Author Archives: support

The Green Mediterranean diet achieves a reduction in visceral fat that is double what the Mediterranean diet accomplishes and 10% greater than that achieved by a standard healthy diet

The Green Mediterranean diet, also known as the Green Med diet, has demonstrated a significant ability to reduce visceral adipose tissue, a type of fat that poses a greater health risk than the superficial fat around the waist. This diet was compared to the traditional Mediterranean and generally healthy diets in a comprehensive clinical trial called DIRECT PLUS. The results of this trial, published in BMC Medicine, showed that the Green Med diet led to a 14% reduction in visceral fat, compared to a 7% reduction with the Mediterranean diet, and a 4.5% decrease with the healthy diet. This highlights the effectiveness of the Green Med diet in reducing visceral fat, making it a promising option for weight loss and improved health.

The focus on reducing visceral fat is not just about weight loss, but about addressing a significant health concern. Visceral fat, which accumulates around organs over time, releases hormones and toxins that are linked to serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and even premature death. This underscores the importance of targeting visceral fat in weight loss efforts, as it can have a profound impact on overall health.

The study was spearheaded by Professor Iris Shai from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. She also holds positions as an adjunct professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and an honorary professor at the University of Leipzig, Germany. Doctoral student Dr. Hila Zelicha and collaborators from Italy, Germany, and the United States worked alongside her.

The research team behind the DIRECT-PLUS trial introduced a unique variant of the Mediterranean diet, known as the Green Mediterranean diet. This diet is enriched with dietary polyphenols and features a reduced intake of red and processed meat. Participants were instructed to include specific foods in their daily diet, such as 28 grams of walnuts, 3-4 cups of green tea, and 100 grams of a duckweed green shake (in the form of frozen cubes). Duckweed, a nutrient-rich aquatic plant, was highlighted in the diet for its high content of bioavailable protein, iron, B12, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols, making it a healthy and sustainable meat substitute.

Previous studies conducted by the team have demonstrated the Green Med diet’s broad spectrum of beneficial effects, from influencing the microbiome to combating age-related degenerative diseases. This 18-month trial involved 294 participants.

Professor Shai emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle as the foundation of any weight loss program, noting that the experiment’s outcomes underscore the significance of food quality alongside calorie count. The current objective is to decipher the impact of various nutrients, such as beneficial ones like polyphenols and harmful ones like empty carbohydrates and processed red meat, on the rate of fat cell differentiation and their accumulation in the viscera.

Dr Hila Zelicha remarked on the dramatic achievement of a 14% reduction in visceral fat through simple dietary and lifestyle alterations, highlighting that the actual value of weight loss is realized when it leads to substantial decreases in adipose tissue.

More information: Hila Zelicha et al, The effect of high-polyphenol Mediterranean diet on visceral adiposity: the DIRECT PLUS randomized controlled trial, BMC Medicine. DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02525-8

Journal information: BMC Medicine Provided by Ben Gurion University of the Negev

The functional capacity of individuals in their advanced years can be likened to an ecosystem that is prone to collapse upon facing disturbances

Leave a Reply

As individuals age, the interconnections between various facets of their functional capacity tend to strengthen, potentially signalling a diminished resilience of the system. Research conducted by the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland highlighted this phenomenon. The study posited that an increased interdependency among functional capacity domains could precipitate a cascade of impairments following a single disruption, emphasising the necessity of a holistic approach to maintaining physical and mental health.

Envisioning human functional capacity as an ecosystem composed of mobility, sensory perception, cognitive abilities, and mental health, the study underscores the system’s resilience in weathering and rebounding from adversities as one age.

Employing network analysis on a population scale, the investigation revealed that older individuals and those in poorer health exhibited tighter linkages between functional capacity domains, mirroring the resilience observed in other systems, such as ecological or economic frameworks.

Kaisa Koivunen, a postdoctoral researcher, drew parallels between the vulnerabilities of highly interconnected economies and the human functional system. While interconnectivity between body and mind is crucial, an overly dependent system could trigger a domino effect, where a fault in one domain precipitates a systemic collapse, a scenario that should raise concerns among healthcare professionals and policymakers.

