Tanya Dutt

Simple Secrets To Establishing The Right Winter Hair Care Routine

Before the winter’s chill arrives, many people notice the toll it takes on our hair. The dry, cold air and lack of humidity with the start of the fall season can leave our locks looking lackluster, brittle, and prone to breakage. From dry scalp issues like dandruff to split ends and hair fall, the cold season can create a range of challenges. But fear not—nature offers a solution. In fact, using a little bit of organic treatments, you can restore your hair to its healthy and shining state by using proven effective ingredients with sustainable results.

Post Fall, the winter air can get pretty harsh on our hair. This is because moisture is stripped away from your hair and scalp. It causes frizz, breakage, and even excessive hair fall. Without the moisture that usually keeps your hair well-hydrated, the lack of natural oils means dryness. Your hair is brittle and more prone to damage.

That, combined with dry and cold air, leads to your hair not getting the amount of moisture it needs. Heating equipment used indoors continues the removal of moisture from your hair; an itchy scalp, dandruff, a lack of shine, and a dull appearance are commonly felt in winter.

<h2>Classic ingredients that help combat Winter hair damage</h2>

Fortunately, natural products need not be reached for at this juncture, since nature has already presented man with extremely potent herbs and ingredients, which can fight off the hair woes presented by winter with equal might. Nutrient-rich ingredients for restoring hair include Bhringraj, Brahmi, Shikakai, Rosemary, Hibiscus, and Fenugreek.

According to Dr. Harinder Kaur Arya, a scientist specializing in hair health and hair care, these herbs are a perfect balance of nourishment, protection, and repair for your hair. "These ingredients protect hair and also adopt sustainable <span>chemical-free hair care</span> approach," she says. And so, nature will help you out there while you overcome the most common winter hair problems without letting the chemicals play their tricks on your scalp.

<h2>Common Winter Hair Problems and Their Solutions</h2>

Dryness and frizz are some of the most common winter hair issues caused by the lack of moisture in the air. As hair loses its natural oils, it can become unruly and difficult to manage. To tackle this, moisturizing is key.

<strong>Solution:</strong> Incorporating deeply nourishing hair masks enriched with ingredients like Fenugreek, Brahmi, and Hibiscus can help lock in moisture, restoring smoothness and manageability. These ingredients are known for their ability to hydrate the hair and calm frizz, leaving your hair soft and silky.

Cold weather often leads to dry, flaky scalp conditions, causing itching and discomfort. Dandruff can become more prevalent as the skin on your scalp becomes dry and irritated.

<strong>Solution:</strong> A hair mask infused with Bhringraj and Shikakai can soothe the scalp, reduce flakiness, and promote a healthier scalp environment. These ingredients have long been used in Ayurvedic hair care for their ability to nourish the scalp and combat dryness.

Brittle hair leads to breakage, which is one of the most common consequences of brittle hair. The weather dries up moisture, which strips the hair shaft and causes split ends and breakage.

<strong>Solution: </strong>For this, hair masks infused with Rosemary and Methi work best. These herbs provide elasticity to the hair so that breakage and split ends are not encountered. Also, Rosemary helps stimulate growth in hair and also makes it more robust.

One negative effect of winter is hair fall due to the weakening of hair roots. Dryness and lack of nourishment weaken hair follicles significantly, thus making hair shed more.

<strong>Solution:</strong> Hibiscus and Reetha (Soapnut) are very good strengtheners of the roots and result in less hair fall. Hibiscus is full of vitamins, strengthening the roots, and Reetha is a cleanser removing the buildup from the scalp, thus promoting healthy scalp and hair growth.

Without proper nourishment, your hair can look flat and limp. The dullness is most of the time caused by a lack of moisture and nourishment, making hair look tired and dull.

<strong>Solution:</strong> Brahmi and Shikakai are famous for restoring shine and volume in hair. Brahmi gives strength to the hair shaft and also promotes shine while Shikakai works as a natural cleanser that adds bounce and vitality to your hair.

Though the cold winter months are really cruel to your hair, the nature bestows every bit of the treatment for dryness, breakage, and hair fall. The organic, plant-based treatments can nourish, protect, and restore without requiring any chemical treatments.

As Dr. Arya emphasizes, nature’s ingredients offer a safe, sustainable alternative to commercial hair care products that often contain synthetic chemicals. “Using traditional ingredients like Bhringraj, Brahmi, and Hibiscus in your <span>winter hair care</span> routine ensures that you’re not just protecting your hair, but you’re also making a choice for sustainability,” she says.

So, this winter go to nature's hair spa for a deep nourishment and repair. Incorporation of the natural treatments into your hair care will not only restore the hair's health but protect it from the harsh effects of winter.

