Media Highlights 2024
Once again, UCLA GI & GI surgery has been recognized as being among the best in the nation, ranking #4 by U.S. News & World Report in its annual Best Hospitals survey. This also makes us the top-ranked GI & GI surgery hospital for a public university in the country. We thank you all, our physicians, allied health care professionals, nurses and staff, for your continued exemplary and personalized care.
UCLA Health also placed #1 in both California and Los Angeles in a broad assessment of excellence in hospital-based patient care. U.S. News & World Report placed UCLA Health on its national honor roll yet again, as it has each year since the rankings debuted in 1990. The honor roll – which no longer includes an ordinal list – is a distinction reserved for only 20 hospitals or systems among nearly 5,000 evaluated across 15 medical specialties and 20 common procedures and conditions.
Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD, provides expert commentary in Medical News Today and The Hearty Soul
Dr. Limketkai is the director of clinical research for the UCLA Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
- in Medical News Today. Additional coverage in
- in The Hearty Soul
35 simple health tips expert swear by
Lin Chang, MD, professor of medicine, and Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, associate professor of medicine, provided expert commentary in this article (available with subscription only)
“Make a commitment that each year, during your birthday month, you will schedule all your annual health checkups. Schedule them for any time in the year before your next birthday. Maintaining your health requires consistent care. This helps make sure that you get it done." --Dr. Folasade P. May
"Diaphragmatic breathing — using your diaphragm to take deep, controlled breaths and expand your belly, followed by exhaling slowly and letting your belly fall — stimulates vagus nerve activity and potentially reduces gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating. I do it at bedtime for about 10 minutes." --Dr. Lin Chang
UCLA Health’s Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) Clinic is the only one if its kind in Western hemisphere
Patients with undiagnosed FMF may suffer periodically for years from excruciating abdominal pain, fever and painful inflammation in other parts of the body such as the joints and the chest. Without treatment, there is a risk of developing amyloidosis, which can lead to kidney failure. FMF is an inherited condition that particularly affects those of Arab, Armenian, Jewish, Turkish and other ethnic backgrounds originating in the Mediterranean region. Terri Getzug, MD, clinic director and health sciences clinical professor of medicine in the Division of Digestive Diseases, and Wayne Grody, MD, PhD, co-director and professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory, discuss the history of the clinic and current treatments, and share patient stories. Read more in and
UCLA’s Pediatric IBD Program empowers young patients to take control of their health
Hassan Hamandi, MD, director of the Pediatric and Transition Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program, spoke about how the Pediatric IBD Program at UCLA provides comprehensive and individualized diagnosis for children and adolescents during a critical time of their lives in these articles. Read more in UCLA Health News & Insights.
Fast track to health? Inside the Fasting Mimicking Diet
The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) is a dietary approach intended to replicate the benefits of intermittent fasting without the total food abstinence associated with traditional fasting. Shelby Yaceczko, DCN, RDN-AP, GI dietitian, provides insights into how FMD works, its potential health benefits, and what people should consider before embarking on this dietary plan.
Antibiotics can mess with your gut: These foods can help
Since penicillin was discovered in 1928, antibiotics have transformed once life-threatening infections into treatable conditions. But in wiping out the “bad” bacteria, they can decimate the “good” ones, too. Fortunately, for most people, these effects on the gut microbiome are temporary, said Tien S. Dong, MD, PhD, director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center Biorepository Core. If you’re generally in good health, “you’ll likely recover on your own,” Dr. Dong said. Still, you can take actions to encourage that recovery. And while much of this research is limited and in early phases, it does suggest what is perhaps the most important element: paying attention to your diet.
Pancreatic cancer surge may be less worrisome than it seemed
Researchers have seen an unexpected rise in pancreatic cancer among young people in the United States from 2000 to 2018. A new study published in The Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that concerns over these findings may be misguided. The investigators suggest that the surprising rise in pancreatic cancer may be because statistics on pancreatic cancer lump together very different types of tumors that happen to arise in pancreas, adenocarcinoma and endocrine tumors. The latter tend to be indolent, taking years or even decades to grow and spread, and are thought to be responsible for driving the increase in pancreatic cancer among the young. The study investigators suspect endocrine tumors are being detected by CT or MRI scans, which have gotten increasingly sensitive and are used frequently. “Sometimes we see things on imaging and we have to go after it,” said on the new study but was not involved in the study. “People might end up with a big surgery. But it is hard to tell who needs the surgery and who doesn’t.”
It's funny and it’s frightening – It’s farting
When we hear a fart, or a joke about farts, we're suddenly transported back to second grade. While flatulence can be funny, awkward and embarrassing, it can also be a sign of a medical issue that requires attention.
Three things to do if heartburn at night is wrecking your sleep
You’re just about to doze off into a restful slumber when it starts: the nausea, fiery chest pains and scorching burps that jolt you wide awake. When heartburn hits at night, it can seriously ruin your shut-eye (and probably your partner’s too), making it hard to nod off in the first place—or tricky to fall back asleep after a bout. While the timing may seem inopportune, it isn’t random.
How gut bacteria influence mental health and the body’s stress response
Researchers are diving deeper into the complex relationship between gut bacteria and brain function, a connection that has the potential to transform our understanding of mental health. A recent study using mice, published in Cell Metabolism, reveals that the bacteria in our gut may play a pivotal role in how our bodies respond to stress, especially in a daily, time-specific manner. These findings open up promising pathways for treating mental disorders and underscore the importance of maintaining good gut health.
