Research Papers

Background and Aims: The relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is poorly understood. Methods: We examined the effects of HHcy on NASH progression, metabolism…

This paper is a research highlight of a recently published article whereby Dmitrieva-Posocco et al. (2022) showed that the Ketogenic Diet can exert strong benefits in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is one….

This study looked at the association between dietary patterns and the status of infertility in a large male population. The results showed that adherence to a healthy dietary pattern such as a high intake of fish, eggs, dairy products, fruits, vegetables…

Migraine is a neurological disorder characterised by repeated episodes of mild to severe headaches, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The etiology and pathophysiology of migraine is not fully understood, however literature…

One of the most important functions of the human gut microbiota is the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate and butyrate, which are end products of fermentation mostly from dietary fibres. SCFAs have been shown…

One of the most important functions of the human gut microbiota is the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate and butyrate, which are end products of fermentation mostly from dietary fibres. SCFAs have been shown…

It is estimated that nearly 80% of women with obesity will eventually develop sleep apnoea which impacts just under 1 billion people worldwide. Whilst obesity is a large contributing factor, literature also shows that women after menopause have…

The incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is high in both men and women, however there are differences in risk amongst sex. Whilst the differences in risk amongst women and men has been studied extensively, little research has been done on the sex…

Depression is commonly referred to as a serotonin deficiency and this has been used as the justification for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (antidepressant medication) for a very long time. This serotonin theory of depression remains extremely influential…

B vitamins play an essential role in the function of the nervous system, including helping to down-regulate neuronal excitation. This paper combined results of double-blind placebo-controlled trials that assessed the individual impacts of Vitamin B12 and B6…

Many people have shared that they experienced unexpected menstrual bleeding or other menstrual irregularities after receiving a Covid-19 vaccination. Considering that vaccine trials do not usually monitor for adverse events for more than seven days after…

Recent literature has shown a strong link between a Covid-19 infection and neurodegenerative characteristics, which has surfaced many questions as to whether Covid-19 increases the likelihood of being diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder. The aim…

Although data has historically shown women live longer than men, women do have higher rates of disability and illness. This research from the University of Georgia investigated whether a woman’s life can be improved with a better diet and found that foods high…

The physiological changes occurring within the human body during exercise are energy consumption, water loss, electrolyte loss, an accumulation of lactic acid and free radical damage. Fatigue is the external presentation of these internal changes. The purpose…

The physiological changes occurring within the human body during exercise are energy consumption, water loss, electrolyte loss, an accumulation of lactic acid and free radical damage. Fatigue is the external presentation of these internal changes. The purpose…

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have shown to be problematic in literature for metabolic and hormonal signaling pathways in humans and are being more commonly linked to common illnesses such as diabetes, obesity and increased liver enzymes..

Intermittent fasting is known to have a wide range of health benefits such as lowering the risk of diabetes, heart disease and reducing inflammation. The researchers of this paper aimed to discover whether intermittent fasting would reduce the severity of Covid-19…

Osteoporosis is recognized as a major public health concern and the most common metabolic bone disease. Factors that increase someone’s likelihood of developing osteoporosis include family history, aging, gender, menopause, cigarette smoking, alcohol, low body…

The purpose of this paper was to analyse the association between allergic diseases such as dermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis with the risk of liver cancer, given that liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality globally. The authors conducted a retrospective…

This systematic review of literature from July 2021 till January 2022 shows a summary of current literature that details an increasing number of autoimmune and inflammatory-related adverse effects. The side effects have been documented as an increase in Guillain Barré…

Since the population of aging adults is increasing, understanding the complexities and contributors to age-related health is imperative. This study examines associations between stress and immune aging in a national sample of 5,744 older US adults. The stressors looked…

Despite there being several treatment options available for pain, the side effects are wide ranging, from gastrointestinal irritation, cardiovascular toxicity and potential dependence. Seeking alternative treatments for pain management is critically important. Metformin, a drug used…

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a varied clinical manifestation. There are common characteristics such as social and communication difficulties, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. However emerging literature suggests that 50% of individuals…

This narrative review is summarising the available data on the relationship between vitamin D and COVID-19, as well as vitamin D’s role in inflammation, the immune system and cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. To date, there is no international guideline that has reached a consensus…

This paper aimed to look at environmental risk factors of cardiovascular disease, such as air pollution, indoor fuel use without proper ventilation such as a chimney and proximity to traffic. The study concluded that along with diabetes, smoking and high blood pressure, these environmental factors are…

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a major role in the immune and skeletal system and the function of many organs. Vitamin D deficiency is common, affecting approximately 50% of people globally and is a major public health concern. A deficiency in vitamin D is known to be associated with…

