Anca Vereen Integrative Dietitian, Counsellor, Nutrigenomics Lecturer

31/12/2025

Yum! 🤤

28/12/2025

🚨 New Study Highlights Critical Nuance in Plant-Based Diets and Cardiovascular Health

A recent longitudinal study published in The Lancet Regional Health-Europe provides important insights into the relationship between plant-based eating and heart disease risk, emphasizing that food processing levels play a pivotal role.

Researchers analyzed data from over 63,800 French adults in the NutriNet-Santé cohort, tracking dietary patterns, nutritional quality, and health outcomes over an average of nine years.

Using the NOVA classification system, they distinguished between minimally processed and ultra-processed foods.

Key findings:

• Diets rich in healthy, minimally processed plant-based foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes) were associated with a 44% lower risk of coronary heart disease and up to 40% reduced overall cardiovascular disease risk compared to diets lower in these foods.

• In contrast, diets high in unhealthy, ultra-processed plant-based foods (e.g., plant-based meats, ready meals, packaged snacks with additives) showed a 46% higher risk of coronary heart disease and 38% increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Lead author Clémentine Prioux of Sorbonne University stated: "Our findings reinforce the necessity of advocating not only for a reduction in animal products but also encouraging the consumption of minimally processed plant-based foods to improve cardiovascular health."

The study underscores that cardiovascular benefits from plant-based diets depend on three factors: the plant-animal balance, nutritional quality, and degree of processing.

Diets incorporating some minimally processed animal products showed similar risk profiles to healthy plant-based ones when processing was low.

These results align with growing evidence that ultra-processed foods, regardless of plant origin, may undermine heart health due to additives, refined ingredients, and nutrient degradation.

For optimal cardiovascular prevention, prioritize whole, minimally processed foods.

🔗 Read the full study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101470

23/12/2025

A 2019 study published in the journal Environmental Research titled, “Organic diet intervention significantly reduces urinary pesticide levels in U.S. children and adults” highlighted that diet is the primary source of pesticide exposure in both children and adults in the United States. It found that an organic diet significantly reduced neonicotinoid, OP pyrethroid, 2,4-D exposure, with the greatest reduction observed in malathion, clothianidin, and chlorpyrifos.

The researchers noted that all of us are exposed “to a cocktail of toxic synthetic pesticides linked to a range of health problems from our daily diets.” They explain how “certified organic food is produced without these pesticides,” and ask the question, “Can eating organic really reduce levels of pesticides in our bodies?” They tested four American families that don’t typically eat organic food to find out. All pesticides detected in the body dropped an average of 60.5% after just six days on an organic diet.

21/12/2025

Polyester is a synthetic plastic fiber worn in constant contact with the skin, and scientists are taking a closer look at how this exposure may influence human health. Many synthetic fabrics contain chemical additives such as phthalates, substances already linked to disruptions in hormonal balance.

Researchers believe potential fertility effects may result from both chemical and physical mechanisms. As polyester fibers degrade, they can release microplastics that remain in close contact with the skin and may enter the body through prolonged, repeated exposure.

Static electricity is another area of growing interest. Polyester naturally generates continuous electrostatic charges, and early research suggests these low-level fields could subtly affect biological processes when exposure occurs over long periods.

Animal studies, including research involving dogs, have shown reduced fertility after extended exposure to polyester garments, with normal fertility returning once the material was removed. Although direct evidence in humans remains limited, these findings raise important questions about the long-term biological impact of everyday synthetic materials.

21/12/2025

For too long, societal expectations have downplayed the immense physical, emotional, and mental toll that pregnancy and childbirth take on a woman’s body. New studies reveal a critical truth: it takes a woman 1-2 years to fully recover from pregnancy, not just six weeks. This timeline challenges conventional wisdom and calls attention to the need for greater support and understanding for new mothers. The idea that women can “bounce back” in just a few weeks ignores the complexity of the postpartum experience and the deep recovery required after childbirth.

The reality of postpartum recovery is multifaceted, involving more than just physical healing. Emotional and mental health are just as important, with many women experiencing challenges such as postpartum depression, anxiety, and the overwhelming demands of new motherhood. The one-to-two-year recovery period underscores the need for holistic care that addresses both the body and mind, recognizing the profound changes that women undergo during this time.

This shift in understanding also calls for a societal change in how we view and support women during this critical period. Recovery from pregnancy is not just a private matter—it is a collective responsibility. From healthcare policies to workplace accommodations, society must be equipped to support women through their recovery, ensuring they receive the care they need to heal physically and emotionally.

As we redefine the recovery process, it is crucial to dismantle the pressures that women face to “return to normal” so quickly after childbirth. Instead, we must recognize and celebrate the immense strength it takes for women to navigate their post-pregnancy journey and prioritize long-term health over short-term expectations.

This new understanding challenges us to create more inclusive and supportive environments for women, not just in the immediate postpartum period, but throughout their entire recovery journey. By acknowledging the reality of postpartum recovery, we pave the way for a more compassionate and equitable approach to women’s health.

What changes can we make to support new mothers in their recovery? How can we shift societal expectations to create a more realistic and compassionate view of postpartum healing? Share your thoughts and experiences with us, and let’s work together to create a more supportive world for women everywhere.

04/12/2025

11/11/2025

28/09/2025

Sunday chill with my neighbours

27/09/2025

If only the entire world would demonstrate the same intelligence!!! Here’s to hoping ! Well done guys!

"I don’t think we’re pandering to the conspiracy theorists."

15/09/2025

Voted no 1 best dietitian in melbourne ... yet again... nice to get the recognition thats aligned with the type of holistic and root cause focused work that I do.

Finding the right nutritionist can make a world of difference when it comes to your health and well-being. Whether you're looking to improve your diet, manage

08/09/2025

A new type of diabetes

A new form of diabetes, Type 3c Diabetes Mellitus (T3cDM), has now been officially recognized in the medical community.

This type of diabetes differs from the more common Type 1 and Type 2 forms and results from diseases or injuries to the pancreas, such as chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic surgery, or pancreatic cancer.

Unlike Type 1 (autoimmune) or Type 2 (linked to insulin resistance), Type 3c stems from pancreatic dysfunction, affecting both blood sugar regulation and digestion.

Despite affecting a significant number of patients, T3c has often been misdiagnosed as Type 2 diabetes, leading to inappropriate treatment.

Proper diagnosis is crucial, as T3c patients often require both insulin therapy and enzyme replacement therapy to manage the dual loss of pancreatic function.

The recognition of this distinct diabetes type is important because it ensures more accurate diagnosis, tailored treatment, and better health outcomes.

Additionally, this acknowledgment highlights the need for greater awareness among healthcare providers, as many cases of pancreatic diabetes go unrecognized or are treated ineffectively under the umbrella of more familiar diabetes types.

There’s also emerging but still debated discussion in neuroscience regarding “Type 3 diabetes” as a term describing insulin resistance in the brain, potentially linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

While compelling, this connection hasn’t been fully endorsed as a clinical classification yet.