A resilient functional capacity ecosystem maintains, for instance, a surplus of muscle strength to prevent a chain reaction of decline—where a temporary loss, such as during a period of bed rest, does not spiral into broader incapacitation or mental health issues. This system’s diversity enables behavioural adaptations, ensuring vital activities remain achievable.

Professor Taina Rantanen, the Principal Investigator of the AGNES study, highlighted the human capacity for adaptation through the utilisation of reserve capacities to offset deficiencies. She illustrated how individuals with reduced mobility might still navigate their environments with alternative strategies, like driving, provided other functional capacities remain intact. However, as these compensatory mechanisms wane, so does overall resilience.

The study paves the way for applying cross-disciplinary resilience frameworks to health and functional capacity domains. It introduces the concept of critical transitions—sudden declines in health and functionality triggered by disturbances surpassing the body’s coping threshold. While such transitions have been extensively studied in ecological systems, their application to human health and functionality is less explored.

Koivunen suggests that future research could potentially identify impending critical transitions between functional capability and impairment by analysing the density of the body’s system network. This promising avenue of research could significantly advance our understanding of aging and functional capacity, instilling hope for a continued high quality of life in aging populations.

More information: Kaisa Koivunen et al, Investigating resilience through intrinsic capacity networks in older adults, The Journals of Gerontology Series A. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glae048

Journal information: The Journals of Gerontology Series A Provided by University of Jyväskylä

Selenium diminishes the adverse health impacts of mixtures of environmental pollutants

Leave a Reply

The groundbreaking research conducted at the University of Cordoba has illuminated the cumulative health risks of environmental pollutants, particularly the toxic amalgamation of metal and pharmaceutical residues that infiltrate our water and food sources. This study has not only underscored the potential mitigating effects of incorporating selenium into the diet but also provided a new perspective on the complex interplay of these dangers.

Daily exposure to potentially harmful external substances is unavoidable in modern life. Metals like arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, alongside pharmaceutical residues such as diclofenac and flumequine, often find their way into our environment in concentrations that, when combined, surpass their individual threat levels due to synergistic interactions. This complex interplay escalates their toxicity, posing a significant health risk.

The magnitude of the impact of environmental pollution on living organisms cannot be overstated. Developing safety regulations that limit human exposure to these pollutants is of utmost importance. However, the issue becomes exponentially more intricate when dealing with pollutant mixtures. Even at doses deemed acceptable for each individual compound, their combined effect can lead to unforeseen and potentially severe consequences.

Aiming to demystify the health implications of these “contaminant cocktails,” a research team from the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department at the University of Cordoba embarked on a study. The team, consisting of Nieves Abril, Paula Huertas, María José Prieto, and Juan Jurado, specifically focused on a prevalent environmental mixture that accumulates through the food chain: a concoction of metals and drugs.

The study meticulously explored the interaction between these contaminants through a controlled exposure of mice to the mixture, observing its effects on liver protein expression over two weeks. Professor Nieves Abril elaborated on their method, highlighting their use of shotgun proteomics to identify significant alterations in protein behaviour compared to a control group. This approach unveiled a synergistic damage enhancement when these contaminants were combined, leading to a compromised health state.

Upon analyzing 275 sentinel proteins, the researchers could map out the disrupted metabolic pathways and their detrimental health effects. They noted an overactive defence response, which paradoxically inflicted more harm by continuously triggering antioxidant defences without allowing them to deactivate. This phenomenon resulted in significant oxidative stress, rendering many proteins dysfunctional.

In its search for a solution, the study pointed towards selenium, a mineral commonly found in dietary supplements. A separate group of mice treated with selenium showed a marked improvement in handling the molecular damage inflicted by the pollutants. Selenium, though an oxidant in its own right, fostered a controlled activation of the body’s defensive mechanisms, enhancing its overall resilience against such contaminants.

This research, supported by the Research Support (SCAI) and Experimental Animals (SAEX) services, has expanded our understanding of the threats posed by everyday pollutants and offered a glimmer of hope. Selenium supplementation is a viable method to alleviate the adverse health effects caused by our constant exposure to a mixture of environmental pollutants.