Declines in function of the circadian rhythm is one of the most observed hallmarks of aging across animal and human lifeforms and is associated with negative health consequences. Based on research on fruit flies, this study has explored correlations between circadian rhythms and lifespan, but also how diet…

This paper is a randomised controlled double-blind clinical trial conducted on 100 patients with type 2 diabetes aged between 45 and 75. The study aimed to examine the effect of oral folic acid supplementation for 12 weeks on levels of serum homocysteine, glycemic control, lipid profiles and other markers…

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an early-onset neurodevelopmental condition distinguished by impairments with social interaction, communication disruption and repetitive behaviours. There have been many studies assessing the association between genetic variants and ASD risk however most of these studies…

Whilst mortality and morbidity related to COVID-19 has typically been higher among adults compared with adolescents, lockdowns, restrictions and school closures have presented risk factors of its own to adolescent health. The objective of this prospective cohort study was to examine dietary and lifestyle changes…

Currently, antihistamine medications and specific allergen immunotherapy is thought to be the only option for alleviating symptoms of allergies. Given that micronutrient deficiencies such as iron are extremely common and known to promote allergic reactions, the authors of this paper have conducted a randomized…

For children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), iron-deficiency anemia is considered the most common complication and it impacts neurodevelopment, quality of life and physical growth. Iron-deficiency anemia in IBD is also correlated with gastrointestinal bleeding, mucosal inflammation…

Candida albicans is a common commensal yeast of the intestinal microbiome, however it can shift from a beneficial to pathogenic organism due to a compromised immune system, predisposing conditions or dysbiosis. Candida albicans can also translocate through the intestinal epithelium into…

According to this observational study, people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol are at a significantly higher risk of developing problems associated with alcohol consumption compared with those who drink the same amount of alcohol overall but don’t binge. After analyzing the patterns…

Since the mid-1970s, there has been an observed reduction in the male sperm count with sperm counts declinig by over 52% between 1973 and 2011. This a significant reduction, sometimes being reported as a crisis and therefore understanding any potential modulations of male fertility…

Mental health disorders such as Anxiety and Depression are recognised as the leading causes of disability globally, however the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions, lockdowns and isolation have made mental health even more of a challenge to all populations. On top of this…

Some studies have reported adverse reactions to the currently available COVID-19 vaccinations, such as fever, fatigue, headaches, anaphylaxis, thrombosis, Guillain–Barre syndrome and myocarditis. The number of cases of of myocarditis in particular has been addressed by the Centers for Disease Control and…

Roughly 3 g/d of Omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid) appears to be the optimal daily dose to help lower blood pressure (BP), according to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.This meta-analysis included randomised controlled trials published…

The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) has rapidly increased globally and it is now the most common form of arthritis. OA is characterized by degeneration of the joint cartilages and can cause significant pain and disability among those impacted. The knee joint is one of the most common areas impacted by OA, referred to as…

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 10% of pregnant women and 13% of postpartum women experienced a mental health disorder, with anxiety being among the most common. Given that anxiety disorders can have negative consequences for pregnant women and their offspring, it is critically important…

Excessive weight in childhood and adolescence has been associated in previous literature with impaired insulin action and the development of comorbidities later in life such as hypertension, type 2 Diabetes (T2D), cardiometabolic diseases and cancer. Excess weight in childhood…

This cohort analysis aimed to look at the trends of lung cancer (LC) mortality in Australia and China, the two largest countries in the Western Pacific Region, by examining LC rates and its relationship to age and time period from 1990 to 2019 in Australia and China. The purpose of this comparative analysis is to understand…

Evidence has shown that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be related to low levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, and that the minerals and vitamins involved in the pathways of these neurotransmitters act as cofactors for overall brain and neurotransmitter function. Symptom severity has also been…

There are many known risk factors of preterm birth such as premature rupture of membranes, infections and microbial displacement in the amniotic cavity. Research has elucidated that different Lactobacillus species may offer different risks for various birth related adverse events – suggesting the vaginal…

This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation for the improvement of insulin resistance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, has been shown in literature to regulate bone homeostasis, regulate insulin resistance…

The objective of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to determine whether a mixed modality approach based on physical activity and tracking nutritional parameters prevents mobility disability in patients with age related physical frailty and sarcopenia. 1519 men and women aged 70 years or older were included in…

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is pain or cramping shortly before or during menstruation, often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, back pain, headaches, diarrhea, and fatigue. PD is categorised as dysmenorrhea that is present without any diagnosis or obvious pathological cause, whereas secondary…

It is a defining feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that it is linked with the gradual death of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, however the molecular structure and specific vulneribilities of these neurons in the pathophysiology of PD is unknown. This paper has identified the molecular features of the neurons…