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News flashes are posted here frequently to keep you up-to-date with the latest advances in health and longevity. We have an unparalleled track record of breaking stories about life extension advances.

High vitamin C levels may help protect against rheumatoid arthritis

July 31 2024. The August 2024 issue of Preventive Medicine Reports published the finding of an association between higher serum levels of vitamin C and a lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes pain and disfigurement of the joints.

"Earlier studies have reported that imbalance of oxidative stress regulation plays a crucial role in development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (Mueller et al., 2021)," Jing Zhang and colleagues wrote. "Antioxidants have been suggested as prospective targets for the prevention and therapy of rheumatoid arthritis because they are significant scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Ahmadinejad et al., 2017). Among them, vitamin C is one of the basic exogenous vitamins and is well known for its powerful antioxidant properties."

The current study utilized data from 12,655 men and women enrolled in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004, 2005-2006 and 2017-2018 cycles. Participant interview responses provided information concerning rheumatoid arthritis diagnoses, food intake and other factors.

Seven hundred-twelve participants reported having rheumatoid arthritis. Serum vitamin C levels were lower among rheumatoid arthritis patients than in those who did not have the disease. The association was not found among people with high blood pressure. Vitamin C levels exceeding 0.95 mg/dL were found to be protective.

Greater vitamin C consumption was associated with higher serum vitamin C levels. Increased vitamin C intake as the result of adding vitamin C to a nutritional regimen was found to elevate serum levels.

The study is the first to use the NHANES database to determine that serum vitamin C levels among rheumatoid arthritis patients are lower than levels measured in those without the disease. The authors suggested that "Vitamin C as a dietary supplement for rheumatoid arthritis patients may be reasonable."

—D Dye

Review suggests role for omega-3 in exercise recovery

July 24 2024. A systematic review of randomized, controlled trials published June 27, 2024, in Nutrients indicated benefits for omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in post-exercise recovery.

Researchers reviewed 13 trials that compared the effects of omega-3 to a placebo on post-exercise inflammation, muscle damage, oxidant response and sports performance before and after exercise performed by healthy participants. The trials included a total of 478 men and women who performed endurance or strength exercises or a combination of both. Omega-3 doses ranged from 250 milligrams per day of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA plus DHA to 31 grams per day of the omega-3 ALA for up to 26 weeks. Blood values were assessed before and after the exercise periods.

Among the six trials that analyzed serum levels of creatine kinase (a marker of muscle damage), three of the trials found higher levels in the placebo groups after exercise when compared with participants who received omega-3. Similarly, lactate dehydrogenase (another marker of muscle damage) was higher in the placebo groups at the end of the two studies that measured it. C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation that was measured in two trials, was significantly higher in the placebo groups than the omega-3 groups. Interleukin-6, another marker of inflammation, decreased in those who were given omega-3 compared with values measured at the beginning of two of the seven trials that analyzed this value, while the remaining five trials showed no change. Finally, the ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione, an indicator of oxidative stress, improved among those who received omega-3.

The authors concluded that the intake of at least 2,400 milligrams per day of EPA and DHA for 4.5 weeks or more appears to be effective. "Overall, the evidence shows that EPA/DHA have the potential to decrease the production of inflammatory cytokines and markers of muscle damage," they wrote.

—D Dye

Increased selenium intake associated with lower risk of chronic diseases, premature mortality

July 22 2024. A report appearing June 24, 2024, in Frontiers in Nutrition documented an association between greater intake of selenium and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease or dying during a median 81-month follow-up period.

"Few studies are dedicated to elucidating the harm of selenium deficiency in the US population," Yuchen Zhang and colleagues wrote. "Therefore, it is critical to explore the effects of dietary selenium intake on human health. In this study, we systematically analyzed the association of selenium intake with the occurrence and prognosis of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for a moderate selenium supplement in daily diet."

The study included 25,801 men and women enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2018. Participants' responses to two dietary interviews were analyzed for selenium intake. Other NHANES data provided information concerning whether the included participants had been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes or cancer.

Individuals among the top 40% of selenium intake had an adjusted 2-3% lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those whose intake was among the lowest 20%. The risk of dying from all causes during follow-up was 18% lower among those whose selenium intake levels were among the top 20% of subjects and the risk of dying from diabetes was 64%-70% lower among those whose selenium intake was among the second, third and fourth 20th percentiles. People over the age of 50 years whose selenium intake was among the top 20% had a 26% lower risk of mortality than those whose intake was among the lowest 20%.

The authors concluded that "the consumption of a healthy diet rich in selenium is a promising measure for maintaining health and prolonging survival time for US adults."