Therapeutic diets in Crohn’s disease management: What role do they play?
Crohn’s disease (CD) is an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Several studies suggest that diet plays a vital role in the etiopathogenesis of CD. Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD, director of clinical research for the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases provides expert commentary and discusses (1) How does a specific dietary pattern influence the severity and frequency of CD fare-up? (2) How do different dietary patterns, such as low FODMAP or elimination diets, affect symptoms and quality of life in patients with CD? (3) What role do specific vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D and zinc, play in the management and progression of CD? (4) Do probiotics and prebiotics affect inflammation and intestinal permeability in individuals with CD? (5) Can dietary changes influence the need for surgical intervention in patients with CD over time? Read more in and
Arpana Church, PhD, interviewed for The Best of ObesityWeek®
Dr. Church, co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, was selected for faculty interviews of highlights and key takeaways at ObesityWeek®. She discusses “How are the brain and gut microbiome linked to obesity.”
Eric Esrailian, MD, MPH, joins the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative as co-founder
Dr. Esrailian is a physician, Emmy-nominated film producer, investor and entrepreneur. He is actively involved in philanthropic efforts connecting health, human rights, education and the arts. As an Aurora board member and the co-chair of the 2024 Aurora Prize events in Los Angeles, Dr. Esrailian will bring his influence and leadership expertise across various domains including academia, industry, philanthropy and human rights advocacy to this new role, helping to steward the organization toward its 10th anniversary year and beyond.
New study hopes to explain why more black women are getting cancer
"We know that even though black women are likely to get screened for breast cancer ... the quality of the screening and the care that they get, the timeliness of the care, is not [at] a point where it needs to be." -- Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, director of the Melvin and Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program, assistant professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
7 signs your gas or bloating is a bigger issue
Though unpleasant, gas and bloating are simply biological functions that every person — and animal — must deal with at times. In fact, a large study found that one in five people in the United States reported feeling bloated at least once in the past week, often accompanied by. In addition, the average person passes gas between 13 and 21 times a day. Vivy Cusumano, MD, health sciences clinical instructor of medicine, explains that when gas or bloating is associated with other symptoms, it may be a cause for concern.
Do you need a GI psychologist? Here’s what to know before taking your gut to therapy
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a whopping 60 to 70 million Americans have some sort of digestive disorder. Such disorders can be a lot to deal with not only physically, but also emotionally. The stress of wondering whether you'll get the runs while on a date or whether that pizza you ordered is actually gluten-free can exacerbate GI symptoms, leading to a vicious cycle where you're both constantly anxious and in gastric distress (thanks to a little thing called the gut-brain connection). Enter the GI psychologist, a mental health professional who focuses on repairing the relationship between your brain and gut, and can help you cope with the reality of living with a lifelong digestive disease.
Discrimination can cause changes in the gut microbiome, study says
In a new study published in Frontiers in Microbiology, UCLA Health researchers have found that people who experienced discrimination had pro-inflammatory bacteria and gene activity in their gut microbiome that was different from those who did not experience discrimination. The researchers could also predict with 91% accuracy which study participants faced discrimination just by analyzing their gut microbiome using stool samples. Arpana Church, PhD, co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center and co-lead author, said researchers tend to study the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is the body’s stress management system, to gauge how discrimination affects the body. But she and Tien S. Dong, MD, PhD, director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center Biorepository Core and co-lead author, were interested in how discrimination affects the brain-gut axis. “There’s a lot of research on how discrimination affects the HPA axis and how that leads to disease, but that’s only one part of the story,” Dong said. Read more in and
Infants’ microbiomes shaped by physical contact with caregivers
A new study led by researchers at UCLA Health found that . These factors explained up to 11% of variation in the microbiome among infants and were associated with altered abundance of important early-life gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium. UCLA GI authors include Andrew Gregg, MD, PhD, GI fellow, and Jonathan P. Jacobs, MD, PhD, co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center.
UCLA researchers tackle challenges in Barrett’s esophagus diagnosis and management, aiming to prevent esophageal cancer
V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, MAS, director of endoscopy, and Jennifer M. Kolb, MD, MS, health sciences assistant professor of medicine, are conducting research addressing key challenges in the diagnosis and management of Barrett’s esophagus (BE). The issues include which patients to screen, how to identify the condition in a more timely manner and how to better predict which patients found to have BE will progress to esophageal cancer and should be treated immediately with endoscopic eradication techniques.
UCLA approach to pelvic floor dysfunction considers structural problems, functional conditions, behavioral issues
Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation and pelvic organ prolapse. But as common as these distressing issues are, many patients aren't benefiting from the newest techniques and tools available to address them. Lisa D. Lin, MD, MS, associate director of Westwood GI motility, and Christopher M. Tarnay, MD, director of the UCLA Center for Women’s Pelvic Health, are working with other specialists in UCLA's Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases to offer patients individualized treatment.
How to navigate a celiac diagnosis after 50
Going gluten-free later in life can be challenging. In this , Nancee Jaffe, MS, RDN, lead GI dietitian, provides expert commentary on tips that can ease the transition and how to communicate your needs to family members.
