Brookhaven Health and Wellness Fair returns May 17. Photo from TOB
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico has announced that the 5th Annual Health and Wellness Fair will take place on Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brookhaven Town Hall. Sponsored by JVC Broadcasting, as well as Stop & Shop and ShopRite, this eagerly anticipated event has become a cornerstone of the community’s commitment to promoting health and wellness for residents of all ages.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet representatives from various health and wellness industries, who will provide valuable information on topics ranging from fitness and nutrition to mental health and healthcare services. The fair is designed to connect the community with local resources, empowering residents to lead healthier, happier lives. To add to the excitement, plenty of free giveaways will be available throughout the event.
This year’s fair will feature over 50 vendors offering a wide range of services, including:
Health screenings and wellness resources
Mental health and counseling support
Fitness and nutrition guidance
Senior and caregiver services
Insurance and community outreach programs
Interactive activities and giveaways for all ages
Healthy snacks, compliments of our generous sponsors
Some of the participating organizations include:
NYU Langone Health, Aetna Better Health, Stony Brook Medicine, Suffolk County Psychological Association, Redefine Fitness, Sunshine Prevention Center, Getting Zen with Erin, and many more!
Adding a dynamic element to the day, JVC Broadcasting will be on-site conducting interviews with participants, vendors, and attendees. These interviews will be aired on 103.9 LI News Radio, offering listeners a chance to hear firsthand accounts of the event’s positive impact on the Brookhaven community. Supervisor Dan Panico emphasizes that the Health and Wellness Fair reflects Brookhaven Town’s dedication to providing opportunities for residents to engage with essential health-related resources.
“Our Health and Wellness Fair is not just an event—it’s a celebration of our community’s commitment to fostering a healthier future for everyone. We are grateful to JVC Broadcasting for their support in making this event a resounding success,” said Panico.
Brookhaven Town Hall, located at 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville, will serve as the welcoming venue for this annual event. Residents are encouraged to mark their calendars and join in celebrating health and wellness on Saturday, May 17. It promises to be a day filled with learning, community connection, and inspiration.
From left, moderator Jennifer B. Cona with panelist group: Randy Goldbaum; Esther Fortunoff-Greene; Kathy Munsch; Dr. Pilar Stevens-Haynes, Director of Echocardiography, Mount Sinai South Nassau; Paul Fleishman.
The panel on stage. Jennifer B. Cona moderates at right.
From left, Melissa Negrin-Wiener, Esq., Senior Partner, Cona Elder Law; Evelyn Gellar, Managing Director, Forest Hills Financial Group; and Jennifer B. Cona, Founder and Managing Partner of Cona Elder Law.
Evelyn Gellar, Managing Director, Forest Hills Financial Group and Melissa Negrin-Wiener, Esq., Senior Partner, Cona Elder Law.
More than 250 people on the verge of retirement attended the 9th Annual Cona Elder Law Caregiver Conference, “Rewiring & Retiring Well on Long Island: The Secret Ingredients No One Talks About” at the Hilton Long Island in Melville on Wednesday, May 7, where they heard from a panel of well-known Long Islanders who shared their personal stories of life after a lifetime of work.
The focus of the evening was a discussion around how to navigate a post-career life, including the financial and emotional impact of not going to work five days a week anymore. Experts say people not only need to plan financially but also emotionally to avoid being disappointed or depressed with a downshift in their daily routines.
“We’re not wired that way, we’re still going, we’re vibrant people who have a lot of life left, we still have things we want to do. So you’re really planning for a shift in life,” said Jennifer Cona, Founder and Managing Partner of Cona Elder Law. “So having that conversation and making that plan is important to having a successful retirement, or rewirement.”
The main event, a panel discussion, talked about strategies for a successful retirement with five Long Islanders who have done it: Paul Fleishman, Newsday, Vice President of Public Affairs (Retired); Esther Fortunoff-Greene, Owner, Fortunoff, Rewired to EFG Designs; Kathy Munsch, American Heart Association, Regional Vice President (Retired); and Randy Goldbaum, Partner, Egress Pros, Rewired to Cannabis and Hemp Entrepreneur.
