Here is our January Newsletter
Intermittent Fasting Linked To Brain Changes That Support Cognitive And Metabolic Health
New human research suggests that intermittent fasting may positively influence brain activity linked to cognition, appetite regulation, and metabolic control. Imaging data showed altered connectivity in regions involved in executive function, memory, and reward processing following structured fasting periods. These changes were accompanied by improvements in insulin sensitivity and markers associated with metabolic efficiency. Researchers propose that fasting may enhance brain–body communication by shifting energy use, reducing metabolic stress, and improving neural adaptability. While individual responses vary and long-term outcomes remain under investigation, the findings support intermittent fasting as a potential tool for improving both brain function and metabolic resilience, rather than weight loss alone.
Unexpected Drug Combo Reverses Liver Fibrosis — With Two Known Medications
New research has revealed that a combination of two **repurposed drugs (silybin and carvedilol) can reverse liver fibrosis far more effectively than either alone. Both drugs are already widely prescribed and have established safety profiles, making them strong candidates for rapid clinical testing against chronic liver scarring, a leading cause of liver failure. The synergistic effect appears to shut down scar-forming cell activity and significantly reduce collagen buildup in experimental models.
Drugs involved:
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Silybin (also called silibinin) — the primary active flavonoid in milk thistle (Silybum marianum), historically used as a liver tonic. It is plant-derived and constitutes the main bioactive component of this herbal extract, giving it antioxidant and protective effects on liver cells.
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Carvedilol — a synthetic pharmaceutical beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It is not plant-derived but instead chemically synthesised; it has antioxidant properties but originates from rational drug design rather than a botanical source.
This repurposed drug pairing not only improved biochemical and histological markers of liver health in preclinical studies but also reduced inflammation and scar tissue more powerfully than some comparator drugs. I think this is just another reason to stock up on milk thistle or a good natural liver remedy containing milk thistle to prevent liver disease and aid liver health.
Chimpanzee Vocalisations Trigger a Unique Brain Response in Humans
Researchers have discovered that chimpanzee vocal sounds activate a distinct neural signal in the human brain, one that differs from responses to human speech or other animal noises. Using brain imaging, scientists found that hearing chimp calls triggered a rapid, specialised electrical response associated with early auditory and social processing. This suggests the human brain retains an ancient sensitivity to primate communication, likely rooted in our shared evolutionary history. The findings offer new insight into how the brain distinguishes socially meaningful sounds and may help explain why certain non-human vocalisations feel instinctively attention-grabbing or emotionally salient.
Omega-3-Rich Foods And Inflammation Support
Growing interest in dietary omega-3 intake continues to highlight the importance of food-based sources rather than supplementation alone. Omega-3 fatty acids are associated with inflammatory modulation, cardiovascular health, and neurological function. Fatty fish such as salmon and sardines remain the most concentrated sources of EPA and DHA, while plant foods including flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts provide ALA, which can be partially converted in the body. Public health guidance increasingly emphasises regular inclusion of omega-3-rich foods as part of a balanced dietary pattern rather than isolated nutrient targeting. This approach supports long-term metabolic and inflammatory balance without reliance on high-dose supplementation.
When Sleep Is Missed, Brain ‘Cleaning Waves’ Intrude Into Wakefulness
New MIT research suggests the brain’s waste-clearance system does not simply switch off when sleep is shortened. Instead, after sleep deprivation, large low-frequency waves of cerebrospinal fluid can ‘intrude’ during wakefulness, apparently to compensate for missed overnight clearance. Crucially, these fluid pulses were locked to attentional failures: when attention lapsed, CSF flowed outward, then returned as focus recovered. Researchers observed a broader brain–body shift around these events, including pupil constriction and changes in heart rate and breathing. The implication is practical as well as biological: the brain may ‘clean’ itself while you are awake, but the trade-off is impaired focus.
