Study shows walnuts may have anti-inflammatory effects that reduce risk of heart disease

Findings from the largest and longest study exploring the benefits of walnuts show regular consumption in older adults may reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing the concentration of certain inflammatory biomarkers

Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and Loma Linda University, November 10, 2020

Findings from a randomized controlled trial recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, indicate that people in their 60s and 70s who regularly consume walnuts may have reduced inflammation, a factor associated with a lower risk of heart disease, compared to those who do not eat walnuts. The research was part of the Walnuts and Healthy Aging (WAHA) study – the largest and longest trial to date exploring the benefits of daily walnut consumption.

In the study, conducted by Dr. Emilio Ros from the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, in partnership with Loma Linda University, more than 600 healthy older adults consumed 30 to 60 grams of walnuts per day as part of their typical diet or followed their standard diet (without walnuts) for two years. Those who consumed walnuts had a significant reduction in inflammation, measured by the concentration of known inflammatory markers in the blood, which were reduced by up to 11.5%. Of the 10 well-known inflammatory markers that were measured in the study, six were significantly reduced on the walnut diet, including interleukin-1β, a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine which pharmacologic inactivation has been strongly associated with reduced rates of coronary heart disease. The study’s conclusion is that the anti-inflammatory effects of walnuts provide a mechanistic explanation for cardiovascular disease reduction beyond cholesterol lowering.

“Acute inflammation is a physiological process due to activation of the immune system by injury such as trauma or infection, and is an important defense of the body”, says Dr. Emilio Ros, a lead researcher in the study. “Short-term inflammation helps us heal wounds and fight infections, but inflammation that persists overtime (chronic), caused by factors such as poor diet, obesity, stress and high blood pressure, is damaging instead of healing, particularly when it comes to cardiovascular health. The findings of this study suggest walnuts are one food that may lessen chronic inflammation, which could help to reduce the risk for heart disease – a condition we become more susceptible to as we age.”

Chronic inflammation is a critical factor in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque or “hardening” of the arteries, the principal cause of heart attacks and stroke. Therefore, the severity of atherosclerosis depends greatly on chronic inflammation, and dietary and lifestyle changes are key to mitigating this process.

While existing scientific evidence establishes walnuts as a heart-healthy1 food, researchers continue to investigate the “how” and “why” behind walnuts’ cardiovascular benefits. According to Dr. Ros, “Walnuts have an optimal mix of essential nutrients like the omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA (2.5g/oz), and other highly bioactive components like polyphenols2, that likely play a role in their anti-inflammatory effect and other health benefits.”

The study findings were also reinforced by an editorial in the same publication entitled “Ideal Dietary Patterns and Foods to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease: Beware of Their Anti-Inflammatory Potential”, which concludes that a better knowledge of the mechanisms of health protection by the different foods and diets, mainly their anti-inflammatory properties, should inform healthier food choices (such as including walnuts regularly in the usual diet).

While these results are promising, the research does have limitations. Study participants were older adults who were healthy and free living with the option to eat a variety of other foods in addition to walnuts. Additionally, further investigation is needed in more diverse and disadvantaged populations.

Researchers identify melatonin as possible COVID-19 treatment

The Cleveland Clinic, November 10, 2020

Results from a new Cleveland Clinic-led study suggest that melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is commonly used as an over-the-counter sleep aid, may be a viable treatment option for COVID-19.

As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the world, particularly with cases rising during what some have termed the “fall surge,” repurposing drugs already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for new therapeutic purposes continues to be the most efficient and cost-effective approach to treat or prevent the disease. According to the findings published today in PLOS Biology, a novel artificial intelligence platform developed by Lerner Research Institute researchers to identify possible drugs for COVID-19 repurposing has revealed melatonin as a promising candidate.

Analysis of patient data from Cleveland Clinic’s COVID-19 registry also revealed that melatonin usage was associated with a nearly 30 percent reduced likelihood of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) after adjusting for age, race, smoking history and various disease comorbidities. Notably, the reduced likelihood of testing positive for the virus increased from 30 to 52 percent for African Americans when adjusted for the same variables.

“It is very important to note these findings do not suggest people should start to take melatonin without consulting their physician,” said Feixiong Cheng, Ph.D., assistant staff in Cleveland Clinic’s Genomic Medicine Institute and lead author on the study. “Large-scale observational studies and randomized controlled trials are critical to validate the clinical benefit of melatonin for patients with COVID-19, but we are excited about the associations put forth in this study and the opportunity to further explore them.”

Here, the researchers harnessed network medicine methodologies and large-scale electronic health records from Cleveland Clinic patients to identify clinical manifestations and pathologies common between COVID-19 and other diseases. Specifically, they measured the proximity between host genes/proteins and those well-associated with 64 other diseases across several disease categories (malignant cancer and autoimmune, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological and pulmonary diseases), where closer proximity indicates a higher likelihood of pathological associations between the diseases.

They found, for example, that proteins associated with respiratory distress syndromeand sepsis, two main causes of death in patients with severe COVID-19, were highly connected with multiple SARS-CoV-2 proteins. “This signals to us, then,” explained Dr. Cheng, “that a drug already approved to treat these respiratory conditions may have some utility in also treating COVID-19 by acting on those shared biological targets.”

Overall, they determined that autoimmune (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease), pulmonary (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis) and neurological (e.g., depression and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) diseases showed significant network proximity to SARS-CoV-2 genes/proteins and identified 34 drugs as repurposing candidates, melatonin chief among them.

“Recent studies suggest that COVID-19 is a systematic disease impacting multiple cell types, tissues and organs, so knowledge of the complex interplays between the virus and other diseases is key to understanding COVID-19-related complications and identifying repurposable drugs,” said Dr. Cheng. “Our study provides a powerful, integrative network medicine strategy to predict disease manifestations associated with COVID-19 and facilitate the search for an effective treatment.”

Valerian Quality, Storage Issues May Affect Sleep Outcomes

Chiba and Nagasaki universities (Japan), November 1, 2020

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) may be a safe and effective herbal sleep aid; however quality control issues may affect outcomes, according to the findings of a recently published systematic review and meta-analysis.

While valerian is considered a popular herbal supplement for managing sleep disorders, study outcomes related to its effectiveness have been inconsistent. This review, which included a total of 60 studies (n=6894), aimed to determine the reason for this inconsistency as well as to provide an overview of the role of valerian for other disorders associated with sleep problems.

Meta-analyses were performed to assess the efficacy of valerian on improving subjective sleep quality (10 studies, n=1065), as well as to evaluate its role in reducing anxiety (8 studies, n=535). “Repeated treatments with the whole root/rhizome consistently promoted sleep quality at 450-1410mg per day for 4-8 weeks, whereas valerian extracts 300-600mg per day for 5 days-4 weeks resulted in inconsistent outcomes,” the study authors reported.

In their review, the authors found that the variability in the quality of valerian extracts was dependent on the extraction solvents utilized during the study. Additionally, findings revealed limited information on storage conditions, such as temperature and storage duration, used during each study. “The absence of such information limits the discussion as to why some extracts were ineffective while others exhibited effectiveness in those clinical trials,” the authors noted.

As for safety, findings revealed no severe adverse events with valerian intake in patients 7 to 80 years old. Valerian was also not observed to have a significant impact on cytochrome (CYP) P1A2, 2D6, 2E1, or 3A4/5.

Based on their findings, the authors concluded that revisions to quality control processes for valerian were needed; however, for the time being, “the usage of whole herbal substances (root/rhizome), rather than extracts, may be the way to obtain optimal efficacy.”

