Common vitamin may influence brain aging in ways scientists didn't expect

Higher levels of vitamin C levels were linked to healthier brain structure in older adults, suggesting a potential role for nutrition in brain aging.

That’s according to new research from Japan, published in the journal PLOS ONE.

The observational study included 2,044 participants living in Hirosaki City, Japan, who were originally included in a study exploring dementia and heart disease risk. The average age was 69, and 61% of them were female.

SKIP THE MULTIVITAMIN: 5 NUTRIENT-RICH FOODS RECOMMENDED BY DOCTORS INSTEAD

The researchers measured the participants’ vitamin C levels using blood samples and performed MRI scans to calculate the volume of gray matter and white matter in their brains.

Even after accounting for external factors like age, smoking habits, diabetes and other lifestyle behaviors, they found that those with lower vitamin C levels appeared to have lower brain tissue volumes and weaker structural network patterns.

"Our study demonstrates that older adults with higher blood levels of vitamin C tend to have better-preserved brain structure (gray matter) and stronger connections within the default mode network (DMN), a crucial brain network involved in memory and cognitive function," Tomohiro Shintaku, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Radiology Graduate School of Medicine at Hirosaki University, told Fox News Digital.

BRAIN AGING MAY SLOW WITH GREEN TEA, WALNUTS AND TINY SWAMP PLANT, STUDY FINDS

"While diets rich in vitamin C are known to lower the risk of cognitive decline, our study is the very first to demonstrate a direct association between actual blood plasma vitamin C levels and the structural connectivity of the DMN," he added.

This network is often affected by conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and depression, according to the researchers.

The vitamin C measurement was more accurate than studies that relied on dietary estimates, the researchers noted.

"What I found most fascinating is that we could detect such clear associations between a single nutritional factor (vitamin C) and large-scale brain networks in a robust cohort of over 2,000 older adults," Shintaku said. "It highlights how significantly our everyday dietary habits might impact brain structure."

BRAIN HEALTH WARNING SIGN COULD BE HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT, SAY RESEARCHERS

The study underscores the importance of obtaining vitamin C from the daily diet, as humans cannot synthesize it on their own, the researchers noted.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"Our findings suggest that maintaining optimal vitamin C levels through a healthy diet — rich in citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables — could be a simple yet powerful way to support brain health as we age," Shintaku said.

The study did have some limitations, the researchers noted. 

"Because our study is observational and cross-sectional, we can only show an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship," Shintaku told Fox News Digital. "Other limitations include relying on a single blood measurement per participant."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Other external factors, such as dietary intake, body mass index and socioeconomic variables, could have played a role in the outcomes.

Also, the link was relatively modest compared to established risk factors like high blood pressure and blood sugar, the researchers noted.

Findings from other, larger studies, including UK Biobank research with more than 9,000 people, suggest that vitamin C is just one of several factors that may influence brain health.

Because the participants were almost all older Japanese adults, the findings may not be generalized to other populations.

"This study found an association between higher plasma vitamin C levels and MRI markers of brain health, including gray matter volume and connectivity in the default mode network, which is involved in several cognitive functions," Dung Trinh, MD, an internal medicine physician and founder of the Healthy Brain Clinic, commented to Medical News Today.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"That said, the study does not prove that vitamin C prevents cognitive decline or that taking supplements will improve brain health. It is best viewed as a signal that vitamin C status may be one piece of a much larger brain-health picture."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/rINlgOG

Read More

Deadly ‘fox tapeworm’ linked to lethal disease detected in West Coast wildlife

A parasitic tapeworm known as Echinococcus multilocularis — often called the "fox tapeworm" — has been detected for the first time in West Coast wildlife. 

University of Washington researchers discovered the tapeworm, which can cause a rare but potentially deadly disease in humans, in 37 out of 100 coyotes sampled near Puget Sound in Washington State. The findings were published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases earlier this year.

Researchers noted that the presence of the parasite in wildlife does not mean human infections are common, and that the risk to the general public remains low.

NEUROLOGISTS REVEAL THE TOP 3 FOODS TO AVOID TO PROTECT YOUR BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM

"The reason that [cases are] so high in coyotes is because they are regularly eating raw rodents, and that is the primary way for them to get infected," said lead author Yasmine Hentati, who recently graduated from the UW with a doctorate in environmental and forest science, in a press release.