“I chose to pivot in a way that I can use my sources from all over the world and follow my passion,” said Esther Fortunoff-Greene, former owner of Fortunoff Department Stores. “I rewired rather than retired because I love work, and I love the people with whom I created working relationships for all those years. Life is short and we need to do what matters.”
“I had to go through a process that took me a couple years to get to the point where I was looking forward to being retired,” said Paul Fleishman, who retired from a multi-decade career at Newsday. “I had to get over how I was going to get over missing going to work every day and all the fulfillment and all of the satisfaction and all the reward. So that was a process.”
The evening also featured a presentation from Melissa Negrin-Wiener, Esq., Senior Partner, Cona Elder Law, and Evelyn Gellar, Managing Director, Forest Hills Financial Group, titled “Managing Retirement Income & Risk During Volatile Markets.”
Additionally, more than 40 elder care industry sponsors and exhibitors shared resources on topics including home care, assisted living, reverse mortgages, long-term care insurance, and caregiver support services.
About Cona Elder Law
Cona Elder Law concentrates in the areas of elder law, estate planning, estate administration and litigation, and health care law. Cona Elder Law takes a holistic approach to elder law, providing support and resources for older adults and caregivers, and maintains long-term, partnering relationships with clients to provide the best solutions for multiple generations.
Eric Hurnyak and other riders on the North Shore Rail Trail heading to Greenport. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
For Eric Hurnyak, the battle with glioblastoma was a personal one when he lost his mom, Barbara Johnson Hurnyak, to this insidious disease in March. The Sound Beach resident wanted to raise awareness by doing what he did when he was his mother’s primary caregiver for the better part of two years: by riding his bike to clear his head.
The May 4 fundraising event started from the Stony Brook Village Center and took the North Shore Rail Trail from Port Jefferson to Wading River, which marked the 20-mile mark with 35 miles to go until Greenport.
“My mother wanted to find a clinical trial or advanced research program, but her case was so far advanced there weren’t a lot of options,” Hurnyak said. “So, after two years it’s hard to give up the fight. So raising money to further the research into this dreaded disease is what I’ve turned to, as we’ve passed the six-thousand-dollar mark as of yesterday morning.”
The balance of the ride included stops at On the Docks in Aquebogue and the Love Lane Kitchen in Mattituck before finishing at Andy’s restaurant on Front Street in Greenport.
Proceeds benefit the Glioblastoma Research Organization, For more information visit https://www.gbmresearch.org/.
Susan Lee, MD, FACP. Photo by Jeanne Neville, Stony Brook Medicine
Susan Lee, MD, FACP, Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Medical Director of Stony Brook Primary Care and Deputy Chief of the Medical Information Office (CMIO) at Stony Brook Medicine, has been elected to the Board of Regents of the American College of Physicians (ACP). The Board of Regents is the main policy-making body for the ACP.
The ACP is a national organization of internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of adults.
A resident of Dix Hills, Dr. Lee’s involvement in ACP leadership has included numerous positions. In 2011, she was named a Fellow of the ACP (FACP), an honorary designation that recognizes ongoing individual service and contributions to the practice of internal medicine. She has also been a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors and a member of the Immunization Committee for the 2021-22 term. Locally, Dr. Lee was elected Governor of the New York Long Island Chapter of the ACP in 2021. She has also contributed to the ACP’s immunization initiatives through introducing practices to “I Raise the Rates New York.”
Dr. Lee, practicing at Stony Brook Medicine since 1997, earned her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine in 1991 and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at New York Hospital at Cornell University in 1994.
Nursing students engage in trauma simulation, guided by an instructor, to build essential emergency care skills in a realistic learning environment. Photo by Amy Prokop
Initiative will enhance and broaden nursing education with funds totaling $20.5 million
The Stony Brook University School of Nursing has been selected as a State University of New York (SUNY) Regional Nursing Simulation Center, one of only three in New York State. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the news this month about the selected centers, which will involve an overall $62 million investment to bolster nursing training at many levels throughout the state.
Stony Brook will receive $10 million from SUNY, with matching funds of $10.5 million from Stony Brook University. The total of $20.5 million will be used to create a new simulation center at Stony Brook that includes the latest simulation technologies to help train more nursing students and enhance the overall experience of nursing education.
