Image: Illustration by Thomas Fuchs

The human body harbors at least 10 times more bacterial cells than human cells. Collectively known as the microbiome, this community may play a role in regulating one's risk of obesity, asthma and allergies. Now some researchers are wondering if the microbiome may have a part in an even more crucial process: mate selection and, ultimately, evolution.

The best evidence that the microbiome may play this critical role comes from studies of insects. A 2010 experiment led by Eugene Rosenberg of Tel Aviv University found that raising Drosophila pseudoobscura fruit flies on different diets altered their mate selection: the flies would mate only with other flies on the same diet. A dose of antibiotics abolished these preferencesthe flies went back to mating without regard to dietsuggesting that it was changes in gut microbes brought about by diet, and not diet alone, that drove the change.

To determine whether gut microbes could affect an organism's longevity and its ability to reproduce, Vanderbilt University geneticist Seth Bordenstein and his colleagues dosed the termites Zootermopsis angusticollis and Reticulitermes flavipes with the antibiotic rifampicin. The study, published in July 2011 in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, found that antibiotic-treated termites showed a reduced diversity in their gut bacteria after treatment and also produced significantly fewer eggs. Bordenstein argues that the reduction of certain beneficial microbes, some of which aid in digestion and in the absorption of nutrients, left the termites malnourished and less able to produce eggs.

These studies are part of a growing consensus among evolutionary biologists that one can no longer separate an organism's genes from those of its symbiotic bacteria. They are all part of a single "hologenome."

"There's been a long history of separating microbiology from botany and zoology, but all animals and plants have millions or billions of microorganisms associated with them," Rosenberg says. "You have to look at the hologenome to understand an animal or plant." In other words, the forces of natural selection place pressure on a plant or animal and its full array of microbes. Lending support to that idea, Bordenstein showed the closer the evolutionary distance among certain species of wasps, the greater the similarities in their microflora.

Researchers believe that the microbiome is essential to human evolution as well. "Given the importance of the microbiome in human adaptations such as digestion, smell and the immune system, it would appear very likely that the human microbiome has had an effect on speciation," Bordenstein says. "Arguably, the microbiota are as important as genes."

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A new study suggests that a gluten-free diet could help improve behavioral issues associated with childhood autism like poor attention span and social responsiveness.

The latest study, published in this month's journal Nutritional Neuroscience, adds to an existing body of conflicting and contradictory research on whether or not diet can play a role in autism in children.

One prevailing school of thought is that children with ASD have a higher rate of gastrointestinal symptoms (GI) than the general pediatric population, leading some to believe that gluten -- a protein found in wheat, barley and rye-based products -- triggers GI symptoms and behavioral problems.

The Autism Research Institute, based in California, for instance, recommends the gluten-free diet, saying there's "convincing empirical evidence" that special diets can help autistic individuals.

For their study, researchers developed their conclusions from the survey responses of 387 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). After analyzing the answers to 90 online survey questions that inquired after the kids' GI symptoms, food allergies, suspected food sensitivities and their children's degree of adherence to a gluten-free diet, researchers concluded that a gluten-free diet is more effective in improving ASD behavioral issues in children with GI symptoms and allergies, compared to children who didn't have similar symptoms.

In particular, not only did gluten-free diets improve their kids' GI symptoms -- in the absence of stomach aggravation, parents noted that the diet also helped improve their children's social behaviors like language, eye contact, engagement, attention span, and social responsiveness.

All of which leads the scientists to conclude that autism may be more than just a neurological disease, but also involve the GI tract and the immune system.

"There are strong connections between the immune system and the brain, which are mediated through multiple physiological symptoms," said study co-author Laura Cousino Klein. "A majority of the pain receptors in the body are located in the gut, so by adhering to a gluten-free, casein-free diet, you're reducing inflammation and discomfort that may alter brain processing, making the body more receptive to ASD therapies."

Parents who eliminated both gluten and casein -- a protein most commonly found in milk, butter, and cheese -- long-term also reported greater improved ASD symptoms.

The Penn State study, however, runs counter to a University of Rochester study which found the exact opposite: that eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.

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Gluten-free diet could improve symptoms of autism in children: study

Photo by Leticia De Mello Bueno

Click here to listen to my WLRN Miami Herald News story about what happens to the leftovers from the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

After the South Beach Wine & Food Festival wraps up and folks stumble on home, the tents are put away. Party-goers face the work week and their impending juice diets. I wondered, "What happens to the leftovers?"

A lot of the food goes to Feeding South Florida in a massive "food rescue" effort coordinated by Brian Phelan of Feeding South Florida, along with fellow employees and a small army of volunteers from FIU and UM. It's not just the hospitality students either. The night of the Burger Bash, there was a large crew of students from the school of social work.