More information: Paula V. Huertas-Abril et al, Proteomic analysis of the hepatic response to a pollutant mixture in mice. The protective action of selenium, Science of The Total Environment. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166558

Journal information: Science of The Total Environment Provided by University of Córdoba

Treatment through brain stimulation could enhance the well-being of older adults suffering from depression and anxiety

Leave a Reply

In a recent study led by the University of Florida, a noninvasive method of brain stimulation showed promise in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety among older adults. The study found that those who began with higher levels of symptoms saw the most significant improvements. Notably, for individuals experiencing moderate to severe anxiety linked to stressful situations, the benefits of this treatment were sustained even after a year.

This research, detailed in the Brain Stimulation journal, explored the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a viable, non-pharmacological therapy for depression and anxiety, which impacts approximately one in four older adults. Adam Woods, Ph.D., a senior author of the study, highlighted the importance of such noninvasive treatments. These options are especially crucial for individuals who do not respond to traditional medication, cannot access or engage in intensive treatment programs, or face other barriers.

The University of Florida study observed the treatment’s efficacy not only in participants with clinically diagnosable depression and anxiety but also in those with subclinical levels of these conditions. Subclinical symptoms, which may not fulfil the criteria for a formal diagnosis, can nonetheless contribute to cognitive decline in older adults.

The procedure involves a mild electrical current passed through electrodes on the scalp, targeting the prefrontal cortex— a brain area involved in cognitive and emotional regulation. The study, part of the National Institute on Aging-funded initiative, is the largest and involved nearly 400 older adults across the University of Florida and the University of Arizona sites. Participants were divided into groups receiving 12 weeks of tDCS alongside cognitive or cognitive training with a placebo tDCS.

Beyond improvements in depression and anxiety, the study collected comprehensive data, including cognitive function, brain imaging, and self-reported psychological symptoms. Results showed that tDCS recipients experienced significant enhancements in managing mild depression and state anxiety when compared to those who received placebo treatment.

Hanna Hausman, the study’s lead author, emphasized the novelty and significance of finding such positive outcomes in older adults without significant psychiatric histories, especially on a large scale. She suggested that these findings could pave the way for future research, including a phase 3 clinical trial to investigate further the effects of tDCS and cognitive training on anxiety in older adults.

Internationally, tDCS has already been recognized for its potential; for instance, the Korea Food and Drug Administration has approved it for at-home depression treatment. With additional research, this treatment could gain approval in the U.S., offering a cost-effective, portable, and user-friendly option for managing mental health. Hausman noted the potential for tDCS to be integrated with existing therapies or used independently, enhancing accessibility for those facing challenges in accessing conventional clinical care.

More information: Hanna K. Hausman et al, tDCS reduces depression and state anxiety symptoms in older adults from the augmenting cognitive training in older adults study (ACT), Brain Stimulation. DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.02.021

Journal information: Brain Stimulation Provided by University of Florida

Prolonged musculoskeletal pain could hasten the ageing of the brain

Leave a Reply

In research outlined in Nature Mental Health, teams from China and the United States have discovered that individuals experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) may be at an elevated risk of experiencing accelerated ageing of the brain.

CMP stands as a primary reason for disability worldwide, afflicting over 40% of the global populace and detrimentally affecting cognitive abilities. The precise processes behind this condition remain elusive, thereby obstructing efforts toward its prevention and treatment. Nonetheless, studies suggest that individuals with CMP exhibit elevated inflammatory markers linked to brain ageing, proposing a connection between CMP and the ageing brain.

In response to these findings, a group headed by Professor TU Yiheng from the Institute of Psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, alongside international colleagues, delved into the ageing patterns of the brain and the mechanisms at play in various CMP scenarios. Their research particularly underscores the link between chronic knee pain, mainly due to knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and the hastening of brain ageing.

Employing structural MRI data from upwards of 9,000 individuals, the team crafted a model to gauge brain age against chronological age. Their findings indicated that individuals suffering from KOA, identified through the UK Biobank and further corroborated by replication datasets from local communities, exhibited signs of faster brain ageing compared to their healthier counterparts. Moreover, brain regions integral to cognitive functions, such as the hippocampus, were implicated in this accelerated ageing process.

