August Research News

14 August 2024 by Leanne Scott

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Latest Health Research News

Here is your round up of the latest health research news from around the world.  Our monthly research round ups are compiled by Lead Instructor and Program Director Leanne Scott, FNTP

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Maternal Diabetes Increases Risk of ADHD in Offspring

Study: Maternal Diabetes and Risk of Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Offspring in a Multinational Cohort of 3.6 Million Mother–child Pairs. DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02917-8 Published: 08/04/2024
Summary: Global hyperglycemia rates in pregnant women, often tied to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have surged to around 16%. The rising prevalence of gestational and type 2 diabetes raises concerns about associated pregnancy risks such as impacting offspring neuro-development through inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and epigenetic changes. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 2-7% of children worldwide, imposing a significant societal burden due to its complex causes involving genetics, environment, and psycho-social factors.

Recent research links maternal diabetes, both pre-gestational and gestational, to ADHD in offspring, with previous meta-analyses indicating a 40% increased risk. However, limitations in earlier studies such as reliance on self-reported data and insufficient confounder adjustments, mean this topic needs further investigation. This cohort study involving over 3.6 million mother-child pairs across multiple countries aimed to fill these gaps by exploring the association between maternal diabetes and ADHD risk in offspring. From the period of 2001 to 2014, the researchers revealed that children born to mothers with any form of diabetes (gestational and pre-gestational) during pregnancy had a heightened risk of ADHD compared to unexposed children. This emphasizes the need to reassess the precise roles of hyperglycemia and genetic factors in the material diabetes and ADHD relationship.

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PFAS “forever” chemicals well above drinking water guidelines

A new international study found that many water sources worldwide have levels of PFAS "forever chemicals" that exceed what's considered safe for drinking. PFAS are a group of over 14,000 human-made chemicals used since the 1950s in products like non-stick pans, cosmetics, food packaging, and firefighting foam. They’re called “forever chemicals” because they don't break down in the environment or our bodies. While the health effects are still debated, PFAS have been linked to issues like altered hormone levels, reduced kidney function, and some cancers. Countries have set different limits on PFAS in drinking water as a precaution.

The researchers estimate that the PFAS contamination is likely even worse than we realize since we only regulate a small number of these chemicals, and products contain more than expected. This is incredibly disturbing. We shouldn't use chemicals before fully assessing their potential harm, and consumers have a right to know what's in their water. To protect yourself and your family, use a reverse osmosis (with remineralization), activated carbon, or ion exchange filter to remove PFAS from your drinking water at home. 

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Your brain on processed food

A new study suggests processed food not only affects our waistline but it may also wreak havoc on our brains. Researchers found that people who adhered to unhealthy diets had reduced levels of the calming neurotransmitter GABA and increased levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in their prefrontal cortex. They also had reduced grey matter volume in the right precentral gyrus. This pattern of altered neurotransmitters and brain structure is eerily similar to what's seen in common mental disorders like depression and anxiety. While the study didn't find a direct link between diet quality and mental health outcomes, there was an intriguing association between these brain changes and rumination—a risk factor for depression and anxiety. Yet another reason to eat a nutrient-dense, whole-food diet!

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Australian Pilot Study: School Meditation Program

“A new paper, ‘Let's keep calm and breathe’ – A mindfulness meditation program in school and its effects on children's behavior and emotional awareness: An Australian pilot study, was recently accepted for publication in Psychology in the Schools.

Dr Peta Stapleton at Australia’s Bond University has partnered with Dr Joe Dispenza to study meditation’s effects on children over a 10-week period.

This is the first study on children and meditation ever conducted at this scale – following 900 primary school students across two age groups. The remarkable findings include:

• Daily meditations of just five minutes for 4-8-year-olds predicted an increase in happiness, school performance, and a decrease in emotional and behavioral difficulties.
• Daily meditation of just five minutes in 9-11-year-olds predicted an increase in emotional awareness, and a decrease in emotional and behavioral difficulties.
• Daily meditation of just five minutes over 10 weeks enhanced self-regulation in all primary school children.

The published research shows clear evidence for the potential benefits of school-based meditation programs and will be followed by a similar study in Acapulco later this year."

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