—D Dye

Krill-sourced omega-3 improves disease activity in lupus

July 19 2024. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found improvements in disease activity scores among people with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were given krill oil, a source of omega-3 fatty polyunsaturated fatty acids. The findings were reported July 14, 2024, in Lupus Science & Medicine.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that has periods of flares and remission. People with lupus have been found to have lower levels of essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids than those without the disease.

The trial included 78 men and women with lupus who were given 4 grams of krill oil concentrate or a placebo daily for 24 weeks. This was followed by a 24-week period during which all participants had the option of receiving 4 grams of krill oil per day. The Omega-3 Index, which assesses the percentage of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in red blood cell membranes and is used as an indicator of long-term intake, was measured at the beginning of the study and monthly through 48 weeks. SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) scores were calculated at the beginning of the study and at weeks 4, 8, 16 and 24.

Omega-3 Index values increased from 4.43% at the beginning of the study to 7.17% at 4 weeks and 8.05% at 24 weeks in participants who received omega-3 while remaining unchanged in the placebo group. Among placebo participants who switched to krill oil at 24 weeks, Omega-3 Index Values increased from 4.63% at week 24 to 7.5% at week 48. SLEDAI-2K scores improved during the initial 24-week treatment period among those in the krill oil group whose scores indicated high disease activity at the beginning of the study.

"Supplementation with krill oil concentrate was safe and decreased disease activity in those with more active disease," the authors concluded.

—D Dye

AREDS formula slows progression of late-stage dry AMD

July 17 2024. Research reported July 16, 2024, in Ophthalmology, showed that, in addition to a known ability to slow the progression of intermediate to late age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a combination of nutrients evaluated in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS and AREDS2) may also slow disease progression in late dry AMD.

The dry, or atrophic, form of macular degeneration is characterized by yellow drusen deposits under the retina in the back of the eye: a light-sensitive area that receives images and sends them to the brain. At the center of the retina is the macula, which processes central vision. During the advanced stage of dry macular degeneration, this area may be affected by geographic atrophy, which describes areas of cell death that begin in the outer retina and may expand to cover the fovea, an area in the center of the macula that provides the greatest visual acuity. "Therapeutic approaches that could slow geographic atrophy progression towards the central macula would be highly valuable and applicable to many individuals," Tiarnan D. L. Keenan, MD, PhD, of the National Institutes of Health's National Eye Institute and colleagues observed.

In their analysis of data from a total of 1,209 men and women with dry AMD, Dr Keenan and associates found slower geographic atrophy progression toward the central macula among AREDS participants with noncentral geography atrophy who received the antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene compared with no antioxidants. In AREDS 2, participants with noncentral geography atrophy who received the original AREDS formula without beta-carotene, plus lutein and zeaxanthin, had slower progression than those who did not receive lutein/zeaxanthin.

"These findings may justify a prospective randomized controlled trial of oral antioxidant and lutein/zeaxanthin supplementation in eyes of individuals with non-central geographic atrophy," the authors concluded.

—D Dye

High percentages of US cancer cases and deaths associated with modifiable risk factors

July 15 2024. A study reported July 11, 2024, in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the flagship journal of the American Cancer Society revealed that 40% of cancers and 44% of deaths from cancer in the United States were attributed to modifiable risk factors.

Farhad Islami, MD, PhD, of the American Cancer Society and colleagues examined data from 1,781,649 men and women aged 30 years and older who had one of 30 common types of cancer in 2019. Evaluated risk factors included smoking, second-hand smoke exposure, excess weight, alcohol intake, dietary factors (red meat intake, processed meat intake, low intake of fruit and nonstarchy vegetables, low fiber intake, low calcium intake), physical inactivity, ultraviolet radiation and infections (Epstein-Barr virus, H. pylori, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human herpes virus 8, HIV and human papillomavirus). Risk factor prevalence was determined from data provided by nationally representative surveys.

The researchers attributed 40% percent of cancers and 44% of cancer deaths in 2019 to risk factors that could have been modified. Smoking was the number one avoidable cancer risk factor, which was associated with 19.3% of cases and 28.5% of cancer deaths. This was followed by being overweight, which was associated with 5.4% of cancer cases and 4.1% of cancer deaths.

Over half of the cancer cases and deaths were attributed to modifiable risk factors for 19 of the 30 cancers assessed in this study. Lung cancer had the highest number of cases and deaths attributable to modifiable risk factors.