“Beyond pinpointing the specific rapid aging in the brains of those with KOA, we, more critically, furnished longitudinal proof of our brain aging marker’s predictive power regarding future memory deterioration and an increased likelihood of dementia,” commented Prof. TU, the study’s lead correspondent.

Furthermore, the study explored the genetic underpinnings, identifying the gene SLC39A8 as a mutual factor between KOA and rapid brain ageing. This gene’s expression in microglial cells and astrocytes highlights the possible involvement of inflammation and neurodevelopment in the phenomena observed.

The investigation not only underlines the neurocognitive consequences of KOA but also paves the way for novel approaches in the early detection and intervention of dementia risk factors.

This collaborative effort, bridging multidisciplinary expertise from China and the United States, emphasizes the collective determination to tackle the complex interplay of global ageing, chronic pain, and cognitive deterioration.

More information: Lei Zhao et al, Morphological and genetic decoding shows heterogeneous patterns of brain aging in chronic musculoskeletal pain, Nature Mental Health. DOI: 10.1038/s44220-024-00223-3

Journal information: Nature Mental Health Provided by Chinese Academy of Sciences

Researchers at York University have discovered that women with high-risk HPV and metabolic syndrome are almost three times more likely to face mortality

Leave a Reply

Researchers from the Faculty of Health at York University have made a significant discovery by utilizing comprehensive data from the United States that tracked patients over more than ten years. They found that women who have both metabolic syndrome and high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) face a mortality risk that is 2.6 times higher compared to women who have neither condition. This finding highlights the importance of considering comorbid chronic diseases when evaluating the risk associated with HPV-related cancers.

Catriona Buick, an Assistant Professor at the School of Nursing and an Oncology Nurse Clinician Scientist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, has made notable contributions to this study. Buick, recognized for her expertise in HPV, women’s health, and cancer care, collaborated with Parmis Mirzadeh, a PhD student at the School of Kinesiology and Health Science focusing on obesity and metabolic illness. Together, they delved into the link between these conditions and mortality risk.

The data for this groundbreaking study, published in PLOS ONE, originated from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and encompassed a final sample of 5,101 individuals, including 3,274 women. The researchers identified that over a quarter of the women with metabolic syndrome were also affected by high-risk HPV. Interestingly, the study did not find a direct increase in mortality risk associated with HPV status alone. The researchers suggest this could be due to the data only providing a momentary glimpse into whether a woman had HPV without the ability to assess the virus’s persistence over time.

Buick sheds light on HPV, noting its status as the most common sexually transmitted infection, often likened to the “common flu” of STIs. She explains that while the human body can typically clear HPV relatively quickly, persistent cases of high-risk HPV may lead to precancerous changes in the cervix and, over many years, potentially develop into cervical cancer.

Of the 200 known HPV strains, most do not pose a significant threat; however, a few are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases, which account for 4.5% of all cancer cases globally. Metabolic syndrome, on the other hand, is characterized by a group of conditions that elevate the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These include increased waist circumference, elevated fasting blood sugar levels, and high blood pressure. Although the direct impact of metabolic syndrome on HPV was not a focal point of this study, individuals with metabolic syndrome are approximately 65% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and 25% more likely to die from any cause. The researchers suggest that the link between metabolic syndrome and HPV could be related to a weakened immune response and chronic inflammation. However, further research is needed to explore a direct physiological pathway.

With one in five Canadian adults diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and the prevalence of this condition on the rise, both Buick and Mirzadeh stress the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, undergoing routine cancer screenings, and getting vaccinated for HPV. There is a shift in Canada and globally from Pap smears to HPV testing, which Buick suggests can offer earlier warnings of potential issues and does not require as frequent testing. Despite the effectiveness of HPV vaccinations in protecting against some of the most common cancer-causing HPV strains, Buick emphasizes the necessity of cervical screening for everyone with a cervix, regardless of vaccination status.

More information: Parmis Mirzadeh et al, Association between human papillomaviruses, metabolic syndrome, and all-cause death; analysis of the U.S. NHANES 2003–2004 to 2015–2016, PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299479

Journal information: PLoS ONE Provided by York University

Research indicates that middle-aged individuals in America experience greater loneliness compared to their European counterparts, proposing that loneliness during midlife is widespread

Leave a Reply

Contrary to prevalent assertions, the notion that middle-aged Americans are in the throes of a loneliness epidemic may not hold water. Fresh insights suggest that for individuals aged between 45 and 65, loneliness might be a persistent, ever-present condition rather than an escalating crisis.