The selected campuses include the University of Buffalo, named the SUNY System-Wide Nursing Simulation Center of Excellence, and SUNY Canton and Stony Brook as the regional centers. Each center will provide high-quality, hands-on training for some of the most needed clinical practice areas in health care, such as labor and delivery, high acuity cases, and community health.
According to the Governor’s office, with their investments, each campus has committed to significant prelicensure nursing program enrollment growth, leveraging the legislation Governor Hochul signed in May of 2023 permitting nursing students to complete up to one-third of their clinical training through high-quality simulation experiences.
“By investing in nurses of the future, we’re investing in the talent of aspiring professionals across our state and in the health care workforce we all rely on,” says Governor Hochul.
“As Suffolk County’s only academic medical center, Stony Brook University is proud to be at the forefront of healthcare education and workforce development,” says Dr. William A. Wertheim, Executive Vice President for Stony Brook Medicine. “This designation as a SUNY Regional Nursing Simulation Center reflects our long-standing commitment to preparing the next generation of nurses. Through this important partnership with SUNY, we will expand access to high-quality, hands-on clinical training – helping to address the critical nursing shortage, grow the healthcare workforce and ensure our communities have skilled professionals they need to thrive.”
The new regional nursing simulation center at Stony Brook will support a 19 percent increase in prelicensure (baccalaureate) nursing enrollment in the first-year post-project completion. There is a projected 27 percent increase over the next five years.
“We are grateful to Governor Hochul, SUNY, and Stony Brook University for this opportunity to expand and enhance nursing education through simulation-based learning,” says Dr. Patricia Bruckenthal, Dean of the Stony Brook School of Nursing. “Our NEXUS Innovation Center epitomizes our commitment to advancing nursing education through innovation and collaboration. By integrating cutting-edge simulation technologies, we are not only enhancing the clinical competencies of our students and students across the region but also fostering an environment where interdisciplinary teams can engage in transformative learning experiences. This center stands as a testament to our dedication to preparing nurse leaders who will shape the future of healthcare delivery.”
According to the plan as a regional center, Stony Brook will significantly expand its simulation space footprint to enhance in-person nursing education. Additionally, the center will leverage advanced simulcast software technology to provide remote learning opportunities across Long Island.
Currently, simulation baccalaureate nursing curriculum is integrated into every clinical course in the School of Nursing. Due to space constraints, students are rotated through the Learning Resource Center in small groups, which enables hands-on experiences in the simulation lab under the supervision of the lab director and clinical faculty. The expansion of simulation training and a new dedicated center will streamline this workflow.
The announcement of the three nursing simulation centers across the state also builds on previous efforts by SUNY to expand and enhance nursing education through simulation-based learning. Last October, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced the inaugural class of the SUNY Nursing Simulation Fellowship, which includes Dr. Debra Giugliano from Stony Brook Nursing; and SUNY has invested $3.7 million through its High Needs Nursing Fund to further advance simulation-based education across 40 of SUNY’s nursing programs.
Losing or maintaining body weight is complex. Many things influence our eating behavior, including food addictions, boredom, lack of sleep and stress.
While calorie intake is an important element of the equation, knowing a food’s caloric impact doesn’t always make a difference in our behavior. Studies assessing the impact of nutrition labeling in restaurants gave us a good picture of this complex issue: knowing an item’s calories either doesn’t alter behavior or can actually encourage higher calorie purchases (1, 2).
The good news is that controlling weight isn’t only about exercising willpower and skipping higher calorie items. Instead, we should focus on our diet’s composition.
Increasing food quality has a tremendous impact. This is not about emphasizing on macronutrient over another. Macronutrient categories are protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Instead, it’s about emphasizing micronutrients over macronutrients. Micronutrients, simply, are vitamins and minerals in foods. Foods that are micronutrient-dense tend to be the most satisfying. In a week to a few months of emphasizing micronutrients, one of the first things my patients notice is a significant reduction in macronutrient cravings.
Balancing protein, carbohydrates and fats
Many diets focus on the balance of macronutrients. Which has the greatest impact on weight loss? In a randomized control trial (RCT), when comparing different macronutrient combinations, there was very little difference among study groups, nor was there much success in helping obese patients reduce their weight (3, 4). Only 15 percent of patients achieved a 10 percent reduction in weight after two years.
