Janine Bush Naturopath

05/11/2025

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Two recent online articles have highlighted the need for a greater awareness of the potential health benefits of reducing micro- and nanoplastic exposure. The emergence of microplastics (1 µm to 5 mm) and nanoplastics (less than 1 µm) has raised alarms about their harmful effects on human health. Nanoplastics are especially hazardous due to their smaller size and enhanced ability to infiltrate the human body.

The first article reviews a recent paper by Sarah Sajedi and colleagues, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, which examines the science around the health risks posed by single-use plastic water bottles. They are serious, she says, and seriously understudied.

In her analysis of more than 140 scientific papers, Sajedi reports that people ingest an estimated 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles each year. For those who rely on bottled water, that number climbs even higher, about 90,000 additional particles compared to people who primarily drink tap water.

According to Sajedi, the health risks are significant. Once inside the body, these small plastics can pass through biological barriers, enter the bloodstream and reach major organs. Their presence may contribute to chronic inflammation, cellular oxidative stress, hormone disruption, reproductive issues, neurological damage, and some cancers. Still, their long-term impacts are not fully understood, largely because of limited testing and the absence of standardised ways to measure and track them.

Sajedi says: “Drinking water from plastic bottles is fine in an emergency but it is not something that should be used in daily life. People need to understand that the issue is not acute toxicity—it is chronic toxicity.”

The second article in MedPage Today highlights the ubiquitous and insidious nature of micro- and nanoplastics. One of the authors (Meyer) is an emergency physician who believes it is now time to be warning patients about reducing exposure.

Teasing out the health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics requires some nuance. There is never going to be a randomised controlled trial: it is hard to conceive of a control group with no plastics exposure (given their ubiquity) and unethical to deliberately expose an experimental group to high-dose plastics. But waiting for perfect data risks ignoring an escalating health threat. Hence, much of what we know is by necessity extrapolated from animal studies and observational trials -- and there are multiple red flags.

In humans, studies are slowly emerging. In 2024, researchers followed patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy and found that those with microplastics in their plaque had a significantly higher rate of myocardial infarction, stroke or death 34 months later. More recently, decedent human brains from 2016 and 2024 were evaluated for microplastics: concentrations were significantly higher among individuals diagnosed with dementia compared to those without dementia (and plastic concentrations increased 50% from 2016 brains to 2024 brains, consistent with increasing environmental exposure). Last year, researchers at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) reviewed existing human and animal studies and found a suggestion of harm to reproductive, digestive and respiratory health in humans, as well as a possible link with colon and lung cancer.

All of this has been enough to convince Meyer that it is now time to start warning patients about microplastics. Although it would be impossible to avoid plastics altogether, there are some practical steps people can take to decrease their exposure.

To start (as per the first article), it makes sense to give up single-use plastic water bottles in favour of reusable steel or glass bottles. The water in plastic bottles has been found to contain 20 times more microplastics than tap water.

It is also a good idea to limit plastic in the kitchen, since we acquire many of our microplastics by eating and drinking them. This means using wooden cooking utensils and cutting boards over plastic ones, foil over plastic wrap, and glass food storage over plastic. If possible, avoid nonstick and plastic cookware. In situations where plastic containers are unavoidable, don't microwave food in them. And wash them by hand instead of the dishwasher, since heating plastic hastens its breakdown and chemical leaching.

At the supermarket, pack groceries in reusable cloth or paper bags, and try to avoid fruits and vegetables wrapped or packaged in plastic (admittedly challenging). And finally, limit ultraprocessed foods. Not only are they associated with increased mortality, obesity, chronic disease and malignancy, but they also come coated in plastic.

Could the demise of modern civilisation be caused by something we cannot even see?

For more information see: https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-warn-bottled-water-may-pose-serious-long-term-health-risks/
and
https://bit.ly/47TCyO3

23/10/2025

Exciting information!

