Summary: Accumulation of amyloid-beta appears to play a central role in the development of Alzheimer’s. However, researchers have a limited understanding of the production of amyloid protein in brain cells. But new studies show that the production of amyloid-beta protein is increased in those with higher cholesterol synthesis by astrocytes (supporting cells in the brain) and its transportation with the help of apoE protein. It means that regulating the production and transportation of cholesterol by astrocytes may help prevent amyloid-beta overproduction and plaque formation. Thus, it could be a way to prevent Alzheimer’s or slow down its progress.
It could also mean that the accumulation of amyloid-beta could be a surrogate marker of disease, with accumulation due to localized inflammation and lack of clearance.
Keywords: amyloid-beta, brain, Alzheimer’s, astrocytes, cholesterol, apoE
However, researchers are not sure why this accumulation of amyloid and tau plaques occurs. They are unsure if the formation of these plaques is the leading cause of Alzheimer’s or formation of these plaques happens as a result of something else. Demystifying this puzzle may help find the treatment of the condition.
Researchers know that many metabolic disorders result from changes in lifestyle that occurred in the last century or so. They also know that it has led to the dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism, causing a higher prevalence of heart diseases and stroke. However, now a new study shows that cholesterol may play a role in Alzheimer’s, too.
Researchers have also studied the role of the most abundant cells in the brain: astrocytes. They almost tile the whole brain and are about five times more than neurons. They are needed for the working of brain cells neurons. They provide brain cells with vital support. Nonetheless, when we talk about the brain, we often forget about them, only considering neurons1.
It is known that the brain requires lots of cholesterol, as a considerable part of the brain is made of cholesterol. However, as people grow older, neurons start losing their ability to produce cholesterol. Thus, in adults, most of the cholesterol is produced by astrocytes. These brain cells then transport the cholesterol to neurons with the help of a protein called apolipoprotein E (apoE).
Early studies showed that those with apoE defects due to genetic reasons have a higher rate of Alzheimer’s. But researchers did not know why a defect in apoE, the transporter protein, increases the risk of Alzheimer’s2.
The researcher found that increased apoE resulted in increased cholesterol transportation to the neurons in the new finding. Cholesterol is needed by brain cells to produce amyloid protein. However, a high supply of cholesterol may also result in the overproduction of amyloid protein, resulting in the formation of amyloid plaques. It means that astrocytes and their greater supply of cholesterol to neurons may result in the formation and growth of amyloid plaques, thus causing Alzheimer’s.
Studies show that cholesterol levels are high in the brain of those living with Alzheimer’s. It means that suppression of cholesterol production by astrocytes may also help lower the production of amyloid protein. Further, it may be good to suppress apoE, the major transportation protein for cholesterol, to prevent amyloid plaque formation.
In the experimental study, researchers found that reducing the activity of transporter protein apoE resulted in less supply of cholesterol and thus lesser formation of amyloid plaques.
Thus, researchers think that astrocytes and their increased production and transportation of cholesterol to neurons may be causing amyloid-beta accumulation and Alzheimer’s. Tests in animal models show that suppressing the ability of astrocytes to produce cholesterol in the brain or reducing their ability to transport cholesterol may help prevent Alzheimer’s3.
Further, researchers think that reducing the overproduction of cholesterol may be the right way of preventing Alzheimer’s. Although amyloid-beta accumulation ultimately causes Alzheimer’s, suppressing its production is not an option. The brain tightly controls the production of amyloid protein due to its high importance in brain health. It means suppressive amyloid production directly may have unforeseeable results. Moreover, researchers do not have much understanding of how amyloid protein is produced in brain cells. It could also simply be that cholesterol over production is a reactive phenomenon due to underlying metabolic inflammation, and that the amyloid-beta protein tangles accumulate because the clearance mechanism is inhibited.
To conclude, controlling the production and transportation of cholesterol by astrocytes may be a key to preventing Alzheimer’s or slowing down its progress.
References
1. Sofroniew MV, Vinters HV. Astrocytes: biology and pathology. Acta Neuropathol. 2010;119(1):7-35. doi:10.1007/s00401-009-0619-8
2. Yamazaki Y, Painter MM, Bu G, Kanekiyo T. Apolipoprotein E as a Therapeutic Target in Alzheimer’s disease: A Review of Basic Research and Clinical Evidence. CNS Drugs. 2016;30(9):773-789. doi:10.1007/s40263-016-0361-4
3. Wang H, Kulas JA, Wang C, Holtzman DM, Ferris HA, Hansen SB. Regulation of beta-amyloid production in neurons by astrocyte-derived cholesterol. PNAS. 2021;118(33). doi:10.1073/pnas.2102191118
Summary: The risk of dementia is higher in people with low socioeconomic status. Low income or financial insecurity is one of the major sources of chronic stress. Prolonged stress response considerably increases the risk of dementia or age-related cognitive decline. Stress results in higher activity of the HPA-axis elevated cortisol and vasopressin. It ultimately means broader metabolic changes, behavioral changes, greater risk of cardiovascular events. All this also leads to a considerably greater risk of dementia.
Keywords: financial insecurity, dementia, cognitive decline, stress, chronic stress, cortisol, vasopressin
Introduction
Dementia is now among the top 5 causes of mortality in the western world and the US. Moreover, as people live longer, they are also prone to non-dementia cognitive decline, resulting in poorer quality of life and disability.
