Children's brains have high metabolic demands that change as their brains mature, but whether nutrition during pregnancy can influence this developmental pattern years later is not well understood. A new study tested whether omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil taken during pregnancy could influence this process. Researchers followed children whose mothers had participated in a Danish randomized trial of omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy. From pregnancy week 24 until one week after birth, the women received capsules containing either 2.4 grams per day of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (55... brain cognition development intelligence metabolism neurons omega-3 pregnancy
Read moreAnecdotal reports from people with Parkinson’s suggest that time spent at high altitudes, where oxygen is naturally lower, may bring unexpected relief from symptoms. Researchers set out to investigate why. They injected mice with preformed clumps of α-synuclein, a protein that misfolds, accumulates, and damages brain cells in Parkinson’s disease, then housed them in either normal air (21% oxygen) or reduced oxygen (11%, roughly equivalent to oxygen availability near Everest Base Camp). Continuous low-oxygen exposure produced notable benefits: Low-oxygen exposure preserved neurons and prevented... brain hypoxia mitochondria neurodegeneration parkinson's
Read moreSeafood provides essential nutrients, but it also raises concerns during pregnancy. Although seafood is high in compounds that promote fetal brain development, worries about mercury levels have frequently shaped recommendations. A recent systematic review found that seafood consumption during pregnancy may enhance a child's behavioral, social, and cognitive development. Researchers reviewed 40 studies (primarily long-term observational research) that tracked seafood consumption during pregnancy and children's developmental outcomes, including behavior, social-emotional skills, and cognitive ab... brain diet
Read more[toc position='right'] When we engage in high-intensity exercise, our muscles become mini biochemical laboratories (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXl1evV_spo), synthesizing compounds like lactate and myokines that circulate throughout the body and travel to our organs, where they exert a variety of signaling effects, including the synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (https://bdnfprotocols.com/)in the brain. Some of these molecules have anti-cancer properties. Vigorous exercise is also the most potent way to increase your VO2 max, also known as cardiorespiratory fitness, wh... exercise brain bdnf aerobic cardiovascular mortality aging exercise snacks
Read morePregnancy induces marked changes in the female body to prepare for birth, lactation, and the responsibilities of motherhood. A growing body of evidence suggests pregnancy also changes the female brain. A recent study in mice shows that estrogen and progesterone alter galanin-producing neurons in the brain, switching on maternal behavior before offspring arrive. Researchers analyzed the effects of various pregnancy-related hormones on the brain activity of pregnant mice. Then they blocked the activity of the hormones and assessed the animals' behavior. They found that estrogen dampened the ba... hormones pregnancy neurotransmitter estrogen
Read moreDelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol – better known as THC – is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis. THC binds to endocannabinoid system receptors, eliciting a wide range of physical effects and producing the "high" associated with its use. A new study suggests that THC reverses brain aging in old mice. Researchers injected old mice with a microdose of THC that was roughly three to four orders of magnitude lower than a typical dose. Then, they assessed gene expression in the animals' hippocampal tissue at five days and five weeks post-treatment. After just five days, they found that ... brain aging cannabinoid neurogenesis
Read moreA new small study shows that drinking a fermented dairy beverage improves memory in healthy adults. People who consumed kefir exhibited improvements in relational memory – the capacity to remember associations between objects, places, people, or events, such as associating a name with a face. The study involved 26 healthy young adults. About half of the participants consumed an 8-ounce serving of kefir (a yogurt-like probiotic drink) daily for four weeks, while the other half consumed an 8-ounce serving of low-fat, lactose-free milk. After a two-week washout period, the two groups switched bev... diet memory
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
Read moreChloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are antimalarial drugs currently being used under Emergency Use Authorization as treatments for COVID-19. Recently published data from a mouse study suggest that these drugs carry a significant risk of death when either is given in combination with metformin. Metformin is a drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is the fourth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 80 million prescriptions for the drug written yearly. Previous research has demonstrated that chloroquine and metformin, when used independently, exert a... metabolic syndrome covid-19 metformin
Read more