Results from a small clinical trial suggest that curcumin might boost the efficacy of conventional therapy in multiple myeloma patients by modulating molecular pathways tied to inflammation and tumour survival. However, results are preliminary and larger, better-controlled studies are needed.

In this pilot randomised clinical trial from Indonesia, 33 patients with multiple myeloma were assigned to receive either standard therapy (melphalan plus prednisone) or the same therapy plus 8 g of curcumin daily as an adjuvant. These patients were ineligible for bone marrow transplant. The study found that the curcumin group achieved a much higher remission rate (75% versus 33.3%, P=0.009, per-protocol analysis of 24 patients) and showed significantly greater reductions in inflammatory/pro-tumour markers such as NF-κB, VEGF and TNF-α. TNF-α levels were significantly correlated with remission (Odds Ratio, OR=1.35; P=0.03). There were early deaths and dropouts in both arms (infection, cytopenia, adverse events); 12/17 vs 12/16 patients in the respective groups completed 4 cycles of treatment.

What was encouraging from the trial were the biologically coherent effects: NF-κB/VEGF/TNF-α shifts all aligned with the proposed mechanism. However, there were several limitations such as the few participants, the high dropout rate, the short follow-up and the outdated conventional treatment.

Also worth noting is the curcumin was not given with any technology to enhance its bioavailability, hence the very high dose.

Of course, curcumin is widely regarded as an ‘antioxidant’, and we have the “antioxidants are contraindicated during conventional cancer therapy” mantra that has been widely repeated in oncology. However, it is increasingly being questioned (at least by biomedical scientists), especially in the light of clinical trial data such as this and nuanced biochemical evidence. Specifically, many natural compounds like curcumin are not merely antioxidants; they act as redox modulators—context-dependent regulators that can enhance oxidative stress in cancer cells while protecting normal tissue through selective activation of adaptive pathways such as Nrf2, AMPK and p53.

Curcumin, in particular, has been shown in multiple preclinical studies to sensitise malignant cells to chemotherapeutic agents and enhance apoptosis. Human data, including the above pilot trial, support the possibility that it can improve remission rates rather than blunt therapy responses. In other words, the “antioxidant = interference” dogma fails to account for biological complexity and context specificity.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35919637/

20/10/2025

Sperm quality has steadily declined over the past 50 years. Between 1973 and 2011, the global sperm concentration and total sperm count decreased significantly. This decline was most pronounced in Western countries, with a reduction in the total sperm count of almost 60%.

Marina Urbanietz’s August 2025 Medscape article, What Your Sperm Says About You, offers a concise review of selected studies on how supplements and lifestyle can influence sperm parameters, drawing on a recent paper in a Nature journal.

Semen analysis not only provides information on fertility but also offers insights into the overall health. The cited paper reported that sperm quality can significantly improve with basic lifestyle and dietary changes.

The study, led by Hannah Lyons, a researcher at the Robinson Research Institute and School of Biomedicine at the University of Adelaide attributed the sperm count decline to multiple factors.

These include chronic conditions such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenol A, cadmium, dioxins, and lead, and heat exposure.

Lifestyle factors, including certain medications, substance use, poor diet, and physical inactivity, can impair sperm production by disrupting hormonal regulation, damaging testicular cells, and increasing oxidative stress due to elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

High ROS levels can damage sperm DNA, compromise the membrane integrity, and reduce sperm motility. Established risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, drug abuse and excessive exercise.

Sperm quality can recover more rapidly than previously believed. In a study of 132 men with fertility issues, a 3-month micronutrient regimen, including L-carnitine (440 mg), L-arginine (250 mg), zinc (40 mg), vitamin E (120 mg), glutathione (80 mg), selenium (60 µg), coenzyme Q10 (15 mg), and folic acid (800 µg), significantly improved semen parameters. Volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, total motility, and morphology increased by 33.3%, 215.5%, 93.1%, 36.4%, and 23.0%, respectively (all P < 0.001). No improvements were observed in healthy individuals (n = 73).