As the colder months are ahead, it is imperative to take extra care for hair not to be damaged by the harsh effects of winter. With the help of natural treatments made from ingredients like Fenugreek, Brahmi, Bhringraj, and Rosemary in your winter hair care routine, you can fight dryness, dandruff, breakage, and hair fall. With nature's help, your hair can stay hydrated, healthy, and beautiful throughout the season.

<em>Dr. Harinder Kaur Arya is a Scientist and also the Co-Founder of a haircare institute Indus Valley.</em>

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health

skin & hair

winter hair care

natural hair treatments

hair nourishment

chemical-free hair care

winter hair solutions

healthy hair growth

organic hair masks

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Before the winter’s chill arrives, many people notice the toll it takes on our hair. The dry, cold air and lack of humidity with the start of the fall season can leave our locks looking lackluster, brittle, and prone to breakage. From dry scalp issues like dandruff to split ends and hair fall, the cold season can create a range of challenges. But fear not—nature offers a solution. In fact, using a little bit of organic treatments, you can restore your hair to its healthy and shining state by using proven effective ingredients with sustainable results.Post Fall, the winter air can get pretty harsh on our hair. This is because moisture is stripped away from your hair and scalp. It causes frizz, breakage, and even excessive hair fall. Without the moisture that usually keeps your hair well-hydrated, the lack of natural oils means dryness. Your hair is brittle and more prone to damage.That, combined with dry and cold air, leads to your hair not getting the amount of moisture it needs. Heating equipment used indoors continues the removal of moisture from your hair; an itchy scalp, dandruff, a lack of shine, and a dull appearance are commonly felt in winter.Classic ingredients that help combat Winter hair damageFortunately, natural products need not be reached for at this juncture, since nature has already presented man with extremely potent herbs and ingredients, which can fight off the hair woes presented by winter with equal might. Nutrient-rich ingredients for restoring hair include Bhringraj, Brahmi, Shikakai, Rosemary, Hibiscus, and Fenugreek.According to Dr. Harinder Kaur Arya, a scientist specializing in hair health and hair care, these herbs are a perfect balance of nourishment, protection, and repair for your hair. "These ingredients protect hair and also adopt sustainable chemical-free hair care approach," she says. And so, nature will help you out there while you overcome the most common winter hair problems without letting the chemicals play their tricks on your scalp.Common Winter Hair Problems and Their Solutions1. Dryness and FrizzDryness and frizz are some of the most common winter hair issues caused by the lack of moisture in the air. As hair loses its natural oils, it can become unruly and difficult to manage. To tackle this, moisturizing is key.Solution: Incorporating deeply nourishing hair masks enriched with ingredients like Fenugreek, Brahmi, and Hibiscus can help lock in moisture, restoring smoothness and manageability. These ingredients are known for their ability to hydrate the hair and calm frizz, leaving your hair soft and silky.2. Dandruff and Itchy ScalpCold weather often leads to dry, flaky scalp conditions, causing itching and discomfort. Dandruff can become more prevalent as the skin on your scalp becomes dry and irritated.Solution: A hair mask infused with Bhringraj and Shikakai can soothe the scalp, reduce flakiness, and promote a healthier scalp environment. These ingredients have long been used in Ayurvedic hair care for their ability to nourish the scalp and combat dryness.3. Hair Breakage and Split EndsBrittle hair leads to breakage, which is one of the most common consequences of brittle hair. The weather dries up moisture, which strips the hair shaft and causes split ends and breakage.Solution: For this, hair masks infused with Rosemary and Methi work best. These herbs provide elasticity to the hair so that breakage and split ends are not encountered. Also, Rosemary helps stimulate growth in hair and also makes it more robust.4. Hair FallOne negative effect of winter is hair fall due to the weakening of hair roots. Dryness and lack of nourishment weaken hair follicles significantly, thus making hair shed more.Solution: Hibiscus and Reetha (Soapnut) are very good strengtheners of the roots and result in less hair fall. Hibiscus is full of vitamins, strengthening the roots, and Reetha is a cleanser removing the buildup from the scalp, thus promoting healthy scalp and hair growth.5. Lack of Shine and VolumeWithout proper nourishment, your hair can look flat and limp. The dullness is most of the time caused by a lack of moisture and nourishment, making hair look tired and dull.Solution: Brahmi and Shikakai are famous for restoring shine and volume in hair. Brahmi gives strength to the hair shaft and also promotes shine while Shikakai works as a natural cleanser that adds bounce and vitality to your hair.Chemical-Free Hair CareThough the cold winter months are really cruel to your hair, the nature bestows every bit of the treatment for dryness, breakage, and hair fall. The organic, plant-based treatments can nourish, protect, and restore without requiring any chemical treatments.As Dr. Arya emphasizes, nature’s ingredients offer a safe, sustainable alternative to commercial hair care products that often contain synthetic chemicals. “Using traditional ingredients like Bhringraj, Brahmi, and Hibiscus in your winter hair care routine ensures that you’re not just protecting your hair, but you’re also making a choice for sustainability,” she says.So, this winter go to nature's hair spa for a deep nourishment and repair. Incorporation of the natural treatments into your hair care will not only restore the hair's health but protect it from the harsh effects of winter.As the colder months are ahead, it is imperative to take extra care for hair not to be damaged by the harsh effects of winter. With the help of natural treatments made from ingredients like Fenugreek, Brahmi, Bhringraj, and Rosemary in your winter hair care routine, you can fight dryness, dandruff, breakage, and hair fall. With nature's help, your hair can stay hydrated, healthy, and beautiful throughout the season.Dr. Harinder Kaur Arya is a Scientist and also the Co-Founder of a haircare institute Indus Valley.

