Latest news with #Selph
Daily Mail
30-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
I'm a bowel cancer surgeon: This is why young people need to up their fibre intake, now
Almost every person in the UK fails to eat enough fibre—a key factor in rising bowel cancer risk in young people—a concerned surgeon has said today. Under NHS guidance, adults should consume at least 30g of fibre a day. But according to Mr Haney Youssef, a colorectal surgeon at The Harborne Hospital, Birmingham, most adults in the UK are consistently falling well below this target, increasing the risk of the deadly disease. He said: 'Research consistently shows that people who consume adequate fibre have significantly lower rates of colorectal cancer. 'But most adults in the UK are consuming as little as 18-20g of fibre daily—this gap is particularly concerning given the rising rates of bowel cancer in younger people.' According to Bowel Cancer UK, a lack of fibre—the indigestible parts of plants that aid digestion—is behind an alarming 28 per cent of all cases in the UK. The doctor suggests adding fibre-rich foods such as wholegrain oats, fruits and vegetables and nuts and seeds to every meal to boost fibre intake and ward off the disease. He said: 'Think of fibre as nature's internal cleansing system: it helps sweep away waste products while feeding the good bacteria that keep our bowel environment healthy.' Fibre is a type of carbohydrate in plants, but unlike sugar and starch it isn't absorbed by the body. Instead, it keeps the gut healthy and functioning properly. 'Fibre helps maintain regular bowel movements, reducing the time potential toxins spend in contact with the bowel wall. 'This is crucial because prolonged contact with harmful substances can damage the delicate lining of our colon and rectum,' Mr Youssef explained. 'Secondly, when beneficial bacteria in our gut ferment fibre, they produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate. 'These compounds actually nourish the cells lining our bowel and have anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent the cellular changes that can lead to cancer,' the expert continued. Research published earlier this year also suggested that fibre could help protected against harmful foodborne infection that damages the gut has been blamed for the steep rise in cases. Dr Alasdair Scott, a gut specialist and science director at Selph—a health-testing firm —told the Daily Mail high fibre intake is one of the few ways to counteract harmful in the gut. 'There's not much people can do if the bacteria does contribute to early onset colon cancer,' he says. 'But we do know that a high-fibre diet can protect against the type of mutation that causes tumours to develop According to Mr Youssef, boosting fibre intake can be as simple as adding a nuts and berries to your porridge, providing a third of the daily recommended allowance in just one meal. He added: 'The key is making gradual increases to allow your digestive system to adapt comfortably.' In response to growing concerns that an unpleasant odour accompanying bowel movements could be a red flag warning sign of cancer, Mr Youssef said the majority of unusual bowel smells are not cancer-related. He said: 'A "rotting meat" smell in your stools is unlikely to be caused by cancer. 'The majority of unpleasant bowel odours are caused by infections, dietary changes or food intolerances. 'That said, in cases where bowel cancer is present, cancerous tumours can cause tissue to die off which can produce an unpleasant smell that could be described as resembling rotting flesh,' he added. However the bowel surgeon urged people to contact their GP if they are concerned about persistent changes in bowel habits that do not go away after a few weeks. 'It could be a sign of infection and if there is an underlying issue, catching it early gives the best chance of successful treatment,' he warned. Other common symptoms of the disease include persistent changes in bowel movements such as diarrhoea or constipation, needing or feeling the need to empty your bowels more or less frequently, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, unexplained weight-loss and fatigue. However, bowel cancer can also appear with no symptoms until it has spread, where it becomes harder to treat. Bowel cancer is on the rise in younger adults, defined in cancer terms as those under 50. A recent global study found rates of bowel cancer in under 50 year-olds are rising in 27 of 50 nations. While the disease is known to be linked to obesity, experts have noted the disease is increasingly affecting otherwise fit and healthy patients. Some experts believe the explanation must lie in environmental factors young people have been exposed to more than previous generations. While no 'smoking gun' has been found, there are multiple theories including modern chemicals in diets, microplastics, and pollution. Around 44,000 cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK, with about 130,000 in the US. The disease kills almost 17,000 Britons each year, with the death toll rising to about 50,000 in America. Overall, just over half of bowel cancer patients are expected to be alive 10 years after their diagnosis. Cancer Research UK estimates that more than half—54 per cent—of bowel cancer cases are preventable.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The best probiotics for IBS in 2025, according to gut health experts
When you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it can feel like your gut has a mind of its own — surprise bloating after meals, sudden sprints to the bathroom and noisy stomach gurgles often become just another part of daily life. While there's no cure, probiotics for IBS may help manage these unwanted gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. "Some of the most common symptoms are recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and either diarrhea or constipation or a combination of the two," says Claire Merrifield, a London-based medical doctor, medical director of Selph and PhD in gut microbiome. "Symptoms can vary between people and can range from mild to debilitating." When shopping for probiotics, it's helpful to know which of the three major subtypes you have: IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) and mixed-type IBS (IBS-M), which includes episodes of both constipation and diarrhea. Probiotics are strain-specific, meaning that some are more helpful for certain symptoms than others. For this reason, it's