Oh my aching back: Do yoga, tai chi or qigong help?

Florida Atlantic University, November 6, 2020

It’s a pain. About 80 percent of adults in the United States will experience lower back pain at some point. Treating back pain typically involves medication, including opioids, surgery, therapy and self-care options. Efforts to reduce opioid use and increase physically based therapies to reduce pain and increase physical function and safety are crucial.

Patients are often advised to use non-pharmacological treatments to manage lower back pain such as exercise and mind-body interventions. But, do they really help? In a review published in the journal Holistic Nursing Practice, researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s College for Design and Social Inquiry and Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing evaluated the evidence of effects of three movement-based mind-body interventions on chronic low back pain. They examined yoga, tai chi, which combines gentle physical exercise and stretching with mindfulness, and qigong, a traditional Chinese meditative movement therapy focused on body awareness and attention during slow, relaxed, and fluid repetitive body movements. Little is known about the effects of movement-based mind-body intervention, in particular qigong and tai chi.

Researchers compared and contrasted yoga, tai chi and qigong by examining frequency and duration of these interventions; primary and secondary outcomes; attrition rates and possible adverse events; and results. Findings from their review provide empirical evidence regarding the benefits of yoga, tai chi, and qigong, which have been recommended by health care providers for patients with lower back pain.

“Back pain is a major public health issue often contributing to emotional distress such as depression and anxiety, as well as sleep issues and even social isolation,” said Juyoung Park, Ph.D., corresponding author and an associate professor in the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work within FAU’s College for Design and Social Inquiry. “We reviewed data to determine the effects of movement-based mind-body interventions on chronic back pain, psychological factors, coping strategies, and quality of life in people suffering with back pain. Our goal was to provide a comprehensive assessment of the effects of these interventions to be able to offer information across disciplines to implement evidence-based interventions to reduce such pain.”

Of the 625 peer-reviewed articles the researchers identified, 32 met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Results found that the majority of these articles showed movement-based mind-body interventions to be effective for treatment of low back pain, reporting positive outcomes such as reduction in pain or psychological distress such as depression and anxiety, reduction in pain-related disability, and improved functional ability. Among the key findings, researchers discovered that longer duration and high-dose yoga intervention showed reductions in back pain while tai chi reduced acute lower back pain in males in their 20s. Tai chi also was more effective than stretching for lower back pain in young males. In the general community, tai chi showed greater reductions in pain intensity, bothersomeness of pain symptoms, and pain-related disability than the control intervention. Because there are only three qigong studies to date, it was unclear to the researchers whether this intervention is useful in treating chronic lower back pain. Existing research suggests positive benefits of yoga, however, tai chi and qigong for lower back pain are still under-investigated.

“Two of the studies we examined in our review were focused on the effects of movement modality, specifically yoga, in veterans. Many military veterans and active duty military personnel experience chronic low back pain and are affected by this pain more than the general population,” said Cheryl Krause-Parello, Ph.D., co-author, a professor and director of Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors (C-P.A.W.W.) within FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, and a faculty fellow of FAU’s Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention (I-HEALTH). “Our review provides emerging evidence that movement-based mind-body interventions could benefit veterans and others experiencing chronic low back pain.”

The review included both randomized and nonrandomized studies with a total of 3,484 subjects ages 33 to 73 years old. Study sample sizes ranged from 25 to 320 subjects. The majority of articles reported on yoga (25), followed by tai chi (four), and qigong (three). Most of the yoga studies were conducted in India, followed by the U.S., while other studies were conducted in Australia (tai chi) and Germany (qigong).

People with chronic low back pain are at increased risk of functional limitations, job-related disability, and potential long-term disability. Moreover, the economic burden of chronic low back pain is high due to the cost of medications such as opioids, procedures, hospitalization, surgical treatment, and absence from work.

“Yoga, tai chi and qigong could be used as effective treatment alternatives to pain medications, surgery, or injection-based treatments such as nerve blocks, which are associated with high incidence of adverse effects in treating lower back pain,” said Park. “We need more clinical trials and empirical evidence so that clinicians can prescribe these types of interventions with more confidence for managing lower back pain in their patients.”

Complementary, Alternative Medicine Use Increasing for MS

Oregon Health & Science University, November 6, 2020

For people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), there has been an increase in use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), according to a study published in the June issue of Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.

Elizabeth Silbermann, MD, from the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, and colleagues administered a survey in Oregon and Southwest Washington in 2018 to describe updated patterns of CAM use in pwMS and compare trends with those from a survey conducted in 2001.

The researchers found that in 2018, to treat their MS, 81% of the respondents used a CAM supplement(vitamins, minerals, or herbs), 39% used mind-body therapies, 41% used a specific diet, and 81% used exercise. There were increases in the use of supplements (65 to 81%), exercise (67 to 81%), and mind-body therapies (14 to 39%). There was also a ninefold increase in the likelihood of participants speaking to their neurologists about CAM use (6.7 to 55.4%). In 2018, female sex, progressive disease, and longer time since diagnosis of MS were factors associated with CAM use.

“CAM use overall has increased and pwMS are communicating more with their MS providers about their CAM use,” the authors write. “Both pwMS and providers need high-quality evidence-based research to guide appropriate education regarding both safety and efficacy when CAM is in the MS treatment strategy.”

Chemicals in your living room cause diabetes

University of California at Riverside, November 10, 2020

A new UC Riverside study shows flame retardants found in nearly every American home cause mice to give birth to offspring that become diabetic.

These flame retardants, called PBDEs, have been associated with diabetes in adult humans. This study demonstrates that PBDEs cause diabetes in mice only exposed to the chemical through their mothers.

“The mice received PBDEs from their mothers while they were in the womb and as young babies through mother’s milk,” said Elena Kozlova, lead study author and UC Riverside neuroscience doctoral student. “Remarkably, in adulthood, long after the exposure to the chemicals, the female offspring developed diabetes.”

Results of the study have been published in the journal Scientific Reports.

PBDEs are common household chemicals added to furniture, upholstery, and electronics to prevent fires. They get released into the air people breathe at home, in their cars, and in airplanes because their chemical bond to surfaces is weak.

“PBDEs are everywhere in the home. They’re impossible to completely avoid,” said UCR neuroscientist and corresponding author of the study, Dr. Margarita Curras-Collazo.

“Even though the most harmful PBDEs have been banned from production and import into the U.S., inadequate recycling of products that contain them has continued to leach PBDEs into water, soil, and air. As a result, researchers continue to find them in human blood, fat, fetal tissues, as well as maternal breast milk in countries worldwide.”

Given their previous association with diabetes in adult men and women, and in pregnant women, Curras-Collazo and her team wanted to understand whether these chemicals could have harmful effects on children of PBDE-exposed mothers. But such experiments can only be done on mice.

Diabetes leads to elevated levels of blood glucose, or blood sugar. After a meal, the pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that helps cells utilize glucose sugar from food. When cells are resistant to insulin, it doesn’t work as intended, and levels of glucose remain high in the blood even when no food has been eaten.

Chronically high levels of glucose can cause damage to the eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves. It can also lead to life-threatening conditions.

“This study is unique because we tested both the mothers and their offspring for all the hallmarks of diabetes exhibited in humans,” Curras-Collazo said. “This kind of testing has not been done before, especially on female offspring.”

The researchers gave PBDEs to the mouse mothers at low levels comparable to average human environmental exposure both during pregnancy and lactation.