”Gut-healing” probiotic supplements are everywhere right now. Here’s what the science says
In case you haven’t noticed, we’re living in the “heal-your-gut” era. Within the past few years, there’s been a wild influx of influencers, documentaries, cookbooks and news articles breaking down how you can eat this or take that to “fix” your gut, and help address a range of health problems. Arpana Church, PhD, co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, who has dedicated her career to studying the gut microbiome, believes probiotics – as in, the actual bugs in fermented foods – are (generally) great. They have so much potential that it’s no surprise companies are packaging them into caspules to sell as all-purpose wonder-workers. But probiotic-rich foods and probiotic supplements are not one and the same.
A new colorectal cancer blood test is here. What does in mean for screening?
In July, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a new blood-based test to screen for colorectal cancer. While an exciting option, the test has its pros and cons. Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, director of the Melvin and Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program,
Gut health tied to psychological resilience: New research reveals gut-brain stress connection
Stress has a profound impact on our lives, contributing to a staggering $300 billion in health care costs and missed workdays in the United States alone each year. The way we handle stress — our resilience — can make a significant difference in how we navigate life’s challenges. New research from UCLA has provided groundbreaking insights into the biology of resilience, revealing that it involves not only the brain but also the gut microbiome. Arpana Church, PhD, co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center and senior author of the study, discusses the study in and in .
Q&A: Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorders in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
“Patients with IBD often develop some form of food avoidance/restriction behaviors,” Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD, director of clinical research in the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases explains. “The underlying drivers relate to several factors: conditioned fear of certain food types that are associated with aggravation of gastrointestinal symptoms, intentional avoidance of certain foods to ‘treat’ inflammation, recommendations to pursue exclusion diets, decreased appetite mediated by inflammation, and the development of an unhealthy relationship with food that is often also due to misconceptions gleaned from the Internet.” This behavior, depending on disease severity, can include empiric or overall food avoidance during IBD flares to reduce the risk for symptoms. Some patients may also attempt to use diet as a form of nutritional therapy.
Jonathan P. Jacobs, MD, PhD, honored as a ScholarGPS Highly Ranked Scholar
ScholarGPS celebrates Highly Ranked Scholars™ for their exceptional performance in various disciplines. Dr. Jacobs’ prolific publication record, the high impact of his work and the outstanding quality of his scholarly contributions have placed him in the top 0.05% of all scholars worldwide according to ScholarGPS’s analytic tools in the field of microbiota. Dr. Jacobs is the co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center.
UCLA receives $120 million from Alya and Gary Michelson for new California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy
UCLA has received a $120 million commitment from surgeon, inventor and philanthropist Dr. Gary Michelson and his wife, Alya, to kick-start the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, an innovative public-private partnership aimed at spurring breakthrough discoveries that prevent and cure diseases and catalyze economic growth and innovation in Los Angeles. The gift, distributed via the Michelson Medical Research Foundation, designates $100 million to establish two research entities within the institute, each funded by $50 million; one will focus on rapid vaccine development and the other on harnessing the microbiome to advance human health. The microbiome research will be conducted in collaboration with the new UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, placing it among the largest microbiome research enterprises in the world.
Chronic liver disease linked to more healthcare barriers than other chronic diseases
Carrie R. Wong, MD, PhD, health sciences assistant clinical professor of medicine, discussed findings from a recent study suggesting that chronic liver disease is linked to more health care barriers than other chronic diseases. Read interviews in and .
UCLA researchers receive $9.5M grant to study relationship between polyphenol intake, Alzheimer’s prevention and the brain-gut-microbiome system
UCLA Health researchers, in collaboration with researchers from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, have received a $9.5 million award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — with support from European funding agencies the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and Health & Social Care of Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency — to study the effects of polyphenols on cognitive health and the brain-gut microbiome system. “It’s a multicenter, longitudinal and translational intervention study designed so that we can look at the mechanisms and pathways involved in cognitive decline,” said Arpana Church, PhD, co-director of the UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center and contact principal investigator. “We’re looking at multiple markers, such as cognitive functioning, brain structure and function, the microbiome and microbial polyphenol metabolites, inflammatory markers like interleukins, and Alzheimer’s disease-specific plasma markers such as tau proteins ptau181 and ptau217.” In this five-year study, Church, Emeran A. Mayer, MD, co-principal investigator and founding director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, and co-investigators will explore the relationship between polyphenols, cognitive function and brain health through four project involving adults aged 50 and older at enhanced risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Jennifer S. Labus, PhD, director of the Integrative Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center is a co-investigator.
New UCLA multidisciplinary clinic assists patients with IBD, and their providers, through pregnancy
Women with inflammatory bowel disease who are either contemplating pregnancy or already have become pregnant face many uncertainties, as well as known risks. If their inflammation is uncontrolled, they are at increased risk of flares during pregnancy, which can lead to newborns who are small for gestational age, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and miscarriage. And, although many medications that are used to treat IBD are safe, providers and patients are often reluctant to continue with them during the pregnancy for fear of harming the fetus.
With that in mind, the UCLA Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, in partnership with UCLA’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, has established a multidisciplinary Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum + IBD clinic, among the first of its kind. The clinic, which is co-led by an IBD physician, Nirupama Bonthala, MD, who specializes in women’s health and an OBGYN, Ilina Pluym, MD, who specializes in maternal-fetal medicine and high-risk pregnancies, collaborates with patients and their health care providers through preconception planning, pregnancy, and the postpartum period to address fears, dispel misconceptions, and maximize outcomes. Read more in UCLA Health News & Insights
How to cope with shame related to ulcerative colitis
It’s not unusual for people with ulcerative colitis (UC) to experience stigma, shame and other challenging emotions. Taking steps to manage these feelings can help support their well-being. “Individuals may have concerns about being treated differently or worry about others’ perceptions about their condition if they need to cancel plans, modify activities or ask for help,” says Christina T. Gentile, PsyD, MA, ABPP, clinical health psychologist.
