Health in a Heartbeat: Recent Episodes
UF Health
Health in a Heartbeat is a daily radio series that features two-minute segments providing consumer-health information and the latest news on medical research, patient-care breakthroughs and health-care industry trends. The series launched in January 2000 and is available at no charge to public radio stations nationwide. It is a unique project offered by University of Florida Health in association with the UF radio stations 89.1 WUFT-FM and 90.1 WJUF-FM. It currently airs in more than 53 cities in 18 states and Washington, D.C., in addition to being available on NPR.org and the NPR One mobile app. Our scripts go through a vigorous research and approval process. Each script is reviewed by University of Florida physicians, UF Health experts and qualified medical editors. This ensures that you are receiving accurate and up-to-date health information.
Collagen is the most prevalent protein in our bodies. It’s in our hair, skin, fingernails, bones, blood vessels and intestines, of all places.
As we age, our bodies begin to produce less collagen, leaving our skin less elastic and our bones more brittle.
For many years, collagen supplements, derived from the remains of animals, like cows, pigs, chickens or fish, have been popular with those trying to maintain a youthful look.
But more recently, these supplements have been marketed for everything from strengthening joints to boosting athletic performance.
A new study set out to pin down what collagen can do and what it cannot.
Researchers in the United Kingdom conducted the most comprehensive study of collagen to date, involving at least 8,000 supplement-taking participants from around the world.
Here is what the study found that collagen can do, if taken for a sustained period: It can make your skin look and feel more hydrated. And it can help relieve some joint stiffness from osteoarthritis.
To a lesser degree, taking extra collagen can offer modest improvements in muscle mass and muscle structure.
But if you are taking it in hopes of achieving a new personal best race time or to improve your vertical leap, the researchers say you will probably be disappointed. Collagen also will not help you bounce back faster from strenuous exercise, reduce muscle soreness or improve your tendons in any way.
They also noted that collagen won’t lower cholesterol, blood pressure or blood sugar. Nor can it rebuild tooth enamel or regrow gum tissue.
Taking collagen supplements may do you good. Just be sure to take claims about them with a big grain of salt.
While you were sleeping, your muscles knit themselves back together and your metabolism whirred along. Now, researchers from California are exploring the system behind sleep and human growth hormone — two factors responsible for some of slumber’s most important benefits.
The study looked at how mouse brains reacted to light stimulation. These mammals tend to sleep only a little bit at a time, helping researchers better observe changes in their growth hormone activity through different sleep and wake cycles. Growth hormones juggle a myriad of responsibilities, including muscle and bone construction and fat burning.
Research has previously shown these levels peak during sleep. Thanks to circuity tracing techniques, the team pinpointed how, exactly, the brain coordinates this process.
It starts with a feedback loop that toes the line between wakefulness and sleep. As the growth hormone increases during the latter, it triggers the locus coeruleus [sih-roo-lee-us], an area of the brainstem that encourages alertness. When this activity reaches a breaking point — or should we say waking point — the locus coeruleus begins encouraging drowsiness instead.
In short: Sleep is the driver of growth hormone release, and this hormone, in turn, regulates wakefulness. Getting too little sleep lowers growth hormone levels, but too much of it shifts the brain toward wakefulness. A balance between the two keeps muscle growth and metabolic health in check, and the locus coeruleus’s part points to the possibility of the circuit affecting cognitive functions like attention.
Who are we to argue with another reason to hit the hay?
An achy knee or hip joint’s thin or nonexistent cartilage growing back sounds like something a person facing joint-replacement surgery might daydream about.
But researchers led by Stanford University say they have developed a new treatment that could make such a thing possible.
The treatment targets a protein linked to aging. It restored lost knee cartilage in older mice and helped prevent arthritis from developing after serious joint injuries.
In other tests, human cartilage samples taken during knee replacement surgeries showed similar signs of regeneration when given the treatment.
Here’s how it works: 15-PGDH is a “gerozyme,” [JERR-uh-zime] a type of protein that becomes more prevalent with age and contributes to weakening of tissue function throughout the body. The treatment merely blocks the protein.
In past studies, when scientists blocked the protein, older animals gained muscle mass and endurance. When it was artificially increased in young mice, their muscles became weaker and smaller.
Current treatments for osteoarthritis, which slowly breaks down joint cartilage, focus on mitigation and from there, surgery. No medicine slows or stops osteoarthritis.
The researchers say their findings could make it possible to repair damaged knees, ankles, hips and other joints with an injection or an oral medication.
And that would be great news for at least 33 million Americans who find themselves with swollen, painful joints, unable to take the stairs or to stand after sitting without a loud groan.
When it comes to damaged cartilage, most of us would likely welcome repair over replacement.
Butterflies are beautiful. The colorful patterns on their wings camouflage them and can fool predators into thinking they’re staring into the eyes of larger, more dangerous creatures.
Alas, the lives of these insects are brief, most living just a couple of weeks.
But in the weeping rainforests of Central and South America, a species called Heliconius lives. Its members are the Methuselahs of the butterfly world. Scientists hope they might hold some of the secrets of longevity.
A new study found these butterflies survive, on average, three times longer than their closest relatives, or several months. The longest known lifespan of another subgroup of the species is a whopping 348 days. Compare that to a closely related butterfly species that lives a mere 14 days.
That’s a 25-fold increase in their respective maximum lifespans.
What is more surprising is that another member of the Heliconius species doesn’t show the usual signs of wear and tear that come with aging. Their aging is slowed.
Bottle that and become the world’s next trillionaire.
Researchers believe these insects might provide insight into the biology of healthy aging. What allows them to live so much longer than other butterflies?
If scientists can figure out the mechanism of their longevity, it might provide clues about mammalian aging, including a certain wingless creature that can also fly, in a manner of speaking — humans.
Revealing those aging secrets is undoubtedly many years distant. In the meantime, if you want to live a long life, don’t smoke, eat healthy foods and exercise. And stopping to smell the flowers won’t hurt, either.
Alzheimer’s strips its sufferers of their memories and their independence; it robs families of precious time with loved ones who still know them. The disease has no cure. Unsurprisingly, many of us are keen on learning how we can prevent it.
Some brains have already figured that out. According to a new study from researchers in the Netherlands, certain brains are combatting Alzheimer’s by harnessing the protective power of their young cells, helping them survive damage from the disease.
Curiously, the brains of these individuals have all the biological hallmarks associated with Alzheimer’s, but no dementia. They demonstrate something researchers call “cognitive resilience.”
In the study, researchers looked at tissue from a brain bank, analyzing data from samples of brains with Alzheimer’s and without, as well as tissue from brains that showed physical signs of the disease but no dementia. The team focused on an area within the brain’s memory center, where “immature” neurons can still spawn.
Those whose brains demonstrated cognitive resilience — that is, possessed the pathology of Alzheimer’s but no dementia — did not have significantly higher numbers of immature neurons than those with the disease. This, researchers say, could mean that it’s more about how the cells act, rather than how many there are. The immature cells seem to trigger “programs” that help them last through damage, incurring less inflammation and preventing cell death. They might support surrounding tissue and help the brain continue functioning, too.
Further research avenues will look at how these immature neurons talk to other brain cells. For now, it’s heartening to know that some of our brains might know just what to do … even if the rest of us don’t yet.
A common trope reinforced by Hollywood depictions of older adults is that they start to lose their mental sharpness as they enter their golden years.
A recent study by University of Texas brain researchers, however, throws that idea on its head. While we can lose mental acuity in our later years, that doesn’t mean it’s always true.
In fact, the scientists note, the opposite can happen. Cognitive abilities can continue to improve throughout life.
Over the course of three years, the study tracked about 4,000 people ages 19 to 94. Participants were asked to complete brief training activities that required no more than 15 minutes daily.
Researchers measured individuals in areas representing clarity, emotional balance and connectedness to people and purpose.
The findings undermined the cliché of dottering older adults whose advanced years come with a diminished mind.
The investigation showed some individuals improved their brain function even into their 80s, and better performance was not tied to their age, gender or education.
Researchers say neuroplasticity is associated with self-agency. That means staying engaged in life, continuing to learn, reading and remaining socially connected.
Now this isn’t to say that keeping an active brain guarantees the organ’s long-term health. Many factors affect our health generally, and our brains especially. They include our genetics and our habits, like diet and level of physical activity.
In a sense, the brain is like a muscle. We exercise to keep the body toned. The brain also requires our own participation in its continued health.
It’s best to keep that in mind as we age.
Dieters have long been warned against repeatedly gaining and losing weight, often called yo-yo dieting or weight cycling.
It’s bad for our bodies and potentially worse than staying overweight — or so the thinking goes.
A new study by researchers in Denmark and Germany finds, however, that the dangers of such up-and-down dieting might be overblown.
The researchers examined decades of research involving humans and animals and found no convincing evidence that weight cycling causes long-term harm in those with obesity.
For years, weight cycling has been tied to health concerns like muscle loss, slowed metabolism and higher risk of diabetes and heart disease.
The researchers pored over observational studies, clinical trials and animal studies focused on repeated weight loss and gain. They examined how weight cycling affects weight, body composition, metabolism and blood sugar.
They found no strong evidence that up-and-down dieting is responsible for gradual long-term weight gain, muscle loss or metabolism deceleration.
Regaining weight can unravel many of the benefits of weight loss, including lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar.
But that does not necessarily mean a dieter will be less healthy than they were before losing weight.
The study comes at a time when many are using obesity medications to lose weight but seeing the weight creep back when they stop taking them.
The researchers said that weight gain should not automatically be seen as harmful. Even temporary weight loss can bring important health benefits.
The bottom line? Climbing back on the horse might be better than abandoning it altogether after all.
Technically, you could call it fruit juice.
While tomato juice often shoulders the burden of brunch beverages and soup additives, it’s rarely a drink we reach for without purpose. Now, new research from scientists at Ohio State University points to tomato juice — with a hint of soy — as a potential panacea for inflammation. Specifically, the kind that occurs in overweight adults.
It’s important to note that this wasn’t any ordinary tomato juice.
Scientists were inspired by previous research that showed diets rich in soy and tomato products were linked to a lower chance of prostate cancer. They prepared the study’s beverage using added plant compounds from soy, creating a beverage that was richer in lycopene and other nutrients than a tomato juice without those enhancements. Lycopene is commonly found in red vegetables and is known for its antioxidant properties.
Participants drank six ounces of the juice twice a day for four weeks. Then, after a washout period, they repeated the behavior with a low-lycopene tomato juice. Scientists analyzed blood and urine samples after each beverage trial, finding fewer markers of inflammation after the tomato-soy juice.
Researchers said they wanted to see if they could treat inflammation with a food-based intervention. Next steps will include testing the juice in people with pancreatitis, a condition where the pancreas is inflamed. It can be acute or chronic, but causes discomfort in either iteration. Ideally, this juice would improve their quality of life.
Special or not, tomato juice isn’t for everyone. But for benefits like these? Hopefully science will eventually show it should be bottoms up.
If you want to predict how many birthday candles you’ll be blowing out, consult the body’s crystal ball: the thymus.
This long-overlooked part of the immune system was thought to be less important after childhood. Now, a study from Mass General Brigham suggests it might be more important than we think.
The thymus is a small gland in your lymphatic system, located in your chest and behind your sternum. It spends its time making T cells, a kind of white blood cell that assists your immune system with fighting off bad guys like the common cold.
Using AI, researchers analyzed the CT scans of tens of thousands of adults. Good thymus health — which researchers defined in parameters of organ size, structure and composition — was associated with a lower rate of mortality from any cause. People with healthy thymuses also had a 63% lower risk of death from heart disease, and a 36% lower risk of developing lung cancer.
Scientists think thymuses in poorer shape might be associated with less T cell diversity and a weaker immune system that struggles to quickly identify threats like cancer. In a related study, people with a healthier thymus undergoing treatment for cancer responded better than those whose gland was in worse shape. They were less likely to see their cancer progress and even had a lower risk of death.
Certain lifestyle factors, like higher weight, chronic inflammation and smoking, were linked to a less healthy thymus. However, researchers caution that more research is needed before we understand if, or how, we can improve the organ’s health. Until then, maybe we’ll start paying better attention to other unsung heroes of the body.
A meat-curing agent sold in a highly potent form online is connected to a rising number of suicides around the world.
In a new study from the United Kingdom, postmortem samples from 201 suspected suicides found that 87% involved nitrate or nitrite levels 100 times higher than normally found in the body.
Of those cases, 68% were men. Seventy-one percent were Gen Z or Millennials.
Nitrate and nitrites can be found in soil, air and water, but are often produced in labs for agricultural use and as a stabilizer in consumer products.
In a 2024 report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at least 768 suicides from 2018 to July 2023 in the United States involved antidotes and chelating agents, including sodium nitrite.
While that number represents less than 1% of all suicides here, the CDC’s report said cases were rising.
Last year, a National Institutes of Health study suggested that sodium nitrite’s availability online, combined with guidance on how to use it for self-harm, is a global public health problem.
The type of nitrites and nitrates that concern government officials are far more potent than those used in meat preservation. Ingested in high concentrations, nitrite renders blood unable to carry oxygen, suffocating organs.
The government reports say the issue of easily procured nitrites and nitrates merits immediate attention. First responders, nurses and doctors need to be alert to possible nitrite poisoning. Parents and loved ones need to know what is being ordered online. Forensic pathologists need better testing tools.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 for help.
Some moisturizers purport to address wrinkles and brighten. Others go to war with dryness, promising dewy skin without a single visible pore. But soon there might be a new contender on the shelf — one that aims to confer benefits that are far from skin deep.
Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a topical cream that could block the growth of cutaneous squamous [skwā′məs] cell carcinoma, or skin cancer.
The cream functions by obstructing the path of LSD1, an overexpressed enzyme in skin cancer cases that promotes tumor survival. The team’s hope is that the cream could be applied directly to both cancerous and precancerous areas, thus prompting immune cells to attack tumors.
The substance helps transmit information between the immune system and skin cells to kickstart the body’s own anti-tumor mechanisms. When researchers tested low doses of LSD1 on skin cells, the cream alerted skin cells to call for assistance from the immune system, which halted tumor growth.
Despite roughly 1 million Americans being diagnosed with skin cancer each year, people are spending increased amounts of time in the sun — and cases continue to rise. Though the majority of growths can be surgically removed, more than 5% of tumors ultimately metastasize, leading lead to thousands of deaths in the U.S. each year. Topical creams like the one in question could prove a safer, less painful alternative to surgery, with no risk of scarring or infection. Scientists aim to begin clinical trials in the next two years.
But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. With summer upon us, the most effective way to thwart skin cancer is still our trusty sunscreen.
Napoleon Bonaparte, Babe Ruth and Lady Gaga were all lefties.
You might call them “southpaws,” the less-flattering “goofy-handeds” or, if you’re Australian, “mollydookers.”
And while there’s no comparable set of nicknames, throughout the world, roughly nine out of 10 of us have a strong preference for using our right hand for most tasks — whether it’s eating with chopsticks, swinging a baseball bat or texting.
Scientists have long pondered why that is.
Now, a new study from Oxford University suggests that humans overwhelmingly became right-handed thanks to two big changes that happened during our evolution: walking upright and brain growth.
The team analyzed data from 2,025 monkeys and apes representing 41 primate species, using a statistical approach that frames data analysis using probability to represent uncertainty.
They tested several theories about the origins of what is called handedness or, more scientifically, lateralization. They delved into factors like tool use, habitat, body size, social structure, diet, movement and brain size.
Their results found that humans’ early ancestors, such as Australopithecus [Aus·tra·lo·pith·e·cus], likely only had mild right-handedness, more like modern great apes. The stronger preference for using the right hand appears to grow significantly with the emergence of later primate species, species including Homo erectus and Neanderthals.
The researchers still have questions. For one: Why does left-handedness persist? Has human culture played a role?
Other animals, like parrots and kangaroos — both strong lefties — might also shed some light on these curious evolutionary patterns. Perhaps, when it comes to handedness, there is no real right way.
Many of us hated them in gym class. The push-up won’t make anyone’s list of the most enjoyable physical activities … unless you’re a Marine Corps drill instructor. Recruits, no doubt, would prefer a nice walk in the park.
Your heart, however, wants you to drop to the deck and give it 40.
Harvard researchers recently published a study showing that men who could complete at least 40 push-ups had a 96% lower risk of adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart failure, over a decade of follow-up.
The study tracked 1,100 male firefighters in Indiana. So, researchers caution that they cannot say with certainty that the benefit applies to women, older adults or those who are sedentary.
Exercises resembling the modern push-up have been around for centuries. Ancient Greek and Roman warriors used them to strengthen themselves for battle. Jack LaLanne, founder of the modern fitness movement, set a world record in 1956 with 1,033 push-ups finished in 23 minutes. He lived to age 96. And even then, it was pneumonia that ended his life, not his ticker.
The average age of the Indiana firefighters was 40.
The more push-ups they did, the better their hearts fared over the next 10 years. Those who could complete just 21 to 30 push-ups, for example, still had a 75% lower risk of cardiovascular events.
Scientists believe the push-up does more than build thick biceps. It also reflects whole-body health and the cardiovascular system’s ability to sustain effort.
The study does not show cause and effect. This is an association, so keep that in mind if you get the urge to show off to friends at a party. And take it easy.
You’re likely no Jack LaLanne.
The virtual meeting ends and you stretch, shuffling over to the snack cabinet. You see fruit snacks, cookies and raisins. The kitchen counter has a bowl of fruit. But you? You’re in the mood for something savory. Something with protein.
A new study published in Science suggests your body notices when you’re low on amino acids — and lets you know when you need protein. You can thank your gut-brain axis for that.
Like most animals, we can’t make our own amino acids in-house. These compounds act as building blocks throughout the body, making them essential for functions like tissue repair and hormone production. When we’re low on protein, our gut calls on two communication pathways: one through the nervous system, and the second through hormones. The first method is rapid, prompting us to seek protein quickly, while the second lasts longer, sustaining the protein-seeking behavior.
Researchers studied this in fruit flies and in mice. Notably, the behavior did not make flies and mice simply eat more — it decreased interest in sugars, like carbohydrates, while increasing attraction to protein-related nutrients. In fruit flies with unbalanced gut microbiomes, the behavior was stronger, meaning the microbiome itself might be responsible for guiding feeding behavior and nutrient availability.
In short, lacking certain nutrients does not result in a blanket feeling of hunger. Rather, animals are drawn toward foods that contain what their bodies need — and might even prioritize them.
That being said, if you find yourself craving ice cream … you probably just want ice cream.
Certain kinds of nerve damage have long been considered irreversible. Now, a study from researchers at the University of Cambridge might point toward a way to repair the irreparable.
As we get older, our brains and bodies take longer to heal from injury. This is especially the case with our central nervous system, the lightning rod between the spinal cord and the brain. Axons, the nerve fibers our neurons zip up and down on to carry messages and control muscle, are less likely to be able to recover from damage.
It means an injury to the brain — or spinal cord — has a greater chance of resulting in permanent paralysis.
In the study, researchers grew tiny brains the size of peas from stem cells. Then, they added on to the models, creating miniature versions of the brain-spinal system. Because the parts are separate in the body, scientists kept them apart in the lab, too.
The result? Axons grew from the brain cells to the spinal cord, bridging the gap. It created a working neural circuit that prompted microscopic groups of muscle cells to contract.
The organoids were maintained in the lab for more than 365 days. After the 150th day, however, researchers noticed a difference: the axons were less capable of regrowing. This points to a “biological switch” that flips once neurons begin maturing and creating synapses. When researchers blocked it, the axons went back to regenerating.
Although further research is necessary, scientists note this is a successful instance in which stem cell organoids mimicked real human systems. They may have been miniature, but potential impacts could be larger than life.
Put down the crossword puzzle and pick up the nasal spray.
While those of us interested in preserving our rapier wits and steel-trap memories have doubtlessly dabbled in puzzles, conversation and regular exercise, it is unlikely a nasal spray ever crossed our minds — or our noses — for that express purpose.
And yet, scientists from Texas have created a nasal spray they say soothes the persistent, low-grade brain inflammation associated with aging. This kind of inflammation, referred to as neuroinflammaging, is also considered a key driver of some neurodegenerative conditions.
Soothing this inflammation via a nasal spray could restore memory and help brains work better.
The treatment uses tiny transport molecules called extracellular vesicles. They typically ferry genetic information between cells; here, they were loaded up with microRNAs, which are responsible for the regulation of different signals throughout the brain. They helped target certain immune cells, the culprits behind the inflammation, and strengthened the mitochondria damaged by it. Improving how the powerhouses of the cell worked seemed to prompt brain cells to improve how they received information and stored it. Researchers called it “giving neurons their spark back.”
The effects lasted for months after just two doses. A caveat: thus far, this has only been tested in mice. It will be some time before the treatment makes it to noses without whiskers.
Why a nasal spray, you might ask? It’s simple. Your nose is a shortcut to the brain and its tissue — and it makes the treatment delivery much less invasive.
It’s nothing to sneeze at.
At first glance, directing lasers into your eyes does not seem appealing or particularly helpful. Yet LASIK eye surgeries have been successful — and even prolific — for a number of years. They work by “carving” tissue away from the cornea, thus reshaping the eye and correcting vision. Sometimes there are complications like dry eyes, halos and weakened eye structure.
Still, there are those among us who would prefer to see better without such drastic measures. Researchers from Occidental College and the University of California, Irvine are testing out a means of vision modification that would be less invasive and could avoid many of LASIK’s potential side effects.
The method? Electromechanical reshaping, or EMR. Light, electrical pulses.
The technique was discovered by accident. While one scientist was tinkering with living tissue as a potentially moldable material, he discovered a means of chemical modification. The cornea is rich in collagen, held together by charged molecules, and rich in water. Applying a small electrical current can result in a change to pH levels, loosening the structure of the collagen and changing the shape of the eye. When the pH returns to normal, the “new” shape remains.
Importantly, this method does not result in any true surgery, or removal of tissue. This means it would allow the cornea to maintain its structural integrity.
Like most cures of tomorrow, this one has some ways to go before being tested in people. Glasses, traditional contact lenses and LASIK surgery are still going to be your quickest options for better vision.
But we’re excited to see what happens.
French fries rarely get any good news.
The crispy, salty snack earns the ire of cardiologists and nutritionists alike. Now, though the fry’s greasy reputation has extended to the humble potato itself, new research suggests the tuberous vegetable’s villainous reputation might be unwarranted.
A study published in The British Medical Journal used data from 205,000 people across almost four decades, finding that consuming three servings of fries per week was associated with a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Eating the hardworking potato in its other forms, however — like being boiled, baked or mashed, did not result in any significant risk.
But no potato is perfect.
Though participants did not have diabetes or heart disease at the start of the study, 22,999 of them developed Type 2 diabetes over the 40-ish years of follow-up. Even after taking lifestyle and dietary factors into account, the team found that three servings of potatoes per week were associated with a 5% increase in the rate of Type 2 diabetes. French fries remained the worst offender, though, and were linked to a 20% increase in Type 2 diabetes.
When study participants switched out potatoes for whole grains, they lowered their diabetes risk by about 19%. White rice, by contrast, increased it.
Now, it’s important to note researchers emphasize that the takeaway should not be, “French fries cause diabetes directly.” Rather, people should still prioritize whole grains — and note that when it comes to the potato, it’s its preparation that counts. Skip the fryer, keep an eye on the butter and sprinkle a little salt.
Perhaps there’s hope after all.
Drinking before driving is not recommended. Neither is using cannabis. Now, to the surprise of hopefully very few, research confirms what we already suspected: For drivers, using both is worse than either alone.
A new study from the Johns Hopkins Medicine University School of Medicine found that not only do cannabis edibles combined with alcohol greatly impair driving, but the impairment is also more difficult to detect by standard field sobriety tests.
Because adding cannabis into the mix adds to the impairment from alcohol, researchers worry the legal intoxication limit of .08% breath alcohol level might not suffice when the second drug is involved. It’s not just an additive effect, they emphasize — it’s “synergistic.”
Researchers recruited adults between the ages of 21 and 55 for the study. During outpatient study sessions, they were given a brownie: one with THC, and one without. They also received an alcoholic drink or a placebo drink, and alcohol doses were adjusted per individual to produce a BAC of .05% or .08%.
Notably, participants had previous experience using both substances together in the past year, and had also reported binge drinking in the previous 90 days. Driving was tested via a simulator. Participants each underwent seven sessions, consuming cannabis alone, alcohol alone and both together. There were also placebo versions.
Combining the edibles with alcohol produced effects that were more severe … and lasted longer. People also felt more intoxicated when they consumed both substances together. Researchers hope the study spurs further research and attention from policymakers and public health officials.
And as usual, the best way to drive is sober.
The brain does many things. It is the most complex machine known to us. Its billions of cells are the control center for thought, memory and body movement. It helps regulate breathing, heart rate and temperature.
And yet, it still retains mystery. How does this clump of matter between our ears create consciousness? If you come up with an answer, you’ll soon have an appointment with the Nobel Prize board.
Oh, one other thing: It sways.
A recent study by Penn State scientists used mice and brain simulations to demonstrate that the organ moves within the skull during exercise. Your first reaction might be understandable — namely, that such a delicate instrument moving can’t be a good thing.
Researchers, however, say this sway is beneficial.
The study notes the brain is more mechanically connected to the rest of the body than previous generations of scientists realized. Investigators now believe that during exercise, abdominal contractions compress blood vessels supplying the spinal cord and brain.
It’s like a hydraulic system. This applies pressure that creates movement. Pretty simple.
This, in turn, causes the brain’s cerebrospinal fluid to slosh around, though perhaps not as notably as water in a bathtub when you bathe your dog. But the movement helps the clear fluid to wash over the brain.
That helps the fluid remove waste, which in turn reduces the risk of neurodegenerative disorders. The study’s authors suggest this is an important reason why exercise benefits cognitive function.
Scientists say it’s a gentle movement. Less of an energetic Charleston than a crawling waltz.
These findings, ultimately, are brought to you by, yes, the human brain.
Most of us who reach adulthood would not mind shaving a few years from how our bodies feel.
What if it were as easy as changing your diet for a month?
A new study from Australian researchers found that a four-week diet change was enough to make some older adults appear biologically younger.
A group of just over 100 generally healthy adults ranging in age from 65 to 75 participated in the study.
They were separated into four groups and randomly assigned one of four diets.
Of the diets, two were omnivorous, meaning they included plant and animal proteins. The others were semi-vegetarian, with 70% of the protein coming from plants.
Within each category, participants were assigned either a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet or a low-fat, high-carb diet.
So, participants either ate an omnivorous, high-fat diet, an omnivorous high-carb diet, a semi-vegetarian, high-fat diet or a semi-vegetarian, high-carb diet.
Got all that? And of course, all we want to know is which diet will make us look and feel youngest. So, which was it?
Three of the diets resulted in positive changes. But the biggest changes came from the omnivorous, high-carb and low-fat diet. It included 14% protein, 28 to 29% fat and 53% carbohydrates.
The diet that resulted in the least change was the omnivorous, high-fat diet, because, as researchers noted, it was closest to what participants usually ate.
The researchers used biomarkers, things like lowered cholesterol or insulin levels, to calculate participants’ biological age.
And while it took just a month for most participants to see positive changes, sadly, the researchers said they have no idea how long the changes might last.
It’s a standard response to injury. Twist an ankle? Break out an ice pack, or for that matter, any frozen bag of vegetables from the fridge. Even the Greek physician and philosopher Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, advised using cold to relieve pain more than 2,400 years ago.
More recently, however, many medical researchers have backtracked on the practice. In fact, scientists might have figured out why it could be a bad idea to apply cold to an injury.
In a recent study, researchers at McGill University in Montreal documented how icing an injury can provide an immediate respite from pain. This method provides short-term relief. But doing so, they found, can more than double healing time.
Yes, really.
The scientists believe cold blocks the body’s normal healing process, prolonging the pain. After an injury, white blood cells called neutrophils rush in within hours. They clear away dead cells, fight infection and assist in tissue repair. They also shut down pain.
This initial inflammatory immune reaction contributes to pain. It also helps prevent chronic pain.
Researchers suggest other alternatives after an injury. Those include acetaminophen, a common pain reliever found in many medications, nerve stimulation therapies or contrast therapy.
Contrast therapy involves rapidly alternating between hot and cold water.
Nobody, of course, enjoys the inflammation from an injury. The research, however, highlights that it is part of the body’s natural healing process. Getting in its way can have consequences.
So next time you twist an ankle, skip the frozen peas.
Step aside, cows. There’s a new hooved hero in town.
New research published in Food Science and Nutrition points to the surprising benefits of camel’s milk in remedying a variety of ailments, particularly those related to gut health and blood sugar control.
Widely revered for their transportation assistance abilities, camels’ nutrient-rich milk was also historically believed to heal tuberculosis and other skin conditions. In the present-day clinical trial, however, researchers found that Type 2 diabetes patients who drank about two cups of camel milk per day for three months showed a lower fasting blood glucose reading.
And the benefits don’t stop there.
Other investigations highlighted how children with asthma displayed positive outcomes from drinking less than a cup of camel’s milk a day, reducing their use of rescue inhalers and corticosteroids compared with their peers in a placebo group. Because camel’s milk is believed to contain lower levels of allergenic protein, researchers believe it might act as a more hypoallergenic substitute for traditional dairy milk. That being said, there are benefits to most milks. A cup of soy milk, for example, has roughly the same amount of protein as a cup of cow’s milk — but might be easier to digest for those whose stomachs do not tolerate lactose. And, when it comes to coffee, oat milk has solidified its status as a non-dairy darling.
It could be a while before you see camel’s milk on the shelves at your local grocery store. Until then, should you still, somehow, have access to camels, researchers emphasize the importance of pasteurization before consumption to safeguard against diseases like salmonella.
As long as smoothies have existed — roughly 45 years — people have put bananas in them. The “potato of fruits” is a relied-upon source of sweetness and starch, pairing well with the blended beverage’s more acidic players, like raspberries. Now, history might be encouraged to stop repeating itself.
New research from the University of California-Davis suggests that adding a banana to a berry smoothie can negatively impact how your body absorbs the oh-so prized flavanols in the latter.
Known for their presence in other delicious vittles like dark chocolate and green tea, flavanols are anti-everything that you’d want them to be. They contain properties that are anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antioxidative. Whether they come from berries or somewhere else, you want them to be able to do their job.
Bananas, by contrast, have high levels of an enzyme that can dramatically reduce how many flavanols your body can absorb.
To test how this molecule might impact nutrient absorption, researchers asked participants to drink a banana-based smoothie and a mixed-berry smoothie. There was a flavanol-capsule control group, too.
Researchers analyzed blood and urine samples and found that folks who drank the banana smoothie had 84% lower flavanol levels than the control group. The mixed berry group, however, demonstrated levels close to those of the capsule control group.
Now, this doesn’t mean that bananas are bad for you, or that you should never eat them. Think of it as trying to maximize the nutritional benefits, at least when it comes to your smoothie stance. If you end up missing the yellow fruit, you can always add it back in. In the meantime, bananas will be waiting in the wings.
Perhaps you’ve tried getting more sleep or less screentime. Maybe you’re making a concerted effort to cut down on sugar, salt and other pleasant pantry amenities. If you’re feeling exhausted — and nothing is making a dent — it might be time to check your vitamin levels. Specifically, B12. Folate too.
A new study from Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan suggests low levels of these essential nutrients could be contributing to people’s long-lasting fatigue.
Folate, its own type of B vitamin, and B12, regulate the levels of homocysteine [homo-siss-teen] in your blood. High levels of this amino acid can negatively impact your arteries, creating blockages that incite issues like strokes. The right amount, though, results in less inflammation and better communication between cells.
The study looked at 600 adults in Japan, measuring levels of folate, B12, and homocysteine. Then, they analyzed their feelings of fatigue and motivation.
Male participants who had higher homocysteine levels — and proportionately lower vitamin levels — reported more physical fatigue. Elevated levels of homocysteine in female participants were linked to lower motivation.
Researchers said this could be the first report of its kind.
For those seeking to beef up their B12 levels, foods high in the vitamin include salmon, eggs, clams, Swiss cheese and chicken breast. Folate can be found in beans, asparagus, beets and Brussels sprouts. As always, it never hurts to eat a little bit of everything — it just might contain something your body needs.
And remember: Although we’re all tired, persistent fatigue that resists lifestyle changes for remedying is usually worth a call to your doctor.
If you believe the myth, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León discovered Florida in 1513 during a failed search for the Fountain of Youth.
Scientists, however, might finally have found those mythical waters.
A recent study by British researchers found that people who participate in cultural and artistic activities show signs of slower biological aging. Those activities include dancing, going to concerts, strolling through a museum and making art.
A greater variety and more frequent involvement in these activities produced a greater benefit.
The study controlled for factors that might accelerate aging, such as smoking, higher body weight and various lifestyle factors. What is particularly surprising is that the impact is about the same as the benefit seen from exercise.
Scientists suggest we have two ages. One is our chronological age — the number derived from our date of birth. It’s immutable. This number only gets larger, no matter how much you buff those muscles or eat your broccoli.
Biological age is different. Think of a car. If you’re an aggressive driver, your vehicle will show more wear and tear. The odometer says 15,000 miles. The dents and bald tires make it look like it just passed 100,000.
The human body is the same. Researchers can estimate biological aging through blood tests that track chemical changes in DNA. In this case, study investigators used data from the United Kingdom’s large Household Longitudinal Study. They analyzed information from 3,557 adults.
Culture and the arts, the study notes, promote social connections, stimulate the brain and relieve stress, which are known to benefit health.
The Fountain of Youth isn’t a place. It’s a state of mind.
Voting makes for a healthy democracy. It also might lead to a longer life.
A recent study published in the Journals of Gerontology: Series B followed about 7,700 people who were in their mid-60s at the time of the 2008 election. They compared those who voted with those who did not, tracking who had died at five, 10- and 15-year intervals.
The study found that voters experienced a lower risk of dying at each of those three timeframes, compared with non-voters. Individuals who voted had a 45% lower risk of dying after five years.
They also had a 37% lower risk of death after 10 years, and a 29% lower risk at 15 years. Scientists adjusted for a number of factors, including a person’s socioeconomic status, civic engagement, health and demographics.
The longevity benefit persisted regardless of whether someone voted in person or by mail. A person’s political party also appeared to play no role in the association.
Researchers report that people struggling with their health boasted a particularly strong association with survival at the 15-year mark.
The study doesn’t say with certainty why voters might live longer. But researchers have a few ideas.
Studies have shown that civic engagement, social connections and a sense of purpose in life all play a role in healthy aging. Engaging in activities beyond one’s own self-interest keeps the heart beating. Voting checks that box.
The study is observational, which means that scientists can’t prove cause and effect. The association, however, is eye-opening.
So, on Election Day, you’re not just casting a ballot for a candidate. You’re also voting for your own good health.
Five, six, seven, eight.
A new type of Parkinson’s treatment is making strides in Argentina: the tango. Each week, one hospital in Buenos Aires welcomes 100-plus people to participate in a group dance workshop aimed at introducing movements patients can employ in their everyday lives.
While beloved for its social and cultural significance, the country’s national dance form is also celebrated in medical contexts for its unique ability to treat mobility, coordination and balance impairments commonly experienced by Parkinson’s patients.
In a recent article, a neurologist unpacked the specific strengths of tango, explaining how the dance uses the very movements Parkinson’s patients often struggle to execute. When patients tango, they simultaneously handle motor, visual and auditory stimuli, which translates to improved everyday functioning.
A sidestep movement might enable a patient to open a refrigerator door, for example, while a torso rotation could help them pivot while washing dishes. The act of shifting weight between feet could allow them to step onto curbs or through doorways with greater ease.
The dance could also improve gait issues through its inherent pausing and short step pattern. Walking backward is particularly difficult for Parkinson’s patients as they tend to fall backward upon losing their balance. Regularly practicing this motion in tango, however, can enhance their agility.
Initiatives like these reveal the importance of integrating the arts with healthcare. Engaging in creative acts like these might contribute to enhanced emotional, social and physical well-being … even for those of us who don’t like dancing.
Health scientists have understood the role T cells play in the body for more than 60 years.
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes [Sigh-toe-toxic T lymph-oh-sites] are part of the immune system. You can think of them as the body’s most specialized fighters, like the Army’s Delta Force.
Now, Swiss researchers have found a way to see the mechanisms in three dimensions and much better detail.
T cells are key to health. They kill cells infected with viruses and bacteria, and they can flat-out destroy a tumor cell. They also serve as the immune’s system memory, recalling pathogens long after exposure so the body can rapidly fight them off.
Pretty handy, right?
Swiss researchers knew that scientists often face trouble trying to examine T cells because traditional imaging methods can distort delicate cell components. They often had to choose between high resolution, a large field of view or keeping cell structures intact.
The Swiss team chose an advanced method called cryo-expansion microscopy: In short, they froze the samples so fast that no crystals formed. Then they used a hydrogel to expand the samples, making it possible to see cells’ internal structure.
Putting frozen T cells and tumor cells together, they discovered that a membrane quickly forms between the two, creating a dome where the hero cells take action. The team also examined cytotoxic granules — T cells’ ammo, if you will — with better clarity than ever before.
While it may mean little to a layman, for immunologists, understanding what makes immune attacks on cancer successful or not is big. And that could mean everything to future patients.
Picture a woman in her 80s. She tells you a story about the time her family adopted a dog from the local animal shelter. It was an unseasonably cold day; she wore a blue sweater. Though this was 30 years ago, she remembers it like it was yesterday.
And, according to a group of researchers at Northwestern University, she really might.
While not quite superheroes, “SuperAgers” are people 80 years and older who maintain a mental acuity on par with peers who are several decades their junior. A team from Northwestern has been studying this population for the past 25 years in hopes they might better understand how these cohort’s habits and genetics confer such acuity and mental lucidity.
Though SuperAgers tend to have some common personality traits, like being socially outgoing, their brains boast a “distinct” neurobiological profile. Their brains act younger, but also reflect it structurally — there is little-to-no thinning of the brain’s outer layer.
SuperAger brains also demonstrate a resistance and a resilience to the plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer’s. This means that not only did some folks not develop the buildup of plaque to begin with, but those who did were not impacted by it. Researchers hope the findings from studying this group could help us learn more about what impacts cognitive aging and how to combat diseases like dementia.
Aside from it being just plain cool, the SuperAgers challenge an assumption that with age comes decline. Maintaining active relationships, and finding ways to keep your brain engaged, continue to be best practices. After all, while it’s possible many of us will age without a superlative, there are plenty of ways to do so gracefully.
For those of us with high cholesterol, there are two options: changing your diet, or opting for a statin. Some of us might need to do both. Though medications have come a long way, there are those among us who would prefer to be able to eat as much sharp cheddar as they can without suffering any cardiac consequences or dealing with some of the side effects of statins.
A new therapy might be able to help with the latter.
Researchers from the University of Barcelona and the University of Oregon are focusing on a specific protein responsible for regulating how your body processes “bad” cholesterol. When production of this protein is quelled, your cells can absorb more of the lipids bobbing along your bloodstream, which decreases the amount circulating in your arteries that typically leads to fatty plaque buildup.
Thus far, researchers have tested this mechanism — introducing a kind of DNA molecule called a polypurine hairpin to shut down production of this protein — in lab-grown liver cells and in mice, finding it more cost-effective to synthesize. This might also avoid the muscle pain common to statins.
As of 2025, just under 94 million 20 years or older have what is considered borderline high cholesterol. While it might seem like something that can wait, prolonged high cholesterol severely increases your chance of heart attacks and strokes. Early testing, like getting a lipid panel, is key to knowing whether you might need to make some lifestyle changes such as tweaking your diet or pursuing medication.
In the meantime, we’ll keep hoping for a medication that lets us eat as much cheese as we like.
Some days, you wake up on the right side of the bed.
A new study from researchers in Canada indicates that simply feeling sharp can snowball into a day of efficiency, reaping a tidy extra 40 minutes of productivity.
In the study, researchers tracked participants for 12 weeks. Their goal? To better understand an evergreen tenant of humanity: trouble following through with plans.
Surprisingly, or perhaps unsurprisingly, on days when people felt mentally alert, they were not only more likely to make a list of tasks to accomplish but also to complete them.
The study participants were college students who completed daily tests that measured how quickly and accurately they could think. Questions included their sleep, goals and general workload.
On days when students woke up feeling sharp, they completed more of their to-do list. When they felt hazier, it became harder to finish routine tasks, putting the productivity “gap” between their best and worst days to around 80 minutes of work.
Thankfully, researchers emphasized that how mentally sharp you feel varies from day-to-day, meaning that you’ll have the opportunity to get more sleep than usual — which was associated with better performance earlier in the day.
By contrast, putting your nose to the grindstone only works sparingly. Your productivity can increase for a single day of extra hours, then levels off if it’s extended. This, researchers believe, lowers mental acuity and makes it harder to keep working.
For those looking to improve their mental sharpness, the study offered a couple tips: Get enough sleep and avoid burnout as best as you can.
For farmers, gardeners and agricultural enterprises, pesticides present a solution to the problem of a centuries-old conflict between insects and crops. World populations continue to grow, and the climate in which we produce food is becoming increasingly tricky to navigate.
Now, new research from scientists in France and Peru suggests living in environments with a heavy use of pesticides might quietly wreak havoc on cells years before any signs of cancer appear.
Scientists chose to study populations in Peru due to the country’s heavy emphasis on agriculture across its different climates and ecosystems. Pesticide concentrations in certain rural communities run high, and cancer is a public health concern. They tracked 31 common pesticides, none of which are classified as known carcinogens by the World Health Organization.
After comparing distribution patterns to data from more than 150,000 cancer patients, scientists noticed a pattern: Areas with higher environmental pesticides use showed elevated rates of certain cancers, increasing an individual’s likelihood of developing the disease by 150%.
Historically, understanding how people are impacted by pesticides in everyday situations has been difficult due to a couple factors: the way these chemicals are “layered,” and the way in which we encounter them.
Although previous research has tested the individual safety of certain chemicals on people, the reality of how you might encounter them in the world is more difficult to approximate — challenging the established ways in which we evaluate what we consider to be chemically safe.
While we won’t trot out the tired adage detailing how women are from Venus and men are from Mars, there is no denying differences between the two sexes. And, beyond stereotypical quirks distinct to both populations, there are often very real variations in the way health conditions play out over time — like in the case of obesity.
According to new research from the European Association for the Study of Obesity, women display higher levels of inflammation and cholesterol, while men tend to develop risky abdominal fat and signs of liver stress.
In the case of women, widespread inflammation can increase their chances of developing heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. For men, the belly fat is considered a kind of visceral fat — one known for enveloping organs and increasing the risk of metabolic conditions and heart problems. Researchers suggest these differences are impacted by hormones, fat distribution and immune system activity.
In short: Obesity’s impacts are good for neither. Understanding these differences, though, might pave the way for researchers to look toward therapies that are targeted and differentiated by sex, testing their findings in larger populations and how it all comes back to clinical risk.
It’s an evergreen issue, after all; in 2023, an estimated 1.5 billion adults across the world were contending with some kind of metabolic syndrome, which is a term for a family of conditions that raise the risk of a person experiencing a stroke, heart problems and diabetes.
In some ways, it’s reassuring to know that many of us are dealing with our weight, regardless of which planet we’re from … but good health is a universal boon.
Getting regular, quality sleep can be a challenge. For better or worse, there’s a thriving market of supplements to help.
One of the most popular sleep supplements is magnesium, an essential mineral used for more than 300 different processes in our body. It supports the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, while also regulating blood sugar, digestion and more.
Several small studies explored magnesium’s impact on sleep, finding that participants had less insomnia while falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer.
Should you find yourself toying with the idea of trying the supplement, always pay attention to the recommended amount. Adults ought to get anywhere from 310 milligrams to 420 milligrams of magnesium each day. Although pills exist, your diet can suffice — especially by way of dark, leafy greens, beans, nuts and whole grains like shredded wheat and fruits.
When shopping for this supplement, it’s important to consider the compounds. Magnesium glycinate, for example, is most often used for sleep. This is because glycine is the amino acid involved in sleep mechanisms — plus, it’s gentle on your stomach. By contrast, magnesium citrate can cause the inverse … and send you straight to the bathroom.
Experts say there is generally little harm in trying magnesium supplements for many people. However, it’s recommended to speak with your doctor before starting magnesium if you have kidney, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal disease, or low bone density.
You should not consume more than 350 milligrams of supplementary magnesium, as this can lead to toxicity and symptoms such as low blood pressure, vomiting and even difficulty breathing.
Everything in moderation … except good sleep.
Eating your fruits and vegetables is one of the easiest ways to care for your health. But new research suggests we might need to pay a little more attention to how these nutritional staples are grown.
Scientists from the University of Southern California presented research at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research that showed young adults who eat healthier than the general population might be at a higher risk of developing non-smoking lung cancer. But before you triumphantly purge your fridge of leafy greens, keep listening.
Researchers believe this link is due to the pesticides that commercially grown vegetables are treated with, a theory supported by the high rates of cancer that occur among agricultural employees who are frequently exposed to pesticides.
The team found that young women who did not smoke were diagnosed with lung cancer more often than men in the same group. The women also consumed more fruits and vegetables, eating about one extra serving of leafy greens and legumes a day than the average adult in America.
Though rates of smoking across the country have declined since the ’60s, nonsmokers under the age of 50, often women, are increasingly diagnosed with lung cancer. The subtype of this nonsmoking lung cancer is biologically different from the kind of lung cancer you get from smoking.
Moving forward, researchers plan to measure pesticide levels in participant urine to get a better idea of which ones are associated with lung cancer. And, though it’s still a good idea to eat your vegetables, organic options might be worth exploring until we know more.
Despite being touted as a surefire means of adding to one’s risk of dementia, loneliness might not actually be the driver of cognitive decline we believe it to be.
A robust study from the Taylor and Francis group surveyed 10,000 people over the course of seven years and found that folks who reported feelings of loneliness had a slightly poorer memory than those who didn’t — but their memory didn’t worsen any faster than those who said they felt socially connected.
The data was sourced from a long-running study called the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Participant ages ranged from 65 to 94 years old and included people from 12 different European countries like Germany, Spain and Slovenia. Researchers did not include those who already had a history of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, or those who struggled with completing daily tasks at the beginning of the survey.
To test people’s memory, the team asked participants to recall information both immediately and after a pause; in one instance, they tried to remember as many words as they could from a list of 10 in 60 seconds. The highest levels of loneliness were from respondents in Southern European countries, who were typically older, female and in poor health. Still, their cognitive functioning did not decline any faster than those who reported feeling low amounts of loneliness.
In some ways, this finding offers a possible reprieve for those of us struggling to find connection. And, encouragingly, researchers noted that although loneliness was defined as a fixed trait in the study, reality tends to be much different; that is, feelings of loneliness can shift over time.
The odds of surviving cardiac arrest drop like the setting sun as day turns to night.
Cardiac arrest is always a medical emergency, regardless of the time of day. Mere seconds count. A new study, however, shows that the odds of surviving one fall during the night. And researchers aren’t exactly sure why.
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively, leading to death within minutes without immediate treatment. It is often caused by an electrical disturbance in the organ.
American researchers analyzed a national registry of 874,000 people who experienced cardiac arrest from 2013 to 2024. They examined arrests that occurred outside a hospital.
The team found that a cardiac arrest between 11 p.m. and 6:59 a.m. led to a 16% drop in the adjusted odds of surviving with good brain function. That’s compared with people whose hearts stopped during the other hours of the day.
The odds of death actually started increasing at 8 p.m., with the worst outcomes between 1 and 6 a.m.
What especially surprised researchers is that the odds haven’t really improved over the years, even as emergency medicine has gotten better.
Study authors thought slower ambulance response times at night might be to blame. In fact, response times are only a minute longer at night. While every minute counts, the study notes that this alone can’t fully explain the phenomenon.
Indeed, even when the arrest occurs with 911 responders already present, the nighttime penalty persists.
One way to reduce the risk of any heart trouble is to watch your diet and stay physically fit. It will also help you sleep soundly, whatever the hour.
A class of weight-loss medications known as GLP-1s has revolutionized the ongoing battle against the waistline.
GLP-1s are drugs that mimic a natural gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which your body releases after you eat. The drugs boost insulin, slow stomach emptying and reduce appetite, helping control blood sugar and, usually, weight.
They’re often prescribed for people with diabetes.
A recent large study by European and Australian scientists shows that these medications are also effective at something else: improving mental health.
Diabetes and mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorder, have always been intertwined, complicating the treatment of both.
The study used a massive Swedish database that tracks the health of the nation’s residents. They followed 100,000 people, including 20,000 taking GLP-1 medications, from 2009 to 2022.
The researchers found that people taking the weight-loss drug suffered fewer psychiatric-related hospitalizations and sick leave. This was especially true for the GLP-1 semaglutide.
Depression risk for those prescribed semaglutide decreased by 44%, and anxiety disorder risk fell by 38%. In the meantime, suicidal behavior fell for those taking GLP-1s generally.
Researchers say the study didn’t reveal why these effects are seen or whether biological factors are at work. But they say improved body image can be beneficial to mental health. And people with diabetes might experience less stress from managing their blood sugar.
GLP-1 medications are becoming an essential tool in the battle against obesity. Perhaps this will include mental health, too.
For those who live near highways and are nearing the big 4-0, listen up.
A new study from the University of Connecticut and Tufts University has found that adults over 40 who live near highways completed a cognitive task-switching test 12% faster after one month of using a quality air purifier.
The research study found that tiny pollution particles that drift indoors from nearby highways may affect more than just our breathing. They may alter our thinking, too.
The results support growing evidence that air pollution takes more of a toll on our bodies than we knew.
The researchers recruited Massachusetts residents living within 650 feet of highways — close enough that traffic pollutants regularly seeped inside.
Participants were healthy nonsmokers, ages 30 and older.
Each household received two air purifiers, one for the living room and another for the bedroom. Participants spent one month using real HEPA [HEP-uh] machines and another month with fake ones. They were not told about the difference.
Before and after each monitoring period, a researcher tested participants. The first section asked test-takers to connect numbered dots in order as fast as possible, testing visual memory and hand speed. The second part was harder, alternating between numbers and letters in sequence.
In a surprise turn, the average time for those 40 and older to complete the harder part of the test was 54 seconds after using the HEPA filters, compared with 61.4 seconds after using the fake ones.
There was no significant speed difference for those under 40.
Researchers say the finding raises many questions. In the meantime, an air filter might improve more than just air quality.
Chronic pain is a costly condition in the United States.
Affecting one in four adults, its annual tab is estimated to be more than $722 billon paid in a combination of medical bills and lost work time.
A new study, however, might hold hope for a future with a little less chronic pain, which is generally defined as pain lasting longer than three to six months.
University of Colorado scientists found that a sugar-cube-sized region of the brain holds a small command center that tells the body to keep pain signals alive well after an injury has healed. The region is tucked inside the insula [in-suh-luh], a part of the brain that helps us process sensations.
In laboratory studies, shutting down that brain circuit not only prevented chronic pain, but also turned it off after the pain began.
For the new research, scientists used fluorescent proteins to track which nerve cells activated in rats after a sciatic nerve injury. Then, they used advanced neuroscience tools to flip genes on or off.
The results showed that the region of the brain responsible for chronic pain is likely key to pain that lingers over time.
When the scientists turned off this pathway shortly after injury, pain was brief. Once chronic pain developed, disabling the circuit caused pain to let up.
Researchers don’t know why the brain sometimes sends bogus pain signals. But they envision a future of targeted injections or infusions that stop the false alarms. Perhaps a wearable device. Or an implant.
Now that technology allows scientists to target specific parts of the brain, they say new treatments are likely to come much faster.
A chatbot a day keeps the doctor away — or so it seems for millions of Americans, according to a new survey from the West Health-Gallup Center.
The survey polled 5,500 American adults and found that one in four used AI for health information. While 95% reported using it as a tool before a visit to the doctor, 14% claimed that the advice was enough to skip the trip altogether.
When applied to a larger population, that would mean approximately 14 million Americans are relying solely on AI.
Still, many approach with caution. Only 4% claimed to strongly trust chatbots for their accuracy, while one-third openly distrusted them.
So why are people turning to AI despite these doubts? For many, AI offers answers that traditional healthcare cannot: immediate answers, convenience and lack of judgment. Even when users question its accuracy, the ease of getting a response can outweigh hesitation.
Conversations with AI ranged from interpreting doctor’s notes to a focus on nutrition, medication or diagnosis. And while being more informed is usually a good thing, there are deeper implications.
Reliance on AI often reflects who can and cannot afford healthcare. Of those surveyed, 27% said they turned to AI because they could not afford a doctor’s visit. While wealthier patients may use AI as a supplement before seeing a physician, lower-income patients may be forced to use it in place of one, widening an already existing healthcare gap.
Regardless of how you feel, AI is likely here to stay. So next time you’re under the weather, Dr. Chatbot can be a helpful first step — just maybe not the final diagnosis.
Look what the cat dragged in. It isn’t pretty. Our beloved pet felines, when allowed to wander outdoors, can bring home parasites and pathogens aplenty. Some of those can cause health problems for their human owners.
A new study led by Canadian researchers shows that outdoor pet cats are just as likely to test positive for pathogens as feral cats. Each type of wandering kitty sports a pathogen positivity rate of 18%.
The fact that our purring pets regularly visit the vet, eat healthy food and sleep in a clean space doesn’t shield them. In fact, they are three to five times more likely to bring home nasty guests than indoor cats.
The study analyzed data from 174,000 cats in 88 countries and identified 124 pathogen species. Of those, 97 were zoonotic, meaning they can also infect people.
The findings will inform public health efforts against the spread of the disease caused by these infections. Up to now, health officials have usually focused on feral cats.
Among the bugs that can be carried into our homes, the study says, are parasites that can cause pregnancy complications and neurological problems. Other hitchhikers include parasitic roundworms, the bacteria that cause cat-scratch fever and many others.
So, what’s up?
The short answer is that it doesn’t take long to come in contact with infected prey or other sources of contamination. Don’t forget: That loveable kitty snuggling with you likes to hunt.
Keeping your cat indoors protects your cat and your family. Also, consider this horrific fact. Scientists estimate that outdoor cats in a municipality of just 12,000 homes collectively deposit 77 tons of fecal matter annually.
You’re forewarned. Watch your step.
As kids, we all remember the phrase “eat your veggies.” Now, new research from Sweden suggests there might be a little wiggle room.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, discovered that eating more meat might be beneficial for those at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers observed more than 2,100 adults over the age of 60 for 15 years, all of whom were dementia-free at the start. Those who consumed lower amounts of meat had twice the risk of developing dementia compared with their higher-intake counterparts.
But don’t go stocking up on ribeye just yet. The effect only applied to adults carrying the APOE4 [ay-poh-ee four] variant, a gene associated with a greater risk of Alzheimer’s. While everyone has the APOE gene, only about 15% to 25% carry this version.
Researchers suggest this might have to do with evolution. It’s likely the gene appeared at a time when our ancestors followed a largely animal-based diet. Similarly, eating unprocessed meat, rather than heavily processed options, also was associated with better outcomes.
And the benefits didn’t stop there. Those same high-risk individuals who consumed more meat actually had a lower risk of death from any cause.
This was an observational study, meaning it can’t prove that meat directly prevents Alzheimer’s. However, the findings reveal something bigger: Our concept of nutrition might not be one-size-fits-all. Instead of relying solely on general dietary advice, you might want to tailor your diet to your DNA.
So, while a handful of greens is always a good idea, what’s considered “healthy” might depend on what your genes bring to the table.
A cure for neurodegenerative diseases might be frolicking through the mountains.
New research from Shanghai Jiao Tong [Jyeow-tong] University identified a genetic mutation in yaks, the long-haired domesticated relatives of cows, that allows them to thrive in high-altitude environments. Scientists believe that a gene variation called Retsat protects the animal’s brain in low-oxygen climates, a feature that could potentially treat neurological complications in people with multiple sclerosis. One of the effects of this disease is low oxygen levels in the brain.
When studying the animal’s brain, researchers noticed an abundance of nerve fibers coated in a fatty material called myelin, whose production requires large amounts of oxygen. In people with MS, the immune system attacks myelin, weakening communication among various brain regions and leading to issues with balance and coordination, among other symptoms.
To understand how the yak’s unique gene could potentially protect brain health, the team applied the mutation to mouse models. In one group, researchers placed the mice at 5,800-meter altitudes for a week and observed not only increased myelin levels in the brain, but also heightened social behavior, learning and memory performance. When they tested the Retsat gene on mice with MS-related brain damage, the team observed a significant improvement in their condition.
Though the research has a long way to go before it reaches humans, studies like these help remind us that potential scientific breakthroughs are all around us … and sometimes above, with hooves and horns.
We are in the midst of a weight-loss revolution. Drugs with the active ingredients semaglutide or tirzepatide have allowed millions of people to lose significant amounts of weight. These drugs work by mimicking a gut hormone that curbs appetite and slows digestion.
It’s a boon to good health.
Unfortunately, these drugs are expensive, with insurance often refusing to cover the costs. Some people invariably stop taking them.
A large new study, however, shows that people who stopped taking weight-loss drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy don’t give up the fight. Many avoid regaining the pounds they had recently shed by switching tactics.
The Cleveland Clinic study analyzed the medical records of nearly 8,000 people who took injectable semaglutide or tirzepatide and then quit three to 12 months later.
The study found that a significant number of patients did not regain meaningful weight after dumping the drugs. Those who took the medications for obesity and lost an average of 8.4% of their body weight only regained about 0.5% a year later.
Those taking the drug for diabetes actually continued to lose a small amount of weight.
A key to keeping slim appeared to be moving to another weight-loss regimen. Some met with dietitians or exercise specialists. Some also switched to older-generation weight-loss meds. And others restarted their semaglutide or tirzepatide medications, or switched one for the other.
Researchers warned that individual results varied, and not everybody avoided a big weight regain.
The research shows that many people do not give up on a slimmer body, even when insurance or adverse side effects force them to quit.
That persistence is a recipe for weight-loss success.
There are pushups, pirouettes and pumping iron. Calisthenics, curls and CrossFit. Whatever your preferred form of exercise or work-out style, there’s bound to be something that strikes your fancy. And that, a new study suggests, is better than anything else.
Researchers from the American College of Sports Medicine parsed through 137 systematic reviews, analyzed data from more than 30,000 study participants and emerged with updated guidance for who are interested in strength training … or trying to be.
The advice, which happens to be the first major overhaul to resistance training recommendations in 17 years, is simple: Do what you’ll keep doing.
That’s it.
Sure, there are good habits. The best kind of resistance training tackles all major muscle groups a minimum of twice a week. But access to a gym is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have. Plenty of good, and even measurable changes, can be accomplished with a resistance band, or just your own body weight.
Notably, these recommendations come from the increasing amount of research conducted on muscle health and aging.
What matters, researchers say, is what you like to do for strength training. That, and liking it enough to do it more than once, end up being the most important metric for folks who want to prioritize not only their waistline, but their capability and general strength as they age. While there is flexibility in how you get your resistance training, researchers emphasize there is no denying how essential it is.
Now, a little bit of bad news:
At the end of the day, it still means you’ll have to get up from the couch.
Since its FDA approval in December 2017, Ozempic, an injectable semaglutide originally intended for use by those with diabetes, has taken the world of weight loss by storm. Now, as the number of people taking the medication has increased, so has the number of health conditions against which GLP-1s might protect.
One of these possible avenues? The heart. Specifically, during one of its most vulnerable moments: After a heart attack.
Researchers from the University of Bristol and University College London discovered these medications might reduce the risk of considerable complications in people who have experienced a cardiac event. This builds upon earlier research that found GLP-1s can reduce your risk of major heart problems, regardless of how much weight you might lose while on the drug.
Here’s how it works:
After a heart attack, almost 50% of patients experience a narrowing of the small blood vessels inside their heart, even after emergency medical treatment. The study explored whether the weight-loss drugs could help “open” the vessels, which contract when your heart muscle is deprived of blood rich in oxygen.
This could help to avoid a common aftereffect of heart attacks known as “no-reflow,” which results in blood being unable to reach certain areas of heart tissue. It can increase your risk of death in a year after the initial heart attack.
Researchers found that the medications activate potassium channels, which allowing blood vessels to relax and widen. More blood reaches the heart, which lowers your risk of further damage.
In short: It could save your life.
Of the human body’s many organs, the liver is arguably one of the hardest workers.
This 3-pound whirlwind in the upper right abdomen handles 500 jobs, including filtering more than 250 gallons of blood a day.
It deals with toxic substances, breaks down fats and stores glucose to give you energy when you need it.
And like many hard workers, the liver rarely complains.
That can be a bad thing, though.
Because a damaged liver can function for years without showing signs of distress, like yellowed skin or swelling, a person whose liver is creeping toward failure often has no idea.
A new study led by researchers from Johns Hopkins University uses an artificial intelligence-driven biopsy to scan patterns of DNA circulating in a patient’s blood.
The test evaluates DNA fragments, looking at how they break apart, rather than hunting for genetic mutations.
The system can reliably spot liver fibrosis and cirrhosis earlier. These conditions often go overlooked before serious damage occurs.
An estimated 100 million Americans have health conditions that elevate their risk for cirrhosis or liver cancer, so earlier detection could allow doctors to treat underlying disease sooner — before it progresses.
Thus far, the blood test is a prototype, so it has not yet gone through clinical testing.
The researchers say their findings suggest the technology might eventually have wider applications, such as being able to detect still more diseases.
Until then, you can offer your persevering liver some much-needed rest: Maintain a healthy weight with a high-fiber, low-sugar and low-fat diet, and try to exercise every day.
Kimchi, a Korean dish made of fermented vegetables like cabbage, is known for packing a welcome probiotic punch to the gut.
Now, a new study published in Bioresource Technology suggests it can do more than support our stomachs.
Researchers from the World Institute of Kimchi isolated a type of lactic acid bacteria from the dish that could help remove nanoplastics from our body by binding to them in the gut. As you might guess, nanoplastics are related to microplastics — but the former are much smaller in size, and are created when microplastics break down.
Nanoparticles are often introduced into our bodies through common foods, like salt, beer, sugar, fish and honey, and also occur in drinking water. It’s a consequence of our heavy reliance on plastics and other synthetic materials.
As their name might imply, nanoplastics are teeny-tiny, small enough to pass through the membrane of our intestines and accumulate in less-than-ideal areas like the kidneys and the brain.
In the study, researchers found that male and female mice that received a strain of the bacterium found in kimchi had twice as many nanoplastics in their feces compared with those who did not receive any probiotic. This could mean that the probiotics are helping the body rid itself of nanoplastics by sticking to them in the gut, thus ensuring they make their exit.
Despite the problem plastics pose, there are few tried-and-true solutions to rid them from the body for good. They pose a problem for both the environment and our health. Finding stopgaps like kimchi, however unusual, might be one way of course correcting.
Throughout our lives, we encounter health information from less-than-official sources. Maybe a grandparent, or a chatty classmate. Regardless of the spokesperson, we carry these tidbits with us, ranging from partially true to entirely erroneous. Occasionally, we pass them along, and sometimes — like today — they get debunked.
Though many of us might remember being told that dulling one sense sharpens another, a new study from the American Institute of Physics suggests that closing your eyes does not help you hear better.
In fact, scientists found that when participants shut their eyes, their brains “over-filtered” the sounds around them.
During the study, team members tracked the brain activity of participants while they listened to a variety of sounds. These were played with an undercurrent of background noise. Participants were asked to close their eyes and fiddle with the volume so that each sound was barely audible over the background noise. Then, they repeated the action while looking at a blank screen, as well as a photo and video related to the sound.
When they had visual cues related to the sounds, participants did much better.
Researchers suggest that a noisy context means the brain works hard to actively distinguish signals from background noise. But in quieter situations, closing your eyes might still help with detecting faint sounds.
Next, the team plans to study what occurs when visual cues do not match auditory ones — or when what you see does not match what you hear. This could help them understand if your brain just needs visual input to hear well, or if it requires the visual cue to “match.”
In the meantime, we’ll trust they have their eye on it.
Remember those “butterflies” you felt in your stomach before giving a big presentation? Or how you might trust your gut when making a decision? Increasingly, science says your brain and gut are in constant communication with each other. Researchers refer to this connection as the gut-brain axis, and it’s one of the most important junctures in your body.
In many ways, your gut and your brain are the best of friends. These organs work with each other to influence a variety of health components including mood, stress, digestion, cognitive function and immunity.
How? Well, your stomach houses trillions of bacteria that make up your gut microbiome. These bacteria are constantly communicating with your brain through your nervous and immune systems. They help produce neurotransmitters, chemical messengers that influence mood, digestion and how your body processes sensory information.
When your gut microbiome wobbles out of balance, the effects ripple throughout your entire body. Research shows that an unhealthy gut has been linked to anxiety, depression and a weakened immune system.
Luckily, supporting your gut health doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Start by including more fiber-rich foods in your diet like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These act as fuel for your good bacteria. To go the extra mile, add fermented foods that are high in probiotics like yogurt, kimchi or sauerkraut.
Beyond diet, prioritize seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Manage your stress as best as you can, and stay hydrated — it’s critical for proper digestion and a diverse microbiome. Lastly, get regular exercise. An active body means an active gut.
Feeling unwell? Your doctor might recommend a “green prescription.”
New research from the Chinese Academy of Sciences is exploring the idea of prescribing time in botanical gardens as a source of mental health support.
While millions already visit these green spaces to admire their beauty, these tranquil environments also offer real benefits, such as stress reduction and a boost in mindfulness.
Though spending time outdoors or taking a walk isn’t necessarily a new idea, researchers believe that botanical gardens might ease eco-anxiety — the stress and worry people feel while witnessing environmental destruction. Intentionally going to these spaces allows people to process their anxiety through tangible experiences in nature.
Similar programs aimed at vulnerable populations like young children and the elderly have shown that even the simple act of caring for a small plant can rebuild a sense of control and emotional connection.
Beyond mental health, botanical gardens quietly benefit us in other ways. They improve air quality, cool neighborhoods affected by urban heat and prevent excessive flooding. Researchers describe them as a “modern-day Swiss Army knife.”
The potential plan is simple. Mental health professionals would work with botanical gardens to officially prescribe therapeutic gardening to patients. From planting seeds to watching things grow, the space would serve as a complement to traditional treatments for conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The best part? It’s a low-cost alternative with strong results. So next time you’re feeling down, perhaps the remedy isn’t found in the pharmacy, but in a garden.