The four different macronutrient diet combinations involved overall calorie restriction. In addition, each combination had either high protein, high fat; average protein, high fat; high protein, low fat; or low protein, low fat. Carbohydrates ranged from low to moderate (35 percent) in the first group to high (65 percent) in the last group. This was another well-designed study, involving 811 participants with an average BMI of 33 kg/m², which is classified as obese.
Focusing primarily on macronutrient levels and calorie counts did very little to improve results.
Should we avoid refined carbohydrates?
A small RCT showed refined carbohydrates actually may cause food addiction (5). MRI scans of trial subjects showed that certain sections of the brain involved in cravings and reward are affected by high-glycemic foods.
Study participants consumed a 500-calorie shake with either a high-glycemic index or a low-glycemic index. They were not told which they were drinking. The ones who drank the high-glycemic shake had higher levels of glucose in their blood initially, followed by a significant decline in glucose levels and increased hunger four hours later. The region of the brain that is related to addiction, the nucleus accumbens, showed a spike in activity with the high-glycemic intake.
The authors note that this effect may occur regardless of the number of calories consumed. Commonly found high-glycemic foods include items like white flour, sugar, and white potatoes. We should all strive to limit or avoid refined carbohydrates.
Focusing on micronutrients
In an epidemiological study looking at National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, results demonstrate that those who are overweight and obese tend to be micronutrient-deficient (6). This can have long-term impacts on your health that are not just related to weight. Micronutrients include carotenoids, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, as well as vitamin B12, folate and vitamins C, E and D.
Unfortunately, taking supplements doesn’t solve the problem; generally, micronutrients from supplements are not the same as those from foods. With a few exceptions, such as vitamin D and potentially B12, most micronutrient levels can be raised by increasing the variety of foods in your diet. Please, ask your doctor before starting or stopping supplements.
Cortisol levels and weight
While cortisol is important to an array of physiological processes, including regulating inflammation and blood pressure, too much cortisol can cause health problems. There is a complex dynamic between cortisol and weight. Cortisol raises glucose blood levels and is involved in promoting visceral or intra-abdominal fat. This type of fat coats internal organs. Decreasing your level of cortisol metabolite might also result in a lower propensity toward insulin resistance and decrease your risk of cardiovascular mortality.
In a preliminary, small, prospective (forward-looking) study involving women, results show that once obese patients lost weight, the levels of cortisol metabolite excretion decreased significantly (7). This is encouraging. Controlling or losing weight is more complex than calorie-counting. While calorie intake has a role, food’s nutrient density may play a significant role in reducing your cravings, ultimately helping you manage your weight.
References:
(1) Am J Pub Health 2013 Sep 1;103(9):1604-1609. (2) Am J Prev Med.2011 Oct;41(4):434–438. (3) N Engl J Med 2009 Feb 26;360:859. (4) N Engl J Med 2009 Feb 26;360:923. (5) Am J Clin Nutr Online 2013;Jun 26. (6) Medscape General Medicine. 2006;8(4):59. (7) Clin Endocrinol.2013;78(5):700-705.
Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.
Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson has announced that ithas achieved a significant milestone — completing 10,000 robotic surgery procedures using the da Vinci® surgical system – the most of any hospital in Suffolk County. This achievement underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing cutting-edge, minimally invasive surgical care to our community.
Mather Hospital is in the top 10% of hospitals on Long Island performing robotic surgery, using five da Vinci® surgical robots. The hospital, which is a Robotic Surgery Center of Excellence, the first in New York State, and an Epicenter in Robotic Bariatric Surgery, has performed robotic surgery since 2011, consistently investing in advanced technology and highly skilled surgeons.
The most common robotic surgeries at Mather are bariatric and general surgery, followed by gynecology, thoracic, and urology. Approximately 99% of our bariatric cases are performed robotically. The average length of stay for patients undergoing robotic surgery is two days.
“Achieving 10,000 robotic surgeries is a testament to our surgical team’s commitment to continually elevating patient care,” said Mather Hospital President Kevin McGeachy. “This milestone reflects our ongoing investment in innovative technology and our dedication to providing the best possible outcomes for our patients.”