How long is too long to sit on the toilet?
Everybody poops, so in theory we all know how to do it. But if you regularly camp out on the toilet, scrolling through your phone, flipping through the pages of The New Yorker, or reading the ingredients on your conditioner bottle, chances are you’re doing it wrong. “I usually tell my patients five minutes, tops,” says Ellie Y. Chen, MD, health sciences clinical instructor of medicine. If nothing is moving at that point, “it’s probably time to get up and do something else.”
In a big step for liquid biopsy, FDA approves a blood screening test for colorectal cancer
The Food and Drug Administration approved a blood test intended to detect colon cancer, a product many experts hope will help catch cases of the disease early enough so that they can be more easily treated. The test, called Shield and made by Guardant Health, a Palo Alto, California based biotech firm, comes with a drawback: It is not as good as colonoscopy and other tests at detecting precancerous growths or early-stage cancers. But some experts have welcomed it as a way to help address the problem of poor adherence to screening guidelines. As effective as colonoscopy is as both a way of finding cancer and removing lesions that could become cancer later on, many people are unwilling to undergo the procedure. “I am excited about it. There is this highly resistant population that will always refuse the colonoscopy and stool tests. It gives them another option,” said Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, director of the Melvin & Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program.
A consumerized diagnostic: Looking back on a decade of Cologuard
When Cologuard was launched a decade ago, Exact Sciences paired a more convenient diagnostic test with a dramatically different - and at the time risky - approach to educating and engaging consumers about the test. Now, as Cologuard celebrates its 10th anniversary, it has proven that it can eliminate many of the barriers associated with traditional screening methods, making colorectal cancer screening more accessible. "Colorectal cancer is the number two cancer killer, but it doesn’t need to be this way. We have very effective tools to find the precursors to this cancer and also to detect these cancers at earlier, more curable stages," says Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, director of the Melvin & Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program. "With the convenience of a noninvasive use-at-home test and the ability to find more than 90% of cancers as well as many pre-cancers, Cologuard is unique among non-invasive tests. That’s why I recommend it as an option to average-risk individuals who prefer a home-based screening."
5 powerful ways tending to the gut boosts your health – from smoother digestion to better moods
A gut lacking a diverse range of microbes can affect the immune system and increase the risk of inflammatory diseases, weight gain or obesity, depression, anxiety, nutrient deficiencies, skin conditions and allergies, Arpana Church, PhD, co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center at UCLA, told Business Insider.
Here’s what alcohol does to the gut and the effect on the health of IBD patients
Tina Aswani-Omprakash vividly remembers the day that led her to give up drinking forever. Her inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) had been in remission for two months, and she felt like her life had gone back to normal. But that didn’t last long. At a work event, after just a couple drinks, she began to feel queasy and then started vomiting so violently that a friend took her to the emergency room. When the 23-year-old New Yorker asked her doctor about the experience, he suggested she cut back on drinking if it was making her symptoms worse. Wanting to protect her health, Tina decided to quit completely. In addition to its direct effect on the health of IBD patients, alcohol can have an impact on certain IBD medications. “There are a couple medications that alcohol can make less effective,” says Nirupama Bonthala, MD, director of Women’s Health in the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. “And it can cause lots of test abnormalities, especially with liver function tests. It can be hard to tell whether what we’re seeing on the tests is a medication issue, or the alcohol, or liver issues caused by the IBD.” Alcohol can also impact the body’s ability to make the most of the food people consume. That’s because it pushes everything through the gut quickly, so there’s less time for nutrients to be absorbed—which in turn magnifies what IBD patients are already experiencing.”
UCLA Health is the only institution awarded two NIH SCORE grants; both focus on the understudied area of sex differences
Karen Reue, PhD, is professor and vice chair of UCLA Human Genetics, one of two programs at UCLA Health designated as a Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE) to study the role of sex differences and major medical conditions affecting women. Lin Chang, MD, professor of medicine, and Emeran A. Mayer, MD, professor of medicine in physiology and psychiatry, are co-principal investigators leading the other SCORE, which studies sex differences in brain-gut microbiome interactions in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded the highly competitive SCORE grant to 12 programs nationwide. UCLA Health is the only institution with two separate research groups recognized as a SCORE, and both are multiyear grant awardees.
A less invasive procedure to lose weight: Smaller stomach, smaller appetite, with no scars and shorter recovery
Until she was 40, Emma Ridley Carter performed and taught dance and ate a healthy diet. She was just over 5-foot-2, and apart from her three pregnancies, weighed about 110 pounds for most of her adult life. After retiring, she ate the standard American diet, and her weight went up to 150 pounds. Carter continued to gain weight because of undiagnosed diabetes, and eventually hit 220 pounds. She developed several health complications. About a year after endoscopic bariatric procedures performed by Danny Issa, MD, health sciences assistant clinical professor of medicine, and Adarsh M. Thaker, MD, health sciences assistant clinical professor of medicine, Carter is down to 145 pounds. Her health has improved and her blood sugar is under control.
