Research Insights
Could Heartburn Medications Increase Dementia Risk?
February 24, 2016
You may have to rethink those heartburn drugs according to research released in the Journal of American Medical Association Neurology on the 15th February 2016.
German researchers have determined there is an association between protein pump inhibitors and dementia.
For a medication that is only supposed to be taken in the short term and that there are other effective techniques and lifestyle modifications to manage heartburn, begs the question – are PPIs really necessary?
Paracetamol Increases Risk of Asthma in Babies
February 17, 2016
Pregnant women may need to rethink taking paracetamol for pain relief as research has shown modest associations with taking paracetamol during pregnancy with a risk of developing asthma in the infant/child.
Worryingly the research also indicated that babies who were given paracetamol in the first 6 months of life were almost a third more likely to develop asthma.
The next time mums to be or parents reach for the paracetamol, think about these potential ramifications and reconsider whether there may be other less harmful options.
Polypharmacy – Too Much of a Bad Thing for Our Elderly!
February 12, 2016
Do you know someone who has more than four types of medication in the bathroom cabinet?
Rather than improving health outcomes, it’s a major cause for alarm – polypharmacy (the use of four or more medications by a patient) leads to an increased risk of frailty or death in our elderly as shown by research conducted by an Australian cohort.
Half of Australians over 65 years of age take at least five different types of medicine (prescription and non-prescription). Among over 75-year-olds, the numbers are even higher.
As health practitioners we need to provide better alternatives and perhaps think about reducing or stopping many medications altogether to minimise drug related problems.
Do You Have IBS? You May Be Vitamin D Deficient
December 30, 2015
A large proportion of people living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are vitamin D deficient, a new study has found.
The British study, which is the first of its kind, found that out of 51 IBS patients tested 82 per cent exhibited insufficient vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D level testing should be undertaken in cases of IBS and supplementation should be part of the treatment protocol in cases of a likely deficiency.
Antidepressants During Pregnancy May Double Autism Risk
December 18, 2015
A study, released December 2015 has raised concerns that commonly prescribed antidepressants taken during pregnancy could substantially raise the risk of autism in the child.
The team considered potential influencing factors which are risk factors for autism. After taking these into account, the team found the use of antidepressants during the second and/or third trimester was associated with an 87 percent increased risk of ASD!
Spice Up Your Life – How to Add Herbs to Your Diet
August 6, 2015
Love a bit of spice in your life?
A recent study confirms that eating spicy food particularly fresh chilli, regularly positively influences our long term health and wellbeing.
Published on the 4th August 2015 in the British Medical Journal, the study looked at 199,293 Chinese men and 288,082 Chinese women aged 30 to 79 years in 10 different geographical areas.
Addressing disease states involving the cardiovascular system, metabolic system and gastrointestinal system, near daily intake of fresh chilli was shown to reduce both morbidity and mortality by 14%.
Birth Weight a Factor in Childhood Cancer
July 15, 2015
An important piece of the puzzle in how to possibly prevent or reduce childhood cancers has recently come to light.
A study released July 2015 in the journal Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology announced that the occurrence of childhood cancer rises as birthweight increases.
This finding, in conjunction with other genetic and environmental factors will advance more accurate treatment protocols and advice when addressing these insidious and devastating childhood diseases.
B3 to Reduce Some Skin Cancers?
June 17, 2015
An Australian study has suggested that a form of vitamin B3 lowers the risk of the some skin cancers returning in those with a history of developing these skin cancers.
The people taking 500mg nicotinamide showed immediate benefits. A reduction in skin cancers seemed to start as early as the first three-month visit noted researchers.
This promising research is a useful adjunct to other techniques to reduce harmful sun exposure such as the famous Aussie jingle ‘slip, slop, slap, seek, slide’!
Diet Over Genes for Bowel Cancer Risk
May 13, 2015
In an insightful study researchers from the University of Pittsburgh asked 20 African Americans to do a diet switch with 20 rural Africans for two weeks.
The speed in which the body responded to the change in diet was frightening – especially regarding biomarkers for bowel cancer – for both of the research groups.
The results from this study suggest high-fibre diets could have a dramatic, positive effect on reducing colon cancer among populations most at risk.
Paracetamol – A Dose of Toxic Liver
April 8, 2015
Paracetamol is not effective in the treatment of spinal pain and provides negligible benefits for osteoarthritis, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.
Paracetamol use for osteoarthritis was also shown to increase the likelihood of having abnormal results on liver function tests by almost four times compared with a placebo.
Recommendations deriving from the study include a call for the use of safe and effective alternative treatments, especially non-drug options, such as exercise, which has clear benefits in the management of spinal pain and osteoarthritis.
MS and the Sunlight Vitamin
In ground breaking investigations into MS and vitamin D, an Australian/ New Zealand research team have concluded that where you grow up is influential in the probability of developing MS.
The less sunlight in a region the more likely a person will develop MS!
Now in 2015, a world first Australian trial of vitamin D supplements is underway to see if it can help stop the progression of MS.
The Short & Fat Truth
February 24, 2015
The Short & Fat Truth – Junk Food Stunts The Growth of Children
Cigarettes are known to stunt the growth of children, now new research has shown that junk food and lack of exercise is also stunting the growth of our next generation.
With over 300 million obese or overweight children worldwide aged under 18, this could mean one step backwards in evolutionary terms, Charles Darwin would be rolling in his grave!
Real change will depend on pressure from the public similar to the public pressure that saw smoking bans in public buildings
Find out how much impact junk food could be having on your child.
Is Milk Linked to Fractures and Mortality?
November 11, 2014
The British Medical Journal has released a study that examined whether high cows milk consumption is associated with mortality and fractures in both women and men
Researchers contended that because of the high content of d- galactose and lactose in cows milk, that high consumption of milk may increase oxidative stress and inflammation, which in turn affects the risk of mortality and fracture.
However intake of fermented milk products such as yoghurt, soured milk and cheese were associated with lower rates of fracture and mortality.
Are Antibiotics linked to Peanut Allergies?
September 2, 2014
A recent study indicated that young children over-exposed to antibiotics are at greater risk of developing food allergies such as peanut allergies later in life.
The researchers were able to identify a naturally occurring bacteria in the human gut that keeps people from developing food allergies. However this beneficial gut bacteria diminished with frequent antibiotic use at a young age — making children more susceptible to food allergies later in life.
The researchers concluded that it could be probiotics that could assist in reducing the impact of these antibiotic induced food allergies.
Lower Blood Pressure with Probiotics?
July 30, 2014
A new study in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension suggests that probiotics (a.k.a., “good” bacteria) might offer another interesting benefit: Reduced blood pressure.
The analysis revealed that a constant consumption of probiotics can be part of a healthy lifestyle to help reduce high blood pressure, as well as maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
So even if it’s a little drop in blood pressure, this can have a big effect on health!
Vitamin D Deficiency and Heart Disease
July 23, 2014
Two important articles have been released that indicate vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for heart disease with lower levels of vitamin D being associated with a higher presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).
The research results suggest vitamin D deficiency to be the cause rather than the consequence of atherosclerosis.
The findings from this research support that people will benefit from vitamin D supplementation, a diet containing vitamin D rich foods and moderate exercise to reduce the risk in developing heart disease.
