Latest news with #intestinalhealth
Health Line
03-06-2025
- General
- Health Line
What Are Rope Worms? Are They Even Real?
'Rope worms' may simply be shed pieces of intestinal mucus. Mucus can be more common with certain health conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. Multiple types of intestinal parasites can infect human bodies, including tapeworms, pinworms, and hookworms. In recent years, the rope worm has been discussed as another potential intestinal inhabitant. While some people believe that so-called 'rope worms' are intestinal parasites, the more plausible theory is that these 'worms' are more likely strands of intestinal mucus. The parasite theory Belief in rope worms is only a recent development. In 2013, a non-peer-reviewed research paper published by Dr. Alex Volinsky and his colleagues claimed that the rope worm, otherwise known as funis vermes, is a parasite that spends its entire life inside the human body. Volinsky and his colleagues say that there are five stages of the rope worm life cycle. They claim that there are various methods of extraction for each developmental stage, including salt milk enemas, baking soda enemas, and eucalyptus/lemon juice enemas. They believe that if these rope worms aren't flushed from the body, they can release toxins that may have negative cognitive effects. The rope worm myth is often associated with proponents of the medication ivermectin, who believe without proof that it's an effective treatment for COVID-19. There's no scientific evidence for the existence of these 'rope worms.' The intestinal lining/mucus buildup theory The intestinal lining or mucus buildup theory claims that these long rope-like structures are simply shed pieces of intestinal mucus. Intestinal mucus is produced as a barrier to prevent harmful microorganisms from entering the bloodstream through the intestines. As with all cells in the body, these intestinal barrier cells routinely turn over and shed. While routine shedding is typical, excessive or altered shedding of intestinal mucus may be a sign of gastrointestinal conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or colon cancer. During enemas and colon hydrotherapy sessions, some people experience a flushing of what's believed to be a buildup of mucus. This buildup of mucus, which is sometimes referred to as mucoid plaque, actually closely resembles what others believe is the 'rope worm.' There is no definitive scientific proof that mucoid plaque buildup exists. However, there is even less scientific proof for the rope worm's existence as an intestinal parasite. Perhaps the most critical evidence against the parasite theory is the fact that when the DNA of the 'rope worm' specimen was tested, it consisted of 99% human DNA. Picture of 'rope worms' Taking care of your digestive system It's believed that eating a diet rich in processed foods may contribute to the presence of rope worms or the buildup of mucoid plaque. While there's no scientific proof to support this theory, there's merit behind the idea of maintaining a healthy gut. Gut health is just as important as heart health, lung health, and the health of any other organ in the body. Even if the literature doesn't prove the existence of rope worms or mucoid plaque, here are some ways you can take care of your digestive system: Drink plenty of water. Hydration is important for all body cells, including the mucus-producing cells of the intestines. Hydration can also help prevent constipation. Make sure you're keeping up on your water intake throughout the day. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are full of fiber, which can help keep the digestive tract functioning smoothly. These foods are also good sources of antioxidants, which help to support your gut health. Keep a consistent sleep schedule. It's no secret that a lack of sleep can have negative effects on the body, including our digestion. Keeping a healthy, consistent sleep schedule and sleeping 7 to 9 hours per night can help support a healthy microbiome. Practice relaxation techniques. Stress, anxiety, and other strong emotions can influence gut health and your digestion. For example, depression has been linked to symptom flare-ups in patients with IBS. Using relaxation techniques may help reduce the negative effects of stress on your digestion. Keep an eye on the symptoms of food intolerances. Food allergies and sensitivities can affect anyone, from children to older adults. If you have gastrointestinal symptoms when you eat certain foods, it may be worth a visit to a doctor just to check for food intolerances. Key takeaways 'Rope worms' are allegedly discovered during enemas and colonics. Little evidence supports the theory that these 'worms' are a newly discovered type of human parasite. The more likely explanation for the expulsion of these rope-like strands is the shedding of intestinal mucus. However, both theories lack the necessary scientific evidence to definitively say what these 'rope worms' really are.
