Choline seems to be tagged as the new folate in the pregnancy world. Indeed, the evidence is accumulating and strongly suggesting that being Choline replete (like folate and B12) is important for preventing neural tube defects [1]. Further to this, adequate maternal choline status appears to support healthy brain development and may even have positive […]
Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications are one of most frequently utilised classes of medicines. Primarily used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, use of these medications has risen sharply over the past two decades. In fact, utilisation has increased by over 1300% over this time! Commonly used PPIs include omeprazole […]
Here are 4 and a bit reasons to pause the probiotic prescription pad. There certainly are a plethora of probiotic products marketed for infants – but should we give these to the exclusively-breastfed infant? Here are 4 and a bit reasons to pause and reconsider prescribing probiotics directly to the exclusively- or predominantly-breastfed infant under 6 months. Reason […]
When preparing for my recent lecture at the 11th Herbal & Naturopathic International Conference – Using Herbal Medicines to Modify the Microbiota – I came across an interesting study that looked at the impact of dang shen (Codonopsis pilosula) on the gut microbiota – and specifically gastrointestinal concentrations of Desulfovibrio spp. – a key […]
I’ve been meaning to critique this study for some months. With the bulk of my teaching done for the year (and my grading), I’ve finally found some time to have a good look at this study linking probiotic use and brain fog: Rao SSC, Rehman A, Yu S, et al. Brain Fogginess, Gas and Bloating: […]
I’ve just returned from the MINDD Conference in Sydney where I was invited to present lectures to both health professionals, and the general public, on the functions and importance of the vaginal microbiota. One of the concepts I brought up at the conference was the idea of a “leaky” vagina. Many of us are very […]
