Lead exposure during pregnancy can harm a child’s developing brain, increasing the risk of autism-related behaviors. Some evidence suggests that folate, a B vitamin, might help protect against lead's neurotoxic effects. A recent study found that higher folate levels during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of autism-like behaviors in children exposed to lead before birth. Researchers analyzed data from a large mother-infant cohort study that tracked participants from pregnancy through early childhood. They measured blood lead levels and plasma folate concentrations during the women's first an... brain pregnancy micronutrients genetics development folate
Read moreThe lotion you apply to your child's skin might do more harm than good, according to new research. Children are especially vulnerable to harmful exposures through their skin because they have more skin surface area relative to their body size, better blood flow, and higher skin hydration than adults. A recent study found that using skincare lotions and oils significantly increased toxic phthalates in children's urine. Researchers surveyed parents of children aged 4 to 8 about their children's use of skincare products and then tested the children's urine for phthalates. They discovered that ch... pollution skin
Read moreThis is my keynote presentation from the 2024 CrossFit Health Summit where I explored how vigorous exercise and heat stress contribute to longevity. ... exercise heat stress sauna
Watch nowSleep – a state that renders animals stationary and less responsive to stimuli – is crucial for survival. Some evidence suggests that sleep is important because it protects the body against harmful oxidative stress. A 2020 study in flies and mice showed that reactive oxygen species, which drive oxidative stress, accumulate in the gut during sleep deprivation, leading to death. Researchers deprived flies and mice of sleep for various durations, occasionally allowing them to sleep. Then, they measured reactive oxygen species in the animals' tissues, including the heart, brain, muscles, and gut.... gut sleep antioxidant oxidative stress
Read moreThis 2023 review describes evidence suggesting that APOE4, a gene associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease later in life, confers resistance to gut infections in children – a robust contributor to high childhood mortality. This dual nature of APOE4 may be an example of antagonistic pleiotropy, a theoretical construct that asserts that when a gene has two or more effects – with one beneficial and the other harmful – the beneficial one exerts its effects early in life, while the harmful one takes a toll later. ... alzheimer's evolution
Read moreGetting too much sleep, having difficulty falling asleep, or taking sleeping pills dramatically increases a person's risk of premature death, a 2022 study found. But getting plenty of exercise offsets this risk, effectively canceling out the harms of poor sleep patterns. Researchers tracked the health, physical activity, and sleep patterns of more than 340,000 adults for 15 years. They calculated the metabolic equivalent (MET) of the participants' physical activity – a ratio of their working metabolic rate relative to their resting metabolic rate. (For example, bicycling at a moderate pace (1...
Read moreDr. Eran Elinav discusses the complex interactions between humans and their resident gut microbiomes. ... microbiome obesity metabolism heart disease diabetes intestinal permeability autoimmunity
Watch now[toc position='left'] Introduction [tweetbox text='"The beneficial effects of cold exposure may be due to hormesis, a favorable biological response to a mild stressor."' tweet='"The beneficial effects of cold exposure may be due to hormesis, a favorable biological response to a mild stressor." https://www.foundmyfitness.com/topics/cold-exposure-therapy'] Cold exposure to promote good health is an ancient practice, now used to reduce muscle soreness and promote muscle recovery after physical activity. However, regular cold exposure may also improve glucose and lipid metabolism, decrease inflamm... performance cholesterol immune system thermogenesis cold stress brain heart disease diabetes insulin resistance inflammation depression mitochondria neuron blood pressure interesting
Read moreDr. Valter Longo discusses fasting as a means to treat or prevent age-related diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and others. ... fasting cancer obesity aging heart disease diabetes insulin resistance inflammation stem cells immune system tissue repair autophagy apoptosis insulin autoimmunity
Watch now