All of the babies developed glucose intolerance, high fasting glucose levels, insulin insensitivity, and low blood insulin levels, which are all hallmarks of diabetes. In addition, researchers also found the babies had high levels of endocannabinoids in the liver, which are molecules associated with appetite, metabolism, and obesity.

Though the mothers developed some glucose intolerance, they weren’t as affected as their offspring.

“Our findings indicate that chemicals in the environment, like PBDEs, can be transferred from mother to offspring, and exposure to them during the early developmental period is damaging to health,” Curras-Collazo said.

The research team feels future longitudinal studies in humans are needed to determine the long-term consequences of early-life PBDE exposure.

“We need to know if human babies exposed to PBDEs both before and after birth go on to become diabetic children and adults,” Kozlova said.

In the meantime, Curras-Collazo advises people to limit PBDE exposure by taking steps such as washing hands before eating, vacuuming frequently, and buying furniture and other products that do not contain it. She also hopes expectant mothers are well informed about stealth environmental chemicals that can affect their unborn and developing children, as well as their breast milk.

“We believe the benefits babies get from mothers’ milk far outweigh the risks of passing on the PBDEs to children. We do not recommend curtailing breastfeeding,” she said. “But let’s advocate for protecting breast milk and our bodies from killer couch chemicals.”

How pomegranate extract alters breast cancer stem cell properties

University at Albany, November 9, 2020

A University at Albany research team has found evidence suggesting that the same antioxidant that gives pomegranate fruit their vibrant red color can alter the characteristics of breast cancer stem cells, showing the superfood’s potential for aiding in much more than diabetes or heart disease as previously thought.

Pomegranate extract, derived mainly from the skin of the fruit, is known for having high levels of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Professor Ramune Reliene, associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences in the School of Public Health, and graduate assistant Sameera Nallanthighal, both working with UAlbany’s Cancer Research Center, wondered if these antioxidants could demonstrate cancer-fighting effects.

Because not all cancer cells are the same and tumors are comprised of many cell types, they decided to target the one long thought to be the most dangerous in any given tumor: cancer stem cells.

The Cells

Stem cells are unlike other types of cells in that they have a remarkable ability to self-divide and reproduce themselves, even giving rise to other types of cells. This self-dividing nature alone is not dangerous; in fact, normal tissue stem cells can replace dying cells and even repair damaged tissue.

The danger arises if stem cells become cancer stem cells, because their division and renewing ability carries over to cancer progression by aiding in tumor initiation, growth, and even re-initiating cancerous tumors long after a person has been declared cancer-free. Compounding these issues are the fact that cancer stem cells are thought to be more resistant to therapy than other types of cancer cells.

As such, cancer stem cells have become an important target in cancer therapy and prevention more so than other cancer cells, because of the idea that if the stem cells can be slowed or made “less stem-like,” the cancer itself could be slowed too.

The Study

Together with an undergraduate student researcher Kristine Elmaliki, Reliene and Nallanthighal conducted experiments using cancer cells lines that are the prototypes of breast cancer stem cells. These cells, which display the exact properties of cancer stem cells, were treated with diluted pomegranate extract and incubated for periods ranging from one to six days.

During this time, the team measured several markers of breast cancer stem cells in both the pomegranate extract treated cells and untreated cells. They then compared the results between the groups and observed significant differences between the cancer stem cell prototypes that were treated with pomegranate extract.

Additionally, the cells that were treated with pomegranate extract were treated with relatively small amounts – thought to be manageable for a person to consume by simply purchasing the product at a grocery store and incorporating it into their diet.

“One thing we found surprising is that relatively low concentrations of the extract are able to modify the ability of cancer stem cells to reproduce themselves,” said Reliene.

The Findings

Reliene, Nallanthighal and Elmaliki made several notable findings, including:
Pomegranate extract inhibits breast cancer cells ability to self-renew
The inhibitory effect is maintained for several cell generations of newly formed cells (the equivalent to children and grandchildren of pomegranate extract-exposed parent cells) that have never been exposed to pomegranate extract but still have difficulties in self-renewing
Pomegranate extract converts cancer stem cells to cells that look like more traditional cancer cells and which may successfully be eliminated by cancer drugs.

“Our evidence alone does not suggest that pomegranate is the end-all-be-all-cure of breast cancer, but pomegranate extract shows promising potential for having a positive effect in both the primary cancer prevention and inhibition of the disease progression,” said Reliene. “It warrants further investigation of its overall possibilities,” she continued.

People who eat chili pepper may live longer?

Cleveland Clinic, Nov. 9, 2020

Individuals who consume chili pepper may live longer and may have a significantly reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2020. The meeting will be held virtually, Friday, November 13-Tuesday, November 17, 2020, and is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science for health care worldwide.

Previous studies have found eating chili pepper has an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and blood-glucose regulating effect due to capsaicin, which gives chili pepper its characteristic mild to intense spice when eaten. To analyze the effects of chili pepper on all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, researchers screened 4,729 studies from five leading global health databases (Ovid, Cochrane, Medline, Embase and Scopus). Their final analysis includes four large studies that included health outcomes for participants with data on chili pepper consumption.

The health and dietary records of more than 570,000 individuals in the United States, Italy, China and Iran were used to compare the outcomes of those who consumed chili pepper to those who rarely or never ate chili pepper. Compared to individuals who rarely or never ate chili pepper, the analysis found that people who ate chili pepper had:

a 26% relative reduction in cardiovascular mortality;
a 23% relative reduction in cancer mortality; and
a 25% relative reduction in all-cause mortality.

“We were surprised to find that in these previously published studies, regular consumption of chili pepper was associated with an overall risk-reduction of all cause, CVD and cancer mortality. It highlights that dietary factors may play an important role in overall health,” said senior author Bo Xu, M.D., cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. “The exact reasons and mechanisms that might explain our findings, though, are currently unknown. Therefore, it is impossible to conclusively say that eating more chili pepper can prolong life and reduce deaths, especially from cardiovascular factors or cancer. More research, especially evidence from randomized controlled studies, is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.”

Dr. Xu said that there are several limitations to this type of study. The four studies reviewed included limited specific health data on individuals or other factors that may have influenced the findings. Researcher also noted that the amount and type of chili pepper consumed was variable among the studies, making it difficult to draw conclusions about exactly how much, how often and which type of chili pepper consumption may be associated with health benefits. The researchers are continuing to analyze their data and hope to publish the full paper soon.

Studies suggest human wilderness connection has psychological roots, could reduce disease risk

Texas A&M University and University of Georgia, November 9, 2020

The emotional connection or calming feeling that accompanies a walk in a park or forest is the result of psychological needs being met, according to a recent study from researchers at Texas A&M University, the University of Georgia and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The study found that people’s attachment to the wilderness can be explained by their basic psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence. Additional research links place attachment, specifically to areas where trees are plentiful, to feelings of well-being, suggesting that spending time in natural areas can provide positive mental and physical health outcomes and improve healing.

With increased stress and isolation due to COVID-19, natural areas and the psychological benefits they provide are needed now more than ever, researchers say.

“In the context of COVID-19, the benefits for human physical and mental health have become increasingly important with increases in visitation to protected areas and participation in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and fishing,” said study collaborator Gerard Kyle, Ph.D., professor and associate department head for academic programs in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management.

Spending time in wilderness to fulfill basic psychological needs

Kyle conducted a cross-sectional study along with a select group of his former coworkers and students, surveying 795 Americans to assess their attachment to a wilderness area that is special to them. The study, Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Attachment to Natural Landscapes, was recently published in Environment and Behavior.

Respondents were asked to evaluate their attachment based on place identity, emotional attachment and dependence and also on how well it met their needs for autonomy and emotional connection.