This year, Phelan estimates that his team rescued 33,000 pounds of food -- more than enough to feed every single person watching the Heat play in the American Airlines Arena and then some. This isn't food that was ever placed before guests. For health reasons, they can only take food that was safely stored away in coolers or hot boxes.

The food goes to places like Helping Hands, a soup kitchen and community center in Boca Raton where families can enjoy a different menu than they would typically eat on a Monday night. They might partake of buffalo burgers, pulled pork or lamb burgers left over from the bash or some pasta with fresh vegetables and a gourmet sauce donated after the Grand Tasting. The usual Monday night menu at the soup kitchen? "Beef stew," says James Gavrilos, director of Helping Hands.

"People have an image of your average person in a soup kitchen and what they're picturing is a guy with a scraggly beard, a torn jacket. The reality is very different." Gavrilos says many of the people who visit the soup kitchen are families that have homes and in which one or two people might have jobs. Yet they just aren't making it. For them, a restaurant-quality meal like this might have once been an ordinary affair, he says, but now it's an unaffordable luxury.

For more photos of the food rescue after the Burger Bash, visit Sound Bite. Thanks to Leticia De Mello Bueno for assistance with the photography

Follow Trina Sargalski on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@miamidish

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Trina Sargalski: South Beach Wine & Food Festival: What Happens to the Leftovers?

Monterey, CA, March 02, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Sustaina Beverage Group, LLC today announced the launch of their new product, Sustaina Daily Detox, a ready-to-drink vitality supplement formulated to safely, effectively and affordably cleanse the body of everyday toxic exposure.

The body is exposed to toxic substances in two ways: through diet and through exposure to the environment. Both the dietary and environmental exposures are direct toxins that the bodys internal cleansing mechanisms must deal with on a daily basis. Through the detoxification properties found in lemons and a blend of other herbs and vitamins, Sustaina cleanses, rejuvenates, and sustains the body from the inside out.

According to http://www.livestrong.com, A natural cleanse is ideal for all healthy individuals to help rid the body of toxins and improve health. The reputed website goes on to assert that other reported benefits of cleansing include, more energy, improved mood, improved digestion, weight loss and general healthier eating.

For those who want to feel and look their best everyday, Sustaina is a 100% natural and delicious alternative to harsh detox drinks. It can be enjoyed anytime in conjunction with any diet, and without the aid of stimulants. Because it is formulated to assist and promote the bodys normal detoxification processes, Sustaina naturally promotes stamina, clarity of mind and healthy skin.

Derek Smead, co-Founder and President of Sustaina Beverage Group LLC, is excited that Sustaina can finally provide such a beneficial product for consumers. He states, We are thrilled that after two years of development, Sustaina has launched. We are looking forward to making our mark in the health and wellness community by producing an alternative and delicious way to combat the effects of daily toxic exposure.

Sustaina is made in the USA at FDA inspected and certified bottling facilities. It is available online at http://www.amazon.com. For more information about Sustaina, visit http://www.drinksustaina.com.

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Sustaina Beverage Group, LLC Announces Release of Sustaina

My Food is a home delivery diet plan seven days worth of food is sent straight to your home or work, providing everything you need to eat healthily for the week. They offer various different plans depending on whether you want to lose weight, turn fat into muscle or give your body and skin an overhaul. We trialled the New Body plan, which claims to help you lose weight and feel revitalised.

How does it work? The plan is based on a 600 calorie reduction of the average energy requirements for a 65kg woman with low activity (based on the Dietary Reference Values defined by Department of Health). The standard plan provides an average of between 1200-1300 calories per day whereas the large plan provides an average of 1950 calories per day. If you dont do very much exercise, a calorie controlled diet of 1200 cals should still help you lose weight and feel better.

The menu The New Body plan provides all three daily meals, without any snacks (they suggest keeping vegetables handy if you get peckish pass the carrot sticks!) Breakfasts are usually Honey Seed Granola served with soya milk, occasionally swapped for some seemingly sugar-free Spiced Fruit Compote or a Tahitian flapjack (the former was not enjoyable, the latter very nice). Lunch varies from Bangkok Salmon and Noodle Salad the salmon was mushed like tinned tuna to a very tasty Chestnut Risotto and Vegetable Pickle, to warming Indian Parsnip Soup with Spicy Cashews. The dinner options are similar fare: Moroccan Tagine, Butter Bean and Leek Pie (just a pastry top, no base) or an interesting take on Mediterranean Pizza with Crunchy Coleslaw.

Some of the meals were delicious, others really not so much. Obviously they are low in salt, sugar and additives, but they were also lacking in flavour a lot of the time except for onion, which seemed to have been used to flavour nearly everything. We were often left craving something else, not out of hunger, but just to satisfy our taste buds.

Snacks No snacks were provided.

The positive Having a weeks worth of food delivered takes a lot of the hassle out of dieting, and it was great to not have to worry about planning meals. Some of the meals were delicious and portion sizes were generous, leaving you feeling full. It was also good to eat different meals every day; there is nothing more boring than an all-soup diet, for example. The variety and ingenuity of the meals was commendable.