However, severe mental decline causing disability is not seen in all adults. Since genetics cannot explain the cases of severe mental decline in most cases, researchers think it is related to lifestyle. There seem to be numerous factors for the greater risk of dementia or faster cognitive decline. Low education and incomes are among the leading risk factors.
Although, western nations are prosperous compared to many other parts of the world, but they have a higher dementia rate. Thus, financial insecurity may appear as the most unlikely factor contributing to the condition. However, it is essential to understand that financial insecurity is a psychological reaction. The perceived financial insecurity may be higher in certain sections of prosperous societies. Further, western nations also have a higher cost of living.
Perceived financial insecurity increases the risk of neurological disorders
Studies show that even minor stress caused by financial insecurity may increase the risk of neurological disorders. For example, in one of the large-scale nationwide studies in Hungary, researchers analyzed 7880 cases of thrombolytic treatment. They found that the risk of stroke was highest at the end of the month due to greater financial insecurity at that time1.
Similarly, The National Health and Aging Trends Study in the US, which analyzed the data of Medicare beneficiaries older than 65 years of age, found that financial strains in older adults may increase the risk of dementia by 20% to 30%2.
What could be the link between the greater risk of cognitive decline and financial insecurity?
It appears that prolonged financial insecurity leads to chronic stress. Chronic stress results in greater activity of certain brain centers (HPA-axis), causing the pituitary gland to stimulate the production of stress hormones. Thus, those living with chronic stress have higher levels of cortisol and vasopressin3.
Studies confirm that those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other-causes-dementia have higher cortisol than healthy adults4.
Cortisol is a complex hormone. It may not cause any side effects in the short run. But it may cause major metabolic issues in the long run. That is why chronic stress may increase the risk of dementia.
Cortisol increases blood glucose levels, increases the risk of insulin resistance, suppresses the immune system, boosts appetite, and causes a wide range of behavioral changes. Which ultimately increases the risk of cognitive decline in older adults5.
Further, chronic stress also increases levels of vasopressin, a hormone that causes vasoconstriction and water retention. Its higher levels may increase the risk of hypertension. In addition, it considerably increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, a greater risk of stroke and cognitive decline5.
However, it is essential to know that cortisol and vasopressin are important hormones needed to stay healthy. In small amounts, cortisol helps improve stress response. Thus, it does not cause harm in its normal levels. Intermittent increase in its levels is also not essentially bad. However, its continuous elevated levels for months or even years is what increases the risk of cognitive decline.
Financial insecurity tends to be a long-term issue. For many, financial insecurity may start from a young age and may last for the rest of the life. Frequent worries and feeling insecure ultimately cause metabolic disorders, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and a slow decline in cognition.
To conclude, high stress caused by financial insecurity, especially in older adults, is one of the factors that may accelerate cognitive decline. It means that managing stress through behavioral changes, lifestyle interventions may help lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
References
1. Folyovich A, Biczó D, Bajnok A, et al. Higher Incidence of Stroke on the Last Day of the Month in Hungary—a Role for Psychosocial Factors and Financial Insecurity? Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. 2016;25(5):1192-1195. doi:10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2016.02.010
2. Samuel LJ, Szanton SL, Wolff JL, Ornstein KA, Parker LJ, Gitlin LN. Socioeconomic disparities in six-year incident dementia in a nationally representative cohort of US older adults: an examination of financial resources. BMC Geriatrics. 2020;20(1):156. doi:10.1186/s12877-020-01553-4
3. Magri F, Cravello L, Barili L, et al. stress and dementia: the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2006;18(2):167-170. doi:10.1007/BF03327435
4. Ouanes S, Popp J. High Cortisol and the Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review of the Literature. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2019;11:43. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2019.00043
5. Lee DY, Kim E, Choi MH. Technical and clinical aspects of cortisol as a biochemical marker of chronic stress. BMB Rep. 2015;48(4):209-216. doi:10.5483/BMBRep.2015.48.4.275
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Summary: Reducing total fat consumption did not considerably help reduce the prevalence of abdominal fat accumulation, and obesity has increased. Studies suggest that this rise is more due to higher consumption of linoleic acid (LA) rich omega-6 fatty acids. It occurred as humans switched to greater consumption of vegetable oils from animal fat consumption. It also resulted in lower omega-3 in the diet. Experimental studies confirm that reducing the dietary intake of LA may considerably help lower the risk of obesity. Additionally, adding omega-3 to the diet may have additional benefits of countering LA’s adverse effects, thus helping lower obesity prevalence.
Keywords: linoleic acid (LA), omega-6 fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), endocannabinoid system
Introduction
New experimental data indicate that high dietary intake of omega-6 and relatively low omega-3 intake has more to do with obesity, accumulation of visceral fat, and insulin resistance than total fat intake to fulfil energy needs. Correction of omega-6: omega-3 ratio in diet may be the key to countering obesity.
Abdominal obesity has grown at an alarming rate in the last 40-50 years in the US. Historical data shows that in men, it rose from 12.7% to 38.3%. Whereas, in women, it grew from 19.4% to almost 60% between 1960 -2000. This tripling of abdominal obesity is difficult to explain solely based on the total fat content of the diet1.