In the 6 months following the intervention, the pregnancy rate among the partners of the participating men was also recorded. More pregnancies occurred in the intervention group (25.8%) than in the healthy group (15%). Although this study had some limitations, including age differences and limited risk factor data, two additional trials supported these findings. The researchers concluded that micronutrients may restore sperm production within 3 months.

A 2021 study by Markus Lipovac, PhD, also at the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide, and colleagues, evaluated 339 men who received the same micronutrient supplements along with lifestyle changes. These include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and reduced smoking and alcohol consumption.

Of these, 162 men received supplements and lifestyle guidance, whereas 177 followed lifestyle and dietary modifications. After 6 months, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and pregnancy rates were assessed. In the supplement group, DFI decreased from 10.48 to 6.51 overall and from 20.39 to 9.93 in men with DFI > 15% (P < .001). Pregnancy rates were higher with supplements: 27.78% vs 15.25% overall and 41.30% vs 22.86% in men with DFI > 15%.

The limitations of this study include missing demographic data, lack of randomisation, and lack of information on the extent of lifestyle changes.

Semen analysis may reflect the overall health of men, not just their fertility. Men with infertility or abnormal semen are at a higher risk for hospitalisation and early death. For example, men with infertility had a 26% higher risk for death (95% CI, 1.01-1.59), and men with oligo- or azoospermia had a 67% higher risk (risk ratio, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.26-2.21) than those with normal sperm counts.

Abnormal sperm parameters often reflect poor health or disease and are linked to a higher risk for cancer. Studies have shown that men with infertility have an increased risk for prostate and testicular cancer.

For more information see: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/what-your-sperm-says-about-you-2025a1000kve?ecd=wnl_tp10_daily_250807_MSCPEDIT_etid7624212&uac=48709HJ&impID=7624212
and
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40481278/
and
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34184957/

25/09/2025

Something to consider.

More controversy in the world of Autism and ADHD in recent days, following the announcement of the US Department of Health and Human Services secretary Robert Kennedy and US President Donald Trump, that the use of paracetamol/acetaminophen medications in pregnancy is linked to increase risks of Autism development in children.

The recent announcement follows an article from Harvard University in August 2025, after a new study published findings that the anti-inflammatory medication of paracetamol/acetaminophen (told as Tylenol in the US or Panadol in Aus), when taken during pregnancy can increase the risks of neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism and ADHD. The study investigated 46 other published studies on the use of paracetamol/acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental disorders, and found a link to the use of the medication, especially if the medication is taken for 4 weeks or longer.

As a result of this finding, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have now issued a statement on this, citing “considerable evidence about the potential risks” and have requested a label change for paracetamol/acetaminophen products to contain a warning about this risk. The FDA have also written to all US-based doctors to inform them of the study findings and risks.
Ironically, the US based Autism Science Foundation itself issued a public statement on this topic to dismiss the claims of a link to paracetamol/acetaminophen medications, including dismissing the recommended treatment of folinic acid (a folate supplement) for Autism/ADHD as low folate levels have been found in a number of people diagnosed with Autism/ADHD.

While Autism and ADHD are deemed as “neurodevelopmental disorders”, being of the development of the brain and nervous system, this does NOT mean that these conditions are genetic. Both Autism and ADHD have a number of root causes, and in my experience, there’s a different combination of root causes in each case of these conditions. It’s never just the one cause, nor the same cause in different people. This is why it’s been so difficult to find a scientific consensus on Autism and ADHD, because scientific studies typically only test for ONE thing at a time.

