Latest news with #MonashUniversity
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
What is a low FODMAP diet and can it really fix your gut issues?
A quiet revolution seems to be happening at the dinner table, not marked by exotic fruits or vegetables or flashy labels, but by what's being taken off the plate. In recent years, the low-FODMAP diet has surged in popularity. Especially among people desperate to solve their ongoing digestive woes. But is this elimination-based diet any good? Can it actually help heal an inflamed, uncooperative gut? Science behind the diet isn't new, but it's becoming more mainstream. FODMAPs are short for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols. These are a group of carbohydrates that ferment in your digestive tract. In plain terms, these are types of sugars and fibers that don't always break down well in the small intestine, especially for people with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). They pass through partially digested, drawing water with them, and eventually land in your colon where the resident microbes feast, producing gas, acids, and for some people, misery. The result is bloating, cramping, and frequent bathroom visits. According to researchers at Monash University, the team that developed the low-FODMAP framework, removing these fermentable carbs can reduce symptoms in roughly 3 out of 4 people with IBS. Their studies have shown significant relief in bloating, abdominal pain, and irregular stool patterns when patients followed the diet under supervision. Deeper look at FODMAPs To understand why this diet is gaining traction, it helps to know what's actually being restricted. FODMAPs include: Oligosaccharides: Found in wheat, garlic, onions, legumes—essentially prebiotics that feed gut bacteria. Disaccharides: Mainly lactose, the sugar in milk and dairy. Monosaccharides: Fructose, the simple sugar in certain fruits. Polyols: Sugar alcohols found both naturally (in apples, stone fruits) and artificially (in sugar-free gum or mints). Each of these groups can cause a unique reaction in sensitive guts, which is why this isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. For instance, someone might tolerate dairy fine but react violently to a lentil stew or a slice of garlic bread. Who needs it? Not everyone needs to go on this diet. For a healthy digestive system, fermentable carbs are a good thing. Feeding gut bacteria isn't just natural; it's vital for immunity and long-term health. However, for individuals with sensitive or inflamed intestines, the normal fermentation process can lead to the overproduction of gas and water. This, in turn, can stretch the gut wall and trigger pain receptors. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, a low-FODMAP diet is particularly helpful in managing IBS and SIBO. It's typically done in three phases: elimination, reintroduction, and personalization. However, experts emphasize that the idea is not to ban these foods completely but to identify personal triggers and expand your diet as much as possible without symptoms. What can you eat? Low-FODMAP doesn't mean low variety. In fact, many common and enjoyable foods remain on the menu. Some safe bets include: Proteins: Eggs, tofu, firm cheeses, plain meats. Fruits: Grapes, oranges, kiwi, unripe bananas. Vegetables: Zucchini, carrots, spinach, bell peppers. Grains: Rice, oats, quinoa, gluten-free breads made without high-FODMAP flours. But there are nuances too. For example, a ripe banana is high in fructose, but a slightly green one may be fine in moderate amounts. Similarly, avocado is only low-FODMAP if you stick to a tablespoon or two. Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any diet, including low-FODMAP.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists make key breakthrough that could save staple foods from worsening crisis: 'This will revolutionize the way we think about agriculture'
Scientists make key breakthrough that could save staple foods from worsening crisis: 'This will revolutionize the way we think about agriculture' An international team led by researchers from Monash University in Australia has developed a new model for thermosensing plants that redefines previously held theories about how plants sense and respond to temperature. Their findings, published in the journal Science, explain that instead of using a single "thermometer" to sense temperature, like humans do, plants have a decentralized genetic network of proteins and biological processes. A changing climate has already affected crop yields and plant health, which makes this shift in perspective about how plants deal with temperature shifts extremely useful. "Understanding how plants naturally integrate temperature into their growth and defence systems opens the door to precision breeding and AI-assisted approaches to enhance crop resilience," said lead researcher Professor Sureshkumar Balasubramanian. "Effectively, this means we can