simple secrets to establishing the right winter hair care routine

Health and Me

Supriya Ramesh

Credits: Canva

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Did you know? Multiple sclerosis (<span>MS</span>) can begin affecting the body many years before clear symptoms appear, often going unnoticed until the condition is well established. According to researchers at the University of British Columbia, people start using healthcare services more often as far as 15 years before their first obvious <span>MS signs</span>. 

<span>Fatigue</span>, anxiety, and mild depression may quietly creep in, but they are often dismissed or blamed on life’s usual chaos. The trouble is, the myths swirling around MS are even more persistent than the symptoms. Some are outdated, some are just plain wrong, and all need to be shown the door. 

<h3>Here is a myth-busting guide to separate MS fact from fiction.</h3>

<h4>Myth 1: <span rel="noindex">Everyone with MS eventually needs a wheelchair</span></h4>

Nope. The MS Society says most people never use one. Reportedly, even 15 years post-diagnosis, only about 20 per cent need a wheelchair, cane, or crutches. And for those who do, mobility aids can mean freedom, not limitation, a tool to stay independent rather than a sign of defeat.

<h4>Myth 2: <span rel="noindex">People with MS cannot work</span></h4>

Completely untrue. Many continue thriving in their careers for years. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society points out that while some may adjust their work or hours, legal protections, medical advances, and supportive tech keep many in the workforce. In fact, employment often provides structure, identity, and social connection, all of which can benefit mental health.

<h4>Myth 3: <span rel="noindex">People with MS should not exercise</span></h4>On the contrary, exercise is not only safe; it is encouraged. Supervised and personalised workout programmes can improve fitness, mobility, and quality of life. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society suggests aiming for at least 150 minutes of exercise or active living a week, building up slowly and safely.

<h4>Myth 4: If symptoms are minor, there is no need for medication</h4>

Tempting logic but flawed. MS is a progressive disease, and even mild symptoms can mask deeper nerve damage. Research shows early treatment can slow disease progression and improve long-term outcomes. Waiting for symptoms to worsen is a gamble you do not want to take.

<h4>Myth 5: <span rel="noindex">People with MS should not get pregnant</span></h4>False. The Multiple Sclerosis Trust confirms MS does not increase miscarriage risk or cause birth defects. Pregnancy often reduces relapse rates, though the risk rises again in the six months after delivery. MS does not affect fertility, and having children doesn’t worsen long-term disability.

<h4>Myth 6: If I have MS, my children will get it too</h4>

While genetics play a role, MS is far from guaranteed for the next generation. Identical twins share only a 20–40 per cent risk; for non-identical twins, it is 3–5 per cent. The MS Society says 1 in 67 children of a parent with MS will develop it, compared with 1 in 500 in the general population.

<h4>Myth 7: <span rel="noindex">MS is always fatal</span></h4>Definitely not. MS may shorten life expectancy by around seven years, but research suggests that gap is closing as treatments advance. While it is a lifelong condition, most people with MS live long, full lives, especially with early diagnosis and good symptom management. 

Led by Dr. Marta Ruiz-Algueró, a postdoctoral fellow at UBC, the recent study analysed the medical histories of 2,038 Canadians with MS and compared them to more than 10,000 people without the condition. Using detailed administrative and clinical records that spanned 25 years, researchers tracked how often patients visited healthcare providers before their first classical MS symptoms.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-this-naturally-occurring-element-treat-alzheimers-article-152462724" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Can THIS Naturally Occurring Element Treat Alzheimer's</a>

15 years before diagnosis, people who later developed MS were already visiting general practitioners more frequently. Their complaints often centred on fatigue, pain, dizziness, headaches, and mental health concerns like anxiety and depression.