Results from the study showed that the wilderness area’s ability to fulfill basic psychological needs predicted the level of attachment one felt to the area.

The researchers found strong relationships between respondents’ emotional attachment and the autonomy they felt the setting provided them. Their data suggests that place identity is strongly tied to an individual’s psychological need for relatedness or emotional connection.

“Humans’ need for nature varies considerably for a variety of reasons but has also been linked to evolution. For some, the need, or trait, is strong,” Kyle said. “For many, the settings are also linked to an array of memories of past experiences with significant others. These memories can extend back to early childhood and can be deeply emotional.”

Given that individuals often partake in outdoor recreational activities with friends or significant others, the researchers were unsurprised by this finding—which also promotes further investigating the outcome of place attachment on well-being and the social benefits of wilderness areas in communities.

Creating and protecting natural spaces that promote health and well-being

Building off of the research of Kyle and associates, and others that suggest wilderness and treescapes promote physical, psychological and social health, the Texas A&M Forest Service introduced an initiative they call “Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives” in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters. The agency is now furthering that initiative with Texas A&M AgriLife and the Texas A&M School of Public Health.

“We’re very excited about this collaboration, not only to bring more trees into the urban environment, but also to do the research that shows what a benefit they have both to human physical health and human mental health,” said Patrick Stover, Ph.D., vice chancellor for Texas A&M AgriLife, dean of the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

Gretchen Riley, the Texas A&M Forest Service project lead for Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives, said literature shows treescapes impact human health in three main areas—obesity, chronic disease and mental health.

As shown in Kyle’s research, being in wilderness areas can influence behaviors and contribute to psychological well-being, and supporting research shows various benefits to heart and lung health, skin care and cognitive functioning, among others, from exposure to trees.

“We know trees play an important role in human health and promote wellness,” Stover said. “We know that they attract people to the outdoors so they can exercise more, which reduces risk of chronic disease.”

Stover said research partners at Texas A&M are not only looking to encourage time spent in the wilderness and among treescapes but hope to increase the accessibility of these spaces for those who may not otherwise have regular access to greenspaces.

“It is equally as important to bring those forests into the urban centers so people can have this exposure to them right at their back yards to promote exercise and the feeling of wellness that one gets when in the presence of trees,” Stover said in a keynote address he recently delivered at an EarthX conference.

Documenting the value of green space

Kyle said when brought into cities and urban areas, natural spaces have the potential to improve well-being, beyond just physical health.

“Protected areas situated in and around cities—often referred to as green infrastructure—are important for the array of ecosystem services they afford,” he said. “We document their contribution to human wellbeing; but they have so many other benefits that will contribute to our cities’ adaptive capacity and resilience.”

Kyle said these natural areas are known to ameliorate threats of flooding, urban heat, water quality and air pollution—improving overall quality of life.

Ensuring access to natural areas has become increasingly important in the wake of COVID-19, he said, as health guidelines have restricted social interaction and time spent outside the home.

“Green spaces, particularly those close to home, provide opportunities to escape isolation in safe and healthy ways,” Kyle said.

Study collaborators included Kyle Woosnam, Ph.D., former Texas A&M Department of Recreational Parks and Tourism, RPTS, faculty member, and Samuel Keith, a 2014 RPTS graduate and current doctoral student—both in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia. The study’s lead author, Adam Landon, Ph.D., was a former RPTS student and in the Applied Biodiversity Science Program. He currently is a scientist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Minnesota.

In addition to ensuring that more greenspaces become available, the research team contends their research cements the necessity for adequate management and protection of natural and wilderness spaces that currently exist.

“Wilderness landscapes afford a unique opportunity for self-regulated behaviors and accordingly, warrant special consideration as places of value and protection,” their Environment and Behavior article states.

Healthy habits are key to maintaining health even while taking multiple prescriptions

Weill Cornell Medical School, November 9, 2020

Lifestyle habits including eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and not smoking can reduce the risk of death, even for people taking multiple medications, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2020. The meeting will be held virtually, Friday, November 13 – Tuesday, November 17, 2020, and is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science for health care worldwide.

“We’ve long known about the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle. The results from our study underscore the importance of each person’s ability to improve their health through lifestyle changes even if they are dealing with multiple health issues and taking multiple prescription medications,” said lead author Neil Kelly, Ph.D., a medical student at Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University in New York City.

The study analyzed data from more than 20,000 participants of the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study (average age of 64; 56% women). At the start of the study, 44% of participants were taking four or fewer prescription medications; 39% were taking five to nine prescription medicines; and 17% were taking 10 or more prescription medications.

Researchers evaluated the number of medications taken, level of participation in four healthy behaviors and all-cause death rates. The types of medications and the conditions they were used to treat (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, cognitive impairment, etc.), varied widely among study participants. The healthy lifestyle behaviors were physical activity; smoking abstinence; low sedentary time; and following a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes legumes, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and olive oil and moderation for dairy products and wine.

At follow-up roughly 10 years later, the analysis found:

a healthy lifestyle decreased the risk of death regardless of the number of medications a person was taking; and
the higher the number of healthy lifestyle habits a person had, the lower their risk of death.

“It’s especially important for health care professionals to counsel patients and develop interventions that can maximize healthy lifestyle behaviors, even among patients with several prescription medications,” Kelly added. “It’s important for the public to understand that there is never a bad time to adopt healthy behaviors. These can range from eating a healthier diet to taking a daily walk in their neighborhood. A healthier lifestyle buys more time.”

Study finds consuming nuts strengthens brainwave function

Loma Linda University, November 5, 2020

A new study by researchers at Loma Linda University Health has found that eating nuts on a regular basis strengthens brainwave frequencies associated with cognition, healing, learning, memory and other key brain functions. An abstract of the study — which was presented in the nutrition section of the Experimental Biology and published in the FASEB Journal.

In the study titled “Nuts and brain: Effects of eating nuts on changing electroencephalograph brainwaves,” researchers found that some nuts stimulated some brain frequencies more than others. Pistachios, for instance, produced the greatest gamma wave response, which is critical for enhancing cognitive processing, information retention, learning, perception and rapid eye movement during sleep. Peanuts, which are actually legumes, but were still part of the study, produced the highest delta response, which is associated with healthy immunity, natural healing, and deep sleep.

The study’s principal investigator, Lee Berk, DrPH, MPH, associate dean for research at the LLU School of Allied Health Professions, said that while researchers found variances between the six nut varieties tested, all of them were high in beneficial antioxidants, with walnuts containing the highest antioxidant concentrations of all.

Prior studies have demonstrated that nuts benefit the body in several significant ways: protecting the heart, fighting cancer, reducing inflammation and slowing the aging process. But Berk said he believes too little research has focused on how they affect the brain.

“This study provides significant beneficial findings by demonstrating that nuts are as good for your brain as they are for the rest of your body,” Berk said, adding that he expects future studies will reveal that they make other contributions to the brain and nervous system as well.

Berk — who is best known for four decades of research into the health benefits of happiness and laughter, as well as a cluster of recent studies on the antioxidants in dark chocolate — assembled a team of 13 researchers to explore the effects of regular nut consumption on brainwave activity.

The team developed a pilot study using consenting subjects who consumed almonds, cashews, peanuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts. Electroencephalograms (EEG) were taken to measure the strength of brainwave signals. EEG wave band activity was then recorded from nine regions of the scalp associated with cerebral cortical function.

Why You Should Practice Uitwaaien
Prevent Disease.com, November 2020

Important psychological benefits come from a unique pastime in the Netherlands which highlights the importance of breathing and spending time outdoors all year long.

