Derek Young

Spent years reading up on the gut-brain connection. Writes about digestion, mood, and the limits of what we actually know.

Articles by Derek Young

Latest Posts

Nutrition

Winter Gut Woes: Why Symptoms Flare and How to Fix Them

Are you experiencing more issues with your digestive health as the temperatures plummet during the winter season? This is a common reality, and it’s not something you’re making up in your mind. The cold weather can take a serious toll on your gastrointestinal system, extending beyond just the excesses of holiday eating or heightened stress […]

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Mindfulness

Youth Mental Health Crisis Replaces Midlife Unhappiness Peak

The traditional dip in happiness and well-being that once characterized middle age appears to have vanished entirely. In its place, younger individuals are now experiencing the most severe levels of psychological distress, whereas older adults demonstrate greater emotional steadiness. This shift marks a profound transformation in how mental health patterns unfold across different life stages. […]

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Mindfulness

Chronic Stress, Anxiety Link to IBS and Gut Disorders

Prolonged periods of stress and anxiety frequently exacerbate various digestive issues, underscoring the intricate connection between mental states and gastrointestinal function. This relationship is mediated by the gut-brain axis, a complex network that links emotional well-being directly to processes like intestinal movement, immune system responses within the digestive tract, and the overall equilibrium of the […]

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Nutrition

How Magnesium Boosts Gut Bacteria to Fight Colon Cancer

The recent tragic diagnoses of colorectal cancer in public figures like James Van Der Beek and Catherine O’Hara have sparked widespread conversations and concern. Incidence rates of this disease are climbing, particularly among individuals under the age of 50, prompting scientists to urgently investigate the underlying causes of this alarming trend. Although regular medical screenings […]

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Science

Study Reveals Evidence Gaps in Outcomes for Children in Out-of-Home Care

Researchers from Swansea University have spearheaded an innovative investigation that systematically charts the existing global knowledge—and the notable absences—concerning the life outcomes experienced by children raised in out-of-home care environments. This comprehensive analysis draws upon a robust collection of 77 systematic reviews, all published within the timeframe spanning January 2013 to July 2024. The findings […]

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Nutrition

Vegan Diet Reduces Insulin Needs by 28% in Type 1 Diabetes

Adopting a low-fat vegan diet led to a substantial 28% reduction in daily insulin requirements among individuals with type 1 diabetes, while also decreasing associated costs and enhancing overall health markers such as body weight and cholesterol profiles. This image illustrates the concept: Credit: Shutterstock Benefits of a Low-Fat Vegan Diet for Type 1 Diabetes […]

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Science

Science Reveals Flaws in Nurturing Gifted Children

High-achieving individuals significantly contribute to innovation and addressing global challenges. Societies therefore have a vital interest in comprehending the pathways through which exceptional talent evolves. A recent comprehensive review in the journal Science contends that numerous conventional strategies for gifted education and talent cultivation are built on incorrect premises. For the first time, a collaborative […]

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Science

Study Reveals SA Kids Risk Permanent Vision Loss

Recent research from Flinders University has uncovered a critical deficiency in South Australia’s vision screening protocols for children, putting numerous young individuals in jeopardy of irreversible vision damage annually. Spearheaded by optometrist and Ph.D. candidate Cassandra Haines from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Flinders, the investigation revealed that 17% of third-year schoolchildren […]

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Science

ADHD Meds Too Quick for Young Kids, Study Warns

Children aged 4 and 5 diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder frequently start medication right after their diagnosis, going against established guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, according to a study spearheaded by Stanford Medicine researchers. This key observation, detailed in a publication dated August 29 in JAMA Network Open, points to significant shortcomings in […]

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