<h3>How MS Works?</h3>Multiple sclerosis is like a case of mistaken identity; your immune system thinks your nerves are the enemy and starts attacking the protective coat they wear, called the <span>myelin sheath</span>. This sparks inflammation, leaves behind tiny scars and scrambles the brain’s messaging system to the rest of your body. 

<ul><li>Fatigue </li><li>Odd tingling or numbness that shows up anytime</li><li>A wobbly sense of balance or coordination</li><li>Vision that suddenly decides to play tricks on you</li><li>Muscles that feel like they have gone on strike</li><li>Memory and thinking skills that sometimes wander off mid-task</li></ul>

In a nutshell, MS is a bit of a medical puzzle which is unpredictable and complicated and is still keeping scientists on their toes. But with sharper tools to spot it, smarter treatments to tackle it, and a lot more awareness than in decades past, living with MS today is a very different story. Busting these myths is not just about tidying up the facts; it is about handing people the knowledge to live well, keep working, love fiercely, and get on with life without unnecessary fear attached.

Multiple Sclerosis Myths

ms signs

Everyone with MS eventually needs a wheelchair

People with MS cannot work

People with MS should not exercise

People with MS should not get pregnant

MS is always fatal

fatigue

myelin sheath

Did you know? Multiple sclerosis (MS) can begin affecting the body many years before clear symptoms appear, often going unnoticed until the condition is well established. According to researchers at the University of British Columbia, people start using healthcare services more often as far as 15 years before their first obvious MS signs. Fatigue, anxiety, and mild depression may quietly creep in, but they are often dismissed or blamed on life’s usual chaos. The trouble is, the myths swirling around MS are even more persistent than the symptoms. Some are outdated, some are just plain wrong, and all need to be shown the door. Here is a myth-busting guide to separate MS fact from fiction.Myth 1: Everyone with MS eventually needs a wheelchairNope. The MS Society says most people never use one. Reportedly, even 15 years post-diagnosis, only about 20 per cent need a wheelchair, cane, or crutches. And for those who do, mobility aids can mean freedom, not limitation, a tool to stay independent rather than a sign of defeat.Myth 2: People with MS cannot workCompletely untrue. Many continue thriving in their careers for years. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society points out that while some may adjust their work or hours, legal protections, medical advances, and supportive tech keep many in the workforce. In fact, employment often provides structure, identity, and social connection, all of which can benefit mental health.Myth 3: People with MS should not exerciseOn the contrary, exercise is not only safe; it is encouraged. Supervised and personalised workout programmes can improve fitness, mobility, and quality of life. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society suggests aiming for at least 150 minutes of exercise or active living a week, building up slowly and safely.Myth 4: If symptoms are minor, there is no need for medicationTempting logic but flawed. MS is a progressive disease, and even mild symptoms can mask deeper nerve damage. Research shows early treatment can slow disease progression and improve long-term outcomes. Waiting for symptoms to worsen is a gamble you do not want to take.Myth 5: People with MS should not get pregnantFalse. The Multiple Sclerosis Trust confirms MS does not increase miscarriage risk or cause birth defects. Pregnancy often reduces relapse rates, though the risk rises again in the six months after delivery. MS does not affect fertility, and having children doesn’t worsen long-term disability.Myth 6: If I have MS, my children will get it tooWhile genetics play a role, MS is far from guaranteed for the next generation. Identical twins share only a 20–40 per cent risk; for non-identical twins, it is 3–5 per cent. The MS Society says 1 in 67 children of a parent with MS will develop it, compared with 1 in 500 in the general population.Myth 7: MS is always fatalDefinitely not. MS may shorten life expectancy by around seven years, but research suggests that gap is closing as treatments advance. While it is a lifelong condition, most people with MS live long, full lives, especially with early diagnosis and good symptom management. Led by Dr. Marta Ruiz-Algueró, a postdoctoral fellow at UBC, the recent study analysed the medical histories of 2,038 Canadians with MS and compared them to more than 10,000 people without the condition. Using detailed administrative and clinical records that spanned 25 years, researchers tracked how often patients visited healthcare providers before their first classical MS symptoms.Also Read: Can THIS Naturally Occurring Element Treat Alzheimer's15 years before diagnosis, people who later developed MS were already visiting general practitioners more frequently. Their complaints often centred on fatigue, pain, dizziness, headaches, and mental health concerns like anxiety and depression.How MS Works?Multiple sclerosis is like a case of mistaken identity; your immune system thinks your nerves are the enemy and starts attacking the protective coat they wear, called the myelin sheath. This sparks inflammation, leaves behind tiny scars and scrambles the brain’s messaging system to the rest of your body. The symptoms can include: Fatigue Odd tingling or numbness that shows up anytimeA wobbly sense of balance or coordinationVision that suddenly decides to play tricks on youMuscles that feel like they have gone on strikeMemory and thinking skills that sometimes wander off mid-taskIn a nutshell, MS is a bit of a medical puzzle which is unpredictable and complicated and is still keeping scientists on their toes. But with sharper tools to spot it, smarter treatments to tackle it, and a lot more awareness than in decades past, living with MS today is a very different story. Busting these myths is not just about tidying up the facts; it is about handing people the knowledge to live well, keep working, love fiercely, and get on with life without unnecessary fear attached.