It is a simple motion that one learns to do as a toddler, be outside and move your body that we take for granted.

In the Netherlands, people have been seeking out windy exercise for more than a hundred years. Today, the practice is so common that it’s known as “uitwaaien.” It “literally translates to outblowing,” explains Caitlin Meyer, a lecturer at the University of Amsterdam’s Department of Dutch Linguistics. “It’s basically the activity of spending time in the wind, usually by going for a walk or a bike ride.” Meyer has lived in the Netherlands for more than 20 years and has come to specialize in the language, despite being a non-native speaker. She says uitwaaien is a popular activity where she lives–one believed to have important psychological benefits. “Uitwaaien is something you do to clear your mind and feel refreshed–out with the bad air, in with the good,” she tells me. “It’s seen as a pleasant, easy, and relaxing experience–a way to destress or escape from daily life.”

A growing body of evidence suggests that Dutch speakers may be onto something. “Pretty well every group of people benefits from being outdoors in the presence of nature,” says Jules Pretty, Professor of Environment and Society at the University of Essex. “It takes us out of the stresses and anxieties of the rest of life.” Over the last 15 years, he’s explored how a range of outdoor activities affect human psychology, including walking, cycling, and even farming. He’s found that people from all walks of life can increase their well-being after spending as little as five minutes amid natural settings, with positive impacts on sense of self-worth, mood, and sense of identity.

Other researchers have found similar results, linking activities like nature walks with reduced levels of depression, perceived stress, and negative emotions. Some research goes even further, reporting that walking in nature can help reduce headaches, improve immune function, and even, as in the case of the famous forest-bathing studies, increase anticancer protein production.

While research into the benefits of waterscapes isn’t as well-established, evidence suggests these “blue spaces” may be equally–or perhaps even more–beneficial to mental well-being. For example, people who live closer to the coast, like many Netherlanders do, report better physical and psychological health than those farther inland. Water may have a restorative effect, helping people overcome negative emotions and diminish their mental distress. Apparently, when it comes to relaxation and recovery, a little “outblowing” at the beach might be just what the doctor ordered.

There are lots of theories about why spending time in nature might be so good for us. Some researchers, like Qing Li, a physician at Nippon Medical School Hospital and the President of the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine, believe the answer may literally be blowing in the wind. He and his team have spent years studying the effects of phytoncides, antibacterial and antimicrobial substances that trees and other plants release into the air to help them fight diseases and harmful organisms. When humans breathe in these substances–typically by spending time in nature–their health can improve. Across several studies, phytoncides have been shown to boost immune function, increase anticancer protein production, reduce stress hormones, improve mood, and help people relax.

Pretty attributes the restorative power of natural spaces to their immersive quality. He tells me that activities like watching shorebirds or collecting seashells on the beach can be really engaging–so engaging that they can help us temporarily deactivate a part of the brain, located in our prefrontal cortex, called the default mode network, which allows us to scheme, plan, and innovate. “It’s what makes us brilliant humans,” Pretty says. The trade-off is that it’s also extremely active. “The one thing that we haven’t got is an off-switch for our thoughts,” he says. As a result, many of us “find ourselves living our lives on simmer–[like we’ve] got a pot on the stove that’s almost ready to boil.”

In the long-term, this constant low-grade stress can damage our health and well-being, increasing our chances of cardiovascular diseases, inflammation-related issues, and other dangers. That’s why Pretty believes a regular “dose” of something akin to uitwaaien can be so beneficial. In our over-stressed society, listening to the sound of the wind or admiring the colors of ocean waves may be among the few ways we can truly unwind. “We just need a name for it, an encouragement for people to undertake it and then to carry on doing it.”

Uitwaaien, being a difficult-to-translate word, may be perfectly suited to the task. “One of the main functions of language is to map our experiences of the world around us,” says Tim Lomas, a Senior Lecturer in Positive Psychology at the University of East London. The more nuanced the vocabulary we have available to describe something, in other words, the more detailed the map we can create of it. “One way to look at untranslatable words is that they’re mapping a part of the world that our own language doesn’t map,” says Lomas. By learning what these words mean, we may be able to access feelings or experiences that we wouldn’t otherwise. “There will be experiences that aren’t captured by our own language,” he says. “And for that we can learn from other languages.”

Learning to use words from other languages regularly can be a challenge, of course. “Even though I think it’s very useful for people to engage with words from other cultures, it’s still hard,” he says. He adds that if people really want to incorporate an activity like uitwaaien into their lives, they need to “work on practicing it, and then get better at experiencing it and cultivating it.”

Pretty agrees. “Go out at lunchtime and take a break,” he says. “Park a bit further away [from the office] and walk for five minutes.” Whatever your lifestyle, he says, look at your schedule, and ask yourself the simple question: “How you can fit in small amounts of exposure to nature?”

So open that calendar app and note some time for uitwaaien. Whether it’s a windy, riverside bike ride or a jog up a steep San Francisco hill, chances are, your mind–not to mention your body–will thank you for it.

Studies show: Licorice is a proven breast cancer fighter

University of Massachusetts, November 2, 2020

Licorice has proven in numerous studies to stop cancer in its tracks, especially when it comes to breast cancer tumors. But this humble yet powerful shrub has also gotten a bad rap for its association with heart arrhythmias, drops in potassium levels and even heart attack in some individuals.

What is the real deal about licorice? Is it a healer or a health threat? Keep reading for the true facts that every cancer patient needs to know.

Licorice: Don’t overdo it and stay away from the candy!

Let’s cut right to the chase and first talk about what all the fuss is about. The FDA and others warn that you can overdose on too much licorice – and for some individuals, this is absolutely true. According to the FDA:

“…black licorice contains the compound glycyrrhizin, which is the sweetening compound derived from licorice root. Glycyrrhizin can cause potassium levels in the body to fall. When that happens, some people experience abnormal heart rhythms, as well as high blood pressure, edema (swelling), lethargy, and congestive heart failure.”

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts add that too much licorice may have an effect on adrenal hormones and can lead to a condition called pseudoaldosteronism. For these reasons, most experts recommend that healthy individuals interested in using the vast healing power of licorice utilize deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL, where the glycyrrhizin has been taken out (although glycyrrhizin itself is considered to be one of the healing subtances in the root). Many also recommend not to use any licorice product or supplement for more than four weeks at a time. Of course, if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, stop using it right away.

I would add that if you are on a Healthy Breast Protocol or any kind of cancer-healing protocol, stay away from the candy version. This is not a healthy way to utilize the healing effects of this powerful herb. The confectionary often contains more sugar than actual herbal extract and science has confirmed that cancer feeds on sugar. In addition, many commercially-processes licorice candies are created using ammonium chloride.

Although no tests have been done as yet to determine this chemical’s carcinogenic effects, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control have found that chronic exposure to ammonium chloride can lead to acute respiratory problems.

Licorice contains powerful cancer-killing properties

Interestingly, the University of Massachusetts researchers and others in mainstream medicine recommend that individuals with hormone-sensitive cancers (such as breast, ovarian, uterine and prostate cancer) avoid using licorice altogether.

However, this advice is in direct contrast to recent studies which have found specific tumor-reducing, immune-boosting and hormone-regulating factors within the root. The most recent (and most exciting) study was a 2016 comprehensive review of several phytonutrient and adaptagenic herbs, including licorice, known to have an effect on breast cancer.

