Foreman & Jones - Natural Health Practice

19/11/2025

Interesting!

Could the answer to the current allergy epidemic in our children be as simple as feeding them blueberries? A rigorously run infant RCT suggests that adding blueberries as one of the first solids may nudge immune balance in an anti-allergic direction and help allergy-type symptoms settle during the first year—while also shifting the gut microbiome in potentially favourable ways.

The first year of life is a critical window for establishing immune competence and preventing allergic diseases. Dietary exposures during this period can influence the induction of immune tolerance, epigenetic programming, and gut microbial succession.

In a double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled feeding trial in Denver, USA, exclusively breast-fed infants (n=61, start age 5–6 months) received freeze-dried blueberry powder (10 g/day) or an isocaloric, colour/flavour-matched placebo until 12 months of age.

The blueberry group started out with more respiratory/allergy-like symptoms at baseline yet showed a greater resolution over time vs placebo (trajectory p=0.05). Immune biomarkers: IL-13 (pro-allergic/Th2 response) fell significantly with blueberries (p=0.035); IL-10 (anti-inflammatory/regulatory) trended up (p=0.052). However, the changes in these cytokines could not directly explain symptom changes. However, specific gut microbiome changes at 12 months correlated with the cytokine changes, hinting at gut-immune crosstalk.

In a companion paper in the same cohort, blueberry introduction altered gut microbiota composition/diversity (trends toward higher alpha diversity; increases in short-chain fatty acid-associated genera such as Subdoligranulum/Butyricicoccus and reductions in potentially unfavourable organisms such as Escherichia/Streptococcus).

The findings align with broader evidence showing that diverse, fibre- and polyphenol-rich complementary diets plus early allergen introduction help shape the gut-immune axis toward tolerance.

For more information see: https://bit.ly/4i7mr2M
and
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40944184/

05/11/2025

We use Genova Diagnostics for in-depth stool testing. For more information check out https://www.gdx.net/products/gi-effects

05/11/2025

This week, Becky and Ben are joined by medical herbalist and reflexologist Jodie, who shares a holistic perspective on fertility, blending her professional wisdom with her own personal IVF story. 💚
It’s an episode full of empathy, honesty and hope.

🎧 Tune in now to Fertility Spotlight – available wherever you get your podcasts!

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30/10/2025

Thank you to Becky and Ben for inviting me to join them on their fabulous Podcast…..

Podcast Episode · Becky & Ben's Fertility Spotlight · 30/10/2025 · 20m

30/10/2025

Looking forward to trying these and stocking them going forward

12/08/2025

12/08/2025

29/04/2025

We have been delighted to welcome Paula Gardner- Psychotherapist and Counsellor. Paula is a Psychotherapist working with individuals and couples around relationships. Patients have commented on her kind, patient and non judgemental approach.
Contact her directly to make an appointment

13/03/2025

Glycerol is often used to create the slush effect. But in high quantities, especially to small children, glycerol can cause shock, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and loss of consciousness.

That’s why current advice says slushies with glycerol are not recommended for children under five. And, older children should be limited to just one slush a day.

But slushies have been back in the news this week, with new research suggesting the age threshold may need to be even higher.

Learn more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0l196l2k8ko

12/03/2025

I am not a fan of sweeteners!