Eggs contain several nutrients tied to brain health, but whether egg intake relates to Alzheimer's disease risk is less clear. A large observational study examined whether egg intake was associated with later Alzheimer's disease diagnoses in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from 39,498 participants in the Adventist Health Study-2. In the main analysis, they grouped participants by how often they ate eggs as a standalone food, such as boiled, scrambled, fried; in omelets; or as egg salad, and compared each group with those who never or rarely ate eggs this way. A separate analysis treate... alzheimer's diet
Read moreObesity and overweight are growing global public health concerns, especially among young people. Evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar supports weight loss and improves metabolic health. A recent study found that young people who took apple cider vinegar for 12 weeks lost more weight and exhibited better metabolic parameters than those who took a placebo. The study involved 120 teens and young adults with overweight or obesity. Participants received 5, 10, or 15 milliliters (5 milliliters = 1 teaspoon) of apple cider vinegar or a placebo diluted in water daily for 12 weeks. They didn't ... diet obesity metabolism weight loss polyphenol
Read more[toc position='left'] Small vessel disease is a condition causing blood vessel dysfunction that occurs with aging and contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and stroke. As a consequence of the profound effects of small vessel disease on the functioning of the brain and blood-brain barrier (/topics/blood-brain-barrier), for the purposes of this article, we will focus predominantly on cerebral aspects of small vessel disease, called cerebral small vessel disease. Small vessel disease in the brain contributes to approximately 50 percent of dementia cases worldwide, in... small vessel disease brain alzheimer's vitamin d omega-3 parkinson's inflammation cardiovascular blood-brain barrier
Read moreMaintaining a systolic blood pressure of 120 or less may protect against dementia and cognitive decline. Nearly two-thirds of adults living in the United States have hypertension (high blood pressure), defined as having a systolic pressure of 130 or higher or a diastolic pressure of 80 or higher. Hypertension damages small blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys, and other tissues (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S027263868580072X), increasing the risk for disease and dysfunction. A 2019 study found that intensive blood pressure control in patients with hypertension reduces t... brain aging dementia blood pressure
Read more[toc position='left'] Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) include commonly consumed products such as soda, sports drinks, and energy drinks; coffee, tea, and water with added sugars; and some fruit juices, although not all nutrition experts agree on fruit juice’s inclusion as an SSB. While the consumption of SSBs has declined in recent decades, they remain a leading contributor to sugar intake among people living in the United States. While the over-consumption of sugar from any source is harmful for health, SSBs present a physiologically unique risk to health due to a converging set of factors. B... nutrition diet biomarkers triglycerides sugar question cancer obesity diabetes cholesterol testosterone insulin carbohydrates blood sugar metabolic syndrome sugar-sweetened beverages
Read moreExposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is critical for maintaining many aspects of human health. For example, compounds present in the skin react to UV light, initiating the production of vitamin D, a steroid hormone that participates in many physiological processes. Similarly, photoreceptors in the eyes respond to UV exposure, modulating the regulation of circadian rhythms (https://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007/978-1-59745-257-1_1). Findings from a new study suggest that early life exposure to ultraviolet light reduces the risk of developing early-onset multiple sclerosis (MS). Multiple scl... vitamin d multiple sclerosis autoimmunity
Read moreBone mass decreases markedly with aging, compromising overall fitness and contributing to fractures and falls, especially among older adults living in residential care. Evidence indicates that nutritional factors play critical roles in maintaining bone mass and overall health. Findings from a recent study suggest that dietary protein and calcium reduce the risk of fractures and falls in older adults. Calcium participates in many aspects of human health, but it is perhaps best known for its role in bone health. The body maintains very tight control over the calcium circulating in the blood at ... dairy nutrition bone calcium protein menopause
Read moreDementia is a broad term that includes Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and other forms of the condition. It is characterized by the loss of memory, language, problem-solving skills, and/or other aspects of cognitive function. Approximately 50 million people worldwide have dementia. A recent study investigated links between meat consumption and dementia risk. Meat is rich in several essential nutrients, including protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Findings from epidemiological studies suggest that diets high in red and processed meats increase a person's risk for type 2 diabetes, ca... alzheimer's dementia
Read moreMetabolic syndrome is a constellation of disorders that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Having metabolic syndrome increases a person's risk for developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and premature death. An estimated one billion people worldwide have metabolic syndrome. Findings from a new study indicate that dairy product intake is associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its complications. Dairy products comprise a wide range of foods derived from the milk of cows, sheep, goats,... diabetes blood pressure dairy
Read more[toc position='left'] Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a precursor molecule for the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+, a coenzyme that participates in the production of cellular energy and DNA repair. NAD+ can also be synthesized from other precursors including nicotinamide (NAM, also called niacinamide), nicotinic acid (NA), and nicotinamide riboside (NR), which are often collectively referred to as niacin (vitamin B3) or niacin equivalents.[ref doi='10.12688/f1000research.12120.1'] These precursors are not equally allocated throughout the body; rather, they exhib... aging obesity neurodegeneration exercise cancer dna damage mitochondria nad+ cardiovascular
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