Researchers at the University Sains School of Medical Sciences in Kelantan, Malaysia discovered eight different bioactive immunomodulators within herbs such as licorice, curcumin, apricot, ginseng and a host of others. Of these eight, four of them can be found in licorice, including:

Ajoene, an anti-fungal
Arctigenin, a lignan with anti-cancer effects
β-carotene, a powerful anti-oxidant; and
Glabridin acid, which can also prevent DNA damage caused by oxidation.

Other studies have found similar connections between the properties in licorice and breast cancer healing and prevention:

Researchers at Rutgers University were able to isolate a particular polyphenol molecule, ß-hydroxy-DHP (BHP), extracted from licorice root, which has the ability to stop breast as well as prostate cancer tumor cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected.

The Chinese have long used licorice root as a hormone balancer and for complications associated with menopause. A 2009 study conducted by Nanjing Medical University in Nanjing, China looked specifically at the Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) content found in licorice root and its effect on estrogen-positive breast cancer. The researchers found that licorice extract had an effect on estrogen levels that was breast cancer-preventative in a dose-dependent manner: the DMSO stunted cancer cell proliferation in high doses yet had the opposite effect at low doses.

Other studies have found that licorice root helps to positively balance testosterone metabolism, decrease serotonin re-uptake and reduce cortisol levels, all three of which are important to breast cancer prevention and healing.

Finally, licorice has proven to be a powerful immune system regulator. Isoliquiritigenin and Naringenin found in the root can promote T cell growth. Glycyrrhisin and other flavonoids found in licorice can help reduce inflammation in the body overall.

Consider licorice as part of your breast cancer healing toolbox

There are so many powerful herbs found in nature that contain powerful cancer-healing properties. With over 400 compounds in one small root, licorice can definitely be considered amongst them. Ancient cultures from India to Greece knew this; licorice has been used all over the world as a hormone-balancer, immune system booster, aid for oral health, digestive aid and more for thousands of years. Now modern science is discovering the exact mechanisms that make it a true healer.

If you are considering using licorice as part of your breast cancer healing protocol, be sure to do so with the help of a qualified healing professional. In addition, certain tests, such as the R.G.C.C. Greece Test, may be able to pinpoint if licorice supplementation is right for your breast cancer journey.

Beta carotene improves intestinal barrier function by modulating proinflammatory cytokines and improving antioxidant capacity

University of Oran (Algeria), November 5, 2020

According to news reporting out of Oran, Algeria, research stated, “Increased intestinal permeability due to barrier dysfunction is supposed to cause several gastrointestinal diseases. We have previously demonstrated that a single b-carotene (BC) dose protects against increase in anaphylactic response in b-lactoglobulin (BLG)-sensitized mice with no effect on the epithelial permeability and weak recovery of villi length.”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from the Laboratory of Physiology, “Utilizing the same murine ex vivo intestinal model, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different BC doses on BLG-mediated intestinal epithelial barrier disturbances. Jejunum was harvested from BLG-sensitized mice pretreated with either one of three different doses of BC (5, 10 and 20 mg/ kg body weight) and mounted on Ussing Chambers. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and short-circuit current (Isc) were recorded as indicators of intestinal epithelial barrier function. Histopathological analysis of the intestine was carried out for the control and experimental mice. TNF-a and IL-6 levels were determined in serum using ELISA, and the analysis of antioxidant activity was performed for reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). BC was capable of enhancing the intestinal barrier function, as indicated by the increased TER and the decreased Isc. Intestinal damage characterized by the shortening of villi and infiltration of intestinal lymphocytes was significantly reversed by BC pretreatment. Such effects of BC were accompanied by a reduction in the levels of IL-6 and TBARS and an increase of GSH. TNF-a levels were reduced only at the lowest BC dose.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “These findings may encourage the use of BC-based therapies for controlling the breakdown of the intestinal barrier in vivo.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

Diet and lifestyle during pregnancy linked to modifications in infants’ DNA

University of Southampton (UK), November 6, 2020

A new study has shown pregnant women with obesity could reduce the health risks for their infants through improved diet and more physical activity.

Research published in the journal PLOS Medicine investigates the impact of high glucose in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and changes to infants DNA.

GDM is becoming more frequent around the world alongside a rise in obesity and can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth as well as increasing the risk of metabolic disease in the child in later life. High levels of glucose in mothers with GDM have been suggested to trigger epigenetic changes in the developing fetus (chemical modifications to the genetic blueprint of the fetus that function of genes activity) resulting in adverse health outcomes for the child.

Researchers from the University of Southampton and King’s College London studied data from over 550 pregnant women with obesity and their children, from the UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT). The trial aims to improve the diet and physical activity of obese pregnant women across the UK. Compared to women in a control group, who made no changes to their lifestyle during pregnancy, women who were supported in changing their diet to lower glycemic index foods that are broken down less quickly by the body, a reduced fat intake and increasing their physical activity put on less weight and were metabolically healthier.

In this new study, researchers compared the level and pattern of DNA methylation, a major epigenetic mechanism which controls gene activity, in the newborn infants from mothers who developed GDM with those that did not. They then looked at whether a dietary and physical activity intervention during pregnancy altered these modifications in infants born to mothers who developed GDM.

The results showed that GDM and high glucose levels in mothers were linked to changes in the level and pattern of functional modification to the infants DNA. Moreover, they found that the dietary and exercise intervention significantly reduced these methylation changes in the infant associated with GDM in the mothers.

Karen Lillycrop, Professor of Epigenetics at the University of Southampton said, “These findings suggest that improvements to diet and physical activity can have an impact on the development of their children. These are very encouraging finding and further studies are now needed to establish whether reducing these epigenetic changes through a healthier lifestyle during pregnancy are accompanied by improved health outcomes for the children in later life.”

Professor Lucilla Poston, Tommy’s Chair of Maternal & Fetal Health and lead investigator of the UPBEAT trial at King’s College London, said: “we have known for some time that children of mothers who had gestational diabetes are a greater risk of obesity and poor control of glucose; this new research implies that epigenetic pathways could be involved.”

Tommy’s Chief Executive Jane Brewin said: “Obesity during pregnancy can have lifelong negative impacts on mother and baby—so one of the best things mums can do is to improve their health, including their weight, before embarking on a pregnancy. However, this study shows that mums who are overweight and their babies can still benefit from adopting a healthy diet while pregnant. All mums-to-be need access to healthy eating advice, and those who are overweight should be given non-judgemental practical support and encouragement to eat healthily during pregnancy.”

Study finds cannabis flavonoids help fight pancreatic cancer

Harvard’s Dana Farber Cancer Institute, November 6, 2020

Pancreatic cancer has long been one of the most challenging types of cancer to treat, and its low survival rate makes it one of the deadliest types of the disease. With a five-year survival rate of only 9 percent, it is on track to become the second-leading cause of cancer death among Americans. However, a recent discovery by researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard University could change the way this disease is treated dramatically.

Their research focused on flavonoids that were synthesized from the cannabis plant. Flavonoids are compounds that are found in many plants, vegetables and fruits, and this one showed significant therapy potential for treating pancreatic cancer.

One of the study’s researchers, Dr. Wilfred Ngwa, said: “The most significant conclusion is that tumor-targeted delivery of flavonoids, derived from cannabis, enabled both local and metastatic tumor cell kill, significantly increasing survival from pancreatic cancer.”

One potential roadblock is the fact that the flavonoid compound only accounts for about 0.14 percent of the cannabis plant. Many fields of cannabis would need to be grown to extract enough of it to use as a treatment. In order to be more efficient, scientists are trying to genetically engineer the cannabis plant in a way that will allow it to produce more flavonoids. However, not only is this practice highly controversial, but it is still unable to yield enough cannflavins for treatment.