important to choose a probiotic that's formulated to address your GI concerns. Just keep in mind that what works wonders for your friend or coworker might not do the same for you, since every gut is different. "Many people find symptom relief with probiotics," adds Merrifield, "but it may take a few trials to find the right formulation for you." In people who have IBS as a result of dysbiosis, an imbalance of gut bacteria, probiotics may be particularly helpful. "Although there is a lot of great research about probiotics," she adds, "actually buying them and finding the right one for you is a bit of a minefield." To help you make an informed decision, we spoke with three gut health experts about the best probiotics for IBS — and what really matters when choosing one. Keep reading for our picks of the best probiotics for IBS in 2025. A note on supplements The products included on this list are dietary supplements. Statements about these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplements are not appropriate for everyone and may interact with other supplements or medications, so talk to your health care provider before adding a dietary supplement to your routine. If you have IBS, shopping for probiotics can be overwhelming. Here are the key things to look for to ensure you're choosing a product that's high-quality and more likely to be effective: The types of probiotic strains in your supplement matter greatly, especially if you're looking for a probiotic that can help manage IBS symptoms. According to Merrifield, a probiotic strain's name may include up to three important pieces of information: Genus: the first part of a species' scientific name, representing a broad group of related bacteria (for example, Bacillus) Species: the second part of the name, identifying a specific type within the genus (for example, coagulans) Strain: a unique identifier for the exact bacterial strain, usually a combination of numbers and/or letters (for example, Bacillus coagulans MTCC-5856) Knowing the specific strain is the most helpful for choosing a probiotic for IBS, says Merrifield. This is because different strains — even within the same species — can have different effects. But many supplements, even highly reputable ones like VSL#3, don't provide specific strain information. So, which species or strains should you look for? Research on probiotics for IBS is ongoing. That said, strains from the genuses Bacillus, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus appear to be the most helpful. While there may be other effective strains and species, here are five that are most commonly recommended for people with IBS: Several strains of B. coagulans may be helpful for IBS. According to Clarke, research suggests that B. coagulans may be one of the most effective species for improving overall symptom relief, abdominal pain and bloating in people with IBS. : Simpson explains that this species may help with bloating and pain related to IBS. This species may also be helpful for IBS. "It's associated with fewer adverse events and improved quality of life," says Clarke. 299v: According to Simpson, this strain may be helpful for improving motility, or the movement of material through the digestive tract. This could help alleviate constipation. One study found that it helped with several IBS symptoms and was associated with quality of life improvements. GG: This strain may be particularly helpful for IBS-D, says Simpson. It may help improve gut barrier integrity. Keep in mind, there's no guarantee that a probiotic or these specific strains will help alleviate your symptoms. "Effectiveness really depends on your symptoms," says Simpson, "IBS-C, IBS-D and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) all respond differently, so personalization matters." SIBO is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by an excess of bacteria living in the small intestine, rather than the large intestine where they typically reside. It's been closely linked to IBS symptoms. Clarke also notes, "Multi-strain probiotics generally show better results than single-strain supplements in improving global symptoms." When in doubt, reach for a multi-strain probiotic formula for IBS, or consult a gastroenterologist or digestive health dietitian. The dose of a probiotic is expressed as colony forming units (CFU). It's an estimate of how many viable microbes are in a single serving of a probiotic supplement. Keep in mind that CFU doesn't always reflect how many live bacteria are actually in a supplement by the time you take it. Bacteria can die off over time — especially if the product isn't stored correctly or is exposed to direct sunlight or large temperature swings. For this reason, choosing a probiotic with a high CFU count is key. Research suggests looking for products with at least 1 billion CFU per serving. To ensure optimal potency, aim to use the entire container before the expiration date, and store it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Most probiotics are available in powders or capsules. Capsules are generally more convenient, but some people may prefer powders if they have trouble swallowing pills. Probiotic gummies and chewables are also fairly common and can be a good alternative to capsules and powders. IBS-specific formulations tend to be more expensive than many other probiotics, though there are some budget-friendly options. For instance, our best budget pick — Digestive Advantage Daly Probiotic + Intensive Bowel Support — costs about $0.31 per serving. Whereas medical-grade probiotics, like VSL#3 or Visbiome GI Care, cost $1 or more per capsule. Look for a product that fits your budget without sacrificing on quality. Unlike medications, dietary supplements aren't approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they hit the shelves. While the FDA sets guidelines for safe manufacturing processes, it doesn't require supplements to be tested for safety, effectiveness or quality. For this reason, it's important to choose products from reputable brands — ideally ones that employ third-party testing by trusted organizations, like NSF International, Informed choice, or United States Pharmacopeia (USP). These groups help ensure supplements: Are free of undisclosed ingredients Are free of contaminants and excessive heavy metals Contain the ingredients listed on the label in the correct amounts Some supplements may also feature third-party specialty certifications, which may be helpful for certain lifestyle needs