The first time you’re gazing at something and notice a speck that shouldn’t be there, it can be extremely disorienting. Weird, even.
They are called “floaters.” Tiny dots or squiggles that drift through your field of vision, they are quite common. About three out of every four adults will see them.
For years, doctors didn’t worry too much about them.
But a new study from the Netherlands could help change how primary care doctors evaluate the visual nuisance. Researchers found that floaters are a harbinger for retinal detachment, a serious condition that can cause permanent blindness.
That signal is strongest when a patient suddenly sees many floaters in one burst. Of those patients, about 1 in 5 were later diagnosed with a retinal detachment or tear. And when that burst of floaters was accompanied by a flash of light, the risk was even higher.
In the study, the researchers reviewed data from 1,181 patient visits to primary care doctors, where they reported floaters, flashes of light in their vision, or both.
In 77 cases, patients were diagnosed with a retinal detachment or tear. A tear is a break in tissue at the back of the eye. Detachment is when the tissue pulls away from its normal position.
A few things to know: Floaters are shadows cast by clumps of collagen in the gel-like substance between your eye’s lens and retina. They are most common in those over age 50 and those who are nearsighted.
And fortunately, most times, they really are harmless. But if you experience a spate of floaters, a flash of light or a dark area that clouds your vision, there’s no time to waste. Get to your doctor.
This eye medication is alive.
Anyone with a corneal injury or chronic ocular surface disease knows how annoying medicated eye drops can be. It’s easy to forget that it’s time to squeeze a few drops out of the bottle.
One estimate shows that up to 40% of older patients forget.
University of Pittsburgh researchers, however, are exploring an alternative that requires fewer applications and actually works better: bacteria.
They took a harmless bacterium that lives on mouse eyes. With a little genetic engineering, the scientists were able to get the bacteria to release an anti-inflammatory substance that can repair corneal wounds just like medicated drops.
The bacterium is also superior because it remains on the eye’s surface for 12 weeks or longer. Eye drops, meanwhile, tend to wash away quickly with our tears as we blink.
In tests with mice, the modified bacterium worked better than medicated eye drops in healing the cornea, and the treatment was safe. The little one-cell organisms also had no effect on the eye’s normal immune defenses.
In separate experiments, a different strain of the same engineered bacterium worked similarly well on human corneal cells.
Any medication ready for your local pharmacy is probably still years distant, if further testing and eventual clinical trials are successful. But scientists are encouraged.
Don’t get creeped out by the prospect of having bacteria applied to the cornea. Humans and all living things peacefully coexist with bacteria. Bacteria help us digest food, for example. Good bacteria can also crowd out the bad bugs that can make us sick.
Meanwhile, keep an eye out for this medication in the future.
An American presidential campaign of the 1990s proclaimed, “It’s the economy, stupid” as its guiding slogan. It was a constant reminder that for many voters, the health of their bank account governs their politics.
New research from Germany suggests that those in health care also might want to ponder the phrase.
The study found that when the Asian financial crisis in 1997 sent rice prices soaring in Indonesia, the shock didn’t just strain household budgets, it left lasting changes in children’s bodies.
Children exposed to the food price surge were more likely to experience stunted growth, and years later, higher obesity risk.
During tight times, families often manage by maintaining their typical calorie intake but cutting back on nutrient-rich foods.
The researchers reviewed data from a long-running study that tracks Indonesian households. They looked at rice inflation between 1997 and 2000 and compared the patterns with childhood body measurements and measurements taken in early adulthood.
Among those who were between 3 and 5 years old during the crisis, the data showed clear connections between early exposure to the price shock, body mass index and the likelihood of obesity later. The effects were strongest in cities, where households often relied on purchasing food.
With extreme weather, pandemics and conflict causing more frequent price shocks, Indonesia’s experience offers real-world proof that economic insecurity can become a lifelong health risk.
The researchers say food policies must protect children in the moments they are most vulnerable. If not, the damage can be irreversible.
Every time a heat wave is on the way, alerts go out, warning that high temperatures can overtax our hearts.
But a new study shows that cold weather hurts our hearts more often than the heat. A lot more often.
A research team led by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found that cold temperatures are linked to more than 42,000 cardiac deaths every year, compared to about 2,200 related to heat.
That translates to roughly 19 cold-related cardiac deaths for every one related to heat.
The study noted that most cardiac deaths related to the cold are recorded simply as heart attacks or strokes. Temperature is rarely even a footnote.
Cold temperatures boost blood pressure, strain the heart and make clots more likely. That puts people with existing heart or metabolic conditions, like diabetes or kidney disease, more at risk.
In the study, the researchers pulled Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cardiovascular death records for adults 25 and older from 819 counties, from the year 2000 to 2020.
That data represents about 82% of all adults in the U.S.
They then used weather data to map the relationship between temperature and cardiac death rates, pinpointing seasonal patterns and long-term trends. One interesting tidbit: The scientists found that the ideal temperature for our hearts, when cardiovascular death risk is lowest, is 73.8 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s key, because for much of the U.S., and for most of the year, average daily temperatures fall below that.
The researchers said health systems should weave temperature forecasts into emergency plans. And high-risk patients need help well before Old Man Winter arrives.
The human body has been fine-tuned over millions of years of evolution. Like all living things, our species adapted to the environment. Those changes to human physiology usually occurred over what might seem to modern people as an impossibly long timespan.
But human chemistry, it seems, is now changing relatively rapidly, with potentially dangerous consequences for health.
The problem is that increased carbon dioxide in the air is altering human blood. Atmospheric CO2 now sits at about 420 parts per million and rising.
Ice core data shows this is the highest level in the last 800,000 years. Over eons of human evolution, CO2 levels were closer to 280 parts per million.
A new analysis by Australian scientists shows that the hike has raised average blood bicarbonate levels by 7% as we breathe in all the extra carbon dioxide. That is matched by lower levels of calcium and phosphorus.
Researchers obtained their data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, covering about 7,000 participants who underwent lab tests from 1999 to 2020.
These electrolytes help regulate blood acidity. High bicarbonate levels can lead to kidney problems, cardiovascular strain and impaired cellular function. Low calcium can cause abnormal heart rhythms and bone loss, while low phosphorus interferes with energy metabolism.
The levels measured today are still safe. But researchers estimate that they could begin to adversely affect human health by the end of the century unless steps are taken to reduce carbon dioxide levels.
And that, they say, makes the need for more research urgent.
The evidence is in every breath you take.
The biggest threat to your heart is invisible.
Cholesterol, a term that doesn’t mean anything to you until it does, has no true visual or physical indicators. You can look fit, exercise frequently and still have high cholesterol without realizing it. The only way to really know is to test your lipids by way of your blood.
Now, updated guidance from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association is changing when clinicians begin screening for high cholesterol … and how they manage it. This is the first time the guidance has been updated since 2018.
The new recommendation? Physicians should begin earlier, and tailor their approach to the patient. For example, folks with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition that causes high levels of the “bad” cholesterol, should begin screening around age 9. If you have preexisting health conditions, it’s better to test in your 20s than in your 30s. As part of a risk calculator, the guidance also recommends taking your blood pressure and kidney function into account.
Some things have stayed the same — like lowering your low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which you might know as LDL, or the aforementioned “bad cholesterol.” One in four adults across the U.S. have elevated levels of the less-than-stellar lipid. Experts recommend a one-time test of Lp(a), which is linked to inherited risk, and lets you know if you might have a tendency toward higher levels.
Ultimately, lowering your LDL lessens your chances of heart attacks and strokes. And, when you lower this lipid as a young adult, your vascular and heart health are set up for success for years to come.
Those of us with four-legged roommates might be sharing more than a couch with them.
A new study from researchers in England mapped feline cancer genetics and found that key mutations, like those that cause breast cancer, appear in both people and cats.
Because our pets tend to live in our homes, these similarities could shed light on shared cancer causes.
In the study, scientists looked at tumors from nearly 500 domestic cats. They screened close to 1,000 genes known for their link to human cancers, comparing tissue samples across 13 kinds of feline cancer. This was the first instance of an analysis of cat tumors conducted at this scale.
Patterns emerged between the genetic drivers of cancer in people and those in cats, with breast cancer being one of the most notable examples. Mammary carcinoma is a frequent, aggressive cancer among felines, and researchers found it was often provoked by a mutation in FBXW7, a gene whose mutations are associated with poor outcomes in people diagnosed with breast cancer.
Other similarities between human cancer mutations were found in tumors impacting the lungs, skin, bone and gastrointestinal system.
Researchers believe that genetic pathways that play starring roles in how cancer develops might be fruitful areas to study, yielding benefits for how we understand cancer across all species.
Currently, cancer remains one of the leading causes of illness and mortality in cats. Researchers from the study noted these similarities might mean some cancer treatments geared toward people might also work in our pets.
We like knowing that what helps us might help them, too.
That friend of yours who starts her day with a challenging crossword puzzle might be onto something.
In the late 1990s, nearly 3,000 older adults received brain training as part of a study that looked at how it impacted their thinking and memory.
Twenty years later, participants continue to reap the benefits.
Researchers say it is one of the first results from a large, randomized trial to demonstrate that any intervention, whether it’s cognitive training, brain games, physical exercise, diet or medicine, can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
In the study, participants who received cognitive speed training were 25% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia in the next two decades.
That finding surprised the researchers themselves.
They believe the cognitive training might have had such long-lasting benefits because it was personalized. When a participant was successful, the task became harder.
The study involved more than 2,800 adults, ranging from 65 to 94 years old, who were randomly placed in groups for 10 training sessions. In each session, they were asked to do memory, reasoning or speed of processing tasks. Training sessions were at least an hour long.
The speed training required participants to process visual information on a computer screen and make quick decisions. Speed training might cause physical changes to the brain, leading to new and stronger connections between brain networks.
Speed, it seems, might be a key to not slowing down.
We all know that older adults face an increased risk of osteoporosis, a disease characterized by weak, brittle bones. A new study by American and Chinese researchers, however, has found that a particular diet can bring this malady to the doorstep of far younger people.
It’s a diet of ultraprocessed foods.
Ultraprocessed foods are products made mostly from industrial ingredients, not whole foods, and designed to be convenient, highly tasty and long-lasting. And they’re not very healthy.
Examples include packaged snacks and cookies, frozen pizza and instant noodles. The entire list of products, however, is quite long. Think junk food.
But a new study involving more than 160,000 participants found that those eating a diet high in ultraprocessed foods faced a significantly higher risk of bone density loss. That’s compared with people who eat healthier foods.
The data were obtained from the UK Biobank study. This was a long-term project that tracked the health information for half a million people in the United Kingdom.
Those involved in the study logged their diets for five years, and their bone density was measured in four different body sites.
The researchers noticed a significant association between bone density loss among those under 65 and habitual consumption of ultraprocessed foods. In older adults, natural bone density loss with aging likely masks any loss from a poor diet.
The findings suggest that eating junk food increases the risk of bone fractures. As an observational study, scientists can’t prove a link between diet and weaker bones. But the findings are nonetheless worrisome.
The study is yet another reminder that you are what you eat.
Your understanding of aging might start with an absolute: Over the years, as our bodies and brains undergo wear and tear, we experience a gradual physical and cognitive decline.
But your perspective on aging can impact your health and well-being more than you might think.
A longitudinal study from researchers at Yale University sought to put the expectation that aging holds no room for improvement to the test — a flaw they believed is common in the field of gerontology. They designed the study to determine if a positive attitude about aging ultimately carried a positive impact on participants’ mental and physical health.
To evaluate their cognitive well-being, researchers tested their short-term memory and math skills and used a simple walking exercise to examine their mobility.
Improvement was linked to those who held positive attitudes about their aging. More than 45% of the study’s participants showed a boost in their thinking skills over time. The same was true for their walking ability. Notably, people improved even if they started from a normal level of functioning — not just those who were at a deficit.
Adopting an attitude of positivity can be easier said than done but experts have some tips to help. To start, focus on short-term goals and celebrate even the smallest, most realistic wins each day. Finding ways of engaging with your community and friends is another way of reminding yourself you are an active participant in the world around you.
And it’s trite, but true: At the end of the day, aging is something we’re all lucky to have in common.
Turning to chatbots for emotional support is becoming more commonplace.
But new research suggests that artificial intelligence “counselors” could provide more emotional distress than clarity, all while violating the ethical standards mental health professionals abide by in training and practice.
An experiment from Brown University gathered seven peer counselors trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to undergo a counseling session. Their therapist? An AI model, prompted to generate responses in alignment with therapeutic techniques.
The counselors used real conversations from human sessions to receive self-therapy from Large Language Models, including ChatGPT, Claude and Llama. Afterwards, licensed clinical psychologists analyzed these transcripts and noted the chatbots’ responses for ethical violations, identifying multiple categories of breach.
First to raise professional eyebrows was “deceptive empathy,” where the AI used language such as “I see you” and “I understand” to convey emotional understanding for experiences a machine cannot relate to. A second red flag appeared in the chatbots’ “lack of safety and crisis management,” where the models failed to steer users to professional help for crises involving suicidal thoughts. Instead, they reinforced harmful mindsets.
While human therapists are certainly not immune to making mistakes, researchers emphasize the importance of oversight in human practitioner errors. Professional boards are in place to report any instances of malpractice, but no such supervision exists for AI models yet.
That said, experts say, seeking help from a licensed professional over an AI chatbot is the safest choice for mental health support.
Becoming a centenarian is a big deal. It vaults you into a select group that few reach.
Just imagine: If you were born in 1926 and were celebrating your 100th birthday this year, you would have lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War and the Space Race.
You would have seen the Berlin Wall come down, the birth of what we used to call the World Wide Web, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the global financial crisis in 2008 and COVID-19. This summer, you would celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
New research finds that while all that living may have taken its toll in many ways, it’s likely left your blood as perky as that of a healthy 40-year-old.
A team of Swiss scientists found blood samples from centenarians and compared them with the molecular profiles of hospitalized elderly patients with an average age of 86 and a group of healthy adults with an average age of 41.
The found 37 proteins in blood samples of those who reached 100, which they call “youth-associated proteins.” They believe the presence of these proteins might explain why some of us age so much more gracefully than others.
The centenarians also had lower levels of key inflammation markers than the hospitalized group in their 80s.
The findings are merely observational, so researchers point out that they don’t prove the proteins cause long life or that targeting them in any way might extend life.
Whether these youthful proteins are ever able to guide scientists to therapies that would help the general population age more comfortably is so far not known. But scientists at least now have a target to aim for.
How many bones did you break as a kid?
Some of us emerged from childhood unscathed. Others might have fond — and itchy — memories of casts getting signed. Maybe you remember propping up a pair of crutches near a chair, or wincing at a hip X-ray with a grandparent. Fractures are most common in kids and teens, followed by adults over 50.
Regardless of age, the more severe a bone break, the more likely medical intervention is needed. Typically, surgeons who help put you back together rely on a graft from your own bones or a metal implant. These substitutions help to stabilize your bones, but they also come with their own downsides.
One increases recovery time and surgical risk. Another is much stiffer than “natural” bone and can loosen over time.
Now, researchers from Switzerland are looking at a different filling: jelly.
Laser-printed hydrogel, to be precise.
The substance is designed to imitate how your body heals on its own. And, like you, it’s mostly made of water. The gel is neatly printed into hyper-fine bone-like structures even thinner than a human hair. In test tube studies, bone-forming cells descended on the human-made bone structure in droves and produced collagen, one of the early building blocks of bone.
For bone repair to be successful, all kinds of cells need to move into the implant. Then, they must thrive — and work together.
In the future, the research team hopes to see the hydrogel implants enter clinical use. For now, they plan to see how the hydrogel performs inside living organisms, and if it can bring back bone strength over time.
That’s a point to jelly. Peanut butter, you’re up next.
Imagine you go to the doctor because you suspect something is off-kilter: You keep outgrowing your shoes and your rings no longer fit.
Now imagine that before you see the doctor, you are escorted to a room where an assistant takes two photos — one of the back of your hand, the other of your clenched fist.
Researchers at Japan’s Kobe University have developed an artificial intelligence-powered system that can detect acromegaly [ack-row-meg-uh-lee], a rare endocrine disease.
Caused by an excessive production of growth hormone, acromegaly leads to enlarged hands and feet, changes in facial appearance and abnormal growth of bones and internal organs. It appears most often in middle age.
Because it develops over many years, it can be difficult to catch early. Left untreated, acromegaly can lead to serious health problems and shorten life expectancy by about a decade.
Keeping patients’ privacy concerns in mind, the researchers decided to focus their tool on hands, rather than faces. That led patients from 15 medical institutions to contribute more than 11,000 images used to “train” and test the model.
The researchers said they were surprised at how sensitive and accurate the AI tool was when identifying the disease simply from hand images. The system outperformed experienced endocrinologists who reviewed the same images.
They also noted that they now hope to adapt their system to detect other medical conditions that produce visible changes in the hands, like rheumatoid arthritis and anemia.
Surely, the scientists deserve a round of applause for their creation — a hand, if you will. Or maybe we can just send them a picture.
Despite its increasing antiquity, PAC-MAN’s 8-bit graphics — and gameplay — continue to grip imaginations across generations. The sphere-shaped protagonist consumes dots and fights pesky, pixelated ghosts.
Now, keep that visual in mind.
Researchers at University of Waterloo have figured out a way to engineer bacteria into doing just that with tumors — an enemy much more harmful than a digital specter.
Here’s how it works: The inside of a tumor has plenty of nutrients and no oxygen, creating a paradise for the specially engineered microbes. The little bacteriaat, and eat and eat until they grow big enough to take over the unwanted mass.
Our hero in this approach is Clostridium sporogenes [klos-TREH-dee-um spore-AH-gen-ease], a bacterium typically located in soil, whose survival is predicated upon there being no oxygen to disrupt its existence. This is why it can thrive in a place with no air — like the inside of a tumor.
At first, the bacteria would die off as they ate closer to the edges of the tumor, where small amounts of oxygen are often present. To combat this, scientists added a relative of Clostridium sporogenes that can better tolerate oxygen — allowing the engineered bacteria to survive longer and get the job done.
To prevent them from growing toward areas rich in oxygen, like the bloodstream, researchers also developed a control system for the bacteria to grow to a certain amount before their “oxygen-seeking” or “oxygen-tolerant” behaviors kicked in.
Next steps will include combining both of these behaviors into a single bacterium and taking it from the lab to testing it on tumors in clinical trials.
All in all, the 80s would be proud.
Humanity has sought an effective treatment for tinnitus since ancient Egypt. Luckily, few survive to the present day.
One ancient remedy worked on the assumption that the ear is inhabited by a small animal and that a fight with another creature would drive it out. The supposed cure was to allow smoke from burning snake skins to enter the ear.
This therapy is absurd, of course. But it reflects the desperation for a treatment through the ages. Now, a study by British researchers shows that repercussions of the physical ailment even extend to the workplace.
Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing or humming sound in the ear that affects 15% of the population. It has no cure.
The study involved 449 people with tinnitus who had lived with the condition for an average of 12 years. About two out of 10 participants reported that ear ringing had significantly affected their jobs. Some reduced their work hours, quit jobs or struggled to complete tasks they had formerly done with ease. The ringing makes it difficult for many to concentrate.
Scientists, however, offered a road forward.
About 200 study participants completed an eight-week cognitive-behavioral therapy program. This included teaching them relaxation techniques, how to manage their attention, tips on improving sleep and other coping strategies. Such courses are widely available.
Participants had initially rated their tinnitus distress at 52.5 on a 100-point scale. After the therapy, that number fell to 33. Two months later, 75% reported that they no longer had work-related issues due to tinnitus.
Scientists hope the study raises awareness of how ear ringing affects livelihoods. Therapy can work wonders — no burning of snake skins needed.
Is there anything sweeter than being 16?
Whether it’s slurping on soda slushies, glugging boba tea or downing energy drinks, teens have plenty of access — and love — for sugary beverages. The ensuing physical pitfalls of excess sugar consumption in drinks, like obesity and Type 2 diabetes, have been well documented.
Now, a new study from researchers at Bournemouth University is taking a different approach: Examining the effects of excess sugar on mental health in adolescents. In the meta-analysis published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, scientists looked at survey data that reported on sugar consumption and symptoms of mental health.
They found an association between drinking high numbers of sugary beverages and more symptoms of anxiety.
Specifically, an elevated intake of sweetened drinks was linked with 34% higher odds of adolescent anxiety disorders, with longitudinal data emphasizing a pattern of its persistent impacts on mental health.
While this doesn’t show that sugary drinks cause anxiety, authors say it’s a connection worth paying attention to. This is the first systematic review that links sugar-sweetened beverage intake to teen anxiety.
Currently, anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness kids and teens contend with.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11% of kids ages 3 to 17 have anxiety.
The scientists suggest that future clinical interventions aimed at reducing sugar intake might help allay the rising frequency of anxiety disorders, specifically among teenagers.
It’s a sweet idea.
Where do all the fit people live?
We’ll admit up front that states don’t go to the gym or sit like a couch potato in front of the television for hours on end. But their residents do. And some states are far better than others at keeping a fit and healthy population.
Nursa, a per diem health care staffing platform, ranked the 50 U.S. states on fitness using publicly available information. The survey includes information on a state’s smoking rates, diet, walking and hiking routes, aerobic activity and obesity, among other metrics.
The fittest state, as ranked by Nursa, is … Vermont. It’s followed closely by Massachusetts and then Washington state. Unfortunately, many of the least-fit states are in the South, with Louisiana ranked No. 50. Mississippi is just ahead, followed by West Virginia. Florida is in 38th place.
Why does Vermont do so well? It starts with getting a good night’s sleep. Fewer than a third of Vermonters reported snoozing less than seven hours a night. That’s the lowest rate in the nation.
Just 16% of the state’s residents report being inactive outside of work. Vermont also rates highly in the fruits and vegetables its residents eat. The state also has 19 fast-food restaurants per 100,000 residents, one of the lowest rates in the country. The national average is 24.
Why is Louisiana ranked worst? It has the fewest gyms per capita, at 2.8 per 100,000 people. Its obesity and smoking rates are among the worst in the nation. And 28% of residents say they are inactive outside of work.
No worries if you live in a state that fared poorly. Nobody is doomed by their geography.
So, conduct a frank assessment of your state of health. And get busy exercising.
All of us sleep. It’s a biological imperative. But do we all need to hit the snooze button five times when the morning alarm goes off?
Snoozing involves setting consecutive alarms, usually at about 10-minute intervals, to allow for just a few more minutes of shuteye.
Few scientific studies have measured whether using a snooze alarm is a positive or negative habit for sleepers, and there is little consensus. One thing is clear: Plenty of us do it.
In a recent Harvard University study that used smartphones to track the sleep habits of more than 21,000 adults around the world, researchers found that participants hit the snooze button an average 2.4 times before getting up.
The researchers used the Sleep Cycle app to track more than 3 million sleep sessions from participants in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and Germany. When participants logged a sleep session, they hit the snooze bar or button more than 55% of the time.
Notably, there was more snooze alarm use during the work week than on weekends.
The little research out there suggests that the answer to whether hitting ‘snooze’ is good or bad depends on why someone does it. Is it because they didn’t go to bed early enough to get seven to nine hours of rest? Or are they naturally more night owl than early bird, and 10 minutes helps them ease into the day?
Snooze alarms get a knock from some sleep specialists because if you set an alarm early so you can hit snooze multiple times, you could interfere with the most restful part of the sleep cycle.
The bottom line for snoozers: If lack of sleep is making you drag yourself out of bed, don’t just hit snooze — talk to your doctor.
How nice would it be to make a healthy change to your diet without realizing it?
Two new research studies show how tiny, almost unnoticeable changes could lower sodium levels in packaged and prepackaged goods. These changes could lead to heart healthy improvements for many people and prevent large numbers of heart attacks, strokes and premature deaths.
In France, researchers found that cutting salt in baguettes and other widely eaten breads could lower daily sodium intake by about thirty-five hundredths of a gram per person. Over time, that invisible change could prevent more than 1,000 deaths.
In the United Kingdom, a separate study estimated that meeting the country’s 2024 sodium-reduction goals could reduce an average person’s daily salt intake by 17.5%. That could prevent about 100,000 cases of ischemic heart disease over a 20-year period.
In the U.K. study, researchers analyzed survey data to estimate how much salt people consume from packaged foods and takeout meals. Then, they calculated how much sodium intake would drop if all relevant food categories met the 2024 sodium targets. They measured 84 grocery food categories, including bread, cheeses and snacks.
Consuming too much salt is a big contributor to high blood pressure. It raises the risk of serious conditions like heart attacks, stroke and more.
Because the problem is so dire, reducing salt intake at a population level — rather than asking individuals to cut down on their own — is viewed as one feasible way to improve long-term health while lowering health care costs.
Until such changes come, we’ll have to make smart choices. Watch labels for sneaky sodium and do your best to avoid the salt shaker.
If we’re lucky, most of us will notice our bodies aging gracefully. But new research suggests we might have more factors to contend with than just the ravages of time.
A new study published in Frontiers in Aging found that certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [per- and poly-floor-oh-AL-kill], or PFAS [PEA-fass], can accelerate the “true” physical age of our bodies.
Middle-aged men are the most vulnerable group.
These forever chemicals contain bits found in everyday, manufactured items like non-stick cooking pans, food packaging, water-resistant clothing and more. Their molecular makeup makes them extremely resistant to degradation — hence the use of “forever.”
They’re also everywhere.
Research has linked them to everything from cancer to obesity to hormone disruption. When the team looked at data from more than 300 adults and measured their body’s age on a cellular level, they found that two PFAS in particular were linked to accelerated aging in men between 50 and 64 years old.
Authors pointed out that not all PFAS affect the body the same, as no others were observed to have the same association. This was also not observed in women, and overall levels did not differ between the groups.
One reason middle-aged men were the most impacted could be due to middle age itself, authors said, as it is a “sensitive” window where the body is more susceptible to stressors.
Just because these forever chemicals are abundant doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to limit your exposure, however. Experts say to avoid microwaving fast food containers and eat fewer packaged foods.
There’s always a little something you can do.
If you experience osteoarthritis, you’re in good — and widespread — company.
By 2050, millions of people are slated to experience joint pain. The privilege of growing older and wiser comes with a common side effect of aches and pains. Typically, standard treatments include different kinds of medications, or even a surgery … or two.
Now, new research from Ireland suggests that the best treatment is one we microdosed in gym class or dabbled in after a New Year’s resolution: exercise.
Here’s why: The movement feeds our cartilage. This kind of tissue doesn’t come with its own supply of blood, so it relies on our movement to keep working optimally. This movement of fluid and lubrication brings in nutrients to the cartilage. Across the body, exercise dials down inflammation and alters the mechanisms driving damage to our joints. It slows progression. It reduces pain.
One of the earliest signs of osteoarthritis is muscle weakness. Targeted resistance training can help to reverse it, and there are special programs tailored to a variety of neuromuscular exercises aimed at doing just that.
In fact, research shows exercise is one of the most effective means of dealing with long-term joint pain. Regular movement is often an effective stop before surgery — and could even delay its necessity, period.
Researchers analyzed studies and found that the number of people referred to exercise programs is less than 50%. Forty percent are pointed toward surgical options before less invasive ones have been explored.
Hip replacement surgery has come a long way, but so has what we know about exercise.
Here’s a nutritional treat you don’t have to go to the supermarket to buy. Just stroll through your yard.
It’s got six legs, hops, and it’s more challenging to catch than a hamburger.
We are talking, of course, about grasshoppers.
A study recently published in the journal Food Science of Animal Products suggests that the common insect could improve sleep quality, hair health, and even lead to an improved love life.
This isn’t avant-garde scientific experimentation. With an ever-increasing world population, food shortages are a significant concern for the future. Grasshoppers are already a food source in some regions, including Africa and South America. At times, the price of grasshoppers has exceeded beef. Some consider the insect a delicacy.
In countries like Uganda and Kenya, grasshopper farming is a lucrative business.
The scientists in this study put rats on a grasshopper diet and compared them to control groups who were not fed the insects. The insect-munching rats saw improvement in several measures of health.
Their sleep patterns changed, with the rats getting an extra 12 hours a week of shut-eye. They maintained a healthier body weight. Researchers also recorded an astonishing improvement in hair quality. Nearly 95% of the rats had excellent hair health.
Just 5% of rats on a fishmeal diet and less than 1% on a no-protein diet boasted identical outstanding bobs.
And the hopper rats had sex more often.
What makes insect food attractive is its small environmental footprint. It’s a sustainable food in a world threatened by climate change and crop loss.
And many people love their flavor, especially with a chili powder dip.
From Friday night lights to Sunday afternoons and everywhere in between, football is on televisions across the country once again this fall.
But this season in the National Football League, you might notice a difference in the helmets some players sport during games.
For the first time in the NFL regular season, players can wear a soft-shell covering on helmets. Called a Guardian Cap, the protective covering slips over a player’s hard helmet.
After years of testing, the NFL recommended Guardian Caps in 2020 to team physicians, head athletic trainers, and equipment managers. Since 2022, the NFL has mandated that players wear Guardian Caps in practices with contact during the preseason, regular season, and playoffs.
At the high school and college levels, football produces more head injuries than any other sport. The covering’s maker says its product reduces injuries on the field. According to NFL research, the cap absorbs at least 10% of the force of a hit.
Other independent researchers remain skeptical about whether the covering reduces the force a player experiences. Seven players from the NFL have sported the new helmets this season and they are in use in some college football programs in the U.S.
For parents trying to prepare their kids for youth football, experts recommend choosing a good helmet before thinking about a Guardian Cap.
While there is no harm in adding the soft-shelled covering, there is a cost. Guardian Caps cost about $70. The models the NFL uses are $125.
So, wherever your field or game, make sure you study your options about head protection. Then you can get your head in the game.
Fantasy football players, it might be time to face a hard truth: Your relationship with the game may have the potential to significantly damage your mental health.
A new study has found that increased investment in this seemingly harmless hobby leads to more intense emotional highs and more extreme emotional lows.
In fantasy football, participants act as owners and managers of virtual teams. Competitors draft their teams and points are awarded in weekly matchups based on the outcomes of real-world competition. It is often played for money.
Researchers from Australia and the U.K. recruited 635 fantasy football players from social media and fantasy sport websites. Participants were quizzed about things like their financial investments in the game, how long they had played, and the number of leagues they played in.
Researchers assessed participants’ mental health using scales that measure depression, anxiety, stress, mood, functional impairment, and problematic behavior.
They found that those who were more engaged, played for higher money amounts, and were more invested in rankings reported higher positive moods — but also higher levels of anxiety, stress, bad moods, and problematic behavior.
Participants in multiple leagues had more positive moods but more problematic behavior compared with less-active fantasy players. Overall, players more caught up in results and rankings experienced worse mental health outcomes across all measures. The opposite was true for less-engaged players.
Bottom line: Like any pleasurable activity, it’s probably a good idea to enjoy fantasy football in moderation.
Exercise. We all know it’s important. We all know it offers benefits for both physical and mental health.
In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that American adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.
Still, many of us still struggle to find time for exercise in the hustle and bustle of our daily grind. And conventional knowledge has held that for exercise to really be effective, it should be done on a regular schedule, multiple times through the week.
A recent study is bucking the idea that one needs to exercise four to five times per week — or more — to see real benefits.
The study, which analyzed data from nearly 90,000 participants, showed that those who only exercise on weekends reaped similar health benefits as those who exercise more regularly.
Those who only exercised on weekends and those who exercised through the week both were at a lower risk for over 200 diseases compared with their more sedentary peers.
Whether the weekend exercisers packed it all into one day or spread it over two days, if they reached the suggested 150 minutes in total, they got the benefits.
Among exercise’s benefits are lowered risk for cardiometabolic conditions, such as heart attack, stroke and diabetes. Not to mention a lower risk of cancer, depression and high-blood pressure.
So don’t let the idea of a regular exercise routine become a hurdle to achieving good health. No matter how you hit the 150-minute mark of moderate intensity physical activity each week, you’ll be doing your best to stave off 200 diseases.
Weekend warriors, we salute you.
Those suffering from dry eye disease might want to consider adding a stand-up comedy show to their calendar. A new study suggests laughter could be just as effective as artificial tears in treating dry eyes.
Chinese researchers studied 299 participants ages 18 to 45 with dry eye disease, assigning half of them to a laughter exercise intervention and half to an artificial tear regimen.
Those in the laughter group were asked to repeat specific phrases like “hee, hee, hee” and “hah, hah, hah” aloud 30 times during five-minute sessions to simulate laughter. Participants were also told to exaggerate their facial expressions and squint their eyes to contract the muscles used when laughing.
Participants in the artificial tear group served as the control. Both groups performed the exercise or took the eye drops four times a day for eight weeks.
Researchers found that the laughter-exercise group saw a decrease in eye discomfort that rivaled the artificial tears group. The laughers experienced a 10.5-point drop on the ocular surface disease index, a zero-to-100 scale that measures eye discomfort.
The artificial tears group experienced an 8.83-point drop, suggesting the laughter exercise was just as effective.
And, the benefits of laughter appeared to last longer. Participants in the laughter group improved up to four weeks after the study ended, while the artificial tears group saw declining improvement.
Researchers think laughter works because it activates eye muscles, stimulates the nervous system, and helps prevent tear evaporation.
In short: The cure to dry-eye discomfort may be as simple as a joke book or some funny friends.
Watching a family member grow older and begin to decline physically or mentally can be heartbreaking. It can also be extremely frustrating for the person in decline.
One fall can be devastating and life-changing. As we age, our bodies don’t bounce back as quickly as they once did.
A recent study shows that fall injuries can also be an early indicator of cognitive decline.
Boston-area researchers looked at Medicare data for more than 2.4 million adults 66 years and older who experienced a traumatic injury between 2014 and 2015. The adults who had a fall were notably more likely to receive a dementia diagnosis within a year of the fall. Those with other types of injuries were not as likely to receive a dementia diagnosis.
After accounting for age, injury severity, and preexisting health conditions, those who fell were 21% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia.
The researchers suggested the link may be due to the person having undiagnosed dementia that is only discovered after the fall. They may also have mild cognitive impairment, which can be a precursor to dementia, which increases their risk of falling.
While dementia is not a curable condition, an early diagnosis can open doors to treatment and resources for the person affected as well as their friends and family members.
The scientists recommend a more widespread approach to preventing falls and post-fall care for older adults, as well as more clinicians who can provide comprehensive care.
Ultimately, having as much information as possible as early as possible is key to helping the elderly stay safe and comfortable as they age.
As the days shorten and our yearning for caffeine increases, you might find yourself hoping some study or other will give you a hearty congratulations on your ability to cut your coffee consumption off at about three cups.
Today, you’re in luck — researchers from the Endocrine Society have good news for coffee lovers.
Their team found that moderate intake of coffee or caffeine was linked to a lower risk of new-onset cardiometabolic multimorbidity, or the simultaneous existence of at least two preventable, often chronic types of disease.
Known for short as CM, the condition is becoming more prevalent around the world as populations age, and can include diseases like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Think of them as the illnesses that can be circumvented through lifestyle, diet, and exercise.
Using data from a detailed, longitudinal dietary study with over 500,000 participants ages 37 to 73, researchers found that folks who drank a moderate amount of coffee — defined as three drinks per day — had a 48.1% lower risk for new-onset CM compared with those who didn’t drink coffee. They found similar results when they examined caffeine.
In fact, moderate intake of caffeine or coffee was inversely associated with any developmental stage of the condition.
Researchers said more study is warranted to better understand the path from coffee, tea, and caffeine intake to the metabolites connected to them and then to disease.
No one is suggesting you blow your budget — or your nerves — on too much joe. But for those of you who look forward to second and third coffee refills, your habit’s not likely to hurt your health.
Questions about how aware brain-injured patients might be have always been wrenching for loved ones.
A new study, while shedding light on the unconscious, unfortunately won’t make those questions any easier to handle.
An international research team found that about 1 in 4 patients who appear completely unresponsive might, in fact, be conscious but unable to physically show that awareness.
The phenomenon is called cognitive motor dissociation.
The researchers used two techniques to study more than 350 patients with brain injuries of varying degree.
In the first, called functional magnetic resonance imaging, they measured brain activity by tracking changes in blood flow. Patients were asked to imagine doing tasks, such as walking inside their home or playing tennis. If the appropriate brain areas activated in response to the commands, it meant the patient could understand the instructions, despite no outward response.
In the second test, called electroencephalography [ee-leck-tro en-ceff-ah-log-ruh-fee], electrodes were placed on a patient’s scalp. The electrodes measured brain wave patterns for signs of intentional response to similar commands.
Twenty-five percent of patients tested showed brain activity consistent with being able to understand and follow commands.
In a curious plot twist, among patients who could follow commands, more than 60% showed no signs of it on the brain activity tests.
The researchers say the techniques are not yet widely used.
For now, we’re left to question what we thought we knew about consciousness and end-of-life decisions. And the troubling reminder that we can’t always trust our own eyes.
If the kombucha you bought three months ago is still sitting in your fridge, this could be good news.
A new study suggests an apple-based fermented drink rivals kombucha in health benefits but also boasts a more appealing taste.
Brazilian researchers created two new versions of kombucha, replacing its traditional green tea base in one case with passion fruit juice and apple juice in another. They added sugar and a culture of bacteria and yeast, the same mix used to make traditional kombucha.
The researchers let the mixtures ferment for 10 days at room temperature, then analyzed them for acidity, sugar, and alcohol levels, as well as beneficial compounds like flavonoids and phenolics. A small focus group tested the beverage for taste.
They found the apple-based drink had the same number of total flavonoids and phenolics [fen-ALL-ick] as traditional kombucha. These compounds have antioxidant properties that prevent cell damage.
The apple drink also had increased antioxidant activity compared with the kombucha, and it tasted better. The focus group found it to have a pleasant, cider-like taste. The passion fruit-based drink was not as tasty, with the tasters finding it too bitter.
A key difference in the fruit-based drinks is that both had higher alcohol levels than traditional kombucha, which typically has less than half of 1%. The apple drink had 1.65%, while the passion fruit drink had 6.2%.
Still, the study offers a promising alternative to traditional kombucha that could turn what is an unappetizing drink for some into a healthy treat.
If the usual kombucha isn’t to your liking, be on the lookout for apple-based beverages in the future.
The internet can be a wonderful tool. The information age allows us to get the smallest detail on any topic in seconds. Look up bizarre giraffe facts, and you’ll discover the species hums at night.
Or learn the 400-plus words the Scots have for snow. Snaw-broo, spitters, snaw, skelf. Well, you get the picture.
Remember, however, that a polluted river of misinformation flows into that ocean of facts. This is especially true on social media.
One internet trend has gained some traction: Exposing your skin to sunlight to treat skin conditions — without advice from a physician. One popular piece of bad advice is that the sun’s rays will cure acne.
Scientists, however, warn there is no strong evidence to support this. Worse still, excess sun exposure, particularly in youth, can lead to skin cancer as an adult.
A 2023 review of medical studies by Spanish and German scientists found little evidence that sunlight cures acne. On the contrary, such exposure can trigger or worsen it.
Research has shown that the sun’s ultraviolet, or UV, radiation can reduce skin inflammation. It also helps suppress the skin’s immune response. But UV therapy should occur in a clinical setting, not in a lounger by your pool.
Cell studies have shown that UV rays can kill bacteria that cause acne. But these studies, scientists say, have not been conducted on humans. And they believe the benefits are minimal, at best.
It’s always important to talk to a physician before trying something you heard about online, even if it comes from a seemingly reputable source.
After all, you wouldn’t take medical advice from a stranger on the street. At least, we hope not.
The fountain of youth may not exist, but veganism does. And a new study suggests that just two months spent on a vegan diet is enough to slow down the biological aging process.
Stanford University researchers studied 21 pairs of identical twins who followed either an omnivorous or vegan diet for eight weeks. Using identical twins allowed them to control for genetic factors and assess the impact of diet on biological aging without outside interference.
Participants were supplied meals for the first half of the study and made their own meals for the second half after receiving nutrition education. Participants also filled out health surveys to account for lifestyle changes.
Blood samples were collected at the study’s beginning, middle, and end. Researchers used advanced technology to analyze the samples and assess epigenetic age acceleration, a biochemical test that can be used to measure age based on DNA methylation, or a chemical reaction in DNA.
Increased DNA methylation has been linked to the aging process. Researchers also evaluated changes in immune cell composition and metabolic markers.
Their findings showed that those who followed a vegan diet had significant decreases in their epigenetic age and in the estimated biological age of organs like the heart and liver. Those who followed an omnivorous diet did not enjoy the same benefits.
This suggests that a plant-based diet has anti-aging perks that can kick in almost immediately.
In other words: We may not be able to cheat Father Time, but we might be able to use a vegan diet to turn back the clock while he’s not looking.
It’s a question as old as time: Nature or nurture?
When it comes to the malleable, hormone-driven teenage brain, new research suggests the environment in which that adolescent brain develops plays a big role during a time when 75 percent of mental health disorders first appear.
Researchers from Yale University turned to a series of complex algorithms to test their theories. They also used “manifold learning,” a new technique for finding structure in thick biomedical data, like MRI scans.
Whether it’s the neighborhood you grew up in or your own family, when it comes to your emotional and behavioral development, your experience in that environment may be just as important as how your brain processes information.
Using data from the National institutes of Health and others, researchers used MRI scans to analyze teens’ brain activity during emotional and cognitive processing to predict differences in reasoning and emotional and behavioral symptoms.
Notably, researchers saw a greater association of brain activity with mental health symptoms when the algorithms took the neighborhood or family environments into account. The more environmental factors were fed to the model, the better its representation turned out to be.
Ultimately, this finding reinforced what researchers already knew: It’s imperative to consider the environmental situations adolescents must navigate in conjunction with how their brains take in information from those environments.
Being a teenager is hard enough as it is. At least now, however, researchers have more advanced tools to help us understand what’s making teens tick.
What if your kid’s Halloween candy was healthier and better for the environment? Swiss researchers may have made that fantasy more viable with their creation of “whole-fruit chocolate.”
We all know chocolate is a guilty pleasure. The chocolate that fills trick-or-treaters buckets is high in sugar and saturated fat and contributes to obesity and heart disease. Cocoa production also poses a threat to the environment as deforestation leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
But researchers found a way to address these concerns, repurposing parts of the cocoa pod that are typically thrown away. Instead of just using cocoa beans, they also used the cocoa pod husk and pulp to form a gel which they mixed with the cocoa mass to create chocolate.
They call their technique “whole-fruit chocolate.”
The researchers found that using the discarded ingredients provided significant nutritional benefits. The gel, which makes up 20% of the researchers’ proposed chocolate formula, provides comparable sweetness while it lets them do away with sugar beets used in conventional chocolate.
The formula also boasts higher dietary fiber and less saturated fat.
Taste-testers found little difference between the taste of whole-fruit chocolate and conventional chocolate.
Researchers also found that large-scale production of this healthier chocolate could reduce global warming by decreasing land use.
It may take time for whole-fruit chocolate to become an Oct. 31 staple.
But if it does, perhaps you won’t need to be as concerned for your kids’ health — or their teeth — when they bring home a bucket of this new candy.
Scientists are suggesting that we all might have a stake in the stock market even if we’ve never owned a share in any company.
Our very health might be impacted.
Chinese scientists found in a recent study that stock market volatility is associated with a higher death rate from cardiovascular illnesses like stroke or a heart attack.
The mortality risk is most pronounced when stocks go down, especially in a bear market. A look at Chinese death records between 2013 and 2019 found death from heart disease rises about 1%. Suicides rise by 1.77%.
While those percentages appear small, the numbers are not: There were 12.6 million deaths from heart attacks, stroke and suicide in the six-year span.
Losing money and seeing nest eggs diminish causes heart-taxing stress and depression.
The surprise is that mortality also ticks up to a lesser extent when the market rises. Researchers theorize that good news also makes the heart pound.
It’s important to note death records do not show who owned market shares. So, the risk is shared even by those who don’t know the stock market from the supermarket. That seems a tad unfair, like avoiding a rollercoaster because of a fear of heights only to have one drop on your head as you wait on an amusement park bench.
Unfortunately, market volatility affects society and the economy at large. Researchers believe this pendulum of angst and excitement might extend to any nation with a big market, including the United States.
Scientists suggest maintaining the right perspective on economic swings. Pay attention to your mental health. Keep your cool.
And perhaps avoid the financial news when feeling anxious.
A persistent American myth holds that it can be safe to smoke during pregnancy if it’s just a tiny bit.
A new study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, however, reiterates that the number of cigarettes that can be safely lit by an expectant mother is easy to calculate.
It’s zero, zip, nada.
Researchers say it’s best to quit smoking before conception because any amount of smoking can cause harm to the baby. Even light smoking, defined as one to two cigarettes a day, can spell trouble for a fetus. Potential ills include premature birth, low birthweight, and developmental issues.
Unfortunately, 1 in 10 expectant mothers in the U.S. smoke.
Scientists also noted that the corollary to the myth that the first three months of pregnancy is the safest time to smoke is also hogwash.
Smoking is one of the most dangerous habits and is the cause of nearly a half-million preventable deaths each year in the United States, pregnant or not.
Cigarettes greatly increase the odds of numerous cancers, heart disease, lung ailments, eye disease, and even dental problems.
For this study, scientists reviewed data from more than 12 million births in the U.S. that qualified for inclusion. The mothers were asked how much they smoked. About 7% smoked in the first trimester and 6% in the second and third.
Moms across the smoking spectrum were shown to have a higher incidence of health problems for their babies than nonsmokers. The risk of harming the baby is higher still for mothers who smoked before pregnancy.
The lesson for all Americans is that smoking is incredibly dangerous, perhaps most so for the most vulnerable — newborns.
Smell and memory have long seemed inextricably linked. It’s more than the way a certain aroma can trigger a strong, long-ago memory.
Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other disorders involving the brain are often preceded by a loss of olfactory capacity. Scientists, for example, are today studying how the loss of the sense of smell with COVID-19 infection might be associated with reports of cognitive impairment from the coronavirus.
Could that connection be used therapeutically?
A study by University of California researchers says evidence shows it likely could be. Every night for two months, they wafted a fragrance through the bedrooms of older adults without cognitive impairment and found aromas had a dramatic impact on memory.
They saw a 226% increase in cognitive capacity, or memory, for those ages 60 to 85 who slept while a strong fragrance was pumped into their bedrooms. That’s compared with a control group exposed to weaker fragrances.
Imaging showed those with improved memory had stronger integrity in a brain pathway between the medial temporal lobe and the decision-making prefrontal cortex. This pathway often weakens as we grow older.
As one researcher notes, when our eyesight deteriorates as we grow older, we can get a prescription for new eyeglasses. Memory impairment, however, resists any easy fix.
While the study is relatively small and involved just 43 participants, the scientists believe it points to the possibility of developing aroma therapy to treat cognitive decline.
“Stop and smell the roses” might become more than a cliché. It could one day be doctor’s orders.
You don’t want be as slow as a sloth in recognizing the symptoms of this virus.
The Oropouche [Orr-oh-pooch] virus, also known as “sloth fever,” has been reported in the United States. More than 8,000 cases have been confirmed this year, most of which originate from South America, where the virus is endemic.
Thus far, U.S. residents traveling from Cuba account for most of the domestic Oropouche cases. Florida leads the states in the number of cases.
The virus originates from a village in Trinidad and Tobago, where it was discovered in 1955. Since then, nearly a half-million cases have been diagnosed.
The virus spreads through insect bites, especially from biting midges, a type of tiny fly, and certain types of mosquitoes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60 percent of people infected with Oropouche develop symptoms, which can include sudden fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and joint stiffness. In rare cases, the disease infects the nervous system and causes meningitis and encephalitis.
The ongoing outbreak is spreading rapidly in countries native to the virus. Locally acquired cases have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru. There is no evidence of local transmission in the U.S.
However, this year marks the first time that there have been reported deaths from the Oropouche virus, as well as the first time it’s been proven the disease can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus.
Travelers headed to South America or the Caribbean should take special care, because so far, there are no preventive vaccines or specific antiviral treatments available for Oropouche.
You’ve heard the saying “kill them with kindness.” Sadly, a modern version of that old saw might be “kill them with rudeness.”
New research finds that workplace sass not only hinders team productivity but can threaten lives.
A team led by researchers from Indiana University and the University of Florida conducted five studies to gauge how negative workplace interactions impact teams in corporate and medical settings.
In one study, 40 teams were asked to build a bridge out of newspaper and tape, with some subjected to rude comments as they worked.
In another, 24 teams took part in a medical scenario where they tried to save a simulated infant patient while an observer lobbed either neutral or negative comments.
The other studies were online simulations that asked participants to complete virtual team tasks while a rude or neutral observer weighed in.
Researchers used these undoubtedly annoying tactics to measure what is called Social Value Orientation, or the degree to which people put group interests above their own.
They found that rudeness triggered a defensive response, making the team less likely to share information and properly distribute work.
Wherever the negativity came from, researchers found that workplace rudeness consistently made people more self-centered and their team less productive.
Adding an element of danger, rudeness contributed to poor task execution, including lifesaving medical procedures.
So, the next time your team is under pressure and you’re tempted to offer a snarky zinger, remember that biting your tongue may hurt in the moment, but will pay off in the end.
Do you love your pet? No need to answer … of course you do.
You cherish your pup’s greeting when returning from work. You appreciate the moments your cat shows affection by brushing against your leg.
We all want our pets healthy and happy. They make us happy, too. Interacting with them lowers our cortisol levels and blood pressure.
The American Pet Products Association says nearly two-thirds of Americans have at least one pet. That’s a 10% increase from the number of American households that owned pets in 1988.
Americans spent more than $136 billion on their pets in 2022. You combine that with the fact that we pamper our pets with customized nutrition and accessories, such as knapsack carriers and cat hotels, some animal welfare ethicists and veterinary scientists wonder whether we have gone too far.
The more we treat our furry friends like people, they argue, the more dependent they become on us.
What’s the harm? Well, the health risks for our pets can start in breeding and become behavioral as well. Look at the French bulldog. The breed experiences difficulties breathing, among other severe health problems.
Many of us overfeed them. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that about 59 percent of dogs and 61 percent of cats are overweight.
Plus, as we bring our pets everywhere — restaurants, the grocery store, and in the car — they can experience separation anxiety and or act out.
And while head harnesses and electronic collars should keep your pets out of potential danger, they also limit freedom of expression and movement.
Remember, to ensure our own good health, we need to ensure theirs, too.
Is your newborn getting all the nutrients needed to grow? If you rely on baby food, the answer might surprise you.
According to research by the George Institute for Global Health in Australia, about 60% of packaged baby food sold in the United States does not meet nutritional standards set by the World Health Organization.
Using standards from the 2022 nutrient and promotion profile outlined by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, researchers found that 70% of commercialized infant food did not meet protein requirements and nearly half exceeded total sugar limits.
As your children grow, food choices are influenced by what they are exposed to. Experts say many foods marketed to children in the United States are high in sugar, fat, and preservatives while lacking essential nutrients. This results in an unhealthy diet for many.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that on average, children’s diets have almost twice as much sugar as recommended. And, many sugary foods are associated with a rise in illness in children.
This creates a greater need to put your little one on the right path. By choosing packaged food that promotes healthy growth and following recommended nutrient guidelines, you can help ensure your baby gets all the important nutrients.
After all, nutrient deficiencies can have a lasting negative impact. Choosing healthy foods for your child that are low in sugar and salt can prepare them for a lifetime of good eating habits.
Of course, you are your child’s best role model. Let them see you nibble on vegetables, fruit, or nuts, rather than something out of a box or bag.
While a mosquito bite might be nothing but a fleeting nuisance for some, in many parts of the world, the buzzing pest poses a serious concern.
Mosquitoes are notorious for spreading deadly diseases, like malaria, which kills over 400,000 people each year. It’s no surprise mosquitoes have earned the title of the deadliest animal, along with the unofficial title of most irritating.
For over a century, scientists have studied how these tiny insects target their hosts. We’ve learned mosquitoes rely on a blend of cues: carbon dioxide from our breath, body odors, heat from our skin, and humidity. Yet, each cue on its own has limitations. For instance, mosquitoes have poor vision, and strong winds or rapid movement can disrupt their chemical tracking.
Enter the latest breakthrough from researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Their study reveals that mosquitoes have a previously unknown sense: infrared detection. Their research shows that mosquitoes use infrared radiation, emitted by sources at roughly human skin temperature, to double their host-seeking behavior when combined with CO2 and human odor.
The team found that infrared radiation enhances mosquitoes’ ability to find their targets from about 2.5 feet. The key to this discovery lies in the mosquitoes’ antennae, which contain specialized heat-sensing neurons.
By understanding how mosquitoes detect infrared, research may be able to develop better methods for controlling these flying fiends, and, by extension, reduce the spread of diseases they carry.
Not to mention how much they bug us.
It lasts about three years but feels like 300. You’ll endure unspeakable terrors, like public speaking, group exercise and misperceiving your talents as a dancer … all while dodging pimples and acrid body odor. You won’t recognize yourself — or your friends. It happens to everyone.
It, friends, is middle school.
According to research from scientists at Florida Atlantic University, we know the harsh truth — those years are much harder on those perceived as unattractive or unathletic. Some of us still carry the unhappy memories.
The study included 580 middle school students between 10 and 13 years old. Participants were asked to pinpoint classmates who best fit a handful of descriptors, like athletic, attractive, and unpopular.
Students were also asked how often they felt lonely and how many times they drank alcohol to the point of intoxication during the past month.
Results indicated that those rated as low on the attractiveness and athletic scales experienced decreasing popularity over the course of a school year, which led to more loneliness and alcohol misuse. Notably, there were no differences between gender — or even location. The same pattern held in youth from a large metropolitan area in Florida as it did for a homogeneous sample from a small town in Lithuania.
The study’s authors offered suggestions for mitigating these effects in the classroom, like creating a supportive environment for everyone and emphasizing the importance of other traits.
But it seems even researchers agree — middle school can be a traumatic ordeal. Its saving grace? It’s temporary.
Doctors in recent years have noticed an alarming trend: Colorectal cancer rates among younger people have nearly doubled.
Between 1995 and 2019, colorectal cancer diagnoses increased from 11 percent to 20 percent in people under 55 years old. That’s one in five individuals.
Scientists have been working to get to the bottom of this trend and a new Cleveland Clinic study may have uncovered a major factor in this uptick: diet.
Using artificial intelligence, researchers zeroed in on the gut microbiome as an important area to explore. What they discovered was a difference in the type and amount of metabolites present in younger versus older adults.
The higher levels of metabolites in younger adults point to the likelihood that they are overeating red meat and processed meats. The study’s authors are currently examining national datasets to confirm their findings.
The study illuminates the complicated relationship between the gut microbiome, diet, metabolism, and cancer.
The researchers said young people should be cognizant of their dietary choices. And making healthy food choices is something we can all do.
The study lays the groundwork for more study on how diet and drugs respond to the treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer. Scientists hope they can create tests for measuring metabolite levels to determine whether a person is at higher risk for colorectal cancer.
While it’s easy enough to grab a burger or sub sandwich when we’re on the go, the science is clear: Avoid red and processed meat or eat them in moderation.
After all, it’s a lot easier to change one’s diet than it is to reset your microbiome.
When you reach into your bathroom cabinet for a swig of mouthwash, you probably wouldn’t expect to find matcha [maa-chuh] there.
But a new study has found that when used as a dental hygiene product, matcha can reduce the risk of gum disease caused by the growth of bacteria.
Matcha, a vibrant green tea powder, is known for its antioxidant properties. It’s popular in Japanese culture and has caught on in the West in teas, lattes, and even desserts.
But it’s more than a tasty treat. According to researchers from Qatar [cutter] University, matcha can benefit brain and heart health and even prevent the development of cancerous tumors.
Now, Japanese researchers have added dental health to the list of matcha’s benefits. The researchers placed 45 participants diagnosed with chronic gum disease, called periodontitis, into three groups. One group used a mouthwash with barley tea, one group used a mouthwash with an anti-inflammatory solution, and one group used a matcha mouthwash.
Those who used the matcha-based mouthwash saw a significant reduction in the levels of gum disease-causing bacteria in their saliva compared with the other groups, who saw little change.
The researchers also found that matcha inhibited the growth of these gum disease-causing bacteria in lab experiments.
Left untreated, periodontitis can cause tooth loss and has been associated with both diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
While commercial matcha mouthwashes aren’t widely available, there are several recipes online to make your own version. And you won’t even need a milk frother.
Mindfulness, or the ability to be fully present in whatever moment you’re in, requires focusing attention on the present — without judgment, and with a gentle curiosity about what is going on around you.
Research has long touted this as something of a silver bullet we all can practice to reduce stress. Now, researchers from North Carolina State University suggest that hope may be just as effective, if not more so.
Specifically, their study showed that hope may better at helping employees manage stress and stay professionally engaged during periods of prolonged duress.
Researchers posited that, during tough patches, looking ahead to rosier times could be more effective than living in the moment.
For their study, researchers recruited more than 200 professional musicians from the organization MusiCares to take two surveys, one month apart, on their feelings related to hope and their state of mind during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by questions about work engagement and tensions.
The leisure and hospitality industries were among the hardest hit during the pandemic, with millions of jobs lost.
Using advanced statistical techniques, the researchers identified connections between hope, mindfulness, musicians’ personal well-being, and attitudes toward work.
When people were hopeful, as opposed to simply mindful, they were able to take more satisfaction with their lives at work while experiencing less distress.
Now, don’t take this wrong. Living in the moment, or mindfulness, has its place. But a light at the end of the tunnel may be the ticket to withstanding long stretches of workplace — or life — stress.
Humans have had their hands in the proverbial honey jar for millennia.
There’s just something about the sticky sweetness, wonderful golden color, and rich flavor that keeps us coming back for more. Honey’s health benefits have long been explored, with evidence of honey being used for therapeutic purposes in ancient Greece and ancient Egypt.
Even after thousands of years, we are still discovering ways honey can benefit humans. Scientists also continue to better understand how important a healthy gut microbiome is in preventing chronic diseases, promoting mental health and aiding in a healthy immune system.
These two topics coalesced recently as a pair of new studies offered evidence that clover honey, when added to yogurt, can help promote gut health.
So, how does it work?
When we eat yogurt, live probiotic cultures contained in the food undertake a treacherous journey as they weather the harsh environments of the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Many of these microscopic organisms will never reach their destination.
But researchers discovered that one to two teaspoons of clover honey, when added to a serving of yogurt, seemed to create a more hospitable environment for the probiotics, allowing more of them to make it safely to the gut.
The levels of enzymes, sugars, and antioxidants in clover honey seem to offer an added layer of protection for the probiotics. Researchers did point out that honey is an added sugar, so we should be mindful of how much of it we consume.
But all things considered, adding honey to a yogurt treat seems like a pretty sweet deal.
What color is pain relief? A study from the University of Arizona in Tucson suggests green — at least when it comes to migraines.
Previously, researchers discovered that green light could lead to pain relief in laboratory rats. Now, researchers are exploring the healing hue as a preventive treatment for people who experience migraines.
A migraine is a headache of extreme intensity and can cause symptoms that interfere with daily activities, such as throbbing pain, intense nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound.
For some, a migraine can last for a couple hours. For others, it can be days.
Although pain relief can be found through some medications, people can experience unwanted side effects or minimal effectiveness.
Study participants fell into two categories: those who had episodic migraines, or up to 14 headache days per month, and chronic migraines, 15 or more headache days per month for three or more months.
At first, the participants spent one to two hours every day in a dark room with a white light strip, which served as a control condition. After 10 weeks of the white lighting, participants stopped for two weeks as part of a “washout” period.
Then, for another 10 weeks, participants spent one to two hours daily with a strip that emitted green light, at the same brightness level as the white. On average, the green light treatment resulted in fewer migraines experienced.
More study is needed to replicate the light’s effects in a larger participant pool and account for the placebo effect. But the early results could be a green light on the way to migraine relief.
Those concerned about the effects of popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on their mental health may soon find peace of mind.
A new study suggests GLP-1RA drugs, a class of glucose-lowering drugs that are used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, may not cause increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors in older adults.
Researchers from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy wanted to study the potential association between these drugs and increased suicidal thoughts and self-harm. This came after the European Medicines Agency made a statement about its review of the glucose-lowering drugs following anecdotal evidence of negative mental health impacts.
The Florida researchers studied Medicare data from over 21,000 adults ages 66 and older with Type 2 diabetes, no history of suicidal thoughts, and a treatment plan consisting of either the popular glucose-lowering drugs or less-popular versions.
They then used data from Medicare claims to compare the occurrence of suicidal behaviors among patients taking the popular GLP-1RA medications with similar patients with a prescription for other glucose-lowering drugs.
The researchers found that the use of GLP-1RA drugs did not cause an increase in suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Researchers found no difference in the risk of suicidal thoughts between those taking the popular glucose-lowering drugs and those taking less popular versions.
More research is needed to ensure the findings hold for younger populations, of course. But for now, it seems the popular weight-loss drugs aren’t the threat to mental health some believed them to be.
Want to add years to your life? Start by touching your toes — or at least give it a go.
New research suggests that increased flexibility might lower the risk of premature death among middle-aged adults.
Danish researchers studied over 3,000 adults between the ages of 46 and 65 who were part of an exercise study in Brazil. Researchers followed the participants for an average of 13 years and tracked their health and survival rates.
Participants were assigned a “Flexindex” [flex index] score based on their range of motion in 20 joint movements.
The researchers found that better flexibility had a significant positive impact on survival. Participants with higher Flexindex scores were less likely to die during the follow-up period compared with those who had lower scores, even after accounting for other factors, like age and body mass index.
The least flexible men in the study had a 21.2% chance of dying during the follow-up period, while that was true of just under 8% of the flexible men.
Women are more flexible, in general, the researchers noted. Those with lower flexibility scores had a 15.4% risk of dying during the study’s follow-up years, while that was true for just 2% of the most flexible women.
The researchers acknowledged their study doesn’t prove flexibility has a direct tie to longevity since poor flexibility could be linked to other health conditions.
Still, flexibility might be a helpful indicator, suggesting that flexibility training might be an important part of an exercise plan. So, the next time you hit the gym for some cardio or strength training, build in time for a good stretch after.
Grief after losing a loved one may have a significant impact on your body, not just your brain. Or your aching heart.
A new study from Columbia University suggests that loss accelerates biological aging, even starting as early as your 30s.
Put simply, biological age refers to the age of your cells and functionality of your organs. It can be used to estimate how many chronological years you have left to live and how likely you are to develop a terminal illness.
In their study, researchers analyzed data from the U.S. National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to see what impact loss has on biological age. Nearly 4,000 participants were followed for 24 years from the time they were enrolled in 1994. Researchers studied reports of loss collected periodically from participant cohorts.
In the last phase of the study, participants’ blood samples were collected. Researchers assessed their biological age from blood DNA methylation levels using a variety of epigenetic clocks.
DNA methylation is a test used to detect chemical tags called methyl groups that attach to your DNA as you get older. Epigenetic clocks are tests that use methylation levels to measure biological age.
Results showed that 40% of the participants had experienced at least one loss of a close relative in adulthood. And those who experienced more losses consistently had a significantly higher biological age than those who did not.
Researchers said their findings highlight the need to ensure that vulnerable young people who experience great loss don’t suffer disproportionately.
In a nutshell: They want to separate a broken heart from a prematurely aging one.
Who knew a bunch of fat cats could teach us so much?
These chunky cats, however, might just help us shed the pounds.
Got an obese cat? You aren’t alone in overindulging your pet. Six out of 10 cats in the U.S. are overweight. Cats don’t know better. Their humans feed them, after all, and have their own problems walking by the food bowl without stopping.
Researchers at The Ohio State University recently found that dieting cats undergo a significant change in the populations of bacteria in their gut. In fact, it’s thought to be like what happens in their people.
Now, it’s important to understand that a cat just doesn’t step on a scale or look in the mirror and decide they need to trim down to fit into that old collar they wore during their lean, stray years.
No, researchers put a group of the overweight, wannabe tigers on a calorie-restriction diet.
The cats dieted in phases for 12 weeks. Investigators tested the kitty litter poop to find out what bacteria live in their gut.
They found increased levels of a short-chain fatty acid that, in other mammals, is known to regulate appetite and reduce fat. It also offers protection against diabetes and obesity. As levels of the fatty acid rose, so too did levels of a certain bacteria linked to weight loss.
This work suggests the human gut might also be altered with therapeutics in overweight individuals. One idea is that probiotics might be found to help. Scientists are studying the question.
Now, don’t be fooled. If your cat insists on extra treats in the name of science — she’s probably just pulling your paw.
Your body composition might predict your likelihood of experiencing cognitive decline later in life.
A new study suggests that fat and muscle distribution could be used to assess the risk of developing neurogenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The two neurodegenerative disease affect more than 60 million people.
Chinese researchers used data from the UK Biobank, one of the world’s largest health data sets, to study a range of body compositions and associated disease risk.
They followed more than 400,000 participants with no neurogenerative diseases for several years after they were recruited for the study.
After an average follow-up of nine years, more than 8,000 new cases of neurogenerative diseases were identified. Researchers said those with excess fat around the abdomen were at a greater risk for neurogenerative diseases.
Those with higher levels of belly fat were 13% more likely to develop conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s than those with lower levels. And higher arm fat made the risk 18% higher.
Body compositions with more muscle strength showed opposite results. Participants with greater muscle strength were 26% less likely to develop neurogenerative diseases than others.
Even after adjustments for other disease factors like diabetes and high blood pressure were made, the results held.
Perhaps it’s time to renew that gym membership, since the findings suggest improved body composition might be key to reducing neurogenerative disease risk. Stay fit to maintain your balance and preserve your memory?
Pardon the pun, but that seems like a no-brainer.
Doctors can rest easy, with the knowledge that artificial intelligence hasn’t replaced them yet.
A new study suggests that humans prefer medical advice from real people over AI, even if the advice is exactly the same.
German researchers conducted two studies to determine if feelings about digital medical advice changed, depending on its perceived source.
Both studies presented over 1,000 participants with case reports that addressed four medical topics: smoking cessation, colonoscopy, agoraphobia, and reflux disease.
Each report included a question with an appropriate response, simulating a scenario that might play out in a chat interface online. Responses were generated using ChatGPT and evaluated for accuracy by a certified physician, and included supplemental information.
Some participants were told the responses came from a human doctor. Some were told they were generated by AI. Others were told the responses were generated by AI but reviewed by a human doctor. The responses were identical across all groups.
