July Research News

24 July 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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A Meta-analysis Confirms the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet as an Effective Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Existing treatments for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) primarily focus on educational and psycho-social interventions, along with medication, but their efficacy, especially in early developmental stages, is limited. Research has started to explore alternative therapies like diet, notably the gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet, which eliminates gluten-containing grains and dairy products. The effectiveness and safety of the GFCF diet for ASD remains debated. Some studies suggest it can alleviate various symptoms, however some show no significant improvement and nutritional deficiencies.

To address this gap, this study is a meta-analysis to assess the effects of the GFCF diet compared to a normal diet in individuals with ASD. 8 studies were included, with a total of 297 participants. Among these, 5 studies demonstrated significant reductions in stereotypical behaviors, while 3 studies reported enhancements in cognition following a GFCF dietary intervention. This meta-analysis highlights the potential of a GFCF diet to diminish stereotypical behaviors and enhance cognition in children with ASD

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New Study Challenges Link Between Red Meat and Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major global health concern, responsible for a significant proportion of deaths and poor quality of life for many. There is need for thorough research to identify modifiable risk factors, as currently the intake of red and processed meats has taken most of the blame. While various diets influence cardiovascular health differently, uncertainties remain about the direct effects of red and processed meat consumption on CVD outcomes. Previous studies suggest potential mechanisms linking these meats to CVD development, but findings have been mixed. To address these uncertainties, this study looked at existing data on red and processed meat consumption as well as CVD risk from the UK Biobank. Using statistical methodologies to re-assess the pre-existing data, researchers found no causal associations between red/processed meat intake and four CVD outcomes. Further analysis then confirmed the robustness of these findings.

In conclusion, this study suggests no significant causal links between red/processed meat consumption and CVD risk, though further research is needed for validation

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Common Heartburn Medications Linked to Higher Dementia Risk

While intended to alleviate symptoms of heartburn, common acid reflux medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may pose significant threats to cognitive health. This study looked at the link between PPIs and risk of dementia, particularly in people who use PPIs long term. The study involved 5,712 individuals aged over 45 without any dementia symptoms. Of the 5,712 participants, 1,490 were PPI users. The participants were split into groups based on their usage. After adjusting for age, gender, race, and medical history, the results showed that use exceeding 4.4 years was associated with a 33% higher risk of dementia, compared with people who do not use PPIs. No significant risk was observed with short-term, intermittent usage of PPIs.

This discovery is concerning given that over 15 million Americans are prescribed PPIs such as esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec), and lansoprazole (Prevacid), to manage gastro-intestinal issues. These drugs are also self-administered now that there is growing availability to buy them over-the-counter, which poses an even further risk to cognitive health

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The therapeutic benefits of the ketogenic diet, for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Published in the journal, Psychiatry Research, this study showed:

Overall Clinical Global Impression (CGI) severity improved by an average of 31 %, and the proportion of participants that started with elevated symptomatology improved at least 1–point on CGI (79 %). Psychiatric outcomes across the cohort encompassed increased life satisfaction (17 %) and enhanced sleep quality (19 %). This pilot trial underscores the potential advantages of adjunctive ketogenic dietary treatment in individuals grappling with serious mental illness.

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