Anca Vereen Integrative Dietitian, Counsellor, Nutrigenomics Lecturer

24/01/2026

24/01/2026

“We know more about space than the underground,” says Dr Toby Kiers.

Through her research on fungal networks in soil, she’s working to change that.

Kiers, an evolutionary biologist at Amsterdam’s Vrije University, has been awarded the 2026 Tyler Prize – the so-called Nobel Prize for the environment.

The organizers say Kiers has been honored for her “transformative research on the importance of mycorrhizal fungi in underground carbon flows, biodiversity, and climate resilience”.

Kiers’ work has shed light on the role these underground networks play in sustaining life on Earth, and has helped create an “underground atlas” of this much overlooked world.

Not only are fungi at the heart of healthy ecosystems, they also help our soil to absorb huge amounts of carbon – about a third of global fossil fuel emissions – that would otherwise pollute the air and drive climate change.

But if left unprotected, we risk losing these networks, which could lead to the collapse of ecosystems and even more intense changes to our climate.

Through her nonprofit organization, Kiers is now focusing on giving scientists the tools and practical knowledge to influence policy and use the legal system to better protect fungi.

As a winner of the $250,000 Tyler Prize, Kiers joins the likes of chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall, Argentine biodiversity expert Sandra Díaz, and Sweden’s Johan Rockström, who pioneered the concept of planetary boundaries.

The prize is administered by the University of Southern California.

Photo: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

24/01/2026

Recent study raising concern about cosmetic safety has found that cadmium was present in all lipstick brands and colors tested. Cadmium is a heavy metal that the body does not need and cannot easily eliminate. Even small, repeated exposures can build up over time and place stress on vital organs. Because lipstick is applied close to the mouth, trace amounts can be unintentionally ingested, making long-term exposure a serious consideration.

Cadmium has been linked to kidney and lung damage, as these organs work hardest to filter and process toxins. It can weaken bones by interfering with calcium metabolism, increasing the risk of fractures and loss of bone density. Hormone disruption is another major concern, as cadmium can mimic or block natural hormones, potentially affecting reproductive health and overall balance in the body.

The nervous system is also vulnerable. Prolonged exposure may interfere with nerve signaling, leading to cognitive, sensory, or motor issues over time. Perhaps most alarming is cadmium’s association with cancer, as it has been shown to damage DNA and promote cellular changes that increase cancer risk.

This does not mean lipstick must be avoided entirely, but it highlights the importance of being selective. Choosing brands that conduct independent testing, use cleaner formulations, and avoid heavy metal contamination can reduce potential exposure. Awareness empowers safer choices.

08/01/2026

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

05/01/2026

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.

28/09/2025

Sunday chill with my neighbours