Microorganisms in Bed Dust May Reduce Asthma/Allergy Risk

Razi Berry In the most extensive study of its kind, researchers from the University of Copenhagen, in collaboration with the Danish Pediatric Asthma Center at Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, have found a link between microorganisms living in the dust of children’s beds and the children’s own bacteria. The correlation suggests that microorganisms may reduce a […]

Behavioral, Emotional Challenges, and Autism Linked to Mother’s Immunity

Razi Berry Children with autism born to mothers who had immune conditions during their pregnancy are more likely to have behavioral and emotional problems, a UC Davis Health study has found. The study examined maternal immune history as a predictor of symptoms in children with autism. Study examined maternal immune history as a predictor of […]

E-Cigarettes May Lead to Chronic Lung Diseases

Razi Berry E-cigarette use significantly increases a person’s risk of developing chronic lung diseases like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to new University of California – San Francisco research, the first longitudinal study linking e-cigarettes to respiratory illness in a sample representative of the entire U.S. adult population. First longitudinal study […]

Added Sugar Almost Impossible to Avoid for Toddlers

Razi Berry A new study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, published by Elsevier, found that nearly two-thirds of infants (61 percent) and almost all toddlers (98 percent) consumed added sugars in their average daily diets, primarily in the form of flavored yogurts (infants) and fruit drinks (toddlers). Infants were 6-11 […]

‘Edutainment’ May Be Key to Millennials Making Positive Health Changes

Razi Berry Storytelling that educates and entertains – aka “edutainment” – is a powerful communication tool that can lead to positive health-related changes among multicultural millennials, according to a new marketing study from Baylor University. “Edutainment” – is a powerful communication tool Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of marketing in Baylor University’s Hankamer School […]

Farm-to-Indoor-Table Microbiota May Significantly Decrease Asthma and Allergies

Razi Berry Previous research has shown that growing up on a farm with animals, may reduce as much as half the risk of asthma and allergies. The protective effect is thought to be attributable to the diverse microbial exposures encountered on farms. Presence of farm-like microbiota in an early-life home may protect from asthma also […]

Do You have a Food Allergy, Food Sensitivity or Food Intolerance?

Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), ND Food Allergy Definition A food allergy is an inappropriate immune system response to a food that can be determined by the production of antibodies to the food. The commonly accepted definition of food allergies, involves more specifically the production of IgE antibodies to foods.  These are also called Type I immediate […]

Children Taking Multiple Drugs May Be at Risk for Drug-Drug Interactions

Razi Berry A recent research study from the University of Illinois at Chicago estimates that 20 percent of children regularly use a prescription medication, and that one in 12 of those children are at risk of a harmful drug-drug interaction (DDI).1 Adolescent girls are at the highest risk of these adverse events. Researchers looked at […]

Gastrointestinal and Immune Dysfunction Common in Children with Autism

Node Smith, ND A recent article addresses the gastrointestinal issues that many children with autism experience and link it to changes in inflammation mediated by a dysregulation in the immune system, also common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).1 The research has been conducted at the UC Davis MIND Institute and is published in the journal […]

Sugar Drinks Linked to Childhood Asthma

Node Smith, ND The American Thoracic Society recently concluded in a study that children who consume large amounts of sugary beverages in early childhood, or their mothers drank these types of drinks while pregnant, may be at greater risk for developing asthma.1 Asthma is an increasingly common respiratory condition marked by a constriction of the […]