Perhaps one of the most compelling, and little understood, areas of gut microbiome science is the strange relationship between gut bacteria and mental health. Researchers are rapidly uncovering new insights into the gut-brain connection, discovering potential microbiome influences on everything from PTSD to brain inflammation. However, a new study into

Although serotonin is well known as a brain neurotransmitter, it is estimated that 90 percent of the body’s serotonin is made in the digestive tract. In fact, altered levels of this peripheral serotonin have been linked to diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. New research at

Background: Physical or psychological adversity in childhood is associated with a higher risk for depression in adulthood, and with persistent serotonergic abnormalities in humans and in animal models. We hypothesized that reported childhood abuse would be associated with lower brain serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) binding potential (BPP, proportional to the number

Sipping Tulsi Tea for antioxidants and other nutrients: Colder months are closely associated with lowered immunity which in turn increases your chances of contracting the flu. Tulsi (Holy Basil) enhances your immune system to fight the viruses. It also improves the body’s overall defence mechanism, reduces stress, improves stamina, boosts

When major decisions must be made amid high scientific uncertainty, as is the case with Covid-19, we can’t afford to silence or demonize professional colleagues with heterodox views. Even worse, we can’t allow questions of science, medicine, and public health to become captives of tribalized politics. Today, more than ever,

Most reproductive failures originate during the periconceptional period and are influenced by the age and the lifestyle of parents-to-be. We advance the hypothesis that these failures can arise as a partial consequence of derangements to one-carbon (1-C) metabolism (i.e. metabolic pathways that utilize substrates/cofactors such as methionine, vitamin B12, folate).

Background: For the primary prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs), public health authorities recommend women of childbearing age to take 400 mug folic acid/d 4 wk before conception and during the first trimester. The biologically active derivate [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate ([6S]-5-MTHF) could be an alternative to folic acid. Article

COVID-19 may negatively affect sperm quality and reduce fertility in men, according to German research. The study of 84 men with confirmed COVID-19 and 105 healthy controls found that in men with COVID-19, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in sperm cells were significantly increased by more than 100 per cent.

Purpose To evaluate the possibility of correcting metabolic defects in gametes and embryos due to methylene tetra hydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) isoforms C677T and A1298C, by supplementation with 5-methyl THF instead of synthetic folic acid. In these couples, high doses of folic acid lead to UMFA (un-metabolized folic acid) syndrome. Article

Background: Women often seek antidepressant alternatives for major depressive disorder (MDD) in anticipation of or during pregnancy. In this preliminary study, EnBrace HR, a prenatal supplement containing methylfolate, was investigated for depressive relapse prevention and for acute treatment of MDD in women planning pregnancy or during pregnancy. Article

This case study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of clinoptilolite zeolite (“zeolite” herein) as an oral chelating agent for heavy metals. Zeolite is a hydrated aluminosilicate with symmetrically stacked alumina and silica tetrahedra which result in an open and stable three dimensional honey comb structure with a negative charge.

An uptake of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) from aqueous solutions by ion exchange on natural zeolitic tuff has been studied. The Croatian zeolite clinoptilolite from the Donje Jesenje deposit has been used as a natural ion exchanger. The efficiency of removal is higher for Pb and Cu