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Coenzyme Q10 could treat mitochondrial diseases, colon cancer, thyroid carcinoma and Crohn’s disease

University of Granada, January 19, 2021

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a molecule essential for life that is synthesized in the cells of our organs and tissues, but is also acquired through diet

Scientists from the University of Granada demonstrate for the first time that a CoQ10 supplement is capable of modulating hydrogen sulfide metabolism and one-carbon metabolism

A study led by scientists from the University of Granada (UGR) has found that a supplement of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an essential molecule for life that is synthesized in the cells of our organs and tissues and is also acquired through diet, could constitute a valuable complementary therapeutic option in the treatment of certain mitochondrial diseases, colon cancer, thyroid carcinoma, and Crohn’s disease.

The two most well-known functions of CoQ10 are its role in the process of generating useful energy for cells and its antioxidant capacity. In various pathologies and throughout the natural aging process, there is a decline in the cellular levels of CoQ10, which contributes to various clinical manifestations, with a greater or lesser degree of severity.

CoQ10 capsules have therefore been made available for purchase in pharmacies and herbalists, yet the therapeutic action attributable to these exogenous supplements cannot be entirely explained by their effects on energy production or the reduction of oxidative stress. This study, published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics, addresses this knowledge gap.

The UGR researchers have demonstrated for the first time that CoQ10 supplements are capable of modulating hydrogen sulfide metabolism, which, in turn, triggers beneficial changes in other important metabolic pathways such as serine biosynthesis, the folate cycle, and nucleotide metabolism.

In various pathologies, such as certain mitochondrial diseases, colon cancer, thyroid carcinoma, or Crohn’s disease, some of these pathways are altered, so the CoQ10 supplement could be a valuable complementary therapeutic option in these diseases.

The UGR researchers underline an important limitation of the study—namely, that a large proportion of these results were obtained in cell cultures. Therefore, further study is required to evaluate results obtained in vivo, in animal models. This would require the capacity of CoQ10 to be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract to be increased and become available throughout the tissues being targeted.

Reishi mushroom ameliorated nonspatial learning and memory deficits in rats with Alzheimer disease

Jahangir Nagar University (Bangladesh), January 19, 2021

According to news originating from Dhaka, Bangladesh, esearch stated, “Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading neurodegenerative disorder affecting memory and learning of aged people. Hypercholesterolemia had been implicated as one of the stark hallmarks of AD.”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Jahangirnagar University, “Recent AD control guidelines have suggested lifestyle modification to slow down the progression of AD. In this regard, medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum seems apt. In the present study, hot water extract of G. lucidum (200 mg/kg body weight) was fed to the hypercholesterolemic and AD model rats for 8 weeks. Nonspatial memory and learning abilities of the model animals was assessed using novel object recognition (NOR) test, rotarod test, and locomotor/open-field test. Then, the animals were sacrificed and transmission electron micrograph (TEM) view of the hippocampal neurons was assessed. In all the nonspatial memory and learning tests, the G. lucidum HWE fed rats performed better indicating improved memory and learning abilities.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “TEM view showed regular arrangement of the neurons in the G. lucidum HWE fed rats compared with those of the deranged arrangement of the AD rats. G. lucidum might have aided in restoring the memory and learning abilities of the AD model animals through maintaining neuronal structure and function. Thus, G. lucidum could be suggested as a medicotherapeutic agent against AD.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

Weaker skin barrier leads to faster uptake of chemicals

Karolinska Institute (Sweden), January 13, 2021

The ability of our skin to protect us from chemicals is something we inherit. Some people are less well-protected which could imply an increased risk of being afflicted by skin disease or cancer. A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden that has been published in Environmental Health Perspectives shows how the rate of uptake of common chemicals is faster in people with a genetically weakened skin barrier.

We are continually exposed to chemicals from many different sources, for example, food, hygiene products, cosmetics and textiles. Many people are also exposed to chemicals at their place of work which can constitute a work environment problem.

The protein filaggrin is important for the structure and moisture balance of the skin, properties that affect the skin’s ability to function as a barrier against chemicals.

Earlier research has indicated that inherited variations of DNA sequences for filaggrin mean some people have less good “barrier protection” which leads to an increased uptake of chemicals. That could imply a greater risk of being afflicted by cancer or various skin diseases such as contact dermatitis.

This genetic variation is relatively common in northern Europe and occurs in a person when one of the parents has the genetic predisposition in question. About ten percent of Swedes have this variation.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Lund University have shown in a new study that this genetic variation leads to a considerably faster uptake of three common chemicals through the skin.

The researchers screened 500 people in Sweden. The results are based on 23 people with the mutation that causes a deficit of filaggrin, and 31 people who do not have it. The participants in the study were exposed to a harmless dose of three chemicals on their skin for four hours.

The chemicals used for the study were a pesticide used in Sweden, a UV filter used in sunscreen, and a hydrocarbon found in, for example, smoke from firewood.

The researchers were able to calculate the speed of uptake and the dose in the body with the help of urine samples taken from the participants during a period of 48 hours.

“We found, for example, twice as high a dose of the pesticide in the people with a mutation compared with those without. The fact that the skin takes up a greater amount of certain chemicals as a result of a genetic variation could mean that people with this mutation get a higher internal dose and, in the long run, could be at greater risk of disease such as cancer or a hormonal disorder,” says Karin Broberg, Professor at the Department of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, and the study’s last author. She continues:

“For the next step, we are planning to investigate whether the mutation affects the uptake of other chemicals in the skin. We also want to find out whether these mutations lead to disease caused by chemicals in the body and in the skin.”

Research reveals new insight into why breastfed babies have improved immune systems

University of Birmingham (UK), January 15, 2021

Research led by the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has revealed new insight into the biological mechanisms of the long-term positive health effects of breastfeeding in preventing disorders of the immune system in later life.

Breastfeeding is known to be associated with better health outcomes in infancy and throughout adulthood, and previous research has shown that babies receiving breastmilk are less likely to develop asthma, obesity, and autoimmune diseases later in life compared to those who are exclusively formula fed.

However, up until now, the immunological mechanisms responsible for these effects have been very poorly understood. In this new study, researchers have for the first time discovered that a specific type of immune cells – called regulatory T cells – expand in the first three weeks of life in breastfed human babies and are nearly twice as abundant as in formula fed babies. These cells also control the baby’s immune response against maternal cells transferred with breastmilk and help reduce inflammation.

Moreover, the research – supported by the National Institute for Health Research’s Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (NIHR SRMRC) – showed that specific bacteria, called Veillonella and Gemella, which support the function of regulatory T cells, are more abundant in the gut of breastfed babies.