Researchers think that increase in abdominal obesity has more to do with the quality of fats consumed. Some researchers suggest that humans have evolved to consume omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids almost in equal ratios. However, in the modern diet, its proportions are from ~10:1 to 25:1. That’s a severe disbalance2.
If that is the case, correcting the omega-6 to the omega-3 ratio by consuming more omega-3 and less omega-6 may solve the problems of obesity to a great extent. However, before making any firm recommendation, there has to be strong evidence supporting the theory.
Researchers think that some evidence comes from watching the historical changes in dietary patterns. For example, data shows that consumption of omega-6 fatty acids rose considerably from 1900 onwards, when people in the western world switched from butter or lard to consuming more vegetable oils, like soybean oil. This resulted in a two-fold increase of linoleic acid (LA), the primary omega-6 fatty acid in vegetable oils, and it makes now 8 to 10% of total calorie intake3.
These assumptions are further supported by a systemic review of studies indicating that LA content in subcutaneous tissues in the US has increased by 2.5 times.
Experiments confirm that reducing LA intake or increasing omega-3 intake may help counter obesity
Researchers carried out lab experiments in mice to understand the effect of LA on obesity and further understand the role of a high-fat diet4.
Firstly, they divided mice into two groups, one to be fed with a medium-fat diet (35% of total calorie intake) and another on a high-fat diet (65% of the total calorie intake). They further divided mice into two groups, with one fed with diet having 1% LA and another with 8% LA diet (meaning 1% and 8% of energy from LA, respectively).
Interestingly enough, they found that higher fat consumption was not much related to obesity, as there is not much difference in the group a and d.
However, there is a clear and high association between obesity and high LA consumption irrespective of total fat intake; thus, both group b and e mice developed severe abdominal obesity.
Next, they wanted to understand the role of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. Thus, they added omega-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to the diet of the mice on the 8% LA group.
They found that omega-3 enriched diet may help prevent obesity and thus metabolic disorders. To their surprise, omega-3 could help control obesity in mice on an 8% LA diet, and total fat in the diet had not much impact on it. Thus omega-3 fatty acids prevented fat accumulation in the 8% LA and medium fat diet group (Figure 2 C) and 8% LA and high-fat diet group (Figure 2 F)
It confirmed the following things:
• LA is the primary cause of abdominal obesity, be it low fat or a high-fat diet. Thus, a need to limit LA consumption.
• Consuming a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA+DHA) may help counter obesity-causing effects of LA.
Understanding the underlying mechanism
Researchers think that this ability of LA to cause obesity can be explained by changes that happened at the cellular level due to high LA consumption. It primarily stimulates the endocannabinoid system leading to impaired fat storage, altered behavior, appetite, and thus greater risk of obesity.
Although total calorie intake counts, perhaps how many calories a body gets from fats is less relevant. Even a high-fat diet will not cause obesity if it is low in LA containing fats. Further, adding omega-3 fatty acids rich in EPA and DHA may help counter these obesity-causing effects of LA.
References
1. Okosun IS, Chandra KMD, Boev A, et al. Abdominal adiposity in US adults: prevalence and trends, 1960–2000. Preventive Medicine. 2004;39(1):197-206. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2004.01.023
2. Simopoulos AP. Evolutionary Aspects of the Dietary Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio: Medical Implications. In: Alvergne A, Jenkinson C, Faurie C, eds. Evolutionary Thinking in Medicine: From Research to Policy and Practice. Advances in the Evolutionary Analysis of Human Behaviour. Springer International Publishing; 2016:119-134. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-29716-3_9
3. DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH. Omega-6 vegetable oils as a driver of coronary heart disease: the oxidized linoleic acid hypothesis. Open Heart. 2018;5(2):e000898. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2018-000898
4. Alvheim AR, Malde MK, Osei-Hyiaman D, et al. Dietary Linoleic Acid Elevates Endogenous 2-AG and Anandamide and Induces Obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2012;20(10):1984-1994. doi:10.1038/oby.2012.38
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Summary: Severe memory decline due to aging and dementia is a major health concern among older adults. The incidence of Alzheimer’s is increasing, and it is one of the leading causes of mortality in the western world. Yet, very little is known about the etiology and pathogenesis of dementia. There are no known reliable early biomarkers or tests that could help predict the risk. Diabetes or insulin resistance is one of the known risk factors for dementia. A new population-based study shows that an oral glucose tolerance test may help predict the risk of memory decline over the long run. People with poor oral glucose tolerance tests are much more likely to suffer from episodic memory decline in old age.
Keywords: oral glucose tolerance test, OGTT, episodic memory decline, dementia, Alzheimer’s, insulin resistance
Introduction
Cognitive decline due to aging and diseases like Alzheimer’s are becoming a significant cause of disability in older adults. Nevertheless, unlike common belief, about 40% of cases of dementia can be either delayed or even prevented1. However, it is only possible if the risk of developing dementia later in life is identified early.
Regretfully, at present, there are no reliable markers or tests that could help predict the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s later in life. Nevertheless, researchers know about numerous risk factors for dementia, like diabetes, depression, and even lifestyle choices like smoking.
Researchers are looking for tests with a high predictive value of decline in memory in later life. They are also exploring if some of the more commonly used tests may also help identify the risk. Thus, a person will have enough time to take measures, alter their lifestyle.