Hence there ARE published studies on the effects of the use of paracetamol/acetaminophen medications in pregnancy increasing the risks of Autism, but the published studies are inconsistent. There are also studies of the use of paracetamol/acetaminophen medications in early childhood being linked to Autism too, as well as other medications (including antibiotics, and more). Some studies show there IS a link and others show otherwise. But science is NOT about consensus, but about the QUALITY of the evidence. If even one study finds that these medications are linked to Autism and one study says it doesn’t, which one should you believe?! For the health and safety of the pregnant mother and the foetus and baby, you should err on the side of caution and avoid taking this medication in pregnancy or given to the baby or child.

Why is paracetamol/acetaminophen being used in pregnancy or childhood? This medication is a pain-reliever, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic, to reduce fevers in pregnant women and in babies and children. But despite popular beliefs of doctors and the public, fevers are not a dangerous thing! Fevers are a NATURAL immune system response to an infection, as the fever can increase body temperature to slow, stop and even kill the pathogen causing the infection as it is typically limited to a small temperature range to function. Fevers also trigger the body to make more white blood cells to fight the infection! Hence the increased body temperature in an infection can reduce the severity and duration of infections by stimulating the immune system and other defences! This is what we want, as it’s a good thing! Unfortunately, paracetamol/acetaminophen medications reduce inflammation and fevers and therefore also reduce immune system function to fight the infection… leading to a longer and more severe infection. This is insane.

There are other known root causes and factors of the development of Autism and ADHD conditions. If these causes are investigated, identified and treated, the symptoms of these conditions can reduce and even be reversed.

Stay healthy!

References:

Autism Science Foundation. (2025). ASF Statement on White House Announcement on Autism. Retrieved 25-9-25 from https://autismsciencefoundation.org/press_releases/asf-statement-wh-briefing/

Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2025). FDA Responds to Evidence of Possible Association Between Autism and Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy. Retrieved 25-9-25 from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-responds-evidence-possible-association-between-autism-and-acetaminophen-use-during-pregnancy

Harvard University. (2025). Using acetaminophen during pregnancy may increase children’s autism and ADHD risk. Retrieved 25-9-25 from https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/using-acetaminophen-during-pregnancy-may-increase-childrens-autism-and-adhd-risk/

Health and Human Services. (2025). Autism Announcement Fact Sheet. Retrieved 25-9-25 from https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/autism-announcement-fact-sheet.html

11/09/2025

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The role of environmental toxins in the development of autoimmune diseases is an area of growing scientific interest and concern. While genetic predisposition plays a key role in autoimmunity, increasing evidence suggests that environmental exposures may trigger, exacerbate or accelerate autoimmune processes in genetically susceptible individuals.

Now a large US government study has found a higher rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk in women after exposure (through farm work or as farmers' wives) to certain common insecticides and fungicides, but not most herbicides.

"In sum, our findings provide robust evidence that some insecticides may contribute to risk of developing RA in women," the researchers wrote. "Further studies are warranted especially for widely used insecticides, such as malathion, carbaryl, and pyrethroids, given ongoing residential and public health uses such as mosquito control, and residential or personal uses such as permethrin-treated clothing."

This is not the first time that agricultural chemical exposure has been linked to RA risk. Such an association was found in one analysis from the Women's Health Initiative, involving household and garden products.

In the current study, participants in the Agricultural Health Study were recruited in North Carolina and Iowa during 1993-1997, including around 32,000 women who either worked directly on farms or were farmers' spouses. They completed detailed questionnaires, which included questions about contact with 50 pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, at enrolment and at an initial follow-up conducted in 1999-2003. Additional follow-ups were performed periodically through 2021, with participants asked whether they had been diagnosed with RA or other conditions. The authors also reviewed participants' Medicare claims for RA diagnoses.

After excluding participants with insufficient data, the group compared 410 incident RA cases with 21,850 non-cases. "Ever use" of specific chemicals was counted in each of these groups. Associations between RA risk and individual chemicals were adjusted for age, state of residence, education level, smoking history, body mass index, and exposure to other "correlated" pesticides.

