Suchergebnisse

Algae4IBD Project: Are algae the solution for inflammatory bowel disease
The Algae4IBD project seeks effective treatments for a chronic disease affecting 6.8 million people. Juan F. Samaniego explores whether algae are the definitive solution for inflammatory bowel diseases. From huge kelps to invisible microalgae, algae are rich in active compounds that are potentially good for our health. However, the process of extracting and transforming them into foods and medicines that can be used on a large scale remains full of challenges. Wind and water carve the landscape of Brittany, a French region known for its wild nature, steep cliffs, and long, unspoiled beaches. Vegetation is scarce in such a rugged land, but Brittany tells a different story underwater. The east coast of the Celtic Sea, which stretches to Ireland, hosts one of the most extensive kelp forests in Europe.

Microalgae as a sustainable source of protein and food ingredients
Microalgae can be an alternative sustainable source of protein and functional food ingredients that have the potential to improve gut and liver health. Protein is a key component of a healthy diet and is found in a variety of foods, including those obtained from animal sources. Although animal-derived proteins are rich in essential amino acids, they are also associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Increased demand for animal-derived proteins is also a major contributor to climate change, with animal agriculture being a significant greenhouse gas emitter and a major driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Can we produce new medicines from microalgae?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. Currently no effective treatment exists, something that the researchers of the EU-funded Algae4IBD project want to change with the help of microalgae. Microalgae are a promising resource for new medical agents, and algae cultivation can be optimised to produce the desired compounds in the required quantities. How does it all work? Two scientists involved in the Algae4IBD project give an insight.

Prebiotics from algae as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease
The Algae4IBD project is studying the potential of probiotics and algae-derived prebiotics as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to describe a group of autoimmune disorders, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause long-term inflammation in the gut. Symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain and rectal bleeding can be distressing and the impact on patient quality of life is often substantial. IBD already affects millions of patients worldwide, and this number is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades. While traditionally a disease of western industrialised nations, IBD is now growing in newly industrialised and developing countries, likely reflecting the widespread adoption of a westernised diet.