Staying Younger

26/05/2025

In what ways? “…benefits include lower blood pressure, higher energy levels and improved sleep…endorphins are also released into the bloodstream”. I find it cool (haha) that, "In time, this dilation mechanism helps to increase blood vessel elasticity and may thus explain the lowering of blood pressure…”

According to a new study, people who regularly go to the sauna enjoy better physical and mental health than people who don’t. Why? Because of the heat.

17/07/2024

"Some groups of veggies stood out. Cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts,) leafy greens (like kale and spinach), and red/yellow vegetables (including tomatoes, carrots, and yellow bell peppers) were particularly associated with slower cognitive decline and lower risk for loss of cognitive function."

12/06/2024

“What we know now is that the appendix isn't just a troublesome piece of worthless flesh. Instead, it may act as a safe house for friendly gut bacteria and a training camp for the immune system. It also appears to play a role in several medical conditions, from ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer to Parkinson's disease and lupus. The roughly 300,000 Americans who undergo appendectomy each year should be made aware of this, some experts say. But the frustrating truth is, scientists are still trying to figure out in which cases having an appendix is protective and in which we may be better off without it.”

Excerpt from Medscape Medical News: The 'Useless' Appendix Is More Fascinating Than We Thought by Marta Zaraska, June 10, 2024

08/05/2024

Half a tablespoon is the needed research amount!

Researchers say people who consume a half tablespoon of olive oil per day have a lower risk of dementia-related death. The study is in line with previous research that has indicated that olive oil can help improve heart health.

10/01/2024

“The children with diets high in calories, fat and sugar and low in fibre at ages seven and 10, had stiffer arteries aged 17 compared to children who had eaten less calorific, fatty and sugary foods in childhood. In previous research on these children, this calorie-dense dietary pattern was associated with excess weight in childhood and adolescence.

Some of the other dietary patterns investigated were also linked to blood vessel health. Seven-year-olds who had a more Mediterranean-style diet – which includes fruit and vegetables, beans and lentils, fish and unsaturated fats, and less meat and meat products – had reduced arterial stiffness at 17.

Similarly, eating a diet with more anti-inflammatory nutrients at the age of 10 was associated with reduced arterial stiffness at 17. Foods considered to be anti-inflammatory include fruit and vegetables, particularly berries and a variety of brightly coloured vegetables, as well as nuts, seeds, spices and seafood. “

Diets high in calories, fat and sugar in childhood can cause damage to blood vessel function, known to heighten the risk of early heart attacks and strokes, as

10/01/2024

Worth a read for those of us with children or grandchildren.

TV exposure linked to atypical sensory behaviors in babies and toddlers, per Drexel study.

06/12/2023

Will this push for net-zero carbon emissions further harm women and children? Sigh…

Excerpt…
Pregnant women are not getting the essential nutrients they and their babies need from modern diets say scientists, who have warned that the situation will likely worsen as more people turn to plant-based foods.

A study looking at the health of expecting mothers from high-income countries, including the UK, New Zealand and Singapore, found that 90 per cent were lacking key vitamins necessary for healthy pregnancies and the wellbeing of unborn infants.

Scientists from the University of Southampton, working with experts worldwide, surveyed more than 1,700 women and found most were missing essential nutrients found in abundance in meat and dairy products.

These included vitamins B12, B6 and D, folic acid and riboflavin which are essential for the development of foetuses in the womb.

Lead author and Professor of Epidemiology Keith Godfrey, from the University of Southampton, said the prevalence of vitamin deficiencies among women attempting to become pregnant in wealthy countries is a serious concern.

He added: “The push to reduce our dependence on meat and dairy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions is likely to further deplete expecting mothers of vital nutrients, which could have lasting effects on unborn children.

“Our study shows that almost every woman trying to conceive had insufficient levels of one or more vitamin, and this figure is only going to get worse as the world moves towards plant-based diets.
…

Results showed that nine out of ten women had marginal or low levels of folate, riboflavin, vitamins B12 and D around the time of conception, and that many developed vitamin B6 deficiency in late pregnancy.

Scientists warn pregnant women lack vital nutrients; situation may worsen with increased plant-based diets.

28/11/2023

With colorectal cancer being the 3rd most common type of cancer, this is a valuable study!

“…the researchers identified eight foods that were shown to influence CRC risk…The first two, alcohol and white bread, were found to increase the risk, regardless of genetic factors.”

“The findings of this study reaffirm the well-established connection between lifestyle and dietary choices and the prevention of colorectal cancer…These findings emphasize the critical importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle and dietary habits, which include limiting alcohol consumption and choosing a diet rich in high-fiber foods to mitigate the risk of cancer.”

Consuming certain foods and drinks could put people at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), according to a new study published in the journal Nutrients.

11/09/2023

"Our body systems are all interconnected. When one system is malfunctioning, it impacts other systems. When that dysfunction isn’t addressed, it can create a waterfall of consequences for the rest of the body,"

A study has uncovered an association between elevated levels of two Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers and reduced levels of neuroprotective bacteria in the digestive system.

20/08/2023

For all you kombucha lovers…the group was statistically small…but still interesting!

The popular fermented tea reduced blood glucose levels, although the study was underpowered for definitive conclusions.

17/08/2023

Whose “all in” for more sleep on a consistent basis?

A small study in healthy young men suggests that playing 'catch-up' on sleep at weekends does not make up for the impact that work week sleep loss has on cardiovascular health.

09/08/2023

Did you eat your strawberries today?

Consuming strawberries daily may help improve cognitive function, lower blood pressure, and increase antioxidant capacity, a clinical trial shows.