Robotic surgery offers numerous benefits to the patient, including smaller incisions, reduced pain and scarring, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. Mather Hospital utilizes the da Vinci® surgical system to enhance surgical precision, dexterity and visualization.
Using the da Vinci® Surgical System, the surgeon operates seated comfortably at a console while viewing a high definition, 3D image inside the patient’s body. The surgeon’s fingers grasp the master controls below the display with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments.
“We are incredibly proud of the profound impact our robotic surgery program has had on more than 10,000 lives in our community,” said Arif Ahmad, MD, director of Mather Hospital’s Robotic Surgery Center of Excellence. “This milestone motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of surgical innovation and providing the highest quality care for years to come. Our world-renowned team serves as an international epicenter for robotic surgery, and we havehosted, through live presentations and Telepresence, surgeons from England and France in addition to multiple centers in the U.S.”
Telepresence with Intuitive Hub allows live sharing of a procedure, using two-way audio and video, enabling surgeons who are in another geographic location to observe and mentor colleagues during robotic-assisted surgeries in real time.
For information about Mather Hospital, visit matherhospital.org or follow us @MatherHospital on Facebook.
Cona Elder Law will host its 9th Annual Caregiver Conference, “Rewiring & Retiring Well on Long Island: The Secret Ingredients No One Talks About,” on Wednesday, May 7 at the Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This conference offers a unique opportunity for older adults and caregivers to connect with industry professionals, explore valuable resources, and gain insights into various aspects of elder care. With an expected attendance of over 200 community members, the event promises to be both informative and supportive for those in the sandwich generation, caregivers, and anyone between the ages of 45 to 75.
The free event will feature a presentation from Melissa Negrin-Wiener, Esq., Senior Partner, Cona Elder Law, titled “Protecting your Assets to Retire Well & Leave a Legacy” as well as from Evelyn Gellar, Managing Director, Forest Hills Financial Group, titled “Managing Retirement Income & Risk During Tumbling Tariff Markets.”
The evening will feature a special panel discussion on “Rewiring & Retiring” featuring: Paul Fleishman, Newsday, Vice President of Public Affairs (Retired); Esther Fortunoff, Owner, Fortunoff’s, Rewired to EFG Designs; Kathy Munsch, American Heart Association, Regional Vice President (Retired); and Randy Goldbaum, Partner, Egress Pros, Rewired to Cannabis and Hemp Entrepreneur. The panel will be moderated by Jennifer B. Cona, Esq., Founder and Managing Partner of Cona Elder Law.
“Most of us can’t wait for the day when we can hang it all up and do what we want. But when that glorious time comes, many suffer from loss of identity, lack of purpose, inability to relate to others, depression, and more,” said Jennifer Cona, Founder and Managing Partner of Cona Elder Law. “In today’s economic climate, many older adults need to ‘rewire’ as they need an additional source of income to supplement retirement benefits. So, who are the people who are actually thriving in retirement and how are they doing it? How do you make the Golden Years actually golden?”
The evening will also feature an Exhibitor Expo with over 30 elder care industry sponsors and exhibitors. Attendees will have access to a wealth of resources on topics including home care, assisted living, reverse mortgages, long-term care insurance, and caregiver support services.
Cona Elder Law concentrates in the areas of elder law, estate planning, estate administration and litigation, and health care law. Cona Elder Law takes a holistic approach to elder law, providing support and resources for older adults and caregivers, and maintains long-term, partnering relationships with clients to provide the best solutions for multiple generations.
Event Details:
What: 2025 Cona Elder Law Annual Caregiver Conference
When: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 @ 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Rd, Melville, NY 11747
Studio 45 ribbon cutting. Photo courtesy of Councilwoman Bonner's office
On Sunday, April 13, Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner attended the grand opening of Studio 45 in Rocky Point, a cardio dance and strength training facility owned by Dr. Kimberly Roff, an Associate Professor at Touro University .
Located at 53D Broadway, the studio offers health and wellness classes featuring a full body workout with cardio dance and teach elements of Yoga, Pilates, and kickboxing blended in as well as additional strength training. “I know the Rocky Point community is passionate about rebuilding and revitalizing Broadway and what a great idea to start a fully woman-owned business there,” said Councilwoman Bonner.