Your gut microbes may influence how you handle stress
A new UCLA Health study, led by Arpana Church, PhD, co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, has found that resilient people exhibit neural activity in the brain regions associated with improved cognition and regulating of emotions, and were more mindful and better at describing their feelings. The same group also exhibited gut microbiome activity linked to a healthy gut, with reduced inflammation and gut barrier. and read more in , and
Weight-loss drugs spike risk of gastroparesis
There's no denying the impact that Ozempic and similar medications have had over the past year. While Ozempic itself is approved for the treatment of diabetes, it's often prescribed off-label to help patients shed pounds—along with its sister drug, Wegovy, and others like it that are FDA-approved for the treatment of obesity. The side effects of these medications have been well-documented, but researchers are looking into more serious complications. Now, multiple studies have identified a link between weight-loss drugs and gastroparesis, a serious stomach condition. Craig Gluckman, MD, FCP(SA), associate director of Community GI Motility, provides expert commentary in this
Colon cancer rates are rising in young Americans, but insurance barriers make screening harder
Andrea S. Shin, MD, MSCR, health sciences associate clinical professor of medicine, treats patients from every background and walk of life. Uniting them are a growing number of insurance barriers threatening access to timely care. All too often, payers take a long time to make coverage determinations, or they even deny them outright. In this Discovery article, Dr. Shin discusses colorectal cancer risks, screening options, why health insurance might not pay for a colonoscopy, and how to lower risk of colorectal cancer.
A low-carb diet may help IBS as much as tricky elimination diets, and more than drugs
Dietary changes relieved abdominal pain and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome more effectively than medications, shows. Seven of 10 study participants reported significant reductions in IBS symptoms after adopting either a type of elimination diet called the FODMAP diet or the simpler-to-follow, low-carb diet. Lin Chang, MD, health sciences professor of medicine, said the study supports the long-term benefits of diet in treating IBS. And the study informed her that a low-carb diet, high in protein and fat, could reduce IBS symptoms. “That was new,” she said. But she believes the study might have biased diet over medicine. “It wasn’t completely a fair comparison,” said Chang, who wasn’t involved with the study.
Colon cancers are rising among the young: Know the warning signs
Colon cancer is increasingly hitting Americans under the age of 50, and a new study outlines the warning signs that these young patients first encounter. The analysis was based on data from 80 different studies, involving almost 25 million patients under the age of 50. The numbers are "alarming," said Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, director of the Melvin & Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program. "Since 1995, there has been a 45% increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses in people under the age of 50," she noted. The uptick in cases was so dramatic that in 2021 the influential U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lowered the recommended age of first screening from 50 to 45. Read article in and
Navigating common GI symptoms
There is a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, and their symptoms, severity, and types are often misunderstood. From bloating to chronic diarrhea, how do we know when to seek medical advice for something more serious? What are the various diagnoses? What are red flags to look out for? Lin Chang, MD, co-director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, provides expert commentary.
Yvette Taché, PhD, AGAF, honored as a ScholarGPS Highly Ranked Scholar
ScholarGPS celebrates Highly Ranked Scholars™ for their exceptional performance in various disciplines. Dr. Taché’s prolific publication record, the high impact of her work and the outstanding quality of her scholarly contributions have placed her in the top 0.05% of all scholars worldwide according to ScholarGPS’s analytic tools. These analytics (number of publication, citations and h-index) place Dr. Taché’s published research first among all researchers in gastric acid and number three in abdominal surgery Dr. Taché is a distinguished research professor of medicine. View her scholar profile and ranking
Enrique Rozengurt, DVM, PhD, AGAF, honored as a ScholarGPS Highly Ranked Scholar
ScholarGPS celebrates Highly Ranked Scholars™ for their exceptional performance in various fields, disciplines and specialties. Dr. Rozengurt’s prolific publication record, the high impact of his work and the outstanding quality of his scholarly contributions have placed him in the top 0.05% of all scholars worldwide according to ScholarGPS’s analytic tools. Dr. Rozengurt is the only UCLA scientist to be identified as Highly Ranked Scholar in molecular and cell biology. According to ScholarGPS metrics, Dr. Rozengurt ranks number one in tyrosine phosphorylation, number two in DNA synthesis and phorbol esters and number three in cell physiology! Dr. Rozengurt is a distinguished professor of medicine and Hirschberg Memorial Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Jonathan D. Kaunitz, MD, receives prestigious national award and delivers the 16th Annual Hans H. Ussing lecture
Dr. Kaunitz, professor of medicine in the Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases and senior clinician-scientist investigator at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, joined a long list of distinguished scientists in giving the Hans H. Ussing lecture at the 2024 American Physiological Society (APS) Summit Meeting. Of the 16 awardees, Dr. Kaunitz is one of only three gastroenterologists and seven physicians to receive this national award for outstanding contributions to fundamental research in epithelial transport. In his lecture, Dr. Kaunitz recounted his research fellowship at UCLA in the laboratory of Ernest Wright in the early 1980s, when he studied the kinetics of sodium-glucose cotransport, building on Dr, Wright’s work and culminating in the cloning of the intestinal sodium-glucose cotransporter, laying the groundwork for the development of the SGLT2 inhibitors used to treat diabetes and oral rehydration solutions used to treat cholera.