The results of the study, published in Allergy, emphasise the importance of breastfeeding, say the researchers.

Senior author Gergely Toldi, researcher at the University of Birmingham and consultant neonatologist at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The influence of the type of milk received on the development of the immune response has not previously been studied in the first few weeks of life.

“Prior to our research the outstanding importance and the early involvement of this specific cell type in breastfed babies was unknown.

“We hope this invaluable new insight will lead to an increase in rates of breastfeeding and will see more babies benefit from the advantages of receiving breastmilk.

“Furthermore, we hope for those babies who are formula fed, these results will contribute to optimising the composition of formula milk in order to exploit these immunological mechanisms.

“We are very grateful for the mums and babies who contributed to this special project.”

The study is the culmination of a unique three-year research project analysing data from 38 healthy mothers and their healthy babies. Small amounts of blood and stool samples were collected at birth at Birmingham Women’s Hospital and then again later during home visits when the babies were three weeks old. Sixteen out of the 38 babies (42%) were exclusively breastfed for the duration of the study, while nine babies received mixed feeding, and 13 babies were exclusively formula-fed.

The researchers hope to now further study this biological mechanism in sick and pre-term newborn babies who have developed inflammatory complications.

The research was carried out by a team working across the University of Birmingham’s Institutes of Immunology and Immunotherapy; Cancer and Genomic Studies; Microbiology and Infection; and Metabolism and Systems Research, as well as the Department of Neonatology at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, and NIHR SRMRC based at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

Soy compound prevents bone loss in type 2 diabetic rats

Sun Yat-Sen University (China), January 19, 2021

According to news reporting out of Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China, by NewsRx editors, research stated, “Diabetic osteoporosis has become a severe public health problem in the aging societies. Genistein has been reported to play an important role in preventing and treating metabolic diseases via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-estrogenic, and estrogen-like functions.”

Our news reporters obtained a quote from the research from Sun Yat-Sen University: “We aimed to investigate whether genistein exerts bone-protective effect on diabetic rats induced by 35 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) plus a 4-week high-fat diet. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) control group, (2) type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model group, (3) T2DM with 10 mg/kg genistein, and (4) T2DM with 30 mg/kg genistein. After an 8-week treatment with genistein, the femurs, tibias, and blood were collected from all rats for further analysis. Genistein at 10 mg/kg showed little effect on diabetic osteoporosis, whereas genistein at 30 mg/kg significantly improved glucose and bone metabolisms compared with diabetic rats. Our results showed that 30 mg/kg genistein significantly increased bone mineral density, serum osteocalcin, and bone alkaline phosphatase. Genistein also effectively lowered fasting blood glucose, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b, tumor necrosis factor-a, interleukin-6, and numbers of adipocytes and osteoclasts. Compared with the T2DM group, protein levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (RANKL) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-g (PPAR-g) were decreased, while protein levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), b-catenin, and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx-2) were increased after genistein intervention.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Genistein could effectively improve abnormal bone metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic rats; the underlying molecular mechanisms might be related to OPG/RANKL, PPAR-g, and b-catenin/Runx-2 pathways.”

Green med diet cuts non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by half

Ben Gurion University (Israel), January 18, 2021

A green Mediterranean (MED) diet reduces intrahepatic fat more than other healthy diets and cuts non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in half, according to a long-term clinical intervention trial led by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers and a team of international colleagues.

The findings were published in Gut, a leading international journal focused on gastroenterology and hepatology.

“Our research team and other groups over the past 20 years have proven through rigorous randomized long-term trials that the Mediterranean diet is the healthiest,” says lead researcher Prof. Iris Shai, an epidemiologist in the BGU School of Public Health who is also an adjunct lecturer at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Now, we have refined that diet and discovered elements that can make dramatic changes to hepatic fat and other key health factors.” Other Harvard investigators are Profs. Meir Stampfer and Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at the Chan School.

NAFLD affects 25% to 30% of people in the United States and Europe. While some fat is normal in the liver, excessive fat (5% or higher) leads to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk, as well as decreased gut microbiome diversity and microbial imbalance. Since no drug is currently available to treat fatty liver, the only intervention is weight loss and curtailing of alcohol consumption.

This MRI-nutritional clinical trial (called Direct-Plus), conducted by an international research team led by Prof. Shai is the first to develop and test a new green Mediterranean diet. This modified MED diet is rich in vegetables, includes daily intake of walnuts (28 grams), and less processed and red meat. It is enriched with green components, high in polyphenols, including three to four cups of green tea/day and 100 grams (frozen cubes/day) of a Mankai green shake. Mankai, an aquatic green plant also known as duckweed, is high in bioavailable protein, iron, B12, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols.

“Addressing this common liver disease by targeted lifestyle intervention might promote a more effective nutritional strategy,” says Dr. Anat Yaskolka-Meir, first author and member of the BGU School of Public Health. “This clinical trial demonstrates an effective nutritional tool for NAFLD beyond weight loss.”

This 18-month trial DIRECT-PLUS began in 2017 at the Nuclear Research Center Negev in Dimona, Israel, when 294 workers in their fifties with abdominal obesity were randomly divided into three groups: healthy dietary regimen, Mediterranean diet and green Mediterranean diet. In addition to the diet, all the participants were given a physical exercise regimen with a free gym membership. The participants underwent MRI scans to quantify the exact proportion of excess intrahepatic fat before and after the trial.

The results showed that every diet led to liver fat reduction. However, the green MED diet resulted in the greatest reduction of hepatic fat (-39%), as compared to the traditional Mediterranean diet (-20%) and the healthy dietary guidelines (-12%). The results were significant after adjusting for weight loss.

Overall, the green MED diet produced dramatic reductions in fatty liver. NAFLD prevalence dropped from 62% at baseline to 31.5% in the green Mediterranean group, down to 47.9% in the Mediterranean group and 54.8% in the healthy dietary regimen group.

Specifically, greater Mankai and walnut intake and less red/processed meat intake were significantly associated with the extent of IHF loss, after controlling for other variables. Both MED groups had significantly higher total plasma polyphenol levels. More specific polyphenols, found in walnuts and Mankai, were detected in the green MED group. The researchers hypothesize the effect of polyphenols and the reduction in red meat play a role in liver fat reduction.

Rose hip supplements may increase energy expenditure, weight management

Lund University (Sweden), January 16, 2021

Daily supplements containing rose hip powder may prevent weight gain in lab mice, compared to mice eating a high fat diet only, says a new study from Sweden.

