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Dandruff could be a crucial factor in Crohn’s disease
Scientists discover the hair fungus also resides in the GUT and causes inflammatory reactions in people with digestive diseases
A fungus linked to dandruff may be a crucial factor driving the chronic stomach condition Crohn’s disease, according to a new study.
Malassezia yeasts found in oily skin and scalp follicles are linked to skin conditions, including dandruff.
Researchers discovered that the fungus commonly found in human hair follicles also resides in the gut.
In most of us, it is harmless, but in some people with a certain genetic make-up it appears to worsen their intestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The research team hope that by eliminating this fungus in people with Crohn’s, they could relieve some or all of their debilitating symptoms.
Dr Underhill added: ‘The data so far do not suggest that the presence of Malassezia in the gut is an inherently bad thing.
‘We found it in some healthy people, and in mice it does not seem to cause disease in the gut by itself.
‘However, if there is some intestinal inflammation, Malassezia seems to make it worse.’
He said the next steps involve exploring whether eradicating the yeast from the intestinal microbiome clears the patients’ symptoms.
Read full article at https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6773795/Dandruff-key-Crohns-disease-Scientists-discover-fungus-resides-gut.html
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