grow designer crops that are tailored to the local climate of a particular region." A United Nations report has warned that in the next 30 years, food supplies and food security could be threatened by the negative impacts of a warming planet. Action needs to be taken to mitigate the effects and bolster the food system's resilience. There have been various advancements in helping plants deal with these climate shifts, including using zinc to protect plants from heat and slowing down the plant aging process through genetic engineering. Around a decade's worth of research into farming practices has shown that reduced tilling and more varied crops can help soil retain more nitrogen, which is essential to growth. Sorghum, which is a naturally resistant cereal grain, is being studied to better understand its molecular structure, which could help improve breeding practices for other plants. The results of this new comprehensive review about how plants sense temperatures can offer solutions to a broad range of plant species across different regions. This could help farmers breed resilient crops specifically tailored to their locality. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Now that we have been able to identify exactly which elements within the plants are temperature-responsive, we can genetically manipulate them with greater accuracy," said Dr Sridevi Sureshkumar. "We can determine the specific combinations of manipulations that can produce bespoke solutions. Think of it like personalised medicine but for plants; this will revolutionize the way we think about agriculture moving forward." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
How the cost-of-living crisis is making younger Aussies ditch expensive alcohol for a deadly drug
Overdoses related to the deadly 'don't wake up' drug have skyrocketed among Australians in recent years as some fear financial pressures may be pushing young people towards hard substances. Gamma hydroxybutyrate, better known as GHB, is being used by an increasingly large number of younger Aussies. Many believe its low cost, accessibility, and mind-altering effects are making it an increasingly popular alternative to alcohol. The drug has attracted global attention due to the notoriously small margin of error between the amount used for an average recreational dosage and an overdose. The effects - relaxation, sociability, euphoria and an increased sex drive - can be felt within 15 minutes. But, even a slight overdose of the drug can prove fatal. The number of GHB-related ambulance callouts has surged across Australia in recent years according to new research from Monash University and Turning Point. Victoria is the national capital for GHB-related ambulance attendances, with 65.8 attendances per 100,000 people in 2023. It represented a 67 per cent increase from the year prior, following a 147 per cen t increase across the state between 2012 and 2019. Attendances also spiked in Tasmania, increasing by 346 per cent between 2022 and 2023. Reformed ice dealer Braiden Tonks recently told Daily Mail Australia GHB was on the rise nationwide for its sought-after side-effects. 'It just slows your heart right down, puts you into a completely relaxed state where your heart will just slowly beat and just slowly just stop, that's how you die from it,' he said. 'It's not like an instant bang of being stabbed, I'm dead. It's just slow, just like, go to sleep, don't wake up.' Young people are more likely both to abuse the drug and to require emergency help following GHB use. Affordability aside, some believe financial pressures are contributing to an appetite for harder substances. Canberra emergency consulant Dr David Caldicott told ABC News its promise of 'escape' from reality was more influential than its afforability. 'I think young people are looking for an escape from what really does not appear to be a very attractive future for them,' he said. 'I think that's probably a considerably more important element than the cost.' Uncover Mental Health Counselling founder and psychotherapist Kristie Tse said financial pressures were engendering a 'need for relief'. 'One of the biggest drivers is the desire to escape or cope with stress, which has been exacerbated by rising financial pressures and uncertainty about the future,' she told NewsWire. 'The cost of living plays into this, as financial strain can lead to heightened anxiety and a need for relief, which some may seek through substance use.' One Touch finance founder Maria Rosey told NewsWire cost-of-living pressures can create circumstances where substance use is seen as more acceptable. 'As money stress becomes more common, so does the acceptance of substances as coping mechanisms,' she said. 'The increase in GHB use during the money crisis shows us that substance use problems can't be solved by focusing only on the substances themselves. 'We need to address the conditions that make people turn to substances in the first place.'
