The complexity of contemporary global challenges concerning biosocial–political wellbeing comprises humanity’s actions on many scales. Planetary Health and One Health are examples of broad fields emerging in the last decade to address these complexities. Scientific research has been focusing mainly on the biological aspect of the problem, and the role of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) as drivers of change in Planetary Health is poorly explored. Transdisciplinary approaches are needed, and, thus, it is essential to highlight the social–political side of this reality by integrating social sciences and humanities in these research communities. The Africa Community of Planetary Partners for Health and Environment (ACOPPHE), through its Art and Indigenous action team, seeks to explore this integration by interrogating and engaging in research using self-study methodologies and arts-based research methods. In traditional scientific research, it is common practice that the researcher is positioned outside of their research. The results are expected to offer complex scientific answers that are often not useful for communities in need of solutions. Frequently, the arts have not received sufficient exploration as a means for research. Another aspect of this problem is that the indigenous peoples of many places in the world have often had their knowledge of human and planet health marginalized because it was practice-based and passed down through the embodiment of knowledge and not through modern-day written knowledge. Autoethnographic and arts-based methodologies have great potential here in bridging the communication between the scientific world and the lived experience of the communities through their cultural and traditional practices. They make room for intersectionality, as well as making the knowledge from research findings valuable and explicit to the layman. Self-study methodologies offer the space for sharing lived experiences, critical dialogue, and possible solutions for the biosocial and political issues that our world faces today.

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and other environmental changes are rapidly impacting the health of people worldwide, but many clinicians and other health professionals feel unprepared to deal with this burgeoning issue. During the Planetary Health Annual Meeting held in Boston in late 2022, the Clinicians for Planetary Health (C4PH) working group hosted a workshop that highlighted the latest findings of clinicians’ attitudes towards climate change, connections with the related fields of lifestyle medicine and integrative health, lessons learned from implementing “one minute for the planet” in a rural Brazilian clinic, and the benefits of clinicians prescribing time in nature for their patients. This article ends with a few suggestions for healthcare providers to begin implementing planetary health into their professional practice.

Being one of the most common foodborne protozoa worldwide, chronic toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) could contribute significantly to the etiology of several mental disorders. The neurotropic parasite can directly influence the gut microbiota, causing inflammation with subsequent degradation of tryptophan required for parasite growth. Research in humans and animals shows that the gut microbiome is involved in the regulation of brain serotonergic pathways through the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Since the serotonin system is extensively interconnected with the body’s master clock through neuronal networks, the microbiota has been suggested as a potential mediator, fine-tuning circadian misalignment, following a reciprocal relationship with human eating patterns. Furthermore, adherence to an intermittent fasting diet can improve the serotonin biosynthesis pathway in the intestines and improve cognitive function. This review aims to explain the role of fasting in parasite-driven gut microbiome perturbation and the mechanisms by which Toxoplasma infection alters brain function. Due to its significant impact on social–economic status, diet patterns, microbiota disruption, circadian rhythm, chronic inflammation, and mental disorders, toxoplasmosis is an underestimated threat that could be prevented by simple lifestyle changes through educational actions. Furthermore, there are few research studies that address toxoplasmosis-induced mental disorders from a holistic perspective. Thus, a planetary health lens is needed to understand these correlations that directly relate to the promotion of a resilient and empathic civilization, crucial to enabling a flourishing healthy society on all scales.

Background: The placenta plays a central role in the metabolic adaptations required for a healthy pregnancy and its dysfunction contributes to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) development. We explored the placental metabolic profile, particularly metabolites of one-carbon metabolism, in GDM pregnancies and its association with maternal dietary methyl donor intake and neonatal outcomes. Methods: Dietary records were obtained from a prospective cohort with pregnant women. Groups were divided into control (n=13) and GDM (n=11). A subset of placental samples collected at delivery (control n=6; GDM n=5) was used for MS and NMR-based metabolomics. Results: Dietary intake was similar between the groups as well as the sum of dietary methyl donors (choline, betaine and methionine). Importantly, 100% of women presented with inadequate dietary choline. Placentas from pregnancies affected by GDM presented lower levels of choline, serine, glycine and SAM, despite good glycemic control and the absence of adverse neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: While the placenta demonstrated adaptive mechanisms that possibly mitigated placental stress, the long-term implications of these adaptations on offspring health remain uncertain. Given the critical role of methyl donors in epigenetic regulation and fetal programming, further research is needed to refine dietary guidelines, potentially guiding more tailored nutritional interventions focusing on choline supplementation during pregnancy.

Background: Single cell proteins (SCPs) have significantly high protein content, contain low fat and are rich in various vitamins. They are produced from microbial fermentation of low-cost raw materials, some of which are considered as waste resources. SCP production has a reduced environmental footprint compared to con-ventional methods of producing protein. It also provides a way of converting waste products, including those containing hemicellulose into useful biomass. Objective: This review is focused on the current sustainability problem associated with the present food sys-tem alongside the global demand for protein which places a stress on it. The role of SCPs, a sustainable source of protein able to meet human nutritional needs is also considered. Method: We searched databases for primary and secondary research published on SCPs, Anthropocene, and Sustainability. Relevant articles were thereafter. Results: The food system is in the intersection of several overarching Sustainable Development Goals, and hence influences almost all planetary health boundaries. Contrary to processes associated with obtaining protein-rich foods from various animals, SCPs production is eco-friendly, offers an avenue for waste transformation, and does not impact the biogeochemical flow negatively. Nutritional contents of SCPs are good building blocks for the human immune system. Conclusion: Current challenges associated with SCPs mass production and consumption, especially eth-ic-related and downstream processing and purification technology and technical know-how can be overcome through an interdisciplinary research approach. The role of science communication in portraying SCPs as a safe microbial source of protein before the non-scientific communities cannot be overemphasized.