Episodic memory is about remembering important events in life and emotions related to it, like the first kiss, date of marriage, day of graduation, and so on. Certain forgetfulness occurs with aging. Nonetheless, it may also be a sign of something more severe like Alzheimer’s or other cause dementia.
Oral glucose tolerance test may help predict the risk
A study published in 2021 in the Diabetes Care journal provides a clue that one of the commonly used tests in diabetes may help predict memory issues later in life2.
The two most common tests used to diagnose diabetes are fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT). OGTT is especially good in identifying diabetes early or when the FPG test fails to confirm the diagnosis.
In OGTT, doctors would generally give a person a sugary drink rich in glucose, and then they will test glucose levels after 2-hours. If the test shows blood glucose above 200 mg/dl, then a person has diabetes. Whereas values between 140 mg/dl to 200 mg/dl may indicate prediabetes3.
This latest study is based on the data collected during the Finnish population-based Health 2000 Survey and follow-up data collected after 10-years in the Health 2011 study2.
In the study, researchers analyzed the data of memory tests of 961 individuals who underwent OGTT between 2001 and 2002. Analysis of the data showed that after 10 years, those who had poorer results of OGTT also had a greater decline in episodic memory after 10 years. Thus, confirming that even a simple test like OGTT may help establish the long-term risk of memory-related issues.
Do these findings indicate that OGTT may help predict Alzheimer’s risk?
Well, not essentially, as the study did not look into this particular aspect. Further, it is known that diabetes is one of the risk factors for poor memory in later life, and it may not necessarily indicate a greater risk of dementia4.
Nonetheless, it has a certain value. There is a need to do more studies to understand if OGTT may help predict the risk of more severe memory issues or dementia in the long run. Further, follow-up studies are needed to establish if poor OGTT tests early in life predict a greater risk of Alzheimer’s later in life or not.
Nonetheless, it does confirm that the risk of memory decline is greater in people with poor OGTT tests. It means that individuals with higher values of the OGTT test need to pay greater attention to their brain health, which may involve maintaining blood sugar levels, giving up smoking, staying physically active, improving sleep quality. Measures taken early may help reduce the risk of dementia later in life.
References
1. The Truth About Aging and Dementia. Published September 8, 2021. Accessed October 2, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/dementia-not-normal-aging.html
2. Toppala S, Ekblad LL, Viitanen M, Rinne JO, Jula A. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Predicts Episodic Memory Decline: A 10-Year Population-Based Follow-up Study. Diabetes Care. Published online August 12, 2021. doi:10.2337/dc21-0042
3. Diagnosis | ADA. Accessed October 2, 2021. https://www.diabetes.org/a1c/diagnosis
4. Arvanitakis Z, Tatavarthy M, Bennett DA. The Relation of Diabetes to Memory Function. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2020;20(12):64. doi:10.1007/s11910-020-01085-9
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Important Points:
- Weight Loss
- Benefits
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Pain
- Cognitive function
What are the health benefits of losing weight?
1. It will improve your cognitive function
Losing weight is not just a physical change; it can also affect the way a person thinks. According to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, intentional weight loss improves verbal memory, verbal fluency, executive function, and global cognition. If you feel that you need improvements in this department, losing weight would give you a boost.
2. It helps with your mood
Losing weight through exercise not only makes you healthier it can also make you happier. According to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, exercise can help with mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem.
3. It can improve your sex life.
In a study published in the journal Obesity, it was shown that those who suffer from obesity are more prone to erectile dysfunction. It has also been reported that the quality of sex in the obese is lower compared to people without a weight problem, so with regular exercise and weight loss, penile function will improve, and you can restore a satisfying sex life.
4. It can increase reproductive functioning.
Losing weight can help improve fertility in women especially those suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, while in men, weight loss helps improve semen health increasing the chances of reproduction.
5. You sweat less
Losing weight through losing body fat, which acts as a natural insulator, will keep you feeling cooler and decrease the tendency to sweat.
6. Your blood pressure will become lower
As little as a loss of ten pounds can lower a person’s blood pressure back to normal. The effect is so great that weight loss is recommended along with medication in treating hypertension.
7. It strengthens the heart
Losing weight makes it easier for your heart to pump blood throughout the body while exercising strengthens your heart muscles. Losing weight is generally healthier for your cardiovascular health.
8. It prevents Type 2 Diabetes
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, losing just 5 to 7 percent of your body weight delays the onset of type 2 diabetes.
9. It helps prevents cancer
Obesity is a risk factor to the many forms of cancer from breast to colorectal cancer. Losing weight eliminates this risk factor thereby reducing the risk of you developing cancer.
10. It is good for the kidneys.
Because losing weight can reduce high blood pressure, it prevents renal damage and kidney diseases. Add to that the fact that losing weight prevents diabetes, a common culprit for kidney failure, and then you have two great perks of losing weight.
11. It prevents pancreatitis and pancreatic stones.
Obesity is associated with an increased risk for pancreatitis and gallstones both of which are surgical risks and can cause a person a lot of pain. By losing weight you decrease the likelihood of stone formation and ensure your pancreas is in tip-top shape.
12. Your skin will be clearer
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease closely associated with obesity. Maintaining a normal weight has been shown to lessen psoriasis severity and the incidence of flare-ups. Aside from psoriasis, people who are obese are generally more prone to skin problems compared to those with normal weight.
