HEALTH NEWS

Probiotics emerge as a potent tool against depression and anxiety
Altered microbiome: Oral bacteria play a role in chronic liver disease, study reveals
Health issues linked to cosmetic jab complications
From yoga to awe walks: Many paths lead to better mental health, largest analysis of well-being interventions finds
Weight loss drugs may cause nutritional deficiencies without proper guidanc

Probiotics emerge as a potent tool against depression and anxiety University of Calgary (Canada), January 14 2026 (Natural News) For decades, the standard pharmaceutical approach to treating depression and anxiety has dominated treatment options, despite significant drawbacks including delayed effects, debilitating side effects and high relapse rates. Now, compelling new research is challenging this paradigm by pointing to a surprising source of relief: the gut. A comprehensive scientific analysis, synthesizing data from over 1,400 clinically diagnosed patients, reveals that probiotics—beneficial bacteria readily available as supplements—can produce substantial reductions in both depressive and anxious symptoms. The analysis major findings include:

- A major analysis of 23 clinical trials finds probiotics can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in clinically diagnosed patients.

- The benefits, appearing within 4-8 weeks, were comparable to some conventional antidepressants but without the same side-effect profile.

- The gut-brain axis, a communication network largely ignored by conventional psychiatry, is central to understanding this connection.

- Single-strain probiotic supplements, particularly certain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, showed the strongest mental health effects.

- This research supports a holistic view of mental wellness, where gut health is a foundational component of treatment.

Altered microbiome: Oral bacteria play a role in chronic liver disease, study reveals

Technical University Munich (Germany), January 15 2026 (Medical Xpress)

Each year, more than two million people die from advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). Previous research has linked gut microbiome disruptions to this condition and suggested that bacteria typically found in the mouth may colonize the gut.

A new study published in Nature Microbiology now shows that identical bacterial strains occur in both the mouth and gut of patients with advanced chronic liver disease and also reveals a mechanism by which oral bacteria affect gut health. The researchers also found that this process coincides with worsening liver health.

Researchers analyzed bacterial populations in saliva and stool samples from patients. The team found that both the gut and oral microbiome undergo significant changes as liver disease worsened, where changes to the oral microbiome were already detectable at earlier disease stages.

In healthy individuals, bacterial communities differ substantially between body sites. In patients with liver disease, however, oral and gut microbiomes became increasingly similar as the disease progressed and nearly identical bacterial strains were recovered from the mouth and gut of patients.

"These strains are typically found in the mouth and are rarely present in the healthy gut. However, we observed increases in the absolute abundances of these oral bacteria in patients with advanced chronic liver disease. This strongly suggests that these bacteria translocate from the mouth and colonize the gut," explains Melanie Schirmer, Professor of Translational Microbiome Data Integration at TUM.

Health issues linked to cosmetic jab complications

Anglia Ruskin University (UK), January 9 2026 (Eurekalert)

Patients with chronic illnesses face a significantly higher risk of complications from cosmetic botulinum toxin injections, commonly known as Botox, according to a major UK study.

Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) surveyed 919 adults who had received botulinum toxin treatments for aesthetic reasons. The study, published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal, is the largest of its kind to have been carried out in the UK. Botulinum toxin injections are among the UK’s most popular cosmetic procedures, with an estimated 900,000 treatments performed every year.

Researchers found that underlying conditions such as type 1 diabetes, thyroid disorders, chronic migraine and skin disease dramatically increase the likelihood of adverse effects.

According to the study, people with type 1 diabetes were 92 times more likely to experience nausea after treatment compared to those without the condition. Those with thyroid disorders and chronic migraine sufferers had an approximately 10-fold increase in the risk of nausea.

Other complications associated with pre-existing conditions included headaches, bruising, muscle weakness and persistent eyelid droop (ptosis). Patients with cataracts were 30 times more likely to report headaches, and those with prior injuries had a 21-fold increased risk of losing facial expression.

From yoga to awe walks: Many paths lead to better mental health, largest analysis of well-being interventions finds

Swansea University (UK), January 15 2026 (Medical Xpress)

New research by Swansea experts has provided the largest ever comparison of well-being-focused interventions delivered to adults.

The team reviewed 183 randomized controlled trials, representing almost 23,000 participants, and evaluated 12 categories of interventions ranging from psychological, physical, mind–body, and nature-based approaches to find out more. Their research was the first interdisciplinary comparison carried out across psychological, physical, mind-body and environmental interventions.

The study gives an integrated view of how different disciplines contribute to well-being. By focusing on general adult samples rather than clinical groups, it provides evidence that will be relevant to developing public health, education, workplace well-being, and community programs.

The researchers' key findings were:

Most interventions improved well-being compared with inactive control groups;
Strongest effects were found for combined exercise plus psychological interventions (for example, awe walks or meditation combined with walking);
Mind–body interventions showed consistently moderate, reliable effects;
Exercise alone produced similar benefits to many psychological interventions; and,
Positive psychology interventions—both single-component and multicomponent—were also effective.

The analysis shows that there is no single route to improving well-being. Mindfulness, compassion-based approaches, yoga, exercise and positive psychology interventions all showed moderate benefits compared with control groups, and combining physical activity with psychological interventions appeared particularly promising.

Weight loss drugs may cause nutritional deficiencies without proper guidance University College London & Cambridge, January 7 2026 (News-Medical)

People prescribed the new generation of weight loss drugs may not receive sufficient nutritional guidance to support safe and sustainable weight loss, leaving them vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies and muscle loss, say experts at UCL and the University of Cambridge.

In research published today in Obesity Reviews, the team found a lack of robust evidence surrounding nutritional advice and support and the impact this has on factors such as calorie intake, body composition, protein adequacy, and patient experiences.

Weight loss drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide – available under brand names including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro – mimic the naturally-occurring hormone glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1), released into the blood in response to eating. The drugs suppress appetite, increase a feeling of being full, and reduce food cravings.

These drugs can reduce calorie intake by between 16-39 %, making them a powerful tool to help people living with obesity and being overweight. However, there has been little research to examine their impact on diet quality, protein intake, or adequacy of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

The researchers identified just 12 studies that looked at nutrition and diet alongside treatment with semaglutide or tirzepatide. Given the widespread – and increasing – use of these medications and the urgency of providing advice to individuals using the drugs, there was insufficient evidence from the studies to recommend strict low-fat diets to complement the weight loss drugs. Some observational studies found that people on the treatments often consumed excessive levels of total and saturated fat.

These medications are transforming obesity care, but we know very little about how they shape people's daily lives, including changes in appetite, eating patterns, wellbeing, and quality of life.

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