Evidence Suggests Memory May Extend Beyond The Brain
Emerging research is challenging the long-standing assumption that memory is stored exclusively in the brain. Scientists are increasingly identifying memory-like processes in peripheral tissues, including the immune system, spinal cord, and even individual cells. These systems appear capable of retaining information about past exposures or experiences and responding more efficiently when re-encountered. Researchers propose that memory may function as a distributed biological property, supporting adaptation, learning, and resilience across the body. While this does not replace the brain’s central role in cognition, it reframes memory as a multi-layered phenomenon. The findings open new questions about learning, trauma, immunity, and how experience shapes physiology beyond the nervous system.
Nutrient Combination Shows Promise In Brain Cancer Research
A small clinical study has reported promising biomarker shifts in glioblastoma patients given a short course of two readily available supplements: resveratrol and copper. Ten patients awaiting surgery received the combination for roughly two weeks and were compared with ten controls. Tumour samples from the treated group showed reduced signals linked to proliferation, immune checkpoint activity, and stem cell associated markers. Researchers propose the pair may help neutralise ‘cell free chromatin particles’, DNA fragments released from dying cells that can amplify inflammation and tumour aggressiveness. The findings are preliminary and do not replace standard oncology care, but they warrant larger trials.¹
Single Gut Microbe Turicibacter May Reduce Weight Gain
Recent research has identified a specific gut bacterium, Turicibacter, that appears to reduce weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. In the study, mice supplemented with Turicibacter showed less overall fat accumulation, lower blood sugar, and reduced circulating lipids compared with controls. Scientists suggest that Turicibacter may influence metabolic feedback loops involving ceramides — fats that rise on high-fat diets and promote fat absorption and storage. Interestingly, high-fat feeding also suppresses Turicibacter itself, potentially weakening this protective effect. While the findings are preclinical, they add to evidence that specific gut microbes can shape host metabolic outcomes.³⁰
Magnesium Supplementation May Influence Colorectal Cancer Pathways
A new randomised, double-blind study reports that daily magnesium supplementation altered the gut microbiome and increased local production of vitamin D–related compounds, potentially slowing pathways involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. The effect was most noticeable in participants with specific genetic profiles and appears linked to microbes that convert basic substrates into active vitamin D compounds at the colon wall. Researchers propose that magnesium’s impact on microbiota and vitamin D synthesis may influence tumour initiation processes, although clinical outcomes were not assessed. These findings offer insight into how a simple micronutrient may interact with gut biology and cancer risk mechanisms, but human trials with cancer endpoints are still needed.
Immune Suppression: New Research Shows Vitamin A Metabolite Helps Tumors Hide
Scientists at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research have discovered that a metabolite of vitamin A (all-trans retinoic acid) can suppress the immune system’s anti-tumour response, enabling cancers to evade detection. In experimental models, retinoic acid produced by both cancer cells and dendritic immune cells weakened the ability of immune cells to attack tumours. Researchers developed a compound, KyA33, that inhibits retinoic acid signalling and restored stronger anti-tumour immunity in mice, prompting interest in new cancer immunotherapy strategies.
Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) have long been debated in cancer biology: while some historical data suggest anti-tumour activity in certain contexts, other evidence indicates that high vitamin A exposure may correlate with increased cancer risk and poorer outcomes.
Question for experts:
*Given this emerging evidence that retinoic acid can blunt immune responses to tumours, is the *topical application of retinoids directly onto suspicious or cancerous skin lesions a harmful practice (potentially suppressing local immune surveillance) or does existing clinical evidence support their safe use in dermatology?
This question matters because topical retinoids are widely used for acne, photo-aging, and sometimes suggested informally for ‘skin health,' yet their effects on tumour-related immune dynamics in situ aren’t well clarified by current trials.
A Disrupted Body Clock Is Linked to Higher Dementia Risk
New research published by the American Academy of Neurology suggests that disturbances in the body’s circadian rhythm may significantly elevate the risk of developing dementia in older adults. In a study of more than 2 000 participants wearing activity monitors, those with weaker or more irregular daily rest–activity rhythms were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia over follow-up. Notably, individuals whose daily activity peaked later in the afternoon had a markedly higher risk — highlighting the potential importance of internal clock health in preserving cognitive function with age. These findings point toward future investigations of circadian-based interventions — such as light therapy or lifestyle modifications — to potentially mitigate dementia risk.
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