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Todays Headlines:
- Urgent health warning over Brits’ beloved soaps, shampoos and dental products Sunday January 19th, 2025
- The worst foods to eat if you have ADHD Wednesday January 15th, 2025
- ‘Troubling’ rise in people admitted to hospital due to lack of vitamins Wednesday January 01st, 2025
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- Urgent health warning over Brits’ beloved soaps, shampoos and dental products Sunday January 19th, 2025The House of Lords is to debate a law change as products including mouthwashes and hand sanitisers have been found to contain ‘biocides’ which can wipe out our healthy bacteria Popular soaps, shampoos and dental products contain chemicals which could be harming our immune systems, scientists warn. A bill being debated in Parliament on Friday describes how so-called ‘biocides’ found in toothpastes and body washes wipe out good bacteria in our microbiome and can cause disease . The Mirror can reveal a host of popular products such as mouthwashes and hand sanitisers include ‘antibacterial’ ingredients that kill our healthy microbes. Today we outline a list of significant biocides to look out for in the ingredients of your bathroom products. Research shows mouthwashes containing a common biocide called chlorhexidine can wipe out 90% of protective bacteria in the oral microbiome and increase high blood pressure . Peer Natalie Bennett, the former Green Party leader, is tabling the bill, and states in its foreword: “What was your morning like? Maybe, singing cheerfully, you jumped into the shower, reaching for the antibacterial body wash, on special this week, with its loud label claiming “kills 99% of bacteria”. Afterwards you brushed your teeth with the heavily advertised new antibacterial toothpaste and used chlorhexidine-containing mouthwash. “On your face, moisturiser. You’ve had that tube for several months, but it contains preservatives, so it is still fresh. You pulled on some new socks you got for Christmas , promising ‘extra antibacterial freshness’ from silver-infused material. You reached for a menstrual product promising to prevent odour and ‘guarantee freshness’, which also contains silver. “Before you go to breakfast, you have subjected your microbiome – the tens of thousands of species of microbes that make you a holobiont – to a barrage of biocides, in other words poisons. We know that the microbiome is essential to life; our gut microbiome, about which we know most (although still very little) has significant impacts on mental and physical health. Exactly what impact that barrage has on it we have little information, yet, but it cannot be good.” She added: “None of the products used in the hypothetical case I outlined above are necessary. They confer no benefit over non-biocidal products, yet they are damaging our human, animal and environmental health.” Attention has so far focused on medicines, but biocide-containing cleansing products are now commonly sold over the counter and being ‘antibacterial’ or killing bacteria has become a big selling point. The human body contains trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which far outnumber human cells. This collection of microbes is called the microbiome and they exist all over our body including in our mouths, gut, lungs and on our skin. The balance of these microorganisms is vital to how our body and its immune system functions. When ‘good’ bacteria and other microbes are depleted then ‘bad’ microbes thrive and take their place. Biocides wipe out bacteria or fungal microbes – good and bad – and which can lead to imbalances and the development of infections and disease. Chlorhexidine is frequently used in cosmetics and personal care products and is used in over-the-counter mouthwashes. In 2020 research was published demonstrating that mouthwash containing chlorhexidine led to major disruption of the oral microbiome. The biocide is found in the popular Corsodyl Daily Mouthwash as well as Boots Expert Chlorhexidine Dental Tape floss. The study showed use of Corsodyl Mint, which contains 0.2% chlorhexidine, for just seven days led to significant shifts in oral bacteria. Previous research shows oral microbiome disruption can increase blood pressure, especially in patients that already have high blood pressure. Shower gels also contain biocides and one called Benzalkonium Chloride is found in Nilaqua No-Rinse Antimicrobial Body Wash Skin Cleansing Foam. The body wash is promoted by saying it “kills 99.9999% of germs”. Some hand sanitisers include biocides and Benzalkonium Chloride is found in Wet Ones Be Fresh Biodegradable Antibacterial Hand Wipes. The Consumer Products (Control of Biocides) Bill being debated in the House of Lords at 11am on Friday would ban biocides from non-medical over-the-counter products unless strictly justified by evidence. Biocides commonly found in some consumer products intended for human use: Benzalkonium chloride (soaps, hand sanitisers) Chlorhexidine (mouthwashes, body washes) Triclosan (soaps, hand sanitisers) DDAB DDAC Octenidine (body washes) Dr Paul-Enguerrand Fady, expert at the Centre for Long Term Resilience, who was involved in drafting the bill, told the Mirror: “The