Gary‘s Daily Health News - Vol. 18

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation associated with improved lung cancer survival

Medical School of Ningbo University (China), October 25 2021. 

 

A systematic review and meta-analysis of over 1.7 million men and women published on October 20, 2021 in Nutrition and Cancer found a lower risk of lung cancer in association with increased intake of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), as well as a significant increase in overall lung cancer survival in association with PUFA supplementation.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to date to quantitatively evaluate the association between intake of fish and PUFA and risk of lung cancer,” authors Dan Lv of the Medical School of Ningbo University and colleagues announced. 

The researchers analyzed 13 population-based prospective cohort studies that examined the role of fish or omega-3 PUFA intake in the prevention of lung cancer among a total of 1,785,698 men and women. Two randomized trials were also analyzed that reported the association between PUFA supplementation during chemotherapy and lung cancer mortality. 

When the seven prospective cohort studies that examined the intake of fish were analyzed, fish intake was not associated with the risk of lung cancer. Greater omega 3 intake, as reported by five prospective studies, was associated with a 1% lower risk of the disease among men. Each 5 gram per day increment of omega 3 intake was associated with a 5% lower risk of lung cancer. Analysis of trials that evaluated the addition of omega 3 supplements to chemotherapy found that overall survival among supplemented participants was nearly double that of participants who received chemotherapy alone. 

“Although smoking cessation is the single biggest factor associated with lung cancer risk reduction, this study adds to a growing body of evidence that diet may have a role in modestly reducing lung cancer risk,” the authors concluded.

 

 

Immunodeficiency affects intestinal microbiome

Technical University of Denmark, October 22, 201

In the largest study of intestinal bacterial composition (also called the intestinal microbiome) to date in persons with the immunodeficiency selective IgA deficiency, researchers at DTU Bioengineering have ascertained that people with IgA deficiency have a much more frequent incidence of E. coli, and that there are several intestinal factors that have a correlation with inflammatory and pathogenic processes.

Selective IgA deficiency is one of the most common immunodeficiencies and it occurs in approximately 1 in 600 in Denmark. Persons with IgA deficiency lack a specific antibody—immunoglobulin A—which is otherwise found in all the mucous membranes of the body, where it binds to microorganisms and thus helps protect against infections from pathogenic bacteriaand viruses, both in the upper respiratory tract and down in the gut and in the vagina. IgA deficiency is sometimes due to the person's immune system not producing functional IgA, but it may also be due to the body erroneously producing some other antibodies that remove all IgA, so-called IgA autoantibodies.

Despite the absence of IgA in persons with selective IgA deficiency, there are very few symptoms connected with this immunodeficiency. Up to 1/3 of persons with selective IgA deficiency do not seek medical attention more frequently than persons without IgA defect, and their disease do not hamper their everyday life. However, persons with selective IgA deficiency are at higher risk of having severer courses of illness than people who do not suffer from the defect. They also have a higher incidence of allergies, autoimmune diseases, intestinal infections, and coeliac disease than the normal population.

IgA protects the barriers of the body, and the researchers therefore advanced the hypothesis that IgA deficiency may be connected with a type of disturbance in relation to the bacteria that IgA helps control in the intestine. As the composition of intestinal bacteria is of importance to health, they compared the intestinal bacterial composition in persons with selective IgA deficiency with healthy persons to acquire greater insight into the disease.

Instead of simply comparing a group of persons with selective IgA deficiency with a control group without IgA defect, which is the standard procedure in this type of study, the researchers paired persons with IgA defect with a person from their household. Professor Susanne Brix Pedersen, who participated in the study, elaborates:

"The reason why we've chosen this approach is that when we look at intestinal bacteria, lifestyle, and especially diet, are among the most important factors in defining what kind of bacterial composition we have in our intestine, and these elements are more similar among members of the same household. In this way, we can better check lifestyle effects, which means that we can assess more accurately the causal connection with the IgA defect."

