Plum’s Post

2024 Tech4Eva - The global Femtech accelerator Call for Application – A Joint program between EPFL Innovation Park and Groupe Mutuel Do you know of an innovative and disruptive FemTech solution and are they looking to accelerate their progress and gain visibility? Then encourage them to join the growing FemTech community of Tech4Eva and apply to this 6-month game changing accelerator starting in April 2024! The accelerator is equity free, global and virtual! For this 4th cohort, we are looking for 10-15 innovative women’s health solutions in one or more of these areas: Pregnancy & post-partum – Mental health & wellbeing – Period health – Fertility & infertility – Endometriosis – Sexual & pelvic health – Oncology – Menopause care – Prevention & treatment – Bone & Brain Health – Immune & Heart Diseases – and with a special interest by corporate partners for solutions in Nutrition/Digestive/Hormonal Health… Tech4Eva - The global Femtech accelerator welcomes global solutions of all areas and stages to apply. Preference will be given to start-ups with scientific evidence, having or ideally building a clinical or animal model, or in vitro for the mechanism of action, ideally IP protected or in submission, or having proof of concept / prototype / users / data / early adopters. We look for Founders who are committed to participate in the program activities, open to discussions or suggestions of assigned mentors, willing to share his/her network to benefit others and determined to make progress. More info on the program: https://lnkd.in/dyNNdWwY

Love new research that shines a light on the role of two often neglected components underlying pregnancy outcomes: the health of fathers and the role of preconception health. The research by Ayele Argaw Denboba and colleagues reveals how environmental factors affecting the gut microbiome of prospective fathers can influence the health of their offspring. 🧬 Key findings include: - Increased risk of low birth weight and premature mortality in offspring due to perturbations in the paternal gut microbiota. - Transmission of disease risk via the germline, with implications for intergenerational health. - Rescue of offspring health by restoring paternal microbiota before conception. This study uncovers a regulatory 'gut–germline axis' in males, sensitive to environmental exposures, and highlights the critical role of the paternal microbiome in shaping offspring fitness. 💡 #Research #GutHealth #IntergenerationalHealth #Microbiome #perinatalhealth https://lnkd.in/gsQAmMGA

After #InternationalWomensDay, I'd like to stay in women's health mood with a few words on the advancement of #microbiome science related to women's health. There were 320 papers published last year linking women's health and the microbiome, and about 50 million USD were invested in 3 startups developing vaginal testing (Evvy, Daye, and Juno Bio). We are finally seeing findings that show promise to translate into solutions, in fertility, pregnancy complications, PCOS, and vaginal infections. More about this at the Microbes in Women's Health Congress next month! And I am happy to be part of a company that has Women's Health as a core expertise and mission, BIOCODEX https://lnkd.in/eyr8nxUD

In 1989, I was born on a snowy spring day. My umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck during birth and damaged my thyroid gland. I was never able to produce thyroid hormones naturally, and this inhibited my growth and physical development. Since birth, I have been under the care of multiple Endocrinologists, testing and monitoring my hormones quarterly. From preschool onward, I have been taunted and bullied by kids and adults for being obese and having a large chest. My constant nicknames as a child were derogatory names in English and Spanish that reference a person with a large chest. In 2013, I underwent a full Roux-en-y weight loss surgery to help reduce my weight and minimize some of my feminine features. I successfully lost 140 lbs and have kept it off since. I could not get rid of my chest, nor the bullying that continued as an adult. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, I switched endocrinologists because my existing provider was too difficult to see scheduling 6 to 12 months in advance. My new endocrinologist was a board-certified physician, and he was perplexed at my abnormally high thyroid hormone dosage. As we ran labs for vitamin deficiency, thyroid hormone, testosterone, and estrogen, we discovered my estrogen was abnormally high for a 30-year-old male and my testosterone was almost nonexistent. My initial prognosis was to supplement testosterone, but I felt afraid to take testosterone hormones, so I did nothing. I ignored the problem for most of 2019 until we were able to conduct historical laboratory data showing similar results as a minor. My endocrinologist concluded that my previous endocrinologists had disregarded my testosterone and estrogen abnormalities because of their personal beliefs and medically religious-based policies. I sat with this information till March 17th, 2020, when the Las Vegas Strip went dark, and everyone's lives were impacted by Covid. I worked throughout the entire pandemic, and my work was not impacted. Life continued for me under extreme isolation, working and helping people remotely. This, being sick with Covid, having family members die, broke me. I no longer cared what anyone thought of me. Through my adversities, I found solace in self-acceptance. I realized that regardless of societal expectations or medical/religious biases, I am inherently worthy of love and respect. I am proud that I am a Latino transgender Catholic! I am who I am, and I am loved unconditionally by God regardless of any man-made judgments 🏳️⚧️