Loneliness transcends mere emotional discomfort; it harbours the significant potential to deteriorate physical health, drawing parallels to the health hazards of smoking as many as 15 cigarettes daily. Nevertheless, recent studies have illuminated a concerning trend: not only do middle-aged Americans report higher levels of loneliness compared to their contemporaries in Europe and Israel, but an intergenerational escalation of loneliness is observable in both the U.S. and Europe.

This study, spearheaded by scholars at the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University, has garnered attention through its publication in the journal American Psychologist.

“Especially notable are the soaring loneliness levels among middle-aged Americans, particularly those within the baby boomer demographic. Yet, it’s becoming apparent that middle-aged adults in England, Italy, Spain, and Greece are beginning to exhibit loneliness levels that mirror those of their American counterparts,” commented Frank Infurna, an associate professor of psychology at ASU.

Loneliness arises from the disparity between actual and desired connections with others. It has gained significant recognition as a public health concern, prompted by actions such as the U.S. Surgeon General’s Health Advisory, which aims to mitigate loneliness’s impact. However, the underlying causes remain elusive.

The foundation of this study is comprehensive datasets encompassing nationally representative samples of adults aged 45–65 across 14 countries, including the Health and Retirement Study in the U.S., the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, which cover a wide array of nations.

Examining loneliness trends across various geographies and over time, the researchers observed notable generational differences in loneliness levels among the countries studied.

The baby boomer generation across all 14 countries reported the highest levels of loneliness, with American baby boomers significantly outpacing their international peers.

“For this cohort, the pronounced disparity in loneliness levels between Americans and individuals of the same age in other countries is stark and troubling,” Infurna remarked.

The study revealed a distinct pattern for Generation X, where Americans reported heightened loneliness levels, only marginally surpassed by those in England.

The research also focused on the evolution of loneliness, tracing how loneliness levels fluctuated within each generation as they aged from 45 to 65.

For American baby boomers born between 1946–54, a marked increase in loneliness was noted as they neared 65. For those born after 1955, however, loneliness levels plateaued, albeit at distressingly high levels. This increasing trend was mirrored in Generation X.

Conversely, loneliness levels remained stable among baby boomers in several European countries and Israel. Yet, baby boomers and Generation X saw a sharp rise in loneliness in Italy, Spain, and Greece from ages 40 to 65.

Among all nations studied, middle-aged adults across all generations in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden reported the lowest loneliness. Nevertheless, in these countries, baby boomers also reported the highest levels of loneliness.

Infurna views this study as an initial step towards addressing whether loneliness is widespread or deeply ingrained.

“While individuals can combat isolation and loneliness through community engagement, like volunteering, there’s a critical demand for systemic support. Initiatives aimed at assisting adult caregivers and providing financial support can significantly contribute. Such interventions can afford middle-aged adults, who often balance employment and caregiving responsibilities, the opportunity and resources to foster connections.

“This study’s findings further suggest that the lowest reported loneliness levels correspond with countries that boast comprehensive government-supported safety nets,” Infurna concluded.

More information: Infurna, F. J., Dey, N. E. Y., Gonzalez Avilés, T., Grimm, K. J., Lachman, M. E., & Gerstorf, D. Loneliness in midlife: Historical increases and elevated levels in the United States compared with Europe, American Psychologist. DOI: 10.1037/amp0001322

Journal information: American Psychologist Provided by Arizona State University

Impact of keratin microsphere gel on hair growth in mice

Leave a Reply

The skin acts as a protective barrier that limits the infiltration of particles and safeguards against external hazards. Recent studies have shown that small particles laden with substances that promote hair growth can bypass this barrier to reach the hair follicles. Research conducted by the University of Tsukuba revealed that the topical use of a gel made from water-soluble oxidized keratin (referred to as keratin microsphere gel) on mice significantly boosted cell proliferation and increased the expression of genes linked to hair growth within the papilla cells of hair follicles, thus encouraging hair growth.