The negative Some of the meals just tasted plain weird - even for someone with experimental taste, a salad made of leeks and red onion isnt going to leave a nice taste in anyones mouth. It was also tricky having the whole weeks food delivered at once we would advise getting it sent to your home, because some meals need to be frozen immediately. The lack of snacks was also a problem: even if portions are generous, we still enjoy a little healthy treat mid-afternoon.

Did it work? We felt detoxed and refreshed after one week on the plan: the meals are definitely very healthy and seemed to be doing us good. We lost a few kilograms and felt less sluggish although lack of flavour in the diet often left us feeling unsatisfied and craving naughty foods! Overall, it is a great idea for people who arent great at sticking to diets, because the My Food plan keeps you organised and on track and you dont have to go shopping!

For more information, visit the My Food website.

More diet trials, tips and advice

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My Food - New Body diet plan review

The more Healthy Hollywood learns about a plant-based diet, the more convinced I am to go green.

We've all heard celebrity meat shunners, like Russell Brand, Lea Michele and Carrie Underwood, credit a vegetarian diet for their healthy state of mind and body. A vegan (or vegetarian) diet is hailed as the key to more energy, better-looking skin, weight loss, and less disease.

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Recently, Healthy Hollywood stumbled upon "Thrive Foods," which is a super informative read on a plant-based lifestyle and includes over 200 yummy recipes. "Thrive Foods" is written by Brendan Brazier, who is a professional ironman and founder of the whole food nutritional line, Vega. He is one of the few pro athletes in the world whose diet is 100 percent plant-based. Brazier, who also works with pro athletes and actors, like Hugh Jackman, believes an all-plant diet does a high-performing body good.

Healthy Hollywood interviewed Brendan on the power of a plant-based diet. Here are a few of his insights.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Stars Who Go Green!

What are the benefits of a plant-based diet?

Having experienced first-hand the power of consuming a whole, plant-based diet, I can tell you that even a small change can help you achieve real health benefits. Adding some clean, quality superfoods--such as kale, spinach, hemp, berries, and sea vegetables--to your daily diet will yield measurable change. Adding more plant-based whole foods to your diet will help decrease body fat, diminish visible signs of aging, boost energy, cultivate mental clarity, enhance mood, eliminate cravings, improve sleep quality, build a stronger immune system, and lower cholesterol.

What is the hardest part in making transition to a plant-based diet?

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Healthy Hollywood: Fab Food Friday - Power Of A Plant-Based Diet!

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Today, Diet Coke rocked the runway with the Show Your Heart Fashion Event at The Ohio State University.

First Lady of Ohio Karen Kasich joined Diet Coke, OSU student leaders and community representatives at the event in support of heart health awareness programs. The fashion show provided a platform for the community to show their heart while demonstrating a personal commitment to heart health education.

We all know a woman who may be at risk for cardiovascular diseaseI lost my own mother to complications from the disease, as well as multiple family members and recently a dear friend, said Karen Waldbillig Kasich, Ohio First Lady and wife of Governor John Kasich. Thats why Im joining Diet Coke in its continuing commitment to The Heart Truthto educate people about the importance of heart health. The fashion show provided a fun way to raise awareness about a health issue that has touched us all.

Models included state officials, student leaders and local health and wellness professionals. Local retailers Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Francescas, Whitehouse Black Market and Anthropologie provided red clothing for the fashion show in honor of American Heart Month. Health information and screenings were also offered to those in participating.

At the conclusion of the show, Diet Coke presented a $5,000 check to the Columbus Black Nurses Association in support of community heart health programs.

At The Coca-Cola Company, our operating philosophy is to Live Positively and The Heart Truth campaign very much embodies that idea, said Diet Coke Leadership Ambassador Lisa Field. We are dedicated to encouraging people of all generations to be active, stay extraordinary and become advocates for heart health education programs.

Those who couldnt make it to the event can still learn more about heart health programs by visiting http://www.DietCoke.com/HeartTruth.

The Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is embraced by millions of people who share the goal of better heart health for all women. For the fifth year in a row, Diet Coke is supporting the campaign and using its cans and bottles, advertising and digital assets to reach people to raise awareness and funding for heart health programs across the country. This year, Diet Coke cans and bottles have a new look throughout the month of February. The eye-catching whimsical design depicts a stick figure painting a large, red heart. In addition to the limited-edition cans and bottles, more than six billion packages of Diet Coke will carry The Heart Truth logo to raise awareness of womens heart health year-round.

To lend your support, visit DietCoke.com/HeartTruth and make a donation to the Foundation for the National for heart health programs in support of The Heart Truth. The more involved people are in the campaign, the more funds will be raised.

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Diet Coke® and Heart Health Supporters “Show Their Heart”