"Large numbers of cancer cases and deaths in the United States are attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors, underscoring the potential to substantially reduce the cancer burden through broad and equitable implementation of preventive initiatives," Dr Islami and his associates concluded

—D Dye

Fatty liver, cardiovascular function improved in MASLD patients given CoQ10

July 12 2024. A randomized, double-blind trial found improvements in people with metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) who received a high dose of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in comparison with a placebo for six months. Coenzyme Q10 is a molecule made in the body that is necessary for the production of energy and heart health. The trial's findings were reported July 10, 2024, in Cardiovascular Diabetology.

Metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The trial included 60 nondiabetic men and women with MASLD who had at least one additional cardiometabolic risk factor. Participants received 240 mg CoQ10 with complementary nutrients or a placebo for 60 days and were provided with guidance concerning the principles of a Mediterranean diet and exercise. At the beginning and end of the trial, lipids and other factors were measured in blood samples, and echocardiography and liver fat and fibrosis assessments were conducted.

At the trial's conclusion, participants who were given CoQ10 had significant improvements in plasma LDL cholesterol levels compared with the beginning of the study while nonsignificant changes occurred in the placebo group. Liver fat and markers of myocardial function and vascular and endothelial function (perfused boundary region of the sublingual arterial microvessels, brachial systolic blood pressure, central systolic blood pressure, arterial elasticity as measured by pulse wave velocity and flow mediated dilation, and augmentation index: a measure of arterial stiffness) also significantly improved in CoQ10-treated participants after six months while not changing significantly among those who received a placebo. When compared with the placebo, systolic blood pressure, central systolic blood pressure, augmentation index and pulse wave velocity improved significantly more in the treatment group.

—D Dye

Omega-3 may help acne sufferers

June 10 2024. An article appearing July 10, 2024, in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology revealed a benefit for the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in people with acne, an inflammatory skin disease that often appears during adolescence and can persist into adulthood.

The study included 53 acne patients who were not treated with prescription drugs. Participants were advised to consume a Mediterranean diet with the addition of 300 mg EPA plus 600 mg DHA daily for eight weeks, followed by 400 mg EPA plus 800 mg DHA for another eight weeks. The diet is characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables and whole grains, a limited amount of dairy products, and other healthy features. High Sensitivity Omega-3 Index® tests using blood samples obtained at four visits during the study evaluated omega-3 levels.

The number of acne lesions declined, and overall quality of life improved among the group by the end of the study. EPA and DHA levels, which were low among 98.3% of the participants at the beginning of the study, increased by the study's conclusion. Acne severity was significantly reduced among those who attained target HS-omega-3 Index® levels of 8%–11% by the final visit.

"The challenge of this study remains to establish direct causal relationships as to whether increased EPA/DHA levels, changed dietary habits, or other cofactors led to the improved clinical severity of acne and improved quality of life in patients," corresponding author Anne Guertler, MD, and colleagues remarked.

"Lifestyle interventions, including dietary recommendations, should not be considered in opposition to prescription medications, but rather as a valuable adjunct to any modern acne treatment plan," Dr Guertler recommended. "Future studies should build on the foundation laid by our current findings in a randomized, placebo-controlled design to improve dietary recommendations for acne patients."

—D Dye

Olive oil compound could aid weight management

July 08 2024. Research findings presented June 29 at NUTRITION 2024, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, suggest that elenolic acid, a compound in olives and olive oil, may support healthy weight and blood glucose levels.

The discovery is the result of research conducted by a team from Virginia Polytechnic Institute that focused on identifying compounds for diabetes management derived from natural sources. They determined that elenolic acid from olives and extra virgin olive oil acts on L-cells in the gastrointestinal tract to boost the release of metabolic hormones known as GLP-1 and PYY, which help increase a feeling of fullness, reduce overeating and help control blood glucose levels and metabolism.

Mice with diabetes that received orally administered elenolic acid lost weight and had a 10.7% reduction in obesity. They also exhibited improvements in insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels. Weight loss and eating less are associated with increased levels of GLP-1 and PYY, and downregulation of agouti-related peptide, which promotes weight gain.

"Lifestyle modifications and public health measures have had limited impact on the rising prevalence of obesity, one of the top risk factors for type 2 diabetes," noted research team leader Dongmin Liu, PhD, of Virginia Tech's Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise. "Available obesity drugs are ineffective in weight loss maintenance, expensive and/or carry potential long-term safety risks. Our goal was to develop safer, cheaper and more convenient multi-targeting agents that can prevent the occurrence of metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes."

"Overall, the study showed that elenolic acid from olives has promising effects on hormone release and metabolic health, particularly in obese and diabetic conditions," he added. "The compound seems to mimic the physiological conditions of eating to directly promote gut metabolic hormone secretion, which helps regulate energy balance and metabolic health."

