Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood, affecting an estimated 5% of children and adolescents globally. Persistence into adulthood is common, with prevalence estimated to be about 2.5%. Due to the negative health effects it causes and the significant financial burden on healthcare and society, alternative treatment approaches beyond medication have been investigated. Research is increasingly focused on the bidirectional signaling between the gut and the brain, which may affect neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD ..read more

Over the past five decades, there has been a global surge in the use of psychiatric medications, coinciding with a nearly tripled prevalence of obesity and associated metabolic diseases. Is there a connection? Medications prescribed for severe mental illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia often incur significant metabolic side effects, such as heightened appetite, weight gain, and the development of long-term metabolic syndrome. Disregarding these sequelae can be common, suggesting that better therapeutic approaches are needed. Mental illness and the antidepressants, mo ..read more

From March 12-16, Natural Products Expo West 2024 returned to Anaheim Convention Center near Los Angeles, California. Though the weather was not as warm as previous years, many thousands of stakeholders thronged the show halls and events at the leading trade show in the natural, organic and socially conscious products industry. The International Probiotics Association was well represented: Sandra Saville, Director of Education and Communications, Kristina Paraskevakos, Member and Event Coordinator and Clare Fleishman, Content Writer enjoyed connecting with IPA member companies and exploring th ..read more

Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading contributor to chronic liver disease worldwide, leading to poor health and in many cases, premature death. Abstinence from drinking is the undisputed cornerstone of treatment, supplemented by medication, behavioral interventions, and support networks. However, the high frequency of relapses from alcohol cessation calls for new strategies to enhance management approaches. Amassing evidence confirms that the gut microbiome is involved in the complex development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). This blog will broadly explain the evidence as well as expl ..read more

Vaginal microbes play a crucial role in maintaining genital health by offering powerful defenses against infections. Unlike healthy microbiota in other parts of the body, such as the gastrointestinal tract, the vaginal microbiota is distinctive for its low diversity with lactobacilli comprising nearly 95% of the total bacteria. Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus jensenii, and Lactobacillus iners, are the most represented in the vagina of healthy women However, L. iners is distinct from the others because of its variable connections with genital health. This blog ..read more

A complex neurodevelopmental condition, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is rising globally, indicating an urgent need to understand its causes. Decades of research have identified genetics and environmental factors as contributors. Whereas the definitive causes of ASD are unclear, genetic anomalies, nutritional deficiencies, toxins, and infections are strongly implicated. More recently, evidence links gut microbial dysbiosis to ASD, with crucial functions like brain development, psychological balance, and gut health potentially impacted. This blog will explore the association and explore the po ..read more

A new—and costly—category of weight loss drugs has burst into the market, targeting the nearly 40% of the world’s population who are overweight or obese. Considered by some experts to be a game changer in obesity, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists are in such high demand that some people with diabetes (the original indication) are being confronted with shortages. Drugs like semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) assist in blood sugar control and promote weight loss by replicating the function of natural hormones called incretins. Semaglutide foc ..read more

The worldwide incidence (number of new cases) and prevalence (number of diagnosed cases) of obesity have nearly tripled since the 70s, resulting in myriad related health issues (e.g., metabolic syndrome, diabetes, heart diseases, depression, etc…) and significant economic burdens. The historical approach to weight loss has been fraught with challenges.While lifestyle changes, drugs, and surgery are options that can be effective in the short term, many people fail to keep the weight off due to sabotage by environmental, biological, and behavioral factors. Clearly, different strategies are neede ..read more

Three times the size of France, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch —a mass of plastic debris— floats in the ocean. Due to limited recycling (less than 5%) and ubiquity across industry and packaging, plastics — and their degradation products— have contaminated the earth’s waters, land, and atmosphere. Humans are exposed to smaller breakdown products including microplastics and nanoplastics primarily through ingestion, inhalation, and contact with the skin. This raises significant concerns regarding potential long-term health risks. Recent studies have emphasized the potential adverse impacts of mi ..read more

Acute appendicitis (AA) sends many distressed patients with severe abdominal pain to the emergency room where traditional treatment is surgical removal of the inflamed appendix. However, high costs and the risk of postoperative complications have spurred a search for different strategies to improve patient outcomes. In recent years, researchers have begun exploring the potential of probiotic usage in the management of AA. This IPA blog delves into current evidence regarding the role of the gut microbiota in AA and the potential mechanisms by which probiotics may be beneficial in therapy. Acute ..read more