7 multiple sclerosis myths you need to stop believing right now

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When Melbourne pediatrician Professor Melissa Wake talks about the future of health, she starts with a sobering fact: 

<h3>Today's children may live shorter lives than their parents. </h3>

It is worth the thought that why despite the medical advances, preventable diseases remain among the biggest killers worldwide. 

To this, her response, along with a team of scientists at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute is to launch Generation Victoria. 

Generation Victoria is a groundbreaking health study that involves more than 125,000 children and their parents. It is one of the largest projects of its kind and at the core, lies the understanding of <span>exposome</span>. 

It is the some of environmental exposures, including the physical, chemical, psychological, and social. It is what we encounter over the course of our lives, and how they interact with out biology. 

It includes tangible factors such as diet, lifestyle, income, education, air pollution, and climate conditions, as well as more invisible elements like chemical pollutants, pathogens, and even noise levels. It also accounts for internal processes influenced by these exposures, such as the microbiome (gut bacteria), inflammation, and metabolic activity.

<strong>READ: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/world-environmental-day-2025-how-green-therapy-can-help-you-lower-anxiety-and-depression-article-151794410" data-type="tilCustomLink">How Green Therapy Can Help You Lower Anxiety And Depression</a></strong>

"Many of these factors overlap and happen in unequal ways," Professor Wake explains, as is reported by ABC News. "If you grow up in a poor area, your exposome is likely to be shaped by external stressors, polluted air, fewer opportunities, and lower income."

In other words, the exposome is not just about where you live, but how every aspect of your environment, from the air you breathe to the relationships you have, shapes your long-term health.

Johns Hopkins University researcher Dr Fenna Sillé estimates that up to 70%, and in some chronic illnesses, as much as 90%, of disease risk is linked to environmental exposures rather than genetics.

<h3>"If the genome is your biological blueprint, the exposome is the lifelong record of how the world interacts with that blueprint," she says, as is reported by ABC News.</h3>

Understanding the exposome could help explain why rates of certain illnesses are rising, even among younger generations. For instance, cancers in Australians under 50 are increasing at what researchers call “alarming” rates. Hypotheses point to factors like obesity, sedentary lifestyles, chemical exposure from plastics, and shifts in gut bacteria due to ultra-processed diets and antibiotic use.

For decades, researchers studied environmental health risks by isolating single hazards. For instance, it was focused on one pollutant, one chemical, and observing its effects. But that approach misses the reality of human life, says Dr Nick Osborne, an epidemiologist and toxicologist at the University of Queensland.

"In the real world, there are a lot of exposures happening at once," Dr Osborne says, as is reported by ABC News. "The exposome is about recognizing that the body is a complex system interacting with a complex environment."

Advances in artificial intelligence and computational modelling now allow scientists to process vast amounts of overlapping exposure data, making it possible to see the bigger picture.

<strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/uk-scientists-scan-over-100000-people-what-the-human-imaging-study-could-reveal-about-your-health-article-152306746" data-type="tilCustomLink">UK Scientists Scan Over 100,000 People, What The Human Imaging Study Could Reveal About Your Health?</a></strong>

<h2>How Will This Study Help With Exposome?</h2>

GenV is tracking more than 50,000 babies born in Victoria between 2021 and 2023, and their parents, over decades. The aim is to link patterns of exposure with disease risk and test interventions to prevent illness.

The study will collect health data at key stages of life, ages 6, 11, and 16 for children, along with samples such as blood, saliva, and breastmilk. Parents will also share updates on their children’s mental and physical health through an app.

Alongside individual health records, researchers will map “layers” of the exposome. These include family and community-level factors, air quality, climate, built environments, food access, and even shopping patterns. Tools such as satellite mapping, environmental monitors, and policy tracking will help assemble a detailed picture.

<h3>The goal is not simply to document exposures, but to act on the most critical ones.</h3>

"It would be nice to know everything, but what we really need are the most important things, and we need to act on them," Professor Wake says, as is reported by ABC News.

The long-term nature of the study means researchers can test interventions and see their impact decades later. Could changes in urban design reduce childhood asthma rates? Could improving early nutrition lower lifetime risks of diabetes and heart disease?

<strong>READ: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/how-does-your-lifestyle-and-environment-impact-aging-article-151214964" data-type="tilCustomLink">How Does Your Lifestyle And Environment Impact Aging?</a></strong>

The problem comes at the very minute level, it is impossible to capture every detail of a person's environment. However, researchers say that even if partial exposome mapping can uncover meaningful insights, it too is helpful.