Elizabeth J. Videlock, MD, PhD, receives NIH-NIDDK K08 grant
Dr. Videlock, health sciences assistant clinical professor, was awarded a K08 project grant award under the NIH-NIDDK Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research Program. This 5-year award of $854,160 supports Dr. Videlock’s research on “Intestinal Mitochondrial Dysfunction and the Gut-Brain-Immune Axis in Models of Parkinson’s Disease.” Her work aims to identify intestinal pathogenic mechanisms that may lead to the discovery of gut biomarkers for early diagnosis and gut-directed therapies to halt disease progression in the premotor phase of Parkinson's. The project will utilize UCLA's expertise in gastroenterology, neurodegenerative disease, and mitochondrial biology to investigate the gut-brain-immune axis and the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction in the intestinal epithelium. The research will leverage a range of in vivo and in vitro models, including mouse overexpression of alpha-synuclein and intestinal organoids, to advance the understanding of how enteric neuron pathology and impaired mitophagy in the gut epithelium may contribute to Parkinson's disease pathogenesis.
Colon cancer rates have been rising for decades in younger people, study finds
Colorectal cancer rates have been rising for decades among people younger than the age recommended for routine screening, new research finds. Despite the increases, the overall number of cases in people younger than 40 was still low. In people under age 30, cases remained exceedingly rare. Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, director of the Melvin and Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program, provided expert commentary in the
Biotech startup Seed Health is betting its profits on AI-powered medical science
Seeds Health, which sells direct-to-consumer probiotic supplements, has launched an AI platform to analyze data from the Human Phenotype Project. Dr. Arpana Church, associate professor and co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, comments on the need for scientific rigor in the field of probiotics in this
Alexander H. Nguyen, MD, PhD, receives NIH-NIDDK K08 grant
Dr. Nguyen, assistant clinical professor of medicine, was awarded a K08 Clinical Investigator Award from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This five-year award of $853,000 supports Dr. Nguyen’s research on the “Role of a Novel Methyltransferase in Liver Lipid Metabolism.” His work aims to characterize how a methyltransferase regulates cellular cholesterol metabolism and contributes to the development of steatotic liver disease.
Celebrating five years of excellence: UCLA Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health
An intimate gathering at Lulu at the Hammer Museum on April 15 hailed a milestone for the UCLA Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health – its fifth anniversary. Distinguished guests including Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, daughters of the center’s namesake, joined an elite group of physicians and clinicians for the commemoration. The occasion not only honored the legacy of the late Robert Kardashian but also celebrated the center’s remarkable achievements in esophageal health since its founding in 2019.
Feeding the lonely brain
A has found that women who perceive themselves to be lonely exhibited activity in regions of the brain associated with cravings and motivation towards eating, especially when shown pictures of high-calorie foods such as sugary foods. The same group of women also had unhealthy eating behaviors and poor mental health. a researcher and co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, wanted to research the negative impacts of loneliness, especially as people continue to be working remotely after the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the brain interplays with social isolation, eating habits, and mental health. Read story on and
What's the best way to treat IBS?
A new study published in suggests that certain dietary changes may be more effective than medication. Lin Chang, MD, professor of medicine, provided expert commentary and stated for some, a combination of diet and medication may work best.
Balancing hope and reality: The promise and peril of blood-based colorectal cancer screening
Blood-based tests are important to expand options for patients and their physicians in colorectal cancer screening. But tests that both prevent and detect colorectal cancer early should continue to be the encouraged gold standard. After all, it’s better to prevent colorectal cancer before it occurs than catch it afterward, says Dr. Fola May, director of the Melvin and Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program.
Three things to do if stress is killing your appetite
There are a lot of ways stress can wreak havoc on your physical health, and while it hits the GI system particularly hard, the resulting symptoms are different for everyone. And that’s certainly true when it comes to hunger. In “The impact of stress on appetite is very complex and varies by individual,” Christina T. Gentile, PsyD, MA, ABPP, clinical health psychologist provides tips such as (1) before you eat anything, calm your nerves with a quick breathing exercise, (2) plan ahead by stocking up on ready-to-go, simple foods, and (3) don’t multitask while you eat.
Evolving CRC epidemiology offers challenges and opportunities
Over the past few decades, the demographics, location and stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis have shifted, resulting in new patterns of disease presentation that clinicians should be aware of and that should prompt research to understand the risk factors driving this evolving epidemiology. At the 2023 annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, Dr. Folasade P. May, associate professor of medicine, gave a presentation on four major shifts in the epidemiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) and their implications.
FDA approves first MASH treatment
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first ever medication for a common form of liver disease called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). MASH, until recently known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is an advanced type of liver disease where fat builds up in the liver, causing inflammation and cell damage. Approximately 6 to 8 million Americans have MASH, accompanied by some level of liver scarring (fibrosis). Without proper management, MASH can escalate into permanent liver scarring (cirrhosis), liver failure or liver cancer. Sammy Saab, MD, MPH, medical director of the Pfleger Liver Institute, provides expert commentary on the medication, called Rezdiffra (resmetirom), in this
How to improve cancer sceening among young adults
This year in the United States, an estimated 2 million people will receive a new cancer diagnosis, and a growing proportion will be younger adults and people of color. Many of these cases could be prevented — nearly 60 percent of colorectal cancers, for example, could be avoided with early detection. Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, associate director of the UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity in the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, is trying to understand why cancer screening rates are lagging, and what we can do to get people these potentially lifesaving tests.
Improving colorectal cancer screening options
Dr. Folasade P. May, director of the Melvin and Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program, laid out the need that prompted the April 8 session on emerging colorectal cancer screening tests at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2024 in San Diego.