If men also suffer from migraines, is a migraine-specific product considered FemTech? Estimates suggest that 800 million people worldwide suffer from migraines - with women three times more likely to experience them compared to men. It affects 1 in every 5 women, compared to 1 in every 16 men. This difference likely stems from hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or before menopause. It's also found that women who suffer from migraines experience more frequent, longer, and more severe attacks compared to men. Since diagnosis is based on symptoms reported by the patient rather than specific tests, many sufferers often go undiagnosed or untreated. Unfortunately, the condition also carries a stigma - dismissed as just a headache one can overcome. In reality, migraine attacks can last for hours or even days, disrupting daily life. In addition to severe pain on one side of the head, migraine attacks are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, heightened sensory sensitivity, and a range of symptoms in the days leading up to the attack. Frequent use of pain relievers may exacerbate symptoms, underscoring the importance of developing innovative solutions for treatment. Given that the condition primarily affects women, we see solutions like these as innovations in the FemTech sector. That's exactly what the Nerivio device by Israeli company Theranica offers, which we're featuring in our product spotlight segment this week. It's a wearable device providing a Drug free, non-invasive solution based on natural pain relief processes in the body. How does it work? The device is worn on the arm and delivers electrical pulses to stimulate nerves, prompting the brain's pain regulation centers to produce pain-relieving substances that also alleviate migraines. In addition to pain relief, the treatment has shown efficacy in relieving accompanying symptoms like nausea and vomiting. The pulses delivered by Nerivio are well felt but are not supposed to be painful, and their intensity can be adjusted via a companion app. The app also allows users to track symptoms, treatment response, offer insights, and more. According to the company's data, 7 out of 10 users report pain relief following usage. Come discover more surprising aspects and insights in the FemTech field at our annual conference on Women's Day 💡🎉 Last chance to purchase tickets, right here >> https://bit.ly/49gkg7O Theranica Bio-Electronics Ltd. #FemTechSpotlight #femtech #womensday2024 #innovation

Are we using the right tools to screen for GDM? 🔍 What is GDM? Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is identified as hyperglycemia first recognized during pregnancy, caused by insulin resistance due to hormonal changes. 🔄 GDM vs. Gestational Diabetes: • GDM: Develops exclusively during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth. • Gestational Diabetes: Exists before pregnancy, encompassing both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. 🌍 Prevalence in Emerging Economies: Rates vary from 2% to 25%, driven by urbanization, lifestyle shifts, and demographic changes. 🚨 Health Risks: • Mother: Increased risk of hypertension, preeclampsia, and later type 2 diabetes. • Baby: Greater risk of macrosomia, respiratory issues, and long-term obesity and diabetes. 🔬 Screening Methods: • OGTT (Gold Standard): Involves fasting and timed glucose tests post-glucose intake. Timimg can vary, commonly performed between week 24 and 28. • Fasting Blood Sugar: Simpler, requires a single fasting blood sample. Good sensitivity and specificity, but not as high as OGTT • Random Blood Sugar: Convenient, yet varies in reliability. Lower sensitivity and specificity compared to OGTT and FBS • Urinalysis: Not recommended due to poor sensitivity. Only detects very high blood glucose levels; not reliable for diagnosing GDM as many cases will have normal glucose levels in urine. 📊 Effective Screening Approaches: • Risk-Based Screening: Focuses on high-risk groups but might miss asymptomatic individuals. • Universal Screening: Recommended for its thorough approach and prevention of overlooked diagnoses. 📝 Let's discuss: Urinalysis is the most common screening method in emerging economies though least accurate. Is the gold standard screening method feasible in these contexts?

Here’s something I wish I knew sooner… 73% of people could have prevented their Alzheimer’s diagnosis… Knowing the critical importance of Omega 3, an ESSENTIAL fatty acid for the body that we don’t produce ourselves and therefore must consume… I’ve taken a “high quality” omega 3 supplement for 15 years Let’s look at what omega 3 impacts⬇️ Anxiety & Depression Eye health Promotion of brain health during pregnancy Prevention of heart disease Promotion of good cholesterol Reduce inflammation Benefit autoimmune diseases Prevention of Alzheimer’s disease Reduce the risk of certain cancers Reduce asthma Reduce fat in the liver Improve bone and joint health Alleviate menstrual pain Benefit menopausal symptoms Improve sleep Support skin health There is lorry loads of clinical trials and data to support each of these… BUT… Oxford university have produced a study showing 73% of those diagnosesd with Alzheimer’s could have been prevented if the patient had an improved fatty acid balance. ‼️IF THEY WERE NOT DEFICIENT IN OMEGA 3‼️ Omega 3 deficiency is now the leading cause of chronic inflammation globally too… If your Omega 3 does not have polyphenols in it, it doesn’t not have sufficient anti-oxidants in it to work for you. You’re wasting your money. How do I know? Because I haven’t yet tested one person, including myself, who has taken an omega 3 supplement that has proven to be working. 1.4 million people have now taken our test. 97% show a deficiency 🤯 Do the at home blood test 🩸 Stop wasting your cash ✋🏼🚫 Take a product that is proven to work from a blood test ✅ Let’s have a conversation….