Upon applying the keratin microsphere gel, which is water-based, to the shaved areas on the backs of mice, hair began to regrow from the second day after application, and the speed of hair growth increased over time. This outcome was comparable to that observed with minoxidil, a well-known hair growth enhancer. Additionally, genetic analysis of tissue samples from the dorsal skin of the mice showed a significant increase in the expression of genes that play a role in regulating the hair cycle and maintaining skin balance. Furthermore, a skin model was created to assess the effect of keratin microspheres on papilla cells. This model consisted of a co-culture with an epidermal layer derived from human cells on top and primary human papilla cells underneath. The gene expression analysis in this model confirmed the stimulating effects of keratin microspheres on papilla cells, showcasing the gel’s ability to penetrate through the skin.

This research not only unveils the potential of keratin microsphere gel to promote hair growth but also underscores its safety and productivity. Given that keratin is a vital component of both hair and skin, its use as a hair growth stimulant is expected to be both safe and effective, with minimal risk of adverse side effects.

More information: Meriem Bejaoui et al, Keratin Microspheres as Promising Tool for Targeting Follicular Growth, ACS Applied Bio Materials. DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00956

Journal information: ACS Applied Bio Materials Provided by University of Tsukuba

Are you aware that regular exercise can shield you from enduring chronic pain?

Leave a Reply

In 2023, a groundbreaking collaborative study involving researchers from UiT The Arctic University of Norway, the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN), and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health unveiled a wealth of knowledge from a group exceeding 10,000 adults. They unearthed a significant revelation: individuals who engaged in regular physical activity demonstrated a remarkable ability to endure pain compared to their less active counterparts. What’s more, a compelling correlation emerged: the more intense the physical activity, the higher the pain tolerance observed, underscoring the profound impact of exercise on pain management.

Prompted by these findings, the research team delved deeper to explore the potential long-term impacts of physical activity on the likelihood of developing chronic pain years down the line. A particular focus was placed on understanding the relationship between physical activity and pain tolerance, pondering whether this could be a critical factor in mitigating the risk of chronic pain.

Anders Årnes, a doctoral fellow at UiT and UNN and a pivotal contributor to the study, shared some significant insights. He noted that individuals more physically active during leisure time had a noticeably lower risk of encountering various forms of chronic pain 7 to 8 years later. A modest increase in activity levels, such as moving from light to moderate exercise, was linked to a 5% reduction in the risk of reporting chronic pain in the future. Moreover, for individuals experiencing severe chronic pain in multiple areas, a higher level of activity correlated with a 16% decrease in risk.

The research also probed into cold pain tolerance to measure the body’s ability to endure pain, shedding light on the protective benefits of being physically active. It was found that an increased capacity to tolerate pain could explain the observed reduction in the risk of developing severe chronic pain, regardless of its spread across the body.

Anders Årnes emphasized, “This suggests that physical activity enhances our pain tolerance, potentially serving as a mechanism through which it helps lower the risk of severe chronic pain.”

The study, which was part of the extensive Tromsø survey that has been tracking health and lifestyle data for decades, involved nearly 7,000 participants. After assessing their leisure-time exercise habits, the researchers evaluated their ability to handle cold-induced pain in a lab setting. Subsequently, they examined whether these individuals reported experiencing pain lasting three months or longer, including pain that was widespread or particularly intense.

Out of the study participants, 60% reported some form of chronic pain, yet only 5% suffered from severe pain in multiple areas. The occurrence of more severe pain conditions was relatively rare.

These findings were recently published in the PAIN Journal, affiliated with the International Association for the Study of Pain.

On the topic of exercise for those already dealing with chronic pain, the researchers advise caution but also highlight the potential benefits. According to Årnes, physical activity can be incredibly beneficial for individuals with chronic pain when appropriately tailored. He suggests that healthcare professionals experienced in managing chronic pain can offer valuable guidance in creating an appropriate exercise regimen. The aim is to find a balanced level of effort that avoids exacerbating the condition. A fundamental guideline is to avoid activities that lead to persistent worsening of symptoms, although some immediate reactions post-exercise may be expected.