The team behind the study combined the trial design with sophisticated analysis methods of the function of the microbiota and found that persons with selective IgA deficiency generally have a higher incidence of E. coli, and that there are several intestinal factors which have a correlation with inflammatory and pathogenic processes. But the researchers also went a little deeper and looked at whether they could see a difference in the intestinal microbiota depending on whether there was an actual IgA deficiency, or whether the patient himself/herself produced IgA antibodies. Susanne Brix Pedersen elaborates:

"When people produce antibodies to IgA, this is an autoimmune reaction in which the body's immune system attacks parts of itself. We found that the people who produce these autoantibodies have a composition of intestinal bacteria that increases the risk of infection. At the same time, the immune system is constantly in alert mode, because new IgA antibodies are continuously being produced, which it believes it must fight and this wears down the body."

The study therefore shows that when doctors screen patients with recurrent infections for whether they have an IgA defect, it will be expedient also to clarify which type of IgA defect they suffer from. In this way, they can identify the patients who should be monitored particularly closely because they are at greater risk of having a more severe course of illness.

That the correlation can be serious is shown in the study Association between selective IgA deficiency and COVID-19 published in Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, where Japanese researchers ascertained a clear correlation between deaths caused by COVID-19 and IgA deficiency.

 

Study looks at how light stimulation can fight off the onset of dementia

Strathclyde University (UK), October 25, 2021

RESEARCHERS are exploring how to enhance brain activity through light stimulation in the hope of advancing a new strategy to prevent Alzheimer's disease from developing.

The study is investigating new ways in which build-up of a protein toxic to brain cells, known as beta amyloid, could be halted with the use of light stimulation in areas of the brain which are particularly vulnerable to Alzheimer's.

Scientists at Strathclyde University hope the 14-month study may lead to a new prevention strategy for Alzheimer's in people at high risk of the disease, which is the most common cause of dementia. Around 500,000 people in the UK have Alzheimer's but currently there are no effective treatments or a cure.

Dr Shuzo Sakata, a senior lecturer at Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, is leading the study. He said: "The lack of a cure for Alzheimer's disease means there is an urgent need to develop new, innovative approaches to combating it.

"We have known for a long time that the beta amyloid protein is toxic to brain cells; it has recently been found that manipulating the activity of neurons can reduce the protein in some regions of the brain.

"But what is not well understood is how it can be used to do this across many brain regions at the same time.

"We are hopeful that this research can contribute to a new strategy for stopping Alzheimer's developing, particularly in people who, owing to family history or genetic issues, are seen to be at high risk of the disease."

The pre-clinical research will be focused on a brain area which communicates with many other areas and is among those most affected by Alzheimer's.

It will discover whether activating neurons in this brain area, using light, can enhance fast brainwaves which are impaired in people with the disease. The study will investigate whether such enhancement of brainwaves can reduce build-up of the toxic protein in a range of areas of the brain.

The research has received a grant of Pounds 50,000 from Alzheimer's Research UK.

Dr Carol Routledge, the charity's director of research, said: "Dementia is one of our greatest medical challenges, but research has the power to improve our understanding of the condition and deliver effective new treatments.

"With around 70,000 people in Scotland living with dementia and no new treatments in over a decade, pioneering projects such as these offer real hope in the fight against dementia. It is paramount that we can support researchers as they add crucial pieces of knowledge to our growing understanding of the diseases that cause dementia."

Scotland is leading a number of cutting edge research projects into Alzheimer's disease. In 2016, scientists at Glasgow University hailed a "potential breakthrough" after a protein therapy was shown to completely reverse symptoms during a trial on genetically-engineered mice.

The study, in collaboration with researchers in Hong Kong, demonstrated that mice given injections of this protein via their stomach lining restored their memory and cognitive functions back to the level of a healthy mouse of the same age within one week.

 

Dietary changes could help reduce pregnancy complications in women with type 1 diabetes

Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, October 16, 2021

A recent study by WEHI and ENDIA has found type 1 diabetes is associated with changes in the gut microbiome during pregnancy and could contribute to complications in both the mother and baby.

