and it is often present in the gastrointestinal tract. In many cases, Fusobacterium can be found in the head and neck microbiomes as well. Studies were done finding that Fusobacterium was presented at a 2.93% higher chance in head and neck cancer samples compared to non-cancer samples. With all this, the correlation between Fusobacterium and various cancers is established, and many studies are trying to determine if it is truly a relation or solely correlation. So now that we know more about what Fusobacterium is, TLP can talk about how it affects our bodies. So, how does Fusobacterium affect the body and the microbiome? Well, Fusobacterium is regularly considered a normal part of the human microbiomes. One of the bacterium's important roles is related to its adhesive component in the oral cavity, mainly in plaque. Although it may play an important role in the human body, this bacterium is treated as a pathogen because of its ability to invade a living cell. Because of this, Fusobacterium has been linked to many things like stool bursts, inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders, and even cancers. One of the potential effects linked to Fusobacterium is adversary pregnancies, including preterm births, where it can be found in the placenta and fetal membrane. A study done by the American Society of Microbiology used pregnant mice to test the correlation between periodontal disease and preterm births. Pregnant mice were injected with Fusobacterium, which resulted in premature delivery, still births, and non-sustained life within 72 hours after injection. This suggests that Fusobacterium can be transmitted by blood and potentially poor oral hygiene, leading to potential risks to the placenta. Another thing that Fusobacterium has been linked to is inflammation. Inflammation studies done on mice harboring a human microbiota have found that Fusobacterium had produced an outer membrane vascular that sent signals to the immune system and inflammatory system regulators. These interruptions of cells can contribute to inflammation in pregnancies and initiate cancer tumors, like in colorectal cancer, to become inflamed. As mentioned earlier, Fusobacterium can be found in many neck and head cancers. However, it can also be found in high abundance within colorectal cancer, which is caused by tumor growth in cells within the intestines. Although colorectal cancer can be linked to either genetic or environmental factors, the gut microbiome has been seen as a potential risk factor that can directly or indirectly affect the structure of a tumor's microbiome. Many patients with colorectal cancer have reported cellular changes in their microbiome, leading to debates about if colorectal cancer is a consequence of the changes in the microbiome. While this bacterium can cause severe harmful effects in the microbiome or potentially cause other disorders, there are some dietary options and remedies that can help reduce the effects of Fusobacterium that Meredith will tell us about. Dietary options that can help. There are a number of foods that are linked to reducing colorectal cancer, and thus may help reduce the spread of Fusobacterium. A consumption of high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, has been proven to help modulate gut bacteria and potentially reduce the abundance of Fusobacterium. I'm going to run that line over. Dietary options that can help. There are a number of foods that are linked to reducing colorectal cancer, and thus may help reduce the spread of Fusobacterium. A consumption of high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, has been proven to help modulate the gut bacteria and potentially reduce the abundance of Fusobacterium. In addition, fish, beans, and nuts have been negatively correlated with the colorectal cancer, meaning that the more fish, beans, and nuts one eats, the less likely colorectal cancer may be. Keep in mind that this is merely correlation, but it is an interesting finding nonetheless. One study published by the American Association of Cancer Research found that healthy adults who consumed more dairy products had lower odds of the presence of Fusobacterium in their fecal matter. While many other studies relate Fusobacterium to colorectal cancer, this is one of few key studies to focus only on the bacteria and the dietal impacts. Also, the well-known options. Prebiotic foods feed the gut microbiota, and probiotic-rich foods like pepper and yogurt help introduce new microbes to the microbiome. There are additional remedies that can be implemented into a diet or taken individually to help reduce an abundance of Fusobacterium. These remedies might not seem conventional, but are all backed by scientific research. Herbal medicine has been used for centuries and can be beneficial in many ways. Studies have shown that extracts and compounds derived from natural herbs can improve microbiota composition, repair the intestinal barrier, and reduce inflammation in models of colorectal cancer. Some herbal teas act as antimicrobial agents, which help reduce an abundance of Fusobacterium. Some examples include Labrador tea, green and black tea, and peppermint extract. Labrador tea may soothe inflammation and improve gut composition. Peppermint's essential oil contains antimicrobial properties, and green and black teas are rich in polyphenols, which modulate gut bacteria, reduce inflammation, and promote gut health. Researchers are also looking into more ways to keep Fusobacterium in check. Some methods include antibiotic treatments that slow cancer growth related to Fusobacterium. We hope you learned something today and enjoyed learning more about Fusobacterium in the microbiome. While Fusobacterium may seem threatening, remember that in contained amounts, it can have a productive relationship with other bacteria in our mouths. It is not all bad.