Still, participants found the content they believed to be human-generated more reliable and more empathetic compared with the responses labeled as AI-generated, or AI-generated and human-approved.
Participants were also less likely to follow digital medical advice when they believed AI was involved in its creation.
The results show that while health care systems look for ways to care for more patients amid resource shortages, a level of distrust remains.
For now, it looks like while AI might be taking the world by storm, many people aren’t yet ready to trust it with their health.
The face is the touchstone of our emotional world. A person’s collection of facial features helps define their identity and make a first impression.
In the future, it also might define health status.
Our mugs are not a uniform temperature where a nose or a cheek and jowl or lower lip are all similarly warm or cold. Instead, our faces emit patterns of heat, invisible to the world without a thermal scan.
A recent study by Chinese researchers used thermal facial scans of 2,800 people and found that heat distribution changes as we age. For example, the nose and cheeks cool as we get older. Meantime, the forehead and the skin around the eyes might warm up.
Scientists can use this heat map to estimate someone’s age. That isn’t really a big deal. We’ve got driver’s licenses and birth certificates for that. The more significant insight comes when a visage’s temperatures doesn’t match someone’s real age.
If a 40-year-old’s scan reveals a pattern resembling what would be expected in a 65-year-old’s countenance, that could spell trouble.
The researchers say the thermal scan could accurately predict some diseases with high accuracy. Their scanning model, which they call ThermoFace, has an excellent record of spotting diabetes, hypertension, and fatty liver disease. And it is often faster than other diagnostic techniques.
The researchers envision a day when the scans might be routine at a doctor’s visit, the way thermometers are today. Scans would be especially useful in remote areas where medical testing equipment is lacking.
So, not feeling well?
The diagnosis might be in your face.
When your child is upset and on the verge of making a scene in the cereal aisle, it can be easy to fill their hands with a smartphone or tablet so you can keep filling your cart.
A new study, however, says this quick fix may hinder your child’s emotional development.
Canadian and Hungarian researchers followed 265 Canadian families with preschool-aged children for a year, looking at three aspects of self-regulation, a skill children develop in early childhood.
The researchers looked at anger management, or how a child handles feelings of anger and frustration; effortful control, the ability to focus and regulate behavior; and impulsivity, which is how quickly they act without thinking.
The families completed a questionnaire that assessed their media use, child behavior, and parenting stress at the start of the study and again a year later.
The results showed that greater use of devices as digital pacifiers had a negative effect on children’s self-regulation skills and prevented them from dealing with emotions on their own.
Parents who frequently used digital devices as a calming tool reported having children who struggled to manage their anger and exhibited less ability to focus and self-regulate.
Children with poor anger-management skills at the start of the study were more likely to have parents who were reliant on digital devices a year later, suggesting a cycle that further harms children’s long-term development.
In short: the next time your toddler throws a tantrum, think twice about handing them a device, unless you want to deal with an extra moody teen down the road. The grocery store will still be there tomorrow.
Aside from the debt, getting a new car is loads of fun. Learning all its features. Feeling fancy when you drive it. And of course, delighting in that new-car aroma.
Its time-limited bouquet hits every time you buckle up, fooling you into thinking you absolutely will go years never sullying your ride with so much as a single wayward French fry.
New research may take away your zest for that new-car essence, however.
A study by researchers at Harvard and in Beijing finds that the volatile organic compounds, or VOCs [V-O-Cs], that create the new-car smell may pose significant health risks.
The scientists analyzed VOC emissions in a new car during summer. VOCs are gases emitted from products or processes. In cars, they come from materials like plastics, leather, and synthetic fibers.
Some are harmless, but others can cause health issues like headaches or irritated eyes, or more serious damage, like lung disease.
The study found that formaldehyde, which can cause cancer with repeated exposure, was the most prevalent VOC in the new car’s cabin. More than one-third of the readings exceeded China’s air-quality standards for car interiors.
Part of the problem lies not with the air, but with the temperature of the car’s interior surfaces. That’s why the new-car smell can be extra potent on a hot day.
Americans spend an average of 5.5% of our lives in our vehicles. So it’s helpful to understand the air-quality dangers lurking in this classic fragrance. The hope is that automakers can one day give us the aroma minus the toxins.
The new-car smell, after all, helps us forget a malodorous byproduct of the dealership experience: the new-car loan.
While it may not be possible to always keep the doctor away, a new study offers strong evidence that consuming apples, berries, and other fruit can help keep antidepressants at bay.
With aging populations growing around the globe, depressive symptoms in older adults are also increasing. Specifically, many of these older adults face delayed cognitive processing, waning motivation, appetite loss, poor sleep, and increased fatigue.
Scientists in Singapore studied the dietary habits of nearly 14,000 adults there between the ages of 45 and 74 and over the course of about 20 years, controlling for other lifestyle factors such as sleep duration, smoking status, and physical activity.
Study participants who consumed at least three servings of fruit per day —compared with those who consumed less than one serving — reduced their likelihood of late-life depression by 21%.
Researchers looked at 14 of the most common fruits consumed in Singapore, including oranges, tangerines, bananas, papayas, watermelons, apples, and honeydew melon.
Fruit’s high levels of antioxidants and micronutrients, such as vitamin C, carotenoids and flavonoids — which reduce oxidative stress and inhibit inflammation — are believed to be the driving nutritional components in staving off depression later in life.
Vegetable consumption did not seem to have any impact on whether people developed late-life depressive symptoms. Enjoy relaying that to the veggie nag in your life.
The old saw about apples and doctors is a fine one, but perhaps it’s time for a modern, science-backed update: “Three apples a day keep the blues away.”
In recent years, glucose-lowering drugs — originally prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes — have gained attention for their ability to kick-start weight loss. Simply starting one of these medications seems to help many shed pounds easily.
But what if similar results could be achieved by increasing your fiber intake?
A recent study indicates this might just be the case. But not any old fiber will do.
University of Arizona researchers observed evidence in mice that specifically, beta-glucan [beta-glue-can], a dietary fiber found in oats and barley, can mirror many of the weight loss benefits of drugs like Ozempic.
These drugs are effective weight loss tools because they mimic a naturally occurring hormone that regulates appetite and blood-sugar levels. Beta-glucan from oats and barley also regulates appetite and blood sugar levels by causing the release of the same hormone into the gut microbiome.
The mice given a beta-glucan supplement showed reductions in weight gain and body fat along with improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Researchers believe these mice had a boost in energy expenditure, thanks to the beta-glucan.
This study adds to the growing body of research that points to the many benefits of dietary fiber, including constipation prevention, decreased risk of heart disease, and protection against inflammation.
For those considering medications to help them drop pounds: The research indicates that a smaller change, simply eating more beta-glucan rich foods, might be worth a try first. It’s certainly a less-expensive path to choose.
Bowl of oatmeal, anyone?
Ever caught yourself endlessly scrolling through troubling news and feeling defeated? Read a headline that left you needing to put your phone down and stare into space? Do you wonder how an endless supply of information is affecting you?
Well, you’re not the only one. A new study from Flinders University [Flin-drz] suggests that doomscrolling isn’t just a harmless habit — it might be reshaping how we view life itself. Findings suggest that routine, habitual consumption of negative news can lead to a profound shift in our outlook on humanity and the meaning we construct from our lives.
Researchers found that scrolling through negative or disturbing stories can result in a kind of vicarious trauma, or one where you experience negative psychological impacts without directly going through the trauma yourself.
In their study, the researchers surveyed 800 university students from Iran and the United States, to better understand two culturally distinct groups and how they might respond to repeated negative news or stories. Participants reported how often they engaged in doomscrolling, their feelings about their existence, and their worldview — like whether the world is a fair place, and how they felt about humanity.
The results? Doomscrolling was linked to increased existential anxiety in both the American and Iranian groups.
Most days, we’re inundated, so it can be hard to keep tabs on how much time we spend consuming negative news. But this study, and pre-digital generations, remind us that taking breaks from social media and paying attention to our emotional well-being is crucial.
More than 10 million texts, calls, and chats in just two years.
The 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which launched in July 2022, has had quite an impact.
In 2022, suicide deaths reached a record high in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The change to a three-digit number, instead of its 10-digit predecessor, led to a 45% increase in people reaching out in the lifeline’s first month.
Mental health is a priority for many Americans. A recent poll from the National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that 3 in 4 Americans say they are not content with mental health treatment in the United States.
When someone calls 9-8-8, the caller first hears a greeting message with options to connect with specialized services. They are then routed to a national network or local network crisis center. A trained crisis counselor answers the phone, works to understand the problem, and shares resources. Similarly, users can get care by texting 9-8-8, which has become an increasingly popular option, along with digital chats.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ hotline has made 110,000 contacts in Spanish and 475,000 with LGBTQI+ youth and young adults this year, the federal agency reports. About 20,000 videophone contacts were made in American Sign Language, and 1.2 million calls were answered by the Veterans Crisis Line through 9-8-8.
Studies show that speaking with a trained crisis counselor makes callers feel more hopeful while reducing feelings of depression and thoughts of suicide.
Ten million is just the start for a resource that saves lives every day. One text or phone call at a time.
In the universe of healthy snacks, baby carrots might just be one of the trendiest. A favored snack among the younger set, even the family dog might love a few if your hot dog stash runs dry.
New research tells us that if you’re a young adult, these cutest of carrots could boost your skin, too.
A team from Samford University presented findings at a national gathering of nutritionists that suggest nibbling on carrots a few times a week — especially in conjunction with a multivitamin — can improve skin carotenoid levels.
Besides increasing immunity, higher skin carotenoid levels mean better antioxidant protection and lower risk for diseases like cancer and heart ailments. And carotenoids help protect skin against premature aging and hyperpigmentation from UV radiation, hormones, and acne.
The researchers randomly assigned 60 young adults to three groups. One group snacked on Granny Smith apple slices for a month, the second took a multivitamin with beta-carotene, and the third ate baby carrots plus the multivitamin.
The researchers used an instrument called a Veggie Meter to measure skin carotenoids, which create the bright colors in some fruits and vegetables.
The subjects who ate baby carrots saw their skin carotenoid scores rise by 10%. Those who took the multivitamin and ate baby carrots saw their scores go up more than 21%.
Those who ate apple slices saw no change in carotenoid levels. Nor did those who only took the multivitamin.
So, if you’d like nicer skin: Add carrots and a multivitamin to your menu.
Scientists say their research plate includes studying colorful sweet potatoes and green, leafy vegetables.
As nutritional science has evolved over time, butter has passed in and out of favor with nutritionists and the public. At times butter has been touted for its nutritional value and that it may contribute to weight loss for those on a low-carb diet.
But butter is looked upon less favorably when its fat profile is examined. That’s because butter is high in saturated animal fats, which have been shown to contribute to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
A recent study adds even more fuel to the argument that a diet rich in plant-based unsaturated fats beats out a diet heavy on butter and other saturated animal fats. The Chalmers University of Technology study takes previous work in this area a step further by analyzing fat in the blood using lipodomics, or finely detailed lipid measurements.
Individuals with a high multi-lipid score, called an MLS, have a healthy blood fat profile and tend to have a higher intake of unsaturated plant-based fats. These folks showed significantly lower risk for developing cardiometabolic diseases.
Those with a low MLS consumed a larger amount of saturated animal fats and were at greater risk for stroke, heart attack, Type 2 diabetes, and related conditions.
The study concluded that switching to a diet high in unsaturated plant fats — such as the Mediterranean diet — can indeed deliver notable health benefits.
While some may still reach for good old-fashioned butter at the grocery store, plant-based oils are more readily available than ever before.
Perhaps the news from the recent study can finally help many of us answer the age-old question: To butter, or not to butter?
You’re pouring yourself a cup of coffee while chatting up the new boss, and you get distracted — subsequently spilling it all over. You feel your face turn beet red, and it’s not the first time. After all, blushing is a universal part of the human experience.
Now, researchers are trying to understand why.
Using MRI scans to track brain activity, teams from the Netherlands and Italy are exploring the neural mechanisms behind blushing. Notably, the behavior is more than just a physical reaction; it’s tied to our brain’s response to social judgment, especially during adolescence.
To trigger a blushing response, the adolescent girls who participated in the study took part in two lab sessions. In the first, they sang challenging karaoke songs, and in the second, they watched videos of their own performances. Raising the stakes, researchers told them an audience would be watching their recordings.
Ultimately, the teens blushed more when viewing their own videos compared with others. Brain scans revealed that blushing was linked to increased activity in the cerebellum, known for its role in movement and coordination, and heightened activation in early visual areas. That suggests for these teens, seeing themselves on screen was something that dominated their attention.
The next area of study may include investigating how blushing works in even younger children, before they are as aware of their peers.
In the future, when you find yourself blushing, remember there’s a lot happening in your brain — and you’re in great, human species-wide company. In other words: It happens to all of us.
You might be 10 slices of bacon away from a longer, healthier life. Yes, you heard that correctly.
Bacon has a rap sheet. It’s high in sodium and fat. While some sing its praises, many doctors are not in the choir. The World Health Organization calls the food a carcinogen.
University of Edinburgh scientists recently found that if Americans collectively cut back just 30% of their consumption of processed meats like sausage and bacon, it would have a profound impact on public health.
Yes, that percentage is the equivalent of 10 slices of bacon a week.
What would that do from a national perspective? Researchers estimate this reduction would lead to 353,000 fewer cases of Type 2 diabetes over a decade. Cardiovascular disease diagnoses would drop by more than 92,000, colorectal cancer by more than 50,000 cases. Thousands of deaths would be avoided.
The impact is even greater for those cutting unprocessed red meats.
The researchers used computer modeling to make these projections, aided by data from national health surveys.
Of course, bacon isn’t the only game in town when it comes to processed meats. Hot dogs, deli meats, chicken nuggets, and other foods could be flagged, too.
The study notes that restricting meat intake is not just good for your body. It’s good for the planet. A collective effort to reduce consumption will lessen the meat industry’s impact on climate change.
We can all squeeze out a health benefit by reducing our bad habits, even if we are unable to quit something entirely. In other words: It’s not great if you eat half the birthday cake at a sitting. But it’s still better than eating it all.
The blood orange is delicious, often expensive, and packed with nutrients that taste great. But unlike the more common citrus that thrives in the humid state of Florida, this pigmented fruit requires more consistent cold temperatures than are readily available in a state known for its sunshine and beaches.
Now, new University of Florida research is highlighting the potential health benefits of blood oranges, with a twist — titrating their nutrient density by storing them at a specific range of cool temperatures.
Specifically, scientists pinpointed that storing blood oranges between 40 and 53 degrees Fahrenheit carries the ability to enhance their antioxidant content while preserving crucial attributes like the fruit’s firmness, weight, and sugar content. The cool storage can even elevate the blood oranges’ levels of anthocyanins, a group of antioxidants found in red, blue, and purple fruits and veggies.
Importantly, a diet full of these compounds may help protect from inflammation and Type 2 diabetes — and this antioxidant typically develops when the fruit is exposed to cold temperatures between 46 and 59 degrees for at least 20 days. These conditions are rare in Florida’s subtropical climate, and part of the reason scientists are on the hunt for a solution.
In the future, research will pivot to emphasize the importance of tailored storage conditions to maximize the fruit’s nutritional value and market appeal — which would also help it flourish in other regions. While the blood orange is growing in popularity, they are typically grown in climates more arid than the subtropics.
Low back pain is an often-chronic condition many accept as just a natural part of aging. But what if ditching low back pain was as simple as taking a walk? A new study suggests it might be.
Australian researchers recruited adults who had recently experienced an episode of lower back pain for at least 24 hours and who had no specific diagnosis. Participants were randomly assigned to a group that received intervention that included walking, education, and six physiotherapy sessions, or to a control group that received no treatment.
The researchers then tracked them for one to three years. Those assigned to the intervention participated in an individual walking program guided by a physical therapist and managed to ensure the walker stuck with the plan. Participants walked in their free time with a loose target of five 30-minute walks per week for six months.
Participants kept a walking diary and attended follow-up sessions with their physical therapist. They also learned more about pain science and how to reduce the risk of low back pain, as well as how to manage minor pain recurrences.
Results found that those who followed the plan saw a significant reduction in the recurrence of low back pain. Researchers also found the treatment to be more cost-effective for those receiving intervention compared with those who received no treatment.
An estimated 843 million people around the world will suffer from low back pain by 2050. Its debilitating effects take a toll mentally, physically, and financially.
Now, lacing up those sneakers may be all you need to find relief. Take a walk and tell your backache to take a hike.
Millions of Americans regularly take multivitamins, accepting as fact that the dietary supplement can help them stay healthy and live longer.
Consumers reliably scoop them up at the drugstore or supermarket. One estimate pegs the value of the multivitamin market at more than $21 billion.
A new study, however, questions their usefulness.
National Cancer Institute researchers recently conducted one of the largest and longest studies of multivitamin effectiveness. The scientists tracked the health of nearly 400,000 healthy Americans for two decades, comparing a control group that didn’t take multivitamins with a group that did.
The study’s findings might be unsettling for anyone with a big bottle of these doctor’s helpers in the medicine cabinet.
Those who took the supplements daily experienced no lower risk of death from any case. Indeed, they appeared to have a slightly greater risk of mortality. It was just a tiny increase, but startling, nonetheless.
The researchers also saw no difference when controlling for a participant’s sex, dietary quality, and health behavior.
Some experts believe vitamins feed off human psychology. The lure of a pill that effortlessly boosts health is powerfully attractive. Got a bad diet? Take a pill. Even before this study, however, some nutritionists were doubtful this supposed elixir could substitute for the complex mix of natural nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods. There are few shortcuts to good health.
Scientists say they cannot preclude the possibility of a benefit for adults.
So, eat your vegetables. They’re nature’s multivitamin.
For those among us who prefer the steady thrum, pacing, and incline control of a treadmill (and the air conditioning that often comes with it), there can often be an unpleasant tax — shin splints.
Now, researchers from the University of Virginia Health System may be onto a treatment plan that protects against this pesky, but common, sports injury.
A recent study suggests that incorporating outdoor gait training alongside home exercises can improve running biomechanics, even on a treadmill.
Shin splints, a common ailment affecting 40% of runners, often start as lower leg tenderness that worsens with continued running, potentially leading to stress fractures for those unable to hang up their sneakers.
The study looked at treadmill runners from ages 18 to 45 who experienced lower leg pain. Participants underwent four weeks of outdoor gait training with vibrotactile feedback, which alerted them when their foot-ground contact time was excessive — a known contributor to shin splints.
This feedback helped participants adjust their stride to reduce impact. The results showed that those who received gait training not only improved their strength but made favorable adjustments in running mechanics, benefiting both outdoor and treadmill running. This finding suggests that outdoor gait training could be a valuable strategy for treadmill users seeking to run pain-free.
Besides reminding us that going outside remains a habit that is ultimately good for you, the study reiterates that there’s more than one way to achieve tip-top running comfort and performance … in a climate-cooled gym or the great outdoors.
Don’t mess with Texas. Not with its ticks, anyway.
The lone star tick, once found mostly in the southeastern United States, has been expanding its turf. They’re becoming more common in the Northeast, the Midwest, and even Canada.
While its bite isn’t as dangerous as that of the also-common blacklegged tick, which spreads Lyme disease, lone star ticks do cause plenty of health maladies, including ehrlichiosis [ur-luh-kee-ow-suhs], tularemia [too-lr-ee-mee-uh], southern tick-associated rash illness, and Heartland virus.
The adult female lone star tick has a white splotch on its back.
A lone star tick bite is less likely to cause illness than blacklegged ticks, but they’re certainly more likely to bite you. Entomologists say they are easily the more aggressive species.
A blacklegged tick often positions itself on a tall blade of grass or a branch and waits for a host (that’s you) to come walking by. But a lone star tick comes to find you. If you’re out in the woods or tall grass and still, the ticks sense the carbon dioxide you emit and head that way.
What is going on with these aggressive and turf-shifting ticks?
Scientists explain some of their expansion as a result of climate change. A warmer climate suits them, so that’s where they go. But studies also suggest that lone star ticks may be resettling in areas that once were their home.
If you’re going to be out in the woods, you need an effective insect repellent. Treating shoes or boots with permethrin can keep ticks from taking a hike up your leg. If you’ve been in the deep woods, an immediate shower and tick-check is a great idea.
If you live in suburbia, keep your yard mowed and clutter-free, and try to keep the deer out.
Summertime is a great time to get outdoors, go hiking, and explore nature. Kids are out of school and vacation season is in full swing.
But so is the heat.
High temperatures are no joke and can make any hike dangerous — even deadly. Each year, multiple people die from heat exhaustion during hikes and hundreds more are rescued.
By taking a few safety precautions to heart, you can greatly reduce your chances of injury or death when hiking in hot temperatures.
Be prepared physically. If you know will be undertaking a long, strenuous hike, be confident that you are in good enough physical shape to complete the trek. You can acclimate to the heat by taking shorter, low-impact hikes in warm weather and gradually work up to more difficult hikes in hot weather.
Hikers should also know their sweat rate, which can be determined by weighing yourself before and after a hike. Experts say you shouldn’t lose more than 2% of your body weight during a hike.
Speaking of sweating — an abundant amount of water is critical in high temperatures. A water filter and electrolytes, in the form of tablets or drinks, can also help replace salt and minerals lost from perspiration.
Hikers should wear light, loose clothing to help prevent sunburn and keep body temperatures down. Experts recommend bringing a fully charged phone, extra battery, and a friend if possible.
It can be easy to underestimate just how risky a hike can be when temperatures soar. The reward doesn’t outweigh the risk.
And don’t ignore what your instinct tells you. If you think it’s too hot to hike, turn back. It is too hot to hike.
For millions of Americans, eating oatmeal isn’t enough to lower cholesterol. Many leave the doctor’s office with a high cholesterol diagnosis and a statin prescription.
One study from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University reported that by 2019, 818 million people were prescribed statins. But perhaps that number may change.
As many as 40% fewer Americans need statins, a new JAMA Internal Medicine study found.
In 2023, the American Heart Association developed the Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Events equations, known as PREVENT, to estimate atherosclerotic [ather-oh-skler-ottic] cardiovascular disease risk.
This was an update to the 2013 equations, which were criticized for overestimating risk.
The PREVENT equations were based on current populations and adjusted for statin use and kidney function. They removed race as a factor.
Researchers analyzed data from 3,785 adults between ages 40 and 75 without atherosclerosis who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from January 2017 to March 2020. Their 10-year risk of heart disease was estimated using the PREVENT equations and reviewed against earlier risk predictions.
Results showed that far fewer adults qualified for statin prescriptions under the updated equations. Researchers estimated that more than 17 million adults previously prescribed statins would no longer be eligible for them.
No word yet on whether statin guidelines might change to reflect the study’s results. But perhaps in the future, many of us can enjoy a bowl of oatmeal with our morning coffee, rather than swallow a pill.
We all keep time to an internal cellular clock. Our circadian rhythms are tuned to the rotation of the Earth and its cycle of night and day. Still, our clocks aren’t all set to the same hour and minute.
Some scientists believe that the biological clock influences whether we are a morning person or a night owl. If you groan and swear at the morning alarm, perhaps you can blame this internal timepiece when you’re late for work and someone demands an explanation.
This is our chronotype. We’ve all got one.
Now, a team of international researchers has found that our chronotype might influence the effectiveness of blood pressure medication. Their work indicates that those diagnosed with hypertension might want to match the time they take prescriptions with their sleep schedule. Study findings suggest that doing so might be better for the heart.
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t change your medication schedule without first checking with a physician.
The study tracked 5,000 people for several years, analyzing their blood pressure. Researchers also asked the participants for information about their chronotype.
Findings indicated that early birds were less likely to suffer a heart attack when they took their blood pressure medication in the morning, compared with the evening.
And conversely, night owls experienced heart attacks less often when they took their meds at night.
Physicians and pharmacists often recommend taking the pills in the morning, but some scientists have challenged that recommendation. This study could influence that debate. Scientists, however, say more study is needed before declaring that it’s time for a change.
The dentist adjusts his instrument in your mouth, frowning. You tense, gripping the armrests. Silence. Then, the dreaded question: “Have you been flossing?”
Maybe you have been. Maybe you really, really meant to, but forgot. Or maybe you glance over to the dusty floss pick packet every night … and then you look away.
Whether you do, don’t, or won’t, the good news is it may no longer be up to you. That is, not if the University of Pennsylvania’s shapeshifting microbots have their way.
Yes, that’s right — a swarm of tiny building blocks in the form of nanoparticles may one day be your toothbrush, rinse, and dental floss in one. While the study doesn’t specify their form at rest, the particles, composed of iron oxide, act as bristles that can extend, sweep, and even go back and forth between a space, much like flossing.
Although a boon for the lazy, the techie revamp of a mundane necessity would be a welcome solution for those who lack the dexterity or physical capability to brush and floss without help.
Using a magnetic field to direct the iron oxide nanoparticle-based microrobots into antimicrobial bristle- and floss-shaped arrangements, researchers were even able to account for things like gum sensitivity.
Part of the impetus for the study was the static landscape of tooth cleaning, which has remained largely unchanged since the advent of the electric toothbrush. This study was proof-of-concept, which is another way of saying you’ll likely have to keep brushing and flossing the old-fashioned way for now.
But take heart — one day, you just might have teeny-tiny robots brush and floss your teeth. And then, you’ll really have no excuse.
Whether we’re binging one more episode of our favorite TV show, scrolling through social media, or battling insomnia, there are plenty of distractions in today’s world to keep us from sleep.
But getting enough sleep is extremely important for a variety of reasons, and two new studies from the University of Michigan show that those who don’t get enough sleep can have extreme difficulty forming memories and retaining information.
What exactly is happening in our brains that allows sleep deprivation to inhibit the formation of memories and decrease cognitive function?
Researchers observed what are known as place neurons, which are part of the brain associated with a specific task, such as navigating the environment. The neurons are in the hippocampus, a part of the brain where memories form.
In this experiment, the lab rats’ neurons fired as they explored a maze. Next, the scientists noted many of the same neurons fired as the rats slept, suggesting that sleep is a crucial component for memory formation.
In the second study, the researchers monitored lab rats’ brain neuron activity, both during sleep and sleep deprivation.
Neural firing patterns were seen to be higher in sleep and lower when the rats remained awake. During sleep deprivation, the electric signals from the lab rats’ brains were produced at a similar or higher rate as when they slept, but at a lower power and amplitude.
So, whether you’re doom-scrolling or just tossing and turning, do what you can to get the sleep your brain needs. If you don’t, when someone asks a simple question, like “What did you do last night?” — you might just draw a blank.
If you’re a woman who needs another reason to shovel in those fruits and veggies or forgo that triple fudge brownie, this is it.
New research has shown that higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet can reduce overall mortality rates in women by 23%.
A study published in JAMA Network followed over 25,000 women for 25 years, observing their food choices and assigning points based on adherence to a Mediterranean diet.
Participants were given one point for above average vegetable, fruit, nut, whole grain, legume, and fish intake and one point for below-average red and processed meat intake. Participants earned a point if their alcohol consumption fell within a specified range.
The women were categorized by their Mediterranean diet adherence based on the points they received. A score of 0 to 3 meant low adherence, 4 to 5 was intermediate and a score of 6 to 9 was high.
Each woman also completed a health questionnaire twice during the first year and once every year after, and deaths were recorded.
Researchers found that a higher adherence score was associated with a decreased risk of overall death, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality. This was true even after adjustments were made for variables like smoking and physical activity.
Following a Mediterranean diet also provides a host of other health benefits. While avoiding an early grave, you’ll also be improving brain health, supporting a healthy body weight, and lowering the risk of stroke.
And no need to give up taste for health. The Mediterranean diet is popular for being simultaneously tasty and good for you.
It’s August, and your kids are likely preparing to return to school. Supplies are packed, lunches are made and blissful quiet awaits you at home. But before you send them off, make sure their eyes are classroom-ready.
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, so it’s no time to neglect an aspect crucial to your child’s academic success. A 2020 study by Canadian and Belgian researchers used visual screenings of schoolchildren ages 6 to 12 and found that students with poor visual health performed worse in school compared with their 20/20-vision peers.
Those with visual disorders were found to be at a significant disadvantage in the classroom. Luckily, there are ways to maintain your child’s visual health and ensure they get the most of their education.
Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer several easily managed tips.
Staying active and eating a balanced diet is one recommendation. Spending time outside eases eye strain caused by near-vision activities, and ditching processed lunches for whole grains and leafy greens can provide eye-benefiting nutrients like zinc and vitamin A.
Technology is a classroom staple, but when children aren’t at school, limit their use of digital screens. Johns Hopkins debunked the blue light myth but said screens still cause eye strain, which can lead to other eye problems.
The back-to-school buzz can make it difficult to stick to a routine, but ensuring children are getting enough sleep and having regular eye exams is vital to eye recovery and screening.
You can’t learn if you can’t see, so don’t let your child’s eye health take a backseat.
“Screenager” is a term often used to describe tech-savvy teens who irritate their parents with extended stints online. But is it more than that?
A new study from University College London found that increased internet addictions among adolescents may cause more serious health issues.
Researchers reviewed 12 studies involving adolescents ages 10 to 19 who had been clinically diagnosed with an internet addiction.
The studies used functional MRIs to track blood flow and evaluate how different regions of the brain interact. Adolescents were observed while resting and while completing a task, and the results were used to determine the effects of internet addiction on their behavior and development.
The researchers found there was a mix of activity in the parts of the brain engaged when resting. But there was an overall decrease in connectivity in parts of the brain involved in active thinking.
The study found that these changes led to addictive tendencies and behaviors in adolescents. Behavioral changes associated with mental health, motor coordination, intellectual ability, and development were also seen.
In an increasingly digitalized world, internet addiction might sound like a phrase made up by gripey parents who can’t get a screen-free meal with their offspring. But underdeveloped adolescent brains are especially vulnerable to external stimulation, and the consequences can be drastic.
While it may be unrealistic to quit the internet cold turkey, it’s a good idea think about occasionally pulling the plug.
Meat has been a staple of the human diet for approximately three million years — since our ancient ancestors were scavenging raw meat and fish, and long before the invention of fire and cooking.
But times change. Today, we have access to an array of plant-based meat alternatives, or PBMAs, packed with comparable nutrients to real meat.
At the same, there is more awareness than ever about the negative cardiac effects of highly processed foods — which describes many PBMAs.
When it comes to heart health, how do these fake meats stack up to real meat?
Scientists recently explored this question by looking at research on PBMAs published from 1970 to 2023, including their nutritional profiles and their impacts on cardiovascular disease risk factors.
The nutritional profiles of meat alternatives were found to vary greatly but tend to align with guidelines aimed at improving heart health. The PBMAs tended to have less saturated fat and more polyunsaturated fat and dietary fiber than their meat counterparts.
Fake meat is typically highly processed and high in sodium, but the researchers did not find evidence that these factors negate the potential heart benefits.
Instead, they found that some dietary trials where meat was replaced with PBMAs showed improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, including cholesterol and body weight.
Researchers said that, based on the existing evidence, opting for PBMAs instead of meat may provide heart-healthy benefits, though research continues in this area.
While our ancient ancestors may have scoffed at fake meat, the protein-rich alternatives may have a permanent place at the table for modern humans.
It’s summer, the temperature is rising, and so are the number of heat-related emergencies.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hospitals across the country are seeing higher numbers of emergency room visits related to heat illnesses.
And it’s not necessarily the regions with the highest temperatures that have the highest number of heat-related emergencies.
While climate change has boosted the frequency and intensity of heat waves across the country, the CDC attributes two factors to the surge in emergencies.
For one, some buildings are not designed most effectively to beat the heat. Some in the mid-Atlantic or Midwest are less likely to have air-conditioning than those in the typically sweltering South or the West.
Another factor is the inexperience some have dealing with hot, outdoor locations. Some locales simply are not designed to deal with heat. They lack infrastructure — think splash pads at parks or giant tarps made for shade.
While heat exhaustion is primarily experienced by those who work or exercise outdoors, it can happen to anyone who can’t shed heat fast enough.
It often starts with heavy sweating, cool or clammy skin, weakness, and a fast or weak pulse. Then it can progress to heatstroke, evidenced by high body temperature, a headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. A heatstroke victim can show neurological symptoms like confusion. Or they may faint.
People with underlying health conditions are at the greatest risk.
Do yourself a favor and get familiar with your local heat advisories. And if you’d like to avoid the ER, stay hydrated and stay indoors when the heat is doing its worst.
Good news for coffee-lovers in cubicle land: That daily latte might be doing more than just waking you up. A new study finds that people who regularly drink coffee seem to gain some protection from the increased risk of death associated with prolonged sitting.
Chinese researchers studied data collected by the National Health and Nutrition Survey, focusing on 2007 to 2018. They used a representative sample of over 10,000 U.S. adults and followed participants for up to 12 years.
The study looked at how long people sat each day and how much coffee they drank based on their responses to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall interview.
Participants were placed into four groups based on the hours per day they spent sitting. They were also placed in four groups based on coffee consumption, measured in grams per day.
The study found there was a 46% greater risk of dying from any cause and a 79% greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease for those who sat for more than eight hours a day, compared with those who sat no more than four hours.
But those who drank coffee were at a significantly lower risk. The most dedicated coffee drinkers had a 33% lower risk of dying from any cause and a 54% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared with those who didn’t drink coffee.
Only those who avoided coffee had an increased risk of death due to prolonged sitting.
This doesn’t mean you should be downing a caramel mocha latte every day. And more research is needed to fully understand coffee in all its complexity. But a cup or two of joe might not be a bad idea.
When you’re at a wedding reception and dancing begins, do you break into a sweat at the very idea of dancing, or do you kick off your shoes? If you’re the latter, your ability to loosen up may be more important than your ability to break into a cha-cha slide.
New research from scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Germany sheds light on how dancing is associated with different personality traits.
The study examined data from a large group: 5,435 individuals from Sweden and 574 from Germany, focusing on key traits like openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
The study found that both amateur and professional dancers tend to have lower levels of neuroticism compared with those who don’t dance. They also tend to be more agreeable, open, and extroverted, aligning with similar findings in studies that looked at musicians.
Compared with musicians, dancers are not more neurotic, but — on the contrary — less neurotic than people who do not dance.
Also noteworthy: The type of dance matters as much as the dancing itself. For example, swing dancers showed lower neuroticism levels than Latin and ballroom dancers, suggesting that dance styles might shape our personalities in distinct ways.
Looking ahead, researchers plan to broaden their work to include a larger group of dancers from diverse cultures and styles.
And while no one is suggesting we’re all meant to be Fred Astaire, dancing is one way of engaging in a meaningful social and creative activity with potential psychological benefits — whether you’d consider yourself neurotic or not.
It’s human nature. Many of us probably don’t even know we’re doing it. You’re in the supermarket, rolling a cart through the produce section.
Ah, here comes broccoli, one of the healthiest foods available. You drop some into the shopping basket. The vegetable will work its magic with numerous health benefits, from helping lower blood sugar to reducing heart disease risk. It’s a superfood so healthy that it will probably tell you to fasten your seatbelt on the ride home.
Later, a few aisles away, you see a chocolate bar. You’ve made the healthy choice with broccoli, even though you hate its taste. Maybe you deserve a reward. The chocolate joins broccoli in the cart as they no doubt scowl at one another.
If this seems far-fetched, like something you’d never do, think again.
A recent European study shows that grocery shoppers tend to follow their healthy food purchases with unhealthy selections and vice versa. At times, we might be doing it subconsciously. It’s a veritable tug of war between vice and virtue, with our best-laid shopping plans subject to the whims of a sweet tooth.
Researchers literally followed 5,000 shoppers at a Dutch supermarket chain, scanning their food choices as the selections were made. Then, they conducted an online simulation with 500 Americans.
The study found that in both scenarios, a guilty pleasure like chocolate more often followed a healthier choice. At the same time, junk food was most often followed by a selection that would make a cardiologist happy.
The lesson is to remain committed to your health and shopping goals. Do not listen to the siren song of the frosted donuts in the bakery section.
How often do you take aspirin? A couple of times a week? Do you use it every day?
For years, doctors recommended that patients take a low-dose aspirin to prevent heart disease. As a result, the Annals of Internal Medicine found more than 18.5 million older adults — more than the population in 46 states — regularly take aspirin for that purpose alone.
Did you know that in some cases, aspirin use may do more harm than good?
It’s no longer recommended for all older patients as a guard against cardiovascular disease. In 2019, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology suggested blood thinners should not be used to prevent cardiovascular issues in adults 70 and older.
Three years later, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that people 60 years old and older with no history of heart issues should refrain from using aspirin.
That’s because aspirin increases your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Experts say some patients may still benefit from a daily aspirin to lower the risk of blood clots. These patients include those who have previously suffered a heart attack or a stroke, or have been diagnosed with heart disease.
The drug is also known to be appropriate for those between the ages of 40 and 59 who do not have a history of bleeding but struggle with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and other risk factors.
So, if you haven’t started an aspirin a day regimen, check with your doctor first. And if you are already in the habit of taking a daily aspirin, check back in with your doctor to be sure it’s still a good idea for you.
We’ve all seen it. You’re at a major airport preparing to catch a 7 a.m. flight, you pass a bar and it’s full of people drinking. Or you settle into your seat and your neighbor is desperately flagging a flight attendant for a pre-takeoff gin and tonic.
Whether it’s trying to calm frazzled-flyer nerves, kick-start a vacation, or just hoping for sleep, many air passengers opt for cocktails or a glass of wine to pass the time.
However, a study from the U.K. says you put yourself at risk when drinking alcohol on airplanes, especially on longer flights when you plan to sleep.
That’s because alcohol and altitude are a bad mix. As the airplane climbs higher, the cabin’s oxygen level drops. This causes your blood oxygen level to decrease.
And it makes your heart work harder. Researchers found study participants had an elevated heart rate after drinking and falling asleep, compared with their sober-flyer friends. Both lower blood oxygen levels and increased heart rates are telltale signs of cardiovascular strain.
Some passengers use alcohol as a sleep aid. While imbibing may help you fall asleep faster, your quality of sleep deteriorates as your body works to breaks down alcohol. You wake up more often and you’ll likely feel worse when you do.
So, what’s a tired traveler to do? Experts say it’s best to avoid alcohol before and during a flight. That is especially so if you have a heart or lung condition.
Fortunately, there are other ways to relax. Consider a travel pillow, an eye mask, and ear plugs. Headphones with calming music or white noise can help. Just don’t go looking for rest in the bottom of a glass.
Did you listen to your mom when you were 12? According to researchers in Illinois, it may not matter — because the advice improved your well-being anyway.
Hard to believe, we know, but while some parents find their advice falling on deaf ears, this research indicated that even seemingly disinterested preteens may benefit from their parents’ input.
In the study, researchers analyzed conversations between fifth-grade students and their mothers regarding challenges in school. Then, they tracked how the preteens coped with the transition to middle school the following year.
Researchers found that moms tended to encourage their children to actively tackle academic obstacles through strategies like reframing how you view something, strategizing and seeking help.
Surprisingly, the adolescents who received reframing advice showed more adaptive coping skills in middle school, while those who received more strategizing and help-seeking advice did not. Interestingly, some children who initially rejected or responded ambiguously to their mother’s advice showed more adaptive coping skills later. Conversely, those who accepted help-seeking advice reported less adaptive coping.
Now, although the study focused on mother-child relationships due to many mothers acting as the primary caregiver for their children, future iterations of the study may turn toward fathers and their roles in adolescent development.
For now, rest assured your words aren’t going in one ear and out the other. Not all of them, anyway.
College has always been a stressful time for some students, and mental health conditions have been on the rise at many campuses.
But researchers said they had no idea it was this bad.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD [P-T-S-D], diagnoses among college students more than doubled between 2017 and 2022, rising most sharply as the COVID-19 pandemic closed campuses and changed life as we knew it.
PTSD rose from 3.4% among college students to 7.5%. Researchers, typically very careful to avoid sensationalized headlines about their work, called the increase “shocking.”
The team analyzed survey responses from nearly 400,000 participants in the annual online Healthy Minds Study.
PTSD is characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood and changes in physical and emotional reactions. It can include “flashbacks” to traumatic episodes. It is diagnosed when symptoms last more than a month.
Researchers said some of the increased stress clearly stemmed from the pandemic, when campuses and cities locked down while health officials worked to stop COVID-19’s spread and learned how to treat the illness. But they noted that other stressors affect college students, too, like campus shootings, global tensions and polarized politics.
An estimated 5% of adults in the U.S. experience PTSD in any given year. Over their lifetimes, 8% of women and 4% of men will face the condition.
The takeaway? PTSD treatment is needed on college campuses. Fortunately, short-term treatments created for veterans, like exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy, are effective at managing symptoms.
World-class athletes adhere to strict diets to help them perform their best and maintain peak physical condition. Conversely, those who make unhealthy dietary choices are more likely to be overweight, have lower energy and generally be in poor physical health.
But what do dietary choices do for brain health?
Well, here’s some food for thought: A new study by researchers in China and the United Kingdom shows that making healthier dietary choices not only leads to better physical fitness, but it also optimizes brain health.
The study broke down food preferences into four categories: Starch-free or reduced-starch; vegetarian; high protein and low fiber; and balanced.
Study participants in the balanced diet category displayed evidence of better mental well-being, superior cognitive function and more gray matter in the brain, which is linked to intelligence.
Those in this category showed balanced preferences for foods across a range of categories, including meats, dairy, vegetables, alcohol and bread.
The study’s implications are wide-ranging.
To start, it emphasizes the importance of considering diet when clinicians look at mental health, cognitive function and brain structure. It also shows how food preferences could help identify those at higher risk of mental health challenges or cognitive impairment — leading to earlier interventions.
The researchers suggest promoting healthy food choices from an early age, which can boost public health and help people lead healthier and happier lives.
Making healthy food choices isn’t just good for your physical health. Turns out, a balanced diet is the ultimate brain food.
Colorectal cancer rates are going up among young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
Millennials born around 1990 are at nearly twice the risk compared with those born in the 1950s. While far more older people get colorectal cancer, researchers say younger adults often pay less attention to warning signs.
In a new study led by the University of California, San Diego, researchers say the most common warning sign for colorectal cancer is easy to see. You just need to look before you flush.
According to the research, which looked at the results of studies including nearly 25 million adults 50 years old and younger, blood in the stool is the most common warning sign for colorectal cancer.
Other signs include abdominal pain, changes in your bowel habits, abdominal pain, anemia, diarrhea, constipation and loss of appetite.
The study found that it takes nearly four to six months on average for a young adult to go from their first symptom to diagnosis. Because of those delays, they may find themselves with advanced colorectal cancer that is more difficult to treat.
For now, health researchers aren’t sure why an increasing number of younger adults are being diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer, but they’re investigating several factors: chemicals in the environment, changes in gut bacteria and the use of some medications, such as antibiotics.
Several studies have found a correlation between higher alcohol use and colorectal cancer, especially for men.
For peace of mind amid this worrisome trend, regular screenings, now recommended to start at age 45, and acting quickly when you notice something wrong are your best defense against colorectal cancer.
July is the peak of the heat. The month brings the scorching “dog days” of summer, a season of perspiration.
When most of the northern hemisphere isn’t taking refuge in air-conditioned places, it’s a time many of us spend outdoors, at barbecues, pool parties or trips to the beach.
Hence this reminder that July is also UV Safety Month.
Ultraviolet rays cause most skin cancers. Groups like the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society offer plenty of tips for protecting yourself from the sun’s penetrating rays.
First, the basics: Find the shade and stay in it when you can. Wear clothing that protects you from the sun and liberally apply a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. And reapply as the manufacturer’s instructions suggest.
There’s more to it than that, of course.
Know that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
If you’re in or on the water, sand or snow, the sun’s rays will be reflected and more intense. Protect your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses and wear UV-blocking clothing. Rule of thumb: If you can see through a garment, it’s too sheer to protect you. For those with the fairest complexions who are most vulnerable to the sun, some companies make clothing that’s both comfortable and protective.
Even on a cloudy day, UV rays still cause problems. Watch for forecasts that include a UV index. In general, the higher the number, the more caution you need to take.
So, get your sun-protection game in order this month and get through summer safely. And don’t forget to put sunscreen on your ears. They burn, too.
It’s OK, everyone forgets.
There are experiences we call bitter pills to swallow — and then, there are the meds themselves. Now, researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia have found a way to trick our tongues into ignoring the flavor altogether.
Scientists are testing a taste blocker that could change medication intake, particularly for those who struggle with swallowing pills or bitter-tasting liquids. The blocker, called AF-353, targets taste-cell receptors that signal bitterness, providing a temporary reprieve from the unpleasant taste of some medications.
Unlike previous blockers that targeted specific taste receptors, AF-353 inhibits a broader range of taste sensations, including bitter, sweet, savory, salty, and sour. By blocking taste-nerve transmission, AF-353 reduces the bitterness signal caused by medications, making them more palatable. This is especially important for reducing bitterness related to vital medications such as those for parasites and HIV.
AF-353’s effects lasted 60 to 90 minutes in humans. The researchers plan to investigate ways to limit the time taste is blocked as much as possible, and to find the best way to administer it to children, perhaps through a lollipop or pacifier.
Though it’s no Flintstones vitamin, the compound carries the potential to improve medication adherence among children and elderly individuals, and its temporary nature allows taste to return to normal after a short period.
It doesn’t take away the need for medication, but it may help it go down a bit easier. And not having to cajole your youngster to take her much-needed medicine? That could make life a lot sweeter.
When it comes to water cooler talk, stress is a common theme. An even more common one? Your coworker who never seems to catch a break — and is always more stressed than anyone else.
If you’ve felt annoyed — or even privately wondered what’s going on — you’re far from alone. A recent study from the University of Georgia indicates that boasting about one’s stress levels at work can backfire, making a person appear less competent and likable to their colleagues.
The research involved 360 participants who assessed imaginary co-workers’ statements about returning from a conference. Those who bragged about stress were rated lower in likability, competence and willingness to receive help compared with those who simply acknowledged stress or focused on positive aspects of the conference. Additionally, employees with stress-bragging co-workers reported higher personal stress and burnout levels.
Interestingly, discussing stress in passing or being perceived as stressed didn’t provoke negative reactions from colleagues, nor did it increase their own stress levels.
The research suggests that being perceived as stressed isn’t inherently negative; in fact, colleagues may view stressed individuals as more competent.
But boasting about stress creates the impression that chronic stress is normal in the workplace — and that can contribute to a toxic work culture where chronic stress is accepted as the norm.
And, although we can’t tell you why Stuart from accounting is in a frazzle and insists on telling you about it, this study suggests you may not be the only one who’s noticing — and ready to talk about the weather, instead.
Walking up a flight of stairs won’t just get you to the second floor. It might also help get you to your golden years.
The elevator apparently doesn’t stop on that floor.
It’s not surprising that such exercise is healthy. Carrying the groceries up to a third-floor apartment might not sound like a workout at the gym. But taking the stairs works the leg muscles intensively and gets the heart beating faster. And walking up a staircase can be a more convenient way to fit some physical activity into a busy day.
British scientists recently decided to see just how much of a health benefit stair-steppers enjoy. The degree of the boost to the heart in particular raised investigators’ eyebrows.
They analyzed health data from 480,000 adults from their mid-30s into their 80s. The study found that those who habitually climbed stairs were almost 40% less likely to die of heart disease compared with folks who didn’t regularly do so. The risk of dying from any cause was also reduced by 24%.
This was an observational study. So, scientists warn about drawing any conclusions of cause and effect.
One of the study’s authors says the type of movement required to walk up stairs takes nearly 10 times more energy than sitting. Overcoming gravity, they say, is no easy feat. Ask any Saturn Five rocket.
Other exercises like swimming, rowing and bicycling, done vigorously, can probably achieve the same result, the study says. As always, check with a doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen, especially if you face health challenges.
So, don’t pass a stairway by. Save the elevator for the Empire State Building’s observation deck.
I scream, you scream, we all scream … for all kinds of reasons.
Variations in tone and frequency allow humans to express anger, frustration, pain, fear and happiness through the ultimate example of emotion — the scream.
Research from Emory University indicates that most people are fairly good at identifying the reason behind most screams. But screams of joy without context are frequently misidentified as screams of fear.
Some of this, researchers point out, is based in evolution. After all, screams for help — to alert others of danger, and to solicit help — are present across species.
Mistaking a joyful scream for a fearful cry may be an instance of “ancestral carryover bias,” which dictates most people will err on the side of caution, and assume someone is screaming because they are afraid.
Researchers collected recorded screams from television, YouTube videos and movies. Clips ranged from horror movie actors to unscripted, real-time screams.
After parsing through the clips to identify the timbre and pitches associated with different feelings expressed via scream, researchers selected 30 recordings and played them for study participants, asking them to name the emotion conveyed.
Ultimately, although they guessed overall contexts for screams correctly, participants tended to judge screams of “excited happiness” as screams of fear.
Of course, there are times in life where joy and fear are inextricable — like a rollercoaster, or a haunted house.
The next time you’re home and hear a scream, keep in mind it’s not necessarily a reaction to a cockroach — it could be in celebration of a favorite team’s long-awaited winning touchdown.
This serial killer’s body count surpasses the toll of all the world’s wars, terrorism, alcoholism, drugs and a litany of diseases combined. One doesn’t need to visit a remote corner of the planet to be threatened. Looking over your shoulder won’t protect you.
This menace is in the air, water and even the light that leaks through a window at night and interrupts sleep.
A new study by an international team of researchers says that pollution in all its forms kills more people than all other threats to humanity combined. Researchers estimate at least 9 million people die prematurely because of environmental pollution, especially from cardiovascular disease.
The investigation notes the threat isn’t just in the air we breathe. We’re exposed to toxic chemicals in our homes, from the soil and from the nighttime light and noise endemic to modern life.
Lost sleep and stress are thought by scientists to contribute to higher risk of heart disease and shortened lifespans.
The study points to the role of climate change in increasing the risk. Ever more common wildfires, for example, are a threat to air quality. And soaring temperatures often increase smog.
They also note that tens of thousands of chemicals we encounter in our daily lives have not been tested for toxicity.
Investigators urge a call to action. Steps that can help reduce the threat include planting more trees, less reliance on vehicles and greater investment in renewal energy sources like wind and solar.
Pollution isn’t some far-away problem for dwellers of the world’s largest and most polluted cities. Scientists warn this killer is in our own neighborhoods.
There is no place to hide.
Menstruation has never been an easy topic. And why would it be? In the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed that menstrual blood could kill crops and dull mirrors.
Some even held that a menstruating person could shoot “poisonous vapors” from their eyes. Hey, no one said that era was big for science.
A new study from researchers at Harvard, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Apple has found that in the decades since 1950, American girls have been starting their menstrual cycles at a younger age.
The study relied on the Apple Women’s Health Study’s dataset of more than 71,000 participants, who self-reported their health information.
Of those born from 1950 to 1969, the average age of menarche [men-aahr-kee] was 12 years and six months. For those born between 2000 and 2005, the average age was 11 years, nine months.
Another finding: It’s taking longer for menstrual cycles to become regular.
The researchers found all of the trends most pronounced for Black, Hispanic, Asian or mixed-race women, or those who rated themselves as having a lower socioeconomic status.
The researchers don’t know why girls are starting to menstruate earlier, but they have some theories. Childhood obesity, epidemic in the U.S., might be a factor, as could diet, stress, environmental chemicals and air pollution.
They do know it needs to be studied — and talked about — more. Earlier menstruation is associated with a higher risk for health problems like heart disease and cancer, so understanding why is a life-or-death matter.
The good news is that we can talk about the topic today, free of the superstitions of the past.
You finish your workday and start driving home. As you pass through familiar intersections and neighborhoods, perhaps your mind wanders to dinner or what the evening will bring.
A nice, cold beer has often accompanied the start of the evening, for many.
But, according to a new study from Carnegie Mellon University, more Americans aren’t popping a cap but instead, they’re lighting up or vaping when they get home.
In 2022, nearly 18 million people reported daily or near-daily marijuana use. That total was 3 million more than those who reported drinking at the same frequency. Based on four decades of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it was the first time the survey recorded more frequent users of cannabis than alcohol.
The survey found that the median drinker self-reported drinking four to five days out of 30 days. That’s compared to marijuana users, who reported they often smoke marijuana 15 to 16 days each month.
Thirty-eight states have legalized medical marijuana programs, and 24 states have approved recreational cannabis use. And marijuana is no longer the drug of choice for the young. The study found marijuana to have slightly more users over 35 years of age than under 35.
Some experts say that medical cannabis is useful for treating chronic pain and nausea. However, much remains unknown about the potential long-term health ramifications. And there are known health consequences, such as increased risks of cardiovascular disease, cannabis use disorder and cognitive impairment.
Experts urge those who choose to use legal marijuana to go to licensed retailers and to aim for occasional — not daily — use.
Your heart takes a licking, and most of the time, it keeps on ticking. But there are several screenings you can get to be sure that it does.
According to the American Heart Association, an important factor in lowering your risk for cardiovascular disease is managing your health behaviors. These include your diet, physical activity, whether you smoke, your body mass index, or B-M-I, blood pressure, total cholesterol and more.
A first step to protecting your heart health: check your blood pressure. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults over age 40 have their blood pressure measured by a health care provider at least once a year. High blood pressure greatly increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
An annual blood test to measure cholesterol is also encouraged. The National Institutes of Health says all adults over age 65 should have an annual blood test to measure their cholesterol. Like high blood pressure, cholesterol can be controlled through lifestyle changes and medication.
If you are overweight or have obesity and are between the ages of 35 and 70, the American Diabetes Association says a blood sugar check every three years is necessary. High blood sugar puts you at a greater risk of developing insulin resistance, prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
You can also consider a lipoprotein test or abdominal ultrasound. A lipoprotein test is important if you have a family history of early heart disease, or if you are considering a statin to lower your cholesterol. An abdominal ultrasound is useful for older men who have a history of smoking.
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your heart health.
Some of us are lucky enough to see our parents and grandparents enjoy healthy lives well into old age. You’d probably feel as if you’d won the genetic lottery if your 90-year-old parents still managed a round of golf now and then.
On the other end of the spectrum, we’ve all heard someone lament that “they die young in my family.”
A new study reinforces that nothing is preordained when it comes to the genetic sweepstakes. Living a healthy lifestyle remains the essential ingredient in the recipe for longevity, regardless of what’s coded in your DNA.
A study published in the journal BMJ Evidence Based Medicine found that a healthy lifestyle reduced the impact of life-shortening genes by as much as 60%. And for those eating a hot dog and knocking back a beer while watching their elderly parents on the 18th green, consider this:
Regardless of the magic in your genes, the study shows that living unhealthily increases the odds of dying before your time by 78%.
Investigators drew health and lifestyle data from the massive UK Biobank study and its more than 350,000 participants. The Biobank has been used for numerous studies through the years and tracked adults from 2006 to 2021.
The study also examined a person’s diet, smoking, drinking and exercise habits, as well as their genetic profile.
The results suggest we should not assume that we are either doomed or blessed by our inherited biology.
Don’t emulate the sedentary uncle who drank like a fish, denied the existence of vegetables and smoked five cigars daily until dying at age 105.
Outliers always exist. Lifestyle still matters.
The microscopic hitchhikers in our gut might be doing more than catching a ride. They could, on occasion, be driving the car.
Each of us hosts trillions of microbes in our gut. They’re essential for a healthy life, helping us digest food and maintain immunity. But do they have more than a physical impact on our bodies?
Do they also influence our notion of fair play?
That might seem like a stretch. But not to European researchers who investigated whether the bacteria, fungi and other residents of our gut could change social behavior.
They separated 101 participants into two groups. Half played the Ultimatum Game before and after taking probiotics and nutrients for several weeks that promote healthy gut bacteria. The others took a placebo.
The Ultimatum Game is a contest in which one player decides how to split a sum of cash with a second player. The second player can reject or accept the offer. So, one person given $10 might decide to give the second player $2.
Each gets the proposed cash split if the offer is accepted. If it’s rejected, neither gets a penny.
The study found participants taking the probiotic were much more likely to reject an offer than they were before taking the supplement. Not so for the placebo group.
Tests confirmed that the probiotic players had a different ratio of two key bacteria in their gut compared with the control group. Researchers think the altered gut influenced players’ brains, making them more likely to reject a sure cash payment to punish a cheapskate.
The work is a reminder of the complex internal chemistry that affects the mind and body — perhaps with a little help from our friends.
The next time you curse out the driver who cut you off or mutter expletives at the speed demon next to you, consider the fact that the driver might be a sleepy teen.
A National Sleep Foundation study found that the large number of teens who drive while tired poses a serious health concern.
The study surveyed U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 to assess the prevalence, frequency and perceived risk of drowsy driving. They were asked if they had driven while so tired they struggled to keep their eyes open and how often. They were also asked about their beliefs on drowsy driving and what prevented them from getting the necessary sleep to stay alert.
The study found that 1 in 6 teen drivers reported having driven while drowsy and estimated that over 400,000 teens drive drowsy at least once a week. Those with paying jobs were twice as likely to admit to drowsy driving compared with teens who didn’t work.
The study also found that 95% of teens agree that drowsy driving is risky, but they ranked it as having the lowest risk of death or serious injury behind drunk, drugged and distracted driving. In reality, drowsy driving accounts for a large portion of crashes. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 21% of fatal crashes involve a drowsy driver.
Study participants blamed work and school schedules for their lack of sleep. Researchers found that these time demands mean about 1.7 million teens have driven droopy-eyed and are at greater risk for drowsy driving-related consequences.
Vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among U.S. teens, but accidents caused by drowsy driving are preventable.
Before your teen hits the road, make sure they hit the hay.
Which came first, doomscrolling or depression?
In the 17 years that smartphones have been around, and in the past decade in which they became ubiquitous, young people’s rates of depression have been on the rise.
But which came first? A never-ending parade of peers showing off their perfect boyfriends, vacations and physiques, leading young people to feel “less than?” Or was depression to blame, leaving the young with little energy to do more than snoop on others’ online lives?
A team of Johns Hopkins Children’s Center researchers aimed to find out.
In their study, 376 young Canadians, mostly women, were asked to complete three online questionnaires between May 2021 and January 2022.
At each point, the participants reported symptoms via a nine-item quiz used to measure depression. They also answered questions about social media use, time spent outdoors, physical activity, their bedtime and cannabis use.
The researchers learned that most of the study’s participants had at least mild symptoms of depression.
They found that participants who used social media more tended to be more depressed. And vice versa.
But they couldn’t find a causal link between depression and social media.
They did find that those feeling depressed who spent a lot of time on social media spent less time outdoors, smoked more cannabis, stayed up later and avoided exercise.
So, the behaviors they were engaging in weren’t helping them feel better.
Here’s the takeaway: If you’re feeling depressed, be careful about the time you spend online. Get outdoors. Exercise. Go to bed at a reasonable time and don’t smoke cannabis. You can thank us later.
Microplastics are trending. They’re seemingly everywhere, most notably in the news. Scientists are finding them almost anywhere they look.
The oceans. The Arctic. The air. In polar bears. In fish. In our bodies.
And now they’ve been confirmed in a place that will get the close attention of at least half of the population — in testicles.
University of New Mexico researchers recently published findings from a study in which they analyzed the testes of dogs and humans, discovering several kinds of plastics.
Could these hitchhikers impact fertility?
Researchers took samples from neutered dogs and human donors who had been autopsied.
The study found a mean total of 329 micrograms of microplastics in the human samples and 122 in the dogs. Surprisingly, the types of plastic found differed between the species.
The human polymers were mostly the type found in plastic bags and bottles. The dogs’ samples revealed more synthetic resin found in plumbing supplies like PVC piping.
In a disquieting finding, scientists noted the sperm count of the dog testes decreased as the level of microplastics increased. Sperm counts could not be measured in the human samples because they came from cadavers.
Even so, the study authors say this finding in dogs is a red flag worth a closer look. Some scientists have noted declining human sperm count, although its significance on fertility is unclear.
Nobody is sure how microplastics end up in testes. One thought is that they were accidentally ingested, fanning out to different parts of the body via fat particles.
As any reformed spendthrift can attest, plastic is better left in the wallet.
Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases are devastating to individuals and the families who care for them. Family members are often left to watch helplessly as their loved one slowly succumbs to cognitive decline. Once-simple tasks become impossible and familiar faces become unrecognizable.
Now, there is new hope for the victims and families of this destructive group of diseases, in the form of a machine-learning algorithm.
It has been generally accepted by science that the clumping of microscopic proteins in the brain is deeply connected to dementia, but it is unknown why the clumping process happens in the first place. And it has been extremely challenging to study the tiny building blocks to draw any conclusions about how to combat the condition.
A free, open-source algorithm — developed by researchers in Denmark —can track these proteins clumping in real-time. Additionally, it can map and track the development and characteristics of the proteins that are part of dementia.
With the algorithm making it much easier to study the clumping proteins, researchers hope the development will lead to a greater understanding of dementia-related diseases as well as quicker development of new drugs and therapies.
The scientists are also applying the same tool to study the same kind of protein clumping in insulin molecules, which impact our ability to regulate blood sugar.
Ultimately, the researchers hope the algorithm will inspire a push to learn more about the shapes and functions of proteins and molecules.
While countless families have been impacted by the ravages of dementia, there is hope for more effective treatments in the future.
Some people view the explanation as an all-too-convenient excuse. And just try telling this to your boss after you slur words and act tipsy in a staff meeting.
“I don’t drink, boss. My gut, however, is a brewery.”
Yup, tell it to HR.
It is, however, a real condition. And it’s called auto-brewery syndrome, or ABS. While ABS is rarely diagnosed, stories of individuals with the disorder occasionally make headlines. Take the case of a wife who was so suspicious that her husband was a secret drinker that she set up a hidden camera to catch him in the act. All she saw was her spouse playing video games all day.
A Belgian man was recently acquitted of DUI after three doctors who examined him testified that they had medically confirmed his internal brewery.
As outlandish as ABS seems, researchers have previously discovered a straightforward biological explanation. The problem is that these individuals have fungus in their gut that ferments carbohydrates, converting them into ethanol.
Some people with ABS tend to be less affected by their self-brewed alcohol and might appear sober. However, many others exhibit the telltale signs of inebriation that can lead to the same mishaps and misunderstandings as a person who is drinking heavily. They get awful hangovers. If untreated, they can even die of alcohol poisoning.
The syndrome is more common in those diagnosed with diabetes, a bowel obstruction, or liver dysfunction. Doctors usually suggest patients cut dietary carbs and take an antifungal agent.
ABS won’t get you out of a jam absent clear medical evidence. So, better bring your doctor and a stack of test results to that meeting with HR.
The University of Florida’s Veterinary Community Outreach Program, or VCOP, at the College of Veterinary Medicine provides valuable synergy between veterinary education and supporting local animal welfare. Veterinary students gain crucial hands-on surgical and medical experience while simultaneously offering services that reduce pet overpopulation, improve shelter animal health, facilitate adoptions, and educate the community on responsible pet ownership. On this show, Dr. Simone Guerios, a clinical assistant professor who works with VCOP, will discuss how the program benefits not only the students’ clinical training but also the local sheltering community by increasing access to quality veterinary care, controlling animal populations, and promoting animal welfare practices.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be stressful and challenging for family members. All too often, families are unable to afford professional help. So, the burden can fall entirely on them.
A 2023 Alzheimer’s Association report notes that about 11 million people — family members and others — provide unpaid care for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. That amounts to 18 billion hours.
The association also notes that 70% of caregivers confirm that coordinating care is stressful. Three out of four say they have become concerned for their own health given the stress and difficulty of the job.
Of course, the demands of care increase as the disease progresses. Even so, people step up every day to face the challenge, to give all their energy and commitment to someone with whom they share a bond of love stronger than any hardship.
Experts say caring for a family member can actually strengthen those bonds. But the hardship is real, too.
They note that caregivers need to maintain their own health. It’s OK to seek help from extended family and friends. Alzheimer’s and dementia family support groups, both in person and virtual, can offer valuable advice.
Nobody, experts note, should be afraid of asking for that assistance. It is crucial to take care of yourself during a trying time.
Eat nutritiously. Exercise. Take a break when you can. Keep in touch with friends. Maintain your favorite hobby. Seek professional help if you feel depressed.
This will help a caregiver achieve this final and dignified expression of love for a spouse or other family member in a way that maintains them physically and mentally.
Scientists believe mammograms have helped reduce breast cancer mortality in the U.S. by almost 40 percent since 1990. That’s an enormous burden of human suffering erased. Yet, modern preventive medical procedures are sometimes taken for granted.
Do women know when they should begin getting mammograms? And how often? Confusion about timing can lead to delayed diagnoses of cancer.
The guidance has evolved over the years as science and research have advanced. The latest recommendations were recently issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in JAMA [JAM-uh], a leading peer-reviewed medical journal.
An independent panel of medical experts advises that women should begin getting mammograms every other year at age 40 and continue through age 74. Previous recommendations suggested starting at age 50.
The latest guidance applies to anyone assigned female at birth. Additionally, those with a family history of dense breasts or breast cancer are urged to follow the new recommendations.
Researchers said the latest science shows that starting mammograms earlier can save up to nearly 20% more lives than the earlier recommendations.
While some medical groups suggest getting a mammogram annually, the task force notes that screening every year results in a 50% greater chance of false-positive results. That can lead to unnecessary anxiety and increase medical costs.
It’s said that age is just a number, but when that number hits 40, the latest science says it’s a good idea to have a mammogram every other year.
As always, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor to discuss the procedure.
You might want to sit down for this. It turns out, while too much sitting can be bad for your health, not all kinds of sitting are equal.
How’s that? We’ve all been told that sitting too long raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems. But research suggests that leisure-time sitting has a greater risk of heart disease than sitting at work.
For more than eight years, Columbia University researchers followed nearly 4,000 people who reported how much time they spent sitting at home and how much they sat at work. They also reported how much time they spent exercising each week.
Those who watched TV for four or more hours a day had a 50% greater risk of heart problems and death compared with those who spent less than two hours a day in front of the TV. But those who sat the most at work had the same health risks as those who sat the least.
The difference appears to be what you do when you’re not sitting. Even moderate exercise like walking cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes for those who spent the most time sitting around at home. And those who exercised the recommended 150 minutes or more each week had no greater health risks even if they were glued to the tube for four or more hours a day.
The researchers said it could be that people who watch TV for hours rarely get up, while those at work move around more. Any kind of exercise, even walking around at work, is beneficial.