The research found a link between type 1 diabetes and changes in the gut microbiomethat are associated with intestinal inflammation, which could account for the increase in pregnancy complications in women with the condition.

The study revealed pregnant women with type 1 diabetes had a decrease in "good" gut bacteria that normally protect against inflammation and an increase in 'bad' gut bacteria that promote intestinal inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. These changes could contribute to the increased risk of pregnancy complications seen in women with type 1 diabetes and could potentially be modified by dietary changes.

Gut health linked to pregnancy complications

The research was part of the ENDIA (Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity) study, investigating genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes in children. The observational study has recruited 1500 babies from pregnancy who have an immediate relative with type 1 diabetes and is following them through childhood.

WEHI clinician-scientist Professor Len Harrison, who led the research, said women with type 1 diabetes have a higher frequency of complications in pregnancy.

"We decided to study the gut microbiome because there was evidence of systemic and intra-uterine inflammation in pregnancy for women with type 1 diabetes that could conceivably be related," he said.

Together with colleagues in bioinformatics at WEHI, as well as ENDIA partners, the study team undertook whole genome sequence analysis of samples from pregnant women. The samples were taken from groups of women at different stages of pregnancy.

"In women with type 1 diabetes, we observed changes in their gut microbiome, including a decrease in 'good' gut bacteria and an increase in 'bad' gut bacteria," he said. "The 'good' bacteria make substances that prevent inflammation and the 'bad' bacteria release substances that activate the immune system to trigger inflammation."

"We are now investigating if these changes are linked to the higher rate of complications during pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes."

Professor Harrison said changes in the gut microbiome of the mother could have implications for the pregnancy and for the health of the baby.

"It is also possible that the changes we observed in the mothers with type 1 diabetes might have a lasting influence on the baby which continues after birth," he said.

Changing diet

Professor Harrison said the next stage of the project was to identify markers that would determine which women with type 1 diabetes might benefit from safe interventions during pregnancy, including dietary changes.

"We believe that if these women made some safe dietary modifications it could help to restore the health of their microbiome and lower their risk of complications during pregnancy. This is what we are investigating now," he said.

"We will also look into the immune system of their babies at birth to see what impacts that impaired maternal gut health has on the baby after birth."

 

Data continues to show that Americans need at least 5 hours per week of physical activity to prevent some cancers

American Cancer Society, October 14, 2021

A new report finds more than 46,000 cancer cases annually in the United States could be prevented if Americans met the 5 hours per week of moderate-intensity recommended physical activity guidelines. The latest data appearing in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise show 3% of all cancer cases in adults in the U.S. aged 30 years and older during 2013 to 2016 were attributable to physical inactivity and the proportion was higher in women (average annual attributable cases 32,089) compared to men (14,277).

For both men and women, states with the highest proportion of cancers attributable to physical inactivity were in the South, such as Kentucky, West Virginia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi, whereas the lowest proportions were found in the Mountain region and northern states, such as Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Led by Adair Minihan, MPH at the American Cancer Society, this is the first study to estimate the number of cancer cases attributable to physical inactivity based on cancer sites (breast, endometrial, colon, stomach, kidney, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and urinary bladder) by state. Data show when focusing on specific cancer sites, 16.9% of stomach cancers, 11.9% of endometrial cancers, 11.0% of kidney cancers, 9.3% of colon cancers, 8.1% of esophageal cancers, 6.5% of female breast cancers, and 3.9% of urinary bladder cancers were associated with lack of exercise. By state, the proportion of cancer cases attributable to physical inactivity ranged from 2.3% in Utah to 3.7% in Kentucky.

While this data shows the importance of physical activity, there are many barriers to recreational physical activity, which include, but are not limited to, lack of time due to long working hours in low-wage jobs, the cost of gym memberships or personal equipment, lack of access to a safe environment in which to be active, and potential childcare costs involved with recreational physical activity. Unfortunately, these barriers are more likely to affect historically marginalized populations, including the Black population and individuals with a limited income, underscoring the importance of enhancing health equity.