13. It improves oral health
Losing weight has been correlated to reducing inflammatory gum conditions thereby improving oral health.
14. It helps with body pain
By being overweight you add extra work on your joints which leads to joint pain and inflammation. By reducing your weight you lessen the burden on your knees and back which helps alleviate joint pain.
15. It improves your nail health
According to a study published in the journal Nutrients, obesity has been strongly linked to Iron deficiency anemia. This type of anemia can wreak havoc on your nail health causing them to be brittle and fragile.
Cognitive Effects of Intentional Weight Loss in Elderly Obese Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment
https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/101/3/1104/2804876
Exercise for Mental Health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/
Sexual Functioning and Obesity: A Review
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1038/oby.2012.104
Sexual Quality of Life Lower for the Obese
https://corporate.dukehealth.org/NEWS-LISTING/SEXUAL-QUALITY-LIFE-LOWER-OBESE
Weight loss before fertility treatment may improve pregnancy odds for women with PCOS
Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/hbp_low.pdf
Health Risks of Being Overweight
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/health-risks-overweight
Obesity and Cancer
https://www.cancer.gov/ABOUT-CANCER/CAUSES-PREVENTION/RISK/OBESITY/OBESITY-FACT-SHEET
Obesity and pancreatitis.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28719397
Psoriasis and Obesity.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28226326
Skin problems in people with obesity
https://journals.rcni.com/DOI/ABS/10.7748/NS2004.05.18.35.38.C3609
Obesity and oral health–is there an association?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23213928
Obesity as an Emerging Risk Factor for Iron Deficiency
Important Points:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Gut Bacteria
- Gastrointestinal
What role does gut bacteria play in Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurologic disorder marked by tremors and muscular rigidity that affects more than 10 million people worldwide. Almost 200 years has passed since Parkinson’s disease was first identified as an observable medical condition. Fast forward to today, and we still do not know what the exact cause of this debilitating condition is.
However, we did make some progress in identifying some risk factors associated with Parkinson’s. In a recent study published by the California Institute of Technology, researchers have identified a new possible cause of Parkinson’s disease. In their study, they found a link between gut bacteria and how the brain functions.
By taking stool samples from patients with Parkinson’s disease and then transplanting it into sterile mice, researchers were able to produce the symptoms of the disease on a previously healthy subject. Researchers hypothesize that this may be due to a protein called alpha-synuclein (αSyn). This protein is present in both the brain and the gut of patients with Parkinson’s disease and may play a key role in the development of the disease.
This study seems to confirm what other researchers have noticed long ago. Gut problems have always been associated with Parkinson’s. Constipation, ulcers, and bloating are significantly more frequent in those suffering from the disease, and this points to a bigger role of gut problems in the disease pathophysiology. In fact, a previous study has shown that those who had their vagus nerve severed for the treatment of gastric ulcer experienced a decrease in the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s. This is not that surprising since 70 percent of the peripheral nervous system innervates the gut. With this in mind, the relationship between the nervous system and the gastrointestinal system may not be as far from each other than we initially thought, and with the mounting evidence of their strong link to each other, the importance of understanding this relationship has now sparked a lot of interest.
The research is promising but there is still a lot of work to be done. Mice experiments may not translate to human test subjects, but the researchers are optimistic. Hopefully, once this hypothesis is proven and further understood, this will usher the way for more effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease that are aimed at modifying gut bacteria instead of being directed to the brain.
Statistics on Parkinson’s
http://www.pdf.org/en/parkinson_statistics
Gut Microbiota Regulate Motor Deficits and Neuroinflammation in a Model of Parkinson’s Disease
http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(16)31590-2
Parkinson’s disease may start in the Stomach
http://sciencenordic.com/parkinsons-disease-may-start-stomach
Important Points:
- Walking
- Exercise
- Endorphins
- Cardiovascular health
What are the benefits of walking?
When it comes to physical activities, few can be as easy and as natural as walking, and despite its ease and accessibility, walking has been shown to have benefits you can harness to help improve your health. Here are a few benefits you can gain by just walking for as short as 30 minutes per day.
- It helps improve cardiovascular health
Any health conscious individual knows by now that exercise is a key to maintaining heart health, but did you know that as little as 30 minutes of walking a day can reduce the chances of a person from dying of a cardiovascular disease by as high as 24 percent? This was based on a study published in the journal Clinical Epidemiology that shows even low impact exercises can contribute immensely to cardiovascular health.
- It increases blood flow to the brain
In a study published in the journal Experimental Biology, researchers found that walking does your body good not only through its cardiovascular and muscular benefits but also by its brain benefits. Walking has been proven to increase the blood flow to the brain which in turn explains why walking helps people who feel sluggish to feel energized. So, whenever you feel dull or listless, give walking a shot; it might help.
- It is a natural stress reliever and mood elevator
A study from the University of Michigan has found that group walking helps lower symptoms of depressions, improve coping with stress and helps enhance overall mental health and well being. This might be related to the fact that exercising helps our body release endorphins which are naturally mood elevating.
- Walking helps regulate blood sugar levels
In one small study published by the American Diabetes Association, it was shown that walking for as little as 15 minutes after a meal resulted in smaller blood sugar spikes compared to those who did not walk. This lowers the risk of heart diseases, kidney diseases and other complications related to diabetes.
