Mindd Foundation

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Mindd Foundation

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MINDD Foundation promotes an integrative approach to healthcare for the whole family with a focus on Functional Medicine, nutrition, neuro-development and allied therapies.

03/09/2026

Mycotoxins can enter the body through contaminated food—and may also be relevant to exposure to mould in indoor environments 🦠

More than 500 mycotoxins have been identified—these toxic compounds are produced by certain species of fungi (moulds), with food considered the primary source of human exposure. Contamination can occur throughout the food supply chain, with crops such as maize and peanuts particularly susceptible.

A recent review explored what we know about mycotoxins, their potential health effects and strategies for reducing exposure. Children may be particularly vulnerable due to their developing immune, nervous and endocrine systems and greater exposure relative to body size.

Mycotoxins may also be relevant to indoor mould exposure. Damp and mouldy environments can release spores, allergens and other biological particles, while some mould species can produce mycotoxins. Indoor dampness and mould are associated with respiratory and allergic responses.

Because mycotoxins can be difficult to remove once contamination occurs, prevention—from agricultural practices and storage to food processing and addressing indoor dampness and mould—remains important.

Read the full article, and share this post to help raise awareness about mould, mycotoxins and human health.

🔗 https://mindd.org/research/10-3390-foods10061279/

27/08/2026

Could compounds naturally found in cocoa help support healthy ageing?

A new observational study found that higher blood levels of theobromine—a naturally occurring phytochemical found in cocoa—were associated with slower biological ageing, as measured by epigenetic markers. The findings were consistent across two independent study populations, suggesting theobromine may play a unique role in cellular ageing.

Phytochemicals are plant compounds that have been linked to benefits such as reducing inflammation, supporting heart health and promoting healthy ageing. While these findings are promising, more research is needed to determine whether increasing dietary theobromine intake can directly influence ageing-related health outcomes.

Read the full article on our site: https://mindd.org/research/10-18632-aging-206344/

26/08/2026

Spending time in nature may do more than lift your mood—it could change the way your brain functions.

A recent randomized controlled trial found that viewing natural environments increased positive emotions and feelings of energy while reducing brain connectivity linked to emotional distress and negative emotional processing. Compared with urban environments, nature appeared to promote emotional restoration through measurable changes in brain activity.

Researchers believe these benefits may be explained by two key theories: Stress Reduction Theory, which suggests nature helps calm the body's stress response, and Attention Restoration Theory, which proposes that natural environments help the brain recover from mental fatigue.

Whether it's a walk through the park, time at the beach or simply enjoying more green space, connecting with nature may be a simple yet powerful way to support mental wellbeing.

🔗 Read the full article: https://mindd.org/research/10-3389-fpsyg-2023-1171215/

24/08/2026

Could zinc play a protective role in heart health?

A recent review highlights the important role of zinc in regulating inflammation, oxidative stress and immune function—all processes closely linked to cardiovascular health.

Zinc supports the body's antioxidant defences, helps maintain glutathione levels and regulates inflammatory pathways. Because the heart has a high oxygen demand, it is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress, and inadequate zinc availability may contribute to inflammation and cellular damage.

Experimental research also suggests that zinc may help protect heart cells following injury, raising interest in its potential role in inflammatory cardiac conditions such as myocarditis and pericarditis. However, further clinical research is needed to determine whether zinc supplementation can improve outcomes in these conditions.
Overall, maintaining adequate zinc status may be an important part of supporting cardiovascular health through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects.

🔗 Head to our website to read the full article: https://mindd.org/research/10-1093-mtomcs-mfag004/

22/08/2026

Did you know your gut bacteria help regulate your immune system?

A recent review highlights how beneficial gut microbes transform dietary amino acids—including tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine—into compounds that act as messengers between the gut and the immune system. These metabolites help regulate inflammation, support immune balance and protect the intestinal lining.

When the gut microbiome becomes disrupted, these important signalling pathways may also be affected, potentially contributing to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and infections. Researchers suggest that dietary strategies, probiotics and other microbiome-based therapies may one day help support immune health, although more human research is needed.

🔗 Read the full article on our website: https://mindd.org/research/10-1038-s41423-026-01435-6/

What do you do to support your gut health? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag someone who would find this research interesting.

20/08/2026

Not all dairy products may have the same relationship with long-term brain health.
A prospective study following 27,670 adults for a median of 25 years found that higher consumption of high-fat cheese and cream was associated with a lower risk of dementia.

