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Natural News

  • Big food manufacturers are banking on the 'food as medicine' trend to refresh their coffers in 2025 as the sector recognises people’s desire for less processed, healthier, foods. The Food as Medicine sector is estimated to grow in value to $36.6 billion by 2034. Gut health has emerged as a primary focus, as consumers increasingly turn to functional foods that purport to support digestive health. However, so-called 'functional foods' are still often highly processed and no substitute for minimally processed whole foods, which promote true health and wellbeing. Definitely worth looking at the ingredients lists on the labels
  • Following publication of the US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Scientific Report, which forms the basis of updates to the US Dietary Guidelines, a public event has been held by the US Department for Health and Human Services (HHS) to garner feedback. Some were in favour of emphasising a more plant-based diet with reductions in meat, while others supported a more balanced approach which includes unprocessed animal foods. Many advocated for more guidance around consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) due to a lack of clear guidance in the Scientific Report. However, such discussions and the eventual changes to the Dietary Guidelines in 2025, may well take a very different turn now that RFK Jr has been confirmed as the next US Health Secretary.

>>> The Fight for RFK Jr: Can He Overcome the Final Hurdle? [Breaking news - he has!]

  • In a recent study, researchers claim that adopting a "non-industrialised" diet (think paleo diet) can significantly reduce chronic disease risk. By mimicking the diets of non-industrialised societies, participants saw improvements in weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. The researchers also supplemented a bacteria, L. reuteri, rarely found in the microbiomes of people from industrialised countries however, the bacteria didn’t colonise the gut. Whilst the researchers are hailing this study as a breakthrough, for practitioners and others working the regenerative health and integrative medicine community this is far from new news!
  • Plant-based ‘meat’ alternatives (PBMAs) increase inflammatory markers and blood pressure. A new study published in Food Frontiers found that those consuming higher levels of PBMAs were more likely to suffer from depression and IBS. Despite these findings, the researchers continue to claim PBMAs don't harm health
  • Another new study published in Clinical Nutrition adds to the evidence that diets high in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) cause people to age more quickly than those that eat a wholefood, minimally processed diet
  • Conversely, a recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition defends the health benefits of the consumption of unprocessed red meat due to its content of highly bioavailable forms of many essential nutrients
  • When it comes to healthy eating we’re bombarded with messages telling us healthy eating is too expensive, pushing people to buy more ultra-processed foods on the misapprehension that it’s all they can easily afford. This message continues to be promoted in The Food Foundation’s latest Broken Plate report. Once again, the report uses a model that assesses cost per calorie to make the conclusion that 'healthy' food is more expensive. However, this methodology fails to consider the hidden costs of poor nutrition such as the development of chronic disease, nor does it consider the difference between energy-dense and nutrient-dense foods, food cost and portion size
  • The health harms of eating high levels of UPFs is evidenced in a new study published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe, which links higher UPF consumption with increased mortality due to range of chronic diseases.

>>> Is healthy eating really more expensive than junk food?

>>> Plant-based eating – the ‘diet’ that's no fad

>>> Feature: The red meat witch-hunt exposed

>>> The ANH Food4Health guidelines help you and your family eat in ways close to non-industrial societies to optimise your health

  • A new study published in PNAS Nexus adds to the plethora of research linking poor oral health and the onset of neurodegenerative disease. The study found that bacteria responsible for gum disease, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, can migrate to the brain, potentially contributing to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Maintaining good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, all play a crucial role in reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

>>> Rob Verkerk PhD sits down with holistic dentist, Dr Elmar Jung, to bust some common myths around dental health and how we care for our teeth

  • Is smartphone usage by children fuelling an alarming trend of increasing levels of violence, anger, suicide and other mental health issues amongst adolescents? A new report from Sapien Labs asks what’s behind the rise, planting the blame fairly and squarely in the lap of increasing use of smartphones at an ever younger age, which is affecting chidren's social development and increasing mental health challenges. The report urges parents to delay giving smartphones to children until at least age 13.

>>> Beyond digital addiction: how technologies are transforming our youths into obedient machines

  • The dangers of vaping in pregnancy are revealed in a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, which shows that using vapes not only harms the mother’s health but that of the baby as well, due to the chemicals contained in vapes.

>>> Vapour Obscura – new truths about the risks of vaping

  • Do you regularly take a dip in cold water? A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in PLOS ONE, supports the health benefits of cold-water immersion on health and wellbeing. Those that regularly get chilly, are more likely to sleep better, enjoy lower stress levels and improved quality of life. Have you tried the benefits of taking a cold plunge?

>>> How your ripple can change collective consciousness and the world around you

ANH-USA Update

  • The ANH team hosted a powerful lunch briefing at the US Senate’s Visitor Centre at the end of January to support Robert F Kennedy Jr’s appointment and confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The briefing showcased the launch of The MAHA Mandate: Reversing America’s Chronic Disease Epidemic book, co-authored by Rob Verkerk PhD and Jonathan Emord JD, highlighting the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented by the appointment of RFK Jr to the post of Health Secretary, to restore the health of not just Americans, but people globally. Read more…

>>> Watch ANH's Senate Briefing (55 min video)

  • ANH has long advocated the health benefits of a minimally processed, nutrient dense, wholefoods diet to promote health and wellbeing. Now the notion of ‘food as medicine’ is coming under increasing attack, even being branded as the ‘new snake oil’. Consider all the evidence and you find the arguments against healthy eating just don’t stack up. Read more…

Free Speech Controls

  • Apple is pushing back against a secret demand from the UK government to provide it with a backdoor to its encrypted file service used by billions worldwide. Apple is standing firm and refusing to weaken its encryption, which even Apple is unable to access, warning any ‘backdoor’ could be exploited by hackers or authoritarian regimes, causing a global privacy nightmare
  • Free speech advocate, Senator Ralph Babet, has introduced a new bill into the Australian Parliament to enshrine the right to freedom of speech into law, following the passing of tough new hate speech laws recently. Rebekah Barnett has the full story
  • Medical journals are continuing to stifle and censor research that doesn’t meet the required narrative as evidenced by a 2023 pre-print paper discussing DNA contamination of covid vaccines, which has thus far been rejected by four different journals for peer-review. The latest rejection by Cureus explicitly outlines the reason for rejection due to the FDA and pharmaceutical companies’ rejection of the authors claims. Maryanne Demasi has the full story
  • The continued suppression of voices that disagree with mainstream scientific theories is thrown into stark view by a hit piece in Science, which seeks to character assassinate it’s founder, Dr Jay Bhattacharya, along with the Journal of the Academy of Public Health's (JAPH) fledgling credentials. The journal, which seeks to “promote open and transparent scientific discourse”, is criticised for its lack of paywall, the publication of peer reviewed studies alongside published articles along with its payment of peer reviewers. A level of ethics and integrity to which we feel that all journals should subscribe
  • A peer-reviewed article in Cureus critiques the corruption of major medical journals, highlighting financial conflicts of interest with pharmaceutical companies, censorship of dissenting views, and the dominance of profit-driven “The Science™” over true scientific inquiry, ultimately calling for greater openness to contrarian perspectives to advance knowledge.

 

>>> Visit covidzone.org for our complete curated covid content of the coronavirus crisis