Latest news with #PendulumTherapeutics
Los Angeles Times
06-04-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Can Your Gut Help Tame Spring Allergies? The Surprising Link Between Microbiome Health and Seasonal Sniffles
As pollen counts rise across the country, millions of Americans brace themselves for a familiar seasonal struggle: sneezing fits, itchy eyes, endless congestion, and the foggy-headed fatigue that tags along. Allergic rhinitis (aka seasonal allergies) impacts up to 30% of adults and 40% of children in the U.S., per the CDC. And while over-the-counter meds help some, others find themselves stuck in a loop of symptom-chasing. What if we've been looking in the wrong place for relief? Not up your nose, but in your gut. Scientists are increasingly exploring the relationship between gut health and the immune responses that trigger seasonal allergies. Emerging research suggests that a more balanced, diverse gut microbiome could be the missing link to fewer sniffles and less sneezing. 'As pollen counts rise nationwide, millions of Americans prepare for the sneezing, congestion, and watery eyes that accompany spring allergies,' says Dr. Adam Perlman, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Pendulum Therapeutics. 'But new research suggests that relief may come not just from antihistamines but from the gut.' Your gut microbiome, the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses living in your digestive tract, isn't just there to digest your lunch. It plays a major role in regulating your immune system. When this internal ecosystem is off balance, your body may start overreacting to otherwise harmless things like pollen or pet dander. A 2023 review found clear links between certain gut microbes and allergic diseases, such as hay fever and eczema. In particular, beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Clostridiaceae seem to help reduce inflammation and regulate immune responses. 'A diverse and balanced gut microbiome appears to help regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation,' explains Dr. Perlman. 'Conversely, an imbalanced microbiome (often caused by poor diet, stress, or antibiotics) can increase susceptibility to allergic reactions by skewing immune responses.' Backing this up, a 2020 study published in Karger showed that adults with allergic rhinitis had significantly reduced gut microbial diversity compared to healthy controls. That means people struggling with seasonal allergies may have fewer of the 'good' microbes needed to keep immune overreactions in check. So, what does this mean for your day-to-day? It all comes down to immune modulation. A healthy gut microbiome produces metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which help regulate inflammation and teach your immune system to stay cool when allergens strike. On the flip side, a low-diversity microbiome (thanks in part to processed foods, sugar, and stress) can tip your immune system out of balance. Cue the nonstop sneezing. Translation: If your gut is unhappy, your immune system is more likely to throw an allergic tantrum every spring. Gone are the days of generic probiotics and hope-for-the-best results. The newest generation of probiotics is highly targeted, using strains naturally found in healthy human guts to support immunity. 'By targeting specific strains of beneficial bacteria, we're entering a new era where we can harness the power of the microbiome to support immune health and potentially reduce allergy symptoms,' says Dr. Perlman. These 'next-gen' probiotics don't just aid digestion, they're formulated to reduce histamine responses and modulate inflammation, making them particularly promising for allergy sufferers. Of course, probiotics alone aren't a silver bullet. Think of them as part of a full lifestyle shift: one that includes smart nutrition, better sleep, and yes, fewer ultra-processed snacks. You don't have to go full-on wellness influencer to start improving your gut. Simple, consistent food swaps can make a meaningful impact on your microbiome, and possibly your allergy symptoms. 1. Fermented Foods These foods are natural sources of probiotics that help seed your gut with beneficial bacteria. 2. Prebiotic-Rich Foods Prebiotics are the 'food' your good bacteria love, helping them multiply and thrive. 3. Fiber-Heavy Vegetables and Legumes Fiber feeds the microbes that produce SCFAs, key players in calming inflammation. 4. Antioxidant-Rich, Polyphenol-Packed Picks Polyphenols not only reduce oxidative stress but also help increase good bacteria levels. 