Some exposures leave measurable imprints, changes in metabolism, or epigenetic effects, where the environment alters how genes function without changing the DNA sequence itself.

This complexity also means causation is hard to prove. Often, disease risk stems from a mix of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. As Dr Osborne explains: “You might have the ‘bad’ genes, but if you’re not exposed to the ‘bad’ environment, you don’t get the disease.”

The Human Genome Project, launched in May by an international team Dr Sillé, gave scientists a map of our genetic code. It seeks to do the same for environmental exposures.

If successful, it could transform our understanding of disease prevention, shifting focus from treating illnesses to altering the environmental factors that cause them in the first place.

While GenV’s ambition is to turn exposome data into action. By showing how different life pathways lead to health or illness, it hopes to influence not just medical practice but urban planning, education policy, and food systems.

"We are particularly interested in testing whether we can change disease risk, by how much, and for whom," Professor Wake says. "And because we’ve got that long-term horizon, we should be able to look 20, 30, 40 years down the track."

exposome

worlds largest health study

health and wellness

what is exposome

human health and environment

environmental influence on human health

exposure to environment and health

When Melbourne pediatrician Professor Melissa Wake talks about the future of health, she starts with a sobering fact: Today's children may live shorter lives than their parents. It is worth the thought that why despite the medical advances, preventable diseases remain among the biggest killers worldwide. To this, her response, along with a team of scientists at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute is to launch Generation Victoria. Generation Victoria is a groundbreaking health study that involves more than 125,000 children and their parents. It is one of the largest projects of its kind and at the core, lies the understanding of exposome. What Is The Exposome?It is the some of environmental exposures, including the physical, chemical, psychological, and social. It is what we encounter over the course of our lives, and how they interact with out biology. It includes tangible factors such as diet, lifestyle, income, education, air pollution, and climate conditions, as well as more invisible elements like chemical pollutants, pathogens, and even noise levels. It also accounts for internal processes influenced by these exposures, such as the microbiome (gut bacteria), inflammation, and metabolic activity.READ: How Green Therapy Can Help You Lower Anxiety And Depression"Many of these factors overlap and happen in unequal ways," Professor Wake explains, as is reported by ABC News. "If you grow up in a poor area, your exposome is likely to be shaped by external stressors, polluted air, fewer opportunities, and lower income."In other words, the exposome is not just about where you live, but how every aspect of your environment, from the air you breathe to the relationships you have, shapes your long-term health.Why Does Exposome Matter?Johns Hopkins University researcher Dr Fenna Sillé estimates that up to 70%, and in some chronic illnesses, as much as 90%, of disease risk is linked to environmental exposures rather than genetics."If the genome is your biological blueprint, the exposome is the lifelong record of how the world interacts with that blueprint," she says, as is reported by ABC News.Understanding the exposome could help explain why rates of certain illnesses are rising, even among younger generations. For instance, cancers in Australians under 50 are increasing at what researchers call “alarming” rates. Hypotheses point to factors like obesity, sedentary lifestyles, chemical exposure from plastics, and shifts in gut bacteria due to ultra-processed diets and antibiotic use.Beyond One Toxin At A TimeFor decades, researchers studied environmental health risks by isolating single hazards. For instance, it was focused on one pollutant, one chemical, and observing its effects. But that approach misses the reality of human life, says Dr Nick Osborne, an epidemiologist and toxicologist at the University of Queensland."In the real world, there are a lot of exposures happening at once," Dr Osborne says, as is reported by ABC News. "The exposome is about recognizing that the body is a complex system interacting with a complex environment."Advances in artificial intelligence and computational modelling now allow scientists to process vast amounts of overlapping exposure data, making it possible to see the bigger picture.ALSO READ: UK Scientists Scan Over 100,000 People, What The Human Imaging Study Could Reveal About Your Health?How Will This Study Help With Exposome?GenV is tracking more than 50,000 babies born in Victoria between 2021 and 2023, and their parents, over decades. The aim is to link patterns of exposure with disease risk and test interventions to prevent illness.The study will collect health data at key stages of life, ages 6, 11, and 16 for children, along with samples such as blood, saliva, and breastmilk. Parents will also share updates on their children’s mental and physical health through an app.Alongside individual health records, researchers will map “layers” of the exposome. These include family and community-level factors, air quality, climate, built environments, food access, and even shopping patterns. Tools such as satellite mapping, environmental monitors, and policy tracking will help assemble a detailed picture.The goal is not simply to document exposures, but to act on the most critical ones."It would be nice to know everything, but what we really need are the most important things, and we need to act on them," Professor Wake says, as is reported by ABC News.The long-term nature of the study means researchers can test interventions and see their impact decades later. Could changes in urban design reduce childhood asthma rates? Could improving early nutrition lower lifetime risks of diabetes and heart disease?READ: How Does Your Lifestyle And Environment Impact Aging?What Are The Challenges?The problem comes at the very minute level, it is impossible to capture every detail of a person's environment. However, researchers say that even if partial exposome mapping can uncover meaningful insights, it too is helpful.Some exposures leave measurable imprints, changes in metabolism, or epigenetic effects, where the environment alters how genes function without changing the DNA sequence itself.This complexity also means causation is hard to prove. Often, disease risk stems from a mix of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. As Dr Osborne explains: “You might have the ‘bad’ genes, but if you’re not exposed to the ‘bad’ environment, you don’t get the disease.”The Human Genome Project, launched in May by an international team Dr Sillé, gave scientists a map of our genetic code. It seeks to do the same for environmental exposures.If successful, it could transform our understanding of disease prevention, shifting focus from treating illnesses to altering the environmental factors that cause them in the first place.While GenV’s ambition is to turn exposome data into action. By showing how different life pathways lead to health or illness, it hopes to influence not just medical practice but urban planning, education policy, and food systems."We are particularly interested in testing whether we can change disease risk, by how much, and for whom," Professor Wake says. "And because we’ve got that long-term horizon, we should be able to look 20, 30, 40 years down the track."