current market for these products is like the Wild West. Rather than operating under the assumption that everything is fine, this bill would place the onus on the manufacturers to prove that it is. We want to take these products from being available on the shelves, like confectionary, to being something that you have to have at least minimal contact with a qualified professional to buy. We want to prevent people from unknowingly purchasing these biocides.” Experts believe a ban is necessary to stop a “wack a mole” situation where one harmful biocide is identified by regulators and removed from products only to be replaced by a new chemical which later turns out to be equally or even more harmful. Professor Andrew Seaton, President of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, and Consultant in Infectious Diseases at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Outside of healthcare, the benefits of biocides are at best speculative, but harms are potentially significant and irreversible. The indiscriminate use of biocides has the potential to drive antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by directly disrupting both the human microbiome as well as our fragile environmental ecosystem.” Biocides can wash into our sewage systems and, even if treated, add to the build-up of AMR in our waterways. England’s previous chief medical officer Sally Davies has warned of an “antibiotic apocalypse” if AMR build-up continues, leading to a world where common infections and routine operations could become fatal. Dr Emma Meredith, director general of the Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association, said: “Proposing to restrict the use of biocides in cosmetic products is unnecessary because strict UK laws covering the manufacture and supply of cosmetic “Making already available medical devices, prescription based, would add a huge strain to an already suffering NHS, there’s no budget or time for GP appointments and prescriptions; for a previously available product. The answer is not to ban and punish, but to incentivise use of more natural based products, where it is a choice of the consumer to opt for the alternatives themselves. In short, this would have to be done very carefully with a focus on unnecessary cosmetics only.” Boots and Haleon, which makes Corsodyl mouthwash, declined to comment. Edgewell Personal Care, which makes Wet Ones, had not responded to the Mirror at the time of going to press. Source: The MirrorContinue reading →
- The worst foods to eat if you have ADHD Wednesday January 15th, 2025
Crisps, sweetened breakfast cereals and even aged cheese could all worsen symptoms, say experts
What we eat and how it impacts attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an exciting, growing area of research. While there is currently no evidence-based diet specifically recommended for ADHD, emerging science suggests a strong connection between gut health and ADHD symptoms.
People with ADHD are more likely to experience gut health issues such as constipation, IBS, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. This is significant because the gut and brain are closely linked through the gut-brain axis, a communication pathway that influences both physical and mental health.
Poor gut health can lead to systemic inflammation, which is often elevated in people with ADHD. This inflammation may contribute to neuroinflammation (brain inflammation), affecting mood, anxiety and cognitive function.
“Studies point to the fact that gut microbiota has relevance to the ADHD story. Our understanding is still in its relative infancy, but in time, I envisage a range of evidence-based treatments for ADHD targeted at optimising gut health using modified diets and supplementation,” says Dr James Kustow, a psychiatrist specialising in ADHD and the author of How to Thrive with Adult ADHD.
This growing evidence suggests that improving gut health and reducing foods that cause inflammation could benefit those with ADHD. However, it’s important not to be overly restrictive, as ADHD is often associated with eating disorders such as binge eating and erratic eating patterns.
“People with ADHD need to prioritise care and maintenance of their bodies. The dysregulation inherent to ADHD predisposes them to disordered eating, such as overeating, bingeing and missed meals. This is why those with ADHD have much higher rates of obesity and binge-eating disorder,” Dr Kustow explains.
Foods to avoid or reduce
Ultra-processed foods such as sweetened cereals
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) make up 56.8 per cent of the average UK diet. These are heavily packaged foods with long ingredient lists featuring artificial additives such as emulsifiers and stabilisers. They can include sweetened cereals, chicken nuggets, soft drinks and even seemingly healthy options such as packaged brown bread.
UPFs are linked to numerous health risks, including cancers, heart disease, obesity and depression, although scientists don’t know whether they’re unhealthy because of how they’re made or because they’re usually high in calories, fat and sugar. For ADHD, research shows that a diet high in UPFs can increase the risk of developing the condition by 51 per cent.