As for those workers who can’t get up and stretch, like truck drivers, the key may be to offset those down hours with as much physical activity as possible. What you do outside of work may be what really counts.
High-intensity exercise and time-restricted eating may improve health together, a recent study suggests.
Many diets and exercise regimens claim to hold the golden ticket to a healthier, fitter body. Now, a new study suggests that the winning formula might lie in the interaction between time-restricted eating and high-intensity functional exercise.
Researchers from Tunisia and their collaborators sought to explore the impact of these lifestyle interventions on body composition and cardiometabolic health.
The study enrolled 64 obese women and separated them into three groups. One practiced time-restricted eating, a second engaged in high-intensity exercise, and the third combined diet and exercise.
After just 12 weeks, all groups of participants experienced significant weight loss as well as reductions in waist and hip circumference. Furthermore, favorable changes in lipid and glucose levels were observed across the board.
Notably, the diet and exercise group saw results that outstripped the others. Participants who embraced both time-restricted eating and high-intensity exercise saw a more profound improvement in body composition and cardiometabolic parameters compared with their counterparts.
The study acknowledges its limitations, like its small sample size. But the implications are overwhelmingly positive. By merging dietary changes with targeted exercise, people may be able to enhance their well-being. Whether it’s shedding stubborn pounds or optimizing metabolic markers, the synergistic effects of these lifestyle interventions may offer a promising path toward a healthier, happier life.
Glenn Frey [Fry] said it best: “The heat is on.”
If you walk outside on the street these days, you’ll certainly have noticed the temperatures are headed up.
Due to climate change, the warmer weather lasts longer each year. To help you prepare, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Weather Service joined forces to create an interactive online tool called HeatRisk. This online dashboard helps people understand how the heat in your area affects your health and what you can do to protect yourself.
Instead of measuring by degrees, the forecast uses a five-level color scale — ranging from no risk to extreme risk — to indicate your health risk. The tool uses indicators such as heat index, air quality and humidity to offer guidance on how to handle the weather. Higher temperatures can lead to heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn and even heat rash.
Infants and children up to 4 years of age, people 65 and older, and those who are overweight or ill and take certain medications are most at risk from heat.
Planning for the heat is the best thing you can do to stay safe. Be sure to drink enough water and spend time in an air-conditioned room after your time outdoors. Also, consider lowering your body temperature with a cold shower.
And don’t forget your furry friends. Generally, when it’s 86 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, your dog is at risk for heatstroke. For some dogs, the threshold is even lower.
Keep your pets indoors as much as possible during the summer. If you must keep them outdoors, carve out a shady place and make sure their water bowl is filled. If it’s hot for you, they are definitely a hot dog.
Life as an American worker is challenging. Many of us work too hard and don’t get enough time off. Some employees don’t get sick time at all and lose pay if they skip a shift.
Even those with successful, lucrative careers see the work pile up when they take a day off. That work doesn’t get done if someone’s home in bed.
So, what do most of us do when we have a cold or bug? Take a sick day?
Not so much, as you might expect.
A new poll by the market research company Talker Research, found that the average American works 84 hours, or just over two work weeks a year, while sick with a cold or other virus.
About half the 2,000 adult workers surveyed said they would rather just power through their day than call in. A third worry about looking overly dramatic by staying home to rest and recover.
Many employees recall someone making a snide comment about how much they called in with an illness. That influences them to show up at the job to grind through the sneezes and sniffles.
Of course, these workers can infect the very people making the nasty remarks, who then presumably work through their own bug.
Americans will more often miss a social outing because of a cold or other virus. The average respondent missed 17 social events because of illness.
Seasonal allergies affect nearly half the adults surveyed. The poll notes this group hesitates to take a sick day because of what co-workers might think.
Employer and employee benefit from a sick day. A worker distracted by a cold is invariably going to have performance issues. That can impact job safety and increase mistakes.
And that’s nothing to sneeze at.
Regardless of your stress, a new study posits one easy solution to combat it: getting adequate exercise.
Yes, that’s correct — another health study in favor of moving your body. In this case, scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital discovered a possible association between physical activity, stress reduction and cardiovascular health.
After analyzing data from over 50,000 participants, researchers found those who met physical activity guidelines of getting 150 minutes of moderly intense exercise weekly slashed their risk of cardiovascular disease by 23%.
What was even more intriguing is that the results indicated individuals with higher physical activity levels exhibited lower stress-related brain activity, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. In the modern vernacular, they were chill or, at the least, chiller.
For those battling mental health conditions, like depression, that can be influenced by stress, exercise magnifies cardiovascular benefits. In this group, physical activity effectively halved the risk of cardiovascular disease, emphasizing the benefits of exercise on both brain function and heart health.
As with most preliminary studies, questions remain. For example, further research is needed to delve deeper into the mechanisms linking physical activity, brain health and cardiovascular resilience, or the system’s ability to recover from stress.
Clinicians now have a powerful prescription at their disposal. It doesn’t come in a bottle. And pharmacists can’t help with the proper dosage unless they’re also wearing a tracksuit.
So lace up the sneakers, work those muscles and don’t sweat the stress. Well… you know what we mean.
Ladies, please take note. Whether it’s hitting the gym, going for a walk, playing tennis, or simply climbing the stairs at your job for an office workout, new data supports why you might want to embrace an active lifestyle.
A new study from the University of Sydney in Australia emphasizes the positive impact of consistent physical activity on women’s health-related quality of life throughout middle age.
Researchers examined the long-term effects of exercise on women’s well-being. Unlike previous studies, which often relied on short-term trials, this study tracked more than 11,000 participants over fifteen years.
Women consistently adhering to the World Health Organization-recommended guidelines of 150 minutes of exercise a week enjoyed more robust markers of good health compared with their less active counterparts. Even those who began meeting the guidelines later in life, around age 55, experienced improvements in health.
Notably, these benefits persisted even after accounting for different socioeconomic factors and pre-existing health conditions. From enhanced physical functioning to improved overall well-being, the advantages of staying active were encouraging across the board.
Although the study didn’t find a significant association between physical activity and improved mental health, the message remains clear: Prioritizing physical activity throughout life yields tangible benefits for women’s health.
Diets and medication can take you only so far. Exercise is always the best ingredient for good health, longevity and the happiness it brings.
It’s never too late to reap the rewards of an active lifestyle — and, in fact, it might just be what the doctor ordered.
All exercise improves health unless your morning jog takes you down a narrow, rock-strewn path over a high cliff.
Whether you cycle, run or swim, anything that gets the heart beating faster will improve longevity. It will help steer you away from cardiovascular disease and other ailments like diabetes.
Few people, however, give much thought to the time of their workouts. Does it matter? New research shows that it does for at least one group.
A study from the University of Sydney shows that obese individuals most benefit from evening exercise, between 6 p.m. and midnight. Moderate to vigorous exercise significantly lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and early death, compared with afternoon or morning workouts.
Moderate to vigorous exercise might include a brisk walk, gardening or cycling. Think about anything that makes the heart beat faster.
Researchers tracked 30,000 people who took part in the UK Biobank study for eight years, detailing their exercise and health outcomes. Evening exercisers had a 61% lower risk of death from any cause compared with a sedentary group.
Morning and afternoon exercisers lowered their risk by 33% and 40%, respectively.
Night owls reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease twice as much as those who exercised at other times.
One theory for why this might be is that the body is better primed later in the day to manage its blood sugar, increasing the beneficial effect of exercise. And evening exercise plays an important role in blood pressure regulation.
Still, don’t let evening obligations stop you from exercising. But you can’t go wrong, whatever time of day you increase your heart rate.
Hold onto your team-logoed ballcaps and giant foam fingers.
A new study by Japanese scientists found that watching sports is good for us. More specifically, frequent sports viewing may rewire our brains — in a good way.
Beyond its entertainment value, it’s long been known that sports foster a sense of belonging and community. But little scientific study had been devoted to understanding why.
Here’s how the researchers came to their findings.
First, they analyzed publicly available data on the influence of sports-watching on 20,000 Japanese adults. That confirmed an ongoing pattern of reported elevated well-being associated with sports viewing.
Then they conducted an online experiment with more than 200 people. They showed various sports videos and assessed participants’ well-being before and after. They found that more popular sports, like baseball, had more impact on well-being than less popular sports, like golf. (Sorry, Tiger.)
The final part of the study used neuroimaging to look at changes in brain activity following sports viewing.
Researchers took MRIs from 14 able-bodied Japanese adults as they watched sports clips. Watching the clips triggered the participants’ reward circuits, indicating happiness.
Here’s where it got really interesting: They found that participants who reported more frequent sports viewing often had more gray matter volume in parts of the brain tied to reward. Scientists said that suggests regular sports viewing may gradually induce changes in brain structure.
The study, however, did not explore the health effects of 14 trips to the kitchen or concession stand for beer and hot dogs.
Is it impossible for meat options to be healthier than a juicy Beyond Burger?
Think again, friend.
Researchers in Singapore conducted a study of adults at risk for diabetes, comparing the health effects of plant-based meat substitutes to traditional meats.
The study included nearly 90 adults at risk for Type 2 diabetes. Over an eight-week span, half of the group ate meat. The other half ate meat substitutes made from plants.
The analysis, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found no significant heart health benefits for meat or the substitutes.
They reviewed study participants bad cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure, among other health indicators. They found no significant changes in cholesterol profiles for either diet, although both diets led to improvements in blood sugar.
In one smaller group that closely monitored their blood sugar, the meat eaters managed their blood sugar levels better.
Animal meat contains more protein while plant-based meat has more sodium, potassium and calcium. Therefore, the study suggests, better blood sugar levels may come from traditional meat’s low-carbohydrate, high-protein composition.
While much research has found that plant-based diets hold many health-related benefits, all plant-based meat alternatives are not created equal. Some are heavily processed and may not be a good primary source of protein.
The researchers said they hope their study will encourage the food industry to continue working toward more nutritious plant-based meat alternatives.
No matter your burger preference, doesn’t it seem like a good time to fire up the grill?
If you “slept like a dog” last night, it probably means you didn’t have one in bed, draped across your legs like a heavy blanket that occasionally licks your toes.
Indeed, even sleeping in the same room as your dog risks ruining a good night’s sleep. A dog can be like an erratic alarm clock randomly waking you through the night.
A study by researchers at Trinity College in Connecticut questioned more than 1,500 Americans about their sleep habits. About half of this representative sample of adults reported sleeping in the same room as their pet for at least part of the night. The other half didn’t sleep with pets close by.
Scientists found that adults who slept with their dogs either in bed or in the same room reported poorer sleep quality and more insomnia. That’s compared with those who either didn’t have pets or kept them clear of the bedroom.
Cats are another story. Apparently, felines are less of a sleep nuisance. An explanation for that remains elusive, like that red laser dot a cat can never catch.
More than nine out of 10 people who snuggled snoozily with their pets believed the animals had a positive or neutral effect on sleep.
Scientists note that sleep affects all of our body’s systems. It helps our brains reset, clears out waste products and promotes overall health.
Any dog owner can attest to the mental health value of keeping a pet nearby. Dogs also encourage exercise. We walk and play with them. They’re not harming you like a pack of cigarettes. Still, sleep is important.
If you can’t bear the thought of moving this bedtime companion to another room, one solution makes sense.
Get a bigger mattress.
Tossing and turning. Watching the clock with dread as another minute ticks by. Feeling helpless thinking about how tired you will be the next day.
Insomnia is a burden carried by about 30% of adults in the United States. That’s nearly one-third of the country operating at a sleep deficit.
Of course, insomnia can cause a wide range of serious health conditions, including diabetes, obesity, heart attack, stroke and hypertension. Insomnia can also hinder one’s ability to learn, focus and adapt.
While a one-size-fits-all solution for insomnia has yet to be discovered, researchers continue to find ways to help those who are sleep-challenged.
Based on evidence in a new study, scientists say exercise — specifically, consistency of exercise over time — may be one of the best treatments for insomnia. The study, based out of Reykjavík University in Iceland, looked at exercise and sleep data for more than 4,300 adults over a 10-year period.
Study participants ages 39 to 67 who were consistently active were 55% more likely to be deemed normal sleepers — which means getting between six and nine hours of sleep each night. Participants who became active during the study were 21% more likely to be normal sleepers. The study adjusted for certain factors like age, sex, body mass index and smoking history.
Experts say you don’t have to become a fitness guru. Any amount of exercise is helpful, even if it’s a quick walk around the block. The important thing is just to start. And once you’ve started, stick with it.
If you’ve given up on counting sheep and are looking for a healthy, natural way to improve your sleep routine — get active.
Money talks.
And sometimes it tells us to take a walk.
A team of University of Pennsylvania researchers wanted to study the best ways to motivate people to walk more.
Their yearlong study involved 1,062 participants, age 67 on average, who had a higher-than-average risk for cardiovascular disease. The study participants already were becoming more active and were averaging about 2.4 miles, or 5,000 steps, a day.
The exercisers were separated into four groups. Everyone got a wearable step-tracking device.
The first group received daily messages about their step counts. The second group was set up like a game, with points lost or won based on meeting step goals. Trophies awaited those who walked most.
A third group was given financial incentives to walk, with $14 a week for meeting daily step goals but losing $2 if they fell short.
And the fourth group could participate in the game approach and earn the financial incentives.
Perhaps little surprise, but the group that could earn money and win prizes increased their step counts the most. They added about 40 minutes of moderate exercise to their weekly routine and stuck with their increased activity for at least six months after the study.
The researchers said those activity improvements would translate to a 10% decline in risk for a cardiovascular-related death.
So if you’re in need of motivation, maybe try one of several gamified exercise apps, which offer gift cards for coffee or other prizes for achieved goals. Some apps feel like an interactive game, with the user unlocking new game levels by meeting fitness challenges.
So gets your shoes on, it’s game time.
The fat-tailed dwarf lemur is exceptional at choosing food that is nutritionally dense and likely to help it thrive in the wild. The same might be true for humans wanting to thrive in their lives.
Research published in the journal Appetite found that humans may have the ability to intuitively choose foods based on the different types of micronutrients the foods provide.
In the study, authors looked at whether people selected multiple food items that would provide a range of different vitamins and minerals when eaten together. Participants were shown different pictures of pairings of vegetables and fruit, and asked which they favored. In both experiments, participants picked photos of foods that had a greater variety of micronutrients.
Then, analyzing data from a larger diet and nutrition survey, the study’s authors found that typical meal combinations people made increased the breadth of nutrients they consumed.
Although there is no evidence to shed light on how a person might respond to their body’s need for a specific nutrient, British sailors who suffered from scurvy often found themselves almost immediately craving fruits and vegetables.
But sometimes, the processed food industry can capitalize on our natural knack for nutrient-sourcing. For example, our North Star of micronutrients is typically our taste buds. When processed foods are imbued with artificial flavors or synthetic flavoring, it can make us believe we are eating something more nutritious than we actually are.
So, while we may not be as sensible about food as a lemur, when we do make nutritious choices, we can trust we’ll pick the best combinations.
What if we told you about an exercise that can be done just about anywhere, builds strength, tightens your abs and can lower blood pressure?
All you need is a wall.
The wall sit — sometimes called a wall squat — is one of those exercises, like planks, that offer a big return on investment.
A recent British study suggests that isometric exercises can help reduce blood pressure more effectively than other types of physical activity, including aerobic, weight training or high-intensity interval workouts.
An isometric exercise is a static contraction, without joint movement.
The research reviewed 270 randomized controlled trials with nearly 16,000 participants. They found that, overall, isometric exercise training was the most effective exercise for lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A regular isometric routine of wall sits lowered systolic blood pressure by 10 milligrams of mercury and diastolic pressure by 5.
The study notes that just eight minutes of isometric exercise, three times a week, can reduce blood pressure in a meaningful way.
Before starting wall sits, remember to work your way up. Your upper thigh muscles, or quadriceps, are going to feel these.
Find a wall and stand with your back to it. Take a couple steps forward, feet hip-width apart. Slide your back down the wall until your knees are at a 90-degree angle, like you’re sitting in a chair. If you can’t hold the position, scoot up a bit.
The goal: hold the wall sit for two minutes, rest for two minutes and repeat four times.
Imagine: You can get stronger legs and lower your blood pressure just by sitting — without a chair.
Tattoos are now mainstream. They were once relegated to tough guys and the biceps of sailors who wanted to celebrate anchors and their mothers, not necessarily in that order. That was another age. Today, they’re a means of personal expression for people of all walks of life. An art form.
That art, however, can come with a secret ingredient.
Researchers at Binghamton University in New York found that inks commonly sold in the United States often contain substances not listed on their labels. They analyzed the ink of 10 U.S. manufacturers, large and small.
About 90% of the 54 inks they studied had unlisted additives. While some of these pose no threat to health, others do. The study noted half the inks contained polyethylene glycol, which can cause organ damage with repeated exposure. Some contained allergens. Researchers even found antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections.
It’s hard to know who is responsible for the mislabeling. Manufacturers, for example, might get ingredients that have been unknowingly contaminated elsewhere.
The health implications are unclear. The study notes that allergic reactions on the skin can occur, especially with red pigments. And these can sometimes be quite severe.
European tattoo ink is less troublesome because it is more tightly regulated. Congress didn’t authorize the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate ink here until 2022.
The researchers say their goal is to empower tattoo artists and their customers. They urge the ink industry to re-evaluate production processes and implement better labeling.
The industry, after all, doesn’t want a stain on its reputation.
These microscopic creatures have cute nicknames. Water bear. Or Moss piglet. Scientists call them tardigrades [taar·duh·graydz]. They have the rare ability to suspend their metabolism.
That makes them remarkably resilient. They are seemingly impossible to destroy. If humans were as indestructible, we could shoot you into orbit without a spacesuit at breakfast and you’d be well enough to dine on Earth for lunch.
In fact, tardigrades have survived experiments in which they were exposed to space.
These tiny moss piglets can survive in the most severe environments on the planet, in or out of water. They can weather extreme heat and cold, radiation hundreds of times higher than a lethal human dose and a lack of air. They can be starved and dehydrated. Still, they go on.
That got scientists thinking: Is there something in the tardigrade’s body chemistry that might prove useful to human health?
A recent University of Wyoming study suggests tardigrade proteins might allow medication to be stored without refrigeration. They could also open the door to anti-aging medication in the future.
The creatures survive harsh environments because body proteins produce a gel in cells that protect them when threatened. This puts them into suspended animation.
The researchers exposed human cells to these proteins and watched in astonishment as they slowed their metabolism, too.
When the stress disappears, the gels vanish as well, meaning the process is reversible.
More research is needed before scientists know if the ability to protect human cells is science fiction or science fact.
So for now, that family vacation to Mars will have to wait.
Less stress is best. But sometimes tough situations are unavoidable. A new study shows that how we view these situations can make a huge impact on our mental and physical well-being.
Researchers in the UK believe they have found a link showing that those who view stressful situations as a threat are more likely to experience negative mental and physical health outcomes.
On the other hand, those who view stress as a challenge to be conquered were less likely to see negative mental and physical stress-related conditions.
The subjects who viewed stress as a threat reported feeling overwhelmed by stress and could not readily access personal coping mechanisms. This group was shown to be at a higher risk for developing depression and more susceptible to physical ailments like cold and flu.
While this notion was first theorized years ago, this study is believed to be the first to closely explore how people can have different health outcomes based on how they approach stress.
The researchers said they hope their findings can help physicians identify patients who may be at a greater risk of developing health issues based on their stress response. They also believe the individuals who reported being overwhelmed by stress can be taught coping strategies to shift their perspective.
It’s no secret that stress can take a toll on our health. Thanks to this study, we now have greater insight into how and why stress can get the best of us, mentally and physically.
The next time you’re feeling overburdened, try to rise to the challenge rather than admit defeat. Simply put: Choose to look on the bright side.
For women who take running seriously, your sports bra can be friend or foe.
A new study suggests that wearing a sports bra with an underband that is too snug can impair breathing and cause athletes to run less efficiently.
The study monitored the breathing and lung function of nine elite runners as they wore a sports bra with an underband that could be adjusted tightly, loosely or at a tension chosen by the runner. Th athletic apparel brand Lululemon funded reseach by the University of British Columbia.
The women ran with a catheter in their esophagus to monitor their breathing.
Study participants’ rib sizes measured from 30 to 34 inches and they wore a B or C cup.
As they ran wearing tight underbands, they took more frequent, shallow breaths. Once the bands were loosened, the runners needed less oxygen and ran more efficiently.
When selecting a sports bra, women — especially those with a larger bust size — often opt for a tighter bra to prevent chafing and movement.
Going from a tighter underband to a looser one gave the runners, on average, a 1.3% improvement in running economy. Over a three-hour marathon, a 2% improvement would shave three minutes.
While earlier research found that women with larger breasts enjoy better running economy when wearing high-support sports bras, those studies didn’t focus on underband tightness.
The takeaway message for those fleet of foot is that sports bras matter. Support is important, but don’t overlook how it affects your breathing.
And if sports bra manufacturers can make one that isn’t impossible to peel off after a sweaty workout, female weekend warriors will celebrate.
Golfing, yard work, hunting and woodworking are enjoyable weekend pastimes for some men. Now, it turns out those activities may heighten the risk of neurodegenerative disease.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that certain recreational activities are linked to a higher risk of amyotrophic [ey-my-uh-trof-ik] lateral sclerosis, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The incurable disorder affects nerve cell function in the brain and spinal cord.
Scientists already knew that working in manufacturing or trade industries is linked to an increased risk of ALS. After work activities that affect the odds of ALS are now coming into focus. The researchers found that golf was associated with a three times greater risk of developing ALS. Yardwork and hunting also heightened the risk, although to a lesser degree than golf.
The risk is notably gender specific. When the researchers looked at women’s recreational activities, there was no significant association with ALS.
None of the hobbies were linked to earlier onset of ALS in men or women.
While the researchers aren’t quite sure what’s driving the higher risk among men who take part in certain activities, they have a theory. Other studies have pointed to lifetime environmental exposures as a precursor to ALS. That means golfing and yardwork could carry more ALS risk due to things like pesticide exposure.
Next, the researchers want to learn more about which activities present the greatest ALS risk, and why men are disproportionately affected. They also caution that much more research needs to be done — so don’t put those clubs away just yet.
Whether it’s an overly zealous use of air conditioning or a frigid January morning, you and other mammals have one thing in common: You can sense when it’s cold. But until recently, science had lagged in figuring out just precisely how we know we need an extra sweater.
Now, researchers from the University of Michigan have drilled down into what, exactly, allows us to “detect” that the temperature has dropped — specifically below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Using prior research that identified the first cold-sensing receptor protein (in a tiny worm, no less), researchers conducted experiments to examine animals’ behavior in reaction to temperature changes and other stimuli.
In this case, mice that were missing a protein called GluK2 showed no response to icy temperatures, but responded normally to hot, warm and even cool temperatures.
Interestingly, the protein is typically found in the brain, where it acts as an operator — triaging various chemical signals to enable communication between neurons.
But GluK2 is also found in sensory neurons across the peripheral nervous system — outside the brain and spinal cord, in other words — where it takes on its cold-sensing properties, processing temperature cues instead of chemical signals to let us know when we feel cold.
Why does this matter? First, it simply adds to the knowledge base scientists have about thermosensation, in general.
As one example of why it’s relevant: Patients undergoing chemotherapy tend to feel cold in an acute, even painful way — and this could help us understand why.
For now, that’s pretty “cool” on its own — pun intended.
Broccoli is the vegetable some of us love to hate. The first President Bush famously banned it from Air Force One. Kids make faces at it. Few dogs keep it on their list of acceptable table scraps.
Ice cream it is not.
We all might want to re-evaluate our broccoli angst. This power vegetable continues to prove it is one of the healthiest foods. Broccoli contains an abundance of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. It is thought to reduce inflammation, support heart health and slow aging. Broccoli does everything but drive the kids to school.
Now scientists have discovered another potential benefit: preventing and treating a stroke.
Australian researchers say they’ve found a natural compound in the vegetable that can help prevent blood clots leading to strokes. Better still, the compound appears to enhance other clot-busting medications often given in a stroke’s aftermath.
One agent often given stroke patients is a blood-thinner called tissue plasminogen [plaz·mi·nuh·jn] activator, or tPA.
The compound found in broccoli sprouts, called sulforaphane [suhl·faw·ruh·fayn], triples tPA’s effectiveness at busting clots. And the compound didn’t have the side effect sometimes seen with tPA — brain bleeding.
This natural compound opens the door to potential medications that could one day benefit millions of people globally.
And to be fair to broccoli, many people love it. Its popularity has soared in the last 30 years. It does have its presidential fan club. Thomas Jefferson planted broccoli seeds at Monticello. And President Obama once called the veggie his favorite food.
Take that, carrots.
Everyone knows the potential harm from vehicles’ tailpipe emissions. Now, scientists are turning an eye to the lesser-known particles created by brakes.
When it comes to brake particles, it’s a classic good news-bad news situation. Researchers don’t know a lot about brake particles, although some evidence suggests they may be more harmful than tailpipe emissions. But because most of those brake particles are electrically charged, they might someday help reduce tailpipe emissions.
Scientists at the University of California, Irvine determined that 80% of the aerosol particles created by vehicle braking carry an electric charge. In fact, many of them are highly charged. To learn this, the researchers attached a brake rotor and caliper to a large lathe and analyzed the particles.
The California team is just starting to understand the health effects and toxicity of brake particles. Early findings suggest the particles may play a role in oxidative stress, which can lead to cell damage.
The amount of electrically charged particles varies with the composition of brake pads. And because they carry a charge, removing them from the air could be relatively easy. The researchers say the removal could be as simple as collecting the particles with an electrostatic device that whisks them away.
The recent findings have important implications for lower-income neighborhoods. Because those areas tend to be traffic-heavy, the effects of brake dust on urban air pollution may be more pronounced.
Until science delivers a firm solution, consider heeding the well-worn advice for new drivers: Easy on the gas, easy on the brakes.
The adage about an apple a day aside, it turns out that an avocado a day just may be enough to improve the nutritional quality of your diet.
According to a new study from Penn State University, the average American diet leaves much to be desired — and poor diet quality is one of the risk factors for several diseases, including heart disease.
When it comes to the agreed-upon key dietary recommendations put together by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most of us fall short. Now, new research indicates that a single avocado could save the day — and how much nutrition we pack into it.
Typically, only 2% of the population consumes avocados regularly. Researchers wanted to see if regular consumption of the nutrient-dense, fiber-rich food could have a positive impact on diet quality.
The study included more than 1,000 participants who were placed in two groups: In the first group, folks continued their usual diet and limited their avocado intake during the 26-week study. In the second, each participant incorporated a daily avocado in their diet.
Researchers noted that not only did those who ate an avocado daily show an increased adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans — they also found that participants were substituting avocadoes, packed with healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, in place of common food items high in sodium or other undesirable nutritional traits.
Of course, more research is needed, but while an avocado a day is no cure-all, it’s certainly a tasty place to start.
Scientists around the world who hope to avert the next pandemic have a plan.
A team of 25 international scientists wants to do so by conserving natural areas and protecting biodiversity. They believe this might be a better strategy than containing a pathogen already circulating in humans.
In short, they want to keep animal populations fed and safe to limit their contact with humans and, consequently, their ability to transfer pathogens to us.
Pandemics begin when disease-harboring animals, such as bats, come in proximity to people, livestock or other critters. Viruses that have spread to humans via bats include several varieties of the coronavirus, Nipah [knee-pah], Hendra and, likely, Ebola. The consequences can be deadly.
The international team of researchers, led by Cornell University, devised its strategy after two scientific papers in 2022 examined how the fatal Hendra virus moved from bats to horses to people. The research found that when bats lose their natural habitats and sources of winter food, their large populations fracture into smaller groups that migrate to agricultural and urban areas.
And when bats become stressed, whether by not getting enough to eat or being forced to leave their roost, they shed more virus in their urine. When the food supply returns, so do the bats, and they stop shedding virus.
The team of scientists calls for protecting lands that buffer bats from people. This could ensure they have enough food and that humans and animals in contact with bat populations have sufficient protection.
If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, just imagine the payoff in avoiding another pandemic.
Picture this: You sit down at a gourmet restaurant. The candelight is warm. The atmosphere is posh. And your dinner plate holds the entrée that’s been the talk of the town — an array of vegetables, carefully seasoned around the piece de resistance: mold.
Before the record screech, let’s clarify: We mean the humble mushroom. In a recent study, researchers at UC Berkeley have been fiddling with genes in koji mold, the substance used in East Asia to ferment different starches into consumables like sake, soy sauce and miso for hundreds of years.
Using gene editing software, researchers are tweaking the fungus to contain nutritional traits commonly found in meat — like increasing the production of heme [heem], an iron-based molecule most plentiful in animal tissues, and what gives most meat its unique taste. The scientists also boosted the koji mold’s ability to produce an antioxidant unique to fungi that is associated with a healthy cardiovascular system, giving the fungi the best of both worlds.
Though more work is needed, the study points to fungi as an easy-to-grow protein source that doesn’t require a laundry list of fillers and other ingredients commonly found in many existing meat substitutes. It also demonstrates the improvements in the field of synthetic biology as a whole, highlighting the profound impact a gene-editing software like CRISPR-Cas9 [Crisper-Kaz-9], the one used in the study, can have on future research.
Now, eating a mushroom patty may never be quite the same as chowing down on a medium-rare burger, but maybe it doesn’t have to be. At this rate, it’s possible that soon, you might not even notice the difference.
For licorice fans, this news might be hard to swallow: Even small amounts of the soft, chewy candy can cause high blood pressure.
It has been well known that large servings of licorice can spike blood pressure. Now, it turns out that even a little bit can do the same. The culprit is the plant root that is used to make licorice. The root contains a specific acid that acts on the body’s fluid balance through an enzyme in the kidney. That, in turn, boosts high blood pressure and can heighten the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers in Sweden concluded that up to 100 milligrams of the plant acid found in licorice is probably a safe amount for most people. However, it’s not so easy to determine how much glycyrrhizic [glyss-yr-rhi-zick] acid is in each licorice brand. Its concentration can vary based on where the candy is made, how it’s stored and what licorice root species is used. To further complicate matters, labels don’t always note the amount of acid.
During the study, women and men 18 to 30 years old were told to eat either licorice or a control product that contained no licorice. The control product contained an ingredient that tasted like licorice. Participants were randomly assigned to eat the licorice or the control product for two weeks and then switch to the other variety for two weeks.
Participants recorded their blood pressure at home every day. The researchers then measured various health metrics, including heart workload, salt balance and several key hormones.
The message is clear for licorice lovers: Aim for quality and enjoyment over quantity.
Devotees of intermittent fasting, take note: One such eating plan has been linked to a substantially higher risk of cardiovascular death.
Researchers with the American Heart Association concluded recently that people who limit their eating to less than eight hours a day were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those who ate during a 12- to 16-hour window.
Eating all meals within an eight-hour window has become an increasingly popular variant of intermittent fasting. Other research has shown it can improve several cardiometabolic health measures, including blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
For their study, the researchers tracked more than 20,000 U.S. adults with an average age of 49. Their health metrics and eating habits were followed for eight to 17 years. Those who ate during an eight-hour window had a 91% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
As the intermittent fasting time window expanded, the risk of dying from a stroke or heart disease dropped a bit. Those whose meals were spread out over eight to 10 hours had a 66% higher risk of death compared with those who ate in a 12- to 16-hour time frame.
And there were other findings related to intermittent fasting and mortality: Time-restricted eating didn’t reduce the overall risk of death from any cause. Among those with cancer, eating over a 16-hour period each day was associated with a lower risk of death from that disease.
So, what’s the big-picture message about dieting and cardiovascular risk? The researchers recommend a more cautious, personalized approach to intermittent fasting.
Caveman Bob forages for a diet largely made up of fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes, if he’s lucky, he eats meat. He doesn’t overthink it. Bob is full and happy.
Now, let’s say Caveman Bob finds himself in a modern grocery store.
Bob is not happy. Most of what he sees doesn’t look like food. It’s all in boxes or bags or processed into something unrecognizable.
As simple as this caveman may be, he’s one up on modern humans when it comes to nutrition.
A recent study led by researchers from Israel offers further evidence that we all should swap junk food for fiber-based goodies like fruits and vegetables.
The study focused on a recently discovered but long-running key player in healthy intestinal flora — a bacteria known as ruminococcus [room-in-oh-cockus]. The microbe is key to breaking down the stringy cellulose that makes up fiber in the gut.
The researchers established that ruminococcus is more closely related to the ancestors of microbes found in modern cows, sheep and deer — also known as ruminants — than to the gut microbes of our own primate ancestors.
Thanks to dietary changes in industrialized societies, the microbe isn’t as abundant as it once was.
The bacteria still thrive in hunter-gatherer and rural societies but are absent or barely present in samples from people in industrialized cultures.
This is notable because fiber is key to healthy gut flora. With fewer healthy bacteria available to break fiber down, it can be tough to get the nutrients we need for a complete diet and balanced energy.
The answer is simple for those who would grab a bag of chips over a banana: Be like Bob. Eat more fiber.
The list of risk factors for Type 2 diabetes is a long one. Eating a poor, sugar-rich diet. A sedentary lifestyle. Obesity. Here’s another one you probably haven’t thought about: sleep.
A study by Swedish researchers shows that night owls who only get three to five hours of sleep a day increase their risk of diabetes. That’s compared with people who get seven or eight hours.
Scientists have previously associated diabetes risk with lack of sleep. What makes this study interesting is that it found that even those who eat a healthy diet still had elevated odds of getting diabetes if they didn’t sleep enough.
That underscores the importance of sleep in maintaining good health.
Investigators used data from the UK Biobank. This is a study of half a million Brits who have been genetically mapped and answered questions about their health and lifestyle. Participants were tracked for 10 years.
Of course, disease risk can differ from person to person. The impact of sleep deprivation depends largely on genetics.
None of this is reason to ditch a good diet. The study showed that people with a healthy diet lowered their disease risk. But they got a bonus if they slept well.
Those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes have difficulty processing glucose, or sugar. They cannot adequately absorb insulin in their cells, which keeps blood sugar high. And that causes a host of issues over time, including damage to nerves and blood vessels.
Getting a good night’s sleep is a health imperative. Failing to do so has been shown to raise the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
Chronic fatigue can be a killer.
Blink once if you can hear this. Blink twice if you want to know what your blinking says about your health.
All of us blink on average 14 to 17 times every minute, according to the Cleveland Clinic. That means if you were to sleep 8 hours at night, you would blink somewhere between 13,000 and 16,000 times a day.
Blinking serves several purposes. It keeps the surface of our cornea clean and protects our eyes from approaching objects.
However, a change in your blinking habits might point to a health problem. Slow or infrequent blinking can be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease. Several studies have found that the rate of a spontaneous blink aligns with the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. The lower our dopamine level, the more we fixate on one object and the less we blink.
Conversely, increased blinking indicates sleepiness. Those who are suffering from pain or experiencing very bright lights blink more frequently.
Excessive blinking often occurs when our body attempts to overcompensate for dry eye disease, such as Sjogren’s [show-grins] syndrome. Dry eye disease is common for those who use screens at work.
Experts encourage you to adopt a “blind working” technique to give your eyes a break. Blind working involves closing your eyes during brief breaks in your workday, such as during a telephone call or waiting for a program to load on your computer. This approach combats the effects of heightened screen time, which is known to damage the glands that keep our eyes healthy.
After all, life goes by in the blink of an eye — or two — so be sure to protect them.
Turns out, artificial sweeteners are not so sweet for our hearts. Diet beverages were once the rage as a seemingly healthier alternative to sodas and other sugary drinks. But time has shown that the wannabe sweeteners in those drinks aren’t necessarily a good replacement for sugar.
In fact, researchers in China have uncovered a connection between artificially sweetened beverages and atrial fibrillation, or A-fib. A-fib is when the heart beats irregularly, and often very fast. People with this condition often describe it as feeling like a flutter in their chest.
A-fib is the leading cause of stroke in the United States. It can also increase the risk of blood clots, heart failure, heart attack and dementia. And the number of people impacted by A-fib is on the rise.
In the recent study, scientists explored the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages, artificially sweetened beverages and pure fruit juice. The results indicated that drinking the equivalent of a medium fast food diet soda per day raised the risk of A-fib by 20%.
Those who drank a comparable amount of sugar-sweetened drinks saw a 10% increase in their risk of developing A-fib. And those who drank about 4 ounces of pure, unsweetened fruit juice reduced their risk of A-fib by 8%.
The researchers said that because individual diets can be so different, they couldn’t definitively say one beverage is riskier than another.
But ultimately, the study strongly points to a natural choice being the better one.
So, If you want to really be sweet to yourself, ditch the manmade drinks and grab a juice. Preferably unsweetened.
Proponents of a vegan diet point to its numerous health benefits. It promotes weight loss, improves heart health, is beneficial to gut health and might reduce the risk of some cancers.
Now, vegans have something else to brag about. They appear to have a lower risk of contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Brazilian researchers say a predominantly plant-based diet might reduce the risk by as much as 39%.
Scientists set out to examine the interplay between diet and the incidence, severity and duration of COVID-19. They recruited about 700 people in the spring and summer of 2022, separating them into two groups: omnivores and those on a plant-based diet.
Participants were asked about their eating patterns, medical history and coronavirus vaccination status. The age and sex of group members were similar across groups. Scientists noticed, however, that the plant eaters were more likely to be highly educated. The meat-eaters tended to be heavier.
The study found that vegans had a significantly lower incidence of COVID-19 and that omnivores tended to get sicker when infected. No change in the duration of symptoms was noted.
Researchers say a plant-based diet can positively influence the health of immune cells that play a role in the body’s ability to fight infection.
So, it’s not surprising that investigators recommend a vegan diet. Even so, they say more research must be done to determine how diet impacts COVID.
Still, it’s hard to go wrong with a vegetarian diet while waiting for scientists’ final word. It’d be a different story, of course, if greasy hamburgers were found to protect us from the disease.
Many years ago, the television set was dubbed “the electronic babysitter.” And what parent hasn’t used it for that purpose, if only to get a short respite? Now, new research suggests there’s a downside to putting your toddler in front of the TV too often.
Toddlers and babies who get too much TV time may be more likely to show atypical behaviors such as disengagement from activities. They also tend to crave more intense stimulation and are more likely to get overwhelmed by bright lights and loud sounds than children who get less screen time. That’s the upshot of a study by Drexel University researchers, who studied the habits of nearly 1,500 children nationwide.
To establish their findings, the team analyzed the TV and video-watching habits of babies and toddlers at 12, 18 and 24 months of age. At 33 months, their sensory processing was measured with a questionnaire answered by their parents or caregivers.
The researchers found that even modest amounts of screen time were likely to have an effect on very young children. Among 1-year-olds, any screen exposure was associated with a 105% greater likelihood of “high” sensory behavior. That includes such actions as excessively touching objects or being overly upset by lights and noises. At 18 and 24 months of age, each additional hour of daily screen time resulted in at least a 20% increase in the odds of high-sensory behavior.
So, what’s a parent to do? The American Academy of Pediatrics has an idea: No screen time for kids less than two years old.
As tempting as it is, parents should strongly consider sidelining the electronic babysitter.
Envy the fruit bat. They can eat twice their body weight in sugary fruit without spiking blood sugar endangering their health. In fact, you’ll see a unicorn in the wild before you find a fruit bat with diabetes.
We humans aren’t so lucky. Unlike our batty friends, we must watch what we eat. Those of us with diabetes avoid sugary treats.
The bats have evolved to accommodate their diet. A world of chocolate bars and high-carb food is a relatively modern trend. We humans can’t wait a hundred million years for a natural adaptation to fix that. So, scientists look to the fruit bat.
What’s going on in their tiny pancreases, the insulin-producing organ that regulates blood sugar?
Scientists at the University of California found that the fruit bat pancreas boasts extra insulin-producing cells compared with their insect-eating brethren. They also discovered other tiny genetic differences that allow fruit bats to process an immense amount of sugar.
A better understanding of how sugar metabolism works in this quirky species could help researchers find ways to treat people with diabetes or prediabetes. Could that knowledge one day lead to a cure?
More than 37 million Americans have diabetes, and 1 in 3 Americans are prediabetic. It’s the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S.
One other thing about those fruit bats. They don’t need a dentist. They can eat all the sugar they want without getting cavities. Their saliva is thought to play a role in that.
But don’t let bat envy eat you alive. After all, when was the last time you had to sleep upside down in a cave?
Don’t forget to eat your vegetables. And your tofu. Oh, and drink your soy milk.
Whether it’s in its humble bean form, disguised as a meat alternative, or serving as a dairy substitute, soy continues to wow with its health benefits.
A recent analysis looked at how soybeans, cruciferous vegetables, green tea and lignans [LIG-nans] — compounds found in many plants, nuts and seeds.
The scientists specifically looked at how those foods and compounds impact breast cancer recurrence and mortality.
In the analysis, soy isoflavones [i-so-flave-ins] were associated with a 26% reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Researchers found that the greatest risk reduction was observed when consuming 60 milligrams — that’s two to three servings — of soy per day. One serving of soy is equal to one cup of soy milk, three ounces of tofu or a half-cup of cooked soybeans.
While soy made an impressive showing, a compound metabolized from lignans reduced the risk of breast cancer-specific mortality by 28%. The compound, known as enterolactone [enter-a-lack-tone], also reduced the risk of death from any cause by 31%. The effect of soy on mortality risk was not statistically significant.
The optimal dose of lignans is unknown as they are metabolized at different rates, depending on an individual’s unique gut microbiome.
Scientists noted that the foods studied in their analysis should not be considered alternatives to breast cancer treatment. The analysis illustrates the health benefits of the compounds studied while demonstrating the need for more research.
In the meantime, breast cancer survivors can rejoice. And maybe at mealtime, raise a glass — of veggie juice.
Spring is nearly here, but some parts of the country may still see some snow.
You may not think of shoveling snow as that tough a task. But the American Heart Association says shoveling snow in cold temperatures can be dangerous. Their research indicates that the physical strain of shoveling snow may lead to an increased risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest.
The cold temperature exacerbates the strain because cold air causes blood vessels to constrict throughout the body. By constricting, your blood vessels raise your blood pressure.
As you might imagine, shoveling snow depends on your arms, which is much more taxing on your heart than activities that require leg strength.
Also, when we lift heavy objects, say, shovels full of snow, we often unconsciously hold our breath. This also leads to significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure.
Speaking of blood, it tends to pool in our lower extremities as we shovel because we are, more or less, standing still. That means oxygenated blood is not getting back to the heart nearly as fast.
Here’s how to shovel the white stuff and stay safe doing so.
Experts recommend that you start gradually and pace yourself. Pushing or sweeping the snow may be easier because it involves less exertion than lifting and tossing the snow.
Always cover your mouth and nose, wear layered clothing and don’t forget a hat and gloves.
If you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, you might consider a snow blower. The American Heart Association says they have been scientifically proven to have less of an impact on your heart rate than shoveling snow.
The public is increasingly conscious of the teeny-tiny particles called microplastics that are turning up everywhere from snow-capped mountains to the ocean. They’re even getting into our food and drinking water.
Now Columbia University scientists have figured out how to measure microplastic’s tinier cousin — nanoplastics. Their findings are unsettling.
Nanoplastics are so small they can pass through intestines and lungs and go directly into the bloodstream, and then into our organs.
The research team, using a new microscopic technique, found that a one-liter plastic bottle of water contains an average 240,000 fragments of plastic small enough to breach our bodies.
Nanoplastics are particles less than 1 micrometer long. Microplastics range from less than a quarter-inch to 1 micrometer. By comparison, a human hair is about 70 micrometers wide.
With the new technique, researchers probe samples with two lasers tuned to make specific molecules resonate.
Testing three popular bottled-water brands, they found 110,000 to 370,000 particles in each liter. Ninety percent were nanoplastics; the rest were microplastics.
A common find was polyethylene terephthalate [pol-ee-eth-uh-lean terr-eff-thuh-late], or PET [P-E-T]. Many plastic water bottles are made of it. So are bottles for soda, sports drinks and ketchup. Even more prevalent was polyamide [poly-ah-myde], a nylon used in plastic filters purported to purify water before it’s bottled.
Some researchers note that these invaders can be toxic to humans.
Another plot twist: The seven types of known plastics the researchers looked for accounted for only about 10% of the nanoparticles they spotted. The other 90%, the researchers said, could be almost anything.
The ancients loved their olive oil. The Greek writer Homer of Iliad and Odyssey fame called it “liquid gold.” It was used to anoint the dead and the heads of kings, besides more pedestrian applications in cooking. One reason why it was so coveted by the old world? Its supposed medicinal qualities.
Indeed, physicians in antiquity prescribed it to treat fevers, hair loss, nausea, ulcers, wounds and even flatulence. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, described olive oil as “the great healer.”
Turns out, Hippocrates might have been onto something.
A study out of Harvard University’s public health college found that olive oil might substantially lower the risk of premature death. An analysis of health and dietary data collected from more than 90,000 people found that heavy olive oil consumers had a 19% lower risk of total mortality. These are folks who consumed more than seven grams of liquid gold a day.
The olive oil crowd also lowered their risk of dying of several diseases. They had a 19% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, 17% lower risk of dying from cancer and a 29% lower risk of dying from a neurodegenerative disease.
Researchers, who tracked data gathered over nearly 30 years, described their analysis as the first long-term observational study of its kind.
Compared with ingesting margarine, butter, mayonnaise or dairy fat, olive oil consumption was also associated with a lower risk of premature death.
Investigators say clinicians might encourage their patients to replace some fats, like butter and margarine, with olive oil. The current study, however, is silent on the question of whether it cures flatulence.
Did the ancient Greeks and Romans get age-related dementia? The answer is, surprisingly seldom.
A new study suggests severe cognitive decline was not a significant societal problem 2,000 or more years ago. Indeed, the Greeks seem largely free of the condition.
And it’s not because the average lifespan is much longer today.
A team led by University of Southern California researchers analyzed ancient Greek and Roman texts dating from 2,000 to 2,500 ago. They looked for descriptions of severe dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms in older adults.
They found few mentions of severe memory loss, indicating cognitive decline was extremely rare.
This supports the notion that Alzheimer’s and related cognitive diseases are a more recent phenomenon. The modern environment and lifestyle are thought to be responsible for the much higher rate of cognitive decline, from our poor diets and sedentary behavior to pollution.
Greek text revealed cases of what is today considered mild cognitive impairment. However, scientists found no cases suggesting a significant loss of reasoning, memory and speech.
The study found four later Roman cases of advanced dementia. Pliny [Plie-nee] the Elder, for example, wrote of a Roman senator who often forgot his name.
Investigators believe the congestion of some Roman cities caused pollution that posed a higher risk of dementia than in the Greek world.
Even today, indigenous Amazonians who live an active, preindustrial lifestyle rarely experience severe cognitive impairment in old age.
The lesson here is to keep to a healthy lifestyle. Yes, that’s harder said than done. Pliny the Elder, after all, didn’t own a widescreen TV.
Norwegian researchers entered the laboratory, labored over their instruments and eventually emerged with the latest scientific breakthrough.
A muffin.
Not just any muffin. This might be the healthiest muffin on the planet. And investigators even named it, as if it were a puppy hanging out near the centrifuge.
We introduce you to Roselle [Rose-ELL].
Roselle also happens to be the name of a flowering plant traditionally used for its medicinal qualities. It produces a tart and pleasantly acidic taste.
In science-speak, the study, published in the journal Foods, notes the muffin was developed using formulations in varying proportions resulting from Response Surface Methodology. That’s a highfallutin’ way of saying scientists created a recipe.
Using a Roselle extract called calyx [KAY-licks], their muffin is high in vitamins and antioxidants. A calyx is the outermost whorl in a flower. They left out the unhealthy preservatives often found in store-bought baked goods.
This Roselle extract contains polyphenols, flavonoids, betaine (BEET-a-een) and hibiscus acid, ingredients that reduce the risk of chronic disease. The muffin boasts a six-day shelf life at room temperature. Scientists bragged that these treats won’t last that long in the average household because they are so delicious.
The final product had little sugar, salt or saturated fat. Taste tests with a small group of people were positive.
Perhaps it makes sense that food scientists would concoct a great recipe in the lab. Cooking, to some extent, is basic chemistry.
Of course, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to make a muffin.
Just ask your favorite baker.
Some people love the heat, counting down the days until frigid winter evenings turn into sweltering summer nights. Others simply tolerate it.
Now, a new study suggests that there’s another being with its own variation in heat tolerance — the persistent, and resilient, mosquito.
That’s right. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that some mosquito populations are more heat-tolerant and better equipped to survive heatwaves than others.
The study points out that most scientific models used to predict the spread of vector-borne diseases assume that all mosquito populations tolerate heat similarly. That means our understanding of the pests’ ability to spread diseases in a world affected by higher temperatures may need to shift.
Many millions of people around the globe suffer mosquito-borne diseases every year and more than 1 million die.
Researchers sampled mosquitoes from eight populations across four climate zones including New Orleans; St. Augustine, Florida; Huntsville, Alabama; Stillwater, Oklahoma; St. Louis; Urbana, Illinois; College Park, Maryland, and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Although there were significant regional differences, they followed no easy patterns related to temperature or latitude. Instead, researchers found precipitation was the overriding factor: Mosquitoes from places with more rain had higher heat tolerance.
Mosquitoes don’t thrive in temperatures lower than 50 degrees or higher than 95 degrees Fahrenheit. But knowing the role rain plays in the insects’ lives helps humans trying to keep their numbers in check have more success.
It’s beginning to sound like a broken record, but the United States has a problem with obesity.
Almost half of adults over the age of 20 live with the disease, which also comes in as the country’s second-leading cause of preventable death. Only smoking cigarettes carry more health risk. Obesity brings a slew of other health problems, like a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke or heart disease.
Even worse, losing weight is hard. There’s a reason so many diets, fitness programs and apps are marketed for those trying to make a lifestyle change. Now, a new study from the University of Missouri has delved into what makes an online weight loss program successful.
The secret? Don’t go it alone. Researchers found that apps that engaged users with professional health coaches and social support from others were two of the most helpful features of online weight-loss programs.
The study distilled 20 years of research, paring down which features stood out as most helpful. Three common approaches for weight-loss apps were those that simply gave information, those with an online group-chat function and those that offered a professional health coach.
As it turned out, the apps that gave users access to social support from peers or professional health coaches were just as effective as in-person weight loss programs. That’s especially notable for rural populations and places where public transportation is hard to come by.
Now, no one is saying an app will work for everyone, or that it will make losing weight easy — but it’s certainly easier if you don’t go it alone.
The dangers of air pollution are all too familiar. It heightens the risk of respiratory infection, heart disease and, of course, lung cancer. Long-term exposure can damage other organs, including the brain.
If that weren’t bad enough, British researchers have found that pollution might make us lazier.
They found a proportional association between the concentration of pollution and the time people spent being inactive, or sedentary. That’s the time when we’re lazing around on our duffs.
It’s relaxing to sit around and do nothing. And there’s nothing wrong with lazy time. Doing so for too long, however, causes health problems, increasing the risk of diseases like diabetes and hypertension. It shortens life.
Researchers followed more than 600 people at risk of Type 2 diabetes for three years, using wearable technology to track their activity during the study.
Scientists then compared that information with pollution data.
A correlation was noted between heavier pollution and sedentary time.
High levels of nitrogen dioxide, typically caused by traffic, were associated with an extra 22 minutes a day of inactivity. That adds up.
The researchers say pollution might be making people less willing to go outdoors to exercise. Worse, it might make exercise less enjoyable.
Sure, we can exercise in our homes, but television, with its many streaming services, is oh-so tempting. So, go to the gym. Buy a treadmill or stationary bike. Cut the TV cord. Find a place to exercise away from city congestion.
Breathe life into your muscles.
Saint Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and for many, there is only one way to celebrate — with a pint. Or many.
Even on a celebratory holiday like the Feast of Saint Patrick, you should consider alcohol’s effects on your body.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines moderate alcohol consumption as two drinks per day for men and one for women. On St. Patrick’s Day, however, the issue is often binge drinking, which is defined as four or more drinks for women and five or more for men over a two- to three-hour period.
Research shows that excessive drinking isn’t good for your body.
For starters, binge drinking or heavy drinking can alter your DNA. When researchers compared binge drinkers and heavy drinkers to moderate drinkers, they found it changed two genes in the overindulging groups.
One of those genes affects the body’s biological clock. The other regulates the stress response system. The result? An increased desire for alcohol.
The National Cancer Institute says alcohol increases your chance of having mouth, throat, liver and breast cancers. Heavy drinkers are five times more likely than their teetotaling counterparts to have esophageal cancer.
One night of binge drinking can lead to blackouts, while doing so over a longer period leaves you at risk for memory loss and dementia.
It’s OK to celebrate all things Irish without the booze. Grab something to read by the witty Oscar Wilde. Or that green milkshake folks are so fond of. Learn to jig.
Just imagine: You won’t risk your health nor will you need to worry about embarrassment from your previous-night shenanigans.
Scientists from the University of California, San Francisco are just itching to let the world know what they found in a study about when and why we scratch.
It’s only natural: If you feel an itch, you want to scratch it. At some point our body tells our brain that the itch has been satisfied.
Scientists haven’t always understood just how these signals are sent within the body.
The recent study makes headway in answering that question. Researchers focused on an immune protein known as IL-31.
Scientists already knew that the protein is responsible for signaling an itch.
The new research shows that the compound not only triggers the urge to scratch, it limits inflammation by communicating with neurons. This prevents the itch from spiraling out of control and tamps down the immune system response.
The study’s lead author says this is the first time the body’s nervous system has been observed combating an allergic response.
The findings lay the foundation for the next generation of drugs that could interact more intelligently with the body’s self-regulation systems.
Also of note: While IL-31 is behind that itchy feeling in our skin, it’s also present in the lungs and gut. Researchers aren’t sure why that is.
The study’s results are expected to lead to new approaches in how clinicians treat conditions like allergies, eczema, asthma and Crohn’s, among others.
There’s no way to know where this greater understanding of the IL-31 compound will lead. For now, scientists have only scratched the surface.
If you have hearing aids but don’t use them, you might be unknowingly shortening your life.
Hearing aids and lifespan may seem incongruous, but consider these recent findings by University of Southern California researchers: People with hearing loss who regularly used hearing aids had a 24% lower risk of mortality than those who never wore them.
While previous research found an association between untreated hearing loss and shorter lives, the latest findings are among the first to shed light on whether hearing aids can reduce the risk of death.
To establish that, the researchers used data from more than 10,000 adults who had been given a common test to gauge hearing ability and answered questionnaires about hearing aid use. Nearly 2,000 of those people were noted to have hearing loss.
The researchers found an almost 25% difference in mortality risk during the study between regular hearing aid users and those who never used them. That difference remained constant after controlling for factors, including the severity of hearing loss, age, income and ethnicity.
The risk of death was about equal between occasional users of hearing aids and those who never used them. That, the researchers noted, suggests there’s no life-extending benefit to occasional hearing aid use.
The study drew no conclusions about why hearing aids might help people live longer. However, the researchers noted other recent findings have associated hearing aid use with lower levels of dementia and depression. They hope the findings will encourage more people to use hearing aids.
When it comes to hearing aids, the message is simple: If you have them, use them.
How old is that Pop Tart in the bottom of your desk drawer? Or that wizened granola bar, slowingly becoming as ancient as its alleged grains? Shelf-stable items have their place in the food system, and during emergencies, but the preservatives included come at a cost — to your gut.
In fact, new research from scientists at the University of Chicago found that a particular class of bacteria-produced chemicals, that act as natural preservatives and are widely used by the food industry, can eradicate not only the pathogents they are intended to, but also beneficial gut bacteria.
The microbes inside your microbiome live in a delicate balance, with beneficial guy bacteria providing the body with important benefits like nutrient beakdowns and even protecting against other pathogens. Therefore, if too many “good” bacteria colonies are broken down, a less-than-savory set of pathogenic bacteria might set up house, resulting in health issues and an end point not much different from eating contaminated food in the first place.
Now, that’s not to say that you should never, ever eat a food with a preservative in it—we do, after all, live in a world that is always on the go, and sometimes these things are inevitable. Lantibiotics still help prevent bad microbes from contaminating certain foods, so in this case it’s almost a question of their being too good at their job.There was even a study that showed lantibiotics could help protect mice against antibiotic-resistant infections. But just in case you’re having second thoughts, put away the Pop Tart and grab an apple. Its ingredient list will almost certainly be shorter.
If even the premise of the movie “Snakes on a Plane” sent you into a flop sweat, here’s some possibly comforting news.Those who suffer from two phobias and go through exposure therapy that targets one fear can get some relief for both — even if the fears are completely different.German university researchers conducted a study with 50 participants who all suffered both from acrophobia, which is a fear of heights, and arachnophobia, a fear of spiders. About half the participants underwent one exposure therapy session for their fear of spiders, but in doing so, found their fear of heights reduced, too. The remaining study subjects were assigned to a control group not exposed to spiders.Exposure therapy is a common type of phobia treatment. It’s just like it sounds: The sufferer is gradually exposed to the things or situations they fear. A panicky flyer might listen to the sounds associated with an airplane until it slowly becomes more familiar. Someone fearful of germs might touch a contaminated surface or handle raw meat.The therapy also helps those with panic disorders, post-traumatic stress syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder.The researchers found that the exposure therapy participants who feared both spiders and heights found at least a 15% reduction in their acrophobia after just one session.The study built on the team’s earlier work, which found that people with more than one similar fear — in this case spiders and cockroaches — who underwent exposure therapy for spiders also feared cockroaches less afterward.Next up? More research to understand why the effect transfers from one fear to another.###
Surely, you’ve heard the saying that age is nothing but a number. Perhaps you feel younger than you are. Maybe your joints scream that you are older.
To understand whether you are aging like fine wine — or like milk — the Norwegian University of Science and Technology developed a fitness calculator.
All you have to do is provide details about yourself, such as age, weight and height, your resting heart rate, how often you exercise and how hard.
The idea that we have a “fitness age” comes from studies of aerobic fitness, or more specifically, V-O 2 Max. It measures how well a person’s body uses oxygen during exercise.
Fitness age is used as a predictor of disease, mortality and good health. For the past five years, researchers have analyzed the fitness calculator’s algorithm. A low fitness age signals substantially lower long-term risk of heart attack, depression, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, brain shrinkage and dementia in those middle-aged and older.
The connection between fitness age and chronic disease is important: If your fitness age is low, your symptoms are likely to progress more slowly.
If you find your fitness age is older than you expected, there are ways to shave years off. You’ve got to move more, sometimes vigorously. Consider an uphill walk or interval training on a treadmill or stationary bike to exert yourself strenuously, and ultimately, bring your fitness age down.
Of course, it’s important to realize that fitness age is not the be-all end-all. It’s only a peek at how your body functions compared with others who are your biological age.
Still, a lower fitness age means good things. Why wait? Get moving and make yourself younger.
Avoiding memory and thinking problems later in life could depend on your sleep quality in middle age.
That’s what researchers with the American Academy of Neurology learned recently after studying the association between disrupted sleep among people in their 30s and 40s and cognitive problems as they aged. To better understand it, the scientists worked with more than 500 people in their 40s, studying their sleep duration and quality for 11 years.
The participants slept an average six hours a night, completed sleep quality surveys and occasionally wore activity monitors. They also completed a series of thinking and memory tests.
The researchers then looked more closely at sleep fragmentation, which measures short interruptions in sleep. Those with the most disrupted sleep were four times more likely to have poor cognitive performance a decade later compared with those who had the fewest sleep disruptions. Those whose sleep quality fell somewhere in the middle showed no differences in future cognitive performance when compared with the group with the least disrupted sleep.
So why study mid-life sleep habits as a window into future memory and thinking issues? The researchers say unraveling the connection between sleep and cognition is key to understanding the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Signs of the disease accumulate in the brain decades before symptoms begin.
The scientists say more research is needed to determine if there are critical life periods when sleep is more strongly associated with cognition.
So, keep an eye on your sleep habits. There may be more at stake than feeling rested in the morning.
Now hear this: Scientists have found a link between hearing loss and the onset of dementia.
It’s a curious pairing of medical issues, but scientists in Denmark recently made the connection after studying data from more than a half-million people in that country. In this case, the findings involved people over age 50 whose health was tracked for 15 years.
The researchers found a clear correlation between hearing loss and the development of dementia. That includes hearing loss causing an overall 7% increase in the risk of getting dementia. Among those with severe hearing loss, the dementia risk was found to be much greater than it was for those with typical hearing.
The research did not delve into the reasons for the association between hearing loss and dementia. But the good news is that there’s a simple strategy: Wearing hearing aids can substantially reduce dementia risk.
Among people who didn’t wear hearing aids, the risk of getting dementia was 20% higher than people with typical hearing. Those who used hearing aids had a 6% increased risk of dementia.
The association between hearing loss and dementia risk is also an imperative due to sheer numbers: The National Institutes of Health notes that nearly one-quarter of people in the U.S. between the ages of 65 and 74 have some amount of hearing loss. Among those over age 75, the rate of hearing loss is 50%.
Meanwhile, use of hearing aids remains low: Fewer than one in three people over age 70 who could benefit from hearing aids have ever used them.
So, don’t take chances with your brain. Get your hearing tested as you age and keep in mind that hearing aids could help ward off dementia.
Scientists had long wondered why northern Europe had the world’s highest prevalence of multiple sclerosis.
Thanks to the world’s largest ancient human gene bank — which includes bones and teeth from nearly 5,000 humans who lived across western Europe and Asia as long as 34,000 years ago — it’s no longer a mystery.
A United Kingdom-led research team traced the spread of multiple sclerosis, or MS, from its origins in what is now Ukraine, southwest Russia and west Kazakhstan to northwestern Europe.
The disease walked its way across the land, traveling along with the Yamnaya [Yum-nye-uh] people, who with their sheep, cattle and newfangled wheeled wagons were a population-defining migration.
Europeans today are a genetic mixture of three ancestral populations: hunter-gatherers, first farmers and what had been considered an unknown “Ancient North Eurasian population” from the east. Those were the Yamnayans.
The Yamnayans carried with them the genetic variants associated with a risk of developing MS. In their case, the genes were a blessing, likely shielding them from infections they might otherwise have caught from their herded animals.
The researchers analyzed data from a new gene bank of ancient DNA, created in the past five years.
The gene bank is the first of its kind in the world. The tested bones and teeth are in museums that span from Europe to western Asia. The researchers hope to glean more from the relics about the roots of autism, bipolar disorder, ADHD, depression and schizophrenia.
So spare a moment, if you will, for our hunter-gatherer, iron-tool wielding and even our marauding Viking ancestors. What they left behind may help us all.
For those who love sushi, here’s something to remember: Japanese wasabi might boost short- and long-term memory in older adults.
We all know the sushi condiment from the often-pungent blast that punches the nose more than our taste buds. Wasabi cultivation dates to the eighth century. But it only became better known in the United States after 1980 with the rising popularity of sushi.
We already know from work in the laboratory that wasabi might improve cognition. Yet, studies were few and improved intellectual capabilities had not been tested in older adults. So, Japanese researchers recently took a closer look.
They recruited 72 people ages 60 to 80 and separated them into two equal groups. One group took a 100-milligram wasabi tablet every day for three months. The second group got a placebo.
Afterward, the cognition of volunteers was measured, including language and reasoning skills, concentration and memory.
Scientists discovered that the wasabi group’s long- and short-term memory improved significantly compared with the control group. They found no effect in other cognitive functions.
More testing is being done to explore wasabi’s benefits. Physicians aren’t writing wasabi prescriptions just yet.
The spice is also known for being rich in vitamin C and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Indeed, researchers say wasabi might reduce inflammation in the area of the brain responsible for memory.
It’s important to remember that diet and exercise also play an important part in keeping our minds sharp. There is no single elixir for good brain health.
In the meantime, a sushi lunch just might hit the spot.
More than a month into 2024, how are your New Year’s resolutions holding up?
It can be difficult to stay disciplined, especially this time of year, when cold and gloomy weather can make comfort food appealing.
If you are still trying to lose weight, perhaps a new diet would be in order.
A new study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that compared with a diet that includes plants and meat, a plant-based diet is more conducive to weight loss.
More than 240 overweight adults took part in the research. Half of the trial’s participants are an omnivorous diet while the other half adopted a plant-based diet. After 16 weeks, participants who followed the vegan diet lost an average of 13 pounds.
The plant-based diet participants results correlated most strongly with weight loss.
Believe it or not — most participants lost weight, and it didn’t come from muscle loss. Instead, the lost weight was from body fat and visceral fat, which is located around the center of your body.
The study found whole grains and legumes drove weight loss. Nuts, fruits, vegetables, tea and coffee can help round out a nourishing vegan diet. It all comes down to nutrient density, which can be effective for those looking to lose weight.
Vegetables are rich in prebiotic fiber, which supports microbiome and digestive system health.
Less helpful foods, like meat, vegetable oils and sweets, were linked to weight gain in the study’s control group.
The study’s authors noted that the quality of the plant-based diet was important. The results showed that the best results came for those who consumed a healthful plant-based diet of nutrient-dense foods.
When you hit your head, the consequences can be as benign as an unsightly bump or as significant as a traumatic brain injury, which affects how the brain works — and can result in death or disability.
Now, researchers are digging into how brains respond to injury … and signs point to Snail.
No, not our slimy, mobile-housed gastropod. In this study, scientists from George Washington University use the term to refer to a protein that serves as something of a project manager, synchronizing the response of our brain cells after an injury.
When the body experiences damage to the central nervous system, a focused group of cells begin to make Snail, which appears to take on a starring role in the repair process. Depending on the levels of Snail found, the body’s response to healing the injury can handle the job capably or lead to more impairment.
For example, lowering the amount of Snail after an injury can result in higher levels of inflammation and cell death, according to the study.
This not only halts the healing process, but also worsens the injury itself … whereas higher amounts of Snail improve the outcomes of brain injuries, pointing to a potential avenue of study for those looking to improve the care of neurological injuries.
As usual, further studies will be needed to solidify the link between Snail production and its ability to help, or hinder, the brain’s ability to recover from injury.
But for now, the idea of a helpful snail being responsible for a speedy ticket to health is one we don’t mind envisioning — even if the actual process is much more biochemical in nature.
Humans have been balking at the idea of getting enough sleep since they were born. Newborns are famously fussy; teens prefer TV and phones; adults prioritize work or fun; and no one is busier than a toddler at bedtime.
