Rapamycin, a compound initially discovered as an antifungal agent, has garnered considerable interest in longevity research due to its ability to inhibit mTOR, a protein that plays a critical role in cellular growth and aging. Studies in animal models have demonstrated rapamycin's potential to extend lifespan and improve healthspan. However, translating these findings into human applications has proven complex, as substantial risks often accompany the benefits. Bryan Johnson is an internet personality who has made a name for himself by talking about his sometimes extravagant n=1 biohacking att... epigenetics aging drug
Read moreHumans have the most complex facial muscles of any animal, allowing for a wide range of diverse facial expressions. A recent study found that dynamic facial expressions during social interactions affect how others perceive us and determine our success in these interactions. Researchers conducted video calls with 52 participants to record their natural reactions and expressions during various scenarios. More than 170 people then rated these videos to assess the participants' readability and likeability. The researchers then analyzed unscripted video conversations between more than 1,400 strange... behavior
Read moreFlaxseed oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a precursor to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid critical for infant brain and eye development. A recent study found that supplementing the diets of lactating women with flaxseed oil altered the levels of some omega-3 fatty acids in breast milk, plasma, and red blood cells but not DHA. The study involved seven lactating women who consumed 20 grams of flaxseed oil daily for four weeks. Researchers collected and analyzed samples of the participants' breast milk and blood before, during, and after the supplementation period to a... omega-3 development breast milk
Read moreStatins comprise a large class of drugs that lower blood cholesterol levels by blocking the production of an enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis. Although statins are generally well tolerated, as many as 10 to 20 percent of people taking the drugs experience complications, including myopathy (muscle damage), liver damage, and cognitive problems. A recent study found that atorvastatin, a commonly prescribed statin, reduces muscle cells' energy production. The study involved eight inactive but otherwise healthy adults with overweight who took a high dose of atorvastatin (80 milligrams) dai... cholesterol mitochondria drug muscle cardiovascular
Read moreAn obesogenic diet drives immune cell activation. Although the role of dietary fat intake in obesity is a matter of considerable controversy, research has identified complex interrelationships between dietary components, inflammation, and immune function. For example, some evidence suggests that consumption of a diet high in fat drives inflammatory processes in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12974-016-0666-8), including the liver, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and gut, promoting metabolic dysfunction and weight gain. Findings fr... obesity inflammation immune system metabolic syndrome visceral fat
Read moreBeta-hydroxybutyrate reduces symptoms of gout. Gout is a painful, debilitating disease that affects more than 8 million people living in the United States. The condition arises when uric acid crystals form in and around the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and impaired mobility. Evidence from a 2017 study suggests that beta-hydroxybutyrate inhibits the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome, reducing symptoms of gout. Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a type of ketone body. It forms in the liver via the breakdown of fatty acids and can be used to produce energy in the mitochondria. Beta-hydroxybutyrate ... nutrition diet ketosis inflammation arthritis nlrp3 ketogenic diet
Read moreScientists use animal models to answer a variety of scientific questions about humans, from basic science to the pathophysiology of complex diseases. The reliability of these models is based on remarkable similarities in the biology of most mammals and the fact that many human diseases often affect other animal species. Findings from a recent study suggest that glucose homeostasis in aging differs between some commonly studied animals and humans. As humans age, they experience significant changes in glucose metabolism and body composition. For example, insulin resistance is common among older ... aging blood sugar
Read moreVisceral fat – body fat that is stored in the abdominal cavity in close proximity to important internal organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines – plays a central role in the interrelationship between obesity and systemic inflammation. Excess visceral fat, often referred to as central or abdominal obesity, is a strong predictor of age-related cognitive decline. A new study in mice demonstrates that having excess visceral fat may impair cognition by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome and promoting the release of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Inflammasomes are large, intracellular comple... brain obesity depression neurons protein metabolic syndrome nlrp3 visceral fat
Read moreAs many as 10 million people living in the United States have low iron levels (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3685880/). Findings from a new study suggest that iron levels in the basal ganglia region of the brain during youth influence cognitive ability. Iron is an essential nutrient that plays critical roles in many facets of brain function, including cellular respiration, neurotransmitter synthesis, and myelination – a process essential to nerve cell transmission and cognitive development. Iron can be obtained in the diet from both animal and plant sources. The basal ganglia ... brain development iron neurons
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