These foods also harm gut health by promoting inflammation and reducing beneficial gut microbes. The Predict study by the nutrition company ZOE disclosed that eating UPFs is associated with an increase in potentially harmful gut bacteria.
“You’re not getting the nutrients, vitamins and minerals you need from UPFs,” says Ingrid Kitzing, a registered nutritional therapist. “I always advise clients to read food labels – if you don’t recognise the ingredients, it’s likely ultra-processed.”
Sugary snacks such as biscuits
While sugar doesn’t cause ADHD, it can worsen symptoms such as hyperactivity, focus and concentration issues. Sugary snacks and drinks can cause energy spikes followed by crashes, disrupting mood and attention.
“People with ADHD are more prone to erratic eating. They might skip meals and then binge on sugary snacks, leading to highs and lows. They struggle with regulating their energy, and the way to do that is to try to avoid quick-release energy and put more emphasis on protein and slow-release carbohydrates,” explains Dr Kustow.
ADHD brains may have lower levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to reward. Sugar increases dopamine, which can lead to cravings and a cycle of sugar addiction.
Kitzing recommends swapping high-sugar snacks for healthier options. “Dark chocolate (85 per cent cocoa or higher) is a good alternative as it satisfies cravings but is less likely to be over-consumed. Berries are another excellent option – they’re nutrient-dense and contain fibre to moderate blood sugar.”
Foods with artificial colourings such as flavoured yogurts and fruit drinks
If you’re eating a lot of ultra-processed food, you’ll also be consuming a high level of artificial food colourings (AFCs). Indeed, our daily consumption of AFCs has quadrupled in the past 50 years and a growing number of studies have linked AFCs to increased ADHD symptoms in children.
The evidence for adults is less conclusive – one small study tested AFCs on college students with ADHD and found that they did worsen ADHD symptoms.
Colourings such as allura red (E129) and tartrazine (E102) are commonly found in foods such as flavoured yogurts, breakfast cereals, ice cream, fruit drinks and condiments. Emulsifiers – also found in ice cream, sauces and dairy alternatives – have also been shown to increase inflammation.
“If you eat a primarily whole-food diet, artificial food additives will be reduced dramatically,” says Kitzing.
Saturated fat in deep-fried foods such as doughnuts
Deep-fried foods such as chips, fried chicken and doughnuts are high in saturated fats, which can drive inflammation. This is particularly problematic for people with ADHD, who often have higher levels of systemic inflammation.
“Saturated fat raises ‘bad’ LDL [low-density lipoprotein] cholesterol and stimulates fat tissue inflammation, triggering immune cells to release pro-inflammatory compounds,” explains Dr Sammie Gill, a specialist gastroenterology dietitian.
Simple carbohydrates such as white pasta, white rice and white bread
Foods made with refined white flour, such as white bread, pasta and pastries, can cause blood sugar fluctuations similar to those caused by sugary snacks. These rapid spikes and crashes can worsen focus and energy regulation in people with ADHD.
Combining simple carbs with protein, which is essential for brain health, can help stabilise blood sugar. Kitzing suggests simple swaps such as replacing white rice with brown rice a few times a week or preparing protein-rich breakfasts to avoid mid-morning energy slumps.
“I recommend making an overnight breakfast pot with a high-protein plain yoghurt with lots of nuts, seeds and berries, that will keep for a couple of days in the fridge. The protein and fibre help keep you full and help your brain work better. There is some research to show that if you start your day in a blood sugar-friendly way, then that has a beneficial effect on your blood sugar throughout the day. There are a huge variety of breads available, or you can make a protein-rich bread,” says Kitzing.
Foods with high levels of histamine, such as processed meats or aged cheeses
ADHD specialist Dr James Kustow is seeing high numbers of people with histamine intolerance issues in his ADHD clinic, although there’s as yet no research to confirm his findings.
Most people know histamine as the substance released when your immune system overreacts to allergies such as pollen.
Histamine intolerance is different and happens when you can’t break down the histamine in your body efficiently.
It’s tricky to diagnose as symptoms are similar to an allergic response, but if you can’t work out what’s causing your symptoms, it might be worth restricting high-histamine foods such as processed meats, aged cheeses and fermented foods, to see whether that makes a difference.