The study's genetic testing showed the coyotes carried a newer, more infectious European variant that has become the predominant strain in the U.S. and Canada.

Prior to the 2010s, the parasitic tapeworm was extremely rare in North America, with cases largely confined to the remote islands in Alaska, the authors said.

Over the last 15 years, the parasite has expanded its range, with dog and human infections increasing across the Midwestern U.S. and Canada, according to past reports.

5 OF THE TOP SOURCES OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS AND HOW TO PREVENT IT

Cases in coyotes have been spreading west from the upper Midwest for several years, and infected animals have been found on the West Coast, according to Dr. Linda Yancey, an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann in the Houston area.

While Eastern Europe has some cases, the infection is very rarely seen in the U.S., Yancey noted.

Most cases of echinococcosis are diagnosed in patients who immigrated from or traveled to Central and East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

"Worldwide, the area with the highest prevalence of human infections with the fox tapeworm is western China," Yancey added.

The tapeworm is transmitted among wild animals known as canids — typically cycling from foxes to rodents and back to foxes — and is often referred to as the "fox tapeworm," Yancey told Fox News Digital.

Humans can get sick from accidentally ingesting worm eggs after handling contaminated soil or eating contaminated food. They can also get the infection by handling a pet that has the tapeworm and then touching their mouth, according to Cleveland Clinic.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The hallmark of the infection is fluid-filled sacs called cysts, which contain thousands of very small, immature tapeworms that develop commonly in the liver but can spread to other parts of the body, according to Cleveland Clinic.

The infection often goes undetected for years, or even decades, because the cysts grow at a very slow rate.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

There are two main types of forms of the illness: cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

With cystic echinococcosis, cysts often develop in the liver and lungs. The body responds by building a protective wall around them as the cysts continue to grow slowly over years.

Symptoms can include abdominal pain or increased belly size (if it infects the liver) or coughing and shortness of breath (if the lungs are infected). These signs usually do not appear until the cysts grow large enough to press on healthy organs and tissues, according to the CDC.

The infection becomes dangerous when a cyst ruptures — most often due to trauma — and may even lead to death if cyst fluid is released into the body.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Alveolar echinococcosis is a rarer, more lethal form of the infection. It grows into a tumor-like mass that invades and destroys surrounding tissue, typically in the liver, but can also spread to other parts of the body, including the brain. In severe cases, it can lead to liver failure and death, experts say.

"Symptoms of liver failure include fatigue, yellowing of the skin and eyeballs, and abdominal pain," Yancey cautioned.

This form of the infection can mimic cancer, so it’s important to see a doctor if symptoms are noticed, she added.

While the overall risk of infection is low, simple precautions can further reduce exposure.

"The most important way to protect yourself from the fox tapeworm is also the simplest: good hand hygiene," Yancey advised.

She recommends washing your hands before eating and after you have been outside or have handled soil in areas where the tapeworm is endemic.

"For dog owners, prevent your animals from eating wild rodents and make sure all your pets get routine veterinary care," Yancey added.

The CDC also recommends avoiding contact with wild animals that can carry the tapeworm, such as foxes, coyotes and stray dogs.

"Routine testing and treatment for worms of all kinds keeps your pups healthy and [keeps] you safe," Yancey noted.

Fox News Digital reached out to the lead authors of the study requesting comment.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/dlGEzCh

Read More

One muscle protein may hold the key to staying stronger as you age, study finds

A newly identified muscle protein may help explain why people who stay active as they age often remain stronger and healthier for longer, according to new research.

Scientists found that a protein called NOX4 naturally declines with age and inactivity. As levels dropped, researchers observed signs of frailty, muscle loss, insulin resistance and liver disease in mice.

The findings were published in the journal Science Advances.

7 COMMON FITNESS MISTAKES OLDER ADULTS MAKE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM FOR BETTER WORKOUTS

Researchers believe NOX4 helps muscles repair themselves and adapt to the physical demands of exercise.

When NOX4 was removed from the muscles of mice, the animals became weaker, lost muscle mass and developed health problems commonly associated with aging.

The researchers also found that exercise helped restore NOX4 levels in older mice.