Replacing sedentary time with physical activity: a 15-year follow-up of mortality in a national cohort
How walking benefits the brain
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170424141340.htm
Walking off depression and beating stress outdoors? Nature group walks linked to improved mental health
Three 15-min Bouts of Moderate Postmeal Walking Significantly Improves 24-h Glycemic Control in Older People at Risk for Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Important Points:
- Vagus nerve
- Stimulation
- Nervous system
- Anxiety
What are the benefits of Vagus Nerve Stimulation?
Feeling tense? Do you often find yourself stressed out with today’s hectic fast-paced lifestyle? If you are like most people then your answer is most likely yes. Oddly enough, you need not look very far to find a solution to your problem. Our own body has a built-in way of handling stress and there is a secret to harnessing it.
Our bodies are wired in such a way that our nervous system is divided into two functional categories, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic nervous system is the excitatory component which has the primary function of stimulating the body’s fight-or-flight response. An overactive sympathetic nervous system could leave you feeling restless and in a constant state of stress. To balance things out, the parasympathetic nervous system is in charge of recuperative functions of the body like resting and digesting. This is the system we need to tap into in order for us to relax.
The key lies in hijacking the powerful function of the Vagus nerve. The Vagus nerve shares its word origin with the word vague, both coming from the Latin root which means wandering. Why is that? It was named that way because the vagus nerve dominates a wide array of organs in the body. Think of it as the boss of the eyes, mouth, heart, lungs, stomach, and your gut in terms of letting loose and relaxing. A second reason the vagus nerve is powerful is that it has a direct connection to our control center, the brain, using 80 percent of its nerve conduction to drive information from the body to the brain.
There are a number of ways of stimulating the vagus nerve. Deep breathing and yoga are known for its calming effect since stretching out the lungs and chest muscles stimulate the vagus nerve.
Meditation is another method worth exploring. In the study published in the International Journal of Yoga, it was discovered that producing the sound “Om” in the form of chanting stimulates the vagus nerve. A novel way of stimulating the vagus nerve is to cultivate a healthy gut microbiota. The study from Arizona State University suggests that taking in a probiotic containing Lactobacillus casei enhances vagal stimulation which improved mood in those who participated in the study.
If the vagus nerve is stimulated deliberately, it was found to have a profound therapeutic effect to our health. Vagal stimulation can decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, relaxes muscles, improve mood and even tone down inflammation. According to a study published in the journal Science, vagal stimulation results in suppression of inflammatory response originating from the spleen.
Since vagal stimulation causes a decrease in blood pressure and pulse rate, which are elevated in a state of anxiety, it has been used to treat anxiety disorders with significant success. In a study done by the Department of Psychiatry of the Medical University of South Carolina, it was found that vagal stimulation not only produced acute improvement in the study participants with anxiety but also long term as well.
The effects of vagal stimulation are not limited to calming down an overactive nervous system. It has also found success in treating depression, a condition that manifests with symptoms of lack of motivation and excitement. The China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences was able to note significant improvement in participants who have depressive symptoms just by stimulating the vagus nerve.
So next time you feel burned out and could use some rest and relaxation, do not forget to give vagus stimulation a try.
Viva vagus: Wandering nerve could lead to range of therapies
Neurohemodynamic correlates of ‘OM’ chanting: A pilot functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Int J Yoga. 2011 Jan-Jun; 4(1): 3–6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099099/
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). (2014, August 15). Do gut bacteria rule our minds? In an ecosystem within us, microbes evolved to sway food choices. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 10, 2016 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140815192240.htm
Science. Acetylcholine-Synthesizing T Cells Relay Neural Signals in a Vagus Nerve Circuit
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/334/6052/98
A pilot study of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for treatment-resistant anxiety disorders.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20633378#
Elsevier. (2016, February 4). New non-invasive form of vagus nerve stimulation works to treat depression. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 10, 2016 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160204111728.htm
Important Points:
- Psychobiotics
- Mental disorders
- Probiotics
What are Psychobiotics?
Ever since the discovery of the Gut-Brain Axis within this decade, researchers are in a race to explore new treatments for psychiatric conditions. Over the past years, a lot of research was successful in shining a light on the effect of gut microbiome on mood and memory. Most of these covered the use of probiotics, which are basically bacteria used as a food supplement. At first, research on the role of gut microbiome appeared to be limited to its use as a supplement, however, a new study from Oxford University suggests that gut microbiomes can have a bigger role other than solely as probiotics.
In the study, researchers are urging the scientific community to consider live bacteria as a new form of psychiatric treatment. This new drug class of “psychobiotics” may hold the key to safer and more effective treatments for mental disorders.
The concept of using probiotics as an alternative to hard drugs may not seem as far-fetched as it sounds. Numerous studies have pointed out that probiotic activity can improve inflammation, reduce depression and even control social anxiety much like typical drug store formulations. Although most of the studies are still in its early stages, it certainly warrants serious consideration. Given how most psychiatric medications have innumerable side effects, a safe and accessible alternative is definitely welcome in the field of mental health.