Scientists from Lund University report the rose hip supplementation appeared to work by increasing energy expenditure and inducing the “browning” of white fat.

There are two forms of fat tissue in our bodies: white and brown. White fat tissue primarily stores triglycerides and releases fatty acids and bioactive molecules called adipocytokines. On the other hand, brown fat tissue can also disperse heat (energy). It is also possible to give white fat tissue the thermogenic characteristics of brown fat, leading to so-called “brite” (brown in white) fat cells.

“Since the discovery of [brown fat tissue] also being present in adult humans, increasing its thermogenic capacity or inducing the conversion of white into beige fat could be a therapeutic strategy for obesity, diabetes and metabolic disorders,” explained the researchers in Nutrition & Metabolism .

The researchers fed lab mice a high fat diet with or without supplemental rose hip powder, provided by Orkla Health (formerly Axellus) at a dose of 30% of the total weight of the diet, for three months. Results showed that, despite no differences between the groups for energy intake (for quantity of food consumed), the rose hip-fed group had no body weight gain, compared to the control animals, while blood glucose, insulin and cholesterol levels were also lower.

The rose hip-fed animals also had significantly higher energy expenditure and a higher metabolic rate, compared to the control mice.

“Therefore, we hypothesized that rose hip could stimulate the brown adipose tissue thermogenic capacity or may induce browning of the white adipose tissue,” wrote the researchers. Indeed, genetic analysis revealed that the rose hop-fed mice had increased expression of “brite” markers.

“In the present study we identify two possible mechanisms whereby rose hip may exert anti-obesity effects. First, dietary intake of rose hop induces browning of [subcutaneous inguinal white adipose tissue] through upregulation of some [brown adipose tissue] markers […] Second, dietary intake of rose hip appears to decrease intestinal energy absorption,” they added. “Thus, rose hip intake exerts anti-obesity through effects on both [energy expenditure] and [energy intake].

“Confirmatory experiments in human subjects as well as complementary mechanistic studies are required in order to grant rose hip a “brite” future as a dietary supplement to prevent and treat obesity and related metabolic disorders,” they concluded.

Research suggests amino acid L-cysteine may help reverse early onset Alzheimer disease

Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, January 18m 2021

According to news originating from the Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders , the research stated, “Amyloid-beta (Ab) is a critical etiological factor for late-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, an early-onset AD has been found to be related with an Ab mutation in glutamic acid 22-to-lysine (Italian type E22K).”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders: “Why only one single point mutation at E22 residue induces AD remains unclear. Here, we report that a Chinese familial AD pedigree with E22K mutation was associated with higher levels of serum hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lower activity of catalase (a H2O2 degrading enzyme) than controls. Further, we found that E22K binding with catalase caused more severe H2O2 accumulation in the brains of E22K-injected rats than Ab-injected rats. Unexpectedly, H2O2 bound with the mutation site 22K residue of E22K and elicited more rapid aggregation of E22K than Ab in vitro. Moreover, H2O2 acted with E22K synergistically to induce higher cellular toxicity than with Ab. Notably, intrahippocampal infusion of E22K led to more severe plaque deposition, neuron death, and more rapid memory decline than Ab-injected rats.”

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “However, L-cysteine, a H2O2 scavenger, not only prevented self-aggregation of E22K but also reduced H2O2-promoted E22K assembly in vitro; subsequently, it alleviated Alzheimer-related phenotypes. Hence, E22K binding with catalase promotes the early onset of familial AD, and L-cys may reverse this disease.”

Study: Light, magnetic field, and ultrasound could help fight COVID-19

Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, January 19, 2021

A team of researchers from RUDN University and RLT suggested restoring normal levels of lymphocytes in patients with COVID-19 and other viral diseases by subjecting them to the combined influence of light, magnetic field, and ultrasound. The results of the study were published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology.

Some COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic, while others suffer from complications. To effectively fight coronavirus with drugs and therapeutic methods, scientists and medics have to find out what causes these differences in the course of the disease. A team of scientists from RUDN University together with their colleagues from the international company Radiant Life Technologies (RLT) suggested that the reason might lie in the gradual depletion and death of lymphocytes due to aging, chronic diseases, and stress. However, the population of lymphocytes could potentially be restored with biophysical radiances.

“We have studied COVID-19 immunopathology from the point of view of bioenergetics to better understand the biophysical grounds of immune processes. We believe that specific cell functions depend on the kinetics of basic cell life support,” said Prof. Oksana Gizinger, a Ph.D. in Biology from the Department of Immunology and Allergology, Institute of Medicine at RUDN University.

The term ‘bioenergetics’ is often used by psychics and adepts of alternative medicine to describe such notions as auras or biofields. However, in fundamental science, it means a field of knowledge about energy exchange within living systems and between them and the environment. Having studied the immune cells of coronavirus patients, scientists found a correlation between bioenergetics and immune system reactions. For example, to develop an adequate immune response, activated T lymphocytes require dozens of times more energy than to remain in their regular state. However, when a body’s energy reserves are depleted, T lymphocytes cannot function properly and the levels of exhaustion markers PD-1, TIM-3, CTLA-4, and TIGIT increase from their minimum in the asymptomatic period to the maximum when a patient is admitted to ICU. In severe cases, the lymphocyte count decreases to 5-15%. If the situation does not improve within a week, the risk of fatality is extremely high.

Having analyzed scientific literature, the team found out that the outcome of the disease could be predicted with 90% accuracy using just two parameters: the level of lactate dehydrogenase and the reduction of lymphocyte count. The researchers suggested that the depletion of the lymphocyte population caused by systemic energy deficiency could cause adaptive immunity disfunction. The bodies of elderly people, patients with chronic diseases, or those under stress fail to meet the increased energy demands of the immune system which leads to a more serious progression of the disease. If this assumption is correct, the problem could be solved by stimulating lymphocyte regeneration.

According to the team’s hypothesis, this could be achieved by treating the cells with four types of biophysical radiances at once: laser, monochromatic light, magnetic field, and ultrasound. Presumably, when properly combined, these radiances could support the regeneration of lymphocytes.

“We believe that a combination of these biophysical radiances could help restore the cells, improve the work of the immune system, and speed up the recovery. Our coherent multi-radiance (coMra) technology combines infrared, laser, visible monochromatic, magnetic, and ultrasonic radiances in one device. Together, they stimulate cellular functions, such as immune defense and tissue regeneration,” added Arzhan Surazakov, Ph.D., Director of Research and Development at Radiant Life Technologies.

