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12 December 2018 - Questioning Answers - Elevated zonulin levels in ADHD = more hyperactivity and "impairment of social functioning"

"Children with ADHD had higher serum zonulin levels and were more impaired in social functioning compared to controls." So said the findings reported by Gonca Özyurt and colleagues exploring zonulin and the assumption that "the level of zonulin increases when intestinal permeability is impaired."

11 December 2018 - MedicalXpress - These bacteria may be the key to treating clinical depression

Scientists estimate that we share our bodies with 38 trillion organisms that play an integral part in keeping us healthy and making us who we are. They crawl across our skin, cling to our intestines, and generally call our bodies home.

10 December 2018 - Science Daily - Two compounds in coffee may team up to fight Parkinson's

Scientists have found a compound in coffee that may team up with caffeine to fight Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia - two progressive and currently incurable diseases associated with brain degeneration.

12 December 2018 - Questioning Answers - Gut symptoms are important for 'psychiatric outcomes' in autism

New research explores the links between gut-related symptoms and autism.

11 December 2018 - MedicalXpress - Review confirms food cravings can be reduced

Food craving, the intense desire to eat certain foods, can sabotage efforts to maintain healthy eating habits and body weight, no matter the time of year. A change in diet is one of the approaches that can help combat the problem.

6 December 2018 - MedicalXpress - Link between neonatal vitamin D deficiency and schizophrenia confirmed

Newborns with vitamin D deficiency have an increased risk of schizophrenia later in life, a team of Australian and Danish researchers has reported.

5 December 2018 - MedicalXpress - Study links vitamin D-deficient older adults with greater risk of developing depression

A new Irish study has shown that a deficiency in vitamin D is associated with a substantially increased risk of depression.

5 December 2018 - The Conversation - More people are experiencing severe food allergies than ever before

A recent investigation found that undeclared allergens were present in a quarter of foods sampled. But a more fundamental issue needs to be addressed: why are more people experiencing severe food allergies than ever before?

5 December 2018 - The Conversation - Why snacking could be damaging your health

New smartphone app data shows that we now have erratic eating patterns. Many of us are continually snacking rather than eating at defined times – which means we spend up to 16 hours a day in a “fed” state.

5 December 2018 - Science Daily - Modeling the microbiome

The gut microbiome - the world of microbes that inhabit the human intestinal tract - has captured the interest of scientists and clinicians for its critical role in health. However, parsing which of those microbes are responsible for effects on our wellbeing remains a mystery.

4 December 2018 - MedicalXpress - High lead levels found in some spices purchased abroad

Investigations of lead poisoning cases in New York City have found high levels of lead in certain spices purchased abroad, says a new report.

4 December 2018 - MedicalXpress - Microbial-based treatment reverses autism spectrum social deficits in mouse models

Researchers report that administration of the bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri could lead to specific changes in the brain, holding hope for the development of novel therapies for neurological disorders such as autism, through modulating specific microbes in the gut.

29 November 2018 - The Guardian - 'Diabolical' diets: four in 10 children consume sugary drinks daily

Global study finds rich and poor countries alike fail to make progress on tackling malnutrition. The picture that emerges is one of appallingly bad diets, including high levels of sugar.

29 November 2018 - MedicalXpress - Caffeinated beverages during pregnancy linked to lower birth weight babies

A team of researchers at University College, Dublin, has found a link between caffeinated beverage consumption during pregnancy and low birth weight. In their paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the group describes their study of 941 mother and baby pairs born in Ireland and how they fared when the mothers consumed caffeine.

29 November 2018 - MedicalXpress - First UK estimates of children who could have conditions caused by drinking in pregnancy

Up to 17 per cent of children in the UK could have symptoms consistent with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) according to new research published today in Preventive Medicine.

29 November 2018 - Questioning Answers - "Vitamin D and omega-3 reduced irritability symptoms in children with ASD"

Vitamin D and omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the treatment of irritability and hyperactivity among children with autism spectrum disorder.

28 November 2018 - MedicalXpress - Some spices may be a source of lead exposure in kids, study finds

In a small study, researchers in North Carolina found lead contamination in spices and herbal remedies in the homes of children with elevated blood lead levels. The food items that had the highest levels of lead in the North Carolina study included samples of chili powder/red pepper, cumin, coriander, anise, turmeric and vanilla.

26 November 2018 - BBC News - The Food and Medicine Debate

This Radio 4 programme looks at food as part of a prescription for health and wellbeing. What has gone wrong with our diets in the UK and how are doctors and experts trying to redress the balance to get us well again?

27 November 2018 - MedicalXpress - Certain dietary or nutritional supplements could improve sperm quality

In recent years, studies of sperm quality in different populations from developing countries have shown a decrease that could have consequences for the survival of the human species. The decrease in sperm quality has been related to unhealthy lifestyles. Stress, the consumption of drugs, tobacco and alcohol and unhealthy diets seem to be the principal modifiable factors.