Now, once more, we’re reminded that getting enough sleep is good for you — and this time, it’s with 50 years of research to cement the message.
That’s right — the new study from researchers in Texas distilled decades of research on the effects of sleep deprivation and mood. In short, losing sleep does much more than make you nod off at work. It can also heighten your feelings of anxiety, put you in a worse mood and entirely undermine how your emotions function.
Even the smallest sleep deficit can reap a terrible reward in the form of how we react to everyday events, interactions and feelings. There is no beating around the bush: Data analyzed from more than 150 studies and 1,500-plus [fifteen-hundred-plus] participants almost unequivocally point to the havoc that extended wake periods and small sleep windows wreak on humans’ emotional functioning.
People who experienced sleep deprivation across a number of studies felt fewer “happy” feelings and seemingly made up for it with an increased heart rate and more rumination.
And, while anxiety increased, researchers noted that stimulation in response to emotional stimuli was dulled.
Currently, about 30% of adults get less sleep than they need. For teens, the number is a staggering 90%, according to the study.
In some cases, environmental obstacles and life stages may play a role — but the study drives home a point we all know but could stand to be reminded of: Sleep better, feel better.
If you give a lick about hearth health, you might want to consider cutting back on your daily salt intake.
High blood pressure affects about 1 in 3 adults and is the leading cause of mortality in the world, contributing to heart attacks, heart failure, kidney damage and stroke.
While it’s long been known that there is a connection between sodium and hypertension, a new study led by scientists at Vanderbilt University finds that eliminating one teaspoon of salt from your daily regimen can notably reduce systolic blood pressure … that’s the top number in a blood pressure reading.
In fact, this slight reduction is just as effective as taking common blood pressure medicines. Even those who don’t have hypertension can see a healthy drop in their blood pressure from decreasing their daily sodium intake.
In fact, about 75% of all people — whether they take hypertension medications or not — are expected to see a reduction in their blood pressure if they lower their sodium intake.
Avoiding sodium isn’t always easy. Many processed foods like canned soups or frozen meals are high in sodium to enhance the flavor. Even store-bought foods people may not expect to be high in sodium, like a slice of bread, could be harboring a significant portion of a day’s worth of salt.
Researchers said that when reducing sodium, food may initially taste bland.
But they suggest we stick with it, because most people’s taste buds will adjust to the lower sodium diet within a couple of weeks.
So, take heart — just a little less salt will go a long way toward keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level.
For premature infants, an incubator is usually their first stop after entering the world. Now, science may have found a better landing spot.
Immediate skin-to-skin contact between a premature newborn and a parent helps to develop the child’s social skills. That’s what researchers in Sweden determined recently after observing about 100 babies in a controlled study.
During the study, the babies were randomly assigned to either an incubator or immediate parental contact. The skin-to-skin contact lasted for six hours after birth. The study was one of the first to include fathers having skin-to-skin contact with newborns. Prior research focused on mothers’ interactions with premature infants.
Among other results, the study showed that immediate skin-to-skin contact is safe for babies. It also helps to stabilize a baby’s heart rate, breathing and temperature.
After four months, the social interactions between mothers and children were filmed and assessed. At the time of the assessments, the psychologists did not know if the babies were given parental contact or placed in incubators.
The infants who had immediate skin-to-skin contact showed better communication and social skills. On a five-point scale measuring those attributes, the incubator babies scored just above three. The infants who had skin-to-skin contact scored closer to four.
The researchers believe that initial closeness between parents and babies may help stimulate later interactions that boost development. It’s also what many parents want anyway: snuggle time with their new bundle of joy.
Drinking coffee in the morning is a routine for millions of people. Nothing beats that first sip; it instantly gets you ready for the day. But what if we told you that you could enjoy a different cup of Joe, and that it would be better for your health?
Coffee is a favorite beverage around the world. It’s notable for its smell and aroma, along with its high amounts of caffeine. While coffee is rich in antioxidants and offers a boost of energy, it does come with side effects.
Coffee has high amounts of alkaloids, organic compounds that cause physiological effects on humans. While this is not detrimental to most, consuming caffeine every day can increase blood pressure and irregularities in heart rate.
In response to this, coffee substitutes are on the rise. Known as “herbal coffee,” these substitutes are hot drinks created by roasting different parts of the plants, most often leaves, roots, fruits and seeds.
Plants such as acorns, dandelions and wild lupins are roasted until they acquire the color and taste of coffee. After the dark brown color and deep flavor are reached, phytochemicals are added to the roast to increase its health benefits. This adds both anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering properties. Herbal coffees have made their way from online stores to some grocery stores.
Herbal coffee provides the same benefits as regular coffee and comes without the increased risk of health conditions. And an added bonus: You can drink it in the evening with no worry that it’ll keep you up all night.
Here’s a little test for you. Picture two beverage glasses, each containing a drink with identical nutritional content. Not a sugar molecule’s worth of difference. Indeed, the only thing differentiating these two beverages is color. One is clear, the other pink.
True or false? The pink drink will supercharge your workout and increase exercise performance.
On its face, that might not make sense. But the answer is true.
British researchers conducted what they believe is the first scientific investigation of the effect of drink color on exercise performance. They asked study participants to run on a treadmill for half an hour at a self-regulated pace in two sessions. The goal was to keep up a steady rate of exertion.
In one workout, volunteers rinsed their mouths with a clear drink that was artificially sweetened and low in calories. In a second, they rinsed with a drink containing a smidge of pink food dye that was otherwise identical to the first.
Why pink? Why not purple or red or taxi-cab yellow? Well, scientists figured pink is associated with perceived sweetness. As such, that increases the expectation of receiving energy-boosting sugar and carbohydrates — even if the body was really getting neither. Previous research had shown rinsing the mouth with real carbs pushes the body to better performance.
Guess what? Participants who partook of the pink drink ran an average of 695 feet farther while their mean speed increased about 4% compared with when they rinsed with a clear liquid.
Not only that, but the pink drinkers also found exercise more enjoyable.
Next time you head to the gym, think pink, and let the placebo effect work its magic.
In recent years, social media has been a consistent scapegoat — and often the guilty party — for problems plaguing teens, ranging from those related to how they navigate their relationships and social circles to their physical health, like how early (and often) they get enough sleep.
Though some parents may wish otherwise, social media won’t be going away anytime soon. Now, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine offers recommendations for social media companies and others to lessen the negative effects of social media use on adolescents’ health, while boosting its benefits.
The report suggests the differences between teen and adult brains mean that adolescents can be uniquely affected by social media use, for better or worse. Teens have less-developed emotional regulation controls and a heightened sensitivity to rewards. And, according to the report, they are developmentally meant to seek out independence and explore new identities. Social media appeals to all of those things.
Currently, much of the research on social media use relies on correlation, not causation — and the report cautions against equating the two until more study is done. In short: We need better guidelines, including those social media companies take part in and enact themselves, as well as better training for parents, teachers and even medical providers so they can provide advice and caution against potentially harmful use.
Liking a post won’t likely end your teen’s well-being — or if it does, there isn’t solid research to say so.
For now, moderation works better than trying to completely avoid something so entwined in our everyday lives.
Veterinary oncology today makes use of increasingly sophisticated tools and methods for treating cancer in pets. In addition to surgery and medical therapy, or chemotherapy, radiation oncology is a veterinary specialty that entails the use of controlled radiation to treat certain types of cancer. On this show, Dr. Marilia Takada, a clinical assistant professor and veterinary radiation oncology specialist, will discuss what radiation therapy is, how it works and types of cancer it’s used most frequently to treat. She’ll also discuss why radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with other therapies to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.
Figuring out which foods to eat for a well-balanced, nutritious diet can be daunting. First, consider the beverages and processed foods you consume that contain high levels of added sugar and salt. Working to avoid these items can help reduce your risk for some health problems.
For instance, sugary drinks such as sodas are high in calories, and many health experts recommend avoiding them entirely. Research has linked high sugar intake with obesity and heart disease. A Tufts University study found that the consumption of sugary drinks led to a higher risk for Type 2 diabetes and cancer, not to mention tooth decay.
Fatty snacks exact a high toll, as well. Processed foods like ice cream, candy and breakfast cereal can raise your risk for obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, depression and even premature death. It is best to approach these items — along with sodium-rich foods — as a treat on special occasions.
No single approach works for everyone. That is why some nutritionists suggest there are no bad foods, only excessive quantities. Eating in moderation and following dietary guidelines outlined by the Department of Agriculture are useful to keep your cravings in check.
If you are unsure where to start, consider visiting your doctor for a check-up. Then, you will have a baseline for understanding your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, among other factors.
By tailoring your food choices to you and your family’s health risks and current health, you’ll be eating in a way that may help you stay healthier for many years to come.
By now, everyone should know that losing weight, quitting smoking and reducing stress are sure ways to lower blood pressure. But there are other not-so-obvious, natural ways that also can help. And virtually all of them can be found in your favorite grocery store.
Eating dark chocolate, in small amounts, is a tasty way to lower blood pressure. It’s filled with flavonoids, which are small plant compounds that cause blood vessels to expand, helping increase heart health in multiple areas of the body.
Adding berries to your diet also can help with blood pressure because they are packed with polyphenols. These are natural plant compounds that have been shown to lower the risk of stroke, heart disease and diabetes.
Put bananas and other potassium-rich foods on your shopping list. These remove sodium from your body and soften pressure on blood vessels. You can increase your potassium levels by eating more vegetables, fruits, milk, yogurt, nuts, beans and fish.
How’s your magnesium consumption? Magnesium is a mineral that relaxes blood vessels, and most of us don’t get nearly enough. What can you eat that’s rich in magnesium? Whole foods, like legumes and whole grains, as well as chicken, lean meat, vegetables and dairy products.
You can also visit the supplements aisle. You may not be aware that aged garlic extract, whey protein, fish oils and hibiscus all have specific properties that can help reduce blood pressure.
So, if you’re looking for some nontraditional ways to lower your blood pressure and improve your overall heart health, add these natural items to your diet. And treat yourself to a piece of guilt-free dark chocolate.
Love makes us all a little loopy.
Even the expressions we use to describe romantic love evoke a special kind of madness. It’s blind. We’re head over heels. We fall in love. Two people are “crazy” about each other.
It’s been long known that our brains change when we’re in the first flush of romantic love. The hormone oxytocin [ox-ee-toe-sin] is released, causing the goofy euphoria that defines early romance.
Now, a team of Australian researchers has measured how a part of the brain is responsible for putting our new lover on a pedestal.
When we love someone or interact with loved ones, the so-called love hormone oxytocin circulates through the body’s nervous system and bloodstream.
But when romantic love is involved, our brains up the ante by adding the chemical dopamine. The dopamine and oxytocin pack a double punch, activating pathways in the brain associated with positive feelings.
The two-ingredient cocktail is responsible for the way those in love tend to put their romantic partner on a pedestal, and how that significant other often becomes the center of a person’s life.
Study participants included more than 1,550 young adults from around the world who described themselves as being in love. The adults were surveyed about their emotional reactions to their partner, their behavior related to their partner and the focus put on their partner.
The scientific study of love is in its infancy, but the Australian scientists’ next step is to investigate male and female approaches to love. Also in the works: A global survey identifying four types of romantic lovers.
Seems scientists, like the rest of us, love a lover.
Being in a relationship is known to have positive health benefits like reducing anxiety and boosting longevity. But it can also increase the odds of having something less desirable in common: high blood pressure.
When one partner or spouse has hypertension, it’s more likely that the other partner does, too. That’s the takeaway from a recent study by University of Michigan researchers, who looked at blood pressure metrics among more than 33,000 couples in the U.S., England, China and India. The study is the first of its kind to look at high blood pressure among heterosexual couples in high- and middle-income countries.
The overall prevalence of hypertension in two partners or spouses was highest in England and the U.S., at 47% and 38%, respectively. Wives in India and China who had a hypertensive spouse were at least 19% more likely to have high blood pressure themselves.
High blood pressure is more common in the U.S. and England than in China and India, but the researchers found a stronger association between couples’ blood pressure in the two Asian countries. The researchers don’t know why that is, but they do have a theory: Cultural norms in India and China emphasize a cohesive family structure. As couples depend on each other, it’s possible their health issues become more closely entwined.
The researchers say the findings are significant because high blood pressure is one of the most modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Health-improvement messages aimed at spouses could be especially effective.
So, there’s one more thing happy couples might consider adding to their wedding registry: a blood pressure cuff.
If you find yourself toiling away into the wee hours of the night and dreading the morning alarm clock, you’re likely to identify as a night owl.
Night owls have received a good bit of criticism from early birds over the years, but having a preference for staying up late is hard-wired into those with an evening chronotype.
While there is nothing wrong with being a night owl in and of itself, new evidence shows that those who go to bed and wake up late are more likely to develop some chronic illnesses.
A recent Harvard University study points to night owls being 72% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than early risers. This disparity is largely due to lifestyle factors more common among night owls, like excessive alcohol use, smoking, a higher body mass index, poor diet and less physical activity.
Once researchers took unhealthy lifestyle factors out of the mix, that number dropped to 19% — still a notable increase over the early birds.
Experts recommend that night owls take note of these risk factors and work to avoid or eliminate them to lower the likelihood of developing diabetes, heart disease or other chronic conditions.
Another important finding the scientists uncovered was that natural night owls who worked later in the day or overnight did not have the same risk association for diabetes.
Like it or not, many night owls must stick to the typical 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. work day due to family obligations and career opportunities. If this is your predicament, be mindful of how your lifestyle choices may increase your risk.
Rather than binge-watching just one more episode, think about saving it for for tomorrow night.
Listen to the whisper of a breeze through a forest, or the gentle burbling of a stream over a rocky bed. Pay attention to the birds as they greet each new day with throaty, joyful calls. These sounds from nature not only help calm our busy lives — new research finds they also can confer profound health and well-being benefits.
Researchers in Canada reviewed two dozen studies that examined the benefits of natural sounds. Participants overwhelmingly reported less stress, improved moods and less pain after listening to recordings of nature sounds. Water sounds helped the most with health, while bird sounds alleviated stress and annoyance.
The researchers noted humans are hardwired to listen for signals of danger and security. An environment of natural sounds feels safe. It allows us to let our guard down, reducing stress and encouraging mental recuperation.
One study they reviewed found people who spent just two hours each week outside in nature — including parks, woodlands and beaches — reported greater well-being than people who spent less time outdoors. Another study, involving more than 8 million people from seven countries, showed people living near green spaces tended to live longer than those living in more urban environments.
The absence of natural sounds has been shown to lead to heightened vigilance and induce a more alert, aroused state. For this reason, the researchers recommend urban planners include more water features and other natural elements in parks to help restore a sense of calmness for city dwellers.
Everyone appreciates a good listener. But not everybody has someone with a sympathetic ear available when they need to talk. And that, research indicates, might have consequences for their brain health.
People with supportive listeners tend to have greater cognitive resilience that might help prevent cognitive decline. That’s according to a study by medical researchers at New York University.
They say their findings suggest that study participants with this social support have stronger cognitive function than expected given the age- or disease-related changes seen in their brains. Scientists believe that resilience acts as a buffer to some of the mental infirmities of aging.
Researchers came to that conclusion after analyzing data from more than 2,100 people who self-reported their social interactions and then underwent brain scans and neuropsychological assessments. The scans measured participant brain volume, with lower volumes associated with diminished cognitive function.
The average age of the group was 63. The investigation, however, shows results might not just be applicable to older adults. People in their 40s and 50s who didn’t have access to good listeners had brains that were, cognitively speaking, four years older than those who had high-listener availability.
Investigators believe their findings are important enough to merit physicians adding a standard question about social history during a patient interview.
All this points to the importance of seeking out good listeners when our lives offer a challenge we don’t want to handle alone. And as the NYU scientists note, it demonstrates the need to be better listeners ourselves.
Most everyone knows this feeling: An event invitation arrives. You don’t want to go but accept anyway in order to not seem rude.
Now, new findings by West Virginia University researchers show it’s OK to say no. That’s because people often overestimate the social consequences of declining an invitation.
It’s a pervasive sentiment: More than three-fourths of the people in a pilot study admitted accepting an invitation to an activity they didn’t want to attend because they were worried about the social stigma that comes with declining.
To determine whether those concerns were founded, the researchers conducted a group of experiments with more than 2,000 people. One of them involved either inviting or being invited by a friend to dinner with a celebrity chef at a local restaurant. The invitees were told to imagine declining due to having a busy day and wanting to relax that evening. Those who envisioned extending the invitation were told their friend declined for those reasons.
The researchers found that the invitation-decliners expected immediate, negative effects on their friendship. Those people expected their friends to be disappointed, angry and less likely to socialize in the future.
Throughout the experiments, clear evidence emerged: Invitees consistently overestimated the negative fallout of declining an invite. The researchers said that’s because people put too much emphasis on the actual refusal. In other words: The person extending the invitation may be far more understanding than you think.
So, go ahead, just say no — and then don’t give it another thought.
With festive food and tasty treats, it’s likely your holiday season was delightful.
But your exercise routine — or your lack thereof … was it frightful?
Making exercise routines stick in a new year is hard for many of us. But with a few tips, it doesn’t have to be.
If you walk just 11 minutes every day, you already are well on your way to a longer life. According to a study that involved the health records of 30 million people, researchers concluded in the British Journal of Sports Medicine that walking for even that short duration lowers your risk of premature death by nearly 25%. In fact, such a jaunt lowers your risk for heart disease and cancer, too.
But why stop there? You can boost your brain health by walking four days a week. Brain scans from a study of people 70 and older found that brain connections and cell networks grew stronger in committed walkers.
Perhaps you want to burn fat. In that case, try a morning workout. Research in mice showed that animals who ran within a few hours of waking burned more fat than those who did so later in the day. That’s because morning workouts release more fatty acids into the bloodstream, which fuels muscles.
And get this: You need not overexert yourself. The key to finding your fat-burning zone is moderate exercise. The lighter the workout, the more your body uses fat for energy. That’s because the harder you work physically, the more your body relies on carbohydrates for fuel.
For walkers, the fat-burning pace is about 2.5 to 3 miles per hour, or a 20-minute mile.
What are you waiting for? Grab your shoes, tie your laces and start walking. Soon, your friends will be trying to keep up with you.
We all hope to avoid illness when someone close by gets sick. Our bodies, however, aren’t taking any chances.
If the skies threaten rain, we grab an umbrella. Our body’s immune system might do the equivalent when someone around us catches a bug.
A Chapman University biological sciences researcher in Orange, California, says our immune systems kick into gear after we see a sick person. This occurs even when we’re not ill.Our brains might be sending an alert to the immune system that there is trouble in the neighborhood, so prepare.
The researcher’s study reviewed scientific work on the phenomenon in humans and other species. Her conclusion: Pathogens need not infect us to trigger the body’s defenses.
She points to a study in which healthy people were shown pictures of others sneezing and coughing. Blood tests showed those who viewed the images had higher levels of an immune-boosting molecule in their blood even though they were not sick themselves.
Scientists see something similar with other species, too. For example, female Japanese quail mating with immunocompromised males produce eggs with elevated levels of a disease-fighting agent. Investigators say this phenomenon is an example of how we are all interconnected. Our health is a communal affair. And this needs to be understood for better insight into how disease spreads.
More laboratory work is needed to see how effectively this preemptory immune response is in stopping or slowing disease.
You still might want to keep your distance from that sneezing, wheezing co-worker. An umbrella, after all, is useless in a hurricane.
Americans spend billions of dollars on our hair. We shampoo, brush, braid, cut and comb it. Our locks are gelled, moussed, sprayed and blow-dried. Occasionally, our mane coiffed, quiffed and occasionally fluffed. That’s a whole lot of hair care.
But do some of our ’dos endanger our health?
The problem lies in a substance used in many products applied to hair, like gels and sprays. A recent paper from scientists at Purdue and Indiana universities says animal studies show that the substance, siloxane [SI-lok-sayn], accumulates in the body. The compound, which gives hair a shiny, less-frizzy look, has been shown to cause liver, lung and nervous system damage in animals.
Few human studies, however, have examined their long-term health impact.
Scientists worry that products containing siloxanes might be especially dangerous when applied in a confined space. With heated styling tools, the compounds get into the air and the lungs more easily.
The study’s authors recruited volunteers who went through their normal hair-care routine in a lab space. The researchers measured air contamination while participants styled their hair.
Emissions of siloxanes soared in the enclosed space when a styling tool was used at its highest heat setting. They were also present when no heat was applied. Using the bathroom fan dramatically lessened air contamination but did not eliminate it.
The researchers say an investigation of the long-term health impacts of siloxane products is urgently needed.
The study points to the need to do your hair grooming in a well-ventilated area. Open a window. Use a fan.
Don’t make that beehive a buzzkill.
Veterinarians in the military play a vital role in rebuilding and improving animal care systems in underdeveloped and war-torn countries. They also provide valuable public health capabilities through veterinary medical and surgical care, food safety and defense, and biomedical research and development. On this show, Dr. Chris Lanier, a veterinary clinical pathology specialist who served for 20 years as an Army Veterinary Corps officer, will share his insights about the range of experience military service can provide to veterinarians, how the public benefits and why future veterinarians might consider a role in the military as a potential career.
Have you ever wondered why we often communicate with babies in sing-song, rhythmic speech patterns?
For many adults, speaking to infants this way comes quite naturally. And, as it turns out, a new study shows there is an evolutionary benefit to baby-talk.
Many linguists consider phonetic [fun-et-ick] information, which refers to the smallest sound components of the spoken word, to be the building blocks of language. It was believed that babies learned to piece together this phonetic information to form language.
But the new research from University of Cambridge scientists reveals that up until about 7 months of age, babies learn language based on rhythmic speech — the sing-song patterns associated with baby-talk, rather than through phonetic information.
Babies can even pick up on these rhythmic patterns in the womb.
The rhythmic approach works because of its emphasis on different syllables and the rising and falling tones of speech. It is believed to be the hidden glue underpinning the development of a successful language system, experts said.
Infants use their rhythmic foundation like scaffolding, on which they later build phonetic information to form a full understanding of natural speech.
This is the first study to reveal evidence of brain activity relating to how phonetic information is processed differently and how it changes during infancy. The study is part of a larger project aimed at exploring how picking up a languge relates to dyslexia and developmental language disorder.
The next time you find yourself going ga-ga over a newborn, go ahead and let the baby-talk fly. You’re playing an important part in the baby’s future success.
University of Zurich researchers are advancing the field of neurotherapeutics with groundbreaking developments in the form of … bubbles.
That’s right: The next big development in the treatment of intricate brain conditions like tumors and neurological disorders could come in the form of small, precise deliveries made with the assistance of air.
Currently, care of brain-related conditions is often challenging because there can be severe side effects from drugs circulating through the brain without a specific target.
To identify a more targeted treatment strategy, scientists have been testing the use of minitransporters designed to deliver medications selectively to exact locations within the brain.
Using ultrasound, researchers have found a way to successfully maneuver microvehicles, made of gas-filled microbubbles and coated with fats to resemble cell membranes, through convoluted, tiny blood vessels in the brains of mice.
Notably, the microbubble delivery system is already approved for use in people — potentially streamlining the process.
And beyond targeted drug delivery, the ultrasound-guided microbubbles offer an additional benefit: they are naturally absorbed in the body after completing their therapeutic mission.
Unlike magnetic field-guided microvehicles, the notion of medicine delivered by bubbles that simply disband and become a part of the body, leaves us feeling almost … well, bubbly.
If scientists can refine their system for use in humans, the health applications could someday help those who have cancer, stroke or psychological conditions.
Did you know rising temperatures are a lethal threat?
As the globe continues to warm, it presents new danger to those with mental health disorders.
In June 2021, Canada experienced a record-breaking heat wave that became one of the country’s deadliest weather events. According to Canadian researchers’ study, 8 percent of the more than 700 people who died because of the heat wave had schizophrenia, a diagnosis that proved more dangerous than all other conditions the scientists analyzed.
Other studies have associated rising temperatures with increases in suicide attempts and emergency room visits related to mental illness. High temperatures often interfere with sleep, which is important for managing mental health symptoms.
One of the study’s authors said the extreme heat also affects the anterior hypothalamus in the brain, or what is considered the body’s thermostat.
People with mental health disorders often have lower serotonin and dopamine levels. That comes into play because the hypothalamus directly depends on serotonin stimulation.
This effect is worsened by some medications used to treat mental health disorders. For instance, antipsychotic medications — used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and paranoia — can stunt your ability to sweat and raise your body’s core temperature.
Psychiatrists do not recommend skipping medications because the side effects can be far worse. Instead, take steps to protect yourself in the heat. Wearing sunscreen, hats and loose-fitting clothes will help you stay comfortable despite high temperatures. Drinking ice water and taking cold showers help, too.
It’s all about keeping your core temperature cool.
We’re all fully aware that regular exercise is good for our health.
As long as we’ve known it, it seems scientists have been trying to determine the types and duration of exercise that offer the most bang for our pushups.
In a new study in The British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers report that aerobic exercise — things like running, dancing or walking — or strength training, say, lifting weights or exercises like situps or squats, are both worthwhile.
But combining the two: engaging in one to three hours a week of aerobic exercise and one or two weekly strength-training sessions — is associated with an even lower mortality risk.
The researchers looked at data from the National Health Interview Survey, which followed 416,420 American adults between 1997 and 2014.
After adjusting for things like age and chronic health conditions, they found that those who did one hour of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity a week had a 15% lower mortality risk compared with those who didn’t. It was 27% lower for those who logged three hours a week.
But those who did combined aerobic and strength-training exercise fared best — they had 40% lower mortality risk than those who didn’t exercise at all.
Researchers continue to study the issue, looking for an ideal formula for how much exercise and what type is best.
If longevity isn’t your life goal, consider strength-training’s effect on life’s quality. It can counter many aging-related annoyances …. the inability to open jars. Or what feels like the world’s strongest gravitational pull keeping you in a chair.
It can keep you independent. And for many, that is precious.
Can you keep a secret? If so, it might just make you feel more energized and alive.
That’s the upshot of recent findings by Columbia University researchers, who concluded that keeping positive secrets can be a good thing. To determine that, they conducted five experiments with 2,800 people between the ages of 18 and 78.
In one experiment, the participants were given a list of about three dozen types of positive personal news, such as reducing debt or hitting a weight-loss goal. Typically, the participants reported having about 15 pieces of good news and keeping five or six of them secret.
They were then asked to reflect on one of two experiences — either one secret they had shared with others or one they had not. People who reflected on undisclosed good news reported feeling much more energized than those who had already shared their happy moment.
The researchers also found that keeping good news a secret can energize people, regardless of whether they intend to ever reveal it. That may be because positive secrets can make someone feel good, and that’s a known predictor of feeling energized.
The researchers noted that feeling energized by a positive secret is also distinctly different that keeping a negative secret. That’s because negative secrets can be emotionally depleting and cause worry over whether they will be revealed.
But what about human nature? When we have good news — like a budding romance — many share it with all their friends or plaster it on social media. Yet the researchers say there’s more personal benefit in being patient and discreet.
When it comes to sharing good news, saying less can ultimately mean more.
Recycling has come a long way from the days of reusing materials in relatively uncreative ways, say, glass bottles being made into …. more glass bottles.
Today, old plastic soft drink bottles become a pair of comfy pants. Ground-up roof shingles help repave highways. Chewed gum becomes skateboard wheels.
With all that ingenuity at work, can’t we find a way to reissue medicine?
A new study from the Netherlands suggests we can, indeed. Not only would it be less wasteful, it also could potentially save millions of dollars and reduce environmental impact.
The pilot study centered on four Dutch hospitals that collected unused medicines from some 1,000 oral cancer patients. Safety in reissuing medication is key, of course, so the prescriptions were packaged separately and fitted with a sensor that monitored whether medicines had been kept at the correct temperature.
During the study, 171 patients returned medications. The medicines were often discarded for reasons such as damaged packaging, but those deemed safe were redistributed. None of the patients who took reissued medicines suffered ill effects during or after the study.
The investment in time-and-temperature packaging cost roughly 37 Euros, or $40 U.S. dollars per patient. The overall savings came to about $623 per patient. The study estimated that the Dutch could save up to $540 million a year if redispensing medication were government policy.
Prescription drugs in the U.S. cost about 300% more than in the Netherlands and our population is many times larger. With the possibilities for savings, at least thinking about policy changes might not be such a tough pill to take.
For more than 50 years, the mantra for reducing the risk of premature death was taking 10,000 steps a day. The idea persisted, even though it lacked a lot of scientific support.
Now, there’s a new number, and it’s backed by scientific proof: 8,000 steps a day. University of Grenada researchers made that conclusion, and it’s similar to other recent studies, which showed many health benefits are obtained at fewer than 10,000 steps.
For their study, the researchers set clear step targets that produce optimal results, something that had not been done before. Their work included a meta-analysis of 12 international studies involving more than 110,000 participants.
Their takeaway message is this: Health benefits are possible even with small increases in the number of daily steps. Even people who are mostly inactive had incremental health improvements with every 500 additional steps. Since not everyone can do thousands of steps a day, the researchers say the findings are good news for those looking to set small, reachable goals that can expand over time.
In the study, men and women benefited equally from consistent walking. It also found that faster walking had the strongest effect on reducing mortality, regardless of the number of steps taken.
So how much is too much when it comes to daily walking? The study found that even 16,000 steps a day poses no risk. But the number of daily steps beyond 7,200 brings diminishing returns: Reductions in mortality risk get smaller as the step count rises.
On your journey to a longer life, remember: Every step counts.
For some, drinking red wine brings on a thundering headache. And it’s not the morning-after hangover from a night of Merlot madness. Red-wine headaches can come on strong less than three hours after that first empty glass.
Explanations have proved elusive but now some scientists have a novel theory. A study by University of California – Davis researchers points to the combination of alcohol and a particular antioxidant known as quercetin [kwur-seh-tn].
In its solo form, quercetin is a plant pigment that’s sometimes used as an anti-inflammatory supplement. But when mixed with alcohol, its effect is undesirable. In the bloodstream, quercetin is converted into a slightly different form of itself. That blocks the metabolism of alcohol, leading to the buildup of another chemical that’s known for causing inflammation. That, the researchers believe, is the origin of the “red wine headache.”
Genetics — and a wine drinker’s preferences — also may play a role. Some people have a modestly functioning enzyme that lets the headache-inducing chemical build up in their bodies. And some varieties of grapes contain much higher levels of quercetin. Grape clusters that are exposed to more sunlight, such as those used in cabernet sauvignon from California’s Napa Valley, can produce copious amounts of the antioxidant. Production methods also play a role.
Next, the researchers will conduct a human clinical trial to compare the effects of wines with varying amounts of the headache-inducing quercetin.
One day, that glass of red wine could be vine and dandy — with no aspirin required.
Obesity is one of the most common chronic health conditions across the United States — and the world.
Although there are a variety of treatments, ranging from lifestyle changes to medication, much research recognizes the need to delve more deeply to understand the biological mechanisms behind the widespread disease.
Now, researchers from Cornell University have identified a gene that may be responsible for some bodies’ ability to resist obesity.
In the recent study, researchers explored how human genetic variations influence their susceptability to weight gain. Researchers engineered mice with a human genetic variant in the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, or GIP, receptor, which is linked to a leaner body mass index.
The variant rendered the mice more sensitive to the GIP hormone, promoting insulin release and efficient glucose processing. Researchers surmised that the variant’s prolonged presence inside cells may enhance sugar breakdown and metabolization.
While more study is needed, the findings suggest a potential avenue for developing drugs that could target the GIP receptor in people in order to combat obesity. The findings emphasize the importance of understanding how different genetic variants respond to existing weight loss medications and hint at a precision-medicine approach for personalized weight loss interventions.
In short, the findings may point researchers to newer potential strategies and ways to address obesity.
It’s no silver bullet, but progress in understanding a devastating disease that affects one in three adults and costs the United States $173 billion a year? That’s a win.
Americans sit too much. Whether it’s at a work desk or in front of the television, all that sedentary time is harmful to our hearts and circulatory system. In fact, scientists say, you’re better off sleeping than sitting on your derrière.
A study supported by the British Heart Foundation found that almost any activity is healthier than sitting.
Cardiovascular disease is the top killer of people around the globe, accounting for one in three deaths. The stakes are high.
British and Australian scientists analyzed pre-existing studies involving more than 15,000 people in five countries. The participants wore devices that measured their physical activity and their cardiovascular health was monitored.
Researchers determined how reducing sedentary behavior and spending more time on other types of activities improved health markers like weight, blood sugar and cholesterol. Even replacing sitting with another activity for a couple of minutes a day was found to be beneficial.
The less time sitting, the greater the impact.
The strongest health improvement, not surprisingly, came from replacing sitting with vigorous exercise. For example, a 54-year-old woman who swapped these activities 30 minutes a day for a week reduced her waistline by nearly 3% and her blood sugar by 3.6%.
Other behaviors healthier than sitting included light physical exercise, standing and, yes, sleeping.
The study says benefits might be seen even by getting off our duffs for just a couple minutes a day. So, while your boss might frown at your hitting the sack at work, a brisk walk at lunch might lead to a longer life.
Sitting, it seems, doesn’t sit well with the heart.
Every year, the new year marks the start of another chapter in your life story. We often ponder new goals for the year and how we can better ourselves through meaningful changes.
You have likely heard about friends and family focusing on health and fitness. Others consider financial changes, such as saving more money. But improving your mental health is just as important.
A Forbes Health survey of 1,000 adults found more than one-third plan to focus on their mental health in 2024. While this is a slight decrease from 2023, mental health remains front-of-mind for many respondents.
This year’s poll saw 55% of respondents connect mental health to physical health. It makes sense and research supports that idea.
Studies find physical activity benefits your mental health, specifically by boosting self-esteem, improving sleep and reducing anxiety and depression.
It helps us break free from self-imposed limitations and prove to ourselves that we’re strong.
Exercise’s impact on mental health also comes down to brain chemistry. Physical activity increases the number of happy neurotransmitters in our brain, including endorphins and dopamine. That helps better regulate our emotions and manage stress.
An important factor in successful New Year resolutions, of course, is how long they last. Forbes Health says goal-setters usually call it quits between February and April.
Experts say linking goals to your values and making plans to overcome obstacles can help you stick with it.
And whether it’s picking up archery, trying a dance class or learning to meditate, choose something that piques your interest.
As many of us know, loneliness is different than being alone. But when does solitary time start to correlate with loneliness? It turns out that science has an answer.
People who spend 75% of their time alone find it difficult to avoid feelings of loneliness. That’s what University of Arizona researchers determined after studying the lifestyle habits of more than 400 people over the last 20 years.
To characterize time spent alone, one of the techniques the researchers used was a smartphone app that recorded the sounds participants made every 12 minutes. Based on that and other data, the typical study participant spent 66% of their time alone. Those who were alone more than three-fourths of the time reported feeling the most lonely.
Among older adults, being alone and feeling lonely are more closely linked than they are in younger people. For people over age 67, there was about a 25% overlap between aloneness and being alone. That compares with about 3% among all the study’s participants.
For older adults, the increased sense of loneliness may result from demographic and aging issues. People’s social networks tend to shrink as they get older, as does the ability to spend time with others. The researchers also noted that younger people may have a wider range of responses to solitary time and loneliness: They might feel lonely in a crowd or be perfectly at ease by themselves.
No matter the age or situation, loneliness can be a health determinant. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General noted just that in a 2023 advisory.
So, mind your habits and your social calendar: There’s a definite line between being alone and feeling lonely.
Cats worm their way into our hearts, bringing us comfort and joy with their nuzzling love. Still, they poop. And there’s the rub.
A study in a journal for gerontologists found that a single-celled organisim called Toxoplasma gondii [GON-dee-I] that is often carried by cats might help increase our frailty in old age.
This can include the loss of muscle mass, feelings of exhaustion and other symptoms of frailty that can hasten disability and death.
T. gondii spreads when cats eat infected rodents or birds. The infection quickly multiplies in their intestines. Humans can then come into contact with the parasites as the cats shed eggs into their feces. You might think: No sweat. It’s not like I collect cat scat as a hobby. But you probably clear and clean your cat’s kitty litter. Enough said.
Eating infested vegetables and undercooked meats also poses a threat.
One in 10 people who are infected initially experience flu-like symptoms. But we can carry the parasite for decades, lingering in our muscle or brain tissue.
The biggest threat occurs when the organism camps out in the brain’s emotional processing area. Evidence suggests people who are thus infected are prone to riskier, impulsive behavior and are more apt to crash their cars. They are also at higher risk of cognitive disorders like schizophrenia.
Oddly, infection might also trigger an entrepreneurial streak, which isn’t a bad thing. Indeed, researchers say there might be other positive influences as well.
In any case, take precautions when tending your kitty. Avoid contact with their you-know-what. Keep them indoors.
They’re still our besties. Well, most of the time.
Few of us are moving as much as our bodies need to stay healthy.
It’s a big, costly problem. And it’s not just an American problem, either.
The World Health Organization has estimated that between 2020 and 2030, nearly 500 million people around the globe will develop heart disease, obesity, diabetes or other noncommunicable diseases — all because they don’t move enough.
The cost for a decade of idleness: $300 billion, or about $27 billion a year. And yep, that’s “billion” with a ‘b.’
The WHO’s [W-H-O] report looked at data from 194 countries. The organization suggests that governments need to move faster to create policies to help people boost activity levels, to ease the burden on health care systems.
The 2022 report noted that less than half of these countries have a national physical activity policy. And of those that do, fewer than 40% are operational.
The COVID-19 pandemic is to blame for some of those policies stalling.
WHO officials have also said there are significant gaps in global data that would allow better policy tracking, including in areas such as public spaces, exercise infrastructure and how much physical education is being taught in schools.
Policies can change behavior. Case in point: The famed “Keep America Beautiful” anti-littering campaign of the 1970s, which led to changes in public behavior and later, public interest in recycling.
The WHO’s report contends that such coordinated efforts are now needed from government — if we are to reduce suffering that could otherwise be avoided.
No need to wait for government, though. Remember, going for a walk is free. All you need is a pair of comfy shoes.
STOP! You in the SUV. Fingers where we can see them. We know what you’ve been doing.
Well, not us. But researchers from the University of Nottingham have a pretty good — if gross — guess.
Their research finds that drivers touch their face an average of 26 times per hour.
And by touching, they mean it all: Picking, scratching and rubbing. In the study, researchers watched 31 hours of archived video footage from on-road driving studies. They noticed that drivers touched mucous membranes, a.k.a. their lips, nostrils and eyes, on almost half of the occasions — or about once every five minutes.
But wait — it gets worse.
The most common instruments used were fingertips and thumbs, which also happen to be the areas that most of us miss when it comes to washing our hands. And yes, most of us. The study found no differences in face-touching rates between those of different genders or ages.
Importantly, study participants knew they were being observed. So even though the touching observed was mindless, researchers posit that people are probably even more inclined to get physical with their faces when they don’t think their behaviors are being documented for a study. We’re talking nose picking, ear cleaning and other sundry habits you may not even realize you have.
And, in the age of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, poor hygiene in shared vehicles could present a transmission problem — for drivers and passengers alike.
So here you have it: The results are in. People have a tendency to be gross. Researchers point out this is a great reason to double down on thorough handwashing, and keep in mind that seatbelts prevent accidents — but not germs.
Humans have been gargling, by some accounts, for 2,500 years. And why not? It’s been a simple remedy for relieving the symptoms of a sore throat long before the advent of modern health care and the insurance co-pay.
Sometimes, it’s helpful to go back to basics.
Research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston suggests gargling and rinsing your nasal passages with salt water could alleviate COVID-19 symptoms.
And even that small advantage could keep you out of a hospital bed.
Their study followed 55 participants infected with COVID-19 who gargled with either a third or a full tablespoon of salt mixed in 8 ounces of water for two weeks. Volunteers also rinsed their nasal passages.
Then, scientists compared results with a group of more than 9,300 people who did neither.
The gargling group was hospitalized at a significantly lower rate than the nongarglers. The amount of salt in the water appeared to make no difference.
The idea is that washing out the throat and nasal passages reduces the load of virus patients carry. Physicians have generally found that people with higher viral loads tend to have more severe symptoms.
Investigators caution that more research is needed to confirm their results. And they say the findings should not be used as a reason to skip a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself from the coronavirus.
Researchers also point out it is a good idea to make sure the saline solution is sterile. The best way to ensure that is by boiling the water first. Let it cool, of course, before using it.
You want to rid yourself of the virus, not your taste buds.
Looking for new friends? Dust off your gardening gloves and locate your knee pads.
A recent study from the University of Essex indicates that having a green thumb may be one key to thwarting loneliness — and finding a connection with your community.
A report from the nation’s Surgeon General this year called Americans’ isolation and loneliness an epidemic.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of volunteers at a community garden in the United Kingdom flourished as others did not: They found solace in sowing seeds, fulfillment in growing vegetables and flowers, and a renewed sense of purpose as they tended to the greenery.
In fact, participants in the three-year study self-reported that their life satisfaction and mental well-being increased by 9%.
Now, researchers believe time spent with nature, and its cultivation, can form the basis for nature-based therapeutic interventions that prove indispensable during times of crisis.
The study is part of a growing body of research that finds immense health benefits from being outdoors.
The researchers said the participants’ enhanced mental health and well-being may have stemmed from the human connections the community garden helped forge. And the outdoor physical activity was also a benefit.
Future investment in similar endeavors could even help reduce demand on the health system and social care, while growing communities in a way that encourages mental well-being.
Now, we’re not saying a cabbage patch is the only key to happiness — but the next time you see your neighbor weeding their garden or planting some tomatoes, think about grabbing a shovel and pitching in.
It’s a well-known fact that women, on average, outlive men.
In the United States, however, the chasm [kaz-um] has widened for more than a decade. Research from the University of California San Francisco and Harvard University suggests that’s due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid-overdose epidemic, among other things.
The study looked at data from 2010 through 2021.
The gap was at its largest in 2021, at five years and eight months. In 2010, the gap was at its smallest in recent history — four years and eight months.
The pandemic, which took a disproportionate toll on men, contributed to the gap from 2019 through 2021, followed by unintentional injuries and poisonings, accidents and suicide.
The study authors note that male behavior played a role, as well as social factors. Men are more reluctant to seek medical care, they’re more likely to be incarcerated and to be homeless. Chronic metabolic disease and mental illness may also contribute.
Another factor at play: Life expectancy for both men and women in 2021 dropped for the second straight year, to an average 76 years and one month.
Experts have attributed the shortening lifespan for Americans to what are known as “deaths of despair.” The term refers to increases in deaths from suicide, drug use disorders and alcoholic liver disease. All these causes are often connected with money troubles, depression and stress.
Their findings raise questions about whether more specialized care, with a mental health focus, would be helpful for men, in general.
It remains to be seen if what is now a tragic trend becomes a sad fact of life.
Capuccino connoisseurs and latte lovers, rejoice: Coffee can boast yet another possible health benefit.
A study from researchers in Australia suggests a link between how much coffee someone drinks and their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia.
Using data from a longitudinal study that followed 227 participants for more than a decade, researchers used a questionnaire to gather information about the participants’ rate and amount of coffee consumption.
Then, the participants, age 60 or older, completed different cognitive assessments, measuring skills such as recognition, episodic recall, language, processing speed and attention. They also took a preclinical test for Alzheimer’s that can reliably flag any inklings of early cognitive decline.
The results? Regular coffee consumption was positively linked to cognitive tasks like attention and executive function.
Specifically, the researchers found that those who drank more coffee had a slower buildup of amyloid protein over the study period. This protein is associated with the “sticky clumps” that appear in the brains of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The study is among many that suggest drinking coffee a day can be beneficial for health. A 2022 study found that two to three cups of coffee a day is not only associated with a lower risk of heart disease, but also with living longer.
In short, this is another bit of research that underscores what most of us know: What we eat and drink affects our bodies — including our brains. So go ahead and grab a takeout cup from your favorite coffee shop. Future you just might remember to say thank you.
For thousands of years, people and dogs have gone hand in paw. The bond between canines and humans is undeniable.
That’s why it’s so hard when our furry friends become sick or succumb to disease at an early age.
As the third-most-popular dog breed in the United States, golden retrievers are beloved, known for their sweet temperament. But they are also among the breeds most susceptible to cancer.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis recently set out to better understand why.
What they discovered was a genetic variant in the dogs associated with increased longevity. The gene, known as HER4 [HERFOUR], is in the same family of genes as HER2 — a gene found in humans known for speeding the growth of cancer cells. Researchers also discovered a “bad” version of HER4, which led to shorter lifespans.
The golden retrievers possessing the “good” genetic variant lived almost two years longer than the dogs without it. That’s the equivalent of about 12 to 14 years in humans.
So, what does this all mean for our four-legged friends and their two-legged counterparts — us? It could mean a lot, as humans and dogs can develop many of the same kinds of cancers. Previous research related to the HER2 variant led to a breakthrough in breast cancer treatment in humans.
Researchers say their next steps include attempting to confirm the study results in a larger population of dogs. They also hope to better understand how the genetic variant can impact the expression of HER4.
Ultimately they hope to gain a better understanding of what makes some dogs — and humans — live longer than others.
Wherever they go, and wherever they are, biofilms do two things: Grow, provided circumstances are favorable, and, according to a new study from Penn State University, change the very area they’re growing in (or on).
Oh, and they also stick to things. Think of algae on wet rock.
In recent years, biofilms have been found to be both beneficial and dangerous. Their stickiness makes them perfect for treating oil spills and groundwater and soil contamination. But they also disrupt gut microbiota and lead to tooth and gum decay. They’re best known for their role in surgery-related infections.
In their study, researchers used biofilms from a bacterium linked to cholera as a model system to demonstrate the self-shaping and self-organizing capabilities of a 3D growth system. In a simulated environment, the experiment was able to show how well these organized communities of microorganisms flourish and under what conditions.
The researchers, using a soft hydrogel and a stiff glass substrate, were able to grow the cholera cells into “dome” shapes and flatter shapes they called a “lens,” depending on changes in the growing conditions.
Understanding the interactions between biofilm growth and their environment gives scientists better insight and could eventually lead to new ways to suppress biofilms where they’re not wanted and encourage them when they are.
It may even add to the development of new classes of active growing materials that can respond to and modify their environment.
But for now, we must continue to do our part to keep some negative biofilms in check. So no need to abandon your twice-a-day toothbrushing habit.
When it comes to living a healthier lifestyle, listen to and watch your co-workers. Their positive habits could eventually help you.
That’s the main message from researchers in the Netherlands, who tracked the influence that employees can have on their colleagues when it comes to eating better and working out. While much is known about the effects that neighbors, friends and relatives have on lifestyle choices, there’s much less evidence about how co-workers influence those behaviors.
Using data from more than 4,300 people across 113 organizations, this is what the researchers found: People are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables when their colleagues encourage them. The same held true for exercise, although the effect was less pronounced. So why do our co-workers hold more sway over our eating habits than our exercise routines? The researchers theorize it may be a matter of proximity: Most people eat at work — often together — whereas exercise usually happens after work.
The study is one of the first to address co-workers’ influence on healthy behaviors. Unlike some prior research, it used an approach that allowed for a more fine-tuned analysis of the relationship between co-workers and healthier behaviors.
Now, the researchers said, workplace leaders and public policymakers can use the findings when making important decisions about ways to encourage healthier living. Colleagues can now be relevant sources of social support when it comes to healthy behaviors, just like friends and neighbors have been.
Keep up with your work friend in the next cubicle. Their good habits could soon become yours.
If you are a senior adult or if you have one in your life, a common health ailment to watch for is anemia.
One in six adults over 65 has anemia, a condition that stems from not having enough healthy red blood cells to carry sufficient oxygen throughout the body.
More often than not it happens because there isn’t enough iron in the body to produce healthy red blood cells. Gastrointestinal issues can prevent your body from getting iron from food.
Those over 50 years old need 8 milligrams of iron a day to stay healthy. Vegans and vegetarians may need almost twice that. Experts say that plant-eaters could need up to 15 milligrams of iron. That’s because the body absorbs just 1 to 10% of iron from plants.
Some foods can help you get your daily allotment. Breakfast cereal, oysters, white beans, lentils, tofu and beef are rich in iron.
Also noteworthy: Some medicines can raise anemia risk. In fact, a study this year found that taking a daily low-dose aspirin raised the risk by 20% in older adults. Acid reflux medicines also can interfere.
An iron supplement might be right for you. But talk to your doctor first. Iron supplements can mask the symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia, which include fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness and cold feet or hands.
Keep in mind that too much iron isn’t good, either. Excess iron leads to digestive problems, such as cramps and nausea, and can harm organs where iron is stored, such as the heart and liver.
As we age, ensuring our iron intake is high enough to steer clear of anemia is important, but as always, too much of a good thing … isn’t.
Many of the New Year’s resolutions we make focus on health. Losing weight. Exercising more. Quitting cigarettes. Most of us, however, need to add another to our list of aspirations for the dawning year.
Namely, finding more willpower.
A 2021 survey of 300 adults by Australian researchers found that two-thirds of us give up on our resolutions before February. That’s right. Those promises to take better care of ourselves don’t survive a measly month.
A hint from scientists on maintaining our goals: Don’t be influenced by guilt or shame.
They note that those motivated by intrinsic reasons for making a resolution fare better. These are folks whose New Year’s goal touches on what researchers call a fundamental psychological need. That could include goals that give us a sense of competence, fulfillment, enjoyment or worth.
Those who follow extrinsic motivations, investigators say, often crash and burn. These motivations include feelings of guilt or shame, or trying to win the approval of others.
The study notes that being flexible about resolutions and persistence help us achieve our New Year ambitions. Don’t set a lofty goal and just give up when it proves unachievable.
We should take some solace that humans have been making, and breaking, resolutions since the dawn of civilization.
Babylonians 4,000 years ago promised the gods to pay their debts and returned borrowed items in the New Year, which for them commenced in mid-March.
Romans in the time of Julius Caesar resolved to the gods to behave themselves in the coming year. As Roman history amply attests, this resolution often didn’t survive to Februarius [feb-BRAH-yooce], either.
Everyone who’s ever dedicated themselves to exercise for any period of time has probably found themselves either mildly annoyed by a coach’s insistence on a proper warmup or tempted to skip it altogether.
But a new study outlines how the heat generated during even light warmups affects the contraction of different muscles, and how it might benefit anyone trying to boost their athletic performance.
The study, led by researchers at Japan’s Osaka University, built on their previous study that looked at how our heart muscles are affected by temperature.
In the new study, they wanted to learn how skeletal muscles react to changes in temperature.
Using advanced microscopes and muscle proteins, the scientists found that some proteins in muscle cells act as temperature sensors and that heat affects skeletal muscle and cardiac systems differently.
In short: Skeletal muscles that allow us to bend, jump or stretch as we exercise are more sensitive to heat than those in the heart.
They say that’s because skeletal muscle only needs to generate a specific amount of force and only when required — say, when a pitcher throws a ball. But our hearts beat constantly throughout our lives.
Even a light warmup allows skeletal muscle to contract relatively quickly, so the muscle can conserve energy when it’s not engaged.
The discovery that some muscle proteins act as temperature sensors may even help those who aren’t heavy exercisers. For instance, warmup routines could help older folks improve their movement, thus reducing their injury risk and allowing them to remain independent.
When it comes to warmups, the best advice? Just do it.
If you’re a devoted vegetarian, thank your ancestors. They may have made it easier for you.
Recent findings by Northwestern University researchers have shown that a person’s genetic makeup plays a role in sticking to a strict vegetarian diet. To determine that, they asked a provocative question: Are all humans capable of subsisting long term on a strict vegetarian diet?
Surprisingly, it’s a question that has not been seriously studied. And it’s not just the grumbling — and stomach rumbling — from the carnivore crowd. Between half and two-thirds of self-proclaimed “vegetarians” report eating meat or fish. That, the researchers said, suggests biological or environmental factors could be overriding some vegetarians’ determination.
From there, the hunt was on to learn whether genetics contribute to adherence to a vegetarian diet. To do that, the researchers compared the genetic data of more than 5,300 vegetarians in the United Kingdom with the same data from more than 325,000 people who served as controls for the study.
The study found three genes strongly linked to devout vegetarianism. Another 31 genes were identified as potentially associated with vegetarianism. Two of the genes play key roles in brain function and fat metabolism.
The researchers said differences in fat metabolism and the way it affects the brain may make some of us more “hard-wired” for vegetarianism than others.
Next, the researchers want to understand the compounds in meat that make some people need it and crave it. Fat is expected to be part of the equation.
So, if you there are times you can’t live without a burger, there might be more than a simple craving working against you.
For more than 30 years, the world has accepted that there are five basic types of taste detectable by the tongue — sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami [oo-mommy]. But scientists recently discovered that there might just be a sixth type of taste receptor lurking among our taste buds.
If you’ve ever had the opportunity to try salty licorice, a unique Scandinavian treat, you may already be familiar with the flavor of ammonium chloride.
Scientists have known for decades that the tongue responds strongly to ammonium chloride. But until now, they were not able to identify the receptors that reacted to the distinct flavor. In the recent study, scientists found that the same protein receptor that responds to sour taste also reacts to ammonium chloride, sometimes even more strongly.
Researchers made this connection because the tongue senses acid as sour, and ammonium chloride can impact the concentration of acid in a cell. Upon further study, they found that both acid and ammonium chloride activated the same protein responsible for sour taste.
But why would humans and other animals evolve to detect ammonium chloride as a basic taste?
Researchers posit that it may be due to an evolutionary development that helps protect animals from eating substances with high amounts of ammonium. Ammonium is found in biological waste and can cause illness or death if ingested in large amounts.
Scientists say this latest evidence lays the groundwork for further research around sensitivity to ammonium in other parts of the body.
They say there’s no accounting for taste. But when it comes to ammonium chloride, there just might be.
Broccoli spouts shot to popularity in the 1990s when scientists discovered they brimmed with cancer-fighting compounds. The greens became an official superfood.
Broccoli sprouts are simply three- to five-day-old broccoli plants. Scientists found that they produce high levels of a group of antioxidants called glucosinolates (GLU-ko-sin-O-lates) that peak just days after germination.
The vegetable’s story, however, just got better for fans of the little sprout.
Japanese scientists found a branch of different cancer-fighting compounds increased twentyfold during the fifth day of plant germination. It’s no surprise that the antioxidants are there. But knowing precisely when they skyrocket is a boon to researchers studying the sprout’s health benefits.
Scientists say this knowledge could one day help lead to medicines that treat neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, cancer and other conditions.
The news might also whet the appetite of health-conscious consumers, who can spot the sprouts on supermarket shelves.
Mature broccoli is no slouch, either. This muscular member of the cabbage family is rich in fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Ancient Romans loved the veggie and, some say, thought it strengthened the mind and body.
Even so, some find broccoli sprouts superior to the parent vegetable. The sprouts have a different flavor and may be more palatable to those who dislike the mature plant’s pungent taste.
Indeed, in modern times, people who despise broccoli are, dare we say, legion. Some have called it America’s most-hated vegetable.
But for those who love it, broccoli in all its forms is chock full of health benefits and it’s delicious, to boot.
You may not need to wash your mouth out with soap, but the rest of your body still needs a good scrub.
That includes nooks and crannies like those behind your ears, between your toes, and inside your bellybutton. According to a new George Washington University study, doing so keeps the microbiome, or collection of microbes living on and in the human body, balanced — and less healthy strains from taking over.
To test the “Grandmother Hypothesis,” named for a study author’s grandmother’s advice to always wash behind your ears, between the toes and in the bellybutton, researchers had more than 100 graduate and undergraduate students collect their own skin microbiome data, swabbing moist and oily “hotspots” like the navel, between toes and behind ears, as well as dry areas like the calves and forearms.
The researchers’ theory? Areas washed less often, when compared with the skin on arms or legs, could harbor different types of bacteria.
The students extracted and sequenced the DNA in the skin samples, comparing the microbes living in the trifecta of hotspots to those in dry, exposed control regions.
Researchers found that the forearms and calves contained a greater diversity and thus potentially healthier collection of microbes, compared with those from the hotspots.
Why does this matter? Your microbiome hangs in a perfect balance that works for you and your body. When troublemaking microbes threaten to shake up your ecosystem, conditions like eczema or acne can crop up.
Or, better put: Research supports that soaping up everywhere, in all the spots your grandmother suggested, is a recipe for success.
If weather trends continue as they have since scientists have tracked climate change, each year billions of people will be exposed to heat and humidity so extreme they will be unable to naturally cool themselves.
Since the Industrial Revolution, when humans began to burn fossil fuels to power machines and factories, global temperatures have risen about 1 degree Celsius, or 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
A new study from university researchers at Penn State and Purdue finds that if global temperatures climb above that level to 1.5 degrees Celsius or beyond, life across the planet will be intolerably hot, a lot more often.
The Penn State researchers found in 2022 that the extreme heat our bodies can stand is lower than previously believed. The more accurate limit is closer to 87 degrees Fahrenheit and 100% humidity. Those are wet-bulb temperatures, or the temperature air will cool to when water evaporates into unsaturated air.
If you’ve spent any time in the South, you may have felt humidity so high that the sweat on your skin won’t evaporate. The air feels heavy and wet.
The newer study suggests that at current warming levels, the U.S. will experience more heatwaves, although they likely won’t surpass human limits as often as in other parts of the world.
However, if more pessimistic global warming predictions pan out, the researchers said heat and humidity beyond our tolerance would begin to affect the Eastern Seaboard and the middle of the United States — from Florida to New York and Houston to Chicago.
While less dire predictions may save us, it’s enough to make one long for all things cold and frosty.
The fall season has come and gone, and winter holiday music and festive decor are all around us. In most parts of the country, temperatures have plummeted. Some places have even experienced the first snowfall.
This time of year is also known as cold and flu season. But why do we experience more colds and flu when temperatures drop?
Scientists say part of the reason we contract more respiratory illness in the winter is because the cold air damages the immune response in our noses.
According to a new study from Harvard Medical School, a temperature drop of as little as 9 degrees Fahrenheit kills nearly half the bacteria-battling cells and viruses in the nose.
Respiratory viruses and bacteria invade the body through the nose. The front of our nose detects the germ, ensuring the back of the nose is on high alert for the intruder. Cells lining the nose instantly create billions of simple copies of themselves called extracellular vesicles [vess-ih-kuhls]. These sticky cells, having smothered the invading viruses and bacteria, are discharged through nasal mucus. Hopefully into a tissue.
The study’s authors, from Harvard Medical School, say this nose army is one of the only parts of the human immune system that leaves the body to fight bacteria and viruses.
The study found that the nose increases its production of extracellular vesicles by 160% during such invasions. Our cells also contain microRNA, a viral killer that attacks invading germs.
Unfortunately, cold weather is kryptonite to that brave cell army, which fizzles when your nose gets too frigid.
This winter, bundle up to protect yourself. Your nose can’t do it for you.
Doctors usually point to a list of to-dos that can keep you healthy and young. Exercise. Eat right. Don’t smoke. Relax.
One day you might hear your family physician offer one additional piece of advice: buy a house.
Renting a home can accelerate aging more than owning one. That’s according to British and Australian researchers. In fact, they say, renting’s impact on biological age appears worse than smoking.
Aging isn’t as simple as counting birthdays. The cumulative damage done to our cells means some of us age faster than others, opening the door to age-related disorders.
Stress is recognized as a major cause of biological aging. And the scientists in this study, which controlled for socioeconomic status, say renters face the kind of pressures that can shorten a lifespan. These include ever-increasing rents, evictions and the insecurity endemic to renting.
The study found the impact on biological aging even surpasses smoking.
Researchers used data from more than 1,400 adults in Great Britain that included measurement of an aging marker found in blood. They note that the findings would likely be applicable to other nations.
Owning a home isn’t a free pass to longevity and comes with its own stresses. Can you say, “Leaky-roof replacement?” Santa Claus doesn’t foot that bill. The homeowner does. And that speeds aging, too, though at a slower pace.
Of course, lots of things can reduce stress. That includes dancing, according to an unrelated study.
So, buy a house and bust a jig in your new living room. But don’t stay up too late. Lack of sleep can also speed that inner clock.
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Lazy cleaners, rejoice: The bacteria typically found in many kitchens isn’t as harmful as you might think.
That’s the word from scientists in Norway, who tested the germs in 74 kitchens across five European countries. They swabbed more than 300 of the usual locations, including sinks, countertops, sponges, cooking utensils and cabinet handles. Not surprisingly, at least eight types of bacteria typically turned up — including the bacillus [buh·si·luhs] and staphylococcus [sta·fuh·luh·kaa·kuhs] strains.
The bacteria were persistent, if not particularly threatening. They were found across a wide range of environments, including some kitchens that lacked running water, dishwashers or indoor sinks. The bacteria were pervasive despite differences in food preparation, dietary habits and hygiene.
While much is known about bacteria colonies in commercial and retail food production and in food itself, the researchers said less is known about them in home kitchens. And food germs do vary by region: Salmonella, the bacterium that causes abdominal cramps and diarrhea, is not a problem in Norway but is the most common cause of foodborne illness in mainland Europe.
So what were the top locations for contamination? Sink faucets and countertops tied for first place, followed closely by sinks. The often maligned kitchen sponge was only the fourth most bacteria-laden spot.
But here’s the good news: Three types of bacteria most associated with foodborne illnesses — Salmonella, Listeria [luh·stee·ree·uh] and Campylobacter [kam·puh·low·bak·tr] — were relatively rare.
If your kitchen doesn’t always sparkle, take heart: It doesn’t necessarily mean danger is on the menu.
When baby food comes out of the microwave, it sometimes has a little something extra than when it went in … huge numbers of microplastics that are released when the food and container heat up.
That’s what University of Nebraska scientists found when they studied how two common plastic baby food containers performed in the microwave. In some cases, more than 4 million microplastics and 2 billion nanoplastics were released for every square centimeter of container.
Both plastics are federally approved and the health effects of consuming micro- and nanoplastics remain unclear.
But unlike the well-studied plastic baby bottle, the researchers found no such studies for plastic leaching in baby food containers. They focused on containers made with polypropylene [pol-ee-proh-puh-leen] and pouches made of polyethylene [poly·eth·yl·ene]. Containers filled with a 3% acidic solution to simulate fruits, vegetables and dairy products were heated for three minutes.
The results varied widely by container type and the liquid inside. Infants drinking products with microwaved water and toddlers consuming microwaved dairy products were deemed to be at the highest risk for ingesting plastic.
The scientists then exposed embryonic kidney cells to the actual plastic particles that infants might consume over a period of days. After two days, just 23% of the kidney cells exposed to the highest concentrations of plastics had survived.
The scientists say more study is needed, especially about how plastic infiltrates cells. Until then, or until different plastics are developed, here’s an option: Microwave baby foods in non-plastic containers.
Now hear this: A portable device is showing some promise in silencing tinnitus [tih-nuh-tuhs], a ringing or buzzing in the ears that can range from annoying to maddening.
In a randomized clinical trial conducted at the University of Michigan, 60% of people who used the device reported significantly reduced tinnitus symptoms after six weeks.
The researchers recruited about 100 people with somatic tinnitus, the most common form of the disorder. It causes a noticeable change in the pitch or volume of sounds when the jaw is clenched or pressure is applied to the forehead.
The participants were separated into two groups, with one group receiving the new, bi-sensory treatment that combines sound and a pressure stimulus. The second group received a standard, established treatment for tinnitus.
For six weeks, study participants used the new device for 30 minutes a day. That was followed by six weeks of abstaining from daily use. Then, the two groups “traded places,” spending six weeks using the other treatment.
Each week, the subjects completed two common questionnaires about the impact of tinnitus.
After receiving the sound-and-pressure treatment, participants reported significant reductions in the intensity of their tinnitus and a better quality of life. Those improvements were not reported when receiving traditional, sound-only treatment.
The findings help reinforce the scientists’ earlier findings, which showed that longer treatment times were associated with greater reductions in tinnitus symptoms.
For long-suffering tinnitus patients, the device offers the potential for nothing: no humming, no hissing and no phantom sounds.
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A diet high in fat is associated with increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and some cancers. British scientists, however, have found one thing a fatty diet is good at preventing: worms.
Whipworms, to be precise. This is a parasitic worm that can infect the large intestine and cause digestive distress. That includes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and bloody stool. It’s usually not fatal. But it can lead to anemia if untreated.
The worms are a particular problem in the developing world where sanitation is poor. The eggs of the whipworm are transmitted in feces, making areas without adequate sewage treatment vulnerable.
The findings about fatty foods came as a surprise to researchers. They discovered fatty foods trigger an increase in a type of molecule on immune cells that work to eliminate the parasite.
Researchers say this is an important lesson about how diet can have profound impacts on the body. The findings also might provide clues about treatments for the millions of people who are infected.
But don’t get cocky about the health benefits of your junk food diet just yet. Previous research has shown that weight loss helps eliminate a different kind of parasite.
Of course, since the whipworm isn’t a serious health threat in the United States, it behooves most people to avoid fatty foods to protect their health.
A few facts about the whipworm. The name derives from its long and narrow tail, which looks like, you guessed it, a whip. The parasite has a lifespan of up to three years, with females capable of laying 20,000 eggs a day.
In other words, it’s one of the last things in the world anyone wants in their gut.
That noisy traffic outside your home could do more than disrupt your sleep. It may also raise your risk of developing tinnitus [tin-nuh-tuhs], a chronic ringing or other noise in the ears.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark studied data from 3.5 million people, finding that the risk of tinnitus grew along with traffic noise. It is the first time scientists have found a correlation between hearing issues and residential traffic noise.
In addition to identifying more than 40,000 cases of tinnitus, they made a broader connection: For every 10 decibels that sound increased in Danish homes, there was a 6% increase in the risk of tinnitus. For example, 10 decibels are about the sound level a human produces when breathing, while a typical washing machine generates 70 decibels.
The researchers also noted that traffic noise can be part of a vicious, unending cycle. Traffic noise can cause stress and sleep disruptions, which can cause tinnitus to become even worse.
So how much noise is too much? In Denmark, the guidance level for harmful traffic noise indoors is 58 decibels. In the United States, it’s 55 decibels, or about the sound level of a normal conversation.
Solutions can come in many forms, although some are easier than others. Sleeping in a room farthest from the road is the simplest option. Installing sound-reducing windows is another strategy.
In some places, government has gotten involved. Noise-buffering barriers can be placed along roads. In Germany, speed limits have been lowered in some places at night.