Psychological well-being declined during second wave of the pandemic – especially for men

Our psychological well-being follows the rise and fall of the infection rate, but whereas psychological well-being fell most for women during the spring lockdown, it is men who are hardest hit during the second wave

Aarhus University (Denmark), January 18, 2021

The psychological well-being of both men and women declined when Denmark closed down during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the spring of 2020 – with women being hit the hardest. But during the second wave, it is the other way round in terms of gender: The psychological well-being of men and women is generally low, but it has fallen most in men.

This is shown in a survey conducted by Søren Dinesen Østergaard, among others. He is professor at the Department of Clinical Medicine and affiliated with the Department of Affective Disorders at Aarhus University Hospital – Psychiatry in Denmark.

The survey is the latest of three assessments of Danes’ psychological well-being during the pandemic. The first survey was carried out during the spring shutdown, the second at the end of April after the level of infection had fallen, and the third and recently published survey during the period from 20 November to 8 December last year. The results of the three surveys have been published in the journal Acta Neuropsychiatrica.

“We see that men’s psychological well-being is lower in the November-December measurement than it was during the spring lockdown, while the trend has gone in the opposite direction for women,” says Søren Dinesen Østergaard.

The 5-item WHO well-being index (WHO-5) is used as a screening tool by, e.g., general practitioners, to assess whether a patient should be further examined for depression. The responses to the five questions in the WHO-5 result in a total score between 0 and 100 – with a higher score indicating higher psychological well-being. If the score is below 50, the probability of depression is substantial.

Søren Dinesen Østergaard explains that the average WHO-5 score in the November-December survey had decreased by just under 4 points for men and 2.5 points for women since the (second) assessment at the end of April. Compared to the first assessment at the end of March/beginning of April, during the peak of the first wave, the psychological well-being has risen slightly, with just under 1.5 points, for women, while it has fallen correspondingly for men. However, there are still more women with scores below 50 on the WHO in the November-December assessment – 27 per cent of women compared to 23 per cent of men.

“Of course, we cannot know for sure that the course of the corona pandemic is the cause of the variations we see in the psychological well-being. But the results fit this explanation. The onset of winter may, however, also play a role,” he adds. He points out that it is established that the number of Danes who are diagnosed with depression increases significantly after the transition to winter time. He emphasizes that as it is primarily women who experience seasonal variations in mood, this explanation does not fit well with the fact that the decline in psychological well-being during the second wave of the corona pandemic is greatest among men.

“The gender difference in our results is interesting, but we cannot determine the underlying mechanisms based on the data at hand. Perhaps it has to do with uncertainties related to employment. The job market has been negatively affected by the pandemic, especially the private sector, which occupies more men than women, so perhaps it is a question of men worrying more about their employment prospects and their family’s economic situation than women. This is something we will try to address in the next round of the survey,” he says.

MIND and Mediterranean diets associated with later onset of Parkinson’s disease

University of British Columbia, January 18, 2021

A new study from UBC researchers suggests a strong correlation between following the MIND and Mediterranean diets and later onset of Parkinson’s disease (PD). While researchers have long known of neuroprotective effects of the MIND diet for diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia, this study is the first to suggest a link between this diet and brain health for Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The MIND diet combines aspects of two very popular diets, the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.

“The study shows individuals with Parkinson’s disease have a significantly later age of onset if their eating pattern closely aligns with the Mediterranean-type diet. The difference shown in the study was up to 17 years later in women and eight years later in men,” says Dr. Silke Appel-Cresswell of the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre, the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and the Division of Neurology in the UBC Faculty of Medicine. “There is a lack of medications to prevent or delay Parkinson’s disease yet we are optimistic that this new evidence suggests nutrition could potentially delay onset of the disease.”

In a study of 176 participants, researchers looked at adherence to these types of diets, characterized by reduced meat intake and a focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy fats, and the age of PD onset. They found that close adherence to these diets coincided with later onset of PD in women of up to 17.4 years, and 8.4 years in men. The MIND diet showed a more significant impact on women’s health, whereas the Mediterranean diet did for the men. The differences in these two diets are subtle, but could serve as clues to the impacts specific foods and micronutrients may have on brain health.

The different effects of diet adherence between sexes are noteworthy as approximately 60 per cent of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease are men.

“If we understand the sex differences between the MIND diet and Mediterranean diet then we might better understand the sex differences that drive Parkinson’s disease in the first place,” says lead researcher Avril Metcalfe-Roach, a PhD student at UBC’s Michael Smith Laboratories.

These findings springboard to other research questions that could have significant impacts on the understanding of PD.

“It drives home the connection between the gut and the brain for this disease,” says Dr. Brett Finlay, professor in the departments of biochemistry and molecular biology, and microbiology and immunology at UBC. “It also shows it’s not just one disease that healthy eating can affect, but several of these cognitive diseases.”

The research team plans to further examine the potential connection between the microbiome and its effect on the brain.

“There is so much benefit to eating healthy,” says Metcalfe-Roach. “It is in everybody’s best interest to try to keep your microbiome healthy, to try and eat a rich variety of plant-based and other healthy foods. This study provides even more evidence for what we already know–that we should be trying to eat healthy and taking care of ourselves.”

Link between sunscreen ingredient, diet, and cancer risk investigated

Scientists explore the effects diet and the chemical benzophenone-3 have on breast cancer risk

Michigan State University, January 16, 2021

In a new animal study, scientists have explored the effects a combination of diet and exposure to the chemical benzophenone-3 (BP-3) has on mammary gland tumors.

The scientists found a complex relationship between these factors. However, they conclude that exposure to BP-3 — a common ingredient in sunscreen and other products — is likely to increase the risks associated with mammary gland tumors.

The study, published in the journal Oncotarget, lays the ground for further research to confirm the findings and to explore the extent to which they are likely to be reproducible in humans.

BP-3 is a common ingredient in sunscreen, as well as in many other consumer products. However, it is also thought to be an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC).

A person’s endocrine system secretes hormones that play a central role in governing many crucial bodily functions.

There is mounting evidence that exposure to EDCs increases a person’s risk of many health conditions, including obesity, reduced weight at birth, diabetes, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and breast cancer.

There is much that is not yet known about EDCs. However, enough evidence of their probable harmful effects on human health exists for the Endocrine Society to call for a “precautionary principle” that chemicals must first be tested before being released into the environment.

BP-3 was detected in 96% of the population of the United States between 2003 and 2012. A recent study found that a single heavy application of sunscreen could exceed the point at which BP-3 becomes of toxicological concern.