Josephine Hunt, an educational leader, former group fitness instructor and founder of The Resilience Revolution based in New Jersey, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital that the findings help explain why exercise benefits so many aspects of health.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"Movement is medicine," Hunt said.

"The emerging NOX4 research is exciting because it helps explain something exercise scientists have observed for decades. Physical activity does far more than strengthen muscles."

Hunt said many people view exercise as a way to improve appearance or fitness, but its effects reach much deeper.

"Exercise appears to activate biological signaling pathways that help the body adapt, repair and become more resilient over time," she said.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

She said one of the study's biggest takeaways is that physical activity helps the body maintain its ability to recover from challenges.

"Exercise does not simply help us look younger or stay physically fit," Hunt said. "It appears to help the body maintain its ability to adapt, repair and respond to stress."

Hunt added that healthy aging is about more than simply living longer.

"Healthy aging is not just about adding years to life," she said. "It is about preserving strength, function, independence, cognitive health and overall quality of life."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Researchers stressed that additional studies are needed, but the findings may help explain why regular physical activity remains one of the most effective tools for maintaining health as people age.

The study was conducted in mice, meaning the findings do not necessarily translate directly to humans.

While the team also examined muscle samples from younger and older men and found similar declines in NOX4, additional research is needed to better understand the protein's role in human aging.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/Cf5rXVA

Read More

Weekly weightlifting sweet spot may be linked to longer life, study finds

Sticking to a resistance or strength training routine for a certain amount of time may extend your life, according to a new study.

Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine analyzed whether workouts involving weightlifting and weight machines are linked to a lower risk of death over time.

The study followed more than 147,000 U.S. adults who participated in three large health studies spanning up to 30 years. More than 35,000 died during the study period.

THIS EXERCISE HABIT MAY SLASH DEMENTIA RISK AND HELP YOU LIVE LONGER, STUDY FINDS

Participants reported their exercise habits, including the number of minutes per week spent on resistance training and on aerobic activity, like walking, biking or swimming.

Resistance training levels were then compared with later death from any cause, as well as from cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and neurological disease, according to a press release.

Doing a moderate amount of resistance training was linked with a lower risk of death, according to study results. This outcome persisted even after researchers adjusted for other factors like age, smoking, diet quality, alcohol intake, family history and aerobic activity.

The clearest benefit was seen at around 90 to 119 minutes per week of resistance training.

EXERCISE PROGRAM REDUCES COMMON CANCER RECURRENCE AND BOOSTS SURVIVAL

People who stuck to this interval of training per week had a 13% lower risk of all-cause death, 19% lower risk of death from heart disease and 27% lower risk of death from neurological disease.

More than 120 minutes of resistance training per week did not appear to add extra benefit to the overall death risk, according to the findings.

A lower risk of cancer death was seen at even small amounts of resistance training — 30 to 59 minutes per week was associated with a 12% decreased risk.

The lowest overall death risk was found in people who did both higher aerobic activity and moderate to high resistance training.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The study shows only an association between resistance training and lower death risk, not a direct cause, the researchers noted.

Other limitations were that participants reported their own exercise habits, which may not have been completely accurate, and the study did not measure how intensely they exercised.

The authors reflected in the study that engaging in "sufficient aerobic or resistance training alone is linked to lower mortality, with a stronger effect from aerobic activity."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

The lowest risk was seen among people who did high levels of both aerobic exercise and resistance training. However, for people already doing a very high amount of aerobic exercise (roughly five to six hours of jogging or 11 hours of brisk walking per week), adding resistance training did not appear to lower the risk any further, they noted.

In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, Kenny Santucci, fitness trainer, gym owner and host of the "Strong New York" podcast, shared the importance of pairing general movement with a focus on muscle building.

For a better fitness outcome, Santucci encourages gym-goers to add more strength training to their routines and to lift "a little bit heavier."

"Strength training should be the basis of what you do," he said. "I don't have anything against cycling … but if you're telling me that's the basis of your training, and your goal is aesthetics, then you are not really helping yourself get to that point any easier."

Santucci recommends working at about 60% to 80% of capacity, pushing to a point of fatigue with moderate intensity.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"There's a science behind muscle growth, and if there's no external force pushing against the muscle tissue, and you're not fueling yourself with protein, then you're probably not going to build muscle," he said.

