Research links the gut microbiome and rheumatoid arthritis

The gut microbiome's role in chronic diseases

Research shows that the microbial makeup of one's gut microbiome is associated with chronic diseases ranging from asthma to schizophrenia. Understanding these associations may reveal new ways to prevent or treat chronic diseases. In the meantime, nutritional changes—such as including more dietary fiber and unsaturated fat—appear to be the "most obvious, noninvasive, and immediate" way to alter the gut's microbiota makeup and functions.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of the population

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition leading to breakdown and inflammation of multiple joints throughout the body. This academic article provides an updated deep dive into our current cellular understanding of rheumatoid arthritis, how it is diagnosed, and the variety of medications available for treating this painful condition.

The gut microbiome may play a major role in autoimmune disease and symptom flare-ups

Certain unhealthy foods can promote gut bacterial growth and inflammation in the lining of the gut, potentially disrupting its lining—leading to a leaky gut that may allow pathogens to dribble out into the bloodstream, fueling further inflammation that can both cause disease flare-ups and set the stage for future disease development.

Five advancements in arthritis research

It is estimated that nearly 350 million people worldwide are currently suffering from arthritis. This resource explores five of the most promising recent advancements in arthritis research as scientists work towards improved treatments and continue the search for a cure.

Can the gut microbiome influence personality?

New research suggests the bacteria in our gut—through the hormones and molecules they produce—can contribute to conditions ranging from depression to anxiety, and much more. The findings suggest diets have a direct impact on mental health and may lead to new therapies.

Gut microbiome rewrites may help reduce allergies

Researchers are investigating different strategies to determine if one day they could give people a combination of gut microbes to set them up for fewer allergies. In animal research, scientists have already prevented severe allergic responses in allergy-prone mice—supplying them with gut microbes from healthy, non-allergic human babies.

Visualizing a joint under attack from rheumatoid arthritis

A particularly difficult arthritis subtype is rheumatoid arthritis, a painful condition provoking a vicious cycle of joint inflammation, destruction, and dysfunction. It begins with a misfiring of the patient’s own immune system—for unknown reasons, it identifies joint and cartilage cells as foreign, initiating an attack to eliminate the supposed "invaders."

Some dementia cases may be linked to microorganisms in the brain

Researchers now know that, much like the gut, the brain is home to an ecosystem of microorganisms—the brain microbiome. While this area of study is still new, some scientists believe 50% of bacteria-caused dementia cases could be treated. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

There are between 10 and 100 trillion bacteria in the gut

The composition of our microbiome is essential to overall health. Anything that disrupts the balance of the trillions of bacteria may be harmful—even treatments meant to fight infection, like antibiotics.

Limb regeneration research may lead to treatments for arthritis

For scientists pursuing the cure for arthritis, the holy grail of discoveries lies in how to regrow healthy cartilage inside human joints. While this feat has so far resisted our best scientific attempts, there are plenty of other human tissues—such as the liver and fingertips—that will successfully regenerate.

A technical review of what researchers know about the gut microbiome

This overview from the National Institutes of Health provides a deeper (but still accessible) look at the different bacteria in the gut, how the microbiome develops through life, its purpose, and more.

What is the gut virome?

The gut microbiome's community of viruses is collectively known as the virome. It has been found to affect immune system development—important to the gut-brain axis—and has been implicated in the development of inflammatory bowel disease and Type 2 diabetes. As of early 2023, less than half of the viral sequences in the gut had been identified. Further study is needed to understand the virome's influence and therapeutic potential.

Arthritis is an umbrella term for various conditions that cause joint pain

Arthritis isn’t one single disease, but rather a range of conditions that all lead back to the same outcome—joint pain. This American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons primer is a go-to resource for understanding what arthritis is, the most common types, and various treatment options depending on the underlying cause.

How the gut microbiome can affect heatstroke risk

Some research suggests that our gut microbiome influences our risk of exertional heatstroke. If exercise boosts our body temperatures to unsafe levels, increasing gut permeability, that can cause a "leaky" gut—allowing bacteria and other gut microbes to leak into the bloodstream and potentially trigger endotoxemia, a potentially life-threatening inflammatory response that can occur with heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Almost 80% of people diagnosed with autoimmune diseases are women

Yet it's still unanswered what may account for that difference. To better understand this disparity researchers are exploring factors including hormonal changes that occur around puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as gut microbe differences, and aspects of X-chromosome protein-coding genes. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

There's no specific anti-inflammatory diet, but certain foods increase the chance of inflammation

Research suggests humans can reduce inflammation by limiting foods that are already known to be unhealthy for the human body—because they alter gut bacteria and stress the immune system—such as highly-processed foods, deep fried foods, sugary drinks, trans fats, red meats, and foods made with white flour. Foods that help the body include fatty fish such as salmon, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

Many patients with psoriasis develop other autoimmune diseases, too

A small study published in 2024 found that nearly three-quarters of patients with psoriasis—a condition in which the body attacks healthy skin cells—also developed autoimmune disorders including thyroid diseases, connective tissue diseases, and more, suggesting such connections between these autoimmune disorders warrant further exploration.

GLP-1s are netting interest for treating autoimmune diseases, but are considered experimental

Already used to treat type 2 diabetes, the novel medications are showing some early promise in experimental studies at reducing inflammation and treating autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions. But researchers caution that side effects are still under investigation—rarely the medication has caused lupus, an autoimmune disease.