More information: Årnes, Anders Pedersen et al, Does pain tolerance mediate the effect of physical activity on chronic pain in the general population? The Tromsø Study, Pain. DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003209

Journal information: Pain Provided by UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Investigations have revealed concerns related to security, privacy, and safety in technology applications designed for women, specifically those used for monitoring fertility, menopause, and menstrual cycles

Leave a Reply

Scholars are urging regulatory measures following their investigation, which underscored security and privacy concerns in women-centric technologies (FemTech), including period-tracking apps and smart devices for fertility and menopause.

Researchers from prestigious institutions such as Royal Holloway, University of London, Newcastle University, University of London, and ETH Zurich have pinpointed severe security, privacy, and safety vulnerabilities in FemTech. These vulnerabilities could endanger users.

The dangers identified include unauthorized access by the applications to users’ personal contacts, cameras, microphones, locations, and other sensitive data (for instance, medical scans), along with system settings and accounts, thereby heightening security and privacy risks.

These applications and Internet of Things (IoT) devices amass extensive data about users, their families (children, partners, and other relatives), and their physical and surrounding environments through integrated sensors.

The studies reveal that such data collection methods could disclose highly personal and intimate information about users (like gender, fertility, and health data) to external parties.

FemTech refers to a range of digital solutions aimed at improving women’s health and well-being, encompassing apps, software, and wearable technology, from menstrual cycle trackers and fertility monitoring devices to IVF services.

The findings, published in the journals Frontiers in the Internet of Things and Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security Workshop, have prompted the authors to call on policymakers to recognize and address the risks associated with these technologies in relevant legislation.

The sector is projected to surpass $75 billion in value by 2025. The technologies reviewed in this study range from breast pumps and cycle trackers to Kegel exercisers, sexual wellness products, menopause solutions, digital pill organizers, and overall health monitors.

The research team evaluated current UK, EU, and Swiss regulations on FemTech to pinpoint regulatory shortfalls, industry compliance issues, and enforcement issues by experimenting with various FemTech smart devices, applications, and websites.

Their analysis indicates that existing regulations need to be revised to mitigate the risks linked to these technologies. Neither the EU nor the UK medical device regulations currently refer to FemTech data and user protection specifically. Although the GDPR and Swiss FADP mention sensitive and unique category data overlapping with FemTech data, industry practices often involve non-compliant data collection and sharing methods.

The study also highlighted industry non-compliance, identifying several FemTech systems with questionable security and privacy practices. These systems often do not classify as medical devices, fail to obtain valid consent, provide inadequate protection for sensitive data, and track users without permission.

Moreover, the research revealed that not only is such intimate data collected by FemTech systems, but it is also processed and sold to third parties.

These findings underscore a significant gap in research and guidelines for the development of cyber-secure, privacy-focused, and safe products.

Dr Maryam Mehrnezhad, the study’s lead author and Senior Lecturer at Royal Holloway, emphasized the varied threats to users’ data in FemTech, particularly concerning fertility and sexual health.

Since 2019, the team has been exploring security and privacy in this field, finding that users are indeed worried about how FemTech products manage their sensitive data. The team actively shares its findings with the industry and regulatory bodies, like the Information Commissioner’s Office, advocating for collaborative efforts to enable the safe and risk-free use of FemTech solutions to enhance users’ lives.

Professor Mike Catt, a co-author from Newcastle University, stressed the need for regulatory bodies to update and strengthen guidelines for the development and use of secure, private, and safe FemTech products.

He highlighted that many apps gain access to mobile and device resources, some of which are categorized as high-risk according to Google’s protection levels. This access could compromise contacts, cameras, microphones, locations, and other personal information. Specific permissions pose security and privacy risks, such as access to system settings and other accounts on the device. Users, especially those sharing sensitive health and gender-related data, deserve enhanced protection.

More information: Maryam Mehrnezhad et al, Mind the FemTech gap: regulation failings and exploitative systems, Frontiers in the Internet of Things. DOI: 10.3389/friot.2024.1296599

Journal information: Frontiers in the Internet of Things Provided by Newcastle University

At least one-third of cancer patients are affected by financial toxicity

Leave a Reply

Financial distress, known as “financial toxicity,” is experienced by at least a third of Canadians diagnosed with cancer, adding a significant burden on top of their diagnosis. This concern was highlighted in a Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) commentary.