Nevertheless, this knowledge could lead to improved treatments for all types of cancer in the future. In addition to killing cancer in the pancreas, the flavonoids are also able to destroy cancer cells throughout the body.

Dr. Ngwa added: “We were quite surprised that the drug could inhibit the growth of cancercells in other parts of the body, representing metastasis, that were not targeted by the treatment. This suggests that the immune system is involved as well, and we are currently investigating this mechanism.”

This is not the first time that the cannabis plant has proved helpful in addressing cancer. Its main components, CBD and THC, have been shown to help treat lung, skin, liver and blood cancer. However, because the alcohol and prison industries benefit financially from keeping these medicinal compounds illegal, it has been challenging to use cannabis to treat cancer on a wide scale despite so much evidence illustrating its benefits.

Cannabinoids have many anti-cancer effects

One reason cannabinoids can be so effective at fighting cancer is their multiple mechanisms of action. They can stop cells from dividing, trigger cell death through apoptosis, and prevent new blood vessels from becoming tumors. In addition, they stop cells from moving into nearby tissue, which can decrease the chances of cancerous cells spreading throughout a person’s body. They speed up autophagy, the internal “waste disposal machine” of cells. And just in case none of those effects do the trick, it can also reduce cancer’s ability to survive chemotherapy.

This means that even if patients do choose to go the traditional chemotherapy route for their cancer, they may still be able to benefit from cannabis to enhance their treatment and serve as a part of their overall wellness plan. A meta analysis carried out by German researchers of more than 100 published studies found that cannabis boosts immunity in addition to fighting cancer, making it a valuable tool for optimal overall health.

With cannabis becoming more mainstream, scientists are increasingly discovering the many medical benefits it provides.

Eye health and poor nutrition: A high-fat diet may be linked to vision problems later in life, warn scientists

University of Southampton (UK), November 7, 2020

In a recent study, researchers from the University of Southampton in the U.K. found that a high-fat diet affects the ability of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to adjust to changing conditions in the eye as it ages. In the long run, this disruption can result in extensive damage to the retina and loss of vision.

These findings, published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, offer insight into how RPE cells cope with oxidative stress due to high intake of red meat — which contains high levels of cholesterol and saturated fat — and processed foods rich in sodium and sugar.

Poor nutrition could lead to vision problems

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the U.S. and in many other developed countries.

Scientists initially thought that only genetic risk factors influenced the pathology of the disease. But recent studies are beginning to shed light on how diet influences the pathology of AMD as well.

Dietary intake of fatty foods has been found to cause oxidative stress in the body. If left unchecked, oxidative stress can damage cells and proteins. In turn, these adverse effects can contribute to aging or trigger chronic diseases and age-related conditions like AMD.

To understand the effects of oxidative stress caused by poor nutrition on RPE cells — the cells that help maintain lifelong vision — the researchers used hydrogen peroxide and bafilomycin A1 on ARPE-19 cells to induce conditions of oxidative stress and impair lysosomal acidification.

ARPE-19 is a human RPE cell line widely used to study retinal cell biology. Lysosomal acidification, on the other hand, is an important feature of healthy cells. Impaired lysosomal acidification is usually linked to aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

The researchers found that the presence of oxidative stress affected how RPE cells regulated the transport of nutrients and waste products to and from the retina. Oxidative stress also affected how RPE cells adjusted to changing conditions in the aging eye.

In turn, this affected the ability of RPE cells to protect the eye’s photoreceptors — the cells in the retina that respond to light — from excessive light and free radicals. Without ample protection, photoreceptors are likely to die. The death of these cells is the ultimate cause of vision loss in AMD and other retinal conditions.

Overall, the findings shed light on how poor nutrition can cause changes at the cellular level that contribute to the onset of AMD. The next step, according to corresponding author Arjuna Ratnayaka, is to find out whether damage to RPE cells can be reversed through good nutrition, and if the damaged RPE cells can be rescued.

Poor nutrition linked to AMD

In another recent study, researchers from the State University of New York at Buffalo sought to determine the possible influence of dietary patterns on AMD risk. To this end, they studied the diets of almost 1,300 participants over 18 years. They adjusted for age, race, level of education and smoking status.

Their results revealed that participants who ate a diet high in red and processed meat, refined grains and fried foods were three times more likely to develop AMD. Interestingly, these foods are typical of a Western diet.

There is no known mainstream treatment for late-stage AMD. “It is in our best interest to catch this condition early and prevent [the] development of late AMD,” said lead author Shruti Dighe.

Meanwhile, from a public health standpoint, senior author Amy Millen said that people with early AMD ought to cut back on processed meat, fried foods, refined grains and high-fat dairy to preserve their vision.

Climate change will give rise to more cancers

University of California at San Francisco, November 5, 2020

Climate change will bring an acute toll worldwide, with rising temperatures, wildfires and poor air quality, accompanied by higher rates of cancer, especially lung, skin and gastrointestinal cancers, according to a new report from UC San Francisco.

In an analysis of nearly five dozen published scientific papers, the researchers provided a synopsis of future effects from global warming on major cancers, from environmental toxins to ultraviolet radiation, air pollution, infectious agents and disruptions in the food and water supply.

Ultimately, the most profound challenge to the global cancer picture could come from the disruption of the complex health care systems required for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care, the authors wrote. The review appears in The Lancet Oncology.

“In the worldwide battle to mitigate climate change, the international community is not on track to slow emissions of greenhouses gases,” said lead author Robert A. Hiatt, MD, PhD, UCSF professor of epidemiology and biostatistics, and associate director for population science at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. “2015-2019 were the five warmest years on record, and 2020 has seen tremendous climate impacts, from wildfires to hurricanes.”

The impacts of climate change on health are large and are expected to continue growing without rapid action. High temperatures, poor air quality and wildfires cause higher rates of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Warmer temperatures and changing rainfall patterns raise the risk and spread of vector-borne disease, such as malaria and dengue. “Extreme weather events cause death, injury, displacement, and disrupt health-care delivery,” the authors wrote.

Cancer is widely predicted to be the leading cause of death in the 21st century. Worldwide, there were 24.5 million new cases of cancer and 9.6 million deaths in 2017, a striking increase from 2008 with 12.7 million cases and 7.6 million deaths.

The authors said the biggest cancer threats are likely to be from air pollution, exposure to ultraviolent radiation and industrial toxins, and disruptions in food and water supply. Lung cancer, already the primary cause of cancer deaths worldwide, is expected to increase as a result of escalating exposure to particulate matter in air pollution, estimated to be responsible for as much as 15 percent of new cases.

While the overall effects of climate change on nutrition-related cancers are difficult to determine, the authors said, one comprehensive modeling study predicted more than half a million climate-related deaths worldwide, including cancer deaths, as a result of changes in food supply by 2050, such as reduced consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Climate change is already exacerbating social and economic inequities, leading to higher rates of migration and poverty. The authors note that poor people and communities of color are disproportionately affected by cancer and have a higher cancer mortality. World Bank estimates that climate change will push 100 million people globally back into poverty by 2030.

Major disruptions are also expected to take place in the infrastructure of health care systems for cancer control, which could affect all cancers. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a clear example of this disruption, shifting medical resources away from cancer and causing thousands of patients to delay cancer screenings out of fear of contracting the virus.

“Extreme weather events such as storms and flooding can destroy or damage health-care infrastructure, reducing health care quality and availability,” said the authors. These events also interrupt service delivery by causing power shortages, disrupting supply chains, transportation, and communication, and resulting in staff shortages. Ironically, COVID-19 also revealed a ray of hope in reversing the damage.