'Even small dietary changes, like swapping processed snacks for nuts or adding fermented vegetables to meals, can contribute to immune balance,'Dr. Perlman points out. Improving your gut health isn't just about what's on your plate. Your daily habits (from sleep to stress) play a starring role, too. Chronic stress can mess with your gut lining and lower microbial diversity. Consider adding breathwork, meditation, or a daily walk to your routine; even ten minutes counts. Your gut and brain are deeply connected. When you shortchange sleep, it disrupts your microbiome and weakens your immune defenses. Aim for 7–9 hours of quality, screen-free rest. Regular, moderate exercise (think brisk walks, yoga, or cycling) can promote microbial diversity. Overtraining, however, can cause inflammation. Find your balance. While antibiotics are sometimes necessary, overuse can wipe out beneficial bacteria. Always use them thoughtfully and follow up with probiotic-rich foods. Let's get real: Focusing on gut health won't magically erase your allergy symptoms overnight. But research strongly suggests it can make a measurable difference — and possibly lessen your need for constant symptom management. So, if you're already doing the usual (think antihistamines, HEPA filters, saline sprays) but still feeling foggy, itchy, and stuffy, it might be time to look inward. As Dr. Perlman puts it, 'This spring, breathing easier might start with what's on your plate — and with innovations like next-generation probiotics.' In other words, your gut isn't just about digestion, it could be your secret weapon for surviving allergy season with less suffering. Cheers to that second helping of kimchi.
Los Angeles Times
01-04-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
The 3-Day Hormone Reset Diet: Balancing Your Health Naturally with Food and Lifestyle Changes
There's no denying that modern life messes with our hormones. From stress to processed food to poor sleep, we're constantly navigating internal chaos that leaves us tired, bloated, moody — and often wondering, What happened to my energy? Good news: there's a way to get back in sync. And it doesn't involve expensive detox kits, hormone injections, or giving up coffee. The secret lies in simple, thoughtful shifts in how you eat, sleep, move, and hydrate. Enter the 3-Day Hormone Reset Diet, a gentle, whole-food-based plan designed to help your body recalibrate using science-backed strategies that nourish from the inside out. Hormones are the chemical messengers that regulate your metabolism, mood, energy, and more. When they're off, even just slightly, it can impact everything from sleep quality to skin health to how easily you lose (or gain) weight. Factors like poor nutrition, stress, and inconsistent sleep can throw your hormones out of balance. Eating enough protein, engaging in regular movement, and reducing sugar and refined carb intake are foundational to hormonal health. Hormones are deeply tied to what you eat and how you live. The Institute for Functional Medicine highlights that nutrition influences hormone signaling, including insulin sensitivity and thyroid function — two key areas often affected by modern diet and lifestyle. Think of your food choices as gentle levers for your internal balance. This plan, designed by Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe, co-founder and CEO of Pendulum Therapeutics, isn't about deprivation. It's about adding in vibrant, fiber-rich foods and practicing small, sustainable habits that bring your system back into alignment. Breakfast: Avocado-berry smoothie (hello, healthy fats + antioxidants) Lunch: Colorful veggie salad with olive oil & lemon dressing Dinner: Roasted veggie and quinoa bowl Lifestyle focus: Early bedtime (aim for 8 hours of restful sleep) Why it works: Avocados and olive oil contain the kind of fats your hormones love. Bright berries and greens pack antioxidants to help lower inflammation and stabilize blood sugar, key for cortisol control. Breakfast: Overnight chia pudding with fresh berries Lunch: Leafy green wrap with hummus & veggies (fiber-rich and gut-friendly) Dinner: Stir-fry with kale, broccoli, and tofu in avocado oil Lifestyle focus: Gentle yoga or a mindful 20-minute walk Why it works: Cruciferous veggies like kale and broccoli support estrogen metabolism. Chia seeds deliver omega-3s, which help regulate inflammation and hormone production. Plus, movement boosts endorphins and serotonin, a mood-balancing win. Breakfast: Mixed berries with coconut yogurt (probiotics + antioxidants) Lunch: Lentil soup topped with pumpkin seeds (fiber + minerals) Dinner: Veggie curry with coconut milk and cauliflower rice Lifestyle focus: Hydration—herbal teas, lemon water, and plenty of H₂O Why it works: Coconut yogurt offers gut-healing probiotics. Fiber from lentils and seeds fuels beneficial gut bacteria. A happy gut means better hormone signaling, per the National Institutes of Health. Healthy fats (like avocado, olive oil, and nuts) are essential for making steroid hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Fats are also said to help regulate hunger hormones like leptin and ghrelin. Antioxidant-rich produce like berries, leafy greens, and root vegetables reduce oxidative stress, which disrupts hormone production. Eating the rainbow is more than a cute concept, it's a science-backed strategy for hormone harmony. 