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A new study published this week in Nature has found that the loss of <span>lithium</span>, which is a naturally occurring element in the brain. This could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease and a key driver of its progression. Alzheimer’s affects more than 7 million Americans, and this finding offers fresh hope for treatment strategies.

The research, led by Bruce A. Yankner, a professor of genetics and neurology at Harvard Medical School, shows that lithium plays a vital role in maintaining the health of all major brain cell types in mice. When lithium levels in the brain drop, it appears to contribute to nearly all the major forms of brain deterioration seen in Alzheimer’s disease.

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While lithium’s link to Alzheimer’s is new, the metal itself has a long medical history, most notably in mental health treatments.

Lithium is the lightest metal found in nature. Silvery and soft, it’s best known today for powering our smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles, all thanks to its ability to store large amounts of energy and discharge electrons quickly.

Its use in everyday products has an unusual history. 

<h3>The original version of the soft drink 7Up contained lithium citrate and was marketed as “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda,” reported the Washington Post.</h3>

 Lithium was removed in 1948 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned its inclusion in soft drinks.

Today, Australia leads the world in lithium production, while Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina form the so-called “lithium triangle” due to their rich reserves.

<h2>Lithium’s Role in Mental Health</h2>

Lithium carbonate, a chemical form of the metal, has been a cornerstone in the treatment of bipolar disorder since its approval by the FDA in 1970. It is considered a mood stabilizer and is sometimes prescribed for long-term depression management.

Although researchers still don’t fully understand how it works, lithium is thought to reduce stress in the brain and boost neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself over time. 

<h3>The new Nature study adds to this understanding, showing that our brains naturally contain small amounts of lithium.</h3>

Historically, lithium use in psychiatry dates back to the mid-19th century, but it gained prominence in the late 1940s when Australian psychiatrist John Cade found it helped stabilize bipolar patients.

“It’s been around for decades, and we have a lot of research and evidence supporting its use,” said Elizabeth Hoge to the Post. Hoge is a psychiatry professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. However, Hoge cautioned that lithium treatment requires regular monitoring of kidney and thyroid function.

<strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/could-lithium-deficiency-in-the-brain-trigger-alzheimers-article-152426899" data-type="tilCustomLink">Could Lithium Deficiency In The Brain Trigger Alzheimer’s?</a></strong>

Balwinder Singh, a psychiatry professor at the Mayo Clinic, as reported by the Post, calls lithium the “gold standard” for bipolar disorder, though it is prescribed less often in the U.S. than in Europe. Only about 10–15% of American bipolar patients take lithium, compared with around 35% in Europe. Singh also highlighted its unique benefit: “Lithium is the only mood stabilizer consistently shown to reduce suicidality.”

That said, some research has questioned lithium’s effectiveness for bipolar depression, finding it may not outperform placebos or antidepressants in certain cases.

<h2>Why Researchers Are Exploring Lithium for Alzheimer’s</h2>

Lithium’s potential role in Alzheimer’s is not entirely new. Past studies have hinted at its protective effects on the brain. 

A 2017 Danish study suggested that communities with higher lithium levels in drinking water had lower rates of dementia.

Yankner’s team became interested in lithium after measuring the levels of 30 different metals in the brains and blood of three groups: cognitively healthy individuals, those in the early stages of dementia, and those with advanced Alzheimer’s. Of all the metals tested, only lithium showed a significant difference among the groups.

