There is now strong evidence that links conditions such as autism and depression to the the gut microbiome, i.e. the microorganisms that live in the gut. Recently, neuroscientists presented evidence for this link in a symposium at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Washington DC called “Gut Microbes and the Brain: Paradigm Shift in Neuroscience”. Earlier this year, Dr.Continue reading “Autism, depression, brain health- linked to gut bacteria”
Category Archives: General
Cough medicines- a waste of money. Now what?
UK’s Royal College of General Practitioners’ vice chair, Dr. Tim Ballard, has warned that cough medicines are a waste of money. “The medical evidence behind cough medicines is weak,” he stated. “And there is no evidence to say that they will reduce the duration of illnesses – as such, GPs are unlikely to prescribe them.”Continue reading “Cough medicines- a waste of money. Now what?”
Sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs linked to Alzheimer’s disease
A study published last week in the British Medical Journal has found that people who take benzodiazepines are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder marked by progressive cognitive impairment and memory loss. People who used benzodiazepines for 3 months or longer had up to a 51% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s comparedContinue reading “Sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs linked to Alzheimer’s disease”
Harvard: environmental chemicals linked to brain disorders (ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.)
The recent increase in childhood neurodevelopmental delays and disabilities may be triggered by toxic chemicals in our environment, according to a new study released by Harvard School of Public Health and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The study, released a few weeks ago online in Lancet Neurology, indicates that children’s exposure to certain chemicals, includingContinue reading “Harvard: environmental chemicals linked to brain disorders (ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.)”
Five worst ingredients in food
Buying processed food may be more convenient than making wholesome meals from scratch, but are you aware of the hidden ingredients lurking in foods that may wreak havoc on your health? There are literally thousands of food additives out there, and a lot of them are at the root of many health problems. Here areContinue reading “Five worst ingredients in food”
Autism (and other health conditions) linked to the gut?
New research published in December 2013’s Cell has revealed a possible link between the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the gut. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition often marked by decreased social interaction or impaired social skills. Researchers have found that changes in gut bacteria affected autism-like behaviour in mice. Many of the behavioural abnormalities, including anxiety-likeContinue reading “Autism (and other health conditions) linked to the gut?”
Bad breath? Bloated? Gassy? Time to heal your gut.
Many people take breath mints regularly in hopes to cover foul breath. Others experience bloating and discomfort after meals, but never wonder why their body is sending them this message. Loose or unformed stool (diarrhea) alternating with periods of constipation is rather common for busy people living in Hong Kong and other metropolitan cities. IfContinue reading “Bad breath? Bloated? Gassy? Time to heal your gut.”
Happy new year? Understanding depression and what you can do about it
The promise of a new year brings optimism and hope to many, but throws others into abject misery. Whether or not you’re aware, someone you know is suffering from depression. Depression is a common but serious illness. People with depression (also known as clinical depression, major depression or major depressive disorder) find that their state interferes with daily life. DepressedContinue reading “Happy new year? Understanding depression and what you can do about it”
Link between H1N1 vaccine and narcolepsy in children
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness and frequent daytime sleep attacks. In 2009, the H1N1 swine flu triggered the development of new vaccines, which were speedily introduced and given to many at the height of the pandemic. In 2010, researchers from Sweden and Finland reported a link between narcolepsy and a H1N1Continue reading “Link between H1N1 vaccine and narcolepsy in children”
Hair loss: possible causes and what you can do about it
Your hair doesn’t just affect your looks- it’s also often an indicator of your health. The average person loses 50 to 100 hairs a day as part of the normal hair growth cycle, and with around 100,000 hairs on your head, this amount of hair loss should not be noticeable. Noticeable hair loss or thinningContinue reading “Hair loss: possible causes and what you can do about it”
Dr. Ardyce Yik ND 