Skip to content

Published on Leave a comment on Breast Milk Transmits Important Bacteria to the Infant Gut Microbiome
Breastfeeding
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Anton Nosik

It has long been known that breast milk contains hundreds of microbial species (the milk microbiome), which help seed the infant's gut microbiome. Over the weeks and months of breast feeding, the microbial species in the milk change. All this is normal and good.

A recent study of human breast milk examined the species in breast milk and found that that the species could be viewed as a microbial ecosystem - one that is important in helping seed the infant's gut. The milk contained species that are considered beneficial (e.g., Bifidobacterium), but also some that can be viewed as not beneficial (e.g., E.coli). The milk was from healthy mother-infant pairs, so it was clear that this variety was normal.

Researchers analyzed 507 breast milk and infant stool samples from 195 healthy mother-infant pairs at one, three, and six months postpartum. They found characteristic mixes of bacteria dominated by Bifidobacteria (especially B. longum, B. breve, and B. bifidum). More than half of the milk samples contained B. longum, and that same species was abundant in over 98% of the infants' gut microbiomes.

The paper mentioned that numerous times they found the exact same bacterial strain in both the mother and infant pairs - thus evidence that the mothers transmitted that bacteria to the babies in the breast milk (this is referred to as vertical transmission).

From Medical Xpress: Breast milk microbes help shape infants' gut microbiomes, study finds

Most conversations about breast milk tend to focus on topics like nutrients, antibodies and bonding time rather than bacteria. But it turns out that human milk carries its own tiny community of microbes, and those passengers may help shape a baby's developing gut microbiome—which in turn can impact nutrient absorption, metabolic regulation, immune system development, and more. ...continue reading "Breast Milk Transmits Important Bacteria to the Infant Gut Microbiome"

Published on Leave a comment on The EPA Now Values Human Life At Zero Dollars

Very depressing news. The EPA plans to NOT take into account of the value of human life any more when making rules and setting policy regarding air pollutants (e.g., fine particulate matter and ozone). Meaning that the value of a human life is zero dollars. Instead, the only thing that will be considered is the cost to businesses of pollution regulations.

In other words, no more estimates of the dollar value of lives saved in the cost-benefit analyses for new pollution rules. People dying will just be a side-effect of business - eh, move on, nothing to see here.

This means that the cost to society (of human suffering and deaths) from pollutants just doesn't matter. Businesses obviously do not/will not want regulations that cost money.  Yes, this will mean dirtier air and the environment going forward. Very depressing...

Excerpts from NY Times: Trump’s E.P.A. Has Put a Value on Human Life: Zero Dollars

Government officials have long grappled with a question that seems like the purview of philosophers: What is the value of a human life?

Under both Democratic and Republican administrations, the answer has been in the millions of dollars. The higher the value, the more the government has required businesses to spend on their operations to prevent a single death.

But for the first time ever, at the Environmental Protection Agency the answer is effectively zero dollars. ...continue reading "The EPA Now Values Human Life At Zero Dollars"

Published on Leave a comment on Breast Milk Can Contain Traces of Pesticides and Other Chemicals
Breastfeeding
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Anton Nosik

Breast milk is considered the best food for infants, but it can be contaminated with chemicals the mother is exposed to in daily life.

A group of scientists analyzed samples of breast milk from nursing mothers in Canada and South Africa for contaminants and found low levels of pesticides, parabens (endocrine disruptors in plastics), and bisphenols, including bisphenol A and S (endocrine disruptor) in many of the samples.

They published several research papers with their findings. They found contaminants, but at different levels, in the 594 breast milk samples of Canadians and South African women. Unfortunately, all breast milk samples showed some contamination - which can occur from personal care products, the packaging used in foods, in medications, household cleaning products, or even as a food additive.

For example, methyl paraben was detected in 96% of the Canadian human milk samples, followed by ethyl paraben (57%) and propyl paraben (37%). The pesticide propanil (an herbicide) was detected exclusively in South African breast milk samples, as was the antiretroviral drug Efavirenz used in HIV treatment.

BOTTOM LINE: The researchers stress that breast milk is the best food (the gold standard) for infants, but women should realize that chemicals they are exposed to do get into breastmilk. Therefore, try to avoid pesticides, read ingredient labels, and try to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals.

From Newsweek: Scientists Discover Pesticide Traces in Breast Milk

Researchers at McGill University have identified several unexpected chemical contaminants in human milk, finding traces of pesticides, antimicrobials and additives used in plastics and personal‑care products.