'From coloring your plate to minimizing ultra-processed foods... hydration and sleep are obvious but powerful ones,' says Dr. Cutcliffe. 'Fiber really is the closest thing we have to a superpower right now.' Cortisol (the stress hormone) throws off insulin and estrogen when elevated long-term. Prioritizing 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night is one of the most hormone-healing moves you can make. A gentle overnight fast (12–14 hours) helps rebalance insulin sensitivity and supports cellular repair. This type of intermittent fasting gives your gut (and your hormones) a much-needed break. Prebiotic fibers (found in artichokes, garlic, flaxseeds, and leafy greens) feed your gut microbiota, key players in metabolizing estrogen, thyroid hormones, and cortisol. 'A diet high in fiber and polyphenols will ensure a diverse gut microbiome that is metabolically healthy,' Dr. Cutcliffe explains. Exercise helps reduce cortisol and increases feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. A brisk daily walk or slow flow yoga session isn't just good for your body, it's medicine for your mood. Refined carbs and added sugars create spikes in insulin and inflammation, which disrupt hormone signaling. The Institute for Functional Medicine confirms that ultra-processed foods negatively influence estrogen, insulin, and thyroid hormones. Your body uses water to flush out excess hormones and toxins. It also supports metabolic pathways and keeps your lymphatic system moving. Herbal teas, lemon water, and hydrating foods like cucumber and watermelon all help. If you're hoping for a single superfood or supplement to fix everything, take a deep breath because the truth is more empowering than that. 'I wish I had a golden ticket to give you that would unlock everything immediately,' says Dr. Cutcliffe. 'But there are various fairly established methods that can help... and fiber is a big one. So many Americans aren't getting enough of it in their diet.' You don't need a 30-day cleanse or a hormone panel to start supporting your body. You just need to begin — by adding more fiber, swapping in good fats, prioritizing sleep, and giving your body a break from the chemical chaos of ultra-processed foods. Your hormones aren't broken; they're just responding to your environment. And the beauty of this plan is that it works with your body, not against it. By adding in the right foods, making time for rest, moving your body gently, and drinking water like it's your new favorite accessory, you can support balance from within.
Los Angeles Times
01-04-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Spring Reset: How to Rebalance Your Skin Microbiome After a Long Winter
Spring is a season of reinvention. We swap heavy coats for light layers, refresh our playlists, and rediscover the simple joy of sunlit afternoons. But while we're busy clearing out closets and color-coding calendars, there's one refresh that's often overlooked: our skin's microbiome. Yes, your skin has its own microbiome. And just like your gut, it's sensitive to seasonal shifts. 'Spring brings blooming flowers, warmer temperatures, and an invisible challenge, shifts in your skin's delicate microbiome,' says Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe, co-founder and CEO of Pendulum Therapeutics. 'Seasonal changes, such as increased pollen, higher temperatures, and fluctuating humidity, can disrupt the microbial community living on your skin, weakening its protective barrier and causing irritation, dryness, or breakouts.' If you've ever wondered why your skin feels tight and flaky in winter, only to break out the minute April rolls around, the answer might lie not in your products but in your skin's ecosystem. Understanding and supporting this living layer can make all the difference, especially during seasonal transitions. Let's break down how your skin microbiome is affected by spring, what science says, and how you can tweak your routine to maintain that healthy, post-winter glow — no 12-step regimen required. Think of your skin as a living city, populated by trillions of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, even viruses), all working symbiotically to keep your complexion calm, clear, and resilient. This microbial community is what scientists call the skin microbiome, and it's essential to your overall skin health. 