Enhanced neural activation with blueberry supplementation in mild cognitive impairment
University of Cincinnati, Journal Nutritional Neuroscience, March 3, 2022Preclinical studies have shown that blueberry supplementation can improve cognitive performance and neural function in aged animals and have identified associations between anthocyanins and such benefits. Preliminary human trials also suggest cognitive improvement in older adults, although direct evidence of enhancement of brain function has not been demonstrated. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we performed pre- and post-intervention functional magnetic resonance imaging during a working memory (WM) task to assess the effect of blueberry supplementation on blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, a risk condition for dementia.Following daily supplementation for 16 weeks, blueberry-treated participants exhibited increased BOLD activation in the left pre-central gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, and left inferior parietal lobe during WM load conditions (corrected P < 0.01). These data demonstrate, for the first time, enhanced neural response during WM challenge in blueberry-treated older adults with cognitive decline and are consistent with prior trials showing neurocognitive benefit with blueberry supplementation in this at-risk population.
Folate deficiency associated with greater risk of dementia and death during up to four years of follow-up
Icahn School of Medicine, March 16 2022.
A study reported in Evidence Based Mental Health found a relationship between deficient serum levels of the B vitamin folate and a greater risk of developing dementia or death among older individuals during a follow-up period of up to 4.8 years.
Folate deficiency is associated with an elevated risk of premature mortality in the general adult population. The study utilized data obtained from the medical records of 27,188 men and women between the ages of 60 and 75 years who did not have dementia prior to blood folate assessment beginning in 2013.
Among deficient individuals, 3.4% developed dementia and 7.8% died during follow-up, in contrast with dementia and mortality rates of 3.2% and 3.8% among those who were not deficient. After adjustment for several factors, folate deficiency was associated with a 68% greater risk of dementia and a three times greater risk of mortality during follow-up compared to not being deficient.
Olive oil nutrient may help prevent brain cancer
Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, March 17, 2022 A compound found in olive oil may help to prevent cancer developing in the brain, a study shows. Research into oleic acid – the primary ingredient in olive oil – has shown how it can help prevent cancer-causing genes from functioning in cells.The oily substance – one of a group of nutrients known as fatty acids – stimulates the production of a cell molecule whose function is to prevent cancer-causing proteins from forming.The study team says it is too soon to say whether dietary consumption of olive oil may help prevent brain cancer. Their findings, however, point towards possible therapies based on the oil to prevent brain cancer from occurring. Researchers made their discoveries in tests on human cell extracts and in living cells in the lab.
How meditation can reduce inflammation and alter gene expression
Benson-Henry Institute for Mind/Body Medicine, March 11, 2022We’ve all felt the ‘fight or flight response’ – that automatic, unpleasant chemical reaction in the body – triggered by stressful situations. These chemical reactions have a negative influence on our genes and health. But, the question remains: can meditation, prayer and yoga give us the opposite effect?The answer is ‘YES!’ Research is showing that repetitive yoga poses, prayer and mantras can actually help to reduce inflammation and the stress-induced gene expression that can lead to chronic disease.Benson-Henry Institute for Mind/Body Medicine researchers out of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital conducted research on the effects meditation against stress. The meditation involved repeating mantras, deep breathing and training to help with ignoring intrusive thoughts. Initially, the participants were given blood tests just before and 15 minutes after hearing a 20 minute long recording about health education.All of the subjects’ blood test results showed positive changes to their gene expression. In fact, the exact opposite of the environment of the fight or flight response was created in the body. Genes associated with inflammation were switched off, and those connected with health-sustaining processes like mitochondrial function, insulin secretion, energy metabolism and telomere maintenance were switched on.Important to know: this study showed the benefits of meditation grow stronger the more it is practiced. However, a little meditation or spiritual contemplation can go a long way; just 10 to 20 minutes – twice per day – has shown significant measurable positive health effects.
Coffee and tea during pregnancy affect fetal growthUniversity of Gothenburg, March 11, 2022 Drinking just two cups of coffee a day is associated with the risk of low birth weight. Researchers have conducted a study on 59,000 women in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.Expectant mothers who consume caffeine, usually by drinking coffee, are more likely to have babies with lower birth weight than anticipated, given their gestational age. The correlation between intake of caffeine and fetal growth was established even among women who followed the official recommendation that they limit caffeine consumption to 200 milligrams a day (two cups of coffee).The other purpose of the study was to determine whether women who consumed caffeine during pregnancy were more likely to give birth prematurely. Such a correlation could not be established.
Vitamin D may help avert early onset of insulin resistance
Ben Gurion University (Israel), March 17, 2022
Early intervention with vitamin D in deficient individuals may help ward off early onset of insulin resistance, according to a study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Ben-Gurion University in Beer-Sheva, Israelrandomly assigned 130 men without diabetes (average age, 47.52 years) who had 25(OH)D serum levels <20 ng/mL to treatment (100,000 IU vitamin D bimonthly) or placebo.
The researchers found, after adjusting for baseline levels, age, body mass index, sun exposure, physical activity, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, that there were significant differences in insulin and homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR ) between groups. In the treatment group, levels of insulin and HOMA-IR remained steady, but they increased by 16 percent in the control group (P = 0.038 and 0.048, respectively).