Kat Mcilwee

@foundmyfitness Do you have anything on mitigating lead exposure from cacao?

The idea that nicotine is a low-risk nootropic is scientifically inaccurate. Its short-term benefits are real, but there are significant long-term risks to overall health. Nicotine quickly enhances alertness by activating attention, vigilance, and dopamine-driven reward circuits, but even occasional use rapidly alters nicotinic receptor density, reinforcing continued use. Nicotine consistently elevates heart rate, blood pressure, and vessel constriction, causing arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, and increased cardiovascular risk—especially in those already vulnerable. Nicotine disrupts estrogen and testosterone pathways, harms fertility and reproductive function, and damages fetal development and offspring health—even without smoke exposure. If cognitive enhancement is the goal, use tools that create durable neurobiological adaptations without systemic harm. Vigorous exercise boosts BDNF and cognition; cold exposure increases norepinephrine and focus; dietary flavonoids from cacao enhance cerebral blood flow and cognition without disrupting vascular health. Cognitive performance should be built, not borrowed.

⬇️ quotes from our @KatiePNutrition who flagged this this #ConflictOfInterest with @bmj_latest For avoidance of doubt, this is not about breastfeeding vs formula, or a judgement on formula. This is about ensuring misleading marketing does not influence what & how babies are fed

@foundmyfitness It happened to me. In the same month my period came a week early. No other changes other than loading creatine. My periods have always been regular and returned to normal once I stopped creatine. Hormonal mechanism at play here. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence

The creatine hair loss connection is unsubstantiated and its mechanism implausible. This claim was based on a single study that reported an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—a metabolite of testosterone—in men who were supplemented with creatine. However, this study didn't show changes in other related hormones and importantly, didn't even measure hair loss. The finding has never been replicated and most experts aren't worried, considering the risk to be negligible. This was explained well by @BioLayne in our recent podcast interview.

True words. Such amazing people supporting families in their own precious time . Such dedication and genuine affection for the new dyad and family is admirable. To all my colleagues and friends in these amazing volunteer rolls..you are true rocks for the families you meet.

I talk about #denial a lot. We human beings like it. It makes us feel better. It protects us from uncomfortable feelings. It saves us from confronting the harm we do. Large groups of people can live in denial. Yes, they will do harm. #Courage helps in facing reality.

@foundmyfitness ... breastfeeding isn't possible. Studies show that iron deficiency (oft cited concern for cont. formula after 6 months) should not be an issue provided the infants consume an iron rich solids diet. Continuing breastfeeding is ideal, but WHO guidance should be adopted for others

@foundmyfitness This has massive implications for stage 2/follow and toddler formulas, which are extremely high in free sugar. The WHO published guidance on weaning/complimentary feeding for infants from 6 months which recommends switching to cow's milk as a main drink, instead of formula if...

Reducing added sugar early in life can significantly lower the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. Less exposure to sugar in utero and during the first 2 years of life was associated with a 35% reduction in diabetes risk, a 20% reduction in hypertension risk, and a 30% reduction in obesity risk among children conceived or born around the 1950s sugar rationing in the United Kingdom. As adults, they also experienced the onset of diabetes and high blood pressure 2–4 years later. Less sugar exposure in utero was beneficial on its own and explained about one-third of the protective effects on disease—reducing diabetes and hypertension risk by 8–15%. But the effects were most pronounced when sugar restriction lasted until 6 months of age and beyond—the longer one was exposed to sugar restriction, the lower their disease risk. - Less sugar exposure in utero and in the first year of life reduced disease risk by 15%–25%. - Less sugar exposure in utero and in the first 2 years of life reduced disease risk by 19%–36%. The idea that maternal and early-life nutrition can impact future health is known as the “fetal origins hypothesis.” It’s why I spent many months researching and learning about the myriad factors that would influence my own child's development and why I continue to do so. Early life is a sensitive time for development. Although this study has its limitations, it should make us more aware of how sugar intake in particular can affect the long-term health of our children. Study referenced - PMID: 39480913

@McilweeKat @NWCI @CommWorkIreland We're certainly in such a precarious position here in Ireland. It's very concerning.

@NWCI @CommWorkIreland The fact that infant feeding in emergencies isn't mentioned in this article is a glaring oversight. Supporting breastfeeding is an actionable goal where progress can be made immediately with political will @LizOSullivanPhD

🚨Without climate action, this is our future 📌All politicians must commit & detail feminist climate justice policies in their general election campaign #FeministClimateJustice @CommWorkIreland lght.ly/20dl2jj

Good morning! Today's mood is cuddly! Skin-to-skin has so many benefits for you and your child! On the days when feeding feels stressful, it can help both you and your baby by giving you time together without the pressure of feeding. breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/.../skin-to-sk… #MondayMood

@BFMedicine @WHO Interesting use of bottle emoji when there is an emoji for breastfeeding. What about the WHO Code??

Jane Stephens (9 Oct 1879 #Clontarf #Dublin-11 Dec 1959).👩‍🎓 @alexcollege, 2nd♀️degree Royal Uni Ireland (Geology/Biology)! Assistant Naturalist @DublinDeadZoo 1905-20! Specialist in Porifera & Cnidaria; ID'd >40 new sponge species! In Clare Island Survey. museum.ie/en-IE/Collecti…

Urrrrrr...All major papers of Victor Ambros are shared with his wife Rosalind Lee.... Does the nobel committee just hate women called "Rosalind"???

Thank you @ColmBurkeTD for your commitment to #Breastfeeding & for planning a Whole of Government BF Policy The #OSMR Act has provisions to regulate commercial milk formula marketing via @CnaM codes These are crucial to protecting everyone from manipulative marketing @WHO

Excellent new study 👇"The cases in our study highlight how, together with a weak breastfeeding counseling system, and health professionals who lack training in breastfeeding and normal infant behavior, lead to the opportunity for CMF marketing to shape infant feeding, and ultimately to the decision to feed formulas that some mothers were not planning to use and cannot afford."

@pippa_hackett I would agree however don’t forget us that work both in private ,public and in voluntary roles at the same time we are also part of the reason that Breastfeeding are up by 20%!

Lovely for #Ireland to share #NationalBreastfeedingWeek with the Canadians and their superstars in #BreastfeedingResearch ❤️