Diet may be better than medicine for easing symptoms of IBS
Research has found that a low-FODMAP diet -- which involves avoiding foods like wheat products, legumes, some nuts, certain sweeteners, most dairy products and many fruits and vegetables -- can reduce IBS symptoms in most people. For some, a combination of diet and medication may work best, says Dr. Lin Chang, co-director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience. Story in , , , and
Emeran A. Mayer, MD, featured in MasterClass series on gut health
Our guts are in trouble because of modern life, and chronic health issues are on the rise. But there’s good news. We can repair our guts and help improve overall health in the process. With smarter food choices and simple lifestyle changes, you can nourish the complex ecosystem of bacteria in your gut to help it perform its best so you can feel your best. Dr. Mayer, director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, provides expert commentary in this MasterClass series on how to boost well-being, starting with what’s inside you.
"Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut" to be released April 26 on Netflix
Delve into the digestive system with this lighthearted and informative documentary that demystifies the role gut health plays in our overall well-being. Arpana Gupta, PhD, co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, provides expert commentary in this exciting new documentary.
Trust your gut: What to know about the stomach-brain connection
You’ve felt it before, when you get nervous, your stomach flutters or aches. You’ve been advised to trust this feeling and rely on it, but is your gut actually intuitive? It turns out, there’s evidence to support trusting your gut, literally. Your stomach and brain are directly connected — and can absolutely influence one another. “Think about a high-pressure situation, like a job interview or on a date: You might experience lightheadedness and weird sensations in your stomach simultaneously,” says Arpana Gupta, PhD, co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center at UCLA. But the connection can cause more than butterflies. If you’ve ever gotten an upset stomach (or worse) in a moment of high anxiety, you’re well aware of this. And it’s not just in your head.
V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, MAS, named Los Angeles Business Journal Leaders of Influence: Top LA Doctors 2024
Dr. Muthusamy, director of endoscopy at UCLA Health, is an internationally recognized leader in advanced endoscopic procedures. His clinical research interests focus on the evaluation of existing and new endoscopic technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders. Dr. Muthusamy has also participated in numerous studies involving the development of quality metrics in endoscopy and methods to improve the efficiency and safety of endoscopy care.
Colorectal cancer death rates climb for men and women under 50 and so does the urgent need for early screening
In its 2024 Report on annual cancer rates and deaths, the American Cancer Society highlights that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men younger than 50 and the second leading cause of cancer death for women under 50. Folasade May, MD, PhD, MPhil, UCLA Health cancer prevention researcher and gastroenterologist, and a member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, addressed the trend and what needs to happen to stop it. UCLA Health News & Insights story
Why a healthy diet is crucial for reducing risk of colorectal cancer and improving results after diagnosis
Although rates overall have been declining thanks to increases in awareness and screening, colorectal cancer remains the fourth-most-common cause of cancer among U.S. adults. Paying attention to lifestyle and diet can help reduce risk and is critical for those who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Carl Nordstrom, MD, health sciences assistant clinical professor of medicine, and Nancee Jaffe, MS, RDN, lead GI dietitian, stress the importance of vitamin D, fiber and other dietary needs in this UCLA Health News & Insights story
Enrique Rozengurt, DVM, PhD, and Elaine F. Reed, PhD, receives $7M Transplant Rejection Program Award Grant
UCLA Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dr. Elaine F. Reed and UCLA Distinguished Professor of Medicine at the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases Dr. Enrique Rozengurt have received a new $3.3 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to examine the intracellular mechanisms that mediate endothelial cell signaling in response to antibodies that contribute to rejection of transplanted organs. Most current treatments to prevent transplant rejection rely on immunosuppressive drugs that are relatively unspecific. New therapeutic approaches are needed, and the identification of key targets will most likely arise from the elucidation of the molecular mechanism(s) underlying organ transplant rejection. The new funds will support research identifying novel pathways by which donor specific HLA antibodies attack endothelial cells. The team was recently awarded a grant to examine the mechanisms by which the lipid-lowering drugs of the statin family prevent rejection of solid organ transplants. Together, these new grants, totaling $7 million, will support a robust interdisciplinary research program in endothelial cell biology and transplantation medicine, the results of which could be important in other fields, including counteracting cancer.
MDs explain the causes – and cures – for period diarrhea
We expect the cramps, bloating, mood swings, breast tenderness and breakouts associated with our monthly period. But for many women, especially during perimenopause, period diarrhea is also a problem. Indeed, research shows that up to 73% of perimenopausal women experienced at least one gastrointestinal symptoms before or during their period, and abdominal pain and diarrhea were the most common. But what causes period diarrhea? And should you worry about it? Andrea S. Shin, MD, MSCR, health sciences associate clinical professor of medicine, provides expert commentary in this
Smart ways to keep heartburn at bay
Heartburn affects at least 20 percent of adults, and it becomes even more common as we get older. Fortunately, there are highly effective medications to treat the condition. Some of them come with risks, but a few smart strategies can help mitigate them. Plus, changes in your lifestyle can help reduce the need for medication or eliminate it altogether. Mona Rezapour, MD, MHS, health sciences assistant clinical professor of medicine, provides expert commentary in this
‘Scandal’ Star Bellamy Young: I didn’t know cirrhosis could affect my dad’s brain
Sammy Saab, MD, MPH, medical director of the Pfleger Liver Institute, provided expert commentary on hepatic encephalopathy and how it is difficult to diagnose because it can often resemble other conditions in this
The new science on what ultra-processed food does to your brain
Ultra-processed foods may not only affect our bodies, but our brains too. New research suggests links between ultra-processed foods — such as chips, many cereals, and most packaged snacks at the grocery store — and changes in the way we learn, remember and feel. These foods can act like addictive substances, researchers say, and some scientists are proposing a new mental-health condition called “ultra-processed food use disorder.” Diets filled with such foods may raise the risk of mental health and sleep problems. Arpana Gupta, PhD, co-director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, provided commentary in this (subscription required)
Why anemia occurs in ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is marked by rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain and cramping, and can raise the risk for anemia, particularly if it isn't well-controlled. Nirupama N. Bonthala, MD, director of Women’s Health in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, provides expert commentary in this article.
