🧪 In an exciting breakthrough, Chinese scientists have discovered that a probiotic from a traditional fermented food might be the secret weapon against colorectal cancer! 🌟
The team from the School of Life Sciences at Lanzhou University in northwest China's Gansu Province has been studying limosilactobacillus fermentum GR-3, a probiotic derived from \"Jiangshui,\" a beloved local delicacy. This tiny but mighty bacteria is showing big promise in promoting the death of colon tumor cells and stopping their spread. 🛡️
Professor Li Xiangkai, who leads the research group, shared that patients with colorectal cancer often have a messed-up gut microbiome and stressed tumor cells. \"Unlike regular antioxidants, probiotics like Lactobacillus GR-3 can specifically target the tumor environment while also balancing the gut flora,\" he explained. 🌿
Previously, Li's team found that Lactobacillus GR-3 has strong antioxidant powers. It helped reduce uric acid levels in mice and even worked well in clinical trials by tweaking the gut microbiome. Building on this, they're now exploring how this probiotic can prevent colorectal cancer by influencing gut bacteria and the body's immune responses. 🛤️
Their findings? Lactobacillus GR-3 didn’t just shrink tumors in mice—it also made significant improvements in gut health. It changed the makeup of gut microbial metabolites, encouraged cancer cells to self-destruct, and blocked them from growing. Talk about a triple threat! ⚡
But the journey isn't over. The team plans to dive deeper to understand exactly how Lactobacillus GR-3 works its magic and to see how it performs in clinical settings. 🔍
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in China, and while there's been a lot of focus on how probiotics can boost the immune system, there's less known about their antioxidant abilities and impact on gut microbes. 🌐
\"We're aiming to find probiotics with strong antioxidant and gut-regulating effects,\" said Li. \"This could open up new ways to prevent and fight colorectal cancer.\" 🌠
This research not only offers hope for better treatments but also highlights the powerful benefits of traditional foods and the microbiomes they nurture. Who knew that a local favorite like Jiangshui might hold the key to tackling such a serious disease? 🍲❤️
Reference(s):
China identifies bacterial therapy for colorectal cancer treatment
cgtn.com