“There seems to be a clustering of histamine-related presentations in ADHD and many people may start noticing that when they have certain foods, they flush, become irritable or anxious, or the ADHD is a bit worse. The problem is it hasn’t been mapped out well enough in ADHD for us to have clear guidance on it yet so this is best done cautiously, with nutritional guidance,” says Dr Kustow.
Source: The Telegraph
Continue reading → - ‘Troubling’ rise in people admitted to hospital due to lack of vitamins Wednesday January 01st, 2025
There has been a “troubling” increase in the number of people admitted to hospital for health problems caused by a lack of vitamins, new data shows.
NHS figures analysed by the PA news agency show a dramatic rise in people with a main diagnosis of anaemia (caused by lack of iron) and B vitamin deficiencies.
The Royal College of GPs said the findings are “very concerning” and highlight how a nutritious diet is becoming “increasingly unaffordable” for some.
Symptoms of iron deficiency include being very pale, irritability, fatigue, increased heart rate, sore or swollen tongue, and enlarged spleen.
The condition can cause heart failure if left untreated.
In the year 2023/24, there were 191,927 hospital admissions in England where the main reason was a lack of iron, up 11% on the previous year’s 173,227.
The 2023/24 figure is also up almost 10-fold on the 20,396 hospital admissions for a lack of iron in 1998/99.
Meanwhile, for B vitamin deficiency (other than folate), there were 2,630 admissions in 2023/24 where this was the main reason, up 15% on the 2,236 in 2022/23 and more than triple the 833 in 1998/1999.
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia led to 3,490 hospital admissions in 2023/24, similar to the previous year, but up four-fold from 836 in 1998/99.
Overall, when looking at patients admitted for any reason but also recorded as having a vitamin deficiency, the numbers are even higher.
In 2023/24, there were 804,936 courses of NHS
There were also 38,140 courses of treatment involving people with vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia, up from 35,983 the year before, alongside 227,097 for other B vitamin deficiency, up from 201,320.
Symptoms of B vitamin deficiency can vary but include fatigue, muscle problems, breathlessness, headaches, pale skin, vision problems and heart palpitations.
The data further showed 486 courses of treatment involved people with vitamin C deficiency, up from 338 the previous year, while 773 involved a lack of calcium, up from 758.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said: “It is very concerning that cases of nutrition-related anaemia serious enough to warrant hospital admission have seen such a substantial increase over the past 25 years.
“The near 10-fold rise in admissions for patients with a diagnosis of iron deficiency and a four-fold increase in folate deficiencies – primarily caused by a lack of nutrition in the diet – is particularly troubling.
“While treatable with supplements or dietary changes, it comes with the risk of complications – in children, iron deficiency can be detrimental to development and has been linked to poorer attainment at school.”
Prof Hawthorne said the link between overall health and nutrition “is well established” and a “poor diet can increase a patient’s risk of developing certain health conditions, while also exacerbating existing conditions”.
She added: “We have seen fresh, healthier foods spike in price over the last few years, making a nutritious diet increasingly unaffordable for some, while ‘fast foods’ are cheap, are filling and easy to access, but are low in nutritious content.
“GPs are on the front line of this public health crisis, caring for patients who are experiencing the health consequences of growing deprivation.
“A recent survey of our members found that 74% of GPs have seen an increase in the number of presentations linked to poverty over the past year.
“It is unacceptable that a developed nation like the UK should see an increase in the number of conditions that can be linked to poverty and poor nutrition and yet this is the reality.”
Good sources of iron in the diet include red meat, kidney beans, edamame beans and chickpeas, nuts, breakfast cereals with added vitamins and dried fruit, such as dried apricots.
B vitamins and folate are found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leafy vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, spring greens and spinach, and chickpeas and kidney beans.
Meanwhile, good sources of vitamin B12 include meat, fish, milk, cheese and eggs.
Prof Hawthorne said the Government must commit to a prevention-based approach to health, which will not only improve people’s quality of life “but ultimately alleviate pressures on the health service”.
A Government spokesman said: “Lord Darzi’s report laid bare the poor health of our nation, which is putting pressure on our NHS services.
“Our 10-Year Health Plan will shift the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention and will include action to ensure people have access to a healthy and balanced diet.
“Through the Plan for Change, we will fix the foundations of the country to ensure everyone lives healthier lives for longer.”
Source: ITV News
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