"Hard doesn't necessarily mean it's a better workout … If you're training at levels of intensity, then you're reproducing good outcomes."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/ahzEGWu

Read More

AI-designed 'universal vaccine' passes first human clinical trial, could prevent future pandemics

A vaccine created using artificial intelligence that could potentially provide broader protection against multiple coronaviruses and help prepare for future outbreaks has passed its first human clinical trial.

Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Southampton developed a "universal vaccine" designed to protect against multiple Sarbeco coronaviruses, which the university explained in a news release is "the large group of viruses that occur in nature including SARS-CoV-2, which caused the COVID pandemic."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

Traditional vaccines must constantly be updated as viruses mutate, and the process is "like a dog chasing its tail," said University of Southampton professor Saul Faust, the trial’s chief investigator.

"Viruses like Influenza, Coronaviruses and the Ebola group are evolving continuously, and by the time vaccines are rolled out, they may be poorly matched – the current ‘reactive’ vaccine system struggles to keep pace," Faust said.

An antigen is the active ingredient in a vaccine meant to trigger an immune-system response and fight off infection. According to the release, the university scientists logged all the available genetic sequence data for Sarbeco coronaviruses and used AI used to design a "super-antigen" that contains the antigen features "common to this whole group of viruses – including ones that haven’t emerged yet."

The trial of the vaccine proved safe and triggered an immune response in 39 healthy volunteers, marking "the first time that a vaccine whose active component was designed entirely by computer simulations has been tested in humans," the release said.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

The trial vaccine was administered through a micro-fluid jet that delivers the immunization through the skin using a tiny, high-pressure stream of liquid and does not require a needle. The researchers said this method could make it "faster and easier to carry out in large numbers of people."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"This new class of universal vaccines are future-proofed," Faust said. "They not only protect against many variants simultaneously, but potentially against related viruses that haven’t yet emerged and spilt over to humans. If we can develop and clinically advance this new class of vaccines before a virus outbreak begins, millions of lives could be saved, lockdowns avoided and the economy preserved."

Some experts have raised broad concerns about using AI in medicine, primarily when it comes to making clinical decisions, not developing vaccines. Certain groups of people may be underrepresented in the data AI relies on, resulting in biased outcomes, some said.

AI also sometimes produces erroneous information, called "hallucinations," and determining who is liable for medical failings in such situations is a complex matter.

Others have expressed concern over patient privacy, as well as the need for human judgement that takes into account the scope of a patient’s health history, rather than a single dataset.

The universal-vaccine researchers said that a larger trial involving "a wider and more diverse population" is needed. They published their findings in Journal of Infection.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/OrLjGlo

Read More

TV news anchorman reveals he has Alzheimer's during final night helming broadcast

Veteran New York news anchor Bill Ritter revealed Friday that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, bringing an end to his more than two-decade run behind the WABC-TV anchor desk.

Ritter, 76, who has anchored the station's 6 p.m. newscast in New York City since 2001, revealed during Friday's Eyewitness News broadcast that it would be his final night anchoring the program.

"After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer's," Ritter said during the broadcast.

WOMAN WITH ADVANCED ALZHEIMER'S REGAINED SPEECH AND MEMORIES AFTER TAKING MAGIC MUSHROOMS

"It's early-stage Alzheimer's, and they say the treatments I'm getting are keeping it at bay, for now," he continued. "But there is no guarantee, because there's no cure yet for Alzheimer's."

"So, unless someone finds an amazing cure, and soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor," he added.

According to ABC7, Ritter joined WABC-TV in 1998 after an extensive journalism career that included work at the Los Angeles Times, local television stations in California and positions with ABC News.

'DUCK DYNASTY' STAR PHIL ROBERTSON DIAGNOSED WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

He began anchoring the station's 11 p.m. Eyewitness News broadcast in 1999 and was added to the flagship 6 p.m. newscast in 2001. He also anchored the station's 5 p.m. broadcast for several years.

ABC7 reported that Ritter will remain with the station in a new role focused in part on reporting about Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions, as well as their impact on patients and families.

"For decades, Bill Ritter has covered and led New Yorkers through the stories that matter most," WABC-TV General Manager Marilu Galvez said in a statement.