For now, as the push to make psychobiotics a legitimate treatment for mental disorders is just gaining momentum, we can still enjoy the benefits of a healthy gut-brain axis by consuming foods that are rich in probiotics. It may take a long time before we see psychobiotics written on a prescription pad, but the researchers are optimistic that this is eventually the next step in psychopharmacology.
Can the Bacteria in Your Gut Explain Your Mood?
Psychobiotics and the Manipulation of Bacteria–Gut–Brain Signals
The Gut Microbiome and the Brain
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4259177/
Probiotics May One Day Be Used To Treat Depression
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/17/probiotics-depression_n_7064030.html
Sauerkraut Could Be The Secret To Curing Social Anxiety
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/10/probiotics-gut-bacteria-a_n_7545942.html
Important Points:
- Industrial Seed Oils
- Hydrogenated fat
- Omega 6
- Omega 3
- Linoleic acid
- Animal Fats
Are Vegetable and Seed Oils Bad for Your Health?
The consumption of vegetable oils has increased dramatically in the past century. Contrary to what we’ve been told, industrial seed oils such as soybean, canola, and corn oils are not “heart healthy” or otherwise beneficial for our bodies and brains; in fact, plenty of research indicates that these oils are making us sick. In this article, we take you through the industrial seed oil history, the adverse health effects of consuming these oils, and what dietary fats you should eat instead.
1. What Are Seed Oils?
Industrial seed oils are highly processed oils extracted from soybeans, corn, rapeseed (the source of canola oil), cottonseed, and safflower seeds. They were introduced into the American diet in the early 1900s.
2. How Are Industrial Seed Oils Made?
The general process used to create industrial seed oils is anything but natural. The oils extracted from soybeans, corn, cottonseed, safflower seeds, and rapeseeds must be refined, bleached, and deodorized before they are suitable for human consumption.
- First, seeds are gathered from the soy, corn, cotton, safflower, and rapeseed plants.
- Next, the seeds are heated to extremely high temperatures; this causes the unsaturated fatty acids in the seeds to oxidize, creating byproducts that are harmful to human and animal health.
- The seeds are then processed with a petroleum-based solvent, such as hexane, to maximize the amount of oil extracted from them.
- Next, industrial seed oil manufacturers use chemicals to deodorize the oils which have a very off-putting smell once extracted. This deodorization process produces trans fats.
- Finally, more chemicals are added to improve the color of the industrial seed oils.
Altogether, industrial seed oil processing creates an energy-dense, nutrient-poor oil that containschemical residues, trans fats, and oxidized byproducts.
3. Why are they bad for you?
Linoleic Acid Could be Increasing Our Risk of Obesity and Related Health Problems
From experiments in mice, increasing the intake of linoleic acid from 1% to 8% may result in brain signals that stimulate greater food consumption and promote body fattening. Greater intake of linoleic acid seems to mask a sense of fullness and to increase the size of fat cells.
- Vegetable Oils Contain an Unnatural Amount of Omega-6 Fats
When It Comes to Omega-6, quality matters. While industrial seed oils are high in omega-6, there are also plenty of whole, fresh foods that naturally contain omega-6 fatty acids including nuts, poultry, and avocados.
Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) that we humans cannot make ourselves and must, therefore, consume in our diets. They come in two varieties: omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids. Upon consumption, omega-6 fatty acids give rise to arachidonic acid and potent metabolites that are primarily pro-inflammatory in nature including prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4. Omega-3 fatty acids such as ALA, EPA, and DHA, on the other hand, give rise to anti-inflammatory derivatives.
A delicate balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fattyacids must be maintained in the body to promote optimal health. A high intake of omega-6 fatty acids, combined with low omega-3 intake, leads to an imbalance in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators producing a state of chronic inflammation that contributes to numerous chronic disease processes.
- Vegetable Oils are Unnaturally Produced, Highly Refined, and Extracted Using Heat and Chemicals
Factory-processed PUFA oils are created through measures of high heat and extreme pressure exposing the oil to all sorts of oxidative damage, polished off with a good dumping of chemical solvents to get every last bit of that profit-producing oil out of the seeds, or corn, or soy. Some of the chemical (usually hexane) remains, and yet another chemical is added to deodorize the rancid PUFA oil’s stench. In that process, the small amount of omega-3 present in oils like canola, actually transforms into trans fatty acid. And finally, carcinogenic BHT and BTA are added as chemical preservatives, since any naturally-occurring preservative substances, such as antioxidant vitamin E which were once naturally found in the food, have been thoroughly killed off in processing.
- Vegetable Oils Contribute to Excess Inflammation and Free Radical Damage.
Polyunsaturated Fats are very fragile and oxidize very easily. Free-radical forming oxidation of the PUFA happens when it is exposed to heat, light, or oxygen. This is pretty hard to avoid that when you’re cooking with these fragile oils and most restaurants exclusively use these oils not only for cooking, but for extreme high-heat frying.
Excessive inflammation in the body from PUFAs happens because of the presence of free radicals formed in the processing of the industrial oils (like vegetable and canola), which renders them rancid. Free radicals, unattached and needing a place to land, attack cell membranes and red blood cells and cause damage to DNA and RNA strands leading to cellular mutations in the body’s tissues. In skin, it causes wrinkles and premature aging. In blood vessels, they cause the buildup of plaque. In tissues and organs, it can set the stage for tumors to form. You get the idea. Free radicals are bad, bad news, and they’re ever-abundant in industrial PUFA oils.