The scientists behind the present study had previously shown a relationship between a diet high in saturated animal fat and an increased risk of mammary gland tumors in mouse models. In another study, they showed a relationship between estrogen and mammary gland tumors.

Since BP-3 is a likely EDC that also affects estrogen levels, the scientists wanted to see what the combined effect of diet and exposure to BP-3 might be on the development of mammary gland tumors.

In the study, the scientists placed the mice into three groups. The first group was fed a low fatdiet; the second group was fed a diet high in fat; and the third group received a diet high in fat during puberty and then low in fat after.

Each of these three groups was then split in two, with half the mice being fed a daily amount of BP-3 the equivalent of a heavy application of sunscreen.

By the end of the study, two types of breast cancer tumor had developed in almost all of the mice: epithelial tumors, which are similar to mammary gland cells, and spindle cell tumors, which can develop into claudin-low breast cancer.

The researchers found a complex relationship between diet, BP-3, and tumor development.

For the mice on a low fat diet, BP-3 appeared to offer some protection against epithelial tumor development while also increasing the aggressiveness of the spindle cell tumors.

The mice given a high fat diet during puberty received none of the beneficial effect of BP-3 on epithelial tumors, which grew more aggressively.

Aggressive epithelial tumors were also seen in the mice given a high fat diet throughout the study.

According to Prof. Richard Schwartz, professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Michigan State University and co-corresponding author of the study:

“You never know what you are going to find in experiments like these. I was prepared to see no difference at all from BP-3 in any of our diets, but we found that even a relatively brief exposure to a high fat diet during puberty is enough to allow BP-3 to cause a change in the outcome for cancer.”

More research is needed to further understand the relationship between diet, BP-3, and cancer risk. However, for the scientists, their findings should make people think twice about exposing themselves to BP-3 if alternatives are available.

Prof. Schwartz explains: “BP-3 will likely not have the same impact on groups of women with dietary differences, and that is an important question to ask when designing experiments that study the effects of EDCs and cancer. In balance, these results suggest that there are enough bad effects from BP-3 overall that we believe it calls for the precautionary principle.”

“When there are alternatives, stay away from BP-3,” he recommends.

As an alternative, Prof. Schwartz suggests that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide creams may also be effective.

Small Amount of Zinc Reduces DNA Damage

University of California at San Francisco, January 19, 2021

Just 4 mg of Extra Zinc in Daily Diet May Reduce DNA Damage

You’ve heard it a gazillion times that Zinc is an essential mineral to be included in daily diet to promote immunity, reproduction health, skin, and vision. Now scientists have suggested a modest increase in dietary zinc – just 4mg of extra zinc, in your daily diet could dramatically improve cellular health and reduce DNA damage.

Zinc may be a less familiar dietary mineral than iron, calcium or sodium, but it is as essential as its counterparts for our metabolism and our health. Everyone, young and old, requires this trace element regularly to survive. Zinc is present in every cell, organ, bone, tissue, and fluid in our bodies and adequate level of this micronutrient in the body is absolutely essential for strong immunity, neuropsychologic performance and overall growth. Deficiency of this mineral could lead to such health problems as diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria as well as coughing, fatigue, fever and stomach pain.

Researchers from the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Research Institute have found that adding just 4 milligrams of extra zinc to a daily diet can dramatically improve cellular health and keep “wear and tear” on DNA at bay.

Upping zinc in daily diet can have a substantial, positive impact on cellular health that aids in fighting infections and diseases. This recommended extra amount of zinc is equivalent to what biofortified crops, such as zinc rice and zinc wheat, can add to the diet of people who are deficient of zinc or vulnerable to this mineral.

“We were pleasantly surprised to see that just a small increase in dietary zinc can have such a significant impact on how metabolism is carried out throughout the body,” said lead researcher Janet King, Senior Scientist at Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute in California.

“These results present a new strategy for measuring the impact of extra zinc on health and reinforce the evidence that food-based interventions can improve micronutrient deficiencies worldwide,” King noted.

For the study, King and colleagues carried out a randomized, controlled, six-week trial in which they measured the impact of zinc on human metabolism by counting breaks in the DNA strand. The scientists used the parameter of DNA damage to examine the effects of a moderate amount of this micro-nutrient on healthy living.

The findings showed that a modest increase in dietary zinc decreased oxidative stress and DNA strand breaks. In addition, the dietary-zinc increase raised the level of proteins involved in repairing of “wear and tear” on DNA as well as restored antioxidant and immune functions.

The researchers believe these findings will provide profound, novel information for designing an efficacy trial of biofortified rice and the zinc status of infants and young children.

The findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Study suggests role for sunlight exposure in reducing the severity of MS

University of Munster (Germany), January 13, 2021

A new study from Germany involving over 1700 people with MS shows evidence that sunlight exposure, as indicated by blood levels of vitamin D and latitude (distance from the equator) of residence, were associated with the severity of MS. They also found evidence related to how sunlight may influence beneficial immune cell activity. Sun exposure in excess is not recommended due to the risk of skin cancer – see below for some recommendations.

* Sunlight and vitamin D have previously been linked to the risk of developing MS. Evidence suggests that higher lifetime exposure to sunlight (through which the skin makes vitamin D) and higher blood levels of vitamin D are associated with a lower risk of developing MS. MS is more common at latitudes that are farther from the equator and less common in areas closer to the equator – a factor that also suggests the influence of sunlight exposure on MS. This study examined the association between sunlight exposure, latitude, and vitamin D levels and MS disease activity and severity.

* The investigators examined data from two large ongoing studies of people with MS: 908 people with early MS who had not yet received disease-modifying therapy, and 808 people with MS who were mostly treated, most often with interferon beta-1a. They looked at information collected from clinical examinations, MRI imaging, and disability measures. They also looked at vitamin D levels and gene activity (in particular, the MC1R gene which is associated with sunlight sensitivity) in blood samples, and also included information on several people who had been treated with ultraviolet light therapy.

* The team conducted a series of analyses with the results suggesting the following:

– Lower latitudes (indicating greater sun exposure) were associated with increased blood levels of vitamin D, except in a subgroup of people treated with interferon, where there was no association.

– Lower latitudes and higher levels of vitamin D were associated with a reduced risk of relapses and less accumulation of disability (as measured by the standard EDSS disability scale).

– In people with the MC1R gene who reported being sensitive to sunlight, lower latitudes were associated with more MS disease activity (as seen on MRI scans), whereas in people without this gene, lower latitudes were associated with less disease activity.

