The brain needs a steady supply of energy to function correctly, and this energy supply often breaks down in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Some evidence suggests that problems with the brain's creatine system may play a role in this decline. A recent study found that creatine supplements improved brain energy use, reduced the buildup of Alzheimer's disease-related proteins, and boosted memory in mice. Researchers conducted an eight-week pilot study involving 20 people with cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. All participants took 20 grams of creatine monohydrate daily a... alzheimer's brain
Read moreThe Omega-3 Index measures omega-3 fatty acid concentrations in red blood cells. It provides a reliable assessment of long-term intake and is highly reflective of fatty acid composition in most tissues, with one notable exception – the brain. A recent study suggests that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein involved in learning and memory, is a more reliable measure of brain omega-3 concentrations than the Omega-3 Index. Researchers gave rats and mice different types and amounts of supplemental omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EP... brain omega-3 bdnf
Read moreOleic acid produced in the brain promotes neurogenesis – the generation of new neurons. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid produced in plants and is the primary fatty acid found in olive oil. Interestingly, oleic acid is also produced in the human brain. Findings from a recent study suggest that brain-derived oleic acid activates neural stem cells in the hippocampus, promoting neurogenesis – the generation of new neurons. The hippocampus is a small organ located within the brain's medial temporal lobe. It is an important part of the limbic system (the region that regulates emotions)... brain neurogenesis
Read moreVitamin D protects pancreatic beta cells in type 2 diabetes. Chronic inflammation is a principal driver of many of the pathological processes that accompany type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and subsequent pancreatic beta cell dysfunction. Findings from a recent study suggest that vitamin D blocks activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, preventing inflammation-driven impairment of pancreatic beta cells. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a large, intracellular complex that plays critical roles in immune function. Its activation triggers the relea... vitamin d insulin
Read moreAlzheimer’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder affecting an estimated 24 million older adults worldwide. Researchers believe the disease is caused by toxic levels of beta-amyloid protein aggregates in the brain (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27025652/) that impair neuronal function and trigger cognitive decline. While this process is partly under the influence of genes (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10653281/), studies also indicate links between Alzheimer’s and external factors such as head injury (https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/74/7/857). Findings from a new study shed new ligh... alzheimer's immune system
Read moreGlobal climate change is driving an increase in wildfire activity characterized by larger fires and longer fire seasons. Wildfire smoke, which can spread over immense geographical areas, often contains a variety of pollutants and exerts a wide range of adverse effects on human health. Evidence from a new rodent study suggests that particulate matter in wildfires drives neuroinflammation, increasing the risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Particulate matter in air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. It is present in fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are ... pollution neurodegeneration
Read moreHeart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, owing to a constellation of risk factors including a sedentary lifestyle, disrupted sleep patterns, stress, and poor diet. The average American adult consumes 29 grams of saturated fat per day (https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/beltsville-md-bhnrc/beltsville-human-nutrition-research-center/food-surveys-research-group/docs/wweia-data-tables/) (the amount in about four tablespoons of butter, four slices of pepperoni pizza, or 1.5 cups of ice cream), possibly contributing to heart disease risk through interactions with the... microbiome heart disease fat
Read moreThe gut and brain communicate with each other through a bidirectional signaling pathway called the gut-brain axis, which may be dysregulated in depression. Key elements of this pathway are the tens of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that comprise the intestinal microbiota. Diagnosis of depression relies heavily on clinical evaluation instead of measurement of biomarkers, often leading to misdiagnosis. Authors of a new report aimed to identify which specific microbial and metabolic biomarkers are altered in patients with depression. Changes to the microbes that live in the gut or the ... microbiome depression
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