- Many Vegetable Oils are Hydrogenated and Can Be Filled with Trans Fats.
PUFA’s are at their very worst when they are partially or fully hydrogenated. This chemical process takes place in factories, and it’s used to make PUFA’s solid at room temperature and more “shelf stable”. Trans fat is the artery-clogging fat that is formed when vegetable oils are hardened to make margarine, vegetable shortening, and often vegan butters and cheeses, etc., as well. Trans fats prevent the synthesis of prostacyclin which is necessary to keep your blood flowing. When your arteries cannot produce prostacyclin, blood clots form, and you may succumb to sudden death.
4. What Health Conditions are Linked to Industrial Seed Oils?
- Asthma: Consuming industrial seed oils may increase your risk of asthma. A high intake of omega-6 fatty acids, such as those present in industrial seed oils, relative to omega-3 fatty acids increases pro-inflammatory mediators associated with asthma.
- Autoimmune Disease: Industrial seed oils may promote autoimmunity by raising the body’s omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio and by increasing oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.
- Cognition and Mental Health: Industrial seed oils are particularly harmful to the brain. A high omega-6-to-omega-3 fatty acid ratio predisposes individuals to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and dementia, and canola oil consumption is linked to worsened memory and impaired learning ability in Alzheimer’s disease. Trans fats, which end up in industrial seed oils unintentionally as a consequence of chemical and heat processing, and intentionally during the process of hydrogenation, are associated with increased risks of dementia and, interestingly, aggression.
- Diabetes and Obesity: Research in mice indicates that consuming high levels of linoleic acid, the primary fatty acid in industrial seed oils, alters neurotransmitter signaling, ultimately increasing food consumption and weight gain. In mice, a diet high in soybean oil induces obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and fatty liver disease, and some animal research also suggests that canola oil may cause insulin resistance.
- Heart Disease: Researcher James DiNicolantonio has presented a theory called the “oxidized linoleic acid theory of coronary heart disease” that links the consumption of linoleic acid-rich industrial seed oils with cardiovascular disease.
- IBS and IBD: Research suggests that industrial seed oils may harm gut health, contributing to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In one study, mice fed a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids from corn oil experienced increases in pro-inflammatory gut bacteria; these changes favor the development of gastrointestinal pathologies among many other chronic diseases.
- Inflammation: A high omega-6 intake from industrial seed oils promotes chronic inflammation. The consumption of both partially hydrogenated industrial seed oils and non-hydrogenated soybean oil is associated with elevations in C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha, and interleukin-6, which are biomarkers of systemic inflammation.
- Infertility: Approximately 9 percent of men and 11 percent of women in the United States have impaired fertility. While many factors are contributing to soaring rates of infertility, one overlooked cause may be our high consumption of industrial seed oils. Infertile men exhibit a significantly elevated omega-6-to-omega-3 fatty acid ratio compared to fertile men. In animal studies of female mammals, a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids causes poor reproductive outcomes.
- Macular Degeneration: Industrial seed oils may be harmful to the eyes. A high intake of omega-6 fatty acids increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that causes progressive vision loss and eventual blindness. Imbalanced levels of omega-6 consumption may contribute to eye problems by promoting inflammation and by displacing the omega-3 fatty acid DHA which is crucial for vision.
- Osteoarthritis: In individuals with osteoarthritis, there’s an association between omega-6 fatty acids and the presence of synovitis, an inflammation of the membrane that lines joint cavities. Conversely, an inverse relationship has been found between omega-3 fatty acid consumption and cartilage loss in the knee as indicated by MRI. Since industrial seed oils contribute a large amount of omega-6 fatty acids to the diet, avoiding these oils may be beneficial for those with or at risk of osteoarthritis.
5. Which Oils Should You Use for Cooking?
- Coconut Oil
- Tallow/ Suet (beef fat)
- Lard/Bacon Fat (pork fat)
- Butter
- Ghee
- Goose, Duck or Chicken Fat
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil*
- Avocado Oil*
- Palm Oil**
- Other fats (not necessarily for cooking, but essential to good health) include meats, eggs, dairy, and fish (nuts are also good in moderation as they have a high level of polyunsaturated fats).
* olive oil and avocado oil are both high in monounsaturated fats which are moderately stable so they are best used in non-heat or low heat, avoid extreme high-heat cooking. They are also great in salad dressings, homemade mayonnaise, for drizzling, etc.
Note:
You can tell if particular oil is chemically processed by simply reading the label.
AVOID all fats, oils, and the products that contain either of them if the following processing terms are listed ANYWHERE on ANY food label:
- Refined
- Hydrogenated
- Partially-Hydrogenated
- Cold-PROCESSED (do not confuse this trick phrase with Cold-PRESSED)
INSTEAD, look for these safer processing terms on your fat/oil labels:
- Organic
- First-cold pressed or Cold-Pressed Expeller-Pressed
- Unrefined
- Extra Virgin
6. The Bottom Line
If optimal health is your goal, then industrial seed oils have no place in your diet. Instead, cook with traditional animal fats, get your omega-6s from whole food sources such as nuts and poultry, and balance things out with omega-3 fatty acids from seafood, shellfish, and fish oil.