Compared with consuming less than 15g of high-fat cheese per day, eating at least 50g per day was associated with a 13% lower risk of all-cause dementia and a 29% lower risk of vascular dementia. Higher consumption of high-fat cream was also associated with a 16% lower risk of all-cause dementia.

Interestingly, low-fat cheese and cream, milk, yoghurt and other fermented milk, and butter were not associated with dementia risk, suggesting that associations may differ considerably between dairy products.

🔗 Read the full article: https://mindd.org/research/10-1212-wnl-0000000000214343/

Does this research change the way you think about full-fat dairy? Share your thoughts in the comments or send this post to someone interested in nutrition and brain health.

18/08/2026

Can something as simple as changing the way you breathe help reduce stress?

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that breathwork was associated with a small to moderate reduction in self-reported stress compared with no intervention. Participants also experienced improvements in symptoms of anxiety and depression, suggesting breathwork may support overall mental wellbeing.

Breathwork includes a variety of controlled breathing techniques designed to influence the mind and body. While research in this area is still emerging, these findings suggest it may be an effective, low-cost tool to support mental health alongside other healthy lifestyle practices.

🔗 Read the full article: https://mindd.org/research/10-1038-s41598-022-27247-y/

Have you tried breathwork? Share your experience in the comments or tag someone who could benefit from the practice.

17/08/2026

A balanced diet may support better brain health, cognitive function and mental wellbeing.

A large UK study examining dietary preferences found that people who preferred a balanced variety of foods—including fruits, vegetables, starches, and animal and plant proteins—consistently demonstrated better mental health and cognitive performance than those following other dietary patterns.

Researchers identified four dietary preference patterns: reduced-starch, vegetarian, high-protein and low-fibre, and balanced. Differences were also observed in brain structure, blood and metabolic markers, and genetics, with some dietary patterns associated with lower grey matter volume in specific brain regions.

While this observational study cannot establish that diet directly caused these differences, the findings add to growing research linking overall diet quality and variety with brain and mental health.

🔗 Read the full article on our website: https://mindd.org/research/10-1038-s44220-024-00226-0/

14/08/2026

Living near green space may support healthy bone development in children, new research finds.

A prospective study following 327 mother-child pairs found that children with greater exposure to residential green space during early childhood had higher bone mineral density and were less likely to have low bone density. The strongest benefits were seen when green space was located within 500–1,000 metres of the home.

While genetics play an important role in bone development, these findings suggest that environmental factors, alongside good nutrition and physical activity, may also help build stronger bones during the critical early years of life—potentially reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures later in life.

Read the full research summary here: https://mindd.org/research/10-1001-jamanetworkopen-2023-50214/

Do you think access to green space should be considered an important part of children's health? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag someone who'd find this research interesting.

13/08/2026

Gut health is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of children's health—but how does the gut microbiome influence immunity, brain function and chronic disease?

This month, Mindd CommUnity members can watch Gut Health & Health Challenges: The Microbiome, Immune Response, and Pediatric Health by Dr. James Neuenschwander, a leading integrative physician with decades of experience treating complex chronic conditions in children.

In this practical presentation, Dr. Neuenschwander explains why the developing pediatric microbiome is especially vulnerable to environmental influences and how disruptions early in life can contribute to immune dysfunction and chronic conditions including autism, PANS/PANDAS, allergies, asthma, eczema, digestive disorders and autoimmunity.

Drawing on the latest microbiome research, he explores:
• How the gut microbiome develops in early life and why it is less resilient than the adult microbiome
• The critical relationship between the microbiome, the immune system and the brain
• Current approaches to microbiome testing, including their strengths and limitations
• Practical strategies to restore microbial balance using a systems biology approach focused on improving the terrain through nutrition and prebiotics

Whether you are a practitioner looking to deepen your understanding of the microbiome or a parent seeking evidence-based insights into your child's health, this presentation provides valuable clinical knowledge and practical takeaways.

Watch it FREE through the month of August in the Mindd Health Hub: https://educationhub.mindd.org/homepage/

Want more quality content? The Mindd Health Hub gives you access to 100+ hours of video education (e.g. Functional Medicine Masterclass) from world-leading experts, plus eGuides featuring meal plans and recipes for Paleo, GF/CF, Keto and more!

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http://www.mindd.org/

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