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.
Investigations of lead poisoning cases in New York City have found high levels of lead in certain spices purchased abroad, says a new report.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Vitamin D and omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the treatment of irritability and hyperactivity among children with autism spectrum disorder.
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.
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?
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.
Convincing young children to try new foods can be a dinner time stressor for any family, but for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) meal time challenges are often not just a phase.
Researcher breaks new ground with findings on how breastmilk affects the baby's gut flora.
Recent headlines claim that a glass of wine or a pint of beer a day shortens your life. But these conclusions are based on a partial view of the alcohol debate.
New figures reveal huge rise in children and young people with diabetes linked to obesity.
Nearly one in four young women have a mental illness, with emotional problems such as depression and anxiety the most common, figures for England show. The official NHS report found young women aged 17 to 19 were twice as likely as young men to have problems, with 23.9% reporting a disorder.
Mental ill-health is costing the UK more than £94bn every year, counting treatment, social support costs and the losses to the economy from people who cannot work, according to the OECD.
Eating leafy greens, dark orange and red vegetables and berry fruits, and drinking orange juice may be associated with a lower risk of memory loss over time in men, according to a new study.
Cognitive difficulties in patients with diabetes, caused by repeated episodes of low blood sugar, could be reduced with antioxidants, according to a new study. The study findings suggest that stimulating antioxidant defenses in mice reduces cognitive impairments caused by low blood sugar, which could help to improve the quality of life for diabetic patients.
Almost 8 percent of American children have food allergies, and 1 in 5 of them suffer an allergic reaction severe enough to wind up in hospital, a new study finds.
Two new studies came to opposite conclusions about preventing heart disease with fish oil. What the heck is going on? Factors such as quality and dosage are at play, muddying the waters.