Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications are one of most frequently utilised classes of medicines. Primarily used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, use of these medications has risen sharply over the past two decades. In fact, utilisation has increased by over 1300% over this time! Commonly used PPIs include omeprazole […]
Here are 4 and a bit reasons to pause the probiotic prescription pad. By Dawn Whitten BNat(Hons) IBCLC Researcher, Clinician and Lactation Consultant There certainly are a plethora of probiotic products marketed for infants – but should we give these to the exclusively-breastfed infant? Here are 4 and a bit reasons to pause and reconsider […]
When preparing for my recent lecture at the 11th Herbal & Naturopathic International Conference – Using Herbal Medicines to Modify the Microbiota – I came across an interesting study that looked at the impact of dang shen (Codonopsis pilosula) on the gut microbiota – and specifically gastrointestinal concentrations of Desulfovibrio spp. – a key gastrointestinal […]
I’ve been meaning to critique this study for some months. With the bulk of my teaching done for the year (and my grading), I’ve finally found some time to have a good look at this study linking probiotic use and brain fog: Rao SSC, Rehman A, Yu S, et al. Brain Fogginess, Gas and Bloating: […]
I’ve just returned from the MINDD Conference in Sydney where I was invited to present lectures to both health professionals, and the general public, on the functions and importance of the vaginal microbiota. One of the concepts I brought up at the conference was the idea of a “leaky” vagina. Many of us are very […]