Increasing workout intensity can stimulate muscle cells to build and improve their mitochondria, but exercise scientists are also looking for ways to strengthen that adaptation without making workouts harder. A new study tested whether blood flow restriction (BFR), a technique that temporarily reduces blood flow to the limbs, could amplify the muscle's adaptation to sprint training. The study included 20 healthy, physically active men with at least one year of cycling experience, who were divided into two groups with similar starting fitness levels. Both groups completed the same six-week tra... exercise mitochondria
Read moreAnxiety disorders are common and often difficult to treat, yet we still lack a clear understanding of the brain's chemical and metabolic changes that could guide new therapies. In a new meta-analysis, researchers examined which brain metabolites differ between patients with social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or panic disorder and healthy volunteers. The study included 25 human datasets covering 370 patients and 342 healthy controls, all scanned with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, an imaging technique that can measure brain metabolites. The investigators focused o... anxiety brain mental health choline
Read more[toc position='left'] Introduction Magnesium is an essential dietary mineral. It plays critical roles in myriad physiological processes, serving as a cofactor to more than 300 enzymes in the human body and maintaining the integrity of cellular structures and DNA. Magnesium deficiency is widespread, affecting more than half of people in the U.S. and increasing the risk of many chronic conditions, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. At a glance, magnesium participates in: Enzymatic reactions, serving as a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes involved in variou... magnesium brain nutrition supplements micronutrients
Read moreDrinking kefir, a probiotic dairy beverage, improves memory. The community of microbes that comprise the gut microbiota act a bit like a sensory organ in the body, communicating information about the outside world to the brain and forming a gut-brain axis. Antibiotic and other medication use and changes in the diet can modulate the gut microbiota community in ways that reduce or increase the risk of neuropsychiatric illnesses such as depression. Findings of a recent report show that consuming a fermented dairy beverage may improve memory via changes in the gut-brain axis. The hypothalamic-pitu... brain memory dairy
Read more[toc position='left'] Background [tweetbox text='"Because BHB is involved in such foundational cellular functions as gene regulation, increasing BHB concentrations may be protective against a wide range of diseases."' tweet='"Because BHB is involved in such foundational cellular functions as gene regulation, increasing BHB concentrations may be protective against a wide range of diseases." https://www.foundmyfitness.com/topics/beta-hydroxybutyrate'] Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is an endogenous (i.e., produced by the body) ketone produced via the breakdown of fats during times of carbohydrate sc... butyrate exercise fasting aging ketosis
Read moreMetabolic dysfunction escalates with age and increases the risk of frailty and chronic disease. Many investigational antiaging drugs target enzymes involved in energy metabolism, such as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1. Findings of a new study in mice detail the role of sirtuins in energy metabolism and healthy aging. Sirtuins are enzymes that play key roles in healthspan and longevity in multiple organisms. They are linked to the regulation of a variety of metabolic processes, including the release of insulin, mobilization of lipids, response to str... aging lactate
Read moreMaternal consumption of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is essential for fetal brain development. Maintaining the proper balance of these two fatty acids is critical, but the typical Western diet is high in omega-6s and low in omega-3s (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808858/). Findings from a new study in mice suggest that a high omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio of intake during pregnancy alters dopamine signaling, contributing to overeating in offspring. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter best known for its role in motor activity, motivation, and pleasure control. When exposed ... obesity lactate
Read more[toc position='left'] Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a precursor molecule for the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+, a coenzyme that participates in the production of cellular energy and repair. Two other NAD+ precursors, nicotinic acid (NA) and nicotinamide (NAM, also called niacinamide), along with nicotinamide riboside, are often collectively referred to as niacin (vitamin B3) or niacin equivalents. These precursors are not equally allocated throughout the body, exhibiting preferential distribution among the blood, brain, gut, and other organs. NAD+ can also be produ... obesity nad+ aging breast milk cardiovascular
Read moreLow intake of chlorophyll-rich vegetables, reduced absorption, and increased excretion are primary reasons for magnesium deficiency in the U.S. ... magnesium nutrition diet micronutrients
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