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Worrying party trend on the rise
Monash University has reported a worrying increase in GHB usage among young people in Australia, particularly across Victoria and Tasmania, indicating a worrying trend as the cost-of-living crunch continues to cripple the nation. In conjunction with Turning Point, a report from Monash University revealed a startling spike in GHB-related ambulance call-outs among Australians aged between 25 and 34 in the past three years. GHB-related ambulance call-outs are on the rise in Victoria and Tasmania, new research suggests. Credit: News Corp Australia Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, better known as GHB, is a party drug that was originally intended as an anaesthetic, targeting the central nervous system and causing feelings of distress, confusion, vomiting and blackouts. Frequently presented as a tasteless and odourless liquid, it's commonly used in drink spiking and, due to its high dosage and undetectable nature, can be fatal. Turning Point National Addiction and Mental Health Surveillance Unit strategic lead and Monash University researcher Rowan Ogeil said it would only take a small amount of the drug to lead to an overdose. 'The difference between the amount to reach the desired effect and an overdose can be very small,' he said. 'Our research team has previously shown that this leads to high rates of overdose or loss of consciousness in GHB users.' Young people are more likely to take party drugs than older generations. Credit: Supplied According to the study, there has been a 67 per cent increase in GHB-related ambulance call-outs in Victoria between 2022 and 2023. While areas in Melbourne such as the Stonnington and Yarra regions – which are home to Chapel St and its stretch of nightclubs – have some of the highest rates of GHB-related ambulance call-outs, Geelong now accounts for 31 per cent of all GHB-related ambulance attendances. The study found the number of GHB-related ambulance call-outs had increased tenfold in the span of five years across Geelong, expanding from 20 incidents in 2018 to 200 in 2023. GHB-related ambulance call-outs also spiked in Tasmania, with the Apple Isle reporting a 346 per cent increase between 2022 and 2023. Dr Ogeil added that young people were largely the subjects of the call-outs. 'Our research has found that it is young people who are most affected,' he told NewsWire. 'In our study, people under 30 were more likely to require emergency help from paramedics following GHB use.' As the cost-of-living crisis continues to ravage the country, an increasing number of young Australians are finding cheaper ways to enjoy themselves on a night out. According to Drinkwise, 65 per cent of Gen Z want to drink less alcohol, with almost 23 per cent choosing to stay away from the bottle altogether. However, young Australians are also more likely to partake in casual party drugs than other generations, according to the Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Uncover Mental Health Counselling founder and psychotherapist Kristie Tse said there were many reasons young people were turning away from alcohol and towards party drugs, including anxiety triggered by rising costs. 'One of the biggest drivers is the desire to escape or cope with stress, which has been exacerbated by rising financial pressures and uncertainty about the future,' she said. 'The cost of living plays into this, as financial strain can lead to heightened anxiety and a need for relief, which some may seek through substance use.' Penny-pinching partygoers may be turning away from alcohol and heading to cheaper – and in many cases, more dangerous – methods for a night out on the town. 'However, the risks are significant, and what often starts as a way to momentarily escape or enhance an experience can spiral into dependency or harm,' Ms Tse warned. GHB is a drug often used in social settings, and is commonly used to spike drinks. Credit: Supplied One Touch finance founder Maria Rosey said the cost-of-living crisis may be driving young people toward alternative ways of seeking a 'buzz'. 'As money stress becomes more common, so does the acceptance of substances as coping mechanisms,' she said. 'This normalisation happens through social media, peer groups, and cultural messaging that frames substance use as a reasonable response to unreasonable circumstances. 'The increase in GHB use during the money crisis shows us that substance use problems can't be solved by focusing only on the substances themselves. 'We need to address the conditions that make people turn to substances in the first place.' Better knowledge of drug safety can also be found prominently on social media, which Ms Rosey said may sway younger generations towards swapping out drinks for party drugs, including GHB. 'This generation has grown up with easy access to information about substances through the internet,' she told NewsWire. 'They know way more about dosages, drug interactions, and staying safe than older generations did. This knowledge makes them feel safer and more in control, but that feeling might be false.' Despite young people having better information at their disposal, Dr Ogeil said the increase in GHB-related ambulance calls signified a lack of harm-reduction services. 'These patterns show us where and when people need support most,' he said. 'Rather than waiting for emergency situations, we need accessible harm-reduction services that can engage with people before harms escalate.' Drinking/substance abuse helplines