—D Dye

Inflammation in early adulthood may increase middle-aged cognitive challenges

July 05 2024. A study published in the July 23, 2024, issue of Neurology® uncovered an association between having higher levels of a marker of inflammation in early adulthood and poorer cognition during middle age.

"Late-life inflammation has been linked to dementia risk and the earliest signs of cognitive decline, but less is known about inflammation in young adults and if this could influence cognition in midlife," coauthor Kristine Yaffe, MD, of UCSF noted. "Our study found that having consistently higher or moderate inflammation starting in early adulthood may negatively affect a person's ability to plan, focus and manage multiple tasks as well as how quickly they can process information in middle age."

Dr Yaffe and colleagues examined data from 2,364 participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study. C-reactive protein (CRP), a blood marker of inflammation, was measured at the beginning of the study and at three subsequent visits during an 18-year follow-up. Thirty-nine percent of the men and women had CRP levels that were categorized as consistently higher, 16% as moderate/increasing and 45% as lower stable.

Cognitive tests were administered five years after the last CRP measurement. Among people whose CRP levels were consistently higher, the risk of poor processing speed was 67% greater and poor executive function (planning and attaining goals) was 36% greater compared with those whose levels were categorized as lower stable. Individuals whose CRP levels were moderate/increasing had a risk of poor processing speed that was double that of people with lower stable CRP.

"Inflammation is important for cognitive aging and may begin much earlier than previously known," Dr Yaffe stated. "Although current prevention efforts mainly focus on late life, our study provides evidence for the need to also target brain health in middle age."

—D Dye

Midlife diet associated with better quality of life at age 70

July 03 2024. A presentation on July 2, 2024, at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition revealed a connection between consuming a healthy diet from one's 40s through the age of 70 and healthy aging.

The study included 36,464 men enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and 70,467 women who participated in the Nurses' Health Study who were at least 39 years old and did not have chronic diseases in 1986. Responses to dietary questionnaires completed every four years were analyzed for adherence to eight healthy dietary patterns: alternative healthy eating index, alternative Mediterranean diet, dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay diet (MIND), healthful plant-based diet, planetary health diet, empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia and the empirical dietary inflammatory pattern. Healthy aging was defined as living to at least the age of 70 years and maintaining good physical and cognitive function, mental health and absence of chronic diseases in 2016.

During 30 years of follow-up, 9,837 participants achieved healthy aging. Those whose adherence to the alternative healthy eating index was among the top 20% of participants were 84% more likely to achieve healthy aging than individuals whose adherence was among the bottom 20%. Protective effects were also observed for the other diets—for example, those whose adherence to the empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia was among the highest 20% had a 78% greater chance of healthy aging than the lowest 20%.

"People who adhered to healthy dietary patterns in midlife, especially those rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, were significantly more likely to achieve healthy aging," commented presenting author Anne-Julie Tessier, PhD. "Our study provides evidence for dietary recommendations to consider not only disease prevention but also promoting overall healthy aging as a long-term goal."

—D Dye

Men's nutrition may play role in their children's health

July 01 2024. Findings from a study conducted in mice reported at NUTRITION 2024, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held June 29–July 2, 2024, suggest that the addition of fish oil to the nutritional regimens of men could help lower their risk of fathering obese children.

"This discovery opens a new frontier in our understanding of how parents, beyond just genetics, influence their offspring's well-being," Latha Ramalingam, PhD, who is an assistant professor at Syracuse University stated. "Fish oil, a readily available and safe supplement, could become a powerful weapon in our fight for a healthier next generation."

Male mice were given a low-fat diet, a high-fat diet or a high-fat diet plus fish oil for ten weeks, after which they were mated with female mice that were fed low-fat diets. Offspring were provided with low-fat or high-fat diets after weaning. At 7 and 21 days of age, animals fathered by mice that received a high-fat diet with fish oil had body weights that were lower than those with fathers given a high-fat diet alone. High-fat-diet-fed female offspring of mice that received high-fat diets plus fish oil had better insulin sensitivity and glucose clearance at 30 minutes compared with female high-fat-diet-fed mice fathered by animals that received a high-fat diet alone. No difference among male offspring was observed.

The findings suggest that dietary improvements initiated by fathers could influence the genetic inheritance and health of their children.

"This concept offers a significant potential to reshape our strategies in combating childhood obesity," Dr Ramalingam remarked. "Picture a future where preconception dietary guidance isn't solely directed at mothers, but also involves fathers, enabling them to play a more active role in promoting their children's well-being right from the start."

—D Dye