EXPERIMENTAL ALZHEIMER’S DRUG COULD REDUCE ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL DAMAGE, RESEARCHERS SAY

"A defining presence at ABC7, he has done so with exceptional insight, integrity and, most of all, heart, earning the love and respect of viewers and colleagues alike," she continued.

"While he is stepping away from daily anchoring, he will continue to be an integral part of our ABC7 family, including sharing personal updates and providing resources to help others impacted by Alzheimer's better understand the disease and the resources available to them."

"Bill is strong, brilliant, and resourceful, and we look forward to his continued reporting on Eyewitness News," Galvez added.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded to Ritter's announcement by wishing the veteran broadcaster and his family "strength in the days ahead."

"For decades, Bill Ritter has been a trusted presence in New Yorkers' homes, helping us make sense of the news that shape our city," Mamdani wrote on X. "

"His courage in sharing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis will help countless families facing the same challenge feel less alone," he continued. "Wishing Bill, his loved ones, and everyone affected by Alzheimer's strength in the days ahead."

Ritter's colleagues also reacted to his announcement.

ALZHEIMER’S RISK SLASHED BY EATING MORE OF ONE COMMON FOOD, STUDY SUGGESTS

WABC-TV reporter Lucy Yang paid tribute to Ritter's professionalism and dedication during his decades-long career at the station.

"For decades, I’ve reported for his show and even filled in, anchored w him," she posted on X. "He never gave less than 110% I salute you. I thank you. And I will pray for you."

Lee Goldberg, the station's chief meteorologist, said Ritter's influence would continue long after he stepped away from the anchor desk.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"He preaches be kind, take care of each other, & we're all in this together," Goldberg said on X. "Now, in addition to doing these things for himself & his loving family, he'll build on his legendary legacy by helping millions who share his battle." 

"You're a saint, and my hero @billritter7," he added. "Love you."

Ritter also noted during the broadcast that his father died of Alzheimer's disease in 1998 after battling the illness for years.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/n9XGVxg

Read More

New York anchor Bill Ritter announces Alzheimer's diagnosis during his final Eyewitness News broadcast

Veteran New York news anchor Bill Ritter revealed Friday that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, bringing an end to his more than two-decade run behind the WABC-TV anchor desk.

Ritter, 76, who has anchored the station's 6 p.m. newscast in New York City since 2001, revealed during Friday's Eyewitness News broadcast that it would be his final night anchoring the program.

"After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer's," Ritter said during the broadcast.

"It's early-stage Alzheimer's, and they say the treatments I'm getting are keeping it at bay, for now," he continued. "But there is no guarantee, because there's no cure yet for Alzheimer's."

'DUCK DYNASTY' STAR PHIL ROBERTSON DIAGNOSED WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

"So, unless someone finds an amazing cure, and soon, tonight will be the last newscast I anchor," he added.

According to ABC7, Ritter joined WABC-TV in 1998 after an extensive journalism career that included work at the Los Angeles Times, local television stations in California and positions with ABC News.

He began anchoring the station's 11 p.m. Eyewitness News broadcast in 1999 and was added to the flagship 6 p.m. newscast in 2001. He also anchored the station's 5 p.m. broadcast for several years.

WOMAN WITH ADVANCED ALZHEIMER'S REGAINED SPEECH AND MEMORIES AFTER TAKING MAGIC MUSHROOMS

ABC7 reported that Ritter will remain with the station in a new role focused in part on reporting about Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions, as well as their impact on patients and families.

"For decades, Bill Ritter has covered and led New Yorkers through the stories that matter most," WABC-TV General Manager Marilu Galvez said in a statement.

"A defining presence at ABC7, he has done so with exceptional insight, integrity and, most of all, heart, earning the love and respect of viewers and colleagues alike," she continued.

"While he is stepping away from daily anchoring, he will continue to be an integral part of our ABC7 family, including sharing personal updates and providing resources to help others impacted by Alzheimer's better understand the disease and the resources available to them."

"Bill is strong, brilliant, and resourceful, and we look forward to his continued reporting on Eyewitness News," Galvez added.

Ritter also noted during the broadcast that his father died from Alzheimer's disease in 1998 after battling the illness for years.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/YeBG5Vo

Read More