Globe and Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
VivoSim's NAMKind™ Intestine Wins Blue Ribbon Award at Digestive Disease Week Conference
SAN DIEGO, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VivoSim Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIVS) (the 'Company' or 'VivoSim') announced today that its NAMkind™ platform for intestinal efficacy prediction was recognized with a blue ribbon 'Poster of Distinction' award at the Digestive Disease Week Conference (San Diego, CA, May 2-6, 2025). The work describes developing a robust, multicellular in vitro model that closely mirrors human intestinal biology, paving the way for safer and more effective therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Company's award-winning research showcased a physiologically relevant system built from primary human cells derived from both healthy donors and patients with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease. These models exhibit gene expression and phenotypic characteristics that strongly align with native human intestinal tissue, including hallmark features of IBD such as epithelial barrier dysfunction and fibrosis. Importantly, the Company's platform demonstrated responsiveness to clinically used therapeutics, confirming its potential for identifying compounds that promote mucosal healing and prevent stricture formation – two critical goals in IBD treatment. Moreover, the system is showing early promise in distinguishing between older treatments and emerging therapies that may offer improved safety and efficacy, VivoSim offers liver and intestinal toxicology insights using its premier new approach methodologies (NAM) models, following the announcement of FDA to phase out animal testing requirements in favor of these non-animal NAM methods. The FDA's push to phase out animal models, announced on April 10, is expected to provide a powerful accelerant to VivoSim's market adoption, disrupting a >$10B animal testing market with models that are more predictive and ethically sound. VivoSim's NAMkind™ intestine model is a physical wet lab model of intestine made using cells from human donors. VivoSim is also developing what it believes will be industry-best in silico predictions of intestinal tox. Artificial intelligence (AI) models in VivoSim's NAMkind™ services suite will be trained on extensive set of proprietary, real-world data from NAM models made from human donor cells, giving much richer and more extensive information than is possible with data from human clinical trials. VivoSim's NAMkind™ intestine models can also deliver readouts on endpoints that are today not available to industry scientists selecting from many candidate drug molecules. As a result of the lack of such tools, a cancer patient might suffer nausea, vomiting, or intestinal problems, or a patient's needed chemotherapy dose might be lower than it could be due to such conditions. VivoSim aims to provide transformative solutions for these challenges. The FDA has laid out ambitious goals to phase out animal testing requirements as much as possible. VivoSim is launching to fill in the much-needed gap in commercially available solutions. The technology exists to achieve FDA Commissioner Marty A. Makary's vision, which he expressed in March 2025 with the rollout of FDA's push to move away from animal testing and towards NAM models. 'By leveraging AI-based computational modeling, human organ model-based lab testing, and real-world human data, we can get safer treatments to patients faster and more reliably, while also reducing R&D costs and drug prices,' Makary noted. By leveraging AI-based computational modeling, human organ model-based lab testing, VivoSim is delivering on the promise of this technology, and will use its proprietary methods and cutting-edge capabilities for NAMkind™ models that displace use of animals and provide superior outcomes for its pharmaceutical customers, ultimately delivering better solutions for patients. Forward Looking Statements Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's expectations that its model paves the way for safer and more effective therapies for IBD and that the models are more predictive and ethically sound, the Company's expectations regarding its market adoption, the Company's belief that it is developing an industry-best in silico predictions of liver tox, the Company's expectations about its AI models in the Company's NAMkind™ services suite, the Company's plan to provide transformative solutions for certain challenges, including that a cancer patient might suffer nausea, vomiting, or intestinal problems, or a patient's needed chemotherapy dose might be lower than it could be and that the Company will deliver on its end goal of providing better solutions for patients. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and actual actions or events could differ materially from those contained in such statements. These risks and uncertainties and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 31, 2024, as such risk factors are updated in its most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on February 19, 2025. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered with any written or oral forward-looking statements that the Company may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to reflect actual results, later events, or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
