Divine Aleru

Divine Aleru, Microbiome Signatures Research Coordinator

About

I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.

Recent Posts

2025-05-19

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and the Brain

What was reviewed? This paper reviewed the neurological basis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), emphasizing its recognition as a distinct mood disorder linked to menstrual cycle hormonal fluctuations. It summarized advances in brain imaging and neurophysiological studies demonstrating altered brain function in PMDD patients, particularly in prefrontal cortex regions involved in executive function and emotion […]

2025-05-19

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Epidemiology and Treatment

This review delineates PMDD’s unique neurobiology, highlighting hormone sensitivity, GABAergic dysfunction, and stress interaction. SSRIs provide rapid symptom relief, with hormonal and behavioral therapies complementing care. It emphasizes precise diagnosis and individualized, multidisciplinary treatment to improve outcomes in this debilitating disorder.

2025-05-19

Premenstrual disorders and PMDD – a review

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) significantly impairs women’s lives due to abnormal sensitivity to hormonal fluctuations. Accurate diagnosis relies on prospective symptom tracking. Evidence supports SSRIs and hormonal treatments as effective management strategies. Emerging therapies and multidisciplinary care models promise improved outcomes for this complex and under-recognized disorder.

2025-05-14

Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin (LF) is a naturally occurring iron-binding glycoprotein classified as a postbiotic with immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and prebiotic-like properties.

2025-05-14

Tobacco consumption and premenstrual syndrome: A case-control study

This study highlights the significant link between tobacco consumption and the increased risk of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women who smoke are at higher odds of developing these disorders, with a dose-response relationship.

2025-05-06

Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer significant health benefits when administered in adequate amounts. They primarily work by modulating the gut microbiome, supporting a balanced microbial ecosystem. Probiotics have been shown to improve gut health, modulate immune responses, and even influence metabolic and mental health disorders. With growing evidence supporting their therapeutic potential, probiotics are increasingly recognized for their role in treating conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), and even mental health conditions like depression and anxiety through their impact on the gut-brain axis.

2025-05-02

Beneficial Effects of Essential Oils from the Mediterranean Diet on Gut Microbiota and Their Metabolites in Ischemic Heart Disease and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Essential oils from savory, parsley, and rosemary beneficially alter gut microbiota, reduce harmful metabolites like TMAO, enhance beneficial SCFAs, and significantly lower inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, highlighting their potential as nutraceutical interventions for ischemic heart disease and type-2 diabetes mellitus management.

2025-05-02

Revisiting the Therapeutic Effects of Essential Oils on the Oral Microbiome

This review explores essential oils as alternative treatments in dentistry, highlighting their efficacy against major oral pathogens. Findings emphasize their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties, supporting their use against oral diseases like periodontitis, dental caries, and oral candidiasis.

2025-05-02

Role of the Microbiota in Immunity and inflammation

This review outlines how the microbiota shapes immunity, from early-life development to systemic responses, highlighting keystone species like SFB and Barnesiella. It underscores therapeutic potentials in infection control and immunotherapy.

2025-05-02

Essential Oils, Chemical Compounds, and Their Effects on the Gut Microorganisms and Broiler Chicken Production

What was reviewed? This review systematically evaluated the role of essential oils (EOs) in improving broiler chickens’ health, gut microbiota, and production outcomes. By analyzing 158 publications, it explored the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and growth-promoting properties of EOs sourced from a wide range of plants such as Origanum, Cymbopogon, Citrus, and Eucalyptus. The focus was on […]

2025-05-01

Boric Acid

Boric acid is a powerful agent that not only treats infections like VVC, BV, and Trichomoniasis but also plays a key role in modulating the microbiome. By promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, it helps restore microbial balance in various areas of the body, including the vagina, mouth, and skin, making it a versatile tool in microbiome-targeted therapy.