For me, the sun rises and sets on emerging (or reemerging) science- pushing the conversation forward, the outrageous twists and turns of new evidence, of new technology; of new interventions for our patients we can explore, or jump right onto if the safety data are good. The newsletters I open first are ALWAYS my science briefs. And full disclosure, my favorite one is from Scientist Magazine. Being current in the midst of the medical revolution is essential to the practice of FxMed. For this reason, we provide Research and News. A digest of topics we are curious about, we have vetted and found beneficial. Check it out. ~ Dr KF
Acetaminophen Once Again Tied to Autism and ADHD
Human Milk Oligosaccharides Improve IBS Symptoms
Oral Bacteria Implicated in a Wide Range of Noncommunicable Diseases
Brain Wave Patterns Predict Tau and Amyloid-b Accumulation
New Desensitization Technology May Help Celiac and other Immune-Related Disorders
Glucose Feeds Bacterial Infections – Tips to Avoid Getting Sick
Getting Specific About How Medications May Alter the Gut Microbiome
BPA Replacements Likely Still Problematic – Tied to Boys’ IQ
Acetaminophen Once Again Tied to Autism and ADHD
Acetaminophen (paracetamol), the primary ingredient in Tylenol, has been implicated in the development of autism and ADHD, and not for the first time. In this latest research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, 996 mother-child pairs were studied. Researchers found that children with the highest levels of acetaminophen in cord blood at delivery were nearly 3 times more likely to have an ADHD diagnosis, and nearly 4 times more likely to have an autism diagnosis at around age 10. ADHD and autism are complex, multifactorial conditions, but these latest data suggest that acetaminophen may be one of the factors involved in their pathogenesis.
Human Milk Oligosaccharides Improve IBS Symptoms
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), in supplement form, can reduce the severity of irritable bowel symptoms by more than half, according to new human research. It is thought that HMOs achieve this by modulating the microbiome. The particular types of HMOs used in this study were 2’-Fucosyllactose and lacto-N-neotetraose at a dose of 5 grams combined.
Oral Bacteria Implicated in a Wide Range of Noncommunicable Diseases
Your oral health is a significant factor for general health. We know that dysbiotic bacteria in the mouth, such as p. gingivalis, can have systemic effects by being absorbed into the bloodstream (and/or by their toxic byproducts being absorbed and circulated). New research provides a comprehensive view of all the potential connections so far attributed to oral bacteria – diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer (especially pancreatic cancer). It really pays to take care of your mouth!
Brain Wave Patterns Predict Tau and Amyloid-b Accumulation
Not all sleep is created equal. Now we know that the types of brain waves that you have when you sleep can predict the accumulation of tau protein and amyloid-b in the brain – hallmarks of neurodegenerative disease and Alzheimer’s. These may be early warning biomarkers that are detectable before more severe symptoms such as memory loss appear. It also shows how important good sleep is to keeping the brain healthy and clearing it of toxins.
New Desensitization Technology May Help Celiac and other Immune-Related Disorders
Encapsulating allergenic proteins in special biodegradable nanoparticles can teach the immune system not to react to them, according to new research from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Researchers showed in a human trial that the nanoparticles can improve tolerance to gluten in those with Celiac disease, reducing the gluten-triggered inflammatory response by 90%. The authors state they have also demonstrated utility in models of other autoimmune diseases – multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. Wider applications could include other immune-related disorders such as food allergies and asthma. We’ll be keeping a close eye out for developments.
Glucose Feeds Bacterial Infections – Tips to Avoid Getting Sick
Bacterial infections appear to be worsened by higher glucose intake (think simple carbohydrates and sugars), and improved by ketones, according to new animal research. It makes sense – higher intake of simple carbohydrates inhibits the proper functioning of the immune system. The role of ketones is new, though, and particularly interesting. Intriguingly, viral infections in this study were not worsened with glucose intake, suggesting that glucose strengthens the activity of the pathogenic bacteria themselves. While we know that there are some issues extrapolating mouse data to humans, there are some safe precautions that we can all take to reduce our intake of simple carbohydrates and sugars to potentially help minimize bacterial infections. And for other good reasons!
Getting Specific About How Medications May Alter the Gut Microbiome
Everything we ingest has the potential to alter our gut microbiome in some way. Here are some impacts from medication, according to new work from researchers in The Netherlands: PPI use is associated with higher levels of streptococcal bacteria in the upper GI. Metformin use is associated with higher levels of potentially-infective E. coli. Oral steroids are associated with higher levels of methanogenic bacteria (linked with higher BMI and SIBO). Certain oral contraceptives, laxatives, metformin, PPIs and NSAIDs are among those linked to higher levels of antibiotic-resistance mechanisms. Future work will need to tease out causality, but these findings still suggest caution is warranted, and that upstream interventions are likely safest given the wide-ranging health impacts of our GI microbes. More on factors that influence the gut microbiome here.
BPA Replacements Likely Still Problematic – Tied to Boys’ IQ
Bisphenol F (BPF), a commonly-used replacement for bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging and other plastics, showed the closest ties with lower IQ scores in boys aged 7 when exposed during the first trimester in utero. These findings were based on a study of 718 Swedish mother-child pairs. One of the investigators, from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, suggested that women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should reduce their exposure by avoiding canned food, plastics and pesticides.