When it comes to avoiding tinnitus, a little less noise in your home can make a big difference.
It’s the great dinner table debate, one that may never be settled: sweet potatoes or white potatoes?
Whether they’re fried, mashed or baked, opinions about the orange, starchy tubers abound. Now, there’s something else to consider: Sweet potatoes can be mass-produced into antioxidant-packed, gluten-free flour for baking or other cooking.
Recent findings from the American Chemical Society describe how sweet potatoes can be handled and processed into flour in large quantities. That’s good news for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, which causes stomach distress due to the proteins in wheat flour.
To make flour that can be produced on a large scale, experts set out to develop an optimal process for drying and grinding sweet potatoes. The researchers made many attempts, varying things like grinding methods and drying temperatures.
Understanding the effects of grinding was, well, a grind. A single grind produced sweet potato flour that is ideal for gluten-free breads. Grinding it a second time further disrupted its crystal structure, producing thickening agents for stews and soups.
Eventually, the researchers had an edible eureka moment: Sweet potatoes that were dried at a higher temperature, and ground once, produced a loaf of bread that had more antioxidants than wheat flour or currently available sweet potato flour.
While sweet potato flour is already on the market, it’s harder to find and more expensive than wheat flour. The researchers hope their findings will open the proverbial pantry door, giving sweet potato flour a spot alongside its wheat flour cousin.
You can cut back on the sweets. Or move in with your sweetheart. Doing either might help lower your blood sugar.
A study by Canadian and European researchers found that in adults over 50, tying the proverbial knot or living with a romantic partner produced the long-term benefit of lowering blood-sugar levels.
Previous work has shown that companionship helps maintain good health and might lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease and even Alzheimer’s, among other problems. Older adults are particularly vulnerable.
Researchers used biomarker data and reviewed medical and marital information from a group of more than 3,300 volunteers. Scientists excluded anyone with a history of diabetes.
From 2004 to 2013, they drew volunteers’ blood to measure average glucose levels.
Of the study participants, three-quarters were married or cohabitating. Interestingly, researchers found that the status of the relationship, whether strong or strained, seemed to have little if any bearing on blood sugar.
What mattered first and foremost was simply being in a relationship. The social support it brings is good for our well-being. Beyond maintaining physical health, it helps us avoid depression, which has a deleterious effect on the body.
Blood sugar levels are particularly important. The effects of diabetes can be devastating.
No one, however, suggests primary care doctors will prescribe a low-carb diet and marriage during your next appointment.
While study titles are usually heavy on scientific jargon, the authors of this paper had more of a romantic bent.
Theirs begins, “How sweet is your love?”
Prescription sleep medications may help you get more rest but can also be associated with an increased risk of dementia.
That’s the primary finding by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, who tracked about 3,000 older adults for almost a decade. Among that group, 20% developed dementia. White people who “often” or “almost always” took sleep medicine were 79% more likely to get dementia than those who never or rarely took sleep aids.
For Black participants, frequent sleep-aid users had similar chances of developing dementia compared with those who abstained or rarely took them. However, the researchers also noted that Black participants’ use of sleep aids was markedly lower than white participants.
White people were three times as likely to take sleep medications and were almost twice as likely to use prescription benzodiazepines [benzo-die-az-uh-peens] and 10 times as likely to use trazodone, a nonaddictive antidepressant often prescribed for insomnia.
What’s driving the apparent association between sleep aids and dementia? Researchers are still looking for answers to those questions, but they believe the type, quantity and frequency of sleep medications play a role.
The researchers say their findings suggest we probably ought to look for other options before jumping to sleep medications. A sleep study would be a good place to start. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is also an option. The hormone melatonin may be a safer option than prescription drugs — but consult a doctor first.
At bedtime, it may be wise to count sheep instead of prescription pills.
Despite the widely known benefits of getting enough sleep, the old adage, “You can sleep when you’re dead,” is favored among college kids, workaholics and night owls alike. Now, researchers are once again suggesting we take a second look at how much rest we’re getting, and they’re serious — like a heart attack.
In a new study from the American College of Cardiology, results indicate that folks who suffer from insomnia were 69% more likely to have a heart attack than those without the sleep disorder. And, when using sleep duration as a measure of insomnia, those who slept five hours or less per night had the greatest risk of experiencing a heart attack.
Published in the scientific journal Clinical Cardiology, the study’s researchers conducted a systematic review of existing studies and found a significant association between insomnia and having a heart attack — even after they controlled for age, gender, comorbidities and smoking.
Participants who reported sleeping five hours or less a night were 1.38 times more likely to have a heart attack compared with participants who slept for six hours a night. And the five-hours-a-night crowd were 1.56 times more likely to have a heart attack than those who logged seven to eight hours of shuteye.
Getting too much sleep, however, can be almost as harmful as getting too little. Even sleeping six hours a night, as opposed to the lauded eight, carried a lower heart attack risk compared with folks who slept nine hours a night.
So check in on your own sleep habits. Rest assured, sleep continues to be a critically important factor in our overall health.
Beware of the sedentary life. Long spells of sitting have already been linked to a host of physical ailments. Now, scientists say, it can contribute to heightened anxiety and depression.
Researchers at Iowa State University took a closer look at behavior and mental well-being in early and mid-2020. That’s when the pandemic created legions of new couch potatoes. Those who spent more time sitting during a three-month period that year were more likely to feel depressed and anxious.
The scientists analyzed survey responses from more than 3,000 people in every state and the District of Columbia. People self-reported how much time they spent sitting, exercising and using electronic devices compared with pre-pandemic times. They also indicated changes to their mental well-being, including depression, anxiety, stress and loneliness.
Among the more active people — those who got up to five hours of exercise a week before the pandemic — their physical activity dropped by 32% after COVID-19 restrictions took effect. Meanwhile, their depression, anxiety and feelings of loneliness increased.
That effect was even more pronounced among those who were less active heading into the pandemic. For people whose sitting times stayed high during early COVID-19, their symptoms of depression intensified significantly. The less active people also did not bounce back as quickly from their depressive feelings compared with more active people.
The researchers said one helpful strategy is to be aware of your lack of activity. Take regular breaks from your computer work to move around. For remote workers, a walk around the block can replicate the morning commute.
The less exercise, the better … is a phrase no one ever says. But a new study from the University of Cambridge may offer hope for even the busiest among us.
In a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, scientists say 11 minutes a day of moderately intense physical activity, like a brisk walk, can be enough to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and several types of cancer.
Currently, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death around the world. Physical activity is a key preventive — but for many, the idea of doing 150 minutes of moderately strenuous activity a week feels daunting.
The good news? Researchers found that just 75 minutes per week of moderate activity is enough to reap the benefits of more stringent exercise regimens. That aforementioned short, brisk walk can decrease your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 17% and cancer by 7%.
In particular, you’ll lower your risk of head and neck cancers, as well as myeloid leukemia, myeloma and some stomach cancers. In short, there’s a lot to be said for even a little bit of movement.
Sports and running are great for those who enjoy them. But you can get your daily dose of that much-needed moderate activity by switching up your daily routine and swapping in some new habits, like walking to work or your local coffee shop and engaging in active play with your children or grandchildren. The key is to find something you enjoy so you’ll stand a much better chance of sticking with it.
And if changing your habits feels like too much, start small — like a nice, 11-minute walk. It’ll be over before you know it.
When is the last time you had scientific evidence that a cheaper option was just as effective as a pricier one?
A new study that looked at two methods for protecting public schoolchildren’s teeth from cavities did just that.
New York University researchers looked at two types of tooth-decay prevention in nearly 3,000 elementary pupils.
A method that used silver diamine [dai-uh-meen] fluoride, a liquid brushed onto the surface of teeth, was as effective as dental sealants, which are more common and cost more.
One dose of either topical treatment blocked roughly 80% of cavities and kept 50% of cavities from getting worse after two years.
The federal government advocates for and funds some dental care for schoolchildren. Painful cavities — children from low-income families are twice as likely to have them as kids from wealthier families — are associated with poor academic performance.
The NYU team’s visits to schools began in 2019, as part of a cavity prevention study called CariedAway. The randomized trial compared the simple silver diamine fluoride, called SDF, with a more complex treatment that used traditional glass ionomer [eye-AH-nuh-mer] sealants and fluoride varnish.
Both are applied to the surface of teeth.
The COVID-19 pandemic paused the study and the team finally returned to the schools for follow-up visits in March 2022.
Exams of the kids’ teeth found that both methods worked well. Just one treatment blocked more than 80% of cavities and both stopped about half of their cavities from progressing.
In this case, it seems the bargain option is a true value.
Gum disease and bad breath can do more than just hamper your social life. New research shows the same bacteria may also increase the risk of heart disease.
That’s the main finding from a group of researchers in Switzerland, who explored the relationship between oral hygiene and heart disease. To do that, they analyzed blood samples, health data and genetic information from more than 3,400 people. About 6% of those people had a heart attack or other serious cardiovascular problem during the 12-year study period.
The researchers also looked closely at antibodies that were formed to fight off infection caused by a particular bacterium. After adjusting the results for other known cardiovascular risk factors, the antibodies were linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems.
That bacterium is known to colonize in the mouth and can also dwell in plaque that lines the walls of arteries. In other words, inflammation that starts in the mouth may eventually affect the heart.
The findings about oral bacteria are also a medical version of a canary in a coal mine: Identifying specific germs in the mouth is yet another factor that doctors might use to identify people at risk of heart disease. Likewise, treating the oral bacteria may be a path to reducing heart disease.
The researchers want to further study the link between the oral bacteria and heart disease. For now, they say, it’s more evidence that inflammation caused by infections can pave the way for heart attacks and heart disease.
So, remember: Caring for your teeth and gums might also help your heart keep humming along.
The ancients loved their olive oil. The Greek writer Homer of Iliad and Odyssey fame called it “liquid gold.” It was used to anoint the dead and the heads of kings, besides more pedestrian applications in cooking. One reason why it was so coveted by the old world? Its supposed medicinal qualities.
Indeed, physicians in antiquity prescribed it to treat fevers, hair loss, nausea, ulcers, wounds and even flatulence. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, described olive oil as “the great healer.”
Turns out, Hippocrates might have been onto something.
A study out of Harvard University’s public health college found that olive oil might substantially lower the risk of premature death. An analysis of health and dietary data collected from more than 90,000 people found that heavy olive oil consumers had a 19% lower risk of total mortality. These are folks who consumed more than seven grams of liquid gold a day.
The olive oil crowd also lowered their risk of dying of several diseases. They had a 19% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, 17% lower risk of dying from cancer and a 29% lower risk of dying from a neurodegenerative disease.
Researchers described their analysis as the first long-term observational study of its kind. They tracked data that had been gathered over the course of nearly 30 years.
Compared with ingesting margarine, butter, mayonnaise or dairy fat, olive oil consumption was also associated with a lower risk of premature death.
Investigators say clinicians might encourage their patients to replace some fats, like butter and margarine, with olive oil. The current study, however, is silent on the question of whether it cures flatulence.
Moles on our skin are pretty common. Sometimes they’re cute. Sometimes we wish we didn’t have them.
Moles and melanomas are skin tumors, both caused by cells called melanocytes [muh-la-nuh-sites]. Moles are generally harmless, but melanomas can be deadly if untreated.
Scientists from the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah published a study that delves into how moles and melanomas form and why moles can turn into cancer.
Changes to the DNA sequence of melanocytes, called BRAF [braff] gene mutations, are found in more than 75% of moles. The same change is found in about half of all melanomas.
Researchers used to believe that when melanocytes only had the BRAF mutation, the cell stopped dividing, resulting in a mole. And when other mutations were in the mix, it would divide uncontrollably and become cancerous.
The new study shows that’s not the case.
The scientists used techniques — including one called digital holographic cytometry [sai-taa-muh-tree] — to scrutinize the differences between moles and melanomas.
The researchers found that the cells that become melanoma don’t necessarily have these extra mutations. But they are affected by “environmental signaling,” which happens when cells receive signals from the environment in the skin around them, telling them how to behave, and whether to divide uncontrollably or not at all.
That means scientists might be able to find ways to beat melanoma by altering its environment, potentially targeting topical agents that might thwart melanoma or at least slow it down.
So while you may never come to love your moles, at least you wouldn’t have to fear them.
Unfortunately, people face all sorts of harmful addictions in their lives. Drugs. Alcohol. Gambling. Tobacco. And some even suggest our brains can get hooked on junk food.
But exercise? That’s supposed to be healthy, isn’t it? Well, as the old saying goes, you can have too much of a good thing.
A study by Norwegian scientists notes that our efforts to escape from and cope with the stresses and ills of life can lead to a dependence on exercise.
We all deal with stress through various forms of escapism. Some seek out positive experiences as a salve to the soul when they feel overwhelmed. They play with their kids or dogs or both. They turn the music up. All this isn’t a bad thing, researchers say, and serves as a distraction or a way to regain perspective.
Others embrace maladaptive escapism to suppress the negative, often by drinking or using drugs or, yes, working out too much.
Scientists recruited 227 recreational runners and quizzed them about their physical activity and lives generally, including their satisfaction with life. They found those who reported poor well-being were especially apt to indulge too much in exercise.
Certainly, running, biking or doing squat thrusts and jumping jacks late into the night is healthier than more harmful alternatives.
But investigators note these exercise extremes can undo any benefit. Overworking the body leads to pain and injury, unhealthy weight loss and heart problems. Anxiety, depression and social impairment are risks as well.
It’s usually a good idea to do most things in moderation. In the gym, that means exercising good judgment. Go easy on the pushups.
When it comes to finding your purpose in life — and improving your health — many self-help books and gurus claim to be able to help. And, for a pretty penny, perhaps they can. But researchers from Penn State University have a cheaper option:
Grab your shoes and go take a bath.
In a new study published in Leisure Sciences, researchers looked at the attitudes, beliefs and habits of a group of elderly people. Over 65 and regularly spending time in nature, the participants showed improved health and quality of life from a common practice called forest bathing.
No, you’re not shimmying through the woods in the nude. Forest bathing, which originated with older adults in Japan, China and Taiwan, refers to spending time in nature while engaging all of your five senses, like listening to birds chirping and smelling the pine trees.
Researchers surveyed almost 300 visitors to a nature preserve who were at least 65 years of age and visited the park at least once a week. They asked a series of questions that included how supported the participants felt, how much they thought about their future and how much purpose they felt their lives had.
Those who discussed their experiences in nature with others tended to show a greater sense of attachment to both forest bathing and a stronger sense of purpose in life. That, in turn, was associated with better physical and mental health.
It doesn’t take much gear or energy to forest bathe — and the results, though subtle, could have a profound effect on your elderly loved ones. As far as baths go, this may be the easiest one yet.
It’s been more than 100 years since a forensic scientist named Harrison Martland coined the term “punch drunk syndrome” to describe boxers’ tendency to become slow, confused and trembly.
Today, the malady now known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy [ehn-seh-fuh-lah-puh-thee], or CTE, has been diagnosed in all types of athletes, including those who participated in football, rugby, soccer, ice hockey, bull-riding, wrestling, mixed-martial arts and boxing. Some athletic organizations still aren’t convinced their sports have any role in CTE.
There are now at least 600 cases of documented CTE, identified after families allowed scientists to study their loved ones’ brains postmortem.
Boston University researchers who specialize in the degenerative condition reviewed these cases and found that 97% of them had confirmed exposure to repeated head injury, mostly through contact sports.
Of 17 CTE cases where repeated head injury was not documented, the researchers found that in 14 instances, no one ever asked about the deceased’s history of injury.
CTE isn’t found only in those who suffered numerous concussions. Some cases may stem from repeated, minor blows to the head, researchers say. The disease is in its infancy in terms of how well it’s understood.
CTE has no cure. No test can tell if you’ve got it or will get it in the future.
So, wear your seat belt, don’t drive impaired and wear a quality, well-fitting bike or skateboard helmet. If you play contact sports, listen to what your own brain — and your doctor’s — tell you about how serious any injuries might be.
When it comes to protecting your brain, you don’t get a second chance.
For a long time, the effects of cannabis on the lungs were thought to be about the same as tobacco. Now, new research shows cannabis leads to a different kind of lung damage.
So how does smoking cannabis differ from its nicotine-laden counterpart in terms of detrimental effects? Scientists in New Zealand recently made two major discoveries after studying lung function in marijuana and tobacco users. Long-term cannabis use caused over-inflated lungs and more resistance to air flow than tobacco.
Cannabis also impairs the lungs’ ability to extract oxygen from the breath. That was already known about tobacco but the discovery is the first of its kind involving cannabis.
Some doctors have long noted a distinct form of lung damage among major cannabis users — a form of emphysema known informally as “bong lung.” Until now, not much was known about the condition. That’s because studying the use of a stimulant that is still illegal in many parts of the world can be difficult.
To establish their findings, the researchers analyzed cannabis use and lung function in more than 1,000 people born in the early 1970s. Using 11 distinct measures, their lung function was tracked through age 45.
Exactly why cannabis affects the lungs differently than tobacco is still unknown. But the researchers note this much is clear: Long-term cannabis use isn’t the same as heavy tobacco use. And those who use both tobacco and marijuana are likely to suffer lung damage.
As cannabis use grows and becomes increasingly decriminalized around the world, scientists say the findings are a cautionary tale. Whether it’s a cannabis toke or tobacco smoke, your lungs may suffer.
Everybody knows smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products is about as harmful a habit as one can pick up. Doing so heightens the risk of stroke, heart disease and cancer, to name just a few of its ills.
But as you’re downing that burger, fries and rich dessert while watching the smokers huddled outside a restaurant, don’t get too smug.
Sure, you never touched a cigarette. But that pile of fatty food on your plate might be doing just as much harm.
Scientists at Columbia University found that restricting calories can slow the aging process by 2 to 3%. That equates to as much as a 15% drop in the risk of premature death, which is about the same benefit one would get from quitting tobacco.
Their study underlines the importance of a good diet in living a long and healthy life. How did researchers know watching your calories slows aging?
They recruited 220 non-obese men and women and separated them into two groups. One group was put on a calorie-restrictive diet, while the other ate normally.
Scientists then watched the groups over the next two years.
At the midpoint and end of the study, investigators measured DNA methylation (MEH-thuh-LAY-shun), a biologic marker that can be used to measure the speed of biological aging. This age doesn’t always match the one on your driver’s license.
They found people who restricted their eating aged more slowly than those who did not.
The good news is, we can change our diets, eating healthier foods in moderation. It’s never too late.
As for the smokers out there who have been successful at watching their waistlines, don’t take any of this as encouragement to keep puffing away.
All the dieting in the world won’t undo the harm of a tobacco habit.
Eat healthy food. Exercise regularly. Lose weight. These have all been good prescriptions for avoiding Type 2 diabetes. But new research might lead doctors to add another suggestion to the list.
Set your alarm clock back.
That’s because research recently presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting suggests that people who eat breakfast before 8:30 a.m. might be at lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
More than 34 million Americans have diabetes, and 7 million of them don’t know it because they haven’t been diagnosed. The disease can lead to cardiovascular problems, kidney disease, blindness and a host of other ills, if left uncontrolled.
In the new study, researchers analyzed medical and dietary data from over 10,000 adults over an eight-year period. Surprisingly, they discovered those early breakfast consumers had lower levels of blood sugar and less insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when the body’s cells don’t react normally to insulin and cannot adequately take up glucose from the blood.
Scientists suggested these findings might mean that eating earlier could reduce the risk of diabetes.
The investigation was done to examine whether a time-restricted diet has any association with blood sugar levels. In such a diet, someone limits the hours of the day during which they eat. Eating, for example, might be restricted to 10 hours a day, or some other timespan.
The findings indicate, however, the duration of those time-restrictions was less important to blood sugar levels than when the meals were eaten.
So, enjoy an early breakfast. Eating before the sun rises may make your health risks fall.
Ah, spring cleaning.
After a long winter, many of us set out to spruce up our homes as the weather turns warm. From clearing out cluttered closets and washing windows to painting, gardening and lawn mowing, there are always plenty of tasks to tackle.
But use a little caution when you wave that washrag around. Plenty of injuries can occur during such cleaning sprees. In 2017 and 2018, more than 833,000 injuries sent Americans to hospitals and doctors’ offices just from climbing ladders and mowing their yards.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says it’s important to take precautions to reduce the likelihood of spring cleaning-related accidents.
Most injuries are preventable. Here are some ways to protect yourself:
When lifting something heavy, make sure to separate your feet shoulder-width apart, keep your back straight and bend at the knees. Also, lift with your legs, not with your back. You want to look like you’re starting from a squatting position, rather than bent at the waist. This will save you from unnecessary strain.
When using a ladder, place it on a firm, stable surface, never on wet grass or uneven pavement. When gardening, avoid repetitive motions, such as digging or hoeing, for too long.
Keep your lawn mower maintained. No need to throw your back out trying to get it started.
Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water to avoid getting dehydrated. If you feel short of breath or have chest pain, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Be good to yourself this spring and pack a little common sense along with your cleaning supplies and tools. You want to be sure you can enjoy a summer full of fun activities, all pain-free.
A potential treatment for the common cold might have emerged from the primordial soup as long as a billion years ago.
Scientists believe our favorite aquatic species, algae, could offer a way to fight the cold and other viruses, including COVID-19. They are examining whether a molecule that is a waste product of a type of algae called spirulina [SPEER-ruh-lee-Nuh] holds hope to end our sniffles and sneezes.
You may have heard of blue-green spirulina and might have seen it at the supermarket. It’s known as a superfood because it’s high in protein and key vitamins. The 16th century Aztecs skimmed lakes with nets or shovels to harvest it. Today, it is a common dietary supplement.
Now Scottish scientists report promising initial results after extracting molecules from the algae. They’ve grown some in the laboratory and pulled from it something called cyanobacteria [sai-a-no-bacteria], which can disrupt viral transmission and helps tune the immune system to fight infection.
Cyanobacteria, itself an alga [al-guh], obtains energy through photosynthesis and is a central player in algae blooms harmful to water ecosystems.
If researchers can harness the antiviral properties of cyanobacteria, they say it might be effective against a broad range of viruses, from the common cold to potentially deadly infections like COVID-19.
Scientists say they are now working to purify the molecules to produce these valuable ingredients.
We’re not quite at the point of curing the common cold. But who knows, maybe doctors one day will instruct their patients to take two algae pills and call them in the morning.
Sitting in front of a computer screen all day won’t get your photo on the bulletin board at your local gym. We have to get our legs moving for good health. Walking is great exercise. But who’s got time for a long stroll every day?
It might not be as difficult as you think.
Columbia University researchers say a five-minute walk per half-hour during the workday can lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Indeed, their study demonstrated a 60% reduction in blood sugar compared with those who sat all day.
Scientists examined five walking or sitting regimens in a group of volunteers. Some walked either one or five minutes per half-hour of sitting. Others walked the same length of time after sitting almost a full hour.
The last group didn’t walk at all.
Participants were allowed to do a range of normal things while they sat on their duffs. They could work on a laptop, use their smartphones or read books. Perhaps most important, they were fed.
Walking even a minute per half-hour was found to have a modest benefit on blood sugar levels. But one or five minutes per hour provided no meaningful effect. Five minutes out of 30 was the sweet spot.
The blood pressure finding is especially notable, as the decrease is akin to what you would expect from someone exercising daily for six months.
It won’t be easy for all of us to find that five minutes every half-hour when we’re working, unless you’re a cop walking a beat. But get the time in where you can. Visit a more distant bathroom through the day. Use the copy machine on the second floor rather than the one next to your desk.
You might just run into your boss getting their own minutes in.
Some people believe wearing socks to bed is vital for a good night’s rest, while others wouldn’t dream of it. New research indicates wearing socks when you slumber can help your sleep and health.
Sleeping with cold feet causes less blood to circulate, which can lead to restless nights. Wearing socks also helps regulate your body temperature.
Nighttime sock-wearing is particularly helpful for women experiencing hormonal changes during menopause. Controlling core body temperature helps combat hormonal fluctuations that lead to hot flashes, which can disrupt sleep.
Sock wearing can also decrease your risk of Raynaud’s [ray-NOSE] disease, which causes some areas of your body, such as fingers and toes, to feel numb or cold. When paired with moisturizer, it can also help soothe dry feet and cracked heels.
When searching for the perfect bedtime sock, look for breathable materials such as merino wool or cashmere. These will help your body regulate its temperature without overheating. Fit is also important. Socks that are too tight can cut off your circulation. Compression socks should never be worn to bed unless prescribed by your doctor. To ensure good hygiene, select a clean pair before bed and change them in the morning.
If wearing socks to bed is not for you, many of the same benefits can be achieved with a warm foot bath before you go to sleep or placing a blanket over the foot of the bed. In addition, experts recommend keeping your bedroom temperature between 60 and 67 degrees. These experts, of course, aren’t paying your power bill.
Who knew this unassuming undergarment could have such a profound impact on your sleep and health?
Viruses can be nasty things. They’re often killers, as we’ve seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. But modern vaccines have helped reduce death and human suffering for many diseases. Look at smallpox.
It killed an estimated 300 million people over the 20th century, many millions more through human history.
Thanks to scientists, a vaccine actually eradicated the disease. Smallpox no longer circulates, with the last case documented in 1977.
The coronavirus has been around for many years. It even predates the dinosaurs, according to some. The latest, particularly deadly strain mutated from more docile viral grandparents only recently.
Now Italian scientists have discovered that smallpox plagued mankind far longer than previously thought. This provides important insight into virus research generally.
Up to a few years ago, smallpox was thought to have emerged in the 1600s. A study in 2020 that harvested genetic material from Viking-era teeth and skeletal remains pushed its origin back 600 more years. But scientists were skeptical because some ancient Egyptian mummies display scarring typical of smallpox. That would push the emergence of the disease back to 3,000 years ago.
Italian scientists recently examined the virus’ genome itself. Using advanced genomic and mathematical techniques, they pushed the date of origin back to 3,800 years ago.
Viruses have caused human sorrow and suffering through the ages. Indeed, they predate our species. The coronavirus isn’t going away and may soon become endemic like the flu.
Doctors say a vaccination is still the best bet to lessen the odds of hospitalization and death.
For sun worshippers and people who just weren’t vigilant about using sunscreen, two types of skin cancers are exceedingly common. Now, research shows that simple laser treatments may help prevent the development of basal cell and squamous [skway·muhs] cell carcinomas.
Collectively, the two are the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the United States. Massachusetts General Hospital researchers discovered an easy strategy to protect skin health. It involves using nonablative lasers to deliver heat while leaving the skin fully intact.
The researchers studied patients who had been successfully treated for either of the two types of facial skin cancer. During a five-year period after, 35% to 50% of those patients typically had a recurrence.
In the study, patients were divided into two approximately equal groups of people who had received nonablative laser treatment and those who had not. The rate of new basal and squamous cell cancers was found to be about 21% for those who received the nonablative laser treatments and about double that amount for the untreated patients. That, the researchers said, established that patients treated with the laser had about half the risk of recurring facial cancers.
After controlling for age, skin type, gender and other factors, the untreated patients were 2.7 times more likely to develop new facial cancers than those who got laser treatments. Among those who did develop new facial cancers, the time it took them to develop was significantly longer for the laser-treated patients.
In the future, we may see skin damage caused by the sun’s powerful rays undone by the bright light of a laser.
For 60 years, a small number of people with a particular type of high blood pressure were never diagnosed.
The only available test used a catheter, which was difficult, so few hospitals even offered the test. In fact, 99% of such cases — until now — were never diagnosed because of the catheter test’s difficulty and its lack of availability.
But now, doctors at three United Kindgom hospitals have created and tested a new type of CT scan to light up tiny nodules in a key hormone-regulating gland and cure high blood pressure by removing them. Without the nodules being lit up by the dye, they were nearly impossible to see.
In most hypertension cases, the exact cause is unknown or can’t be pinned down, and the result is that those who have it must undergo lifelong treatment with drugs.
An estimated 5 to 20% of people with high blood pressure have a benign nodule in one of the adrenal glands that secretes a steroid hormone, called aldosterone [al-doss-tur-own]. The new scan uses a radioactive dye that sticks right to the aldosterone-producing nodule, lighting it up so surgeons can spot it and pluck it right out.
In these cases, the cause is a gene mutation in the adrenal glands, which results in excessive amounts of the steroid hormone aldosterone being produced.
Aldosterone causes the body to retain salt, driving blood pressure up.
Patients with too much aldosterone are resistant to the medicines most often used for high blood pressure, leaving them at risk for heart attacks and strokes.
While difficult, the old catheter test was as accurate as the new scan, but the new screening method is quick, painless and successful.
Sometimes, you open a bag of chips. And sometimes, five minutes later, you reach into that same bag and come up empty. Late-night snacking can be a dietary sore point for many of us, and occasionally involves overeating.
Now, researchers from the University of Michigan are studying what makes people overeat in the first place — starting with a small region in your brain that drives you to seek rewards because they feel good.
From an evolution standpoint, this worked great when food was chronically in short supply. Now, when your town has multiple grocery stores and restaurants, all loaded up with the tastiest treats your palate could ever dream up, it’s posing a bit of a problem.
Scientists are taking a look at brain differences to learn why.
Using rat models, researchers looked at the brains of animals that have a tendency to overeat and become obese.
In animals prone to obesity, researchers found glucose took longer to get to the brain’s pleasure area. Instead, they found an excess of an excitatory [icks-site-ah-tory] neurotransmitter.
This means that the balance between how sugar gets broken down in the brain, and the neurotransmitters that are subsequently activated, affect brain activity differently in rats prone to obesity versus rats that are obesity-resistant.
Notably, this means diet is not a factor in whether sugar is processed differently in the rat brains. They either are prone to obesity or they are not.
Future research will delve into the role of inflammation and how it factors into the development of obesity — and how differences in brain function contribute to susceptibility and resistance.
Processed foods already have a rap sheet a mile long. Obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease are some of the most prevalent — and deadly — consequences of a diet heavy in such foods. A new study adds another offense to the list: increasing your risk of cancer.
Ultra-processed treats, typically cheap and convenient options, can include anything from breakfast cereal to fizzy drinks. But processing food typically involves adding unhelpful levels of certain ingredients to the mix, like salt, fat, sugar and other artificial additives.
Using UK Biobank records to garner information on the diets of 200,000 middle-aged adult participants, Imperial College of London researchers monitored their health for a decade, looking at their risk of developing cancer at all as well as their risk of developing specific types of cancer.
For every 10% increase in a person’s ultra-processed food consumption, there was a 2% rate increase for cancer overall, and a 19% increase for ovarian cancer, in particular.
Even when researchers adjusted their findings for behaviors, such as smoking or being sedentary, the links remained.
The findings build upon the team’s previous research that showed higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with a greater risk of developing obesity and Type 1 diabetes.
Granted, these foods are often consumed for good reason: They’re cheap, easy to find and have a shelf life that surpasses that bag of wilted lettuce you optimistically bought last Sunday. They’re hard to escape! So, as with everything, moderation is key.
Air pollution doesn’t just affect your heart and lungs. Its dangers affect our thinking, too. Let’s take a look at chess, the brainiest of games.
Researchers from several institutions measured air pollution at the venues of a German chess tournament over several years. They then used a computer program to analyze whether the players made weak moves or mistakes.
You don’t have to sit alongside the interstate to be affected by pollution. Indoor air quality is a significant health threat, too.
Scientists discovered that pollution — namely fine particulate matter in the air — appeared to diminish chess play. Indeed, the more pollution, the worse it got.
The study showed the odds of making an error increased by 2% with a modest increase in indoor air pollution. The consequences of these chess mistakes were more significant, with almost 11% of these poor moves being game-changing. As air pollution increased, the odds of an error or a game-changing gaffe rose as well.
This particulate matter is generally produced by burning, with the internal combustion engine being a major culprit. Other contributors include power plants, forest fires and wood-burning stoves.
This pollution is estimated to lead to 4 million premature deaths worldwide each year from cancer, heart disease and other ailments.
The findings add to growing evidence that pollution can lead to changes in our intellectual powers. Researchers note they looked at chess. But office workers face the same threat.
So, it’s not just your opponent’s queen you are battling in a match. You’re also potentially playing against a sea of invisible particulates that mess with your head.
Checkmate!
Party on, America. It can be good for your health.
Researchers at Indiana University say people who mark positive life achievements or other notable events with a gathering involving food and drink end up feeling more socially supported.
And that could lead to a longer and healthier life.
We all want someone who will be there for us when times get tough. So, with the belief that we have that social structure in place comes the assumption that the folks we share the good times with will be there for the bad. The benefits of that support even extend when the gathering is done online, so long as food and drink are available to all.
It’s an important piece of robust mental health. Scientists believe mental health difficulties like depression and anxiety weaken the immune system and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and inflammation, and worsen chronic conditions.
Researchers studied thousands of people over multiple years and used behavioral experiments in their work. They extended their findings by investigating virtual celebrations and examining the benefits of the social activity over time.
The study notes that little is known about how celebrations help our well-being. That surprised investigators since these get-togethers are so common in society.
The study says it is crucial that people at these gatherings positively recognize someone’s achievements to ensure a benefit. Just getting together to celebrate the local football team’s championship won’t do.
All of this should not be taken as a license to party like there’s no tomorrow. Be responsible. You want to remember which friends came out to celebrate with you.
They’re a ubiquitous presence in nail salons: Those little nail-polish dryers that cure and speed up gel manicures. But their ultraviolet lights may also pose more of a public health threat than originally thought.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego who studied the devices have concluded they can contribute to cancer-causing mutations and cell death.
Unlike the ultraviolet lights used in tanning beds — which have been shown to be carcinogenic — nail driers use a different spectrum of UV light. Those effects haven’t been widely studied.
Using two types of human skin cells and one from mouse embryos, the researchers determined the UV light exposure from a 20-minute session led to death in 20% to 30% of cells. Three consecutive sessions led to the death of 65% to 70% of exposed cells. It also damaged the remaining cells and resulted in genetic mutation patterns similar to those found in human skin cancer.
The researchers also noticed other troubling issues: The damaged genetic material — specifically DNA — does not get repaired over time. Mutations also occur after every exposure to a UV nail-polish dryer. And UV light may cause dysfunction within mitochondria [MY-toh-KON-dree-uh], the “powerhouses” that make energy for many cells in the body.
While the study results showed that consistent use of nail-polish dryers damages human cells, the researchers also noted that a long-term epidemiological study is needed to conclusively determine that the machines lead to an increased risk of skin cancers.
In the salon, there’s always a slower option for those concerned about UV rays: waiting around for your nails to air dry.
Raise your hand and yawn if this sounds like you. You roll out of bed and immediately feel stressed, even if you slept like a log. It’s hard to be chipper at moments like this. But behavioral experts say there are some simple steps you can take to get your day off on the right foot and boost your overall well-being.
First, pick a wellness habit, then link it to a morning routine you already have. Say you get up every morning and make the bed. Link that to a healthy habit, such as spending a few moments focusing on whatever nature you see out your window, whether it’s your neighbor’s tree or the brightening sky over the city. By tacking it onto something you’re already doing, you’re more likely to stick with it.
Second, banish your phone from your bedroom. When you reach for your device first thing in the morning, you’re inviting the outside world to dictate your mood. Plenty of research shows social media can decrease your happiness over time. Don’t give negativity a head start.
Next, talk to yourself. Really. You’re probably already doing it, but use your own name when you do. If you have something big on your day’s agenda, give yourself a pep talk. Also, make sure to connect with someone positive in your life — your spouse, your child, a close friend. If your schedule is too busy to meet for a cup of coffee or even a quick call, it can be enough just to send good thoughts their way.
And remember to be thankful. Many people say a morning prayer, but just pausing to appreciate that you’re alive and all of the good things in your life can put a smile on your face.
You may not be able to dictate what’s coming your way, but you can control how you start out each day.
Planning to spring clean your home? Don’t forget to look through your medicine cabinet. Chances are, it’s full of half-used prescription bottles and cold medicine.
Leftover drugs stored in these cabinets can fall into the wrong hands. According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, two-thirds of teens who report abuse of prescription medicines say they got them from family and friends. Abuse isn’t the only risk. Consuming expired medication can harm children, pets or yourself.
Keep three tips in mind while spring cleaning your medicine cabinet.
Number 1, look for expiration dates. They are usually printed at the bottom of the bottle or carton. If the expiration date has passed, discard the medicine. If you don’t see an expiration date but bought the product at least one year prior, toss it. Most medicine expires one year after the prescription date.
Number 2, discard items that have changed color, smell or taste. This includes any medicines that have faded in color due to light exposure.
Number 3, toss anything you don’t recognize, including creams and pills kept in unmarked containers.
It’s important to properly dispose of these expired items. Toss old pills in undesired substances, such as kitty litter or old coffee grounds, and dispose in household trash. Many pharmacies and hospitals now have a drop-off spot for unused medication.
Do not flush old medications down the toilet, as they can end up in the water supply.
After you clean your medicine cabinet, stock it up with fresh supplies. Items to have on hand include pain relievers such as acetaminophen, antacids, cold and flu medicine, Band-Aids and antibiotic ointments.
When married couples argue, it often leads to hurt feelings. Now, new research shows high-intensity arguments can cause broader emotional and physical troubles.
Researchers at The Ohio State University recently took a deeper look at their 2005 research. Back then, they found that just one stressful argument can harm immune system function.
Now, they have discovered that arguing can become part of a broader, deeper and more vicious cycle. Typically, the researchers found, it goes like this: Combative arguments among the study participants were linked to more negative marital communications. That, in turn, leaves a trail of persistent negative emotions and biological markers that cause poorer health outcomes.
In particular, the stress of arguing and negative communication can lead to chronic inflammation, diminished immune-system function and emotional struggles.
During the study, the scientists looked closely at data from a group of nearly four dozen couples who had been together for an average of 12 years. Among other factors, the researchers observed wound healing as an indicator of proper immune system functioning. Couples with more relationship strife and negative communication habits needed more time for their physical wounds to heal.
In the new study, the researchers noted that couples’ negative communication tactics — especially mutual avoidance or making demands — have a cascading effect on both emotions and immune-system function.
But all is not lost. Couples can use therapy or education to boost their communication skills. And there’s also that time-honored tactic for dealing with a marital disagreement: Choose your words wisely.
When the COVID-19 pandemic first swept the nation, contracting the disease — and surviving it — was most people’s primary concern. Now, as we learn more about the disease, researchers are pivoting to studying and understanding long COVID.
In a new study from Harvard University researchers, findings pointed to a healthy lifestyle as key to reducing the risk of contracting long COVID.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 32,000 female nurses from the long-running Nurses’ Health Study II, in which participants reported on their lifestyle and COVID-19 experience, among other things. For the study, the researchers defined a healthy lifestyle as having a healthy body weight, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, a high-quality diet, moderate alcohol consumption and not smoking.
Women deemed to have a healthy lifestyle had about half the risk of contracting long COVID as the women who did not. Factors most strongly associated with a lower risk of long COVID were body weight and adequate sleep.
Currently, between 8 and 23 million Americans have long COVID or COVID-19 symptoms a month or more after initial infection. These can include fever, heart, digestive symptoms and fatigue. Long COVID can also include neurological symptoms, like anxiety, depression, changes in smell or taste, or trouble concentrating, often called “brain fog.”
According to the researchers, 70% of the United States’ population is not at a healthy body weight and 30% of us don’t get enough sleep.
Making small changes to your lifestyle might not only pay off in the long run … it could also help ward off any long-term ill effects from long COVID.
As organs go, our brains get the glory for allowing us to process information and think deep thoughts. The heart gets its own holiday, all the credit for romance, and keeps us alive with its rhythmic ba-bump, ba-bump.
Kidneys? They’re so vital we have two of them, but does anyone ever stop to thank them? Sadly, they do not. The bean-shaped organs are the blue-collar, work boot-wearing Joes of our bodies. Without their work to filter toxins from our blood and turn it into urine, we’d all be in trouble.
As it happens, March is National Kidney Month, so let’s take a moment to contemplate the good our kidneys do.
Besides cleaning our blood, they keep blood minerals balanced, regulate fluid levels and activate vitamin D to keep our bones healthy.
Plenty can go awry if kidneys aren’t on the job: there’s cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, weak bones, high blood pressure, stroke and anemia.
Even if we don’t go out of our way to wax poetic about, or even notice, our kidneys, the least we can do is to try not to hurt them.
Keep tabs on your blood pressure. Make sure your doctor asks for annual tests that gauge how much protein is in your urine and how well your kidneys’ filtering function is working.
Like many internal diseases, kidneys often give little or no warning before sounding the alarms. Be alert for urine that’s pink, foamy or overly dark. Puffy eyes and swollen extremities also bear checking out.
The rest is pretty standard — exercise, keep your weight in check, eat right, don’t smoke or drink too much alcohol, do drink plenty of water and get an annual physical.
And maybe just a tiny thank you once in a while wouldn’t hurt.
Getting older is an inevitable, inescapable part of life. As we age, our risk of cognitive decline and other illnesses increases.
That’s a worry for many. But it doesn’t have to be, as new research shows the right diet can play a big role in keeping the mind fresh.
A recent study showed an association between eating anti-inflammatory diets and a lower risk of dementia in older adults.
After age 40, our bodies start making pro-inflammatory mediators, a process called “inflammaging.” It can reach the brain and cause cognitive issues like dementia.
While science has shown the link between inflammation and cognitive decline, the role of diet has been unclear.
The researchers evaluated more than 1,000 people in Greece during a three-year period.
The researchers evaluated participants’ diets and grouped them based on how inflammatory they were.
The first group had the least inflammatory diets, eating the most fruits, vegetables and legumes. The second group ate an average amount of those items, while the third group ate fewer greens, along with more sugar and processed foods.
Sixty-two of the participants developed dementia in that time, most of them from the group that passed over produce in favor of processed foods. Meanwhile, the group with the less-inflammatory diet showed significantly fewer signs of decline. The members of the most inflammatory diet group, in fact, were three times as likely to develop dementia during the study as those in the group that didn’t mind a salad.
So, try trading out that half-pound burger for salmon and the wine for tea. Your brain might just thank you for it.
We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green. This year, extend the celebration to your meals by whipping up emerald-hued dishes that are festive and nutritious.
Begin your day with a bit of healthy whimsy, green eggs and ham — the meal, not the Dr. Seuss book. Combine three eggs, one cup of kale and one teaspoon of milk in a blender. Blend until the kale is pureed. Heat a small pat of butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the butter melts, add the egg mixture and begin to scramble. Cook until the eggs are done. Kale provides nutrition and a green hue to the scrambled eggs. Serve with ham, of course.
Continue celebrating at lunch with a twist on a favorite dish: mac and cheese. How do you add green into this classic comfort food? Avocado! Put avocado, lime juice and milk into a food processor or blender. Puree until fully blended. On the stove, cook whole-wheat macaroni as instructed on the box. With the pot on medium heat, pour the avocado sauce over the macaroni. Add pepper jack cheese and mix until melted. It’s a decadent lunch with major health benefits.
Two meals down, one to go. Finish off your green St. Patrick’s Day at dinner with stuffed green peppers. Slice the top off the peppers and remove the core and seeds. Stuff the peppers with cooked quinoa, chicken, mushrooms and spinach. Place the peppers on a baking dish, cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. It’s a healthy meal and sure to impress any friends over to celebrate the holiday.
By adding various shades of green to your meals this St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll feel great and still channel the luck of the Irish.
By some measures, intermittent fasting is one of the most popular diet plans. At least one study suggests that one-fourth of U.S. adults have tried eating only during certain times of day.
While intermittent fasting helps some people lose weight, recent research suggests there may be a more effective tactic: The old-school approach of reducing calories.
To test that premise, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine researchers studied the association between weight change and mealtimes using the electronic health records of more than 550 people in two states.
The researchers also created a mobile app that study participants used to log their eating and sleep habits in real time for six months. The researchers used that information to measure the time between the first and last meals each day.
Here’s what they found: Meal timing had no association with weight change during a six-year follow-up period. That includes the interval between first and last meals, as well as the timing of the day’s final meal relative to bedtime. Weight gains were associated with the total number of medium-sized meals — defined as 500 to 1,000 calories each — and the number of large meals over 1,000 calories.
Overall, researchers found no association between weight change and the timing of meals.
But what about prior studies suggesting that intermittent fasting may help regulate metabolism and body rhythms? The Johns Hopkins researchers found no such link in their large-group study among participants with a wide range of body weights.
Instead of intermittent fasting, the findings suggest a back-to-basics approach: fewer large meals and less eating overall.
Once again, it’s time to take a long, hard look at the clock on your car’s dashboard and wonder, “How do I change the time on this again?”
Daylight saving time is again upon us, and for most, the minor annoyance of losing one hour of precious weekend sleep is mitigated by the promise of more hours of early evening sunshine.
But how else does this time change affect our health?
Studies have shown that daylight saving time can have a negative effect on our circadian rhythms, those internal clocks that help regulate our sleep and wake-up patterns.
In a nutshell, when we “spring forward” this weekend, it may have a much bigger impact on us than just losing an hour at night.
Experts say the effects on our sleep and bodies can linger for months.
In 2007, German researchers reported that your body clock isn’t as easy to change as the clock on the kitchen wall. We may think we’re springing forward, but our body clocks tend to stay stubbornly stuck. Our bodies and sleep patterns adjust well when we move back an hour in the fall, but we struggle with the transition in the spring, especially night owls.
Congress has discussed, but not voted on, bills that would eliminate the federally mandated time change. In the meantime, the U.S. Department of Transportation is studying how that might affect traffic safety, among other things. For now, there are ways to make the transition easier.
Exercise, if you can. Make a bedtime routine to help you wind down and feel ready for sleep. Also, try to go to bed and wake up about a consistent time each day.
Those changes should help you catch some zzz’s and get the rest you need.
Let’s put the brakes on the idea that commuting to work or other places away from home has no redeeming value. Yes, we have to deal with traffic, aggressive drivers and potholes large enough to fit a robust moose.
Others sweat in packed buses or claustrophobia-inducing subways.
But contrary to what you might believe, that travel time might be much better for your mental health than simply staying at or close to home.
British scientists examined a nationally representative sample of more than 3,000 residents of Northern England to determine how access to transportation, or a lack of it, affects people. Many residents in the region have poor access to transportation.
Researchers found that those who traveled outside their local area reported feeling healthier than less mobile folks. The length of the commute is important, with those traveling 15 miles or more experiencing the more positive effect. This has a strong impact on mental health.
Previous investigations have shown that social isolation leads to depression. That in turn can elevate the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and a weakened immune system.
Keeping engaged, visiting friends and family, being part of a community and simply taking part in human activity all elevate mental health. So too does visiting a great variety of places.
Indeed, scientists report that the key to their findings is the number of places a person visits. Each added locale offers more chances to socialize.
All this makes it important to ensure everyone has access to reliable transportation, especially those in remote communities.
So, get in the car, bus or train. Be active.
Your trip could well be the destination to better health.
For chocolate lovers, indulging in their favorite treat can make them wax poetic. Now, science has decoded the process that takes place when chocolate changes from solid to liquid as it is eaten.
But what’s driving the need to understand such a sublime experience? Researchers at the University of Leeds in England wanted to better understand the individual events that make chocolate so irresistible. It’s a first step in developing chocolate that has a classic feel and taste but is healthier to eat.
Using a luxury brand of dark chocolate, the researchers devised an artificial, tongue-like surface to study what takes place as chocolate melts in the mouth. On a human tongue, chocolate releases a fatty film that coats the mouth’s surfaces. That’s what gives chocolate its classic, silky feel.
This is what they found about the science behind the indulgence: Fat is the first taste sensation after chocolate hits the tongue. Solid cocoa particles then burst forth, delivering the treat’s classic taste and feel. That is important because it could someday lead to chocolate that contains less fat but still packs the same taste sensations.
In another key finding, they determined that where fat sits within the chocolate is more important to the eating experience than overall fat content. Having more fat on the outer layer of the chocolate matters the most, followed by cocoa particles that are effectively coated by fat. In its ideal state, that’s what makes chocolate so … chocolate.
Someday, science may help to deliver what everyone craves — a chocolate bar with all of the flavor and mouthfeel … but none of the guilt.
For decades, women have told those who keep track of such things that they would like to have two children. And many of them say they want to have those kids when they are around the ages of 20 to 24.
But the fertility rate in the United States was 1.71 in 2019, the lowest it’s been since the 1970s.
To put it simply: Young families aren’t having the number of children they say they want to have, at least not when they say they want to have them.
A new study from researchers at the Ohio State University and the University of North Carolina examined the phenomenon as part of a deep dive into data gathered by the National Survey of Family Growth, which has been asking people about their childbearing goals and behaviors for several decades.
The study focuses on data gathered by the survey at several points between 1988 and 2019.
One of the big takeaways: The country’s fertility rate, defined as the total number of births in a year per 1,000 women of reproductive age, went down 11% over the Great Recession, the four years from 2007 to 2011.
The rate has not recovered since. Following the recession, there came a global pandemic, which, for many reasons, has made some young adults wary of starting families.
The researchers say they don’t yet know what COVID-19’s impact on the fertility rate will be, whether it will be just a temporary shock or a more permanent change, but it bears more study.
Why does it matter if birth rates rise or fall?
Not accounting for migration or mortality trends, a fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman ensures a stable population, which can affect society and the economy, among other things.
One need only look to Japan, where an aging population and decades of low fertility rates have left the country with the world’s oldest population and young adults reluctant to start families. Only 40% of the workforce is fully employed. And those who do have full-time jobs often report that fatigue from being overworked leaves them too exhausted to even think about dating.
As the traffic jam grows longer, you fuss, fume and complain about the inconvenience. But traffic jams pose a threat to more than just your blood pressure and sanity: As your car sits, unhealthy air builds up inside.
Researchers in England found that the air inside a traffic-bound car is substantially dirtier than in a moving car — up to 29 times more polluted. So, what’s behind the problem? The simple structure of a traffic jam. Vehicles bunch up, leading to a concentration of exhaust fumes. Then traffic inches along, increasing drivers’ exposure to the chemicals created by combustion. The findings were published in the journal Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts.
To measure pollution inside vehicles, researchers tested particulate levels as a car traveled nearly 4 miles through 10 traffic lights. Air samples were taken at three-way and four-way intersections with various settings on the car’s ventilation system.
The highest levels of pollution were found when the car’s windows were closed at the traffic lights and the fan was on. Researchers said that’s because the vent fan pulls in dirty air from the outside, where it collects in the car’s sealed interior.
Fortunately, there’s an easy fix. The researchers suggest closing your car windows and turning off your fan during a traffic jam. That alone can reduce the chance of inhaling polluted air by 76%. If a closed car with no fan makes it just too hot, keep the windows closed and set your ventilation to recirculate air internally. That keeps more pollution out.
So, when traffic starts backing up, relax and take a deep breath — but close your windows first.
Exercise is great, but many of us would still rather do less of it. Luckily, new research from Edith Cowan University suggests there’s a quick way to decrease your gym time while maximizing effectiveness — and no, it’s not a scam.
The recent study found that lowering weights, as a motion, rather than picking weights up or pulling them toward you, is a type of muscle contraction most effective at increasing muscle strength and size.
In fact, across groups of study participants asked to perform three different types of dumbbell curls, those who started with the weights up and slowly lowered them saw the same results as those who raised and lowered them.
The findings corroborate previous research that pointed to “eccentric” muscle contraction, where activated muscles lengthen, as being key to increasing both muscle size and strength. A traditional bicep curl would be a “concentric” muscle contraction.
The researchers also noted that the group that only lowered weights saw significant improvements in muscle thickness: 7.2% compared with a 5.4% improvement for the group that raised and lowered weights.
For those who want to give it a try, exercises such as bicep curls, front raises, shoulder press, knee extensions, leg curls and calf raises are all great places to start.
It’s also great news for those of us strapped for time, meaning that those supposedly “quick” workout plans may actually be as advertised. So go ahead: Start from what would ordinarily be the ending position of an exercise and slowly go in the opposite direction.
It will be tougher, because you’re using less frequently engaged muscles, but it won’t demand as much of your time.
In this season of trying on new, healthier habits, here’s another one for you: a nice, hot cup of tea.
Black tea, specifically.
A new study from Australian researchers suggests that flavonoids, which are naturally occurring substances in many foods and beverages, have more health benefits than were previously known.
In a study of nearly 900 women whose median age was 80, they found that those who consumed a high level of flavonoids were up to 39% less likely to have extensive buildup of something called abdominal aortic calcification, or AAC.
That sounds bad — and it is.
AAC is calcification of the abdominal aorta, the body’s largest artery. This important vessel sends oxygenated blood from our heart to our abdominal organs and legs. AAC is also a predictor of cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack and stroke, as well as late-life dementia.
Not a tea person? There are many other ways to add flavonoids in your diet. Besides black and green tea, they’re also found in blueberries, strawberries, oranges, apples, raisins, grapes, red wine and dark chocolate.
However, the researchers noted that fruit juice, red wine and dark chocolate did not show a significant beneficial association with AAC.
Black tea was the study cohort’s main source of flavonoids and the women who drank two to six cups a day were 16 to 42% less likely to have extensive AAC.
In this time of flirting with new habits, swap in a tea break for your coffee break. Toss an apple into your lunch bag or top your cereal with blueberries.
Your abdominal aorta — not to mention your future, older self — will be the better for it.
To spank or not to spank. For many parents, that is the question.
From decades of research, a conventional wisdom eventually emerged: Spanking children is linked to negative effects on behavior, including an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
Now, a study by Florida State University researchers sheds new light on how corporal punishment affects a child’s neural system to produce these adverse effects.
In a study of 149 children ages 11 to 14, scientists used a monetary guessing game and a video game-like task while measuring brain-wave activity from the scalp. With that data, each participant was given two scores. One of the scores reflected neural response to reward, the other a neural response to error.
Two years later, the children and their parents completed a series of questionnaires to measure parenting style, anxiety and depression. The researchers found that anxiety and depression were more prevalent among children who were spanked.
Beyond associating spanking with anxiety and depression, the researchers said their findings show corporal punishment might affect neurodevelopment and brain activity. The study’s spanked children had both a heightened neural response to errors and a diminished response to rewards compared with those who were not spanked. Beyond a clear association between spanking and an increased risk of anxiety and depression, it also suggests that spanking alters specific neurodevelopmental pathways, making children less reactive to rewards and more hypersensitive to mistakes.
Before raising your hand to a child, think about the long term: A spanking now might have emotional consequences later.
If you’re middle age or older, hopefully this won’t keep you up at night: Getting less than five hours of sleep can heighten your risk of developing at least two chronic diseases.
That’s what researchers at University College in London determined after analyzing the effect of sleep duration among more than 7,000 people between the ages of 50 and 70. Not only was a lack of sleep associated with chronic diseases, it was also linked to higher death rates in those age groups.
At age 50, those who consistently slept five hours or less were 20% more likely to be diagnosed with a chronic disease such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease than those who slept at least seven hours. Following study participants 25 more years, the researchers discovered the light sleepers were 40% more likely to have two or more chronic diseases.
For the 50-year-old group, there was also a 25% greater mortality rate over their next 25 years. The researchers noted a vicious cycle: Short-sleep duration raises the risk of chronic diseases, which increases the risk of death.
The problem is pervasive, with more than half of older adults in some wealthier countries having at least two chronic diseases. That creates challenges for governments and insurers that fund health care.
The researchers said it’s important to understand how sleep habits change with age, with older people often having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Seven to eight hours of sleep is considered ideal.
If you have trouble sleeping, here’s a pro tip: Physical activity and exposure to light during the day can help ensure you log enough hours counting sheep.
As the temperature and humidity fall, skin becomes dry, cracked and itchy. It needs extra TLC to stay supple and soft. Banish the winter woes and keep your skin smooth by incorporating a few tips into your skin care routine.
First, moisturize often. Frigid outdoor temperatures and artificial indoor heaters zap the skin of its natural moisture, so it’s a good idea to invest in a heartier moisturizer during the winter months. Look for a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic lotion or cream. To maximize its benefits, apply moisturizer immediately after you shower — the humidity in the bathroom keeps the skin’s pores open so it absorbs better.
Avoid harsh chemicals. In these days of hand sanitizers, antibacterial soaps and moistened antibacterial wipes, some chemicals probably aren’t easily avoided. But when you use them, don’t forget to follow up with lotion.
Plug in a humidifier. Centralized heaters blast dry air through homes and offices, which dries out skin. A humidifier allows you to adjust the water level in your environment and keep moisture in your skin.
Your next tip: Be religious about using sunscreen. UV rays damage skin in the winter, even though there is less sunlight around. Use a daily lotion with SPF 30 or higher to keep skin protected.
As much as you might enjoy them in cold weather, taking a long, hot bath or shower can dry out your skin. Shorten the duration and moisturize after.
Lastly, visit a dermatologist, who will analyze your skin’s condition and troubleshoot any problem areas. Investing just a bit of extra time for skin care will have you ready for a smooth spring.
Once hailed as an “industrial miracle,” manmade polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, were used to make all kinds of things.
Invented in 1929, scientists later found PCBs were carcinogens and they were widely banned from commercial use in 1979. But for decades they were ubiquitous, used to make children’s fingerpaints. Trash bags. Containers you kept leftovers in. Baby bottles. Magazines. Fluorescent bulbs.
Yet, even with a ban, PCBs still haunt us as they linger in the environment.
Now, a team of Japanese researchers say that enzymes produced by the body unevenly metabolize those lingering PCBs. Some end up with more chlorine atoms, even though all PCBs are chemically identical. The Japanese study on that process is expected to boost scientists’ understanding about potential toxicity in humans and other mammals.
PCBs don’t break down easily and can cycle repeatedly from air to water to soil. We ingest them when we eat salmon or catfish, and they find their way into our body fat, where they stay for months or even years.
Understanding which parts of PCBs are reduced by metabolism and which remain entrenched in the body will allow scientists to better estimate the toxicity of those high-chlorine PCBs.
Some 1.5 billion pounds of PCBs were made before 1979. In the 1960s, as scientists began to understand the compound’s persistence, traces of PCBs in people and animals were found around the globe, from population centers like New York City to the remote Arctic.
States and cities across the U.S. have filed lawsuits against the manufacturer of most PCBs.
One age’s industrial miracle has become another’s environmental mess —and a legal one.
We age second after unrelenting second. We won’t notice any difference in our bodies day to day, month to month, even year to year. The clock, however, never stops advancing, destination unknown.
Over time we start to realize our bodies aren’t as spry as that long gone 23-year-old who could exercise all day without the hint of ache or pain.
Chances are, you were or will be about 42 when the revelation really hits.
That’s according to a poll of 2,000 Americans by the market research company OnePoll, which found, on average, people notice the signs of aging around that age. Those first gray hairs or wrinkles can, for some, be quite a shock.
The same group of respondents looked back and estimated when they were at their absolute peak of health. On average, they thought they were 34 when they stood proudly atop fitness mountain.
A significant portion of people — 15% — noticed signs of aging before their 35th year.
One in five admitted they were in denial about growing old. Wrinkles, however, do not go away simply by avoiding the bathroom mirror.
Physicians say, while aging is inevitable, we can take steps no matter how young or ancient we are to expand the time we enjoy good health. Exercise daily, eat a healthy diet and don’t smoke.
If only Spanish conquistador Ponce de Leon had found that fountain of youth 500 years ago. The tale is probably apocryphal. But even if true, Ponce supposedly looked for the fountain in what was then known as La Florida. So, while its waters might have restored youth, it would have been infested with la gators.
And that wouldn’t likely have helped the Spaniards stay youthful. Not for long, anyway.
Picture this: You’re meeting a date at a restaurant. When you see them, you get excited and call their name. But they don’t seem to hear you … then they walk away. Rude? Sure, but it’s a social rejection Japanese researchers hope mosquitos begin to experience after their new study.
That’s right. Scientists have figured out a way to make female mosquitoes’ mating “buzz” fall on deaf males’ “ears.”
Disrupting mosquito populations is important not only because they are annoying — they also transmit dangerous diseases to humans such as malaria, dengue [ding-gay] and Zika.
Although much research has attempted to block mosquitoes from biting people in the first place, this study sought to determine whether scientists could control mosquito mating behavior by altering the frequency at which male mosquitoes hear.
Using a serotonin-inhibiting compound, researchers were able to make the mosquito ears go ‘out of tune,’ ideally to block their usual mating behavior. This could help control the growing mosquito population, against which common insecticides are faltering due to the buzzing beasties’ growing resistance.
The next steps in ruining mosquito romance include the development of a potential auditory-based “birth control” that would be able to pinpoint the exact receptors responsible for tuning mosquitoes’ ears.
With that in their pocket, researchers could administer even more targeted compounds to disrupt mating behavior, while ensuring other species’ romantic habits would remain untouched.
A future where you could meet a date outside on a warm summer evening without the disruption of several buzzing onlookers? Now that’s romance.
For people with anxiety and depression, there’s a well-known drug that delivers consistent results. Now, there may be a pill-free option for some: Recent research shows that a stress reduction regimen can be a reliable alternative.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have found that a guided anti-stress program known as mindfulness-based stress reduction, or MBSR, works as well as escitalopram [es-sye-tal’-oh-pram]. The drug is also known by its brand name, Lexapro.
During a study involving nearly 300 people in the northeastern United States, patients were separated into two groups. One of the groups used MBSR while the other took escitalopram. The MBSR patients spent two months attending weekly classes, one weekend retreat class and doing daily, 45-minute home exercises. Patients’ anxiety symptoms were measured at the beginning and end of the trial.
Both groups of patients had anxiety levels reduced about 30% to nearly identical levels. That, the researchers said, shows the drug and MBSR to have very similar effectiveness.
The findings about MBSR may prove to be consequential beyond just its efficacy. The researchers say it gives evidence for doctors to prescribe and insurance companies to cover mindfulness-based stress reduction as an effective anxiety treatment. For now, few insurance providers reimburse patients for mindfulness meditation programs.
The researchers also note other advantages for MBSR: A mindfulness facilitator needs no medical degree and classes can be held anywhere.
While some anxiety certainly warrants medication, some patients might use mindfulness tools to avoid an unnecessary prescription.
How often do you wake up feeling perky? Once in a blue moon? Never?
New research suggests that paying close attention to three things — sleep, exercise and breakfast — could turn you into a morning person.
The University of California, Berkeley’s three-pronged prescription includes substantial physical activity during the day, sleeping longer and later in the morning, and having a low-sugar breakfast high in complex carbohydrates.
The study tracked more than 800 people for two weeks. Participants ate a variety of breakfasts, wore watches to record their movements and sleep, logged their food intake and alertness levels.
First, participants were asked to exercise during the day. The researchers found a high correlation between activity and those who reported waking up feeling refreshed. No surprise there. Exercise is known to lift our mood.
Snoozing longer and later than normal was found to be important in helping participants wake up feeling refreshed. The researchers say most of us already operate on a sleep deficit, so extra sleep never hurts.
Study participants ate three kinds of morning meals: A standard breakfast with moderate fat and carbohydrates, a high-protein muffin and milkshake breakfast, and a high-carbohydrate or high-sugar glucose drink breakfast. They wore blood-glucose monitors throughout the day.
The high-sugar breakfast left those who ate it feeling groggy. The high-carbohydrate, moderate-protein breakfast left participants feeling energetic.
So if you’re looking to wake up on the right side of the bed, focus on sleep, exercise and breakfast. Set your alarm a little later and see what happens.
Looking for new friends? Dust off your gardening gloves and locate your knee pads.
A recent study from the University of Essex indicates that having a green thumb may be one key to thwarting loneliness — and finding a connection with your community.
Throughout the pandemic, people experienced a range of feelings, many of them negative. Stress, grief, boredom and isolation flourished.
But for a group of volunteers at a community garden in the United Kingdom, other feelings also emerged: They found solace in sowing seeds, fulfillment in growing vegetables and flowers, and a renewed sense of purpose as they tended to the greenery.
In fact, participants in the three-year study self-reported that their life satisfaction and mental well-being increased by 9%.
Now, researchers believe time spent with nature, and its cultivation, can form the basis for nature-based therapeutic interventions that prove indispensable during times of crisis, like COVID-19.
The study is part of a growing body of research that’s finding health benefits from being outdoors.
The researchers said the participants’ enhanced mental health and well-being may have stemmed from the human connections the community garden helped forge. And the outdoor physical activity was also a benefit.
Future investment in similar endeavors could even help reduce demand on the health system and social care, while growing communities in a way that encourages mental well-being.
Now, we’re not saying a cabbage patch is the only key to happiness — but the next time you see your neighbor weeding their garden or planting some tomatoes, think about grabbing a shovel and lending a hand.
Friends might be more than a boost to good mental health. They might also be the best medicine. The evidence is in the monkey poop. Let us explain.
You can draw comparisons between the social behaviors of rhesus monkeys and humans. Monkeys and humans hang out with others in their respective species.
The monkeys form relationships with other individuals in the troop. They display affection, even respect. Some experts say they get depressed when separated from siblings, as when a rival ousts the alpha male.
In a study led by a British researcher, scientists focused on a group of 22 male and 16 wild female rhesus monkeys. They observed grooming pairings, using it as an indicator of social connection. Then they checked 50 samples of monkey feces.
Analyzing these droppings, scientists found that the most social monkeys had a greater number of microbes that help fight inflammation.
The more disconnected monkeys carried more of a bacterium that in humans is harmful and can lead to strep throat or pneumonia.
Unraveling cause and effect is extremely difficult. But researchers believe it is possible that social monkeys transmitted the beneficial bacteria during grooming. Or perhaps, like humans, the lonely heart primates are more stressed, which might affect their good microbes.
We’re close to nonhuman primates genetically, so scientists think the findings might have relevance in our own species and its web of friendships and social interactions. This is especially important when so many are glued to smartphones and interact more online than with friends in the flesh.
So, want to improve your health? Hanging out with friends can’t hurt.
We can say with some confidence that the 2020 presidential race put few to sleep. Indeed, the stress of the election might actually have kept us up nights regardless of our political inclinations.
Poor sleep habits and stress can mess with our brains and bodies, leading to higher cardiovascular risk, obesity, diabetes and cognitive problems.
Stress acts like a jolt to our nervous system, with our bodies releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that elevate heart rate, blood pressure and increase energy as part of the human fight-or-flight response. This, in the short term, helps us fend off danger.
But keep that flow of stress on for days, weeks or months, and all sorts of ills can befall the body.