Financial toxicity encompasses the wide-ranging direct, indirect, and emotional costs that patients incur following a cancer diagnosis. According to Dr Rachel Murphy of the University of British Columbia and the BC Cancer Research Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia, along with coauthor Truman Wood, this form of toxicity is gaining recognition as a significant factor influencing adverse health and cancer outcomes.

A substantial portion of cancer medication, especially those that patients can administer at home, does not receive funding from provincial healthcare plans. Additionally, only 60% of Canadians can access private insurance plans that might cover these medications. Patients face other financial challenges, such as home care costs, parking during numerous hospital visits, travel and accommodation expenses for treatment if living outside major urban areas, loss of income, childcare, and other related costs.

The authors of the commentary have pointed out that financial toxicity represents a pressing issue within Canadian cancer care, one that threatens to impact a significant number of individuals. This is especially concerning considering the anticipated increase in cancer cases in Canada, the escalating prices of new cancer treatments, and the overall rise in living costs.

The authors suggest several measures to mitigate these financial challenges: federal and provincial backing for home care and medical equipment, enhancement of benefits for sick leave and disability, and pharmacare support. Cancer centres might also introduce patient navigation programs to connect individuals with supportive services and look into providing parking fee concessions and transportation services for patients in financial distress.

The commentary underscores that those with lower incomes face the highest risk of financial burden and its consequent negative impacts, including worse health outcomes. It calls for innovations and transformations within the health system that do not ignore the crucial support needed to manage cancer’s financial burden on patients and their families.

More information: Truman F. Wood et al, Tackling financial toxicity related to cancer care in Canada, Canadian Medical Association Journal. DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.230677

Journal information: Canadian Medical Association Journal

Sea cucumbers: the oceanic treat that may combat diabetes

Leave a Reply

Across Asia, sea cucumbers are esteemed for their culinary appeal and emerging role in diabetes prevention, as recent findings from the University of South Australia revealed. Delving into the curative attributes of sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra), the study uncovers that sea cucumbers, when processed and dried with salt, can impede the formation of a compound closely linked to heightened diabetes risk, thereby potentially reducing the disease’s onset.

Currently, the market lacks a direct therapeutic solution to prevent the generation of this problematic compound, known as Advanced Glycation End product (AGE). AGEs result from proteins and fats merging with sugars in the bloodstream, leading to detrimental effects when amassed in significant quantities. Such effects include exacerbating diabetes-related complications like heart conditions, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, kidney ailments, and cancer.

UniSA’s Dr Permal Deo, the study’s principal investigator, highlights the significance of understanding the capacity of sea cucumbers’ bioactive elements to block AGEs, which could safeguard against these illnesses. Dr Deo points out, “Given the link between AGEs accumulation and type 2 diabetes complications, identifying preventative measures could mitigate the risk of such conditions.”

Dr Deo, the lead researcher at UniSA, further elucidates on the potential of biologically active substances found in medicinal flora and foodstuffs as preventative agents against diabetic complications. The study, which investigated the AGE-inhibiting properties of sea cucumbers, uncovered their remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. These findings are of significant importance, revealing that sea cucumbers, mainly when processed and dried with salt and collagen, can significantly suppress AGEs, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.

In Australia alone, close to 1.3 million individuals live with type 2 diabetes, a condition affecting approximately 422 million people worldwide. This global health issue results in 1.5 million deaths each year directly linked to diabetes.

Dietary and lifestyle alterations can delay or even prevent about 60 per cent of type 2 diabetes cases. The research presents compelling evidence that sea cucumbers, with their unique properties, could be harnessed as a functional food to combat diabetes onset and its associated complications. This discovery offers a novel and potentially promising approach to managing this widespread health challenge.

More information: Hoi Y. Wong et al, Holothuria scabra Jaegar 1833 (Sandfish) extracts and collagens modulate protein-bound Nε-carboxymethyllysine, Nε-carboxyethyllysine and methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone-1 levels, International Journal of Food Science and Technology. DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.16341

Journal information: International Journal of Food Science and Technology Provided by University of South Australia