With these adjustments, the following pesticides had significant associations with incident RA, expressed as odds ratios (ORs):
• DDT: 1.89, 95% CI (confidence interval) 1.30-2.75
• Lindane: 1.97, 95% CI 1.12-3.47
• Coumaphos: 2.32, 95% CI 1.29-4.19
• Permethrin/pyrethroids on livestock: 1.76, 95% CI 1.16-2.69

Additionally, strong trends falling short of statistical significance were seen for malathion, carbofuran, and permethrin/pyrethroid insecticides on crops.

Among herbicides and fungicides, significant ORs were found for these products:
• Metribuzin (a herbicide): 2.74, 95% CI 1.67-4.48
• Captan: 1.78, 95% CI 1.13-2.83
• Metalaxyl: 2.49, 95% CI 1.49-4.16

Limitations to the current analysis included that pesticide exposure was self-reported and recorded only as "ever used" without quantification. Also, many individual pesticides had been used by only a handful of participants with incident RA.

For more information see: http://bit.ly/47kBBi1

08/09/2025

Oooh!

Scientists are finding that our gut health and how fast our organs age are closely connected. The gut microbiome seems to act like a mirror, reflecting how quickly or slowly the body is aging overall (PMID: 35263580). For women, researchers are also seeing links between the gut and ovarian aging, which often sets the pace for aging in other organs (PMID: 38170622).

Takeaway: The choices you make every day to nourish your gut, such as eating a variety of colorful, fiber-rich plant foods, managing stress, and getting good sleep, may not only support digestion but also influence how gracefully you age.

08/09/2025

How true! Simple changes to diet and lifestyle have profound influences on our health.

I’m often asked about how to reach optimal health or focus on longevity. These goals do not happen overnight. They are rooted in the foundation of everyday basics. Many people I meet are still working on essentials like eating a nutrient-dense diet, adding more color to their plate with the rainbow of foods, or simply remembering to stay hydrated. As an example, about 85% of the world’s population still falls short on omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for countless functions in the body.

The bottom line is that it is not about chasing the latest shiny trend. It is about showing up for the small, consistent practices that add up over time.

In much the same way, spiritual growth or what may be referred to as "enlightenment" does not come all at once. Just like prayer, meditation, or reflection, the deeper states unfold when we honor the basics day after day...

08/09/2025

The root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, also known as Dan Shen, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb widely used for cardiovascular, hepatic and metabolic disorders. In recent decades, it has drawn attention in biomedical research for the above clinical applications, with many clinical trials supporting its efficacy, albeit often after administration by injection in Chinese research.

Research on Dan Shen is also revealing some unexpected uses. Following preclinical work that suggested a possible benefit in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a group of Korean scientists decided to test its activity as a remedy for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in older men via a placebo-controlled clinical trial.

This was a multicentre, randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a Dan Shen dried extract in 136 men (average age around 63 years) with (LUTS) over a 12-week period. The men were randomised to receive either 400 mg or 800 mg of the herbal extract or a placebo daily, orally. The primary outcome was the change in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Secondary outcomes included changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), testosterone levels, urinary flow rate, residual urine volume, and erectile function as measured by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).

Both Dan Shen groups showed statistically significant and substantial improvements in total IPSS scores, and several secondary outcomes compared with the placebo group. Notable improvements were observed in symptoms of incomplete emptying, frequency, intermittency, weak stream, urgency, nocturia and quality of life scores.

Erectile function, as assessed by the IIEF, also significantly improved, especially in the 400 mg intake group. No significant differences were found in PSA or testosterone levels. There were no serious adverse events leading to discontinuation of the herb.

Insufficient information was provided regarding the preparation of the extract, but the 400 mg dose probably correlates to at least 2.5 g of original root. This is a very useful addition to our knowledge of how to manage BPH and LUTS with medicinal plants.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39796461/

21/07/2025

Care is needed with iron supplements and infusions particularly in pregnancy. 👶