[toc] Alcohol is one of the most heavily used and abused drugs. It's also a very controversial topic, in part because alcohol plays such a large role in societies and cultures around the world. For many, it's a normal part of daily life. There is also a lot of confusion about alcohol. There's no doubt that alcohol can have a personal and public health impact. On the other hand, research in the last few decades suggests that not only may a moderate intake of alcohol not be harmful, but it might also be protective against certain diseases. This idea is heavily debated, and conflicting evidence h... cancer cardiovascular alcohol brain alzheimer's diabetes breast cancer
Read more[toc position='left'] Introduction Melatonin isn’t just the “sleep hormone”—it regulates over 500 genes and plays a key role in the body’s antioxidant defenses. As we age, melatonin production declines significantly. By the time a person reaches 50 years old, melatonin levels are 50% of what they were at age 20. By age 80, melatonin production can be ten times lower than in teenagers. (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.888292/full) This reduction in melatonin is linked to changes in sleep patterns, circadian rhythm disruption, and overall healt... melatonin alzheimer's parkinson's sleep circadian rhythm dementia
Read moreCocoa, the principal component of chocolate, is derived from the cacao tree. Cocoa and chocolate are rich in polyphenols (/topics/polyphenols), particularly flavonoids, exhibiting the highest concentrations of flavonoids (chiefly epicatechin, catechin, and procyanidins) among many commonly consumed foods.[ref doi='10.3390/nu6020844'] However, cocoa processing induces flavonoid losses of 60 percent or more.[ref doi='10.1021/jf070121j'] [tweetbox text='"Cocoa and chocolate are rich in polyphenols, particularly flavonoids, exhibiting the highest concentrations of flavonoids...among many commonly... polyphenol cocoa inflammation cardiovascular
Read more[toc position='left'] Toll-like receptors are a family of pattern recognition receptors expressed on the surface of immune and other cells. Toll-like receptors are the principal inducers of innate immunity[ref doi='10.1186/cc1471'], activating transcription factors such as NF-kB that increase the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Among toll-like receptors, TLR4 is notable for recognizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a structure found on the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria. This overview will predominantly focus on TLR4 and its involvement in human health, disease, and behavior. Toll... toll-like receptors gut aging microbiome inflammation immune system intestinal permeability omega-3 endotoxemia
Read more[toc position='left'] Senescence is a response to stress in which damaged cells terminate normal growth cycles to prevent dysfunctional cells from reproducing. Senescence is a vital cellular process involved in embryonic development, wound healing, and cancer immunity; [ref doi='10.1242/dev.151837'] however, the accumulation of senescent cells is associated with diseases of aging such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, sarcopenia, and glaucoma.[ref doi='10.1016/j.cell.2017.05.015'] [ref doi='10.3390/ijms19102937'] ... neurodegeneration senescence aging
Read more[toc position='left'] Carotenoids are orange/yellow pigments in various foods, such as carrots, pumpkins, avocados, and salmon. While carotenoids are a highly diverse group of organic pigments, with over 1,100 known carotenoids [ref doi='10.1093/database/bax004'], this overview will focus on lutein and zeaxanthin, which are of particular interest due to their notable roles in eye and brain health. Carotenoids are one of the most common classes of bioactive compounds found in plants, along with alkaloids (e.g., berberine), organosulfur compounds (e.g., sulforaphane), and polyphenols (e.g., anth... carotenoids cholesterol eyes antioxidant
Read more[toc position='left'] Polyphenols comprise a group of antioxidant compounds found in a variety of plants consumed as foods and beverages. Polyphenols are one of the most common classes of bioactive compounds found in plants, along with alkaloids (e.g., berberine (https://www.foundmyfitness.com/topics/berberine)), organosulfur compounds (e.g., sulforaphane), and terpenoids (e.g., beta carotene). A growing body of evidence suggests that polyphenols have disease-fighting properties, although the evidence to support these claims varies in quality. Research has demonstrated some degree of efficacy ... polyphenol brain cancer heart disease green tea gut diet microbiome microbes
Read more[toc position='left'] Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, is a growth factor relevant to aging, brain function, behavior, metabolism, energy expenditure, and satiety. BDNF serves as a cell signaling protein, plays vital roles in numerous signaling pathways associated with a variety of disorders ranging from depression, (https://www.foundmyfitness.com/topics/depression) schizophrenia, and addiction to obesity and diabetes, and may serve as a hormone. It is perhaps best known for its influence on the formation, growth, survival, and development of neurons and for its role in mediating th... exercise omega-3 meditation brain alzheimer's parkinson's fasting memory interesting
Read more[toc position='left'] Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a cofactor (a molecule that assists enzymes in chemical reactions) that plays an essential role in multiple physiological processes, such as energy metabolism, DNA repair, and immune activation. It is necessary for the activity of sirtuins, a class of enzymes involved in longevity, and poly-ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs), a family of DNA-repair enzymes. Cellular NAD+ production declines with age, however, and its depletion likely drives the onset and progression of multiple age-related conditions such as metabolic dysregulation ... metabolism mitochondria aging dna damage circadian rhythm nad+
Read more[toc position='left'] Sirtuins are highly conserved enzymes that play key roles in healthspan and longevity in multiple organisms. They are linked to the regulation of a variety of metabolic processes, including the release of insulin, mobilization of lipids, response to stress, and modulation of lifespan.[ref doi='10.1016/j.tem.2013.12.001'] [ref doi='10.1016/j.bbapap.2009.11.021'] Sirtuins have been implicated in the pathophysiology of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes; neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease; and many other conditions related to aging.[ref doi='10.3389/... aging heart disease circadian rhythm brain cancer inflammation fasting resveratrol
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