Studio 45 can be reached by calling 631-495-5668 or online at www.studio45rockypoint.com.
The microbiome affects our immune system responses
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
We have been hearing more frequent references to the microbiome recently in health discussions and healthcare marketing. So, what is it, and why is it important to our health?
We each have a microbiome, trillions of microbes that include bacteria, viruses and single-cell eukaryotes that influence our body’s functions. When “good” and “bad” microbes are in balance, we operate without problems. However, when the balance is tipped, often by environmental factors, such as diet, infectious diseases, and antibiotic use, it can make us more susceptible to inflammation, diseases and disorders.
We are going to focus on the gut microbiome, where much of our immune system response lives. Research into the specifics of our microbiome’s role in healthy functioning is still in its infancy. Current research into the microbiome’s effects include its role in obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s, and infectious diseases, such as colitis.
What affects our microbiome?
Lifestyle choices, like diet, can impact your microbiome positively or negatively. Microbiome diversity may vary significantly in different geographic locations throughout the world, because diet and other environmental factors play such a large role.
When we take medications, like antibiotics, we can wipe out our microbial diversity, at least in the short term. This is why antibiotics can cause gastrointestinal upset. Antibiotics don’t differentiate between good and bad bacteria.
One way to counteract an antibiotic’s negative effects is to take a probiotic during and after your course of antibiotics. I recommend taking Renew Life’s 30-50 billion units once a day, two hours after an antibiotic dose and continuing for 14 days after you have finished taking your prescription. If you need more protection, you can take one dose of probiotics two hours after each antibiotic dose.
Does the microbiome affect weight?
Many obese patients continually struggle to lose weight. Obese and overweight patients now outnumber malnourished individuals worldwide (1).
For a long time, the weight loss “solution” had been to reduce caloric intake. However, extreme low-calorie diets were not having a long-term impact. It turns out that our gut microbiome may play important roles in obesity and weight loss, determining whether we gain or lose weight.
The results from a study involving human twins and mice are fascinating (2). In each pair of human twins, one was obese, and the other was lean. Gut bacteria from obese twins was transplanted into thin mice. The result: the thin mice became obese. However, when the lean human twins’ gut bacteria were transplanted to thin mice, the mice remained thin.
By pairing sets of human twins, one obese and one thin in each set, with mice that were identical to each other and raised in a sterile setting, researchers limited the confounding effects of environment and genetics on weight.
The most intriguing part of the study compared the effects of diet and gut bacteria. When the mice who had received gut transplants from obese twins were provided gut bacteria from thin twins and given fruit- and vegetable-rich, low-fat diet tablets, they lost significant weight. Interestingly, they only lost weight when on a good diet. The authors believe this suggests that an effective diet may alter the microbiome of obese patients, helping them lose weight. These are exciting, but preliminary, results. It is not yet clear which bacteria may be contributing to these effects.
Gut bacteria and autoimmune disease
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can be disabling, with patients typically suffering from significant joint soreness and joint breakdown. What if gut bacteria influences RA risk? In a study, the gut bacteria in mice that were made susceptible to RA by deletion of certain genes (HLA-DR genes) were compared to those who were more resistant to developing RA (3). Researchers found that the RA-susceptible mice had a predominance of Clostridium bacteria and that those resistant to RA were dominated by bacteria such as bifidobacteria and Porphyromonadaceae species. The significance is that the bacteria in the RA-resistant mice are known for their anti-inflammatory effects.
Diet and other lifestyle considerations, such as eating and sleeping patterns or their disruptions, can affect the composition and diversity of gut bacteria (4). Studies have already demonstrated prebiotic effects of fiber and significant short-term changes to the microbiome when eating fruits, vegetables, and plant fiber. Others are considering the effects of specific diets on the immune system and development of non-communicable diseases (5).
The promise of personalized medicine that helps individuals identify the perfect mix of microbes for them is still out in the future; however, many preliminary studies suggest important learnings that we can all use.
References:
(1) “The Evolution of Obesity”; Johns Hopkins University Press; 2009. (2) Science. 2013;341:1241214. (3) PLoS One. 2012;7:e36095. (4) Nutrients. 2019 Dec;11(12):2862. (5) Nutrients. 2021 Feb 22;13(2):699.
Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.
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