Boston scientists tracked 437 American adults and 106 international volunteers as part of a study to analyze an election’s impact on the body. Individuals reported their sleep quality and duration, alcohol consumption and when they were stressed or in a bad mood. They did so about a dozen days at a time in three periods — a month before the election, immediately before and right after.
Researchers found a noteworthy correlation. In the run-up to the election, everyone’s sleep deteriorated. But the U.S. participants reported more significant sleep loss in the days leading up to and after votes were cast.
And the Americans drank more alcohol on Election Day and the date, days later, when the race was finally called, than did the Europeans.
So, don’t shout at the TV as your candidate’s numbers roll in. Read a book. Hug your puppy. Relax. Keep the beers in the fridge.
An election is important. So too is your health.
Very few of us look forward to the approach of cold temperatures and the runny noses, stiff joints and stinging fingertips that accompany the wintry months. But did you know it’s actually possible to be allergic to cold weather?
The allergy is called cold urticaria [uhr-ta-care-ee-ah]. Young adults ages 18 to 25 years old are most often affected.
There are two forms: acquired and hereditary. In both cases, the most common symptom is the development of large red hives or welts on the skin after exposure to cold, cold water or cold objects. Hands that swell while holding cold objects or swollen lips after consuming cold food or drink are also symptoms.
More severe reactions include swelling of the tongue and throat that make it difficult to breathe. Anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, is also possible. It can cause fainting, a racing heart, swollen limbs or torso and shock.
In the acquired form, the symptoms become obvious about two minutes after exposure and last for up to two hours. In the hereditary form, symptoms can take up to 48 hours to develop, and can last another two days. Both types are rare.
The easiest way to diagnose the allergy is to hold an ice cube against the skin for up to five minutes. A distinct red rash should develop if the patient has cold urticaria.
The best treatment is to avoid a sudden drop in temperature. Allergy sufferers also should avoid swimming or surfing without supervision, in case cool water triggers a reaction. Antihistamines can be prescribed to help patients until their bodies, over time, warm to the thrill of the chill.
If you don’t think you’re getting as much as you can out of your morning walk, shift it into reverse. Health benefits might await.
A British exercise physiologist said in a recent essay that walking backward might actually be better for health than moving forward.
You won’t see many people out for neighborhood walks sauntering backward. It has obvious limitations. You can’t see where you’re going. It’s easier to lose your balance and fall. It takes practice. And it will confuse the heck out of your dog, to say nothing of your neighbors.
Yet, researchers say this retrograde movement makes our brains work harder by forcing more cooperation between the cerebral systems that control vision and balance. And doing so taxes muscles differently, making them stronger and, in some cases, more flexible.
One study notes that this improves our overall stability and balance. That might help healthy adults and those with conditions that interfere with confident movement, such as knee osteoarthritis.
For those with chronic lower back pain, researchers say walking backward strengthens muscles that support the lower lumbar spine.
The exercise physiologist even suggests the healthier among us might try backward running, once we’ve mastered walking in reverse.
It’s probably a good idea to consult a doctor first, especially if you’re physically infirm or have balance issues. There are many exercises to improve health without the risk of falling on your caboose.
But advocates say strolling astern has its perks — if you’re careful.
Just be sure to leave the dog at home if it pulls on a leash excitedly whenever it sees a squirrel. Or get a rearview mirror.
If sleep apnea is ruining your nights and causing sleepy days, consider a dose of self-help. A growing body of evidence suggests a trio of daytime tactics can reduce the effects of sleep apnea — and perhaps even eliminate the need for a CPAP machine.
First, try cutting out ultra-processed foods such as breakfast cereal, sweetened yogurt and soft drinks. Then, cut back on alcohol and increase your number of daily steps. Every 2,000 steps not only reduces sleep apnea symptoms, it can lower the overall risk of premature death by 8 to 11%.
Sleep apnea, a pause in breathing that leads to snoring and abrupt awakenings, can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Recent findings by researchers in Spain focused on about 100 overweight men with sleep apnea. Half of them made diet, exercise and lifestyle changes that included healthier foods and eliminating processed foods. They cut back on nighttime drinking and walked 15% more every week. The second group made no lifestyle changes. Both groups continued using CPAP machines.
In eight weeks, the group that started healthier habits had 51% fewer sleep apnea episodes per hour than those who made no changes. Fifteen percent of the healthy-habits group no longer had sleep apnea and 45% no longer needed CPAP machines. Those in the healthy-habits group lost an average of 16 pounds.
The results were sustainable: After six months, lost weight stayed off. Sleep apnea remission reached 30% and nearly two-thirds of the group no longer needed a CPAP machine.
Taking a few simple steps can help you breathe easier — especially at night.
Anyone interested in the diet that follows be forewarned: That’s a whole lotta nuts.
Or 46 almonds a day, to be exact, about 56 grams.
But they might be the ticket to a healthier gut. Part of this story involves the 10 to 100 trillion microorganisms hitchhiking in our bodies, most of which are in our gut. Don’t be grossed out. They can be beneficial to good health and help us digest food. More about them later.
A study out of King’s College London had two groups of volunteers replace their normal snacks with almonds. The first ate 28 grams a day, the second 56.
A third group ate muffins that delivered the same amount of energy as those feisty nuts. The groups contained a total of 87 people ages 18 to 45 who were in good health.
Then somebody had to check the participants’ poop. Researchers found that those who devoured the 46 almonds had a higher amount of a fatty acid called butyrate (beaut-a-rate) in their feces than the other two groups.
Butyrate is known to support the health of our guts. It is the primary source of fuel for the cells in our colon, allowing them to function properly. This fatty acid also aids in the body’s absorption of nutrients. And via the bloodstream, butyrate helps keep the brain, liver and lungs fit for duty.
Of particular importance is its ability to serve as a barrier between the bacteria in our guts and our blood. That in turn reduces inflammation and bloating, gastrointestinal discomfort and irritable bowel syndrome.
Almonds are an excellent source of fiber, which ferments in our gut and thus produces butyrate.
So if you like them, eat a handful and keep your colon happy.
Having alcohol easily available may be handy for young adults, but it certainly can mean a lot of heartache for youngsters.
A new research study led by researchers at Ohio State University examined the links between the number of stores selling alcohol in a neighborhood and the numbers of substantiated cases of child abuse in the same area.
The researchers found that having just one more off-premises alcohol outlet — a place where alcohol is sold to be consumed somewhere else — in one census tract was related to 13.5% more cases of child abuse and neglect in that area over a year, as well as 10.5% more entries into foster care.
The study, which was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, focused on Sacramento County parents from 18 to 29 years old. Younger parents are more likely to be involved with child protection agencies over abuse or neglect claims.
The researchers used surveys that asked Sacramento residents about their alcohol use as well as state alcohol-license data.
The study found that even a 1% higher per capita volume of alcohol consumed in a neighborhood was tied to a 3.2% increase in children in foster care due to alcohol-related issues.
According to the studies, stores that sell alcohol are often opened in neighborhoods full of younger adults, who are likely to drink more. That cycle, in which the young adult population has easier access to alcohol and thus drinks more, culminates in more child abuse.
Breaking that cycle, the researchers noted, may mean allowing fewer neighborhood alcohol outlets.
After all, children’s well-being is at stake.
When it comes to living a healthier lifestyle, listen to and watch your co-workers. Their positive habits could eventually help you.
That’s the main message from researchers in the Netherlands, who tracked the influence that employees can have on their colleagues when it comes to eating better and working out. While much is known about the effects that neighbors, friends and relatives have on lifestyle choices, there’s much less evidence about how co-workers influence those behaviors.
Using data from more than 4,300 people across 113 organizations, this is what the researchers found: People are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables when their colleagues encourage them. The same held true for exercise, although the effect was less pronounced. So why do our co-workers hold more sway over our eating habits than our exercise routines? The researchers theorize it may be a matter of proximity: Most people eat at work — often together — whereas exercise usually happens after work.
The study is one of the first to address co-workers’ influence on healthy behaviors. Unlike some prior research, it used an approach that allowed for a more fine-tuned analysis of the relationship between co-workers and healthier behaviors.
Now, the researchers said, workplace leaders and public policymakers can use the findings when making important decisions about ways to encourage healthier living. Colleagues can now be relevant sources of social support when it comes to healthy behaviors, just like friends and neighbors have been.
Keep up with your work friend in the next cubicle. Their good habits could soon become yours.
Maybe you should, because your community blood supply is pulsing all around you. In local hospitals, on blood bank shelves, in delivery vehicles on the road next to you.
January is National Blood Donor Month. President Richard Nixon 53 years ago designated January to recognize those who donate blood and to encourage donation during the time of year when the need is most acute.
Blood supplies tend to be depleted in January, as cold weather, holiday obligations and the cold and flu season do their best to disrupt donor efforts.
Just why are blood supplies often so critically low, you might wonder.
Here’s why: Donated blood doesn’t stay usable for very long. Someone in this country needs blood every two seconds, and few who are eligible to donate do. Those who need blood, like accident victims, chemotherapy patients and organ transplant recipients, need lots of it.
To donate, you must be 17 years old, though in some states 16-year-olds can donate with parental consent. You must be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.
If you meet the minimum standards, the process is simple. Before donating, you’re asked a few questions about your health history to determine whether it’s safe for you to give and for someone to receive your blood.
Your iron, temperature, pulse and blood pressure are checked.
The actual donation takes only about 10 minutes and is fairly easy. Afterward, you relax a bit before returning to normal activities.
Giving blood, like many things, can go better with a friend. Plus, post-donation juice and cookies are always more fun with a buddy.
Many of us start the new year by examining how we can live healthier lives. However, we may overlook a key part of our health in this evaluation: our eyesight.
Here are five tips to help keep your eyes healthy this year.
First, if you wear glasses or have eye-related symptoms, schedule an exam with an ophthalmologist to screen for eye diseases like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration and to ensure your vision is at its best. Be sure if you wear contacts or eyeglasses that your prescription is up-to-date.
On that note, if you do wear contact lenses, make sure you’re taking proper care of them. This includes using the right cleaning solution and a clean storage case if the lenses are reusable, or disposing of lenses in a timely fashion. Also, take care never to shower or sleep in your contact lenses, as that could cause infections and long-term problems for your eyes.
Next, wear good quality sunglasses year-round to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet, or UV, rays. Yes, this includes the winter months. Excessive exposure to UV rays is associated with harmful eye diseases.
You can also strengthen your eyes from the inside by eating eye-healthy foods that are rich in nutrients like beta carotene, including spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots.
Finally, follow the 20/20/20 rule. Most of us spend far too much time staring at computer, smartphone or tablet screens, which can strain our eyesight. To relieve the stress on your eyes, every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
With these tips in hand, you can look ahead to an eye-healthy year.
Every year, many of us make the same old promise. On the first day of January, we’re going to finally shed those extra pounds. A few weeks later, our resolve weakens, and we’re sheepishly digging into cake frosting with a spoon.
No one ever said keeping New Year’s resolutions was easy.
But experts say there are ways to at least make healthy life changes easier, whether it’s January 1st or September 22nd.
The first step is to set realistic goals. University of Maryland psychiatrists say setting a huge goal, like dropping 60 pounds, may be too daunting. Making a realistic goal, like losing 5 pounds in a month, will give you a specific goal without overwhelming you.
Want to get more fit? Take a short walk every day, not a five-mile hike.
Need to eat better? Start by adding more fruits and vegetables.
Don’t let setbacks derail you. Just because your internal cookie monster gets the best of you once doesn’t mean you can’t reach your goal. Dust yourself off and start over.
Help yourself stay on track. If you snooze through every alarm, locate your clock or phone far enough away that you have to get out of bed to turn it off. Keep a journal and celebrate milestones.
Another key to changing a bad habit? Don’t go it alone. Experts advise telling friends about your plans so they can support you. If you’re trying to kick a serious unhealthy habit like smoking or drinking, there are free smartphone apps that can lend support for just about any habit you’d want to break — smoking, drinking, couch potatoing, just to name a few.
And remember that New Year’s Day is not the only day in the year. Work on healthy habits all year long — just take it one day at a time.
Hospitals are filled with the latest technologies. CT scans can give doctors internal views of our bodies that would have seemed miraculous to previous generations. Artificial intelligence uses big data to provide insights about medicine using computer power far beyond the capabilities of the human brain.
DNA therapy can treat or even cure once intractable diseases.
These high-tech advances undoubtedly save lives. But there is one invention dating to at least the 13th century B.C. that could increase the odds of surviving surgery.
A window.
University of Michigan research shows that a hospital room with a window might play an important role in increasing the odds of surviving a risky surgery. Other factors that weigh into the equation include a room’s distance from a nursing station and whether someone is in a single-patient room.
The study involved nearly 4,000 patients at a single hospital who underwent one of 13 risky surgeries from 2016 to 2019, including kidney transplants and a colectomy.
Investigators found that the risk of death was 20% higher for patients in a room without a window, compared with those who had an outside view. That was after adjusting for the patients’ health conditions and the complexity of the operation.
Other factors also influenced mortality rates, including having a nurse able to see the patient from outside the room. Some hospital designs include a window between the room and the corridor side so caregivers can peer inside.
Scientists say more research is needed. But this study reinforces previous work dating to the 1980s pointing to the medical value of patients being able to see the outside world.
A room with a view just might be a lifesaver.
Many of us know the saying that the truth will set you free. But, for children, telling the blunt truth instead of lying gets them judged more harshly by adults.
That’s the main message of recent findings by Texas State University researchers, who tracked the attitudes of nearly 300 adults in the northeastern United States. The adults were shown videos of children, ages 6 to 15, who were telling the truth or lying in various social situations.
The 24 children in the study were told to lie for a variety of reasons. One scenario involved a child lying about where a sibling was hiding after getting in trouble with their parents. The children acted out several variations of lies or truths, including a blatant lie that the sibling had gone to the library. A subtler lie was that the sibling had gone to bed. A subtle truth was the sister went outside, while the blunt truth was that she was hiding under the porch.
After watching the videos, the adults gave their impressions of the child’s character, including their honesty, trustworthiness and kindness. Perhaps surprisingly, the adults reserved their harshest judgment for the children who told the blunt truth.
So, do the adults’ responses go against parents’ typical advice to always tell the truth? The answers from the study suggest that scenario isn’t always so cut and dried.
The researchers say their findings reveal that children learn about honesty in a complicated environment. Kids sometimes learn that it’s wrong to lie but also that it’s sometimes unkind to be brutally honest.
Considering those somewhat mixed messages, the researchers say, it’s not surprising that children can sometimes engage in some nuanced truth-fudging.
For centuries, women have endured all manner of painful and dangerous trends in the name of beauty: lung-restricting corsets, bound feet, even lead face powder.
Should chemical hair-straightening products go the way of those once-trendy treatments? A new study has found that women who used chemical hair-straightening products had more risk for uterine cancer than women who didn’t use them.
The findings have bigger health implications for Black women than others because they use hair-straightening products, called relaxers, more frequently than other groups.
While uterine cancer is relatively rare, it is the most common female reproductive system cancer. And the rate of uterine cancer is up in the United States, especially among Black women.
The National Institutes of Health study reviewed data from more than 33,000 women from age 35 to 74 who participated in the Sister Study, aimed at identifying risk factors for breast cancer and other health issues.
The study lasted almost 11 years, and during that time, 378 cases of uterine cancer were diagnosed among its participants.
The researchers found that women who reported using hair-straightening products more than four times a year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than those who reported less or no use.
The scientists found no increased risk for uterine cancer from other hair products women used, including bleach, highlights, perms or dyes.
With sales of hair relaxers to salons and professional stylists on the decline for the last decade, the link between relaxers and higher urterine cancer risk may prompt women to embrace their natural hair.
Beware this holiday season. Frosty the Snowman is a lovable character. But he might just threaten your safety on the roadway.
Chinese researchers note that certain songs can cause distracted driving. That, in turn, can lead to car accidents. The scientists focused on a song’s beats per minute, testing rock and light music. The idea was that faster rock songs would elicit a response in a driver that could lead to distraction on the road.
The study monitored drivers in an automobile simulator with sensors to check physiological reactions and vehicle operation. It found that songs with 120 or more beats per minute were more likely to cause distracted driving. Researchers suggested such music taxed the processing power of our brains, stressing our mental workload.
An Irish auto insurance company decided to apply this beats-per-minute formula and analyzed popular Christmas songs.
At 172 beats per minute, the Gene Autry version of “Frosty the Snowman” topped the list of the most-dangerous Christmas songs. He might be a “jolly, happy soul,” but the little guy could be responsible for your next fender-bender.
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is a holiday staple. But at 150 beats per minute, it’s nearly as distracting as Frosty. Thanks a lot, Mariah.
Same goes for another Autry hit, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at 142 beats. Rudolph with his nose so bright, might just wreck your sleigh tonight. Sinatra exhorting Mother Nature to “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow” at 143 beats isn’t going to prevent you from sliding off a slippery highway.
So, don’t wrap your car around the North Pole. Turn to easy-listening favorites this Christmas season.
Chances are, you’ve heard plenty about the dangers UV radiation poses to your skin, even in wintertime. Here’s something you may not have heard: UV radiation can burn your eyes.
“Snow blindness,” also called photokeratitis, is a burn of the cornea, the eye’s outer layer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, people typically get it from spending lots of time without adequate eye protection in settings where UV radiation from the sun reflects off snow, water or concrete.
Snow is the most reflective of these substances, hence the condition’s nickname. Tanning beds, welding tools and other artificial sources of UV radiation can be culprits, too.
If you think a sunburn on your eye sounds pretty unpleasant, you’re right. A burned cornea can make your eye feel like it’s full of grit. Other symptoms include light sensitivity, pain and increased tear production. That’s enough to ruin even the best ski vacation.
To avoid this, protect your eyes with sunglasses or ski goggles specifically designed to guard against UV radiation. Add a hat with a wide brim, and even less radiation will reach your peepers.
Animals who live in Arctic regions have something even better than glasses and hats. Reindeer, for example, can see some types of UV radiation and aren’t susceptible to snow blindness. Their ability to process UV radiation is key in their habitat, where the sun’s low position on the horizon makes the glare worse.
As the reindeer are guiding Santa’s sleigh back to the North Pole just as day breaks, their eyes’ natural protection from UV radiation must come in handy. We’re guessing a team of snowblind flying reindeer wouldn’t be much help to Ol’ Saint Nick.
The holiday season tends to be an emotional time for many people, especially as the world continues to deal with unrelenting global drama and an ongoing pandemic. Holiday-related stress may seem overwhelming, but there are ways to manage your anxiety.
A group of researchers at the University of Kansas have linked added sugar consumption to metabolic, inflammatory and neurobiological processes that are connected to depressive illness. Holiday foods are often high in added sugars, making them apt to trigger this response.
Sugary foods give an initial mood boost, but if consumed in large amounts, over time, they can take a toll on a person’s mood. Added sugars can increase inflammation in the body and brain, which can lead to depression, anger or other negative mental conditions.
Avoiding an excess of sugary foods can help boost your mental health, especially during the stressful holiday season. It’s important to remember that it is OK to indulge — just do so in moderation.
Experts say that guilt and shame over diet slip-ups can also have a negative effect on mental health. Keep to a balanced diet to achieve optimal mental wellness, but give yourself permission to enjoy holiday treats. And if you overdo it, remember that we’re all human. Start over. Today’s a new day.
The last couple years have given us more emotional trauma than we might have imagined. But there’s no need to let stress win the day.
Taking time to reset your life and share traditions with those you love will help improve your mental health. Even during these trying times, don’t forget the joy of the season.
This time of year, there are many opportunities to indulge in a flute of champagne or a tumbler of spiked eggnog. But if you’re trying to pace yourself — let’s say, at the office holiday party — you might want to bring your own glass.
It’s well established that people have a hard time determining if there is more liquid in a short, wide glass than a tall, narrow one. Even if there’s an equal amount in both, we tend to use height to judge quantity, so we usually think there’s more in the tall glass. As a result, we usually end up pouring more into the short glass.
If that wasn’t enough to complicate happy hour, a new study finds that the shape of the glass also determines how quickly we consume alcohol.
Psychology researchers at the University of Bristol observed 160 social drinkers aged 18 to 40 with no history of alcoholism. The researchers found that their subjects quaffed a beer almost twice as quickly when drinking from a curvy glass than from a straight-sided glass.
The researchers hypothesize that curves make it harder for drinkers to judge exactly how much they’ve consumed. Visual cues tell us how much we’ve had to drink, but shaped glassed can play tricks on our eyes. Even determining the halfway point in a curved glass can be difficult. Consequently, we may underestimate how much alcohol we’ve actually had.
However, when the beverage was alcohol free, the shape of the glass had no impact on the speed of consumption. Perhaps we only attempt to pace ourselves when drinking alcohol.
Drink responsibly this holiday season, preferably out of a tall, straight glass. Who knows? It may be enough to keep you on Santa’s — and your boss’s — “nice list.”
’Twas the night of the holiday party and all through the house, creatures were stirring, even the mouse. The favors were strung by the punch bowl with flair, in hopes that loud partygoers would soon be there.
But in the corner, the introverts all wished they were at home in their beds. Visions of quiet rooms danced in their heads. The woman clutched her purse. The man held his hat. Both secretly wished they were at home with the cat.
Being an introvert during the holidays is tough.
In an extrovert’s eyes, a holiday party means talking and laughing, eating, and even more talking and laughing as the hours wear wee. To the introvert, it’s all an endless array of uncomfortable conversations, people talking loudly and time away from things that really matter.
It’s not that introverts are party poopers. Scientists say the key difference between introverts and extroverts is how their brains process dopamine. Introverts are more sensitive to this happiness-causing chemical. Reading or being at home can satisfy. But an extrovert needs more stimulation to feel the same boost. People. Parties. Bungee jumping.
Researchers say this makes extroverts more thrill-seeking than the average introvert.
Most folks are extroverts, though, so how can an introvert cope at a party? Experts say be early, help out, ask questions and start conversations.
Easier said than done, you say? Then be a good listener … extroverts need someone to listen to their stories.
Even if you still count down the minutes until you can leave, at least you will have shared your humanity with others. And you’ll likely come home with at least a good story or two to tell the cat.
The Grim Reaper doesn’t take rain checks or a Christmas vacation.
That’s the reality behind the findings of an Ohio State University study, which dispels the notion that cancer patients can cling to life to avoid dying just before or during major holidays and birthdays.
Smaller studies had previously backed claims that a patient’s will to live could keep them alive during holidays. But researchers found no such evidence after examining the death patterns of more than 300,000 cancer patients in Ohio.
There were no noticeable dips in death rates before holidays and no noticeable spikes afterward. Researchers actually found that women were more likely to die right before their birthdays than after.
Other research has shown a dip in the number of deaths among Jewish men just before Passover, the religion’s holiest day of the year.
But in the current study, of the 12,000 cancer patients who died around Christmas, half died the week before or on the day of the holiday and half died the week after.
So why does it seem like so many caregivers and family members of terminally ill patients seem to spot this phenomenon? Researchers say it could be because deaths that occur right after holidays cement themselves in a person’s memory more so than deaths that occur on less notable days.
However, the researchers have yet to study death patterns before or after graduations, weddings or anniversaries, high-sentiment events they say could potentially be even more meaningful to patients than many holidays.
Listen: We’ve all done it. Everyone has, at one point or another, stayed up too late or pulled an all-nighter. The next day’s bleary consequences are usually enough to dissuade us from repeating this bad habit one too many times, but as we get older, there are more formidable consequences than bloodshot eyes and nodding off during meetings.
Now, research from University College London indicates getting less than five hours of sleep in older adults may be associated with an increased risk of developing two chronic diseases.
Using data from 7,000 participants between the ages of 50 to 70, scientists looked at the relationship between how long individuals slept and whether they had been diagnosed with two or more diseases, like cancer or diabetes. Researchers followed the participants over a period of 25 years.
They found that those around the age of 50 were 20% more likely to have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, and even 40% more likely to be diagnosed with two or more chronic illnesses, over the ensuing 25 years. Their baseline for comparison was people who slept up to seven hours. Even at the age of 60 and 70, researchers found a 30 to 40% increase in risk of developing multimorbidity. This, in turn, was also associated with a 25% increased risk of death.
Part of the study’s origin stemmed from the fact that multimorbidity is appearing more and more in high-income countries. Now, more than 50% of the older adult population has at least two chronic diseases.
Although aging — however gracefully — can change our sleep habits and structure, researchers still recommend sleeping for seven to eight hours a night. Whether it’s meditation or counting sheep, the ends justify the means.
The deadliest event in humans’ recorded history, the Black Death, killed an estimated 75 million to 200 million people before its peak in the mid-1300s.
Now, researchers have used DNA from those who died during the bubonic plague era to better understand the connections between natural selection during past pandemics and disease susceptibility today.
Led by scientists from Canada’s McMaster University and the University of Chicago, an international team analyzed centuries-old data, including more than 500 DNA samples taken from those who lived during a 100-year window in the Black Death era.
The samples were taken from those who lived in London and Denmark and died before the plague, those killed by the plague and those who made it through the plague that swept through Europe, Asia and Africa.
The researchers were on the hunt for clues to genetic adaptation related to the plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia [yer-sin-ee-uh] pestis.
The team zeroed in on versions of four genes, called alleles [ul-leelz], that either protected or made one more susceptible to the plague.
Those with two identical copies of a particular gene, called ERAP2 [E-R-A-P 2], likely as much as 40 to 50%, were able to survive at much higher rates than those who had the opposing — and let’s be honest, not so helpful — set of genes.
In a curious evolutionary turn, however, those genes that helped some mount a spirited defense against the plague are today associated with increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
The question does spring to mind: What changes might Mother Nature now be imposing on our DNA as we’re in the midst of another pandemic?
Like so many issues highlighted by COVID-19 — say, frustration with inadequate internet in rural areas, or debates over how much time workers should spend in their cubicle — the virus didn’t create this dilemma, but it sure brought it to boil quickly.
More Americans than ever need mental health help, but there are too few therapists available to help them.
Those reaching out currently often find that therapists can’t take new patients. Or can’t schedule appointments for months.
As anyone who’s been there knows — when you’re dealing with depression, anxiety or any other mental health issue that’s interfering in your daily life, you need help now, not later.
There are ways to get relief quicker. The Association of American Medical Colleges suggests that telehealth services proved during the pandemic to be a very reasonable way of getting health care.
Need help? Use your Employee Assistance Program. Most companies of any size have one, and they can connect you to resources.
Maybe try an app. Talkspace and BetterHealth can match you with a therapist. If money is a worry, free apps like Calm and Headspace can help you relax.
Join a support or therapy group, either online or in-person. Try the self-help section at your favorite bookstore. Online, the Moodjuice website offers self-help guides that can help you work through common mental health problems like depression, anxiety and stress.
When it comes to your psychological health, waiting for symptoms to pass it not a good plan. Help is out there, although you may have to work to find it. This past summer, 988 became the new national hotline for mental health emergencies. Dial — or text — for help.
Modern family life usually moves fast. Settling in for a shared meal can be a time to connect and share the day’s events. It turns out a meal can be more than just relaxing.
A recent study by the American Heart Association has found that the vast majority of 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed — a full 84% — want to share a meal with loved ones more often. And nearly all of the parents participating in the study reported lower stress levels in their family when they bond over a meal.
The study’s authors note that sharing a meal can deliver a host of benefits, including a reduction in stress, a self-esteem boost for kids and improved social connections.
Sharing a meal can be more than habit or ritual. More than two-thirds of the people in the study said eating together reminds them of the importance of connecting with other people.
Eating together also helps foster healthier dietary habits. While people in the study reported eating alone about half of the time, nearly 60% said they were likely to eat better when others are present.
Aligning meal schedules with busy friends and family can be a challenge, so the experts advise starting small: Set a goal to gather family, friends or co-workers for one additional meal a week. If it can’t be done in person, think outside the box. Sharing a meal over the phone or computer isn’t the same as gathering around a table but it can also be a decent substitute for dining alone.
And it’s not just good practice at home. Nearly 70% of people in the study said they would feel less stressed at work if they had more time to share a meal with a colleague.
It’s a simple recipe for warding off stress: Eat together. Eat better. Feel better.
In an interconnected world of Facebook feeds and Twitter tweets and endless social media platforms, a persistent human emotion still rises above that technological clatter.
Loneliness.
That sense of isolation persists among a significant segment of the population. That is certainly a threat to good mental health. And ultimately, researchers say being lonely can lead to physical consequences.
A Norwegian study involving more than 24,000 people found that those who indicated they were very lonely in the previous two weeks were twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who felt socially connected. That’s after adjusting for age, sex and education level.
The body responds to loneliness by releasing stress hormones that can affect us in different ways. Insulin resistance occurs when fat, muscle and liver cells do not respond normally to insulin, making it difficult for them to absorb sugar from the bloodstream.
Such resistance increases, scientists say, when stress hormones are released. And that can lead to the onset of diabetes.
There might be other mechanisms at work, too. For example, lonely people have been shown in previous studies to consume more sugar because of unhealthy eating habits they can be prone to develop.
The association with diabetes points to the idea that loneliness could be added to screening guidelines for the disease.
Interestingly, investigators also found that those people who developed diabetes in their survey were far more likely than not to be married.
That finding aside, the study is yet another reminder that real connection with other people is a powerful influence on our health.
Few things hit the spot more than a late-night bite to eat. While it tastes good going down, that midnight snack can also have health consequences.
Scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston recently studied the simultaneous effects of late eating on three main factors that affect body weight regulation. They found that when food is eaten greatly affects appetite, energy expenditure and molecular pathways in fat tissue.
In the case of midnight snacking, that translates into increased hunger, fewer calories burned and negative changes in fat tissue — all of which can boost the risk of obesity.
The latest findings build on earlier results showing that eating in the wee hours is associated with more body fat and less weight-loss success. This time, the researchers wanted to understand why that’s so.
To do that, they studied a group of overweight and obese patients. Each participant completed two regimens. One of the experiments included an early meal schedule. The other experiment featured the same meals served four hours later. Participants documented their appetites and hunger levels and gave frequent blood samples.
It turns out that eating four hours later made a significant difference in hunger levels, the way calories are burned and how fat is stored. That’s due in part to how late eating affects two hormones that influence the desire to eat. One of those hormones, which creates a feeling of fullness, was less abundant among the study’s late eaters.
Those who ate later also burned calories more slowly and were more prone to gene activity that promotes fat growth.
So, as unrelenting as the after-hours siren call of your refrigerator can be, tuning it out may help keep your weight in check.
For generations, home ownership has been a big part of the American dream. But new research shows the boost of happiness that comes with a home purchase doesn’t last as long as people expect.
Whether it’s a bigger yard, more space or just a place to call your own, the goal of home ownership is often the same: an investment in happiness. Now, a group of researchers in Switzerland has found that happiness can be fleeting.
To establish that, they asked more than 800 future homeowners in Germany to rate their current and expected happiness in five years on a 10-point scale. The results showed home ownership does, in fact, increase happiness — but not as much as the future owners expected.
Happiness with home ownership was also influenced by personality type. Those who are more status oriented, particularly about money and success, overestimated the added life satisfaction that comes with home ownership. On the other hand, people who put more emphasis on family and friends experienced no such disconnect.
So why are some people not very good at predicting what makes them happy? The researchers say it’s a combination of not listening to ourselves as well as the influence of outside forces. People don’t always follow their own true preferences when making decisions. Instead, they can be affected by distorted beliefs about their preferences. That, the researchers noted, can make people more susceptible to influences such as advertising or opinionated relatives.
To combat that, the researchers suggest thinking harder about what truly makes you happy. If you’re looking at home ownership as a symbol of status and success, you’re more likely to end up underwhelmed.
If women are from Venus and men are from Mars, both planets should take a good look at their eating habits, cholesterol levels and general environment. A new study from the University of Gothenburg shows that when it comes to cardiovascular disease, the risk factors between both sexes are largely the same.
The study drew from a global pool of participants across 21 countries in five continents, accounting for both high-income, medium-income and low-income countries. Of the more than 155,000 individuals, not one had a history of cardiovascular disease when the study began. Each instance of fatal heart disease, like heart attack, stroke and heart failure, was noted during the 10-year study.
Participants ranged from 35 years to 70 years in age. Researchers looked at three kinds of risk factors: metabolic, behavioral and psychosocial.
Such risk factors include high blood pressure, obesity, smoking tobacco, economic status and depression.
At the end of the study, researchers found metabolic risks, like diabetes, were similar in both men and women. Depressive symptoms were more significant in men, while the link between poor diet and heart disease was more pronounced in women. Men smoked more, but when women lit up, the data indicated it was just as likely to pose a risk to their heart.
The researchers noted that smaller risk discrepancies between the sexes were far outweighed by the similarities.
Whether from Mars, Venus or Earth, all of us should be cognizant of general risks that can lead us down a path to developing heart disease, and manage our lifestyle, diet and mental health as best we can.
Here’s a topic you’ve probably never given a moment’s thought, perhaps with the exception of the entomologists among us: Fly vomit.
It’s one thing when a pet cat or dog regurgitates somewhere in the home. Not pleasant. But you can smell it, see it, clean it. When a house fly gets queasy, how would you know? The fly, after all, isn’t going to ask you for Pepto Bismol.
That makes these flies a particular threat to human health. Our senses just can’t detect the gastronomic occurrence. A recent study by the University of Massachusetts says we should pay more attention to the health threat of these upchucking flies. They argue the risk posed could be higher than biting flies, who until now have gotten most of the attention as disease-spreaders.
Flies, however, are believed by scientists to transmit at least 65 diseases to humans, and are known to carry 351 types of bacteria.
Investigators say, as the common house fly buzzes through its day, it samples a veritable buffet: garbage, animal dung, perhaps even roadkill or sewage. It fills its crop, which is essentially a storage tank. That’s where the fly keeps its bounty until this malodorous concoction makes its way into the digestive track.
In the crop, unfortunately, this food isn’t subjected to the fly’s digestive juices, which would eliminate most pathogens. If the storage tank is full, and the fly happens upon another treat, something’s got to give.
But you’re unlikely to hear or see a fly get sick. Scientists argue much more research in needed to better understand the health threat.
Meantime, do what you can to keep your abode fly-free. You can’t swat a gluttonous human dinner guest. Flies, however, are fair game.
Here’s some good news about cancer: Overall cancer death rates declined among men, women, children, teens and young adults in every major racial and ethnic group in the United States from 2015 to 2019.
The not-so-good news: New cancer cases remained stable for men and children, but increased for women, teens and young adults.
The Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer tracked cancer incidents and death rates from 2014 through 2019. It also includes long-term trends.
One caveat: The report’s findings are based on data gathered before COVID-19. The pandemic halted annual screenings so much that it’s expected cancer diagnoses will rise as a result.
The federal government’s “Cancer Moonshot Initiative” aims to reduce the national cancer death rate by at least half over the next 25 years.
The report shows that from 2015 to 2019, overall cancer death rates went down 2.3% per year for men and 1.9% for women.
Death rates declined most in lung cancer and melanoma — 4 to 5% per year — among adults. Death rates increased for cancers of the pancreas, brain, and bones and joints among men, and for the pancreas and uterus among women.
Cancer incidence rates remained stable for men from 2014 to 2018 and rose by two-tenths of 1% for women each year during that span.
The most disappointing news in the report noted that the three most common types of cancer in children (leukemia, brain and nervous system, and lymphoma) rose from 2001 to 2018.
But, ending on a happier note: For men, the steepest decrease was in the incidence of lung cancer, which fell by 2.6% a year from 2014 to 2018. In women, thyroid cancer saw the sharpest decline, falling nearly 3% a year.
We might just be able to outrun the coronavirus. Not just outrun. Think biking, walking, walking, canoeing or just dancing your heart out.
A team of South African researchers say regular exercise helps boost the booster vaccinations protecting us against COVID-19.
The study used medical records and wearable activity tracking data to show that vaccinated people with high levels of exercise were three times less likely to be hospitalized by COVID-19 than those who are far less active.
Scientists analyzed nasal swab tests from more than 53,000 participants who didn’t exercise all that much. They then did the same with 62,000 who exercised moderately, and, lastly, with nearly 80,000 participants who were absolute gym rats.
They then coupled that analysis with compete health, vaccination and physical activity information for folks who tested negative for COVID-19.
The news was pretty good, showing a dose-dependent correlation. The more exercise, the better the boost. Compared with the unvaccinated, even couch potatoes who exercised less than an hour each week saw a 60% lower risk of hospitalization in contrast to the unvaccinated.
The risk for the most active exercisers dropped 86% — they’re sweating up a storm more than 150 minutes each week. The moderate physical activity group at 60 to 149 minutes a week saw a risk drop-off of 70%.
Exercise pays off, and not just when it comes to COVID-19. The World Health Organization notes that moderately intense exercise — 150 to 300 minutes spent engaging your muscles — helps prevent severe disease for many communicable viral infections.
So, lift yourself up. That couch can’t outrun a turtle, much less a virus capable of circling the globe.
Mom was right: Eat your peas and beans. Now, that childhood advice also holds true for adults.
What your mom didn’t know then, scientists now know: It’s never too late to undo the damage caused by a bad diet. While healthy eating habits are best started early in life, recent findings by Harvard University researchers and their colleagues suggest foodborne health benefits can also be derived later in life.
To determine that, the researchers followed about 75,000 people between the ages of 30 and 75 for two decades. A scoring system that gave fewer points for unhealthy foods and more points for heathy foods was used. That system identified the usual suspects: Low-rated foods included processed meats, sweetened beverages and pizza. The higher-rated foods were fruits, nuts, vegetables and whole grains, among others.
People who had the higher-scoring diets were up to 14% less likely to die during the study period than those who ate poorly. Just as importantly, those who dropped their bad food habits saw definite benefits. Boosting a diet score by 20% resulted in an 8% reduction in overall death risk and a drop of up to 15% in heart disease mortality.
And there is other good news from the study: It was found to be effective among seniors. On average, a young person could add about 12 years to their life expectancy with better eating. For people in their 60s, the average life-expectancy boost was nine years.
It also doesn’t require a radical diet overhaul. Small changes like adding a handful of nuts to your daily diet and cutting back on hot dogs, ham and sausage can be beneficial. So think more about fish, avocadoes and brown rice and less about red meat and white rice.
I sit, you sit, we sit — at most of our jobs, after work and even on the weekends. There’s no doubt about it — much to the detriment of our muscle mass and general well-being, sedentary lifestyles are increasing and only becoming more common.
Now, research from the University of Toronto is offering one means of staving off complete muscular atrophy by way of snacks.
Unfortunately, they’re not the tasty kind. “Snacks” are how researchers are conceptualizing small, active breaks in between the sedentary lifestyles many of us have grown far too accustomed to.
Even something as small as two minutes of walking (how far away is the bathroom, again?) or body weight sit-to-stand squats, encourage the body to use more amino acids from meals to build muscle proteins, thus preserving both muscle mass and muscle quality.
Sitting for extended periods of time can weaken your body’s ability to filter sugar from your blood after a meal, according to the study.
Although long periods of inactivity are sometimes unavoidable, like bedrest after an injury, phases of low muscle activity tend to result in a loss of muscle mass that occurs in tandem with, or because of, our muscles’ inability to build new proteins even after we eat a meal that contains protein.
But this study indicated that even tiny periods of activity can also improve the efficiency of dietary amino acids used for muscle protein synthesis, or how our bodies repair or replace old or damaged proteins.
In short: A short walk — and a couple squats — are meaningful-but-manageable ways in which you can break up the Zoom meeting marathon or Netflix binging.
Waddling away from the table with a turkey-stuffed tummy on Thanksgiving usually means one thing: Naptime is imminent.
Most of us link the post-Thanksgiving penchant for dozing off on the couch to tryptophan [TRIP-toe-fan], a sleep-inducing amino acid found in turkey. But this “turkey coma” so many of us face after a big holiday meal actually has more to do with everything else on your plate than the tryptophan in the turkey.
Tryptophan is one of the amino acids the body uses to make proteins that help it grow and repair tissue. Our bodies don’t produce tryptophan, so it comes to us via foods like turkey, cheese, chicken, fish, milk, peanuts and egg whites.
It can cause drowsiness, but it works best on an empty stomach … and the Thanksgiving tummy is anything but. Eaten alone, the tryptophan in turkey can cause sleepiness, but the chemical doesn’t fare well when it shares stomach space with amino acids from other foods.
That’s why experts believe Thanksgiving drowsiness is probably less a turkey coma and more a “cranberry sauce, sweet potato, green bean casserole, two slices of pumpkin pie and a pile of turkey coma.”
An overstuffed tummy has been shown to lead to increased drowsiness, as does the wine that often accompanies a holiday meal. And a long day spent cooking or traveling could also be part of what prompts the post-meal nap.
Turkey isn’t the only food with tryptophan that most of us eat regularly, either. Beef and chicken contain just as much of the amino acid, and no one ever complains of falling into a hamburger coma.
You may still require a snooze after a big Thanksgiving meal, but don’t blame it on the bird when you curl up on the couch.
The tiny fruit fly is a rock star in the scientific world. Six groups of scientists have received Nobel Prizes for research that used them to make important discoveries leading to groundbreaking insights into human biology.
Multiple reasons explain the fruit fly’s usefulness in the laboratory. It helps that they share 60% of human DNA. This doesn’t mean some Hollywood creature, half human, half fly, will ever buzz around the apples and bananas on your countertop. But that shared genetics makes them handy.
When the fruit fly speaks, scientists listen.
Their new message to researchers is that exposure to the blue light produced by things like smartphones, TVs and computer screens can impact cells and speed the aging process. A study in fruit flies shows that essential chemicals that cells need to thrive are altered when exposed to that blue glow.
Fruit flies and humans share the same cellular signaling chemicals, so this affect could be seen in us, too.
Investigators kept one group of fruit flies in total darkness for two weeks while exposing a second group to blue light for the same period of time.
Then measurements of critical metabolites were taken for all of them. Perhaps most notably, blue light appeared to lower the levels of a key molecule that helps neurons communicate with each other.
And when cells are operating at a suboptimal level, they tend to die, like a car engine low on oil eventually burns out. Scientists say more study is needed to see how blue light impacts humans.
Score another one for the fruit fly. Its brain is the thickness of two strands of hair. But when it comes to advancing science, it’s beating most of us big-brained amateurs, wings down.
As the coronavirus pandemic swept the world, some health care providers quickly pivoted to telemedicine. It also gave rise to concerns, for some patients, about the quality of telemedicine.
Now, landmark research has concluded that telemedicine is a highly effective and efficient way to receive many kinds of health care. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center used data generated during the COVID-19 pandemic to address three major concerns about telemedicine. Those issues included highly vulnerable patients being unable to access digital health care, reimbursement rates that would encourage its overuse and a generalized concern that it is an ineffective way to provide care.
The researchers determined all of those worries are unfounded. The most vulnerable patients were found to be among the most engaged with telemedicine. Patient outcomes did not get worse, costs did not increase and the need for in-person follow-up care never grew. Likewise, there was no evidence of telemedicine overuse by either providers or patients.
Using data from more than 3,000 medical providers before and during the pandemic, the group analyzed data that included patient demographics, medical outcomes, the number of visits completed and providers’ use of telemedicine. Altogether, the figures showed no negative effects on patients or providers.
In fact, there was a demonstrable upside: Patients who have transportation issues were more likely to keep their appointments and make regular telemedicine visits. The findings also reinforce a pandemic-era lesson that will shape medicine for years to come: Telemedicine can be a convenient, effective complement to traditional care.
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A classroom reward and coveted water bottle decorator, the humble sticker is entering a new arena: the world of the medical device. Gone are the days when bulky equipment was...
Picture yourself in an empty room, no TV on the wall nor any digital gadgets to amuse yourself with. Not even an ancient celebrity gossip magazine. Nothing … except you...
Back to the 1960s, we’ve known that music and other sounds can help alleviate pain in humans, whether it be from childbirth or pulled teeth. Now, an international team led...
In the past 21 years, the toll on Americans from opioid overdoses is so large that it’s hard to grasp. But a new study from Northwestern University suggests the worst...
Miserable is the road to a healthy life. True happiness resides in a candy bar and a butt planted firmly on a couch. At least, that’s what many Americans seem...
Cosmetics are an indispensable part of life for many people. But what makes you feel good might sometimes be harmful. Now new research shows that some cosmetics sold throughout the...
Oxytocin [aak·see·tow·sn] is a nifty hormone. Released by the pituitary gland into the bloodstream, it facilitates childbirth by stimulating the uterus to contract. Some call it the love hormone for...
Locusts, best known for the trouble they cause humanity, what with their starring roles in biblical plagues and agricultural mayhem, may soon be known for their benefit to mankind. A...
Troubles with your boss? Worried about your finances? Anxious about a deadline? All of these everyday worries accelerate the aging of your immune system and boost your risk of illness....
If your parents’ version of happy hour generally turned into many not-so-happy hours, do you often find yourself reaching for ice cream, guzzling soda or noshing on a hot toaster...
Women tend to outlive men but that longevity can come with a price: More illnesses than their male counterparts. Now, researchers believe they have a solution that could bring a...
Calling all night owls, afternoon snoozers and chronic snorers: When combined with a sedentary lifestyle, these circadian eccentricities could result in fatty liver disease. A study published in the Journal...
Miserable is the road to a healthy life. True happiness resides in a candy bar and a butt planted firmly on a couch. At least, that’s what many Americans seem...
For children with autism, early intervention by specialists is so key to helping them have better lives that it’s required by federal law. But a study by Rutgers University says...
Many parents look at four-wheel, all-terrain vehicles and consider the dangers they pose to kids. In reality, there’s another hazard for children who ride off road: motorcycles. Researchers in Australia...
Traditional Chinese food can be made healthier for the heart without sacrificing taste or flavor. Researchers in Beijing, China wondered if they could develop a heart healthy, lower-sodium diet that...
With just five minutes of effort per day, you can have lower blood pressure within weeks. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. In fact, newly published research confirms...
If you’re looking to avoid obesity and high blood sugar, consider eating a big breakfast instead of a large dinner. That’s because the body expends energy digesting food and absorbing...
Moderate drinking does more than just strain your liver. It can also cause a buildup of iron in the brain, which has been linked to future cognitive problems. That’s the...
Let’s begin with a box of chocolates because, quite frankly, that’s a better place to start than with a box of broccoli. We don’t even whisper this in respectable company:...
A healthy lifestyle involves more than a good diet and fit muscles. Sometimes you have to exercise your nose. British researchers decided to test the fragrance of nature on the...
When health officials in Brazil wanted to show teens the effects of too much exposure to the sun, they used technology they could relate to: selfies. Specifically, they used...
Don’t stare — at yourself. At least not during virtual meetings online with friends or business associates. A study out of the University of Illinois suggests the longer we look...
Some people believe wearing socks to bed is vital for a good night’s rest, while others wouldn’t dream of it. But research indicates wearing socks when you slumber can help...
Stop and smell the roses. Then, smell your friends. OK fine, don’t. But you subconsciously probably already have! A new study from the Weizmann Institute of Science found that folks...
A new school year means several things: crisp notebooks, fresh faces and assigned seats. Is there anything more terrifying — and thrilling — than waiting for the teacher to call...
Your mother was right all along: Eat more vegetables. And it’s not just a mother’s mantra. Eating a plant-centered diet as a young adult can reduce the risk of heart...
Three years ago, researchers found that young children can safely overcome peanut allergies with a treatment called oral immunotherapy. Now, new findings show it’s even more effective when started before...
If you’ve ever had surgery, you are no doubt familiar with the pain that can follow. You might be prescribed opioids or other medications, but many patients are leery of...
Some people cannot go on too many cruises, finding it the best way to leave the workaday world, log some travel miles and breathe balmy ocean air. Others — perhaps...
The dentist adjusts his instrument in your mouth, frowning. You tense, gripping the armrests. Silence. Then, the dreaded question: “Have you been flossing?” Maybe you have been. Maybe you really,...
Take a moment and check your pulse. How’s your resting heart rate? And your cholesterol? How healthy do you think your heart really is? An American Heart Association study finds...
If you have a hard time passing up a piece of cake or a bag of chips, it may not be a lack of willpower. In fact, your genes may...
The things we do for a good night’s sleep. We count sheep and avoid looking at the alarm clock. We buy expensive pillows to cradle our noggins. And you can...
Ever dreaded hitting the gym? You knew you needed it and that you would feel better after, but your mind kept making excuses to keep you from going? If you’ve...
Self-confident people tend to be comfortable in their own skin. They believe in themselves and aren’t afraid to take risks. Those of us less sure of ourselves look on...
If you’re expecting to give up coffee when you’re expecting a baby, here’s a jolt of uplifting news: A little bit of joe is safe during pregnancy. Scientists in Australia...
By now, everyone should know that losing weight, quitting smoking and reducing stress are sure ways to lower blood pressure. But there are other not-so-obvious, natural ways to help. And...
Here’s a test your doctor might one day ask you to perform. Stand up, lift a leg off the ground, place the free foot behind the leg still attached to...
Think you’re eating healthy? Guess again. Chances are you’re not doing as well at mealtime as you think. That’s what a federal study suggests. Researchers have previously established that self-reported...
What avocados won’t do for those who are overweight or obese: Shrink your belly, liver fat, waist size or help you lose weight. Sorry, avocado fans. What they can do:...
For people with asthma, reaching for a rescue inhaler can almost become a reflex. Still, there can be too much of a good thing. Recent findings by researchers in...
Your next blood glucose meter reading could be a lot more revealing. In addition to confirming blood sugar levels, it might also determine the level of antibodies that protect against...
The list of things we think of as getting better with age is fairly short: wine, cheese and leather. Cognitive functions aren’t usually something that comes to mind — pun...
In the era of blue light and ever-present digital screens, sleep hygiene and circadian rhythms are one of the first things to fall by the wayside. Well-meaning apps smugly offer...
Television sets have been given a lot of nicknames over the years: The tube. The telly. The idiot box. Now, it might be time for one more nickname — the...
If you’ve ever seen one of those photos or videos demonstrating the amount of added sugar in a full-bodied soda, it’s enough to jolt you into ordering a water, instead....
There’s a good reason why your mother told you to eat your vegetables. They’re packed with vitamins and other nutrients. They’re low in calories and are great sources of fiber....
For food lovers, being put on a low-salt diet can feel like culinary purgatory. Now, science has an answer for that. Taste buds can be “trained” to adapt to less...
A juicy peach is a sweet snack that tastes great on a hot summer day, but did you know that it has endless health benefits, too? One fresh, medium-sized peach...
The fast walkers of the world apparently have a leg up on the tortoises among us. Physicians have long known that one of the best tools to good health doesn’t...
Opioid overdoses have cut short the lives of more than 500,000 people in this country — siblings, parents and friends — since the year 2000. And it’s likely to get...
Obesity is second only to tobacco use as a preventable cause of cancer in the United States. And it boosts the risk of 13 types of cancer that make up...
Oh, the joys of summer. Campfires and s’mores, carefree days outdoors, trips to the beach and … lightning. Thunderstorms are more frequent in summer, making them the party pooper that...
Consider this episode your walking papers. No, we’re not firing you — but we are giving you a pretty good reason to start walking more than you have before. In...
We all feel good after an act of kindness. Whether it’s helping an elderly neighbor carry in the groceries or volunteering at the local hospital every week, acts of selflessness...
We all want to put our best foot forward, especially around strangers. But many of us apparently harbor a dark secret about our diets. These folks eat donuts and fried...
Humans are going to be a lot sleepier in the future if a new study about the impact of global warming is on the mark. In fact, by the end...
If you’re a happy lady and you know it, clap your hands — because there may be plenty of years ahead for you. A new study from the Harvard T.H....
If you don’t have Crohn’s disease, take a moment to thank your large family — or your childhood dog. A link between the inflammatory bowel disease and living arrangements in...
The harmful effects of Type 2 diabetes are well known: heart disease, nerve damage, kidney disease and other problems. Now, add brain aging and cognitive decline to that list. For...
To our listening audience: It’s time to get your groove on. Dancing has surged in popularity over the last few years, with television shows focused on competitive dance, fitness studios...
Cats can be aloof and independent, often acting as if they are indifferent to our affection. Slobbering golden retrievers they are not. We love them still. They can cuddle and...
Breathing is supposed to be natural. We start as we leave the womb and we spend the rest of our years inhaling and exhaling, until our lives end. But what...
For parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity, the produce aisle has never been more important. That’s because fruits and vegetables may help to reduce inattention in kids. Researchers at...
It’s a common refrain in the gym: No pain, no gain. Beneficial exercise isn’t always going to be a walk in the park — at least not for the millions...
Knowing how to handle yourself in an emergency is about as basic a survival skill as one can have. Now, researchers at the University of South Australia have turned to...
Sorry pea, corn and potato aficionados. A study shows people who consume five daily servings of fruits and vegetables live longer. But these starchy veggies, and others like them, don’t...
It’s been said that playing sports builds character — or at least reveals it. Now, there’s another trait being ascribed to athletics. Young children who play sports feel better and...
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but only a minority of smokers get the disease. New research suggests why: Some people may have robust mechanisms that ward...
We didn’t climb from the womb with a smartphone in our hands. It just sometimes seems that way. The ubiquitous devices have become extensions of our arms, ever present, ever...
I scream, you scream, we all scream for a variety of reasons. Variations in tone and frequency allow humans to express anger, frustration, pain, fear and happiness through the ultimate...
Protein is one of the building blocks of a healthy, well-rounded diet. But when it comes to lowering the risk of high blood pressure, not all protein sources are equal....
For adults and children, violence and poverty are often seen as public health issues. Now, new scientific evidence suggests crime and poverty can affect the structure and function of children’s...
It’s no secret that children model adult behaviors they observe from their earliest years. After all, who else are they likely to spend more time with than their mother? New...
Many poor habits threaten our heart health. Smoking. Excessive drinking. Not exercising. Eating junk food. Now you can add living near trains, planes and automobiles. A study presented at the...
Want to live longer, without losing your cognitive abilities? Perhaps look east. Far East. A new “microsimulation” based on a database of 40 million people looks at the future of...
We humans have a terrible habit of using our eyes to instantly size up those we meet, quickly attributing character traits to them that may be wildly inaccurate. That doesn’t...
For optimal health, eat your greens. For optimal brain function, live among them. A new study from the Boston University School of Public Health indicates that increasing the amount of...
Disease doesn’t distinguish between friend and stranger. Just because you like someone doesn’t mean they can’t infect you with COVID-19 or the flu or any other contagion nature can conjure....
The fat-tailed dwarf lemur is exceptional at choosing food that is nutritionally dense and likely to help it thrive in the wild. The same might be true for your neighbor,...
Physicians have been recommending we get more fiber in our diet for many years. It’s a good way to lose weight and stay healthy. Dietary fiber is known to reduce...
Move over, Mary Kay. There’s a new contender in the anti-aging arena, and he’s not for the faint of nose. A fecal transplant is emerging as an unlikely hero in...
You wouldn’t put a dirty bowl in front of a family member at dinnertime. Researchers say you shouldn’t do that to a dog, either. Proper food hygiene protects a beloved...
If physical abuse of children isn’t bad enough, scientific research suggests it boosts risk for adult health maladies, including heart disease, cancer, liver disease, diabetes and arthritis, especially in women....
Cutting out late-night meals or runs to the refrigerator for a snack might well extend our lives — although it might not do much for our waistlines. Studies in worms,...
Could a new drug replace the traditional mask and breathing device used to control sleep apnea? Results of a recent study by researchers in Germany have shown medication may be...
Depending on your history, the bathroom scale can be your friend or your foe. And, as tempting as it is to put your head in the sand ostrich-style, a new...
Living near green spaces can do more than just provide a relaxing escape. It can also substantially lower the risk of having a stroke. Medical researchers in Spain found that...
Even if your kitchen is spotless, your kitchen sponge may be loaded with bacteria. But take heart: it’s not a sign of kitchen uncleanliness. In fact, new research shows it...
Irregular sleep does more than just make you grouchy. When it comes to causing depression, erratic sleep can be as detrimental as too little sleep. University of Michigan researchers tracked...
This one is for the guys: You want a snapshot of your heart health? Drop and give me 40. Pushups, that is. Your ability to pump out that many may...
Premature births are stressful for parents and babies. The infant may not breathe on their own. They may experience any number of health problems as they grow. But there is...
We may have endured more than two years of a global pandemic, but our waistlines haven’t gone unscathed. A new study offers evidence from a large, nationally representative survey that...
For a long time, a Nordic diet has been known to help with weight loss. Now, the diet of fish, vegetables, berries and other foods can also reduce blood sugar...
Older people who nap often during the day, take note: it may be a factor in developing dementia. Those who sleep at least once or for more than an hour...
The human body is tuned to the rotation of planet Earth, our cells responding to the passage from darkness to sunlight like the petals of a flower unfolding to an...
It’s been nearly 30 years since leaded gasoline was banned but its pernicious effects live on. Exposure to car exhaust from leaded gasoline has collectively stolen 824 million IQ points...
Dementia is one of the most common syndromes affecting people across the world. Every year, 10 million cases are discovered — and there is no cure. Although dementia impairs thinking,...
When young people made carrying reusable water containers ubiquitous, they were onto something far more substantive than a trendy fashion accessory. Staying hydrated may be associated with a lower risk...
Life’s struggles got you feeling blue? Australian scientists have come up with a recipe that might cure the doldrums: work on your kitchen skills. Researchers at Edith Cowan University found...
It’s an American ritual — a glass of beer or wine after a long day. For some of us, it might be a couple of glasses of a favorite adult...
So, you’re floating along one night dreaming of a day at the beach when you hear someone ask a question. You answer correctly then go back to swimming with the...
Dogs are a prescription for better health. Scientists have found that they reduce stress and our blood pressure. Walking them keeps us in shape. They’re a great icebreaker and make...
We’ve been swimming in bad news since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as one wave of infections subsides, a new variant is right around the corner ready to...
Online crowdfunding for medical expenses can seem like an easy way to solve a tricky problem. A family needs money to offset expenses caused by a serious illness or injury,...
The debate among home cooks over whether raw poultry needs a quick rinse before cooking may well rage until the end of time. But the controversy matters not, as it...
Put down the Diet Coke, pull up a chair, and reconsider the role of zero-sugar anything in your life. A new study from researchers in France analyzing data from 102,865...
Move over, mouthwash. It’s beetroot juice time. The bacteria in our mouth and gut help convert inorganic nitrates found in vegetables into nitric oxide, a gas crucial to our cardiovascular...
You don’t have to dream of losing weight. A new study suggests you can dream while shedding the pounds. An investigation out of the University of Chicago and the...
Heading the ball in soccer is popular with fans. Like a showy dunk in basketball or a devastating overhead smash in tennis, it demonstrates a player has advanced skills. But...
If you’re a former smoker, consider eating more fresh tomatoes and other fruits. Research shows people who kicked their tobacco habit and ate those foods, especially apples, had a slower...
Keep this in mind next time you’re inclined to scold your cat because it decided the litter box is more suggestion than law. That little mischievous critter might help keep...
Living through several major world events going on at once is reason enough to have trouble sleeping. Coupled with work pressures and day-to-day stressors, it’s no surprise that many rely...
Do you want to live an extra decade? Then pay more attention to what’s on your dinner plate. Young adults who eat more beans, peas, nuts and whole grains stand...
Whether it’s worries about monsters in the closet or just a habit of getting hyper at bedtime, kids with insomnia symptoms often become teens — and later, adults — with...
When you drift off to sleep, there’s more at stake than just a night’s rest. The collective effect of poor sleep can raise heart disease risk by as much as...
We love them. It’s great to see them. But babysitting the grandkids, contrary to prevailing wisdom, probably won’t make you feel younger. That’s the message in a new study by...
If you think your child’s annual flu vaccine only helps for one season, think again. New findings show years of season-specific flu vaccines help to develop cumulative, broader protection against...
It’s been a persistent myth sailing around the internet. Now a large National Institutes of Health-funded study shows what doctors have been saying for more than a year is gospel....
It turns out that being too fat can do more than just harm your health and perhaps dent your self-esteem. It can also lead to diminished brain function. That’s the...
Aging brings many worries … the things we all fret about, like thinning hair, wrinkles and creaky joints. You might add “can’t stay on our feet” to the list. Falls...
If you’re an adult of a certain age, do on-the-spot questions like “chocolate or vanilla” or “Coke or Pepsi” sometimes throw you for a loop? If they do, it might...
Treat your heart to a cup of coffee. Or two. But hold the sugar and cream. An investigation that analyzed data from more than 21,000 individuals who participated in a...
For a long time, the effects of cannabis on the lungs were thought to be about the same as tobacco. Now, new research shows cannabis leads to a different kind...
Years of research on calorie restriction and longevity mean we know that limiting how many calories a worm consumes affects not only its waistline, but also its lifespan. Now, research...
Eat healthy food. Exercise regularly. Lose weight. These have all been good prescriptions for avoiding Type 2 diabetes. But new research might lead doctors to add another suggestion to the...
Boys and girls with autism don’t always display the same types of behaviors, and now researchers believe they have a better idea about why that is. Brain organization differs between...
Like heart disease, dementia is one of the most prevalent causes of death across the world. One of its most common forms is Alzheimer’s disease, which is characterized by a...
Exercise is a great way to stay healthy. But who’s got time to jog around the neighborhood or hit the gym during the lunch hour? Some of us don’t have...
Men may want to consider calming down. Although it may sound like a trite quip painted on a mug, a new study indicates that when it comes to cardiometabolic risk...
Sure, a rainy day spent on the sofa speed-watching 18 episodes of “Law & Order: SVU” seems time well spent. But a new study suggests those who spend four hours...
Looking for a quick way to be, well, quicker? You might want to steer away from those flashy natural supplements and super-natural shortcuts. New research from scientists in Europe cautions...
If you’ve been blaming your sweet tooth in moments of candy-bar weakness, you probably owe your mouth an apology. Turns out, your gut may be to blame. As researchers from...
From an early age, we are taught that sugar isn’t good for us. Studies have shown high amounts of sugar can increase our risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, kidney...
From mimosas at brunch to beers at happy hour, drinking alcohol is associated with having a good time. But a shift has begun, with younger adults choosing to drink less...
Insomnia and sleep apnea can be an especially deadly combination. New research shows people who have both disorders are more likely to have heart problems and a greater risk of...
Do you ever wish your feet were just a little … fatter? If you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis pain, you soon might be. Notorious for being one of the most...
The ancients loved their olive oil. The Greek writer Homer of Iliad and Odyssey fame called it “liquid gold.” It was used to anoint the dead and the heads of...
But now European scientists think the broken-hearted face something beyond metaphoric damage to their body. This analysis of romance gone bad begins in a Copenhagen biobank. That’s where data on...
We’ve all done it. Perhaps it isn’t long into the new year and we’re still adhering to our resolution to eat a healthier diet. But, hey, it’s the weekend and...
For people with irritable bowel syndrome, conventional wisdom has long said to avoid certain foods. Those include dairy products and certain fruits and vegetables. Now, a new study suggests that...
We’ve all heard tell that nibbling carrots is good for our eyes, but researchers say how about trying a nice handful of dried goji [go-jee] berries? Regularly eating a small...
It took scientists 13 years and cost about $3 billion to sequence the human genome by the time the feat was first accomplished in 2003. Scientists from Stanford University recently...
Call it the prenatal version of The Battle of the Sexes. Unlike the famous 1973 tennis match that pitted Bobby Riggs against Billie Jean King, this competition unfolds in the...
If a 30-minute walk seems like an exhausting chore, rather than an energizing and uplifting activity, that’s not a welcome sign. Perhaps not a harbinger of doom, but at the...
The consequences of COVID-19 can be terrible. Severe cases might include possible lung and heart damage, or even impaired brain function. The disease has disabled many and killed hundreds of...
Toasting to someone’s good health is an age-old ritual. Now, it turns out that a little less drinking may be the path to better health. That’s because new research shows...
Americans love their dogs. We spend billions of dollars on their toys and treats and veterinary visits. Some of us treat them like beloved, if excessively hairy, children — indeed,...
Concussions can be tricky to diagnose. Symptoms of head injuries caused by a hard blow or violent shaking can be easy to spot, but often they’re not. The patient might...
It strengthens your heart, improves your mood and combats depression. It can help ward off disease, including some cancers. It boosts energy and makes it easier to fall asleep. Want...
Planning to spring clean your home? Don’t forget to look through your medicine cabinet. Chances are, your medicine cabinet is full of half-used prescription bottles and cold medicine. Leftover drugs...
When it comes to public buses and the spread of airborne particles, some seats may be better than others. Experts at IBM Research took a systematic approach to something many...
Too often, our bedtime is dictated to us. Maybe workdays begin long before the sun rises, requiring our heads to hit the pillow when everyone else’s night is just beginning....
Beware of the sedentary life. Long spells of sitting have already been linked to a host of physical ailments. Now, scientists say, it can contribute to heightened anxiety and depression....
In a pandemic world, it’s the loudly singing men who might be the most apt to spread infectious respiratory particles like the coronavirus. It came as little surprise when the...
Used in the same sentence, the words “red” and “eyes” don’t usually signal good news. But a new University College London study suggests that just three minutes of exposure to...
We are still waiting for the day when pigs can fly, but what about the day when a pig kidney can be transplanted successfully to a human body? Surgeons in...
Every picky eater can identify with this scene. An island of uneaten vegetables sits on a child’s plate. Maybe it’s carrots or peas or that green nemesis of kids everywhere:...
Despite the modern age, diseases like dysentery (dih-suhn-teh-ree) continue to wreak havoc even outside of games like Oregon Trail. The Shigella [shuh-geh-luh] bacteria behind dystenery is among an infamous group...
The unnerving truth about the COVID-19 pandemic is that we live in a world where a lethal virus can emerge and spread to every community without regard to borders or...
Listen to the whisper of a breeze through a forest, or the gentle burbling of a stream over a rocky bed. Pay attention to the birds as they greet each...
Moles on our skin are pretty common. Lots of people have them. Sometimes they’re cute, like an Iggy Azalea beauty mark. Moles and melanomas are skin tumors, both caused by...
Lasers are the most versatile of tools: We use them to buy groceries, watch Blu-ray movies and even to map the surface of planets. We use them for fun, because...
Millions of people around the world struggle with mental health. Depression, one of the biggest factors in mental health, is controlled by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Some people...
First, there was the federal guideline: Fill half of kids’ plates with fruits and vegetables. Then came the research: Doing so will boost their consumption of produce. Building on the...
If you daydream about a retirement filled with naps on the sofa interrupted by lots of TV watching, you might want to come up with a new distraction. Scientists say...