Diabetes is one of the greatest healthcare problems; it requires an appropriate approach to the patient, especially when it concerns pregnant women. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic condition in pregnancy that shares many features with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM and GDM induce oxidative stress, which activates cellular stress signalling. In addition, the risk of diabetes during pregnancy can lead to various complications for the mother and foetus. It has been shown that physical activity is an important tool to not only treat the negative effects of diabetes but also to prevent its progression or even reverse the changes already made by limiting the inflammatory process. Physical activity has a huge impact on the immune status of an individual. Various studies have shown that regular training sessions cause changes in circulating immune cell levels, cytokine activation, production and secretion and changes in microRNA, all of which have a positive effect on the well-being of the diabetic patient, mother and foetus. Piotrowska K, Zgutka K, Tkacz M, Tarnowski M. Physical Activity as a Modern Intervention in the Fight against Obesity-Related Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Gestational Diabetes. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023 Jul 25;12(8):1488. doi: 10.3390/antiox12081488. PMID: 37627482. #Gesundheit #Bildung #Fuehrung #Coaching #Mindset #Motivation #Gehirn #Neuroscience #Psychologie #Persoenlichkeitsentwicklung #Kindheit #KeyNoteSpeaker #Humangenetik #Biochemie #Neuroleadership #Ernaehrung #Transformation #Stress #Demografie #Gender #Age #ArtificialIntelligence #Epigenetik #Veraenderung #Organoidintelligence #Change #Gesellschaft #Organisationsentwicklung

Maternal prenatal nutrition and the child's nutrition in the first 2 years of life (1000 days) are crucial factors in a child's neurodevelopment and lifelong mental health. Child and adult health risks, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, may be programmed by nutritional status during this period. Calories are essential for growth of both fetus and child but are not sufficient for normal brain development. Although all nutrients are necessary for brain growth, key nutrients that support neurodevelopment include protein; zinc; iron; choline; folate; iodine; vitamins A, D, B6, and B12; and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Failure to provide key nutrients during this critical period of brain development may result in lifelong deficits in brain function despite subsequent nutrient repletion. Understanding the complex interplay of micro- and macronutrients and neurodevelopment is key to moving beyond simply recommending a "good diet" to optimizing nutrient delivery for the developing child. Leaders in pediatric health and policy makers must be aware of this research given its implications for public policy at the federal and state level. Pediatricians should refer to existing services for nutrition support for pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and toddlers. Finally, all providers caring for children can advocate for healthy diets for mothers, infants, and young children in the first 1000 days. Prioritizing public policies that ensure the provision of adequate nutrients and healthy eating during this crucial time would ensure that all children have an early foundation for optimal neurodevelopment, a key factor in long-term health. Schwarzenberg SJ, Georgieff MK; COMMITTEE ON NUTRITION. Advocacy for Improving Nutrition in the First 1000 Days to Support Childhood Development and Adult Health. Pediatrics. 2018 Feb;141(2):e20173716. doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-3716. Epub 2018 Jan 22. PMID: 29358479. #Gesundheit #Bildung #Fuehrung #Coaching #Mindset #Motivation #Gehirn #Neuroscience #Psychologie #Persoenlichkeitsentwicklung #Kindheit #KeyNoteSpeaker #Humangenetik #Biochemie #Neuroleadership #Ernaehrung #Transformation #Stress #Demografie #Gender #Age #ArtificialIntelligence #Epigenetik #Veraenderung #Organoidintelligence #Change #Gesellschaft #Organisationsentwicklung

📃Scientific paper: Associations of infant feeding with trajectories of body composition and growth Abstract: Background: The extent to which breastfeeding is protective against later-life obesity is controversial. Little is known about differences in infant body composition between breastfed and formula-fed infants, which may reflect future obesity risk. Objective: We aimed to assess associations of infant feeding with trajectories of growth and body composition from birth to 7 mo in healthy infants. Design: We studied 276 participants from a previous study of maternal vitamin D supplementation during lactation. Mothers used monthly feeding diaries to report the extent of breastfeeding. We measured infants’ anthropometrics and used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess body composition at 1, 4, and 7 mo. We compared changes in infant size (z scores for weight, length, and body mass index [BMI (in kg/m(2))]) and body composition (fat and lean mass, body fat percentage) between predominantly breastfed and formula-fed infants, adjusting in linear regression for sex, gestational age, race/ethnicity, maternal BMI, study site, and socioeconomic status. Results: In this study, 214 infants (78%) were predominantly breastfed (median duration: 7 mo) and 62 were exclusively formula fed. Formula-fed infants had lower birth-weight z scores than breastfed infants (−0.22 ± 0.86 and 0.16 ± 0.88, respectively; P < 0.01) but gained more in weight and BMI through 7 mo of age (weight z score difference: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.71; BMI z score difference: 0.35; 95% CI: 0, 0.69), with no dif... Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/JaCI ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.