How a new stool test may help reduce colorectal cancer deaths
According to a new study published in The Lancet Oncology, a new stood test could offer improved detection of precursors to colorectal cancer. Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, director of the Melvin and Bren Simon GI Quality Improvement Program, provided expert commentary in this article.
What to know about Crohn’s disease pain
While most Crohn’s disease patients know that abdominal discomfort is a hallmark symptom of this form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), many still have questions about what Crohn’s pain feels like for others with the disease, how bad it can get, and what will make it go away. Nirupama N. Bonthala, MD, director of Women’s Health in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, provides expert commentary in this .
Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, interviewed on the troubling increase in colon and breast cancer in younger adults
Death rates from cancer have declined by 33% since 1991, averting 4.1 million deaths. However, more people are being diagnosed with cancer than ever before, and at earlier ages, according to a major new report from the American Cancer Society. Especially concerning is the rising number of deaths of young people from colon cancer. Oncologists say that the colon cancer trends in the U.S. are matched by other high-income countries and say it's possible the increase could be due to lifestyles or environmental exposures for younger generations. Environmental factors, such as exposure to chemicals in foods and in the air, and other currently unidentified factors, such as the recent legalization of cannabis and increased cannabis use, can't be ruled out as risk factors. "There are studies that even show that risk factors like whether or not you were breastfed, whether or not you had antibiotics at a high rate as a child -- that these factors might be predicting your chances of getting cancer when you're an adult," said Dr. Fola May, gastroenterologist and researcher at UCLA Health.
The UCLA Research Park: Immunology and Immunotherapy
UCLA has acquired the former Westside Pavilion shopping mall, which the university will transform into the UCLA Research Park — bringing together scholars and industry experts from around the world to create a nexus for discovery and innovation that will benefit Southern California and beyond. The 700,000-square-foot property, located 2 miles south of the Westwood campus, will initially host two multidisciplinary research centers: the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy at UCLA and the UCLA Center for Quantum Science and Engineering. The new UCLA Research Park is made possible in part by an intended $500 million investment, with $200 million already allocated, from the state of California to establish and fund the immunology and immunotherapy institute at UCLA. The institute is also supported by a group of founding donors from the biotechnology, academic, entrepreneurship and philanthropic communities led by Meyer Luskin, Dr. Gary Michelson, Dr. Eric Esrailian, Dr. Arie Belldegrun, Sean Parker and Michael Milken. “Immunology plays a central role in the GI tract in both health and disease,” Dr. Esrailian says. “As a division, we are extremely excited to be part of this independent institute. It will be transformational for the field of digestive diseases as well as other disease areas by leveraging UCLA’s unique strengths and establishing an ecosystem for entrepreneurship that will ensure discoveries are translated to therapies and technologies that benefit patients.” Learn more in UCLA Health News & Insights
Gut check: Five reasons why taking care of your gut can help you this flu season
A healthy digestive system plays a key role in your overall health and immune system response. Your immune system is an elaborate network in your body that is influenced by many different factors. One major determinant of how your immune system functions is the health of your gut. “In someone who is healthy, this gut microbiome is protective against pathogens that can enter the body through the food we eat or water we drink,” notes Nancee Jaffe, RDN, GI dietitian. This role can even extend outside the digestive system, potentially warding off respiratory infections like the flu.
Can you drink alcohol if you have GERD?
One question that many people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have is how often they can or should drink alcohol. Alcohol is an established GERD trigger, but that doesn’t mean everyone with GERD will experience symptoms after they enjoy a glass of wine. “It really comes down to what the individual can tolerate best,” says Kate Evans, MS, RDN, GI dietitian. “There are no hard-and-fast rules for GERD.”
Why does my poop smell bad?
Poop, feces, stool — whatever you call it, there's no denying the unpleasant smell. While it's perfectly normal for poo to be pungent, you may wonder what it is about our excrement that makes it stink. So why does poop smell bad? "Stools are generally not a pleasant smell because they are releasing byproducts of your digestion," Shelby Yaceczko, MS, RDN-AP, CNSC, CSSD, advanced practice registered dietitian, told Live Science.
The keto diet protects against epileptic seizures. Scientists are uncovering why
The high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet is more than just a trendy weight-loss tactic. It has also been known to help control seizures in children with epilepsy, particularly those who don’t respond to first-line anti-seizure medications. In a new UCLA study published in the journal , researchers demonstrate that changes to the human gut microbiome associated with the ketogenic diet can confer protection against seizures in mice. Understanding how microbiome function is altered by diet could aid in the development of new therapeutic approaches that incorporate these beneficial changes while avoiding certain drawbacks of the diet, said the study’s lead author, Gregory Lum, a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Hsiao’s laboratory. Dr. Hsiao, director of the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, was senior author on the study.