or dietary preferences. These include USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten-Free, Certified Vegan, NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport Certified and more. To choose the best probiotics for IBS, we first spoke with three experts: a registered dietitian, a gastroenterologist and a medical doctor with a PhD in the gut microbiome. They provided specific brand recommendations as well as information about the best strains to look for and how to identify high quality supplements. Using their expert insights, I narrowed down the options to six products — all from brands they specifically recommended. After assembling the short list of finalists, I used my expertise as a dietitian to evaluate each supplement based on ingredients, research-backed effectiveness for IBS, third-party testing, price and customer reviews. The "winners" were chosen for their strong scientific support and high quality standards — with at least one budget-friendly option to ensure accessibility. Three probiotic supplements ultimately fell short when determining the best probiotics for IBS. However, they may still be helpful, depending on your symptoms and health goals. Here are the other products we considered: Life Extension FLORASSIST Probiotic GI with Phage Technology: This probiotic from Life Extension is designed to support optimal gut health. While it might be a good option for general digestive health, there are better, more targeted probiotics for IBS symptom management. BioGaia Gastrus: BioGaia Gastrus is formulated with 200 million CFU of L. Reuteri strains and may be helpful for relieving occasional GI symptoms, like bloating and gas. Still, we chose probiotics that were more specifically designed for IBS to include in our rankings. Thorne Bacillus Coagulans: This single-strain probiotic contains B. coagulans — one of Clark's top strain recommendations for IBS management. However, he also points out that research generally finds multi-strain blends to be most helpful for symptom relief. For that reason, we decided to highlight just one B. coagulans supplement. Digestive Advantage Daily Probiotics + Intensive Bowel Support ultimately won out because of its lower price. However, this option from Thorne is still an excellent choice, especially if you prefer a product without digestive enzymes. Didn't find quite what you're looking for? You can peruse 13 additional probiotics we tested in our roundup of the best probiotics of 2025. The type of IBS you have is based on your predominant symptom. There are three main types: IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), IBS with constipation (IBS-C) and mixed IBS (IBS-M). A doctor can help you determine your type if you're not sure. IBS doesn't usually go away on its own. It's a chronic condition, and in order to completely resolve symptoms, you may need to work with a doctor to determine and address the root cause. However, you may have long periods of time between flare-ups, especially if you know your IBS triggers and strictly avoid them. The best way to treat and manage IBS is through a combination of medical care and lifestyle changes to alleviate symptoms and determine and address the root cause of your IBS. Treatment options include medication, therapy, diet changes, exercise, probiotic supplements and more. Claire Merrifield, MBBS, MRCGP, PhD, a London-based medical doctor, medical director of Selph and PhD in gut microbiome Alyssa Simpson, RDN, CGN, CLT, a digestive health dietitian David D. Clarke, MD, a board-certified specialist in internal medicine and gastroenterology Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mother of Abbey Gate victim says Biden ‘robbed' family of justice
(NewsNation) — The mother of a soldier killed in the 2021 bombing at Kabul airport's Abbey Gate during the United States' chaotic exit from Afghanistan is 'so pleased' that a suspect in the attack has been extradited. 'If we can take one terrorist off the list of harming Americans, especially our soldiers, then that is a good day,' Paula Knauss Selph told 'Morning in America.' The Aug. 26, 2021, suicide bombing killed 13 American service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians. Selph's son, 23-year-old Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, was among the victims. President Donald Trump announced the arrest of accused ISIS-Khorasan member Mohammad Sharifullah on Tuesday during a joint address to Congress. Trump expected to sign order calling for Education Department's end White House counterterrorism chief Sebastian Gorka told NewsNation on Wednesday that Sharifullah confessed to involvement in the attack. 'When he saw my team, he knew that the freedom he had enjoyed for far too long was over, and he will die in prison,' Gorka said on NewsNation's 'Elizabeth Vargas Reports.' It's a development Selph and other victims' family members have been sorely waiting for. 'As long as we're bringing justice for our men and women who wear the uniform, then we are truly doing our job as Americans,' she said. 'And I want to give kudos to the president for keeping his word to many Americans right now.' She said that while her son's life was cut short, he truly believed in his military mission: 'If he had to choose it again, I'm certain Ryan would say, 'Send me.'' Hamas disregards Trump's 'last warning' over hostage release Selph said she met former President Joe Biden at a White House Memorial Day event, though she never got the accountability she wanted. 'Biden robbed us a little bit there, didn't he?' she said. 'His conclusion was that a photo-op was a better decision on that day with me than it was to answer questions that I really had, ' Selph recounted. A report from Republican representatives on the House Foreign Affairs Committee was released in September 2024, accusing the Biden administration of failing to see warning signs about how quickly Kabul would fall to the Taliban, as well as delaying an evacuation, NewsNation's partner The Hill reported. Biden-era White House officials said the report cherry-picked details and didn't place enough blame on President Donald Trump, who began the withdrawal process by signing a deal with Afghanistan's militant Islamist Taliban in 2020. 'President (Joe) Biden faced a choice. It was between ending the war or escalating it,' then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in December 2024. NewsNation's Elina Shirazi and Joe Khalil contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
