The composition of human breast milk is an ideal combination of substances necessary for the healthy development of an infant’s body while protecting from pathogens and the balanced development of the microbiota. Its composition is dynamic and changes with the age of the child, meeting their current needs. The study provides a thorough overview of human milk components, such as immunological components, growth factors, hormones, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, and vitamins. Authors focus on capturing the most important aspects of the effects of these substances on a newborn’s body, while also looking for specific connections and describing the effects on given systems. Supplementation and the use of ingredients are also discussed. The purpose of this paper is to present the current state of knowledge about the bioactive components of human milk and their impact on the growth, development, and health of the young child.

The gut microbiota, dominated by bacteria from the Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria phyla, plays an essential role in fermenting indigestible carbohydrates, regulating metabolism, synthesizing vitamins, and maintaining immune functions and intestinal barrier integrity. Dysbiosis is associated with obesity development. Shifts in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, particularly an increase in Firmicutes, may promote enhanced energy storage, appetite dysregulation, and increased inflammatory processes linked to insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders. The purpose of this literature review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the relationship between the development and treatment of obesity and overweight and the gut microbiota. Current evidence suggests that probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can influence gut microbiota composition and metabolic parameters, including body weight and BMI. The most promising effects are observed with probiotic supplementation, particularly when combined with prebiotics, although efficacy depends on strain type, dose, and duration. Despite encouraging preclinical findings, FMT has shown limited and inconsistent results in human studies. Diet and physical activity are key modulators of the gut microbiota. Fiber, plant proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids support beneficial bacteria, while diets low in fiber and high in saturated fats promote dysbiosis. Aerobic exercise increases microbial diversity and supports growth of favorable bacterial strains. While microbiota changes do not always lead to immediate weight loss, modulating gut microbiota represents an important aspect of obesity prevention and treatment strategies. Further research is necessary to better understand the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of these interventions.

Recent studies increasingly highlight the complex interaction between gut microbiota and mental health, drawing attention to the role of the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA) in the pathophysiology of mental and neurodevelopmental disorders. Changes in the composition of the gut microbiota—dysbiosis—are associated with conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (BD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. These microbial imbalances can affect brain function through a variety of mechanisms, including activation of the immune system, alteration of intestinal permeability, modulation of the digestive and central nervous systems, and changes in the production of neuroactive metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, serotonin, and tryptophan derivatives. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of knowledge on therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiome—including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, personalized dietary interventions, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)—which are becoming promising adjuncts or alternatives to conventional psychopharmacology, offering a forward-looking and individualized approach to mental health treatment. Understanding the bidirectional and multifactorial nature of MGBA may pave the way for new, integrative treatment paradigms in psychiatry and neurology, requiring further research and exploration of their scope of application.

Background: Excoriation disorder (dermatillomania) is a body-focused repetitive behavior characterized by recurrent skin picking that leads to tissue injury, emotional distress, and impaired functioning. Although formally classified in ICD-11 and DSM-5, the disorder remains underrecognized in clinical settings and often co-occurs with other psychiatric conditions. This review summarizes current evidence on the epidemiology, clinical profile, comorbidity patterns, and available treatment strategies, underscoring its clinical burden and therapeutic relevance. Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed clinical studies, epidemiological analyses, neurobiological investigations, and treatment trials was conducted, focusing on prevalence, risk factors, clinical outcomes, and therapeutic interventions for excoriation disorder. Results: The disorder affects approximately 3–4% of the population, predominantly females, with onset most often during adolescence and a chronic, relapsing course. Commonly affected areas include the face, arms, and hands, with episodes frequently preceded by anxiety or tension and followed by temporary relief. High rates of comorbidity, particularly with depression, anxiety, OCD, and body dysmorphic disorder, contribute to psychosocial disability, reduced quality of life, and an elevated risk of suicidal ideation. Clinical studies support behavioral therapies, especially cognitive-behavioral approaches such as habit reversal training, as first-line treatment. Pharmacological options, including serotonergic, opioid, or glutamatergic agents, as well as lamotrigine, show benefit in selected cases, although response rates remain variable. Conclusions: Excoriation disorder is a prevalent and burdensome condition with substantial psychiatric overlap and functional consequences. Early detection and integrated treatment combining behavioral interventions with targeted pharmacotherapy when appropriate are essential to improving outcomes and reducing long-term morbidity.

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial ocular-surface disorder characterized by loss of tear-film homeostasis, resulting in ocular discomfort, visual disturbances, and progressive surface damage. While intrinsic factors such as age, sex, autoimmune disease, and systemic medications influence susceptibility, lifestyle and environmental determinants—including prolonged screen time, poor sleep, contact-lens wear, smoking, and suboptimal diet—have emerged as important, modifiable contributors to disease onset and severity. Addressing these factors is critical for effective prevention and management. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (1990–2025) on associations between lifestyle behaviors and DED. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, cohort and cross-sectional studies, and systematic reviews published in English. Emphasis was placed on identifying modifiable behaviors that impact tear-film stability, ocular-surface inflammation, and symptom burden. Results: Evidence indicates that extended digital-screen use, disrupted sleep, contact-lens wear, and smoking increase DED risk and exacerbate symptoms. Conversely, interventions targeting modifiable behaviors—such as scheduled visual breaks, hydration, improved sleep hygiene, eyelid hygiene, smoking cessation, and nutritional optimization—are associated with improved tear-film stability, reduced inflammation, and symptomatic relief. Conclusions: Lifestyle behaviors play a critical role in DED pathogenesis and progression. Integrating behavioral counseling into clinical practice and public-health strategies provides a low-cost, patient-empowering approach to reduce disease burden and improve ocular-surface health.

Background: Sleep plays a crucial role in mental health throughout life. Disrupted, insufficient, or irregular sleep has been linked to adverse emotional, cognitive, and psychological outcomes from childhood through older adulthood. Early identification and intervention may mitigate long-term consequences of sleep disturbances. Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2025 was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. The review focused on sleep duration, sleep quality, circadian disruption, and their associations with mental health outcomes across different age groups. Results: Across all life stages, poor sleep was consistently linked to higher risks of depression, anxiety, cognitive impairments, and subclinical psychotic symptoms. Vulnerability was particularly pronounced in adolescents, young adults, and older adults. The relationship between sleep and mental health appeared to be bidirectional, with sleep disturbances both contributing to and resulting from psychiatric symptoms. Interventions focused on improving sleep, such as sleep hygiene programs and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, were shown to enhance sleep quality and alleviate a range of mental health difficulties. Conclusion: Sleep is a modifiable and clinically significant factor for mental health. Integrating sleep assessment and interventions into routine mental health care, along with public education and population-level strategies, may substantially enhance mental well-being across the lifespan.