Probiotics, which are living bacteria and yeasts, are not recommended for most patients

The American Gastroenterological Association in 2020 concluded that although almost 4 million American adults have taken some form of probiotics, health claims about them are not backed in strong evidence. They only recommend their use for a few specific situations: to prevent Clostridioides difficile infection in people taking antibiotics that kill gut bacteria, to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants, and for the management of a complication of inflammatory bowel disease called pouchitis.

Vitamin B1 is linked to gut motility—helping fight constipation—in 2026 research

A study published in early 2026 found a link between vitamin B1 and the successful movement of food through your GI tract, known as gut motility. The work incorporated genetic and survey data about poop frequency to identify genes associated with gut motility and then separately linked poop frequency data with how much vitamin B1 people ingested, theorizing that the vitamin supports the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates GI system contractions.

Risk factors linked with ASD include older parents, preterm births, and toxic prenatal exposures

Though researchers agree that there is a strong genetic component to ASD development, certain environmental factors heighten that risk, with studies suggesting older parents, premature birth, maternal obesity, and air pollution exposure in utero all elevate risks of ASD development. There is no connection between receiving vaccines and ASD development.

Hookworm infection, though risky, may help fight certain autoimmune conditions by tamping down the immune system's inflammatory response.

Arteries with microplastic deposits linked to higher risk of cardiovascular events

Research shows that microplastics and nanoplastics can accumulate in major arteries, and patients with these deposits are significantly more likely to suffer heart attacks, strokes, or death. These deposits are possible due to these particles' ability to cross blood barriers.

Common genetic disorders

As research continues, it's clear that disease and genetics go hand in hand. Here's a selection of 50 National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) articles providing basic information on genetic, orphan, and rare diseases caused by mutations in DNA sequences, whether inherited from parents or brought about by outside factors.

Research on bacterial cultures used in yogurt production led to CRISPR's discovery

Scientists learned it was a microbial immune system that could be repurposed to protect dairy cultures from viruses. Today, nearly all yogurt is made with CRISPRized bacteria, as are genetically modified crops like herbicide-resistant corn, wheat, and soy.

More than 39 million people are expected to die from antimicrobial resistance by 2050

In 2024, researchers published an incredibly detailed study aimed at predicting the real-world impact of antimicrobial resistance over the next 25 years. The key findings were clear: the superbug crisis is poised to get much worse and needs to be addressed. This article offers a clear, concise overview of the study, which was published in The Lancet.

Listen to an in-depth conversation on the links between Parkinson's disease and herbicide exposure and the challenging pace of scientific investigation.

Studies suggest when you sleep is as important as how much you get, and syncing with your circadian rhythms may lead to less fatigue and improved long-term health outcomes

Read a deep dive on the 'all-purpose healing' peptide BPC-157.

Poison ivy can cause rashes year-round since all parts of the plant contain urushiol, the oil that triggers our allergic response.

Recent research found that the brain doesn't seem to massively rewire following amputation—upending earlier beliefs about the cause of phantom limb pain.

Astronauts have repaired genetic damage in space using CRISPR—a molecular tool that can make precise changes to DNA and is used in single-celled organisms to attack invasive viruses.

An investigation suggests a Scottish island became awash in forever chemicals via seafoam and seaspray—raising questions about what that means for the safety of other coastal areas.

Explore an interactive map built from more than 100,000 survey responses on where people find joy in their lives

Tattoos remain visible on your skin thanks to immune cells called macrophages

About 12.5% of US adults experience a phobia in their lifetime, a diagnosis that hinges on the intense fear interfering with daily life and persisting for at least six months.

Bone marrow (soft tissue found inside certain bones) generates roughly 500 billion new blood cells each day

See images of medical cases of firework injuries shared on this 'Instagram for doctors.' (Warning: Graphic content)

Scientists have struggled to pin down Ebola's natural reservoir species for decades, but the available evidence suggests that it's very likely fruit and insect-eating bats found in Africa.

As of 2025, the most cited papers in science include a review of graphene, methods to improve image recognition, streamlining electron density calculations, and optimizing protein studies.

A researcher recently discovered an interview from 1967 between groundbreaking journalist Joan Didion and the Grateful Dead, years before the band became an institution.

Artificial coral reefs have been 3D printed from nontoxic, biodegradable terracotta clay, which coral polyps have used as a foundation for rebuilding marine ecosystems.

All rainbows are 'raincircles' caused by water droplets separating white sunlight into a spectrum of colors, but Earth's surface blocks the bottom half of the circle from our line of sight.

US consumers collectively owe more than $1T to credit card companies—almost as much as they owe in auto loans.

Graffiti dates back to at least ancient Pompeii, where citizens scrawled messages to one another on public walls

In 1939, baseball star Lou Gehrig delivered his inspirational 'Luckiest Man' speech after retiring due to the health condition that now bears his name.

'Shogun,' a 1980s TV series, helped popularize sushi in the US by stimulating an American interest in Japanese culture.

The term 'algorithm' originated from the Latinized name of al-Khwārizmī, a 9th-century mathematician whose works introduced Arabic numerals and the decimal-based numeral system to Europe and whose treatise 'Al-Jabr' gave algebra its name.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps is independent of Iran's regular army and is one of the most powerful and influential military-political organizations in the Middle East.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is the largest ground war in Europe since World War II in terms of casualties, forces mobilized, and displacement of civilians.