What I’m Reading This Month: Maternal Gut Health and Autism Risk, Toxic Metals and Cardiovascular Disease, and the First Roundup Cancer Trial

The sheer volume of health, wellness, and medical news and commentary available on the internet can be overwhelming. Every month, get a taste of what integrative medicine leader Dr. John Gannage finds interesting (and digestible) on the web.

Environmental Toxins Are Seen As Posing Risks During Pregnancy

“Leading up to and during pregnancy, women are told to avoid alcohol and cigarettes, to make sure they get enough folate and omega-3 fatty acids, and to get adequate sleep and exercise. Most are told little or nothing about reducing their exposure to chemicals despite evidence suggesting that ingredients in plastics, vehicle exhaust and cosmetics additives can have profound impacts on babies’ health. In recent years, the field of ­maternal-fetal medicine has started to respond…Yet, a recent survey suggests that most doctors don’t discuss exposure to pollutants with their pregnant patients.”

For further reading, see my post on an expanded view of prenatal care, originally written and published in 2011.

+ Health of Mom’s Gut a Key Contributor to Autism Risk, Study Suggests

Zeroing in on the microbiome and preconception care …

Exposure to Toxic Metals May Up Cardiovascular Disease Risk

“Overall, our results indicate that exposures to arsenic, lead, cadmium, and copper are each positively and importantly associated with cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke, or all cardiovascular outcomes. These findings reinforce the (often under-recognised) importance of environmental toxic metals in cardiovascular risk, beyond the roles of conventional behavioural risk factors.”

Monsanto Ordered to Pay $289 Million In World’s First Roundup Cancer Trial

In case you missed it, you can read my primer on the adverse health effects of Roundup here. They very likely are not limited to cancer.

Air Pollution Particles Found in Mothers’ Placentas

“Scientists are increasingly finding that air pollution results in health problems far beyond the lungs. In August, research revealed that air pollution causes a “huge” reduction in intelligence, while in 2016 toxic nanoparticles from air pollution were discovered in human brains.”

Infectious Theory of Alzheimer’s Disease Draws Fresh Interest

“The ultimate neurological insult in Alzheimer’s is the body’s reaction to this neurotoxic mess. All the excess protein revs up the immune system, causing inflammation – and it’s this inflammation that does the most damage to the Alzheimer’s-afflicted brain….microbes are just one possible seed for the complex pathology behind Alzheimer’s. Genetics may also play a role, as certain genes produce a type of amyloid more prone to clumping up… environmental factors like pollution might contribute.”

Sucralose Produces Previously Unidentified Metabolites

Not so splendid.

“Based on previous studies, we know that sucralose can be passed on by nursing mothers in their breastmilk…And, among other findings, we know that sucralose can reduce the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Our new study shows that sucralose is also creating metabolites whose potential health effects we know little or nothing about. …. As a result, we feel that it may be time to revisit the safety and regulatory status of sucralose.”

Trump’s Coal Emissions Rollbacks Will Be Bad For Country’s Health

Something smells in America …

“Exposure to air pollution is known to lead to a host of health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cancer, bone loss, blood vessel damage, inflammation, cognitive issues and even death.”

+ Trump Adminstration Unveils Its Plans to Relax Car Pollution Rules

“For Trump to now destroy a law first enacted at the request of Ronald Reagan five decades ago is a betrayal and an assault on the health of Americans everywhere”.

The assault on the environment continues. Where is the outrage?

Which Foods Are High In Histamine?

A fairly decent primer on histamine intolerance, including symptoms, causes, diet choices and use of enzymes. Nice to see it make the Medical News!

Ever suspected allergies for yourself, but none were found on testing? Or wake up congested after a night of alcohol overindulgence? Do you have a child with allergy symptoms, and ADHD? This may be for you. See more information on our blog. Personally, I think it affects more than 1%, and the recommendations can assist those with “histaminosis”. We are living in high histamine times!

Children Are Being Harmed By Food Additives, U.S. Pediatric Association Warns

Hallelujah! Finally. The headline alone has impact. Now if only the government and food industry would step up…

“The AAP says a handful of chemicals have the greatest potential risks: bisphenols, which often line metal cans or are used to make plastic containers hard; phthalates, found in plastic or vinyl tubes used in food production; perfluoroalkyl chemicals, used in greaseproof or cardboard food packaging; perchlorate, also found in some food packaging; artificial food colours; and nitrates or nitrites, often used to preserve processed meat.

Babies, children and pregnant women are among the most vulnerable because young people still developing can be more susceptible to the disruptive effects … More research is needed to understand the risks, but society cannot wait until all of the evidence is in before action is taken.”

U.S. Opposition to Breast-Feeding Resolution Stuns World Health Officials

More disgust …

“Based on decades of research, the resolution says that mother’s milk is healthiest for children and countries should strive to limit the inaccurate or misleading marketing of breast milk substitutes.

Then the United States delegation, embracing the interests of infant formula manufacturers, upended the deliberations.

American officials sought to water down the resolution by removing language that called on governments to ‘protect, promote and support breast-feeding’ and another passage that called on policymakers to restrict the promotion of food products that many experts say can have deleterious effects on young children.”

Still hungry for information? Find previous month’s picks here.

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