* Higher latitudes (less sun exposure) and lower levels of vitamin D were associated with more severe MS, except in a subgroup of people treated with interferon.

* Examining immune cells from people treated with light therapy showed the activation of genes associated with the production of both vitamin D and interferon beta (which is not just an MS therapy, but is also produced by the body’s own immune cells to fight infection).

This study provides evidence for the role of sun exposure and the course of MS, and also suggests that sunlight may influence immune activity beyond its effect on vitamin D. Clinical trials of vitamin D supplements are currently underway, which will help to tease out its effects.

What you can do now: Sun exposure (about 15 minutes/day) allows our body to make its own Vitamin D by absorption through the skin. How can you make this happen during the winter? If it’s warm enough, go outside in the morning or other times when sunburn risk is lower. Read recommendations for other sources of vitamin D.

“Sunlight exposure exerts immunomodulatory effects to reduce multiple sclerosis severity,” by Patrick Ostkamp, Nicholas Schwab, PhD (University of Munster, Munster) and colleagues, was published on December 29, 2020 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences(2021;118(1):e2018457118).

NIH scientists identify nutrient that helps prevent bacterial infection

Taurine, which helps the body digest fats and oils, could offer treatment benefit

National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease, January 15, 2021

Scientists studying the body’s natural defenses against bacterial infection have identified a nutrient–taurine–that helps the gut recall prior infections and kill invading bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae(Kpn). The finding, published in the journal Cell by scientists from five institutes of the National Institutes of Health, could aid efforts seeking alternatives to antibiotics.

Scientists know that microbiota–the trillions of beneficial microbes living harmoniously inside our gut–can protect people from bacterial infections, but little is known about how they provide protection. Scientists are studying the microbiota with an eye to finding or enhancing natural treatments to replace antibiotics, which harm microbiota and become less effective as bacteria develop drug resistance.

The scientists observed that microbiota that had experienced prior infection and transferred to germ-free mice helped prevent infection with Kpn. They identified a class of bacteria–Deltaproteobacteria–involved in fighting these infections, and further analysis led them to identify taurine as the trigger for Deltaproteobacteria activity.

Taurine helps the body digest fats and oils and is found naturally in bile acids in the gut. The poisonous gas hydrogen sulfide is a byproduct of taurine. The scientists believe that low levels of taurine allow pathogens to colonize the gut, but high levels produce enough hydrogen sulfide to prevent colonization. During the study, the researchers realized that a single mild infection is sufficient to prepare the microbiota to resist subsequent infection, and that the liver and gallbladder–which synthesize and store bile acids containing taurine–can develop long-term infection protection.

The study found that taurine given to mice as a supplement in drinking water also prepared the microbiota to prevent infection. However, when mice drank water containing bismuth subsalicylate–a common over-the-counter drug used to treat diarrhea and upset stomach–infection protection waned because bismuth inhibits hydrogen sulfide production.

Scientists from NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases led the project in collaboration with researchers from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences; the National Cancer Institute; the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; and the National Human Genome Research Institute.

New research shows the importance of consuming enough vitamin B12 in pregnancy

University of Bristol (UK), January 12, 2021

A new study published in Nutrition Research has found that children born to a mother with low intake of vitamin B12 during pregnancy were at increased risk of adverse development specific to certain speech and mathematical abilities.

The study, from Professor Jean Golding and colleagues at the University of Bristol, used data from the renowned long-term health study Children of the 90s.

Information on details of the diets of almost 14,000 pregnant women was collected by the Children of the 90s study (also known as the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children or ALSPAC), based in Bristol, UK. Their children have been followed over the years and their abilities tested at various time points. A publication in the journal Nutrition Research reports on the results of comparing the children born to women who were eating a diet relatively low in vitamin B12 with children whose mothers ate a diet higher in the vitamin.

Professor Golding explained: “Many nutrients in pregnancy have beneficial effects on the brain of the unborn child, with resulting improved childhood abilities in regard to intelligence and educational abilities. However, it is unclear whether vitamin B12 has a similar effect.

“Vitamin B12 is found in foods such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese, milk and some fortified breakfast cereals. For vegans and vegetarians, Marmite is a rich source of vitamin B12 and other B vitamins.”

Researchers compared 29 different test results of which 26 were shown to differ with levels of vitamin B12, a far higher amount than would have been expected.

However, the mothers who had a diet low in vitamin B12 differed from the rest of the population in 9 different independent features. Once these factors had been taken into account there were no residual effects with social class or any other socioeconomic measure. These nine variables were all taken into account when assessing the possible effects of the mother’s diets during pregnancy on her offspring’s abilities.

Whilst many of the differences such as reading and spelling abilities, as well as aspects of IQ could be explained by other background factors, there were six associations which could not be explained away. These indicated that the childrenborn to women with the lowest intake of vitamin B12 were at increased risk of poor vocabulary at 24 months, reduced ability at combining words at 38 months, poor speech intelligibility at six years, poor mathematics comprehension at school yearsfour and six (ages eight to nine and 10-11 years), and poor results on the national mathematics tests (age 13). There were no significant associations with mental arithmetic, indicating that the mathematics results were specific to a reasoning component rather than computational abilities.

The numbers involved in these results were as follows: 24 month vocabulary (n=9140); combining words at 38 months (n=8833), poor speech intelligibility at six years (n=7,647), poor mathematics comprehension at school years four and six (ages eight to nine (n=4,093) and 10-11 years (n=6,142), and poor results on the national mathematics tests (age 13 (n=8,215).

Professor Golding continued: “We concluded that if a pregnant woman has a low intake of vitamin B12, there may be adverse effects on the child’s neurocognitive development specific to certain speech and mathematical abilities. These results are intriguing but need to be confirmed in other longitudinal studies. Meanwhile it continues to be appropriate to recommend a varied diet for all pregnant women, and for those eating few or no animal products, inclusion of fortified foods and/or yeast extract should be promoted.”

No limit to cardiovascular benefits of exercise, study finds

Oxford University, January 12, 2021

Physical activity is not only associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, but there is no threshold for that association, with the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease seen for those who are most active, according to a new study published this week in PLOS Medicine by Terence Dwyer of University of Oxford, UK, and colleagues.

Research has shown that there is an inverse association between self-reported physical activity and the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. However, there is uncertainty about the range of this association, especially at the highest levels of physical activity. In the new study, researchers used data from 90,211 UK Biobank participants without prior cardiovascular disease who agreed to wear an accelerometer to measure their physical activity over a 7-day period in 2013 through 2015.

