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A study has uncovered a surprising link between diet, intestinal microbes and the efficacy of cancer therapy. The study could help explain why drugs known as PI3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitors—which disrupt an abnormally activated biochemical signaling pathway that spurs cancer cell proliferation—haven't led to consistent, durable cancer control in patients with solid tumors. The Rabinowitz lab and others have shown that ketogenic diets dramatically enhance responses to cancer drugs in preclinical mouse models of cancer. Such diets are rich in fat and very low in carbohydrates like starch and sugar, and their enhancement of therapeutic responses was thought to be...

Potatoes, often dismissed as fattening carbs, can actually lower the energy density of meals and, when prepared to boost fiber (e.g., boiled, cooled 24 hrs, skins on), support a 5.6% average weight loss and improved insulin resistance over eight weeks. By swapping 40% of meat or fish in entrées for these fiber-rich potatoes, participants ate satisfying portions without conscious calorie restriction, moderating blood glucose responses in people with obesity and insulin resistance. ************************************************************************ Potatoes can aid weight loss and blood sugar control when prepared properly, offering a satisfying, nutrient-rich addition to a healthy diet. Potatoes are one of the world’s...

A study of almost 400,000 people is the first to indicate, in humans, that the signaling of substances called short-chain fatty acids or SCFAs, released when gut bacteria break down dietary fiber, significantly protects against cardiovascular disease and hypertension by up to 20%. A previous clinical trial has shown these SCFAs—when provided as a supplement—lead to lowered blood pressure. Another trial is underway. The current study used data from the UK Biobank database and found rare genetic variants that profoundly impact the function of receptors that bind to SCFAs essentially prevent people from utilizing the cardiovascular protection offered by their...

The ‘Modern Family’ alum tells PEOPLE that he was initially "embarrassed" about his type 2 diabetes and kept his diagnosis a secret from friends and family Eric Stonestreet used to think his health was “fairly good.” He struggled to lose weight like many people, but felt fine overall. “I was just trying to maintain as healthy a lifestyle as I could without doing a tremendous amount about it,” he tells PEOPLE. But in 2009, just as he landed his beloved role as Cameron Tucker on Modern Family, Stonestreet was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. “It was like this crazy happy...

In a nutshell Young children have better survival rates when animal protein makes up a larger portion of their diet due to essential amino acids and easily absorbed nutrients like iron and zinc. Adults over 60 benefit more from plant-based proteins, with higher life expectancy in countries where plant proteins are more prevalent in the food supply. The research suggests dietary guidelines should consider age-specific recommendations, especially as countries transition to more sustainable food systems. ******************************************************************** SYDNEY — New research challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to diet, at least when it comes to protein sources. Scientists have discovered that eating meat...

The microbial community living within our large intestine is a highly dense and complex ecosystem. While some of these microbes cause illness and disease (such as bacteria and viruses), others are friendlier to us and help keep us in good health. Akkermansia muciniphila is one of these friendly bacteria. One of the important roles it plays in our gut is maintaining the function of our gut barrier. But when there's an imbalance of A. muciniphila in the gut, it can lead to problems with our health. This unusual bacteria lives in our large intestine and survives off of mucin—the layer...

Fasting has shown its potential to reduce colorectal cancer risk by triggering cellular changes that may slow tumor growth, with a study demonstrating a 20% improvement in overall survival. However, lifestyle changes alone aren't enough for prevention. Fasting has been shown to activate autophagy, the body's natural process of cleaning out damaged cells and regenerating healthy ones. According to a review, autophagy plays a key role in preventing cancer development by maintaining cellular health and reducing oxidative stress. By clearing away cells that might otherwise turn cancerous, fasting may help the body maintain a more stable and resilient internal environment....

A study researchers suggests that a diet rich in soluble fiber can protect the intestine against pathogenic bacteria. The conclusion is based on experiments with mice exposed to Clostridioides difficile, which causes colon inflammation and diarrhea. "We were able to treat the mice that had an infection with a diet supplemented with soluble fiber. This is digested by intestinal microbiota, which produces compounds such as acetate. This initiates a cascade of interactions that leads to an appropriate immune response to deal with the infection," explains José Fachi. The authors observed that the mice that consumed a diet rich in soluble...

Researchers found that certain herbs and plants commonly used in Mediterranean diets can help protect against cardiovascular diseases. (alicja neumiler/Shutterstock) ******************************************************************** In a nutshell * Six Mediterranean plants—garlic, hawthorn, saffron, olive, rosemary, and grape—contain powerful compounds that work together to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, improve cholesterol, and protect blood vessels. Their multitargeted effects mimic some drug mechanisms but with fewer side effects when consumed as part of a healthy diet. * The real strength of the Mediterranean diet may lie in how these foods interact. Pairings like olive oil with leafy greens or garlic with fatty fish could boost...

Ultra-processed foods are dominating much of what Americans eat. (Rimma Bondarenko/Shutterstock) Study shows the shocking impact that processed foods have on the body — and how a traditional African diet could add more healthy years to your life. In a nutshell * Just two weeks on a Western diet can trigger inflammation and weaken immune responses, even in healthy young adults. These changes may persist weeks after returning to a healthier diet. * Switching to a traditional African heritage diet rich in plant-based, minimally processed foods significantly reduced inflammation, supporting its protective role against chronic diseases. * A traditional fermented...