The team said the data, drawn from Canadian and South African samples, could help strengthen chemical safety regulations and improve protections for infants and parents. ...continue reading "Breast Milk Can Contain Traces of Pesticides and Other Chemicals"

Published on Leave a comment on Some Food Preservatives Are Linked To Cancer
Processed meat contains preservatives. Credit: Wikipedia

Once again, preservatives found in ultra-processed foods are linked to health harms. A large study of 105,260 French adults found that higher intakes of some common food additives or preservatives are linked to certain cancers.

There was an association of higher intake of seven preservatives with a higher risk of overall cancer, and also with breast and prostate cancer. On the other hand, there was no link between overall preservatives and cancer - just with the 7 preservatives.

The researchers looked at the overall cancer rate, as well as the most common 17 preservatives, and found certain associations:  potassium sorbate with overall cancer and breast cancer, potassium metabisulfite with overall cancer and breast cancer, sodium nitrite with prostate cancer, potassium nitrate with overall cancer and breast cancer, acetates with overall cancer and breast cancer, acetic acid with overall cancer, and sodium erythorbate with overall cancer and breast cancer.

Bottom line: Read ingredient lists on food labels. Avoid foods that contain ingredients with chemical sounding names that are not normally found in a home kitchen. Those ingredients are in ultra-processed foods. Additionally, "natural flavors" are laboratory concoctions (found in ultra-processed foods).

From The Guardian: Studies link some food preservatives to higher diabetes and cancer risk

Higher consumption of some food preservatives is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer, two studies suggest.

The findings, published in the medical journals Nature Communications and the BMJ, may have important public health implications given the ubiquitous use of these additives globally, researchers said. ...continue reading "Some Food Preservatives Are Linked To Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Food Preservatives Linked to Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Processed meat Credit: Wikipedia

Many studies are finding that eating ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can lead to all sorts of health problems. A recent large study conducted in France found that people eating higher amounts of food preservatives had a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Overall, people consuming foods with higher amounts of preservatives had a 47% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (when compared to people eating low amounts of preservatives).

Over 100,000 French adults were followed for more than a decade. The researchers found that 58 preservatives were in the foods they ate. The researchers examined 17 preservatives in depth (the most common ones eaten) and found that 12 preservatives are linked to type 2 diabetes: potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulphite, sodium nitrite, acetic acid, sodium acetates, calcium propionate, sodium ascorbate, alpha-tocopherol, sodium erythorbate, citric acid, phosphoric acid, and rosemary extracts.

Bottom line: Read ingredient lists on food labels. Avoid foods that contain ingredients with chemical sounding names that are not normally found in a home kitchen. Those ingredients are in ultra-processed foods. Additionally, "natural flavors" are laboratory concoctions (found in ultra-processed foods).

From Science Daily: Common food preservatives linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes

People who consume higher amounts of food preservatives may face a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a large new study. Preservatives are commonly added to processed foods and beverages to extend shelf life. ...continue reading "Food Preservatives Linked to Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes"

Published on Leave a comment on Garlic Extract Mouthwash Appears Promising

There has been discussion over the years regarding mouthwash - what are the harms and benefits? Does using mouthwash regularly disrupt the oral (mouth) microbiome? Chlorhexidine mouthwash is generally considered the best for treating gingivitis and killing bacteria.

Researchers at the College of Dental Medicine, Univ. of Sharjah in the UAE, recently published a review of studies comparing garlic extract mouthwash vs chlorhexidine mouthwash. They found that garlic mouthwash can be as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Garlic (Allium sativum) has natural antimicrobial properties. The researchers found that among the studies there were some differences in effectiveness for both types of mouthwash depending on the concentration used and duration of application.

However, one negative they found is that garlic mouthwash can be more uncomfortable to use - it can cause a burning sensation and unpleasant taste.

Excerpts from Science Daily: Garlic mouthwash shows shockingly strong germ-fighting power

Garlic extract has been found to offer antimicrobial effects that are on par with commonly used antiseptics and disinfectants such as chlorhexidine, according to medical researchers at the University of Sharjah.

The study, published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, reports that garlic-based mouthwash may produce more discomfort than chlorhexidine but appears to provide longer-lasting residual activity.

...continue reading "Garlic Extract Mouthwash Appears Promising"

Published on Leave a comment on Coffee and Liver Health

The health benefits of regularly drinking coffee keep increasing. A recent study confirmed that consuming coffee on a regular basis reduces the incidence of liver disease and slows the progression of several liver diseases.