Lithium appears to help maintain the brain’s “communication network” by supporting neuron connections, producing the myelin that insulates those connections, and aiding microglial cells in clearing cellular debris—processes essential for memory and cognitive health.

A new study published this week in Nature has found that the loss of lithium, which is a naturally occurring element in the brain. This could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease and a key driver of its progression. Alzheimer’s affects more than 7 million Americans, and this finding offers fresh hope for treatment strategies.The research, led by Bruce A. Yankner, a professor of genetics and neurology at Harvard Medical School, shows that lithium plays a vital role in maintaining the health of all major brain cell types in mice. When lithium levels in the brain drop, it appears to contribute to nearly all the major forms of brain deterioration seen in Alzheimer’s disease.Also Read: Scott Swift, Taylor Swift's Dad Underwent A Quintuple Bypass Heart Surgery, Here's What We Know About It So FarWhile lithium’s link to Alzheimer’s is new, the metal itself has a long medical history, most notably in mental health treatments.What Is Lithium?Lithium is the lightest metal found in nature. Silvery and soft, it’s best known today for powering our smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles, all thanks to its ability to store large amounts of energy and discharge electrons quickly.Its use in everyday products has an unusual history. The original version of the soft drink 7Up contained lithium citrate and was marketed as “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda,” reported the Washington Post. Lithium was removed in 1948 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned its inclusion in soft drinks.Today, Australia leads the world in lithium production, while Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina form the so-called “lithium triangle” due to their rich reserves.Lithium’s Role in Mental HealthLithium carbonate, a chemical form of the metal, has been a cornerstone in the treatment of bipolar disorder since its approval by the FDA in 1970. It is considered a mood stabilizer and is sometimes prescribed for long-term depression management.Although researchers still don’t fully understand how it works, lithium is thought to reduce stress in the brain and boost neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself over time. The new Nature study adds to this understanding, showing that our brains naturally contain small amounts of lithium.Historically, lithium use in psychiatry dates back to the mid-19th century, but it gained prominence in the late 1940s when Australian psychiatrist John Cade found it helped stabilize bipolar patients.“It’s been around for decades, and we have a lot of research and evidence supporting its use,” said Elizabeth Hoge to the Post. Hoge is a psychiatry professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. However, Hoge cautioned that lithium treatment requires regular monitoring of kidney and thyroid function.ALSO READ: Could Lithium Deficiency In The Brain Trigger Alzheimer’s?Balwinder Singh, a psychiatry professor at the Mayo Clinic, as reported by the Post, calls lithium the “gold standard” for bipolar disorder, though it is prescribed less often in the U.S. than in Europe. Only about 10–15% of American bipolar patients take lithium, compared with around 35% in Europe. Singh also highlighted its unique benefit: “Lithium is the only mood stabilizer consistently shown to reduce suicidality.”That said, some research has questioned lithium’s effectiveness for bipolar depression, finding it may not outperform placebos or antidepressants in certain cases.Why Researchers Are Exploring Lithium for Alzheimer’sLithium’s potential role in Alzheimer’s is not entirely new. Past studies have hinted at its protective effects on the brain. A 2017 Danish study suggested that communities with higher lithium levels in drinking water had lower rates of dementia.Yankner’s team became interested in lithium after measuring the levels of 30 different metals in the brains and blood of three groups: cognitively healthy individuals, those in the early stages of dementia, and those with advanced Alzheimer’s. Of all the metals tested, only lithium showed a significant difference among the groups.Lithium appears to help maintain the brain’s “communication network” by supporting neuron connections, producing the myelin that insulates those connections, and aiding microglial cells in clearing cellular debris—processes essential for memory and cognitive health.How This Could Lead to New TreatmentsIn lab tests, Yankner’s team administered small amounts of lithium orotate, a different lithium compound, to mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. The treatment reversed the disease model and restored brain function in the animals.While the results are promising, Yankner stressed that it’s too early for people to start taking lithium for Alzheimer’s. The compound has not yet been tested in humans for this purpose, and lithium can be toxic if improperly dosed.“This should spur clinical trials,” Yankner said, but he also cautioned that “things can change as you go from mice to humans.”For now, the research offers an intriguing lead but not an immediate solution. Clinical trials, if launched soon, could take years to confirm whether lithium could safely and effectively slow or prevent Alzheimer’s in people.A Small Metal With Big PotentialScientists, now, are beginning to understand that it may also hold a key to protecting the brain from one of the most devastating diseases of our time.If future studies confirm lithium’s benefits for Alzheimer’s, it could pave the way for a treatment that works by restoring something the brain naturally produces, rather than introducing an entirely foreign substance.

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