Weight loss can look successful on the scale while concealing whether the body lost fat or muscle. Researchers tested whether raising ketone levels during treatment with semaglutide, the weight-loss drug sold under brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy, could protect skeletal muscle without interfering with fat loss. Male mice with diet-induced obesity and poor blood sugar control entered a three-week rapid-weight-loss experiment as they switched from a high-fat diet to regular food under calorie-deficit conditions. They were randomly assigned to inactive saline control injections, semaglutid... Exogenous ketones fat GLP-1 ketosis muscle weight loss
Read moreExercise affects multiple physiological processes regulated by hormones, including stress responses and energy balance. Yet scientists still do not fully understand how some hormone precursors travel through the bloodstream during these demanding moments. A new study explored how vigorous exercise changes the way a major hormone precursor, called proopiomelanocortin (POMC), travels through the bloodstream and helps it reach sensitive tissues like the brain. The study involved 15 healthy, endurance-trained adults who completed a 50-minute treadmill run at high intensity. The researchers focuse... blood-brain barrier brain exercise hormones
Read moreRapamycin, 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 moreGene therapy treats transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia. Gene therapy is a technique that modifies a person’s genes to prevent, treat, or cure a disease. Gene therapies work by a variety of mechanisms (https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/cellular-gene-therapy-products/what-gene-therapy), including replacing a disease-causing gene with a healthy version of the gene, inactivating a disease-causing gene, or introducing a new or modified gene or genes into the body. Findings from a phase 3 clinical trial suggest that beti-cel gene therapy successfully treats transfusion-dependent beta... genetic engineering genome
Read moreGlucosamine plays important roles in brain function. Glucosamine is a type of sugar found in the muscles, cartilage, and other soft tissues of the body. It is commonly marketed as a dietary supplement used for joint pain and stiffness. Evidence from a 2021 study suggests that glucosamine is prevalent in brain glycogen, where it plays important roles in glycosylation. Glycogen is a multi-branched polysaccharide that serves as the stored form of glucose in the human body. Most of the body's glycogen stores are found in the muscles and liver, but some glycogen is found in the brain, primarily in... brain metabolism
Read moreOmega-3 fatty acids improve brain function and structure in older adults. Alzheimer's disease is the most common disease of aging, affecting as many as 70 million people worldwide. The pathological processes that contribute to Alzheimer's disease often precede diagnosis of the condition by several decades, underscoring the importance of identifying strategies that might forestall or even prevent the disease. Findings from a 2017 study suggest that omega-3 fatty acids improve brain function and structure in older adults. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients. Found in both plants and fa... brain omega-3
Read moreImpaired transport of DHA disrupts the blood-brain barrier. Lipid rafts – cholesterol-filled “bubbles” found in the cell membrane – serve as staging areas for many cellular activities. One type of lipid raft, called caveolae, facilitates the transport of substances across the membrane of endothelial cells. Findings from a 2017 study demonstrate that suppression of caveolae-mediated transport in brain endothelial cells protects the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a highly selective semi-permeable barrier made up of endothelial cells connected via tight junctio... brain cancer aging omega-3 blood-brain barrier
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 moreAging involves a progressive decline in the body’s ability to heal from damage (a property known as resilience) and a gradual increase in the risk of age-related diseases like cancers, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Aging research aims to increase lifespan and healthspan through pharmacological and lifestyle interventions that enhance cellular repair and reduce exposure to harmful substances. Findings of a recent report propose a possible maximum age for humans. As the field of aging research grows, several aging "clocks" have been proposed as ways to measure biological age. These cloc... aging
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