Physical activity can benefit both physical and mental well-being. Different forms of exercise (e.g., aerobic versus anaerobic; running versus walking, swimming, or yoga; high-intensity interval training versus endurance workouts; etc.) impact physical fitness in different ways. For example, running may substantially impact leg and heart strength but only moderately impact arm strength. We hypothesized that… Continue reading Fitness tracking reveals task-specific associations between memory, mental health, and physical activity
Effects of cocoa extract and a multivitamin on cognitive function: A randomized clinical trial
IntroductionDietary supplements are touted for cognitive protection, but supporting evidence is mixed. COSMOS-Mind tested whether daily administration of cocoa extract (containing 500 mg/day flavanols) versus placebo and a commercial multivitamin-mineral (MVM) versus placebo improved cognition in older women and men.MethodsCOSMOS-Mind, a large randomized two-by-two factorial 3-year trial, assessed cognition by telephone at baseline and annually. The… Continue reading Effects of cocoa extract and a multivitamin on cognitive function: A randomized clinical trial
Periodontal health, cognitive decline, and dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
AbstractBackgroundEmerging evidence indicates that poor periodontal health adversely impacts cognition. This review examined the available longitudinal evidence concerning the effect of poor periodontal health on cognitive decline and dementia.MethodsComprehensive literature search was conducted on five electronic databases for relevant studies published until April 2022. Longitudinal studies having periodontal health as exposure and cognitive decline and/or… Continue reading Periodontal health, cognitive decline, and dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
Artificial sweeteners and risk of cardiovascular diseases: results from the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort
Objectives To study the associations between artificial sweeteners from all dietary sources (beverages, but also table top sweeteners, dairy products, etc), overall and by molecule (aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose), and risk of cardiovascular diseases (overall, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease).Design Population based prospective cohort study (2009-21).Setting France, primary prevention research.Participants 103 388 participants of the web based NutriNet-Santé… Continue reading Artificial sweeteners and risk of cardiovascular diseases: results from the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort
Role of scientific advice in covid-19 policy
Key messageGovernments claimed to be following scientific advice during the pandemic to legitimise decisionsAdvice should be autonomous to ensure that governments do not simply seek advice that aligns with what they want to hearTransparency is also essential to know who gave the advice and what the government did with itThe UK’s advice system was not… Continue reading Role of scientific advice in covid-19 policy
How nature nurtures: Amygdala activity decreases as the result of a one-hour walk in nature
Since living in cities is associated with an increased risk for mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia, it is essential to understand how exposure to urban and natural environments affects mental health and the brain. It has been shown that the amygdala is more activated during a stress task in urban compared… Continue reading How nature nurtures: Amygdala activity decreases as the result of a one-hour walk in nature
Association of Daily Step Count and Intensity With Incident Dementia in 78 430 Adults Living in the UK
Key PointsQuestion Is there a dose-response association of daily step count and intensity with incidence of all-cause dementia among adults living in the UK?Findings This cohort study of adults assessed with wrist-worn accelerometers found that accruing more steps per day was associated with steady declines in dementia incidence risk, up to 9800 steps per day, beyond which… Continue reading Association of Daily Step Count and Intensity With Incident Dementia in 78 430 Adults Living in the UK
Titanium dioxide particles frequently present in face masks intended for general use require regulatory control
Although titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a suspected human carcinogen when inhaled, fiber-grade TiO2 (nano)particles were demonstrated in synthetic textile fibers of face masks intended for the general public. STEM-EDX analysis on sections of a variety of single use and reusable face masks visualized agglomerated near-spherical TiO2 particles in non-woven fabrics, polyester, polyamide and bi-component fibers. Median sizes… Continue reading Titanium dioxide particles frequently present in face masks intended for general use require regulatory control
High blood pressure may accelerate bone aging
A new study in mice, presented at an American Heart Association meeting, suggests high blood pressure may cause bones to age fasterResearch Highlights:A new study in mice found that hypertension may be linked to significant bone loss.Bone quality in young mice with high blood pressure was similar to the bones of older mice without high… Continue reading High blood pressure may accelerate bone aging
2 Medical News 