New study suggests a specialized low-calorie keto diet could reverse biological aging by more than six years A groundbreaking study from Spain has uncovered remarkable evidence that a very low-calorie ketogenic diet might literally turn back the clock on aging at the cellular level. The research, focusing on individuals with obesity, found that this specialized eating approach could reverse biological aging by more than six years—potentially opening new doors for health interventions beyond mere weight loss. Powered By TrackerDistroScale Logo What the research discovered about aging and obesity The Spanish researchers examined two distinct groups: individuals with normal weight and...

Would you add a few more vegetables and whole grains to your diet in return for a healthy old age? A new study has broken down in detail the food groups that increase the likelihood of healthy aging – and identified the best diet overall. For the purposes of the study, researchers led by a team from Harvard University defined healthy aging as reaching 70 without any chronic diseases – and still being in good shape mentally and physically. The analysis showed that the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) came top of eight healthy dietary patterns studied: developed by Harvard,...

Opinion Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with millions of new cases reported each year. In 2022 alone, approximately 20 million new cancer cases were diagnosed globally, and 9.7 million lives were lost to the disease. In India, the numbers are equally alarming, with around 100 out of every one lakh people diagnosed with cancer. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), more than 14 lakh cancer cases were estimated in 2023. [1 lakh = 0.1 million] Despite advancements in early detection and treatment, many myths surrounding cancer testing prevent people from undergoing timely...

In a nutshell * Eating more fruits, consuming dairy products, and moderate caffeine intake could reduce your risk of tinnitus by up to 35%, according to comprehensive research involving over 300,000 participants. * The study challenges conventional advice about caffeine, finding it may actually protect against tinnitus rather than worsen it. * Researchers believe these protective effects may work by improving blood flow to the inner ear, reducing inflammation, and enhancing overall vascular function. ========================================================================== SICHUAN, China — Tinnitus affects millions of people worldwide—that persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing that haunts ears when no external sound exists. While treatments have...

A study has unveiled that brain aging follows a distinct yet nonlinear trajectory with critical transition points. The research offers insights into when interventions to prevent cognitive decline might be most effective. The team analyzed brain networks in more than 19,300 individuals. Their findings reveal functional communication between brain regions (brain networks) begins to destabilize around age 44, with the degeneration of brain networks accelerating most rapidly at age 67 and plateauing by age 90. The researchers identified its primary driver: neuronal insulin resistance. By comparing metabolic, vascular, and inflammatory biomarkers, they found that metabolic changes consistently preceded vascular and...

When and what you eat might play a role in maintaining good mental health, a study suggests. Researchers found that folks with heart disease were more likely to keep depression at bay if they ate a big, calorie-rich breakfast. There's evidence that heart disease patients "are more likely to develop depression when compared to the general population—and dietary factors have been shown to play an important role in depression occurrence and development," noted a team led by Hongquan Xie. According to the researchers, the timing of calorie intake "can regulate circadian rhythms and metabolism," and disruptions in circadian rhythms may...

A once-XXXXXL mom who had to have a double mastectomy to reduce her risk of cancer lost over 200 lbs. so she could have breast reconstruction surgery. Tori Phillips, 39, long used food as comfort due to a tough upbringing and already weighed about 180 lbs. by the time she was 11. Over the years she tried diets and exercise programs, but she would always put the weight on again. But a health scare in her late 30s was the push she needed to throw herself into losing weight, and she’s halved her body weight following a gastric sleeve, dieting,...

Researchers have identified a gut bacterium that may be associated with reduced dietary sugar intake. The findings, which are based on analyses of humans and mice, could aid the development of therapies to manage obesity and metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. Animals are biologically hardwired to crave sugars, but unmanaged sugar preference can lead to high sugar intake, resulting in high blood glucose and increased risk of metabolic diseases. Previous research suggests that our cravings for different foods originate from signals sent to the brain from the gut, a key organ in transmitting dietary preferences. However, the regulation...

Research from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School shows that brown adipose tissue can boost exercise performance and support healthy aging, offering promising insights for future therapies targeting age-related decline. The researchers hypothesize that brown adipose tissue (BAT) offers protection against compromised healthy longevity, including conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and decreased exercise tolerance. A new research perspective published in Aging explores the impact of brown adipose tissue (BAT) on exercise endurance and healthy aging. Conducted by researchers Dorothy E. Vatner, Jie Zhang, and Stephen F. Vatner from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, the study examines...

Higher scores on the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) are associated with an increased incidence of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. Diet has been identified as a potential avenue for reducing dementia risk. Previous observational studies have linked anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Mediterranean and MIND diets, with slower cognitive decline and lower dementia risk. The DII is a standardized tool that quantifies the inflammatory potential of diets by analyzing nutrients, bioactive compounds, and food components. Prior studies have suggested that higher DII scores are associated with systemic inflammation, which is separately understood to contribute to neurodegenerative processes. Researchers...