Participants in the lowest category of physical activity smoked more, had higher body mass index and C-reactive protein, and were most often diagnosed with hypertension. Overall, there were 3,617 cases of cardiovascular disease diagnosed in participants during an average of 5.2 years of follow-up. People in every increasing quartile of physical activity, for moderate-intensity activity, vigorous-intensity activity and total physical activity, were less likely to have cardiovascular disease. For instance, compared to those in the lowest quartile, those in the second quartile of moderate-intensity exercise were 71% as likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (95% CI 0.65-0.77), those in the third quartile were 59% as likely (95% CI 0.54-0.65) and those in the highest quartile were 46% as likely (95% CI 0.41-0.51). While potential confounders were taken into consideration, the possibility of unknown confounders or reverse causality cannot be completely ruled out in the current study.

Associate Professor Aiden Doherty, from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Population Health and one of the lead authors of the study, said: ‘This is the largest ever study of exquisite device-measured physical activity and cardiovascular disease. It shows that physical activity is probably even more important for the prevention of cardiovascular disease than we previously thought. Our findings lend further weight to the new WHO guidelines on physical activity which recommend at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week for all adults’.

Professor Terry Dwyer, from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health and lead author of the study, said: ‘The results of this study enhance confidence that physical activity is likely to be an important way of preventing cardiovascular disease. The potential risk reduction estimated in those engaging in relatively high levels of activity is substantial and justifies a greater emphasis on measures to increase levels of physical activity in the community.’

Dr. Rema Ramakrishnan, from The University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health and the first author of this study said: ‘We are confident about the study findings because physical activity was objectively assessed by a more valid tool that can capture frequency, intensity, and duration of physical activity rather than self-reported by the participants. We were also fortunate to have access to data from the UK Biobank study, a rich data source that could answer this question.’

Can menopause be blamed for increased forgetfulness and lack of attention?

New study suggests that a woman’s menopause stage can affect cognitive performance; declines in memory may persist in the postmenopause period

North American Menopause Society, January 13, 2021

If you’re a bit more forgetful or having more difficulty processing complex concepts than in the past, the problem may be your menopause stage. A new study claims that menopause stage is a key determinant of cognition and, contrary to previous studies, shows that certain cognitive declines may continue into the postmenopause period. Study results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

It’s commonly assumed that people’s memories decline with age, as does their ability to learn new things and grasp challenging concepts. But multiple large-scale studies have suggested that menopause is a sex-specific risk factor for cognitive dysfunction independent of aging and menopause symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and hot flashes.

Many of these previous studies, however, did not characterize the duration of cognitive changes taking place between premenopause and perimenopause but suggested that difficulties in memory and processing may resolve in the postmenopause period. A new study involving more than 440 primarily low-income women of color, including women with HIV, concluded that menopause stage is a key determinant of cognition but that clinically significant cognitive declines/cognitive impairment persist into postmenopause, affecting primarily learning and memory. Subtler declines in attention were additionally found to continue into the postmenopause period.

Researchers theorized that the difference in results relative to the duration of cognitive decline could be explained by the fact that this newer study included more low-income women with multiple risk factors for cognitive dysfunction, including the presence of HIV. Previous studies have confirmed that cognitive function is compromised by an array of risk factors, including HIV, poverty, low education, substance abuse, high levels of stress, limited access to quality healthcare, mental health problems, and medical comorbidities.

The new study is the first known study to assess changes in cognitive performance across menopause stages. It specifically showed cognitive declines over time in learning, memory, and attention from premenopause to early perimenopause and from premenopause to postmenopause. Many of these changes were documented to reach a clinically significant level of cognitive impairment.

Results are published in the article “Cognitive changes during the menopausal transition: a longitudinal study in women with and without HIV.”

“This study, which included a racially diverse sample of low-income women and women with HIV, adds to existing literature on cognitive changes across the menopause transition and showed a significant cognitive decline in learning and memory that persisted into postmenopause. Additional research is needed to confirm these findings and to identify the factors responsible for individual differences in cognitive changes,” says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director.

Science: Endometriosis, Fibroids Caused By These Common Chemicals, Billions In Annual Medical Costs

New York University School of Medicine, January 13, 2021

In a new study, a team of researchers set out to estimate the health cost of two chemicals in the European Union – pthalates and DDE.

Both of these chemicals are known hormone disruptors and are found virtually everywhere in the Western world. From plastics to pesticides and from makeup to food both pthalates and DDE are almost impossible to avoid by anyone living a life that is considered somewhat normal. But both have been strongly linked with “common” female reproductive issues, particularly endometriosis and fibroids. Between fibroids and endometriosis, it is estimated that 70% of women will experience infertility as a result of exposure.

There are substantial human and toxicological studies (in mice and other lab animals) that suggest that exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals, many of which are increasing in use, are contributing to female reproductive conditions,” said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, associate professor of pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine.

DDE is actually a breakdown product of DDT that was banned for agricultural purposes by the United States and Europe in the 1970s. The product is still used for disease control and its agricultural residue still lingers in the environment. For that reason, most exposure to pthalates comes from eating food produced in contaminated soils/water and from eating food and drinks stored in plastic that contains pthalates.

The researchers of the new study determined that 56,700 cases of fibroids in women in Europe were likely due to DDE exposure and 145,000 cases of endometriosis were likely caused by pthalates. The researchers estimate that the problems resulting from just these two chemicals would cost the European Union 1.41 billion Euros a year. It is important to note that this study only researched two chemicals, neither of which were BPA, and even more present hormone-disruptor.

A previous estimate provided by a panel of experts suggested that endocrine-disrupting chemicals would cost Europe 157 billion Euros. While the costs are staggering, they are not the most important issue. Human progress is not measured by cost, but by human lives and the conditions in which they live.

It is time that the European Union, the United States and the rest of the world begin to move away from these chemicals and to remove them from the environment.

Energy-boosting alternatives to coffee

Life Extension, January 15, 2021

It’s safe to say we’re a nation of coffee drinkers. Whether you’re a fan of a fancy flat white or you stick to a humble jar of the instant stuff, we’re estimated to get through two billion cups around the world, each and every day.

If you’re one of the people that’s keen to take a break from coffee in 2021, but can’t seem to sacrifice the energy hit, saying goodbye to your daily fix can be a tricky business.

Instead of going cold turkey, you might want to try one of these natural coffee alternatives that provide a similar pick-me-up.

Matcha

Matcha is a Japanese tea powder that’s made from grinding up dried tea leaves. Known of its distinctive green colour, it can be a helpful substitute for hardcore coffee drinkers, especially if you tend to feel afternoon energy crashes after slurping on espressos all morning.

