Transplating fecal bacteria from colon cancer patients into mice led to pre-cancerous lesions and damage to colon DNA. A pilot study in humans was done to develop a blood test based on this data.
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Adipose B-cells in belly fat tend to grow as we age, reduce metabolism and increase inflammation. Normal B-cells protect from infection and contract back to normal size; aging B cells don't contract.
In women, a healthy diet was linked to a reduced risk of hearing loss. Foods high in carotenoids (like beta-carotene), folate, and omega-3 fats led to reduced hearing loss in previous studies.
Ambient and household air pollution was tied to an increase in a marker of atherosclerosis (the narrowing and weakening of blood vessels), which is a precursor to cardiovascular disease.
People undergoing coronary angiograms with higher levels of omega-3 metabolites in the blood had reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or death, while not increasing prostate cancer risk.
People who improved their fitness level from poor to good status over the 30-year study cut their risk of dementia by half. Those with best fitness had a 40% reduced risk of developing dementia.
Researchers transplanted gut microbes from old mice into young, germ-free mice; the young mice had increased intestinal growth, neurogenesis, and butyrate production, a fatty acid associated with longevity.
People with greater lean muscle mass in middle age had reduced incidence of heart attacks and stroke. Those with the most muscle volume were 81% less likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
Retinal imaging is showing promise as a non-invasive method for early detection of Alzheimer's disease. The imaging characterizes light scatter changes in the retina and correlated with memory scores.
Supercentenarians (people over 110 years old) have an excess amount of cytotoxic CD4 T-cells, immune cells that can kill other cells. This likely increases their immunity to diseases and infections.
Circadian rhythm disruption plus chronic stress can lead to metabolic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes. Shift work, jet lag, or repeated inadequate sleep can disrupt the hormones associated with circadian rhythm.
Insufficient sleep was linked to increased heart disease risk and quicker signs of biological aging. Those who slept less than 5 hours per night were twice as likely to have shortened telomeres.
