Low dose of aspirin to reduce breast cancer risk?
It has been suggested that a low dose of aspirin taken daily could potentially reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women who are at high risk, by inhibiting platelet aggregation (clumping together of platelets in the blood).
Prof Cairat and colleagues (Gustave Roussy in France) conducted a nationwide case-control study in Denmark to evaluate the association between antiplatelet drugs and breast cancer risk.
Multivariable analysis showed no association. it's important to note that aspirin can have side effects, such as increased risk of bleeding.
Natural blood thinners includes ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, MSM, bromelain and magnesium. This goes hand-in-hand with an anti-inflammatory diet.
Krill oil protects neurons from age-related degeneration
Lipid extracts from Antarctic krill are rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids choline, and astaxanthin. In this new study, researchers found that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from aging-related degeneration, decreases alpha-synuclein aggregation, and improves dopamine-dependent behaviour and cognition.
Dementia benefit of the Mediterranean diet – big study
The Mediterranean-type diet is rich in foods such as seafood, fruit, and nuts. As revealed in a new study, this diet may help reduce the risk of dementia by 23%. Scientists analysed data from 60 298 individuals and this research was published in BMC Medicine. The results are really meaningful as they are independent of genetic risk, underlining the importance of diet in dementia prevention interventions.
Finding ways to reduce our risk of developing dementia should be a priority.
Now, antacids must carry ‘acute kidney injury’ warning
A directive was issued by India’s Drugs Controller General on Tuesday, asking all state regulatory authorities to direct manufacturers of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) — a large chunk of antacid market — to incorporate ‘acute kidney injury’ as an adverse drug reaction. The warning will be inserted in the packaging of these formulations, including Pantoprazole, Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Esomeprazole, and their combinations.
Recent global studies on anti-acidity pills (used for treating heartburn) have pointed out that there can be serious adverse events due to their prolonged use like long-term kidney damage, acute renal disease and chronic kidney disease, and in certain cases, even gastric cancer.
Since these reports are mostly restricted to nephrology journals, many physicians may not be aware of these adverse effects, experts pointed out.
Toxic metals found in many popular mixed-fruit juices and soft drinks
A recent study conducted by Tulane University revealed that a number of popular commercially available fruit juices and other non-alcoholic beverages contain toxic metals. Godebo, the study's lead author and an assistant professor of environmental health sciences, advised parents to be cautious about the drinks they provide their children.
He recommended avoiding giving infants and young children large volumes of mixed-fruit juices or plant-based milks, as arsenic, lead, and cadmium are known carcinogens and can cause organ damage and cognitive harm in children during early brain development.
Muscle targeted nutrition as first-line therapy in preventing frailty
Prof Luc van Loon spoke at the Nutricia Global Virtual Conference and I quote: ‘Muscle actually turns over at a rate of 1 to 2% per day meaning that within 50 to 100 days you can fully recondition your muscle.’ We are susceptible to muscle loss at times of reduced muscle use. Prof van Loon said that during times of hospitalisation, just 5 to 7 days immobilised can lead to 1,4 kg of muscle mass loss.
A study found that muscle-targeted nutrition supplements, including high- quality protein and essential amino acids, can significantly improve muscle strength and function in older adults. The article also notes that muscle- targeted nutrition can help prevent and treat sarcopenia, a condition characterized by a loss of muscle mass and function.
Reference
Škof A, Leban M, Dževerlija T, Dolžan V, Perc M, Veninšek G, Hawlina S. Targeted Nutritional Intervention Improves Muscle Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2021 Jul;13(7):2305.
The link between morning stress and memory
Feeling the stress of the day ahead on waking, has an effect on your working memory. According to Penn State researcher Sliwinski: ‘A reduced working memory can make you more likely to make a mistake at work or maybe less able to focus… there are certain high stakes cognitive errors that older adults can make. Taking the wrong pill or making a mistake while driving can all have catastrophic impacts.’
While previous research has examined how stressful events can affect emotion, cognition and physiology, not as much has been done on the effects of anticipating stressful events that haven’t yet happened in the context of everyday life.
Sliwinski said: ‘If you think your day is going to be stressful, you’re going to feel those effects even if nothing stressful ends up happening.’
Source: Penn State University
At-home saliva test diagnoses cancer
An AI-based home screening test, now available in the US, detects oral and throat cancers from saliva samples. The saliva test can detect early symptoms of oral and throat cancer with more than 90 % accuracy.
Due to a lack of effective diagnostic tools, these cancers often go undiagnosed until they have reached an advanced stage, resulting in low survival rates. Early detection directly increases the 5-year survival rate for oral cancer patients, from 50% to 84%.
CancerDetectTM is produced by Viome Life Sciences
Huge therapeutic potential of psychedelics
In an interview with Dr. Jennifer Mitchell – a professor in the Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry & Behavioral Science in the School of Medicine at the University of California, she discussed what scientists have found so far about the effectiveness of MDMA, LSD, mescaline, ayahuasca and psilocybin in treating PTSD, chronic pain, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
One key factor, according to Dr Mitchell, is to administered these substances in conjunction with some form of psychotherapy. For psilocybin, you're looking at a six-hour dosing session starting in the morning, and for MDMA, an eight-hour dosing session. You are not taking home a bottle of pills and taking those twice a day as you would, say, an antidepressant. Preparation beforehand is important and each ‘journey’ is with a group of trained providers: therapists, psychedelic facilitators, psychiatrists and clinical research coordinators. This evaluation includes tracking the heart rate and blood pressure of the participants as cardiovascular risk is a concern.
The environment in which you take the psychedelic is of the utmost importance.
Eczema: Cases among children and teens are rising
Researchers reported in a recent study (published in the journal The Lancet) that about 6% of children and adolescents currently have eczema symptoms. They further estimate that eczema prevalence has increased over the past decade in these age groups. The study cannot tell us why, but we have an article for you to read: Stop the Itch – tips for eczema sufferers
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