“Although matcha contains caffeine, it also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which slows its release in the body,” explains nutritionist Jenna Hope. “As a result, you’ll experience a gradual rise and fall in energy when you drink it, rather than the sharp spike, followed by an unpleasant low.”

Hope says that matcha also has another big benefit; it’s rich in antioxidants, which help to fight free radicals in the body – unstable atoms that can damage cells, causing both illness and ageing.

Kombucha

This funky tasting tea has been a major wellness trend in recent years, thanks to its supposed health benefits – advocates say that the fermented drink can aid digestion and improve immune function.

Kombucha can also act as a helpful alternative to sugary drinks or coffee, because it’s generally low in sugar and, like many types of tea, contains lower amounts of caffeine – popular drinks brand Remedy Kombucha contains around 10mg per 100ml, for instance.

The sweet tea also has a slight fizz to it, which some find helps to wake them up first thing, better than a still glass of H2O.

Bananas

These nutritionally-dense foods are secretly the healthiest way to get an energy hit first thing on a Monday morning.

The banana’s secret weapons are sucrose, fructose and glucose – three natural sugars that give you a substantial source of fuel. They’re also a grab-and-go source of potassium and vitamin B6, all of which can help to keep your energy levels stable.

If you want something soothing to sip on while starting the day, whizz them up in a shake for a morning treat.

Green tea

Functional medicine health coach Suzy Glaskie warns that coffee can wreck our sleep as well as exhaust our adrenal glands. “I prefer a cup of green tea, which provides a more gentle caffeine lift,” she says.

Similarly to matcha, it has slightly less caffeine than a cup of Joe, but enough to give you a boost without any of the coffee jitters. “Studies have found that adding a squeeze of lemon may make the active ingredients even more potent,” says Glaskie.

Green tea is also rich in polyphenols, natural compounds that are thought to have potent health benefits, including reducing inflammation and helping to treat digestive issues.

Study suggests role for sunlight exposure in reducing the severity of MS

University of Munster (Germany), January 13, 2021

* The team conducted a series of analyses with the results suggesting the following:

– Lower latitudes (indicating greater sun exposure) were associated with increased blood levels of vitamin D, except in a subgroup of people treated with interferon, where there was no association.

– Lower latitudes and higher levels of vitamin D were associated with a reduced risk of relapses and less accumulation of disability (as measured by the standard EDSS disability scale).

* Higher latitudes (less sun exposure) and lower levels of vitamin D were associated with more severe MS, except in a subgroup of people treated with interferon.

NIH scientists identify nutrient that helps prevent bacterial infection

Taurine, which helps the body digest fats and oils, could offer treatment benefit

National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease, January 15, 2021

New research shows the importance of consuming enough vitamin B12 in pregnancy

University of Bristol (UK), January 12, 2021

The study, from Professor Jean Golding and colleagues at the University of Bristol, used data from the renowned long-term health study Children of the 90s.

Researchers compared 29 different test results of which 26 were shown to differ with levels of vitamin B12, a far higher amount than would have been expected.

No limit to cardiovascular benefits of exercise, study finds

Oxford University, January 12, 2021

Can menopause be blamed for increased forgetfulness and lack of attention?

New study suggests that a woman’s menopause stage can affect cognitive performance; declines in memory may persist in the postmenopause period

North American Menopause Society, January 13, 2021

Results are published in the article “Cognitive changes during the menopausal transition: a longitudinal study in women with and without HIV.”

Science: Endometriosis, Fibroids Caused By These Common Chemicals, Billions In Annual Medical Costs

New York University School of Medicine, January 13, 2021

In a new study, a team of researchers set out to estimate the health cost of two chemicals in the European Union – pthalates and DDE.

It is time that the European Union, the United States and the rest of the world begin to move away from these chemicals and to remove them from the environment.

Energy-boosting alternatives to coffee

Life Extension, January 15, 2021

If you’re one of the people that’s keen to take a break from coffee in 2021, but can’t seem to sacrifice the energy hit, saying goodbye to your daily fix can be a tricky business.

Instead of going cold turkey, you might want to try one of these natural coffee alternatives that provide a similar pick-me-up.

Matcha

Kombucha

The sweet tea also has a slight fizz to it, which some find helps to wake them up first thing, better than a still glass of H2O.

Bananas

These nutritionally-dense foods are secretly the healthiest way to get an energy hit first thing on a Monday morning.

If you want something soothing to sip on while starting the day, whizz them up in a shake for a morning treat.

Green tea

Green tea is also rich in polyphenols, natural compounds that are thought to have potent health benefits, including reducing inflammation and helping to treat digestive issues.

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Coenzyme Q10 could treat mitochondrial diseases, colon cancer, thyroid carcinoma and Crohn’s disease

Reishi mushroom ameliorated nonspatial learning and memory deficits in rats with Alzheimer disease

Jahangir Nagar University (Bangladesh), January 19, 2021

Weaker skin barrier leads to faster uptake of chemicals

Research reveals new insight into why breastfed babies have improved immune systems

Soy compound prevents bone loss in type 2 diabetic rats

Sun Yat-Sen University (China), January 19, 2021

Green med diet cuts non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by half

Research suggests amino acid L-cysteine may help reverse early onset Alzheimer disease

Study: Light, magnetic field, and ultrasound could help fight COVID-19

Psychological well-being declined during second wave of the pandemic – especially for men

MIND and Mediterranean diets associated with later onset of Parkinson’s disease

Link between sunscreen ingredient, diet, and cancer risk investigated

Study suggests role for sunlight exposure in reducing the severity of MS

NIH scientists identify nutrient that helps prevent bacterial infection

New research shows the importance of consuming enough vitamin B12 in pregnancy

No limit to cardiovascular benefits of exercise, study finds

Can menopause be blamed for increased forgetfulness and lack of attention?

New study suggests that a woman’s menopause stage can affect cognitive performance; declines in memory may persist in the postmenopause period

North American Menopause Society, January 13, 2021

Energy-boosting alternatives to coffee

Study suggests role for sunlight exposure in reducing the severity of MS

NIH scientists identify nutrient that helps prevent bacterial infection

New research shows the importance of consuming enough vitamin B12 in pregnancy

No limit to cardiovascular benefits of exercise, study finds

Can menopause be blamed for increased forgetfulness and lack of attention?

New study suggests that a woman’s menopause stage can affect cognitive performance; declines in memory may persist in the postmenopause period

North American Menopause Society, January 13, 2021

Energy-boosting alternatives to coffee

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