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You’ll likely lose some of your memory and thinking abilities as you age, but nutrients called flavanols might help thwart that decline, a new study suggests. Not getting enough flavanols — natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables and even chocolate — could be driving that age-related memory loss, researchers say. This research is the pinnacle of 15 years of work showing that flavanols seem to benefit the dentate gyrus, an area within the brain’s hippocampus that is critical to memory. “This is the first time we can conclude that flavanols are acting as a nutrient for the aging brain,” said Dr. Scott Small, a professor of neurology and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. “We show in this study, because we had biomarkers of flavanols, that if you’re relatively deficient in your flavanols, that seems to be driving your age-related memory decline.” This study was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Mars Edge, a subsidiary of the candy company. It’s possible that just as babies need certain nutrients for their developing brains, the aging brain also requires specific nutrients for optimal health, Small said. Now that people live longer, scientists are looking into a series of recommendations of nutrients that are beneficial for the aging body and brain, he noted. “I’d like to… read on > read on >

If you’re one of the millions of folks living with type 2 diabetes, you know that regular exercise can help you keep your blood sugar in check. Now, new research suggests that working out in the afternoon may help maximize these benefits. The new study wasn’t designed to say how, or even if, exercising in the afternoon is better for blood sugar control, but researchers have some theories. “If we exercise after a meal, it may be more beneficial than after fasting, and if you exercise in the afternoon, it is likely after a meal,” said study author Jingyi Qian. She is an associate physiologist and associate director of the medical chronobiology program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. By contrast, folks who work out in the morning may not eat breakfast until after they are finished. This doesn’t mean that you should skip your workout if you can’t find time in the afternoon, Qian cautioned. “The best time to exercise is whenever you can and wherever you can.” For the study, more than 2,400 people with type 2 diabetes wore a device on their waist that tracked physical activity for a week when the study began and four years later. They were grouped based on the time of day that they exercised at one year and four years. Afternoon exercisers, those who worked… read on > read on >

Teens need their sleep, and a new study sheds light on one way to help them get it: Keep cellphones and screens out of the bedroom. “Getting enough sleep is crucial for teenagers because it helps their body and mind grow and develop properly,” said lead author Dr. Jason Nagata, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. “Our research found that keeping screens outside of the bedroom, turning off device notifications, and avoiding social media use in bed is associated with better sleep among adolescents. If you wake up during the night, don’t check your phone or social media,” Nagata said in a University of Toronto news release. The American Psychological Association and the U.S. Surgeon General have issued advisories on social media and youth mental health in recent weeks, noting links between social media and poor sleep quality. For this study, the researchers analyzed data collected between 2018 and 2020 from more than 10,000 kids (aged 10 to 14) who are part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Kids and parents answered questions about sleep habits. Youth also provided information about their screen and social media use at bedtime. About 16% of the children reported at least several days of trouble falling or staying asleep in the previous two weeks. About 17% reported being woken up by phone… read on > read on >

Microplastic pollution is altering the gut microbiomes of wild seabirds and that could be a warning sign for humans, researchers report. Scientists from McGill University in Montreal, along with colleagues from around the world, found that tiny bits of plastic present in the gastrointestinal system of seabirds have modified the gut’s microbiome. The plastics are also reducing levels of advantageous bacteria typically found within the intestines. “Our discoveries mirror the conditions experienced by wildlife. Given that humans also ingest microplastics through environmental exposure and food consumption, this study should serve as a cautionary signal,” the researchers warned. Their findings were recently published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution. Scientists have long been concerned about microplastics, minute fragments of plastic about 5 mm in size found everywhere from deep in the oceans to isolated territories in Antarctica and in the fish people eat. “The gut microbiome encompasses the entire assemblage of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, crucially involved in regulating processes such as food digestion, immune system function, central nervous system activity, and other vital bodily functions. It serves as a pivotal indicator of overall health and well-being,” study co-author Julia Baak said in a McGill news release. She’s a PhD candidate in natural resource sciences at McGill. The research team analyzed the gut microbiome of two seabird species: the northern fulmar and the… read on > read on >

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system and leaves patients suffering from a host of symptoms, and now new research finds life stressors can make those symptoms even worse. Poverty, abuse and divorce in childhood and adulthood can significantly impact the level of disability someone with MS experiences, according to researchers from Michigan Medicine. “MS is the leading cause of non-traumatic disability among young adults, and additional research is needed to identify these external drivers of disability that can be addressed or prevented, including stress, to improve functional outcomes,” said study co-author Dr. Tiffany Braley. She is director of the multiple sclerosis/neuroimmunology division and multidisciplinary MS Fatigue and Sleep Clinic at University of Michigan Health, in Ann Arbor. “This knowledge is needed to inform MS research as well as clinical care. Referrals to resources, such as mental health or substance use support, could help reduce the impact of stress and enhance well-being,” Braley added. For the study, the researchers used survey data from more than 700 people with MS. While the findings showed impact from both childhood and adult stressors on relapse after the start of the pandemic, the impact of childhood stress on disease lost significance when further accounting for experiences in adulthood. Studies on stress and MS that don’t focus on the whole life span may miss… read on > read on >

