Health News & Info

Melatonin has long been regarded as a safe and natural aid for improving sleep. However, two recent pieces of research are raising important questions about its long-term use in both adults and children. New Findings on Heart Health in AdultsPreliminary research presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025 found that adults with chronic insomnia who used melatonin for at least one year had a significantly higher risk of developing heart failure over the following five years compared with similar insomnia sufferers who did not use melatonin. The study analysed more than 130,000 adults from the TriNetX global health-records...

Could less sugar in infancy help protect against cancer, dementia and even ageing decades later?Most parents and grandparents know that too much sugar isn't good for children. It can contribute to tooth decay, poor eating habits and unwanted weight gain. But what if the effects of sugar in early childhood went much further than that? What if the amount of sugar a child consumes before their second birthday could influence their health 50, 60 or even 70 years later? Remarkably, new research suggests exactly that. Scientists studying a unique period in British history have discovered that people exposed to lower levels...

For more than three decades, healthcare professionals around the world have advised women planning a pregnancy to take folic acid supplements. This recommendation has dramatically reduced the incidence of neural tube defects—serious congenital abnormalities affecting the developing brain and spinal cord. While the protective effects of folic acid have long been recognised, new research is expanding our understanding of how this essential nutrient works and highlighting the equally important role of vitamin B12 and paternal nutrition in supporting healthy foetal development. A recent prospective cohort study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine provides compelling evidence that the nutritional status...

We recently withdrew a batch of our FibrePlan product from sale due to a technical regulatory non-compliance. Importantly, there was no identified risk to consumer health. However, the batch exceeded the legal limit for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) established per kilogram of botanical preparations, including extracts used in foods and food supplements. The situation prompted me to reflect on a broader principle that lies at the heart of toxicology and risk assessment. When I was a child, my grandmother made what I still consider the finest apricot jam I have ever tasted. During apricot season, the kitchen would be filled with...