The study authors write that coffee contains a number of bioactive compounds (e.g., caffeine, polyphenols, diterpenes) which have "anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifibrotic, and anticancer properties".

In other words, enjoy your daily coffee. It's good for you!

Excerpts from Medscape: Regular Coffee Drinking Can Protect and Restore Liver Health

TOPLINE: Several bioactive compounds in coffee exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and metabolic effects that reduce the incidence and progression of liver diseases. ...continue reading "Coffee and Liver Health"

Published on Leave a comment on Hair Straighteners Continue to Cause Kidney Harm
Natural hair, not straightened Credit: Wikipedia

For a few years there have been reports and research of hair straightening chemicals causing health harms, specifically kidney damage. Even kidney failure. Yet the use of these dangerous products continues in a number of countries, including the US, France, and Israel.

The problem appears to be the glyoxylic acid in some hair-straightening products. Bottom line: Read the ingredient lists on hair straightening products and avoid those with glyoxylic acid.

Excerpts from The Times of Israel: 17-year-old girl hospitalized for kidney failure after hair-straightening treatment

A 17-year-old girl who underwent a hair-straightening treatment was hospitalized with severe kidney failure at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, the hospital reports.

Another woman, 25, also suffered from kidney failure caused by hair straightening a little over a month ago. ...continue reading "Hair Straighteners Continue to Cause Kidney Harm"

Published on Leave a comment on Another Widely Used Pesticide Is Linked to Parkinson’s Disease

Yikes! While writing the last post, I came across a recent study of another pesticide linked with the development of Parkinson's disease. While the weed killer paraquat has long been linked to Parkinson's disease, certain other pesticides are also linked - such as chlorpyrifos.

Chlorpyrifos is a widely used insecticide in agriculture. While now banned for household use, homeowners used to use it (e.g., in the product Raid) for insect control for many years.

The study researchers (at the medical school at UCLA) found that long-term residential exposure to chlorpyrifos is associated with more than a 2.5 times increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. They studied humans, mice, and zebrafish to reach their conclusions. They found that chlorpyrifos damages dopamine-producing brain cells - which are the same cells damaged in Parkinson's disease.

From Medical Xpress: Widely used pesticide linked to more than doubled Parkinson's risk

A new study from UCLA Health has found that long-term residential exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos is associated with more than a 2.5-fold increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. ...continue reading "Another Widely Used Pesticide Is Linked to Parkinson’s Disease"

Published on Leave a comment on The Link Between Parkinson’s Disease and the Pesticide Paraquat

Once again, a pesticide banned in many other countries due to its harmful effects on humans and the environment, is allowed to be used in the US. The incredibly dangerous pesticide paraquat is banned in more than 70 countries, including China (where it is made), but not the US. Paraquat (paraquat dichloride) is a highly toxic weed killer used by farmers.

Many studies and farmers themselves report that paraquat causes Parkinson's disease. Currently there are thousands of lawsuits against Syngenta, the manufacturer, and Chevron USA (the seller). [NOTE: Of course Syngenta denies any link between paraquat exposure and Parkinson's disease.] The US Geological Survey reports that between 11 million and 17 million pounds of paraquat are sprayed annually on American farms. But here's the crazy part: use of the pesticide in the US is increasing annually. WTH?

By the way, Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world, with about 90,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the US. A number of pesticides are linked with the increase, with the link between paraquat and Parkinson's disease known since the 1980s (by research done by independent researchers). Evidence is growing that it's not just direct exposure (contact with it), but also chronic low level exposure that is linked to Parkinson's disease (e.g., living near a farm - thus inhalation of low levels in the air).

What will it take to ban the use of paraquat in the US? (Yes, there are alternatives to paraquat.) Doesn't look likely in the near future. In fact, the chemical/pesticide industry is trying to pass state and federal laws that would protect pesticide manufacturers from liability.

Excerpts from an investigative piece. From nj.com news: Thousands of U.S. farmers have Parkinson’s. They blame a deadly pesticide.

Paul Friday remembers when his hand started flopping in the cold weather – the first sign nerve cells in his brain were dying.

He was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a brain disease that gets worse over time. His limbs got stiffer. He struggled to walk. He couldn’t keep living on his family farm. Shortly afterward, Friday came to believe that decades of spraying a pesticide called paraquat at his peach orchard in southwestern Michigan may be the culprit.

...continue reading "The Link Between Parkinson’s Disease and the Pesticide Paraquat"