“The early pandemic response resulted in a striking reduction in air pollution,” Hiatt said, “showing the potential of extreme measures to result in rapid environmental change.”

It could take decades to fully understand the impact of climate change on cancer, given a sometimes lengthy delay from exposure to clinical diagnosis. But the authors said that shouldn’t prevent acting now, as the harmful impacts from air pollution and other climate risks will continue to grow during that time.

“There is a lot we can be doing to mitigate climate change and to mitigate the impact on cancer,” said co-author Naomi Beyeler, MPH, co-director of the Evidence to Policy Initiative and Lead for Climate and Health at the UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences. “We should be doing both, and we should be doing both with urgency.”

By reducing pollution, deaths from lung cancer could decline, the authors said, and there are numerous clinical, behavioral, and policy solutions to slow climate change, and prevent cancer cases and deaths.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the importance of science and public health,” said Beyeler, “and we have seen over the past months that as a global health community, we are able to mobilize the investments, research, and collective action needed to solve health problems on a global scale. Now is the time to apply this ambition to tackling the climate crisis.”

Study finds consuming nuts strengthens brainwave function

Loma Linda University, November 5, 2020

Studies show: Licorice is a proven breast cancer fighter

University of Massachusetts, November 2, 2020

What is the real deal about licorice? Is it a healer or a health threat? Keep reading for the true facts that every cancer patient needs to know.

Licorice: Don’t overdo it and stay away from the candy!

Licorice contains powerful cancer-killing properties

Ajoene, an anti-fungal
Arctigenin, a lignan with anti-cancer effects
β-carotene, a powerful anti-oxidant; and
Glabridin acid, which can also prevent DNA damage caused by oxidation.

Other studies have found similar connections between the properties in licorice and breast cancer healing and prevention:

Consider licorice as part of your breast cancer healing toolbox

What Are the Benefits of Moringa Oleifera?

GreenMedInfo, November 5th 2020

Moringa oleifera is a traditional plant celebrated for its range of health uses, from treating skin disorders to curbing disease-causing inflammation. Here’s a closer look at this plant, of which leaf extracts show the highest antioxidant activity of all its parts

Moringa oleifera is a plant with benefits and therapeutic uses that have withstood the test of time and in fact have been hailed for thousands of years.

Chock-full of healthy antioxidants and plant compounds, this large tree is native to North India and known by names such as drumstick tree, ben oil tree and horseradish tree. Nearly all of its parts are consumed or used for herbal medicines, particularly the leaves and pods that are a dietary staple in parts of India and Africa.[i]

There are numerous bioactive components found in moringa, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, isothiocyanates, tannins and saponins, all present in considerable amounts in different parts of the plant.[ii]

Moringa leaves, for instance, provide many vitamins and minerals. A single cup of fresh, chopped leaves, or 21 grams (g), contains 2 g of protein, 19% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin B6, 12% of the RDA for vitamin C, and 11% of the RDA for iron and riboflavin (vitamin B2).[iii] Moringa has a wide range of health benefits that range from skin care to disease prevention and treatment. Here are some of the highlights.

Moringa Provides Antioxidant Protection

Moringa’s leaf extracts show the highest antioxidant activity of all of its parts, with different animal studies highlighting their high degree of safety.[iv] The leaf extracts may also be used as a natural food preservative, increasing the shelf life of meat through reduced oxidation.[v]

Its high antioxidant content makes moringa well-positioned to fight free radicals in the body. These free radicals may cause oxidative stress, which has been linked to chronic conditions such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.[vi]

Women taking 7 g, or 1.5 teaspoons (tsp), of moringa leaf powder daily for three months also significantly increased their blood antioxidant levels.[vii]

In a study, its leaf extract modulated oxidative stress, toxicity, sperm changes and testicular damage induced by a synthetic opioid in animal models.[viii] It also lowered high blood pressure by easing vascular dysfunction and reducing oxidative stress in hypertensive rats.[ix]

Moringa May Prevent Inflammation

While it is the body’s natural response to infection or injury, inflammation may occur for a prolonged period of time and cause chronic health problems, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.[x],[xi] In guinea pigs, moringa leaves prevented hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation by inhibiting the expression of genes involved in fat metabolism.[xii]

Through its role in altering gut bacteria composition, the plant may also effectively regulate weight gain and inflammation.[xiii] In an animal study, those given a high-fat diet showed significantly reduced intestinal levels of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli bacteria, along with increased weight and other markers.

When treated with moringa, their body weight, interleukin 6, and both bacteria levels were significantly restored.[xiv] With its ability to help reduce weight gain, insulin resistance and hepatic gluconeogenesis in studied mice, moringa may be effective in helping to prevent as well as reverse obesity and Type 2 diabetes.[xv]

Moringa May Treat Skin Disorders

Moringa is traditionally used to effectively treat inflammatory conditions as well as skin diseases. A preliminary study showed that fermented moringa leaves reduced the clinical features of atopic dermatitis based on macrography, scratching count and severity scores, as well as the animal subjects’ serum IgE level.[xvi]

Separate research concluded that parts of the plant seeds regulated the expression of Th17-relevant cytokines and improved psoriasis-like skin lesions in animal models.[xvii]“To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the mechanism and therapeutic application of seeds to treat psoriasis-like lesions in vivo,” the researchers noted.

Moringa leaves also appeared as an alternative therapy to treat skin cancer, with previous studies indicating their anticancer activity against a variety of cell lines.[xviii]

Moringa May Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease

Due to its high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, moringa has been evaluated in studies for its potential to fight Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology in animal models. In Alzheimer’s, naturally occurring phytochemicals with the properties mentioned above could be a useful adjunct to treatment.[xix]

The brain’s monoaminergic systems, which play a role in memory processing, are disturbed in Alzheimer’s cases. Moringa was shown in a separate study to exert its effects in the central nervous system by altering the hormones norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin.[xx]

According to its results, brain monoamines were altered discreetly in various brain areas in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease.[xxi] After moringa treatment, those levels in brain regions were restored to near-control levels, indicating potential protection by altering brain monoamine levels and electrical activity.

Health and Corona News 11.08.20-11.14.20

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Researchers identify melatonin as possible COVID-19 treatment

Valerian Quality, Storage Issues May Affect Sleep Outcomes

Oh my aching back: Do yoga, tai chi or qigong help?

Complementary, Alternative Medicine Use Increasing for MS

Chemicals in your living room cause diabetes

How pomegranate extract alters breast cancer stem cell properties

People who eat chili pepper may live longer?

Studies suggest human wilderness connection has psychological roots, could reduce disease risk

Documenting the value of green space

Healthy habits are key to maintaining health even while taking multiple prescriptions

Study finds consuming nuts strengthens brainwave function

Studies show: Licorice is a proven breast cancer fighter

Beta carotene improves intestinal barrier function by modulating proinflammatory cytokines and improving antioxidant capacity

Diet and lifestyle during pregnancy linked to modifications in infants’ DNA

Study finds cannabis flavonoids help fight pancreatic cancer

Cannabinoids have many anti-cancer effects

Eye health and poor nutrition: A high-fat diet may be linked to vision problems later in life, warn scientists

Poor nutrition could lead to vision problems

Poor nutrition linked to AMD

Climate change will give rise to more cancers

Study finds consuming nuts strengthens brainwave function

Studies show: Licorice is a proven breast cancer fighter

What Are the Benefits of Moringa Oleifera?

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