Limited “heading” of a soccer ball in youth sports may not cause irreversible harm, as long as players are properly trained, a new study finds. This study from concussion researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) looked at the consequences of repeated head impacts shortly after the impact. They did this using six different tests. They found that having a small number of repeated soccer headers equivalent to a throw-in did not cause immediate neurophysiological problems for teens. “Soccer is a sport where intentionally using your head to hit the ball is an integral part of the game, and concern over its long-term effects has parents, caregivers and coaches understandably concerned,” said study co-author Colin Huber, a postdoctoral research fellow at Emory University in Atlanta. He conducted this research while with the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at CHOP. “We wanted to simulate these effects in a controlled laboratory setting and build upon the work of prior studies to quantitatively assess the neurophysiological effects of repeated soccer heading,” Huber said in a hospital news release. In professional sports, repeatedly heading the ball has been linked to long-term brain health issues for some athletes, even without initial symptoms. Short-term impacts have been poorly understood in youth athletes, but limits have been set. In 2015, the U.S. Soccer Federation limited soccer headers for teens during practice… read on > read on >

Your achy joints may suggest that you take it easy. Don’t listen to them, experts say. If it hurts when you get up from a chair or climb stairs, you might have osteoarthritis. If so, it’s best to keep moving. “While the pain from osteoarthritis worsens with activity and improves with rest, exercise is still the most cost-effective treatment for it,” said Dr. Kathryn Dao, an associate professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. “Studies have shown exercise can build cartilage, strengthen muscles, and improve joint function and bone mass. Patients who exercise also have better balance and a lower risk of falling,” Dao, a rheumatology specialist, said in a medical center news release. This type of arthritis is caused by degenerative changes in the cartilage that connects joints and cushions the ends of bones. Symptoms can include pain, stiffness and limited mobility. You may have tenderness at the joint, along with swelling or popping sounds. The condition affects about 1 in 7 American adults, most commonly affecting hands, knees, hips and spine. Arthritis is common with age, but can also develop because of past injuries or surgeries, Dao said. It’s more likely to occur when a joint has endured repetitive stress, such as with a particular sport or job. Obesity is another risk factor. People with inflammatory arthritis, such as… read on > read on >

The last thing you want to invite to your Memorial Day cookout is foodborne illness. An expert from Virginia Tech offers some suggestions for keeping it at bay, even when cooking something you may have less experience with, such as plant-based or turkey burgers instead of beef patties. “If you choose the classic ground beef burger, it should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160° F, or 71° C,” said Melissa Wright, director of the Food Producer Technical Assistance Program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Department of Food Science and Technology at Virginia Tech. “There are many alternative burger options, and knowing the correct internal temperature for each type is the best way to make sure your long weekend isn’t ruined by foodborne illness,” Wright added. For ground chicken or turkey, the appropriate temperature is 165° F. Impossible burgers, made with soy protein, should be cooked to 160° F. Their Beyond burgers counterparts, made with pea protein, and Morningstar Farms burgers, with chickpea protein, need to reach 165° F. That’s also the temperature that black bean burgers should reach, Wright advised. Ground bison needs to reach 160° F. Both ground elk and ground salmon need to get to 145° F. “Food continues to cook after being removed from the heat source, so it’s alright to remove your burger from the grill… read on > read on >

When going on vacation, there’s a lot to remember, but it’s a good idea if you add one more item to the to-do list. Baylor College of Medicine in Houston suggests creating a family travel medical checklist, to be sure that you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe while you’re away. “Traveling can expose families to different environments, climates and potential health risks. A medical travel checklist makes families take a step back to ensure the necessary precautions to protect their health and safety,” said Dr. Mike Ren, an assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor. “A list should include essential items such as medications, first aid supplies and personal protective equipment,” he said in a college news release. Talk to your primary care provider before you leave to get advice about vaccinations and medications you may need, depending on where in the world you’re traveling to. Make sure any family members on medications have enough to supply them for all the days you’re gone. Check to see if you may need special documentation to bring your medications across borders. If you’ll be traveling in high heat, such as in extended car rides, determine what to do if some items may lose their potency. This might include insulin, some antibiotics, inhalers, eye drops, liquid medications and ointments. “Over-the-counter medications like pain… read on > read on >

You’ve been diagnosed with depression. What’s next? The cornerstone of treatment remains antidepressants, so it’s likely your doctor will prescribe one for you, but which one might be best? You will join millions around the world who struggle with how to treat the mental health disorder. An estimated 3.8% of the global population experiences depression, according to the World Health Organization. The numbers are staggering, but when depression is left untreated, it can impair daily functioning, raise the risk of suicide and lower quality of life. Fortunately, there are many different types of antidepressants available, each with unique mechanisms of action, benefits and potential side effects. Here, experts will explore the most commonly prescribed depression medications, how they work and their common side effects. Depression medications Dr. Abid Nazeer, founder, chief medical officer and medical director of Advanced Psych Solutions in Naperville, Ill., stated, “If you don’t treat depression, there’s a risk that you may get through the day, but it will feel like a struggle. If it’s been adequately treated, you can have a much better day.” Meanwhile, Pardis Khosravi, a psychologist and clinical director at Children’s Health Council in California, said, “Depression is not something you can ‘power through’ or think your way out of with positive thoughts. It is a medical illness that left untreated can have a profound impact on your… read on > read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Compounds in Chocolate, Berries Might Help Boost Memory As You Age

There’s a Best Time of Day to Exercise for Folks With Type 2 Diabetes

One Key to Good Sleep for Teens: No Social Media at Bedtime

Microplastics Are Harming the Guts of Seabirds — and Maybe Humans, Too

Stress Across the Life Span Could Worsen MS

With Training, Soccer Headers Might Be Safe for Teen Players

When Arthritis Strikes, Keep Moving

Grilling Plant-Based Burgers This Memorial Day? Safe Cooking Temperatures May Change

Traveling? Here’s Your Family Medical Checklist

The Most Common Depression Medications, Explained