STOP! You, in the blue sedan. Fingers where we can see them. We know what you’ve been doing. Well, not us. But researchers from the University of Nottingham have a...
For around 300,000 Americans living with a spinal cord injury, limited movement and hospital visits are the norm. But according to a new study that shows a promising remedy, that...
Getting older is the inevitable, inescapable constant of our lives. As we age, our risk of cognitive decline and other illnesses increases. It can be worrying. But it doesn’t have...
Capuccino connoisseurs and latte lovers, rejoice: Coffee can boast yet another possible health benefit. A new study from researchers in Australia suggests a link between how much coffee someone drinks...
We all have our favorite songs, the ones that are deeply meaningful. Now, it turns out those songs can do more than just lift the spirit or evoke memories. They...
By now, everyone should know that losing weight, quitting smoking and reducing stress are sure ways to lower blood pressure. But there are other not-so-obvious, natural ways that also can...
Drop that salt shaker. Pick up a banana. In fact, grab a couple. It’ll do your heart a world of good. Harvard scientists in a study that involved more than...
For years, we’ve heard the mantra: Eat less, exercise more! With this tried-and-true formula, anyone can lose weight — or so we’re told.
This message has been pushed for decades, but it hasn’t made a dent in obesity cases, which affect nearly half of all Americans.
In a new study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers suggest that weight loss is more dependent on what you eat than how much you eat. They encouraged people to rethink calorie counting and instead focus on restricting intake of processed foods.
This thinking differs from the previous model, which framed energy imbalance — too much food and not enough movement — as the cause of obesity. New research says the problem goes deeper.
Foods with high levels of simple carbohydrates, like fries and pizza, are a major risk factor for weight gain. They tend to lack fiber and nutrients, which trick our bodies into thinking we are being deprived.
Researchers dubbed this new rationale the Carbohydrate-Insulin Model. Eating too many processed foods can increase insulin resistance, which signals to our bodies that we need to store fat while keeping us ravenous for more nutrients.
To combat this, researchers say a shift to eating more natural foods is in order. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains are all nutrient-rich alternatives that can reinvigorate our systems.
So, if you’ve been frustrated by attempts to diet, don’t worry so much about budgeting your calories at the grocery store or drive-thru. Instead, focus on eating foods as close to nature as possible, and see if you have more success.
Most of the time, organs for donation and eventual transplant are served on the rocks. Ice and cool temperatures are essential to preserving the lifegiving body parts until they can be implanted.
Or so we thought.
A new study from researchers in Toronto is shifting temperatures for donor lungs — and increasing the length of their viability, or how long they can last outside of the body.
Typically, the length of viability to keep donor lungs in tip-top shape is between six and eight hours. It may seem like a good chunk of time — until you factor in how long it takes to locate a transplant center, match a recipient, and take it there.
But by raising the temperature just a few degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, surgeons were able to extend the organs’ viability six times as long. The warmer temperature also permitted lung cells to continue performing certain basic functions, like gas exchange, potentially smoothing the transition between unfamiliar organ and recipient.
Although this idea has been attempted before, researchers were unable to closely examine the organs as well as they can now, leading to doubt about whether warmer storage was a true means of optimization.
Today, however, lung function can be studied down to an intracellular level — leaving little to the imagination.
Knowing this works for lungs begs the question: What about other organs, like the liver and kidneys? Although it’ll likely be some time before we know the answer, researchers are keenly interested — and intend to pose the question soon.
It goes without saying that exercise offers outstanding health benefits. But we’re going to say it anyway. Physical activity keeps you trim, lowers blood pressure, increases cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness, and even improves mental health. And we’re not talking about running a marathon. Walking will do fine.
Walking is obviously exercise. But a brief stroll around the block just won’t cut it. How many daily steps does it take to earn a longer life? The experts say many of us need to aim for 7,000.
A study led by a University of Massachusetts epidemiologist found that walking at least 7,000 steps a day reduced the risk of premature death in those who are in middle age by a whopping 50 to 70%. Middle age was defined as starting at age 38 and ending at 50.
Scientists analyzed data from 2,100 individuals and noted a gradual reduction in the risk of death as the number of steps walked increased. But walking beyond 10,000 per day didn’t seem to make any difference.
In fact, the common 10,000-step-a-day regimen followed by many people apparently isn’t based on any real science. Researchers say that goal emerged years ago from a marketing campaign for a Japanese pedometer. But if you want to walk more than 10,000 steps, go right ahead. No harm done.
While the study looked at the impact of walking during middle age, physicians say taking a daily stroll offers many benefits at any stage of life.
Did you know, for instance, that research has shown walking can curb your craving for chocolate and other sugary snacks?
Well, maybe we shouldn’t mention that. To those of us who love chocolate, losing that sweet tooth might be a step too far.
Fast-food burgers. Sugary breakfast cereals. Bologna sandwiches. Those meals might be tasty for kids and appealing to parents for their convenience.
Now, those and other so-called ultraprocessed foods make up an ever-increasing share of the calories consumed by young children and teenagers. That’s the upshot of a long-term study by Tufts University researchers who tracked the eating habits of more than 33,000 children and adolescents for nearly 20 years.
Ultraprocessed foods are typically laden with sugar and salt and contain less fiber than minimally processed foods. The researchers found that, as a percentage of all food consumed by children, ultraprocessed foods account for 67% those calories — up from 61% when the study began.
Among the ultraprocessed foods that were trending with the study’s participants: Pre-made burgers, frozen pizza, ready-to-eat meals and takeout food.
The researchers also identified racial and ethnic disparities in the ultraprocessed food trends. The consumption of those foods increased nearly twice as much for non-Hispanic Blacks as it did among non-Hispanic whites. For Mexican-Americans, consumption increased about 50% more than non-Hispanic whites.
What the scientists did not find were disparities in ultraprocessed food consumption based on family income and parental education. That, they said, shows the pervasiveness of those foods in children’s diets.
Still, the news isn’t all troubling: Kids are drinking far fewer sweetened beverages. Sugary drinks accounted for 5.3% of all calories consumed — less than half of what it was at the start of the study.
So, parents beware: Meals that are easy for you might not be so good for your kids.
Here’s another reason to despise traffic: Noisy city streets might increase the risk of developing dementia.
A massive study out of Denmark involving two million adults age 60 and older found that long-term exposure to excessive traffic and transportation noise was associated with a higher risk of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease.
Remarkably, researchers estimated noise levels for every residential building in Denmark for the investigation.
Better understanding the risk of this neurological disorder is critically important as more than 55 million people globally have been diagnosed with dementia. And that figure is expected to climb to 150 million by 2050.
Long-term exposure to noise isn’t just a risk for our mental health. Previous studies also have associated it with health problems like obesity, diabetes and coronary disease.
Scientists have a few ideas about why noise causes problems for the brain. It’s thought, for example, that fragmented sleep can lead to alterations to the immune system, oxidative stress and higher levels of systemic inflammation.
The encouraging news is that noise pollution is a risk factor that, to some extent, can be controlled, unlike a genetic predisposition to a disease. Ear plugs or government regulation to reduce traffic noise — even better sound insulation in the home — might alleviate the issue to a significant degree.
We can also reduce our odds of developing dementia by living healthy lives. Investigators have found eating well, exercising, and staying mentally active, among other things, can keep our minds sharp as we sail into our golden years.
And if you find yourself in traffic, do everyone a favor: Lay off the horn.
Sometimes, a little bit of stress can be a good thing. When it comes to things like deadlines or being on time for a flight, stress is almost beneficial. In today’s world, however, our fast-paced lives make us all too familiar with stress, despite knowing about its negative effects on our mind — and our body.
Now, a new study is emphasizing the downside of prolonged stress on your health.
New research from scientists in California looked at the link between high levels of stress hormones and increased risk of hypertension, or high blood pressure.
When you’re stressed, your body releases several hormones, like cortisol, that prepare the body for a fight-or-flight response to perceived danger. Once these hormones flood your body, blood vessels are constricted, heart rate increases, and so does the force with which your heart pumps blood throughout your body.
But this sustained release of hormones and subsequent elevated blood pressure has consequences — like increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke. And, as anyone who’s been invested in the outcome of a close Sunday night game and blown through a bag of potato chips, the more stressed you are, the less likely you are to make healthy choices when it comes to coping mechanisms.
Stress affects health at all ages, so if you think this is more pertinent for older folks, think again — the study’s researchers noted that the association between higher levels of stress-related hormones and high blood pressure was more present in younger participants than older ones.
Like death and taxes, stressors are unavoidable. But if you can remember to use them, breathing exercises and practicing gratitude may stave off some of the worst effects.
Anyone who’s survived for any length of time on too little sleep knows all too well the compulsion to make a vending machine run for a mid-morning snack.
It turns out that missing the recommended seven or more hours of sleep every night is linked to chowing down on more carbohydrates, extra sugar, fats and caffeine.
Ohio State University researchers analyzed data from nearly 20,000 American adults ranging in age from 20 to 60. From 2007 through 2018, the survey tracked participants’ sleep, what they ate and when they ate it. The researchers divided survey respondents into groups who reported getting seven hours of sleep and those who didn’t.
Among their findings: We’re all too snack-happy. Regardless of how much sleep we get, we favor salty, crunchy foods, sweets and non-alcoholic drinks. But those who skip sleep also tend to consume more calories in a day from snacks.
Staying up late isn’t only bad for us from a nutrition standpoint. When we stay up, we tend to behave in ways that contribute to weight gain: specifically, not moving much and often staring at a screen.
Their analysis showed that nearly everyone — more than 95 percent — ate at least one snack a day, including soda or energy drinks and chips, pretzels and cookies.
Those who reported getting the least amount of sleep were more likely to eat a morning snack and to consume more high-calorie snacks with less nutritional value.
The bottom line: Pushing yourself to hit the sack earlier might just improve your diet, too. After all, you can’t sleep and snack at the same time.
When health officials in Brazil wanted to show teens the effects of too much exposure to the sun, they used technology the teens could relate to: selfie photos.
Specifically, they used a face-aging app that showed the teens what prolonged exposure to ultraviolet, or UV, radiation could do to their skin. The damage ranged from wrinkles and dry skin to uneven pigmentation and skin cancer.
Brazil has one of the highest UV indexes in the world and tanning is very common. UV radiation exposure is a serious risk factor for melanoma, and health experts sought interventions that would get the attention of the younger generation.
Researchers enrolled more than 1,500 high schoolers, roughly half of whom were assigned to a control group. The rest attended a classroom seminar conducted by medical students where the teens’ selfies were altered by the app Sunface to show how UV would impact their future faces. The withering effects, as you might imagine, were jarring, especially when they were viewed alongside everyone else in their class.
The teens also were given information on how to protect themselves from UV radiation. When the researchers checked back at three- and six-month intervals with the students who had been shown their future faces, the results were encouraging.
A significant number of the teens reported using sunscreen daily, while more than twice as many students said they were doing self-examinations than those in the control group. They also reported a drastic reduction in the use of tanning beds.
The findings suggest that interventions like the face-aging app may motivate teens to better protect their skin. After all, seeing is believing.
Suffering from anxiety? Hit the gym. Walk the dog. Jog around the neighborhood. Exercise, researchers say, might be key in avoiding the disorder. They tested their hunch by looking at the mental health of skiers hitting the slopes. Skiers, after all, appear to be a happy bunch.
Scientists in a huge epidemiology study that involved 400,000 people compared skiers and a group of people who never hit the powdered hills. The skiers participated in the world’s largest long-distance cross-country race in Sweden between 1989 and 2010.
Researchers found a remarkable 60% lower risk of developing anxiety in people who skied compared with those who didn’t. That was during the study’s 21-year follow-up period. The correlation was observed in men and women.
The study suggests that physical activity in general appears to help stave off anxiety. Investigators don’t suggest that skiing alone will help. Any physical activity might do. But they are open to the possibility that being among like-minded people slaloming has an especially positive effect on the psyche.
The stakes can be high for the estimated 10% of people around the globe who experience anxiety. The ailment can be debilitating, causing an increased heart rate, hyperventilation, sweating and trembling. Some people can even faint.
An oddity was noticed in the data. The highest-performing female skiers had nearly double the risk of anxiety compared with other women who skied with less vigor. Even so, these uber-skiers still experience less anxiety than those people who weren’t on the slopes at all.
This work once again reinforces that exercise can be the best medicine. The lack of anxious skiers on the slopes might prove the point.
College students burning the midnight oil, graveyard shift workers and those whose jobs make them frequent fliers know that such lifestyles can take a toll on one’s health.
But a study of dietary compounds known as prebiotics may someday help those folks recover faster.
Disruptions in our circadian rhythm, or our biological clocks, can wreck our sleep, moods, metabolism and increase our risk for some diseases.
A new University of Colorado Boulder study, paid for by the U.S. Navy, suggests that simple dietary compounds called prebiotics — foods like onions, leeks and artichokes — help stabilize good gut bacteria, making our bodies more resilient to circadian disruption.
The researchers raised two groups of lab rats: One fed a diet heavy in prebiotics, the other, regular rat food. They manipulated the rodents’ sleep cycles for eight weeks, equivalent to traveling to a time zone 12 hours ahead every week for two months.
The rats fed prebiotics more quickly realigned their sleep cycles and core body temperature and their bodies resisted gut-flora changes that often accompany stress.
Prebiotics should not be confused with probiotics, found in fermented foods like yogurt, kombucha and sauerkraut.
The Navy funded the study because its ranks are full of those whose jobs require them to endure odd schedules, often for long stretches.
Clinical trials are underway to determine if prebiotics could have similar effects on humans. Someday, there might be customizable prebiotic mixes available to help anyone forced to work an odd shift better ward off its wearying side effects.
Here’s a little test for you. Picture two beverage glasses, each containing a drink with identical nutritional content. Not a sugar molecule’s worth of difference. Indeed, the only thing differentiating these two beverages is color. One is clear, the other pink.
True or false: The pink drink will supercharge your workout and increase exercise performance.
On its face, that might not make sense. But the answer is true.
British researchers conducted what they believe is the first scientific investigation of the effect of drink color on exercise performance. They asked study participants to run on a treadmill for half an hour at a self-regulated pace in two sessions. The goal was to keep up a steady rate of exertion.
In one workout, volunteers rinsed their mouths with a clear drink that was artificially sweetened and low in calories. In a second, they rinsed with a drink containing a smidge of pink food dye that was otherwise identical to the first.
Why pink? Why not purple or red or taxi-cab yellow? Well, scientists figured pink is associated with perceived sweetness. As such, that increases the expectation of receiving energy-boosting sugar and carbohydrates — even if the body was really getting none of it. Previous research had shown rinsing the mouth with real carbs pushes the body to better performance.
Guess what? Participants who partook of the pink drink ran an average of 695 feet farther while their mean speed increased about 4% compared with when they rinsed with a clear liquid.
Not only that, but the pink drinkers also found exercise more enjoyable.
So next time you head to the gym, think pink drink, and let the placebo effect work its magic.
When the COVID-19 pandemic kept millions of people around the world close to home for months on end in the spring of 2020, many experts predicted a baby boom would be the inevitable outcome.
But initially, at least, it’s been more of a bust than a boom.
Researchers in Italy and at Cornell University found births declined more than 7% in the United States.
The researchers looked at the relationship between the highly contagious virus and births in 22 high-income countries. They found strong declines in southern Europe, with births dropping more than 9% in Italy, 8% in Spain and 6% in Portugal.
Overall, the pandemic’s effect on birth rates — at least initially — has been negative, with many of the 22 countries studied recording drops.
However, researchers found that some countries, including Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, held steady or gained.
It’s no surprise that, despite focusing people on hearth and home, COVID-19 would bring fewer babies. Throughout history, pandemics have had a huge influence on population changes, altering death and birth rates. By the second year of the Spanish flu in 1919, U.S. births dropped 13% from the previous year.
Researchers suggested the countries that fared best for babies in their study may have had less economic uncertainty and benefited from family-friendly policies.
The researchers say their study looked at the first phase of COVID-19, and with subsequent pandemic waves in fall 2020 and winter 2021, there is more data to be studied before they can say whether lockdowns are as rough on romance as they are on a virus.
Mindfulness applications could be your answer to finding the state of calm that you’ve been looking for. With more than 260 mindfulness apps to choose from, the chances of reaching inner peace are plentiful.
Mindfulness can be defined as a person’s mental state and how conscious or aware they are of life around them. It can be achieved through meditation, a mixture of concentration and mental relaxation. Achieving mindfulness through meditation can lead to the acceptance of one’s thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations.
With names like Headspace, Calm and Chill, the apps offer users features such as daily inspirational quotes, reminders to stay calm and in the moment, gentle music to fall asleep to and bite-sized meditation lessons.
A Science Direct analysis found that users of mindfulness meditation apps had an improved state of mental health and well-being. While there have only been a small number of studies on the efficiency of such apps, the results so far are promising.
Researchers looked at the use of apps in communities of employees, students and cancer patients. Generally, participants agreed that these applications are helpful tools to enhance well-being.
Mindfulness meditation applications are a relatively inexpensive, sometimes even free, way to help make daily life a little easier, reducing stress, depression, burnout and anxiety.
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, maybe download one of these apps, pop in your earbuds and see if it can ping you into a state of tranquility.
Heart health is promoted everywhere, from cereal boxes to middle school gyms to online ads. It’s easy to think with the abundance of awareness and advice columns that you’ve skirted around heart disease.
But even if you don’t think you’re at risk, new research shows you should consider getting tested, anyway.
A study of 30,000 patients in Sweden found that about 4 in 10 otherwise healthy people had hardened arteries, called atherosclerosis. That’s when fatty deposits stick to artery walls around the heart, restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attack, kidney failure and stroke.
These patients had no obvious symptoms, but about 5% of them had significant coronary heart disease.
The disease is silent, but it can strike quickly. Symptoms may only appear just before an imminent stroke or heart attack, so researchers recommended that people get screened for plaque buildup even when they feel OK, especially as they get older.
The study found that men were nearly twice as likely to have heart disease as women, and that those between 60 and 64 were nearly twice as likely to have heart disease as those a decade younger.
Being aware of your family history and leading a healthy lifestyle are major steps you can take to lower your risk.
Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, decreasing alcohol intake and avoiding smoking all contribute to a happier heart.
You don’t know what’s building up in your heart’s thousands of vessels, but a visit to your doctor can help to solve the mystery. And doctors say treating the problem early — before it’s too late — can make all the difference.
The old adage about an apple a day keeping the doctor away might be due for an update. Maybe “an apple a day keeps the blues away?”
New research from two universities in the United Kingdom is the first to tie the consumption of fruits and vegetables — plus exercise — to happiness.
Previous studies have generalized about such a link, but researchers from universities at Kent and Reading filtered out other factors to show that eating fruits and vegetables and exercising make people happy, rather than the other way around.
The study found that people’s ability to delay gratification and employ self control — ordering a salad rather than succumbing to the temptation of a bacon cheeseburger, for example — plays a major role in lifestyle decisions that positively effect well-being.
The finding that people who eat fruits and vegetables and exercise are happier was true for many groups, including different income levels, geographic regions, gender, education levels and ages.
The researchers did note that men were more likely to exercise, while women were more likely to consume fruits and vegetables, but both choices boosted happiness.
The study’s implications for public policy are clear: Knowing how to “sell” the public on choices that lead to a healthier lifestyle is good for keeping public health costs down. And if that lifestyle not only keeps costs down but leaves people happier, then that’s a double win.
The next time you’re pondering whether to try eating better or jumping into an exercise program, consider the reward might be more than just dropping a pant size or two. It might just put a smile on your face.
Protein powder is a gym rat’s best friend — until now.
For those hitting the weights and looking to pack on the mass, the answer to muscle growth may actually lie with your gut — microbiome, that is.
A recent study in mice may demonstrate that a wonky microbiome may act as a muscle-growing speedbump, impairing healthy muscle growth.
Two groups of mice used running wheels over a period of nine weeks. One group received antibiotics, notorious for their side effect of eliminating essential colonies of beneficial bacteria, fungi and other microbes whose influence is far-reaching when it comes to not only the health of our digestive system, but also immune and central nervous systems.
Researchers determined that the mice that received antibiotics experienced a predictable imbalance in gut microflora, and demonstrated slower, less noticeable muscle growth.
Specifically, it affected their skeletal muscles, typically stimulated by running, in their ability to respond with growth.
This study builds upon previous research where mice without a microbiome had reduced skeletal mass, indicating that interactions within the gut are crucial when it comes to nurturing muscle mass.
Despite certain biological similarities, humans differ from these small, furry proxies in a number of ways, so consider these results with several grains of salt. For now, try reaching for some kefir or yogurt after your next workout — and if you’re really invested in getting ripped, keep an eye out for ways to eat foods that pack a probiotic punch.
Credit cards bills or payday loans are the kind of unsecured debt that can be a pain in the you-know-what. Now scientists think the pain might end up being all too real and adversely affect your health.
A study out of the University of Missouri examined the financial health of 8,000 baby boomers when they were 28 to 40 years old. Scientists then checked on the physical health of these same individuals when they turned 50.
What they found should be concerning for anyone whose bills persistently leave a burning hole in their budget. People who carry unsecured debt through much of their adulthood experience worse health later in life than those folks who are solvent. These debt-laden souls were an extraordinary 76% more likely to experience chronic pain bad enough to interfere with their daily life.
Even those who improved their financial situation still experienced health issues. People who paid down their bills were 50% more likely to experience pain.
Debt, researchers suggest, might be a chronic stressor that can wear the body down. Stress can lead to heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes. Its tentacles can reach to the brain and trigger anxiety and depression.
Not all debt is bad. That monthly mortgage payment helps you build wealth as equity grows in a home. So investigators focused on debt with typically high interest rates that can grow like a cancer and often lead to bankruptcy.
The study says helping families avoid debt in early adulthood can pay health dividends later in life. As with any prescription for avoiding a deep financial hole, that can be easier said than done.
In humans, the fight-or-flight response is as old as mankind itself. Now, COVID-19 may be taking some of that back.
New research shows that some otherwise healthy people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 can also have problems with their nervous system. Specifically, COVID-19 affects the sympathetic nervous system that drives the fight-or-flight response. In some COVID-19 patients, the response is muted. In others, it’s overactive.
Researchers at Appalachian State University made the discovery by studying lung function, blood vessel function and the brain’s control of heartbeat. They did so by inserting a tiny needle carrying an electrode into a nerve behind the knee. It recorded the nerve’s electrical impulses and measured their frequency and intensity.
When compared with healthy control subjects, the COVID-19 patients showed more sympathetic nerve activity while resting. Then, one hand of each participant was placed in an ice-water mixture for two minutes. In healthy people, that causes a jump in blood pressure and a significant fight-or-flight response. But the COVID-19 patients rated their discomfort substantially lower than the healthy subjects.
In one final test, both groups of participants were moved from a reclining position in a bed to an upright position. In the COVID-19 patients, that caused a major increase in heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity compared with the healthy adults.
The researchers noted that their findings are consistent with anecdotal reports involving the fight-or-flight response. Next, they plan to follow the COVID-19 patients to see if their fight-or-flight responses change over time.
In more ways than one, COVID-19 is getting on our nerves.
Drinking coffee in the morning is a routine for millions of people. Nothing beats that first sip; it instantly gets you ready for the day. But what if we told you that you could enjoy a different cup of Joe, and that it would be better for your health?
Coffee is a crowd favorite around the world. It’s notable for its smell and aroma, along with its high amounts of caffeine. While coffee is rich in antioxidants and offers a boost of energy, it does come with side effects.
Coffee has high amounts of alkaloids, organic compounds that cause physiological effects on humans. While this is not detrimental to most, consuming caffeine every day can increase blood pressure and irregularities in heart rate.
In response to this, coffee substitutes are on the rise. Known as “herbal coffee,” these substitutes are hot drinks created by roasting different parts of the plants, most often leaves, roots, fruits and seeds.
Plants such as acorns, dandelions and wild lupins are roasted until they acquire the color and taste of coffee. After the dark brown color and deep flavor are reached, phytochemicals are added to the roast to increase its health benefits. This adds both anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering properties. Herbal coffee can be found in online stores.
Herbal coffee provides the same benefits as regular coffee and comes without the increased risk of health conditions. And as an added bonus: You can drink it in the evening without the worry that it’ll keep you up all night.
Some of the least-popular vegetables can contribute to healthier blood vessels. New research shows broccoli and Brussels sprouts are a cut above other vegetables when it comes to a key measure of blood vessel disease.
Scientists at two universities in Australia have determined that a diet high in so-called cruciferous vegetables reduces the chances of developing calcium in the aorta, the body’s largest artery. Calcium in the aorta is a key indicator of blood vessel disease and a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
The researchers studied data from nearly 700 older women who were part of a long-term health survey and found those who ate more cruciferous vegetables were less likely to have a heart attack or stroke. One possible explanation for that is vitamin K, which is abundant in broccoli ad Brussels sprouts.
How much is enough when it comes to broccoli and blood vessel health? A little can do a lot: The women in the study who ate at least one-quarter cup of steamed broccoli or one-half cup of raw cabbage were 46% less likely to have calcium accumulate in their aorta compared with those who ate little or none of the vegetables.
The findings shed more light on how certain groups of vegetables can contribute to heart and arterial health. But eating more broccoli and Brussels sprouts shouldn’t mean cutting back on other fruits and vegetables. For adult women, the recommended daily amount of vegetables is about two-and-a-half cups. For men, it’s three cups of vegetables a day.
The lesson? Don’t judge a veggie by its looks or taste. Broccoli and Brussels sprouts are stars in their own right.
For baseball players, the advice is as old as the game itself: Keep your eyes on the ball. Now, new research suggests the split-second reaction needed to hit a baseball involves head movement — not just eye tracking.
Ohio State University researchers wanted to answer two big questions: Do batters truly keep their eyes on incoming pitches? If so, does that confer some sort of batting advantage? It turns out that the answer is complicated. Yes, batters keep their eyes on the ball — but they do so by moving their heads and not just their eyes.
For batters, much happens in the half-second that a baseball travels from the pitcher’s hand to the catcher’s glove. It’s a lot to take in — a torrent of neural and visual signals that can sometimes be conflicting.
The researchers noted that tracking a baseball with head movements also means overriding a specific reflex that normally allows vision to remain stable while the head moves.
Their findings consistently showed that players at all levels kept their eyes on the ball by moving their heads. They also determined the process of swinging a bat is somewhat independent of what the head and eyes are doing in the moment.
So why would a minute movement deserve so much attention? The researchers have a simple answer: If a coach is teaching a batter what to do, then they need to know which nuances of a batting strategy are helpful.
Getting those answers about visual processing also has implications for everyday activities such as driving or pouring a glass of milk.
To be sure, hand, eye and head coordination are important to more than just baseball. Otherwise, you might be crying over spilled milk.
For parents who have children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, it’s been widely thought that kids will outgrow the condition. New research says that’s not so.
In fact, ADHD comes and goes while often manifesting itself well into adulthood. About 50% of those affected by ADHD as children will have it persist as they age and just 10% of kids completely outgrow it. Those are the findings by an international team of scientists led by University of Washington researchers.
The researchers followed a group of nearly 600 children for 16 years — from age 8 to 25. Every two years, the study participants were assessed for ADHD symptoms. Relatives and teachers were also asked about the participants’ symptoms.
The recent study goes far beyond those done in the 1990s, when the idea that ADHD wanes with age in 50% of children became widely accepted. But the earlier studies had a crucial limitation: Most of them only reconnected with the subjects once in adulthood. That meant researchers couldn’t get a full understanding that ADHD had re-emerged in some people.
So what exactly causes ADHD to flare up again? Researchers don’t know for sure but suspect it could be due to stress or poor eating, exercise or sleep habits. The researchers also noted that not managing symptoms and not understanding what works best for an individual may also play a role in ADHD symptoms becoming worse.
Therapy and medication are the primary treatments for ADHD but other coping skills may help. The scientists have this advice: Find a hobby or job that isn’t negatively affected by ADHD. And know your limits: Seek help when the symptoms are affecting your life.
The Romans called them Jupiter’s royal acorn. Some experts say they’re the oldest tree food known to man, with evidence of their consumption dating back 7,000 years. In ancient Persia, they were reserved for royalty.
We introduce you to the hearty walnut. It’s not just any nut.
Scientists are increasingly looking to the walnut for its possible health benefits. Now, a study out of Spain suggests they might offer cardiovascular benefits when consumed daily.
More than 600 healthy, older adults were separated into two groups that either added 30 to 60 grams of walnuts a day to their diet or that did not eat them at all. The study lasted two years. Scientist found the walnut diet led to a reduction of six out of 10 inflammatory markers in the blood, an overall drop of 11.5%.
Those markers are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
While the investigation focused on older adults, researchers say daily consumption of walnuts might benefit people of all ages.
The findings aren’t entirely surprising. Previous research has pointed to the possibility that walnuts contribute to vascular health and might even help lower cholesterol.
Chronic inflammation can cause severe problems to the human body, particularly the heart. And it is thought to be a major player in the buildup of arterial plaque, also known as hardening of the arteries.
The thinking is that walnuts contain essential nutrients that aid the body that could boost their anti-inflammatory effect.
Scientists caution that further study is needed in a more diverse population of subjects. But Jupiter’s royal acorn shows promise as a healthy addition to your diet.
Time-restricted eating, which limits food intake to specific hours, has become a popular weight-loss strategy. Now, scientists have determined that age and gender might affect those results.
And while weight loss is the primary goal with time-restricted eating, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies also found it delivers added protection against infectious diseases as well as insulin resistance, which can raise blood sugar levels.
Working with male and female mice that were equivalent in age to 20- and 42-year-old humans, the scientists fed them a high-fat, high-sugar diet. Eating was restricted to nine hours per day. The team then tested for a variety of health measures, including muscle mass, blood sugar regulation, performance and endurance.
They found that time-restricted eating provided strong protection from fatty liver disease, regardless of age and gender. For other conditions, the benefits of time-restricted eating were more varied. The female subjects were not protected from weight gain but did get other benefits such as better blood-sugar control and less-fatty livers.
After 16 hours of fasting, young and middle-age male mice who were on time-restricted eating had smaller increases in blood sugar than those that were not on the time-controlled diet. In middle-age mice, the scientists noted a faster return to normal blood-sugar levels for those on time-restricted eating.
Scientists say the results in mice provide a strong framework for further studying time-restricted eating in people.
Until then, know that the benefits of time-restricted eating might vary with your age and gender.
For teenagers who use marijuana frequently, it can have the longest of long-term effects: A premature baby when they become parents up to 20 years later.
That’s what researchers in England and Australia determined following a long-term study of daily marijuana users. Those who indulged in pot every day between the ages of 15 and 17 were considerably more likely to have a premature or low-birth weight infant than those who did not use the drug as teenagers.
The research tracked nearly 700 people based on their marijuana use between the ages of 14 and 29 — and before they conceived a child. The scientists determined 20 percent of all premature births involved parents who were daily marijuana users as teenagers.
Researchers say their findings are particularly relevant as marijuana use among adults becomes legal in more jurisdictions. While its use may become more normalized in some jurisdictions, they noted that it is important to assure that trend does not lead to greater marijuana use among adolescents.
The study is the first of its kind to explore the association between pre-conception substance abuse and birth outcomes. Because marijuana use is generally more common among teenage boys, the researchers noted the findings are particularly important for future fathers.
As the most commonly used illicit drug among teenagers, there is already evidence that cannabis heightens the risk of poor mental health. Now, the scientists say, it’s time to take a closer look at the drug’s unknown or unanticipated effects. That includes understanding the physical mechanisms associated with marijuana use and premature births.
For teens, the message is simple: Think before you smoke.
To ward off the risk of stroke, there’s a simple new mantra: Put down the smartphone and get up off the couch.
Adults who spend eight or more hours a day of leisure time watching television or using computers or phones face a much greater threat of strokes and cardiovascular disease. That’s the main finding by University of Calgary researchers, who followed more than 140,000 people for nearly a decade.
If using electronic devices and being sedentary eight hours a day seems like a lot, consider this: The American Heart Association says U.S. adults spend an average of 10-and-a-half hours a day watching television or using electronic devices. Adults ages 50 to 64 spend the most time connected to media.
The researchers determined a particularly hazardous nexus of inactivity and leisure time. For those under age 60 who were the least active and reported eight or more hours of leisure time, the risk of stroke was seven times greater than people who had half as much free time.
Even being only marginally active has its drawbacks, the researchers noted. Eight or more hours of free time and low physical activity more than quadrupled the risk of stroke.
The findings are not just a cautionary tale for those who are late middle age or older. Despite a general decline in overall stroke rates, the American Heart Association says the incidence has increased more than 40% in younger adults over the past several decades.
Here’s how to increase your odds of cardiovascular health: Aim for at least two-and-a-half hours of moderate-intensity activity per week.
When it comes to stroke risk, couch surfing may be the riskiest activity of all.
Physical activity boosts our health and helps us live longer lives. Smog, well, not so much. But what about exercising outdoors in an area with polluted air? Is it healthier to be a couch potato indoors while we save our lungs the exposure to bad air?
Exercising in areas with polluted air, it turns out, is still healthier than being inactive.
That’s according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Researchers tracked health information from 384,000 adults in Taiwan for 15 years and questioned them about their activity levels. Taiwan has some of the worst air pollution on the planet.
Scientists found that habitual outdoor exercise reduces the risk of death from natural causes regardless of air pollution compared with those people who are inactive. That said, no one should think that that smog is good for you. Indeed, the greater the air pollution the higher the risk of death — even if exercise mitigated the danger somewhat.
It’s a tug of war between two things that are always bad for you — pollution and being sedentary. Pollution wins.
Investigators said their findings reinforce the importance of reducing pollution. While it might be easy for many of us to go to the gym and work a treadmill or stationary bicycle — or exercise on a less-trafficked country road — that might not be an option for people of a lower socioeconomic status.
This study is particularly important since more than 90% of the world’s population live in places where air quality does not meet World Health Organization guidelines.
This is yet another lesson about the benefits of exercise even in a challenging environment.
Snoring is ubiquitous. It’s in cartoons, mattress commercials, and, let’s face it — probably your family. But heavy snoring accompanied by mouth breathing can also a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, which is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. And now, new research indicates it could also increase your chances of sudden death.
A meta-analysis from researchers at Penn State indicated that individuals with obstructive sleep apnea were approximately twice as likely to experience sudden death than those who did not have the sleep condition.
Although there are many different types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common. It occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block an individual’s airways while they are sleeping.
Researchers also determined that obstructive sleep apnea caused a nearly twofold risk of cardiovascular death — a hazard that also increased with age.
Sleep apnea leads to sporadic oxygen absorption, which can trigger the central nervous system to overcorrect and try to increase air intake. This can result in a domino effect on someone’s systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Each time the throat is closed off, it can cause stress and break up sleeping patterns, researchers determined.
This oxidative stress can also contribute to an imbalance of antioxidants in the body, damaging cells and speeding up the aging process, the study found. Over time, this can cause several health problems.
According to the researchers, future studies will explore how physicians can best tailor obstructive sleep apnea treatment to the individual.
Your mother was right all along: Eat more vegetables. And it’s not just a mother’s mantra. Eating a plant-centered diet as a young adult can reduce the risk of heart disease in middle age.
That’s the main message of two recent studies, which established a link between healthy plant foods, fewer heart attacks and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. One of the studies by University of Minnesota researchers evaluated plant-centered diets in early childhood and their effect on cardiovascular issues later in life.
Nearly 5,000 people were young adults when they enrolled in a long-term study of heart disease development in the mid-1980s. Lab tests and medical histories were collected over the years. The researchers also documented participants’ diet histories when they were infants, and at ages 7 and 20. Their eating habits among dozens of food groups were separated into three categories: beneficial foods such as fruits, vegetables and nuts; adverse foods including fried potatoes, salty snacks and high-fat red meat; and neutral foods like lean meat and shellfish.
Those who ate the most nutritionally rich plant foods were 52% less likely to get cardiovascular disease than people who ate less healthy foods.
In another study, Brown University scientists found that postmenopausal women who used the so-called “Portfolio Diet” were 11% less likely to have cardiovascular disease and 17% less likely to have heart failure than those who did not follow the diet. The Portfolio Diet emphasizes nuts, plant protein from soy or beans, and soluble fiber from oats, barley and other sources.
So whether you’re burning through berries or tearing into tofu, raise a fork to mom. She really did know best.
The list of things that get better with age is succinct: wine, cheese and leather. Cognitive functions aren’t usually something that comes to mind — pun intended. But new research from Georgetown may be making an addition to that list.
Previously, the general consensus was pretty simple: aging and cognitive decline are one and the same. The older you get, the more you’ll see a decline across the board in attention, executive function and reasoning skills. Now, however, a study published in Nature Human Behavior suggests some of these may actually improve with time — like executive functions.
These include actions such as flexible thinking, working memory and self-control, or processes that help individuals focus on specific parts of information to achieve goals while ignoring information that’s distracting or irrelevant. Skills like this are an essential part of day-to-day activities and a prerequisite for more advanced cognitive actions.
In the study, researchers looked at 702 participants who were 58 to 98 years old, and tested participants for cognitive functions like orienting, alerting and executive inhibition. Results indicated that critical aspects of these abilities improved during aging. Those include things like noticing unexpected movement when approaching an intersection and the ability to stay focused on driving despite distractions.
According to the study, this is why we get better at most things over time — lots and lots of practice.
Importantly, the study may change how some of us perceive the aging process, and reframe how we view the way our bodies — and minds — change over time.
It’s the kind of thing that might keep you up at night if you weren’t already working the night shift. Researchers have found that working nights is associated with an increased risk of heart problems.
An international team of researchers analyzed a database with health information on more than 280,000 people in the United Kingdom and found nighttime workers more often developed atrial fibrillation, or A-fib. That’s a potentially life-threatening condition that often causes an irregular heartbeat. Scientists also found an association with heart disease.
The risk went up the longer study participants worked the night shift during their lifetimes. Those night shift hours were defined as any work hours outside the 9 a.m.-to-5 p.m. norm. The higher risk held true even when the data were adjusted for factors that can cause cardiovascular trouble, including smoking, diet, blood pressure and weight, among other things.
The heightened risk was substantial — a 22% increased risk of A-fib for people who worked three to eight night shifts a month for a decade or more. That’s compared with folks who worked during the day. Heart disease risk rose as high as 35 percent.
Women who worked the most time on the night shift appeared to fare much more poorly. The study shows their risk of A-fib went up a remarkable 64% compared with day workers.
One way to help avoid problems appears to be physical activity. Researchers found that 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise, or 75 minutes of intense activity, lowered the risk.
Exercise is always a good idea. It’s a great idea if you work the graveyard shift.
What color is pain relief? A study from University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson suggests green — at least when it comes to migraines.
Previously, researchers discovered that green light could lead to pain relief in rats. Now, researchers are exploring the healing hue as a preventive treatment for people who experience migraines.
A migraine is a headache of extreme intensity and can cause symptoms that interfere with daily activities, such as throbbing pain, intense nausea, vomiting and heightened sensitivity to light and sound.
For some, a migraine can last for a couple hours. For others, a few days.
Although pain relief can be found through some medications, people can experience unwanted side effects or minimal effectiveness.
Participants in the study fell into two categories: those who had episodic migraines, or up to 14 headache days per month, and chronic migraines, or 15 or more headache days per month for three or more months.
At first, the participants spent one to two hours every day in a dark room with a white light strip, which served as a control condition. After 10 weeks of the white lighting, participants stopped for two weeks as part of a “washout” period.
Then, for another 10 weeks, participants spent one to two hours daily with a strip that emitted green light, at the same brightness level as the previous white. On average, the green light treatment resulted in a decrease in the number of migraines participants experienced.
Further research is required to explore the light’s effects in a larger participant pool and account for the placebo effect. But the early results could be a green light in the drive for migraine relief.
Sorry, folks. You might not be able to blame that bulging waistline on slowing metabolism as you age. Established wisdom is being unestablished.
A study published in the journal Science says that our metabolism —simply put, the way our bodies convert food to energy — declines about 3% a year after it peaks when we reach our first birthday. That continues until about age 20. At that point, however, metabolism plateaus for roughly the next 40 years before it begins slowing again, although at a miniscule rate — less than 1% a year.
That means chucking out the window, among other myths, the notion that our middle age weight gain is metabolism’s fault. Or that women have slower metabolism than men, making them particularly susceptible to putting on the pounds. Or that menopause reduces it even further.
No, no and no, researchers say. Looks like when we gain weight, it’s because we eat too much. That is, we’re taking in more calories than we’re burning.
These new findings are based on data collected from 6,500 individuals. Investigators noted no obvious difference between the metabolism of men and women after controlling for other factors like body size.
And don’t think the work is the product of a rogue scientist. There are 80 co-authors on the paper and findings are described by some as pivotal in the scientific understanding of how our bodies burn energy. The study’s authors collected data for more than 40 years and shared information for publication.
The investigation has potentially important implications for medicine, among them calculating the right drug doses for patients.
As a final note, envy those 1-year-old babies. Their metabolism, when it peaks, rolls along 50% above the adult rate.
Everyone appreciates a good listener. But not everybody has someone with a sympathetic ear available when they need to talk. And that, new research indicates, might have consequences for their brain health.
People with supportive listeners tend to have greater cognitive resilience that might help prevent cognitive decline. That’s according to a study by medical researchers at New York University.
They say their findings suggest that study participants with this social support have stronger cognitive function than expected given the age- or disease-related changes seen in their brains. Scientists believe that resilience acts as a buffer to some of the mental infirmities of aging.
Researchers came to that conclusion after analyzing data from more than 2,100 people who self-reported their social interactions and then underwent brain scans and neuropsychological assessments. The scans measured participant brain volume, with lower volumes associated with diminished cognitive function.
The average age of the group was 63. The investigation, however, shows results might not just be applicable to older adults. People in their 40s and 50s who didn’t have access to good listeners had brains that were, cognitively speaking, four years older than those who had high-listener availability.
Investigators believe their findings are important enough to merit physicians adding a standard question about social history during a patient interview.
All this points to the importance of seeking out good listeners when our lives offer a challenge we don’t want to handle alone. And as the NYU scientists note, it demonstrates the need to be better listeners ourselves.
Smoking fewer than five cigarettes a day might not seem like a lot. But recent research shows that even a small amount of smoking can cause lung damage and accelerate lung-function decline, even decades after quitting.
For some people, there’s a perception that modest smoking isn’t so bad. Not so, say Columbia University Medical Center researchers. In fact, when it comes to loss of lung function, the five-cigarettes-a-day smoker isn’t all that different than someone with a two-pack-a-day habit.
The researchers analyzed the health characteristics of more than 25,000 people. The group included current and former smokers as well as those who never smoked.
Among light smokers, lung function declined at a rate that was closer to heavy smokers than the nonsmokers. Quite simply, so-called light smokers felt much of the same effects as more frequent smokers. A light smoker might lose the same amount of lung function in one year as a heavy smoker loses in nine months.
The study also addressed another perception about smoking: That declines in lung function begin to stabilize some years after a smoker quits. Former smokers did experience lung capacity declines that were about six times smaller than those who continued to smoke. But those lung-capacity declines continued for years after the person quit smoking.
The new findings may also explain why light smokers are at greater risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Most prior COPD studies focused on longer-term smokers with heavier habits.
For light smokers, the researchers had this observation: Just a few cigarettes a day might be riskier than you think.
Enjoying a casual stroll or a late-night movie in your free time can have positive health benefits. Leisure activities contribute to lower blood pressure, a more robust social life and a lower risk of depression.
Yet, when many people get the chance to kick back and relax, they can’t appreciate it. Workday stressors can linger at home, leaving us feeling pressure to be productive in our time off. According to researchers from Ohio State University, this thinking can be detrimental to mental health.
A series of studies showed that people with negative views on leisure experience higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Failing to relish recreation time reduces gratification from activities and reduces happiness.
In one study, college students engaged in mundane work were asked to watch a funny cat video. Several participants failed to enjoy the break, despite there being no way to use the time more productively. Even when the students read about the benefits of recess in advance, taking it still didn’t make them happy.
People who believe relaxation is wasteful aren’t easily swayed. They often prefer activities that offer the illusion, at least, of ticking a box on their to-do list. One online survey showed that parents with negative views on leisure found more fulfillment in trick-or-treating with their kids than going to a Halloween party for adults.
This isn’t to say that putting off chores to binge-watch Netflix is healthy. Leisure shouldn’t get in the way of priorities, but it also shouldn’t induce guilt.
Framing leisure as part of a long-term goal of a productive life can help alleviate stress. So, when you have a free moment, go ahead — put your feet up and savor it.
Are you interested in improving your social, physical and psychological health? What about lessening your chances of any long-term health issues in the future? If so, you may want to grab a shovel and gloves because gardening could be your solution.
In an analysis of 22 prior studies on gardening, researchers found that both gardens and participating in gardening are unquestionably good for our health. Gardening can decrease depression, stress, anxiety and mood disturbances. These benefits combine to boost our quality of life and cognitive function.
Incorporating more nature in your life can help everyone, especially those who live in places with little to no exposure to greenery. That’s especially key for urban children, who sometimes suffer from a condition called nature-deficit disorder. The study notes that gardening can also reduce the risk of diabetes and depression.
Gardening is so good for our health that horticultural therapy is used to treat people with psychological and occupational health issues. After three months spent working with plants in a greenhouse, patients were less likely to suffer from depression.
Researchers say gardening is good for us, but why is that so?
First, simply being outdoors and breathing fresh air is restorative. Second, it gently encourages exercise. Third, it allows people to interact with others, reinforcing social ties and creating a sense of community. Lastly, it helps ensure a healthier diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Gardening is a cost-effective way to improve your well-being. Have you been feeling down? Interacting with plants can beautify your home and yard while also giving you an emotional lift.
The idea of moderation in all things is believed to have come from an ancient Greek poet. But when it comes to fried food, even moderation may need some rethinking.
New research finds each four-ounce serving of fried food per week boosts the risk of stroke and major heart disease. That risk grows relatively slowly at first, rising by 3% and 2% with respective four-ounce portions. But by the third weekly portion of fried food, the risk of heart and vascular complications jumps by 12%. The findings by university researchers in China were published in the journal BMJ.
The researchers analyzed a number of studies involving more than 750,000 people, nearly 37,000 of whom were heart attack and stroke patients. About 85,000 of the cases involved deaths. Over a decade, those who reported eating the most fried food had a 28% higher risk of heart attack or stroke and a 37% greater risk of heart failure when compared with those who ate smaller amounts of fried food.
Several of the studies only looked at certain kinds of fried foods, such as fish or potatoes, meaning the link between all fried foods and health problems could actually be even higher.
What still isn’t known is how fried food influences cardiovascular problems, but the researchers have some ideas. Frying produces chemical byproducts that trigger an inflammatory response in the body. That, along with the salt that often accompanies fried food, is less than ideal. Also, fried foods tend to be high in calories and contain unhealthy trans-fats.
If you want to avoid super-sizing potential cardiovascular problems, limit the amount of fried food you eat. Those guilty pleasure fries can be dangerous.
Dogs are man’s best friend, and they can also be a good health partner for anyone. According to findings by researchers in England, older dog owners who walked their dog at least once a day got 20% more exercise than those without dogs.
Those same dog owners also spent 30 fewer minutes a day being sedentary. For older people, regular exercise has been found to improve overall wellness.
The researchers from two British universities analyzed data from more 3,000 people with a median age of about 70. The study’s participants wore an activity monitor for seven days, and the data were analyzed along with weather data that could have affected activity.
The findings also show that a dog’s need for walks can be a powerful motivator: All of the participants were less active on bad-weather days. Still, the regular dog walkers were more active on the worst weather days than those without dogs were on the best weather days.
The researchers concede the cause-and-effect relationship between dog ownership and a more active lifestyle could go both ways: People who want to be more active may get dogs, though other studies have shown the dog provides its owner with incentive to get outside.
In this study, researchers say the findings highlight the important role of external motivation — meaning that the dog needs to be exercised even in bad weather.
Beyond improving older adults’ exercise habits, the benefits of dog walking could lead to changes in the way we live, such as pet-friendly retirement communities and off-leash areas or dog-walking trails in parks.
So, help your dog help you. Grab the leash and get out there.
Intermittent fasting is all the rage. The diet, which restricts eating to certain hours, has gained traction as a way to lose weight and regulate hunger cues. Now, research is indicating fasting may do more than just cut caloric intake.
A mouse study from researchers in Canada has found that fasting can inhibit a particular strain of Salmonella, which is a leading cause of gastroenteritis in humans. The bacteria causes inflammation and tissue damage upon consumption.
Part of the reason behind the study is previous research around fasting and infection, which has been inconclusive. Despite the lack of evidence, therapeutic fasting has become popular among patients with chronic autoimmune disorders or autoinflammatory diseases.
In this study, two groups of mice were fed Salmonella. One group ate normally, and one fasted for 24 hours. The fasted mice showed minimal inflammation and tissue damage, while the group of mice that had not demonstrated advanced infection.
How did this happen? Researchers suspected gut bacteria.
Prior research has shown healthy, diverse gut bacteria colonies are important for many essential biological functions. The study’s authors suggest that when nutrients are in short supply, such as during fasting, the microbiome’s native bacteria consume anything else they can get their hands on — consequently starving the Salmonella interloper of the food it needs to expand and infect the healthy tissue.
Mice are not people, so a human’s fast of several days would trigger different consequences — some far from therapeutic. Until more research is conducted, keeping feeding a cold. Leave starving a fever to the mice.
Hot dog lovers, take note: Eating that frankfurter could reduce your healthy life by 36 minutes. On the bright side, a serving of nuts might help add 26 minutes of additional healthy life.
That’s what University of Michigan scientists found after evaluating more than 5,800 foods and calculating their potential harm or benefit using a new epidemiology-based nutritional index. The Health Nutritional Index is based on 15 dietary risk factors. It is adapted from the well-known Global Burden of Disease, which associates single food choices with mortality. The findings were published recently in the journal Nature Food.
But the new index also goes a step further, allowing people to understand the environmental impact of the foods they eat. The researchers used a method to calculate the full life cycle impact of foods, from processing to transportation and preparation.
The researchers also assigned foods to one of three color zones based on nutritional value and environmental impact. Like a traffic light, “red zone” foods are ones to be reduced or avoided. They include nutritional issues due to processed meats and environmental factors involving beef, pork and lamb. Healthier, more environmentally friendly “green zone” foods include fruits, nuts, vegetables, whole grains and some seafood.
So just how does someone turn back the dietary clock from that tasty but life-changing hot dog? The researchers suggest starting small. Swapping just 10% of daily food from beef and processed meats to fruits, vegetables and other “green zone” foods can add 48 healthy minutes of life per day. It also cuts your food’s carbon footprint by one-third.
So hold the hot dogs — and pass the nuts.
The gut microbiome is a jack of many, if not all, trades. The delicate ecosystem of microbes that have set up house in our intestinal tracts has been increasingly linked by research to processes such as immunity and nutrient absorption or to conditions from asthma to dementia. And the population of bacteria and fungi vary slightly per individual.
Now, a study by researchers at Washington State University indicates common environmental factors can affect the type of bacteria found in the gut microbiome, and the function of this important system.
More specifically, scientists identified an association between the levels of bacteria and fungi in the gastrointestinal tract of children and the quantity of common chemicals found in their home environment.
Chemicals from shower curtains, personal care products like shampoo, detergents, and furniture coatings wind up in the air and dust in people’s homes. Children can be especially prone to ingesting them by crawling around or putting objects in their mouth.
Although gut microbes’ roles in human biology tend to be subtle, certain varieties could have specific functions in our health. Any dip in their numbers or changes in their diversity can result in a significant health impact.
But the gut microbiome is full of surprises.
The children with elevated levels of chemical compounds in the blood were found to have different types of “clean-up” bacteria that break down toxic chemicals.
Ordinarily, these bacteria are not found in the human gut, adding another layer of mystery to the microbiome that has dominated gastrointestinal research in recent years.
Nighttime is the right time to take your blood pressure medicine. Recent research shows a simple change in the time of day when you take this important medication can significantly cut the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
Those who take their blood pressure pills at night had nearly half the risk of suffering strokes, heart attacks and heart failure as those who took the medicine in the morning. Taking antihypertensive pills at night also reduced the likelihood of needing a procedure to unblock narrowed arteries. The findings by researchers in Spain were published in the European Heart Journal.
In the study, more than 19,000 patients were separated into two groups — those who took their meds at night and others who popped the pills upon waking. Their blood pressure and other indicators were tracked over a six-year period. The researchers adjusted to account for other factors such as age, smoking and Type 2 diabetes.
The most striking outcome involved the risk of death from blood vessel and heart problems, which fell by 66%. Other risks — including stroke, heart attack and heart failure — fell by more than 40%.
The findings build on research by the same scientists that showed the average systolic blood pressure — the pressure in arteries when the heart muscle contracts — is most critical when someone is asleep.
In fact, the study found taking medication at night results in better controlled blood pressure. Those who medicated in the evening had lower blood pressure both at night and during the day, compared with those who took their pills in the morning.
So if you have high blood pressure, make the medicine cabinet your last stop before bed.
Nowadays, robots help us do a little bit of everything: Play music, vacuum and — in some cases — cure tummy troubles?
A new research study in Boston says they just might.
Several previous studies have established the gut microbiome as essential to our well-being. The more diverse the colonies of gut bacteria, the better. When that diversity is low and the balance of beneficial bacteria tips, chronic conditions like irritable bowel disease can occur. This has brought about a slew of supplements and fermented foods in an effort to make gut health a priority.
But what if there were a silver bullet that restored gut health to the ideal balance?
Researchers have developed probiotics to do just that — while combating persistent inflammation and turning back the clock on tissue damage. They call them “yeast robots,” a nod to their origin, a type of yeast from which beer, bread and wine are made. Although this strain is not often used in probiotics, it can occur organically as part of a healthy gut.
Of course, in the world of highly individualized gut microbiomes, blanket solutions can be less effective. Accordingly, the yeast robots are engineered to deploy site-specific relief to areas of inflammation within the gut — thus far in mice.
Scientists hope the genetically engineered probiotic’s core function can be replicated to treat inflammation in other tissues, potentially addressing chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Unlike your self-sufficient vacuum, these yeast robots are a ways away from being available at your local store because further research is needed. But maybe one day kombucha will have competition.
When it comes to addressing blood pressure, blood sugar and waist size, some people might think that means taking medication. But there is actually a much simpler way: Eat more whole grain foods.
Middle-aged and older adults who consumed at least three daily servings of whole grains had smaller increases in these three health indicators than people who ate fewer whole grains. That’s the conclusion by Tufts University scientists, who studied whole- and refined-grain consumption among more than 3,000 people over a nearly 20-year period.
For each four-year interval in the study, the contrasts were stark. People who very few whole grains gained more than one inch in waist size. Those who consumed the most whole grains gained less than half an inch. Likewise, blood sugar and blood pressure levels were higher among people who ate fewer whole grains.
As the researchers noted, it’s not an all-or-nothing arrangement. As whole grain consumption grew incrementally among the study participants, so did the positive health benefits. All of that suggests that whole grains are one way to help manage blood pressure and blood sugar over time.
So how much whole grain should you eat? Among the study participants, consumption ranged from less than a half serving per day to three or more servings. One serving can include a half-cup of brown rice or rolled oats — or a slice of whole-grain bread. An easy way to make the switch can be to swap out refined grains such as pasta, white bread or traditional cereal for their whole-grain counterparts.
As the researchers noted, even small dietary changes can make a difference over time.
For some people, there is a new way to stop losing sleep because of chronic insomnia: a weighted blanket.
Swedish researchers have found that for people with insomnia or certain psychiatric disorders, using a weighted blanket for four weeks brought about better sleep, a higher level of daytime activity, less daytime sleepiness and fewer bouts of insomnia.
Those who used the weighted blankets were about 25 times more likely to cut their insomnia severity in half when compared with people in a control group. The weighted blankets also significantly improved the likelihood of insomnia going into remission.
The results were also long-lasting, holding up for more than a year in a follow-up phase of the research.
The research group included more than 100 people who had been diagnosed with chronic insomnia as well as a psychiatric issue such as bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Initially, the participants were given a 17.6-pound blanket but some were later given slightly lighter blankets due to weight concerns. Nearly two-thirds of weighted-blanket users reported a 50% decrease in insomnia symptoms as measured by a commonly used index.
One possible explanation for the weighted blankets’ benefits: Researchers believe it could promote better sleep by applying pressure on various parts of the body. That, in turn, may produce a sensation similar to acupressure and massage.
So, if life is weighing you down, consider curling up under a weighted blanket for a better night’s sleep.
When the clock moves ahead one hour each spring for Daylight Saving Time, we’re all robbed of some sleep. For night owls, the effect can be especially disruptive.
Early risers tend to bounce back from the time change in a few days. But new findings by University of Michigan scientists show that the late-night crowd may need a week or more to rebalance their sleep schedule.
To establish their findings, they tracked the sleep habits of more than 800 physicians in their first year of training after medical school. Using a large data set from the United Kingdom, they also distilled the genetic factors that predispose someone to being an early bird or a night owl.
From there, the researchers focused on two groups of about 130 physicians each. They were the ones who had the strongest “early bird” and “night owl” tendencies.
After the Daylight Saving Time change, the early risers had adjusted their sleep times by the following Tuesday. The late-night group struggled considerably more, needing at least until the next Saturday to regroup.
No such differences were seen between the two groups during the fall, when clocks roll back one hour.
Some of Daylight Saving Time’s effects were already known, such as its influence on vehicle crashes and heart attacks. The latest findings shed new light on how genes and the environment can affect people with different rhythms to their biological clocks. The researchers say it’s another reason to consider abolishing Daylight Saving Time.
And while the spring time change can make night owls sluggish, it also provides some answers — and an excuse to sleep in for at least a week.
It’s a hurly-burly, fast-paced world of 24-hour news cycles and endless demands on our time, with workday tasks seemingly outnumbering the minutes of the day. It’s a wonder we get any sleep at all.
So, what to do? Many of us embrace the American tradition of skimping on sleep during the week, figuring we can still maintain productivity at the office. Then we try to catch up on our shut-eye on the weekend. What’s the harm in that?
A study out of the University of South Florida, however, suggests that we face mental and physical consequences even after one night of inadequate sleep. That’s defined as six or fewer hours of slumber. And it gets worse from there.
This sleep investigation gathered data from 2,000 middle-aged adults and found that symptoms of sleep loss worsened until Day 3 with inadequate bedtime. That’s when the body temporarily adjusts a bit. But then on Day 6, symptoms heightened to their worst.
So, chuck the idea of being your best at work by cheating your body out of a full night’s rest. Researchers note sleepless participants in their study reported a range of dysfunctional emotions, including anger, nervousness, frustration and loneliness. Physical symptoms included digestive problems, aches, upper respiratory issues and other ailments.
Sleeplessness is American sport. We’re a nation of night owls. We howl at the jokes in late-night TV monologues and stress about jobs as we stare at our darkened bedroom ceilings looking for absent sheep to count. An estimated one-third of U.S. adults are snoozing less than six hours a night.
So, get to sleep. Seven or eight hours will do. Your boss will thank you. But more importantly, your body and mind will, too.
As the age-old saying goes, you are what you eat. Now, new scientific findings are expanding that idea. When it comes to muscle growth, it’s also about when you eat.
It all revolves around the body’s internal biological clock, known as circadian rhythm. Many body functions, including protein digestion and absorption, fluctuate with the time of day. Scientists have known generally that eating protein at breakfast and lunch encourages muscle growth in adults. Now, they know much more about how protein consumption throughout the day affects muscles.
To establish their findings, researchers at a university in Japan fed laboratory mice two meals a day. One group of animals got a high-protein diet with an overall protein content of about 12%. The other group received lower-protein meals. In terms of muscle growth, the researchers determined that timing was everything. The mice that ate lower-protein meals in the morning gained more muscle mass than the ones who ate higher-protein evening meals.
To confirm that time-of-day protein consumption was related to circadian rhythm, they also tested the diets on mice that lack the genes that control the biological clock. Those animals experienced no similar muscle growth.
But would this also hold true in humans? Indeed, it did. The scientists tested a group of 60 older women for muscle function and grip strength. Those who consumed protein for breakfast instead of dinner had better muscle function.
Since most people typically eat twice as much protein at dinner as they do at breakfast, it’s time to consider flipping the morning meal routine: Put down the cereal spoon and grab some eggs.
Your body is filled with slime. But don’t panic — it’s a good thing. Your lungs, gut and other areas are dressed in a layer of mucus that is as beneficial and essential to your body’s functions as it is, well, gross.
In many places, mucus acts as a picky bodyguard, letting in helpful bacteria and slamming the door in the face of sly pathogens and harmful agents. That’s your standard slime.
But what if you had access to designer mucus that was even better — and doubled that function of actively encouraging good bacteria while keeping their seedier cousins out?
Researchers from Denmark found out.
Using kidney cells, scientists were able to create human mucins [myü-sᵊns]. They are proteins with specific sugar molecules that make up mucus.
Researchers theorize that they may be able function as a prebiotic, assisting the good bacteria in the body with growth. Similarly, artificial mucus could be a viable alternative to antibiotics when treating bacterial infections. That’s a welcome potential solution, especially in the case of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
This lab-made “designer” mucus may even act as a speedbump for viruses, like the flu, looking to take hold in the cells that line the nose, lungs and windpipe. The lab mucus would compete for use of an enzyme that the virus needs to replicate, jostling it out of place and preventing newly created virus particles from spreading. Slime saves the day.
Further research and development are needed, but the benefits of naturally occurring mucus remain undisputed. But don’t worry: You can appreciate this underrated substance — and still blow your nose when the need arises.
There’s a fine line for parents who are sterilizing baby bottles. Killing germs is essential, but hotter water can also release more microplastics.
Researchers at Ireland’s Trinity College have found the amount of tiny plastic debris grows substantially along with water temperature. Using 10 of the world’s most common infant-feeding bottles, they tested how the containers shed plastic during exposure to liquids of varying temperatures.
At 158 degrees, the bottles released up to 16.2 million polypropylene microplastics per quart of water used. At 203 degrees, the amount of plastic released more than tripled. The findings were published in the journal Nature Food.
The researchers said there are steps parents can take to minimize microplastic shedding. These include preparing the sterilization water in a glass or stainless-steel container and allowing the bottles to cool before use. The clean bottles should also be rinsed at least three times with room temperature, sterilized water.
Handling infant formula in a standardized way can also reduce the leaching of microplastics. Formula should be prepared in a nonplastic container using water that is at least 158 degrees. Transfer the formula to a high-quality feeding bottle only after it has cooled to room temperature.
There are also a few things to avoid: Do not reheat formula in plastic containers and never use a microwave for reheating. Never shake the formula after it is in the feeding bottle. Ultrasonic cleaners should not be used to clean baby bottles.
With some extra care, parents can help lower the risk of their baby ingesting dangerous particles too tiny to see.
Neurodegenerative diseases have long hounded both patients and their families. Seeing a loved one become forgetful, and less themselves, is a difficult thing to experience — especially when you know there’s no stopping it.
Now, there may be some hope in the form of a drug candidate called SAK3. This drug prevented continued loss of movement and cognitive function in a mouse model of Lewy body dementia.
People who are diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, the third most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, contend with motor movement disruptions similar to Parkinson’s disease. They also experience symptoms of depression and anxiety — all in addition to the gradual loss of cognitive and reasoning skills.
Lewy bodies refer to clumps of “misfolded” proteins. A typical protein-folding process results in healthy brain function and processes. When misfolded protein clumps begin to crop up, researchers theorize they are the culprits behind dopamine neuron loss, which is associated with issues in movement, learning and memory.
The drug acts by “boosting” something called the proteasome [prō-tē-ə-ˌsōm], which acts like a garbage disposal for proteins that were misfolded. In conditions like Parkinson’s, it stops working appropriately.
Once the proteasome became more effective at disposing of misfolded proteins, the drug appeared to stop the death of dopamine neurons. Decline in movement difficulty and memory was reduced.
Potentially, this drug could prove promising for disorders similar to Lewy body dementia, such as Huntington’s disease. For now, the United Kingdom researchers look toward the next step — clinical trials.
How long can you go without answering an email? Checking your phone? Opening a new tab?
When we’re at work, interruptions are common. Most of the time, we ease back into the rhythm of our previous task. Other times, we get sidetracked, which can affect our productivity and, it seems, our health.
New research from Switzerland found persistent interruptions lead to an increase in cortisol, a hormone responsible for regulating how the body responds to stress, typically released when the body engages in fight-or-flight mode.
In the study, participants were placed in make-believe office settings and exposed to different levels of stress. Each participant was given a list of tasks to complete, such as scheduling appointments with clients and digitizing handwritten documents.
Individuals were questioned at six intervals to gauge their mood. Throughout the day, portable devices measured their heartbeat as the researchers tracked cortisol levels in their saliva samples.
Stress was applied in two forms: the saliva test interruptions, and urgent messages from supervisors requesting information. Those who experienced stress from their bosses released almost double the stress hormone as the others.
Interestingly, those participants did not report feeling stressed, even though their cortisol levels from the saliva samples indicated otherwise. The researchers hypothesized that, while the interruptions spike stress hormones that negatively affect the body, they may also provide a brief mental break.
It may also be that we’re so conditioned to multitask as a way of life that we hardly notice it anymore. But our bodies certainly do.
Ultra-processed foods can be a convenient option for busy people. But something else comes with them: a potentially higher risk of inflammatory bowel disease.
That’s what a team of international researchers found recently after they analyzed the dietary information from more than 115,000 people worldwide. As their daily consumption of highly processed foods grew, the risk of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, increased substantially.
IBD is a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that can include intestinal ulcers or Crohn’s disease. Participants were enrolled in the study for 13 years and assessed at least every three years.
Those who ate five or more servings of ultra-processed food a day had an 82% higher risk of developing IBD than people who consumed less than one serving. For those who ate one to four servings, the risk jumped 67%.
Ultra-processed foods typically contain large amounts of added sugar, salt and fat while lacking fiber and vitamins. They typically include ready-made meals, processed meat, sugary cereals and salty snacks.
In comparison, the researchers found no association between minimally processed foods and IBD. Those foods include fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products.
The researchers said their results were consistent for both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Because the less-processed foods didn’t trigger bowel inflammation, the scientists suspect the way the food is produced, rather than the food itself, is the culprit.
So think in similar terms when choosing meals: Minimally processed food could mean minimal digestive issues.