How our gut microbiome could help reduce anxiety and its potential effects on the most common antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication. Interactions between the gut and anxiety Oftentimes, when we’re nervous or worried we feel it in our belly. We may feel nauseous or need to run for the bathroom....
If you’ve been on social media recently, you’ve probably seen competing support for low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diets versus plant-based diets. Supporters argue that the benefits of “their” diet include helping to maintain your weight while the other leads to increased hunger, overconsumption of calories, and ultimately, excess body weight. But...
People are paying hundreds of dollars to have their gut microbes analysed, hoping the insights will allow them to adjust their diet and improve their health. But these testing services are based on science that’s still in its infancy, as we explain in our research paper. So while there...
Online Course through Deakin University and FutureLearn In the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, many of us will find ourselves with a lot more time in our homes. If, like me, you have spent the first few weeks of social isolation incessantly scrolling through social media and the grim...
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health disorder that can occur after experiencing a traumatic event. Most people are aware of the debilitating symptoms such as nightmares, hypervigilance, flashbacks, intense fear and distress. These symptoms arrive soon, but continue long after, a traumatic event. PTSD disrupts...
Fermented foods are increasingly recognized as beneficial for health due to a myriad of demonstrated health benefits. They are also considered to be ‘functional foods’, which means they have additional health benefits beyond supplying basic nutrition. A large array of fermented foods and beverages are becoming more and more...
By Helene Nauwelaers and Dr Wolf Marx We have previously discussed Polyphenols; a group of micronutrients with a range of healthy properties. In this previous article, Meghan Hockey talked about the potential beneficial effects of polyphenols found in dark chocolate and turmeric including how their prebiotic-like effect can influence...
Ever reached for a glass of wine to help unwind at the end of a busy day? While you’re not alone, the temporary feel-good effects of a drink may be doing you more harm than good. Prolonged and excessive alcohol intake may have lasting impacts on your gut and...
During World War II, the famous Minnesota Starvation Experiment in healthy young men showed that semi-starvation (loss of >25% of body weight) caused both physical symptoms, such as fatigue, dizziness and hair loss, and psychological symptoms, such as depression, and anxiety. Interestingly, long-term starvation also led to disordered eating behaviour,...