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Calls for action after spike in GHB-related ambulance call-outs among young Australians
Monash University has reported a worrying increase in GHB usage among young people in Australia, particularly across Victoria and Tasmania, indicating a worrying trend as the cost-of-living crunch continues to cripple the nation. In conjunction with Turning Point, a report from Monash University revealed a startling spike in GHB-related ambulance call-outs among Australians aged between 25 and 34 in the past three years. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, better known as GHB, is a party drug that was originally intended as an anaesthetic, targeting the central nervous system and causing feelings of distress, confusion, vomiting and blackouts. Frequently presented as a tasteless and odourless liquid, it's commonly used in drink spiking and, due to its high dosage and undetectable nature, can be fatal. Turning Point National Addiction and Mental Health Surveillance Unit strategic lead and Monash University researcher Rowan Ogeil said it would only take a small amount of the drug to lead to an overdose. 'The difference between the amount to reach the desired effect and an overdose can be very small,' he said. 'Our research team has previously shown that this leads to high rates of overdose or loss of consciousness in GHB users.' According to the study, there has been a 67 per cent increase in GHB-related ambulance call-outs in Victoria between 2022 and 2023. While areas in Melbourne such as the Stonnington and Yarra regions – which are home to Chapel St and its stretch of nightclubs – have some of the highest rates of GHB-related ambulance call-outs, Geelong now accounts for 31 per cent of all GHB-related ambulance attendances. The study found the number of GHB-related ambulance call-outs had increased tenfold in the span of five years across Geelong, expanding from 20 incidents in 2018 to 200 in 2023. GHB-related ambulance call-outs also spiked in Tasmania, with the Apple Isle reporting a 346 per cent increase between 2022 and 2023. Dr Ogeil added that young people were largely the subjects of the call-outs. 'Our research has found that it is young people who are most affected,' he told NewsWire. 'In our study, people under 30 were more likely to require emergency help from paramedics following GHB use.' As the cost-of-living crisis continues to ravage the country, an increasing number of young Australians are finding cheaper ways to enjoy themselves on a night out. According to Drinkwise, 65 per cent of Gen Z want to drink less alcohol, with almost 23 per cent choosing to stay away from the bottle altogether. However, young Australians are also more likely to partake in casual party drugs than other generations, according to the Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Uncover Mental Health Counselling founder and psychotherapist Kristie Tse said there were many reasons young people were turning away from alcohol and towards party drugs, including anxiety triggered by rising costs. 'One of the biggest drivers is the desire to escape or cope with stress, which has been exacerbated by rising financial pressures and uncertainty about the future,' she said. 'The cost of living plays into this, as financial strain can lead to heightened anxiety and a need for relief, which some may seek through substance use.' Penny-pinching partygoers may be turning away from alcohol and heading to cheaper – and in many cases, more dangerous – methods for a night out on the town. 'However, the risks are significant, and what often starts as a way to momentarily escape or enhance an experience can spiral into dependency or harm,' Ms Tse warned. One Touch finance founder Maria Rosey said the cost-of-living crisis may be driving young people toward alternative ways of seeking a 'buzz'. 'As money stress becomes more common, so does the acceptance of substances as coping mechanisms,' she said. 'This normalisation happens through social media, peer groups, and cultural messaging that frames substance use as a reasonable response to unreasonable circumstances. 'The increase in GHB use during the money crisis shows us that substance use problems can't be solved by focusing only on the substances themselves. 'We need to address the conditions that make people turn to substances in the first place.' Better knowledge of drug safety can also be found prominently on social media, which Ms Rosey said may sway younger generations towards swapping out drinks for party drugs, including GHB. 'This generation has grown up with easy access to information about substances through the internet,' she told NewsWire. 'They know way more about dosages, drug interactions, and staying safe than older generations did. This knowledge makes them feel safer and more in control, but that feeling might be false.' Despite young people having better information at their disposal, Dr Ogeil said the increase in GHB-related ambulance calls signified a lack of harm-reduction services. 'These patterns show us where and when people need support most,' he said. 'Rather than waiting for emergency situations, we need accessible harm-reduction services that can engage with people before harms escalate.'
