Concerns about hair loss have long surrounded creatine, one of the most widely used and extensively studied supplements for enhancing muscle strength and lean mass. Although these claims persist, they are primarily based on anecdotal reports and limited evidence. A recent study found no support for the idea that creatine contributes to hair loss. Researchers administered either 5 grams of creatine monohydrate or a placebo daily for 12 weeks to 45 healthy, resistance-trained men aged 18 to 40. They excluded participants who had used anabolic-androgenic steroids (which can promote hair loss) or... hormones testosterone supplements Hair creatine
Read morePlastic pollution is a growing environmental concern, with tiny plastic particles infiltrating various ecosystems, including the human body. The gut is crucial in this process, serving as the main gateway for microplastics and nanoplastics to enter the body. A recent study found that human colorectal cancer cells can absorb microplastic particles, raising concerns about their potential effects on health. Researchers exposed four human colorectal cancer cell lines to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics of various sizes (0.25, 1, and 10 micrometers) and concentrations. They tracked the particles... cancer gut pollution Microplastics
Read moreCocaine affects nearly every organ system in the body, including the gastrointestinal system, drastically altering the gut microbiome. It also increases dopamine levels in the brain, creating a memory of the dopamine reward and strengthening the association between the drug and the pleasurable feelings it produces. A recent study in mice found that cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound in marijuana, restores the gut microbiome in cocaine users, reversing memory-associated cocaine addiction. Researchers gave adult mice either cocaine + placebo or cocaine + cannabidiol. They collected fecal ... cannabinoid drug gut microbiome
Read moreMany hair care products contain siloxanes – a broad class of silicone-based compounds – that can become airborne during hair drying and styling. Evidence suggests siloxanes persist in the environment and cause liver or lung damage in rodents (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1566344/). A recent study found that a person can inhale up to 17 milligrams of siloxanes in a single home haircare session. Researchers conducted multiple experiments that replicated typical home haircare sessions using hair dryers, styling equipment, and products. Then, they measured the amount of chemicals ... pollution environment
Read moreAlcohol has profound, adverse effects on the human body, compromising liver function and cognitive performance and increasing the risk for various cancers. A recent study demonstrates that alcohol impairs mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism and increases inflammation in heart cells. Researchers grew human-induced pluripotent stem cells into three-dimensional heart cell structures called cardiac spheroids and exposed them to clinically relevant amounts of ethanol (the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages) for five weeks. They then examined various aspects of the heart cells,... mitochondria alcohol heart disease cardiovascular
Read moreThe immune system plays a critical role in protecting human health. However, a recent study in mice shows that the immune system may influence behavior, too. Mice exposed to allergens – substances that trigger allergies – avoided those substances. Researchers studied two groups of mice: one that was predisposed to egg allergy and one that was not. They exposed the two groups to water that contained ovalbumin, a protein in eggs that triggers allergic reactions. They found that regions of the predisposed animals' brains that respond to unpleasant stimuli became active when they ingested allerg... gut immune system behavior allergies
Read moreExcess body fat harms multiple organ systems, including the central nervous system, potentially accelerating brain aging. A new study shows that a 1 percent weight loss delays brain aging by nearly nine months. Researchers conducted a study involving 102 participants enrolled in the DIRECT-PLUS study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35021194/) who underwent an 18-month lifestyle intervention to promote weight loss. Using magnetic resonance imaging, the researchers assessed the resting-state functional connectivity in the participants' brains and predicted their brain ages. They also evaluate... brain obesity aging dementia sulforaphane weight loss neurodegeneration
Read moreUntreated sleep apnea may harm the brain, a new study shows. Middle-aged men with sleep apnea performed worse on tests of cognitive and social function than healthy men. Researchers compared 27 middle-aged men who had either mild or severe untreated sleep apnea with seven healthy men. Each of the men underwent a sleep study and apnea assessment and took a battery of neuropsychological tests. The researchers found that the men with sleep apnea had worse cognitive function, including poorer attention, memory, and decision-making capabilities, compared to the healthy men. They also found that s... brain aging sleep
Read more[toc position='left'] Thymic involution is the process by which the thymus shrinks with age and produces fewer T cells, impairing immunity and increasing the risk of infection in older adults. In addition, thymic involution increases the risk of cancer and autoimmunity with age. However, research has identified some of the mechanisms of thymic involution and highlighted possible strategies to improve immunity: By activating PPAR-gamma, a protein that regulates fat metabolism, caloric restriction reduced the rate of thymic involution in mice and increased the number and diversity of circulatin... thymic involution immune system thymus autoimmunity
Read more[toc position='left'] Introduction Lactobacillus reuteri is a bacterium found in the digestive tracts of mammals, including humans, and in fermented foods. It is a member of the genus Lactobacillus, which comprises most of the bacteria that live on and in the human body. Lactic acid-producing bacteria, such as those in the Lactobacillus genus, are commonly used in probiotic supplements.[ref doi='10.1016/j.tim.2021.01.003'] Furthermore, some online resources provide step-by-step instructions for at-home bulk production of yogurt with L. reuteri enrichment. (https://drdavisinfinitehealth.com/201... gut probiotics microbiome
Read more