The effects of lost sleep on memory may depend partly on how well brain cells control inflammation and maintain their energy supply. Researchers tested whether urolithin A, a compound made by gut microbes from food components, could protect memory in mice when given before sleep deprivation. Researchers randomly assigned 3-month-old and 12-month-old mice to saline control injections or urolithin A injections at 2.5 or 10 mg per kilogram of body weight for seven days before 24 hours of sleep deprivation. An intermittently moving treadmill kept the animals awake, while rested groups receiving th... mitochondria inflammation urolithin a sleep
Read moreThe glymphatic system—the brain's waste clearance network—uses cerebrospinal fluid to flush out toxic metabolic byproducts, including amyloid-beta, tau, and other protein aggregates. This clearance process plays a critical role in maintaining brain health and may help protect against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's. A recent study in mice found that a network of lymphatic vessels in the neck aids glymphatic waste removal, and this system can be enhanced using a gentle, non-invasive technique. Researchers viewed the lymphatic vessel function of mice using fluorescent tracers. Th... aging brain
Read moreMitochondrial function declines with aging, driving many age-related conditions, including Alzheimer's disease. A recent study in mice found that urolithin A, a compound derived from pomegranates and walnuts, promotes mitophagy – the targeted destruction of damaged mitochondria – in the brain. Researchers fed older mice urolithin A (200 milligrams per kilogram of body weight) daily for five months. They subjected the animals to various learning and memory tests, assessed their sense of smell, and examined their brains. They found that urolithin A markedly improved the animals' learning, memo... mitochondria memory aging alzheimer's polyphenol diet brain
Read moreOral health is intricately linked to overall well-being, with emerging research identifying associations between poor oral health and an increased risk of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. A recent study found that oral diseases associated with tooth loss more than tripled the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers assessed Alzheimer's disease risk among more than 32 million people. They categorized the participants as having normal or poor oral health and assessed serum biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's, including blood glucose, ... alzheimer's dementia dental
Read moreMicroglia, the brain's resident immune cells, play a vital role in managing brain inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases by eliminating amyloid-beta, a harmful protein linked to Alzheimer's disease, and forming barriers around insoluble amyloid-beta deposits. A new study in mice shows that oral bacteria over-stimulate microglia, impairing their anti-amyloid properties. Researchers induced periodontal disease in mice by placing ligatures around their teeth, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth. Then they examined the effects of the disease on the animals' gums, bones, and... brain alzheimer's dental blood-brain barrier
Read moreFast food during pregnancy harms both mother and offspring and interferes with milk production. Fast foods – burgers, fries, pizzas, sugar-sweetened drinks, and many others – are often high in calories, saturated fat, added sugars, and salt. Regular consumption of fast foods is associated with an increased risk for many chronic diseases (https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/71/5/310/2460221). Findings from a recent study suggest that eating fast food during pregnancy negatively influences maternal health during pregnancy and undermines the nutritional quality of a mother's breast... diet breast milk lactate
Read moreEating twice a day, without restricting calories, may prevent metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of medical conditions that includes high blood pressure, high blood glucose, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and excess abdominal fat. Having metabolic syndrome increases a person's risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Findings from a 2017 study suggest that eating two meals per day, without caloric restriction, induces inter-meal autophagy, potentially preventing metabolic syndrome. Calorie restriction is the practice of long-term reduced dietary intake, typically c... fasting autophagy
Read moreAbnormal aggregates of tau, a protein found in the brain, are one of the defining characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease. These aggregates, known as tau tangles, inhibit normal brain function. The degree of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease is correlated with their presence. Findings from a new study suggest that hydrogen sulfide prevents tau tangle formation by inhibiting tau phosphorylation. Hydrogen sulfide is a naturally occurring gas, notable for its strong odor of rotten eggs. Exposure to hydrogen sulfide can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory system. Hydrogen sulfide... alzheimer's
Read moreColitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation of the colon, accompanied by diarrhea and weight loss. It is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors and is more common among people who adhere to a Western dietary pattern high in simple sugars. New research demonstrates how consumption of simple sugars may alter the composition of the gut microbiota in a way that promotes inflammation and disease. Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) is a bacterial species commonly found in the human gut. It degrades mucin, a type of gelatinous protein produced by... gut
Read moreFasting or beta-hydroxybutyrate administration reduces cellular senescence. Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) (https://foundmyfitness.com/topics/beta-hydroxybutyrate) is a ketone produced by the body during times of carbohydrate scarcity such as those encountered while practicing a ketogenic diet (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550413117304904), fasting (https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/4/1194), or exercise (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2707428), which have all demonstrated the ability to extend healthspan and lifespan. However, the precise effect... aging ketosis heart disease dna damage fasting ketogenic diet
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