A lively social life might be one of the best defenses against dementia. With more than 50 million people affected worldwide and care costs soaring into the hundreds of billions, finding ways to delay dementia is a public health priority. A recent study found that older adults who were more socially active developed dementia about five years later than those who were the least socially engaged. Researchers tracked nearly 2,000 older adults without dementia as part of the Rush Memory and Aging Project (https://www.rushu.rush.edu/research-rush-university/departmental-research/rush-alzheimers-d... aging dementia
Read moreStrict vegetarian diets are gaining popularity, but concerns remain about their safety during pregnancy. A recent study found that pregnant women following strict vegetarian diets are 2.7 times more likely to have a small-for-gestational-age infant, with their newborns weighing an average of 240 grams (about half a pound) less at birth. Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of eight studies involving more than 72,000 participants. They examined key pregnancy outcomes, including birth weight, the risk of small-for-gestational-age infants, gestational diabetes, hypertensiv... diet pregnancy development vegetarian
Read moreVitamin D plays a crucial role in the early development of dopamine-producing neurons, shedding light on the potential neurodevelopmental origins of schizophrenia. Abnormalities in dopamine signaling are at the heart of this complex mental health disorder, and a recent study suggests that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy influences these pathways, increasing the risk of schizophrenia in offspring. Researchers examined nerve growth, synapse formation, and dopamine release in various dopamine-producing cells exposed to vitamin D over time. They focused on SH-SY5Y cells—which can mature into... vitamin d brain pregnancy micronutrients mental health development schizophrenia dopamine
Read moreMild cognitive impairment is often a precursor to Alzheimer's disease, marking the initial stages of cognitive decline that precede more severe dementia. Evidence suggests lifestyle factors mediate the progression of mild cognitive impairment. A recent study found that intensive lifestyle modification improves cognitive and functional performance and slows disease progression in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 49 participants aged 45-90 with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Half of... exercise alzheimer's diet omega-3 probiotics stress meditation magnesium dementia supplements
Read moreDisrupted fat metabolism drives the link between the APOE4 gene and Alzheimer's disease risk, according to a new study. Choline supplementation helps restore normal fat metabolism, however. Researchers studied the effects of the APOE4 gene on fat metabolism in astrocytes – a type of brain cell. They found that astrocytes that carried the APOE4 gene accumulated unsaturated triglycerides, causing an imbalance in the types of fats in the cells. However, when they applied choline to the cells, the normal balance was restored. Choline is an essential nutrient that participates in the synthesis of... nutrition brain alzheimer's micronutrients dementia
Read moreDr. Morgan Levine discusses epigenetics and the application of epigenetic aging clocks in quantifying human aging. ... epigenetics cancer aging inflammation senescence
Watch nowGlobal 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 moreAspirin is the most commonly prescribed drug in the world (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335516301760) for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Although generally considered safe, taking aspirin carries some risks, including increased bleeding (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1800722) and kidney failure. (https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-daily-use-aspirin/aspirin-reducing-your-risk-heart-attack-and-stroke-know-facts). A recently released draft guideline from the United States Preventive Services Tas... heart disease cardiovascular
Read moreBroccoli sprouts contain more glucoraphanin, the precursor to sulforaphane, than mature broccoli. Glucoraphanin activates the Nrf2 pathway to protect cells from oxidative stress and damage. In this episode, we describe the basics of sprouting broccoli seeds. ... sulforaphane alzheimer's cancer cardiovascular
Watch nowCardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death of people living in the United States (US). Having elevated (abnormal) triglyceride levels may contribute to atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a drug to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in adults who have elevated triglyceride levels. The drug, called Vascepa (icosapent ethyl), reduces blood triglyceride levels by one-third when accompanied by low-fat, low-cholesterol dietary modification (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC35... omega-3 triglycerides cardiovascular
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