“These findings underscore the need to encourage physical activity as a means of cancer prevention and implement individual- and community-level interventions that address the various behavioral and socioeconomic barriers to recreational physical activity,” write the authors. “Understanding and reducing the behavioral and socioeconomic barriers to physical activity is essential for optimizing intervention strategies targeting at risk groups across the country.”

 

Increased consumption of whole grains could significantly reduce the economic impact of type 2 diabetes

University of Eastern Finland, October 25, 2021

Increased consumption of whole grain foods could significantly reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes and the costs associated with its treatment in Finland, according to a recent study by the University of Eastern Finland and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. The findings were published in Nutrients.

“Our study shows that already one serving of full grains as part of the daily diet reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes at the population level and, consequently, the direct diabetes-related costs, when compared to people who do not eat whole grain foods on a daily basis. Over the next ten years, society's potential to achieve cost savings would be from 300 million (-3.3%) to almost one billion (-12.2%) euros in current value, depending on the presumed proportion of whole grain foods in the daily diet. On the level of individuals, this means more healthier years,” says Professor Janne Martikainen from the University of Eastern Finland.

Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing chronic diseases both in Finland and globally. Healthy nutrition that supports weight management is key to preventing type 2 diabetes. The association of daily consumption of whole grain foods with a lower risk of diabetes has been demonstrated in numerous studies.

“According to nutrition recommendations, at least 3–6 servings of whole grain foods should be eaten daily, depending on an individual’s energy requirement. One third of Finns do not eat even one dose of whole grains on a daily basis, and two thirds have a too low fibre intake,” Research Manager Jaana Lindström from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare says.

The now published study utilised findings from, e.g., national follow-up studies, such as the FinHealth Study, to assess the health and economic effects of increased consumption of whole grain foods on the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

“By combining population-level data on the incidence of type 2 diabetes and the costs of its treatment, as well as published evidence on the effects of how consumption of whole grain foods reduces the incidence of type 2 diabetes, we were able to assess the potential health and economic benefits from both social and individual viewpoints,” Martikainen says. 

 

 

Mulberry extract activates brown fat, shows promise as obesity treatment

 

Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, October 23, 2021

 

Good news for those who want to activate their brown fat (or BAT, brown adipose tissue) without having to be cold: New research, published in The FASEB Journal, suggests that a natural compound in mulberries, called "rutin," can activate the BAT in our bodies to increase metabolism and facilitate weight loss.

 

"The beneficial effects of rutin on BAT-mediated metabolic improvement have evoked a substantial interest in the potential treatment for obesity and its related diseases, such as diabetes," said Wan-Zhu Jin, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, China. "In line with this idea, discovery of more safe and effective BAT activators is desired to deal with obesity and its related diseases."

 

To make their discovery, Jin and colleagues used both genetically obese mice and mice with diet-induced obesity as models. These mice were fed a regular diet, and supplemental rutin (1 mg/ml) was added to their drinking water. Rutin treatment significantly reduced adiposity, increased energy expenditure, and improved glucose homeostasis in both the genetically obese mice and the mice with diet-induced obesity. Specifically, the researchers found that rutin directly binds to and stabilizes SIRT1 (NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1), leading to hypoacetylation of PGC1α protein, which stimulates Tfam transactivation and eventually augments mitochondrial number and UCP1 activity in BAT. Rutin functions as a cold mimetic through activating a SIRT1-PGC1α-Tfam signaling cascade and increasing mitochondrial number and UCP1 activity in BAT. Rutin also induced brown-like (beige) adipocyte formation in subcutaneous adipose tissue in both obesity mouse models.

 

"Unlike hibernating animals, we humans have only a small spot of brown fat, and yet its importance in human metabolism has only recently come into view," said Thoru Pederson, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "In this study, the philosophy of ancient Chinese medicine's exploitation of plant materials has conjoined in the modern era with a very able physiology research team to evoke a promising lead."