'The skin microbiome is essential for maintaining balance and protecting against harmful pathogens,' write Grice and Segre in Nature Reviews Microbiology. Different areas of your body host different microbial neighborhoods (your forehead is very different from your armpits, for instance), and these communities shift with age, environment, hormones, and yes, the seasons. Winter is harsh and drying, with low humidity, indoor heating, and layers of clothing that trap sweat and bacteria. Then, suddenly: spring. You're stepping outside into warmer temps, increased UV exposure, fluctuating humidity, and, you guessed it, pollen season. 'All of these changes affect the microbial balance on your skin,' says Dr. Cutcliffe. 'And when your microbiome is off, your skin barrier can weaken, leading to dryness, inflammation, or breakouts.' In a 2022 review published in Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, researchers found that microbial diversity declines with age and environmental stress, making routine adjustments even more important to maintain skin health as conditions shift. So, if your skin suddenly starts freaking out around the spring equinox? You're not imagining it. Here's the thing: You don't need a complete product overhaul every time the weather changes. But you do need to pay attention to how your skin feels and how its environment is changing. Let's talk strategy — science-backed, microbiome-friendly tips to transition your skincare routine with the season. After months of rich creams and heavy occlusives, you may be tempted to reach for that exfoliating scrub. Resist the urge. Over-cleansing or stripping the skin can disturb your microbiome, especially as it's trying to rebalance with spring's new conditions. Look for pH-balanced, non-foaming cleansers that support—not strip—your skin. Cleansers that are too alkaline can alter the skin's acidity, allowing unwanted microbes to thrive. As humidity rises, your skin may produce more oil — but that doesn't mean you can skip hydration. Swap out your heavy-duty winter cream for a lighter, microbiome-friendly moisturizer packed with humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients attract moisture without clogging pores. And don't toss your moisturizer in the name of 'letting your skin breathe' — skin doesn't have lungs. What it does need is support for its natural barrier. Probiotic skincare has entered the chat. Whether you're applying live cultures topically or supporting them from the inside with fermented foods or probiotic supplements, these tiny allies help crowd out the 'bad' bacteria and reinforce your skin's defense system. 'A balanced microbiome not only improves digestion but also nourishes your skin, creating that sought-after 'glow from within,'' says Dr. Cutcliffe. The gut-skin axis is real, and researchers continue to uncover how the microbiota in your digestive tract can influence skin inflammation, acne, eczema, and even aging. It's not just what you slather on your skin — it's what's happening inside your body that affects your glow. In fact, the term 'gut-skin axis' has become a key concept in dermatology. 'Modulating the gut microbiome could be a therapeutic strategy for skin disorders,' notes the World Journal of Dermatology. What that means in practical terms: your skin reflects your gut health. That spring bloat? That post-brunch breakout? Possibly connected. So, along with your skincare swap, consider upping your prebiotic and fiber intake, drinking more water, and incorporating fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, or miso into your diet. Yes, we're saying it again: stress affects your skin. And your microbiome. As Byrd and Belkaid explain, psychological stressors can disrupt microbial equilibrium, triggering inflammation and exacerbating skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema. Spring is an ideal time to reevaluate your mental wellness rituals. Consider breathwork, short meditations, nature walks, or journaling as ways to calm your nervous system and, in turn, support your skin. Here's your quick, microbiome-friendly cheat sheet for spring: Spring may bring its share of skincare curveballs, but it also brings renewal — both for your complexion and your overall health. Your microbiome is constantly adapting to your environment, and with a little help, it can thrive in every season. 'Proactively adjusting your routine during seasonal transitions helps your microbiome adapt,' says Dr. Cutcliffe. 'Keeping your skin barrier robust means your complexion stays clear and balanced.' In other words, your glow-up starts with your microbes.
