Pharmacy and Health Blog from myGenericPharmacy.com

Getting plenty of exercise each day is a necessary component of living a healthy lifestyle. In order to keep their hearts healthy, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of heart-pumping physical activity per week, according to the American Heart Association. Based on previous studies, leading a sedentary lifestyle can negatively impact one’s general health and raise the chance of several illnesses, such as high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease. Regular inactivity has also been connected to mortality from cardiovascular disease and other causes.

According to recent research that was published in the journal BMC Public Health, coffee consumption may be able to mitigate some of the negative consequences associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Researchers at Soochow University in Suzhou, China, have found that compared to sitting for less than four hours a day, sitting for more than eight hours a day was associated with a higher risk of mortality from heart disease and other causes. But compared to those who did not drink coffee, those who drank the most seemed to have a lower risk of dying. Researchers examined information regarding daily sitting time and coffee use from over 10,700 adults in the United States who took part in the 2007–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for this study.

The corresponding author of this study, Bingyan Li, PhD, professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene in the School of Public Health at the Medical College of Soochow University in Suzhou, China, told Medical News Today that “in recent years, increased TV viewing and computer use, as well as less physically demanding jobs, have led people to become more sedentary in their daily lives.” “Even if people meet recommended levels of physical activity, prolonged sitting might have a negative impact on metabolic health. The risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, is linked to sedentary behavior, which is increasingly becoming recognized as a possible predictor of negative health consequences. Furthermore, the world is heavily financially burdened by these unfavorable health outcomes.

Li said, “Yet, due to the potent antioxidant qualities of coffee components, coffee is one of the most widely consumed drinks in the world and among Americans. Growing research also suggests that regular coffee consumption can reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases.” “Therefore, coffee may have a significant impact on public health even if it has a small health-boosting effect.” Li and her research team found that compared to individuals who sat for less than four hours a day, sitting for more than eight hours a day was associated with a higher risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease as well as other causes.

As coffee intake was taken into account, researchers discovered that individuals who drank the most coffee had lower mortality rates from cardiovascular disease and all causes as compared to those who drank less. Additionally, those who did not drink coffee and sat for six hours or more a day had a 1.6-fold increased risk of dying from all causes compared to those who drank coffee and sat for less than six hours a day, according to research. According to one study, sitting for extended periods of time without breaks seems to worsen inflammation and affect glucose metabolism, Li added.

Because sedentary behavior increases proinflammatory markers while lowering anti-inflammatory markers, it is an important and independent predictor of inflammation. Furthermore, she noted that earlier research had demonstrated how sedentary behavior affects skeletal muscle metabolism and that metabolic risks rose by 39% for every hour spent sitting or lying prone during the waking hours. Compared to sedentary activity, coffee consumption has numerous advantages for boosting adult overall survival. Drinking coffee lowers the chance of developing metabolic syndrome, which exacerbates inflammation. Numerous studies have revealed an inverse connection between adult cardiovascular disease mortality and coffee consumption, both overall and by cause.

Yu-Ming Ni, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and lipidologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, advised readers to use caution when interpreting the study’s results after reading it. Since this is an association research, our goal is to determine how coffee and cardiovascular disease are related. However, when examining correlations, it can be challenging to determine whether coffee use is the cause of the decline in heart disease or whether there are other factors that the coffee drinker is doing to lower their risk of cardiovascular death. That, then, is most likely the key lesson to be learned from this.

“I think it’s critical that we acknowledge that lifestyle decisions are the cornerstone of optimal health. The eight lifestyle decisions and medical treatments that are most strongly linked to excellent health are known as the “Essential 8,” according to the American Heart Association. Furthermore, only a very tiny percentage of Americans adhere to all eight criteria. Therefore, in my opinion, there is always room to research healthy habits and behavior modification as a means of maintaining your health and lowering your risk of heart disease. And one of the behaviors that we have been researching for a while is the intake of coffee. They also discussed this study with Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, owner of Nutrition-In-Sight and registered dietitian nutritionist.

According to Richard, it’s critical to keep in mind that a variety of things can affect one’s ability to profit from coffee, tea, or any other beverage. “The bean’s origin, quality, processing method, additions (preservatives, cream, sugar), amount and frequency of consumption, and the person’s sensitivity to caffeine, present health (prescription drugs, high blood pressure, cardiac issues), and metabolic reaction to it,” she explained. “The current [recommended daily limit] is three to five 8-ounce cups per day, or approximately 400 mg of caffeine; however, tolerance may vary greatly among individuals.”

Looking at additional benefits of coffee consumption that people might find counteract the negative effects of being sedentary, Richard mentioned that caffeine from coffee may act on the central nervous system to increase alertness and may also have a feel-good, mood-boosting effect on an individual. She went on, “It might give mental acuteness and clarity.” But there are a few drawbacks to take into account as well. A few substances in coffee, particularly if unfiltered, have the potential to increase cholesterol, induce jitters, anxiety, GERD, GI problems, palpitations, or other cardio-metabolic markers including homocysteine levels. Richard offered the following advice to readers who might be thinking about consuming coffee for its possible health benefits:  Consult a licensed dietitian nutritionist to determine whether or not coffee is right for you.  If you’re not enjoying it already, don’t feel compelled to start adding it. The benefits of an unsweetened coffee with low-fat milk or no added sugar won’t come from a 32-ounce cold brew with extra vanilla and caramel syrup.  Assess your intake and ask yourself, “If I am sedentary for six to eight hours, how can I move more every hour, every day?

https://www.sciencealert.com/drinking-coffee-may-lower-risk-of-death-from-too-much-sitting
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-18515-9
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240423/US-study-links-extended-sitting-and-lack-of-coffee-to-higher-death-rates.aspx
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drinking-coffee-may-help-lower-death-risk-being-sedentary

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here
https://mygenericpharmacy.com

In the United States, mental health disorders are thought to impact at least 578 million adults. Included in this are serious illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Antipsychotic drugs are sometimes necessary for the treatment of symptoms, but they can also have detrimental effects on metabolism, including weight gain and insulin resistance, which can make people feel worse about themselves and sometimes force them to stop taking their medications. To address these issues, Stanford Medicine recently conducted a pilot study to determine whether a ketogenic diet could improve the metabolic and psychiatric outcomes of patients with severe mental illness.

Diabetes, obesity, and mental health issues are just a few of the conditions that have been successfully managed by the ketogenic diet, which is high in fats, low in carbs, and moderate in protein. A 4-month ketogenic diet intervention may now dramatically improve symptoms and quality of life in individuals with severe mental illness and metabolic conditions when combined with standard medication and treatment, according to a pilot study from Stanford Medicine.

According to recent research, following a ketogenic diet that consists of high-fat, low-carb foods may help reduce weight gain and other side effects from the medications used to treat serious mental illness. Researchers at Stanford Medicine conducted a clinical trial in which they enrolled 23 patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia and gave them dietary instructions to consume roughly 60% fat, 30% protein, and 10% carbohydrates. Researchers have found that drugs used to treat severe mental illness can have “major metabolic side effects,” like weight gain and insulin resistance. All of the patients in the study experienced at least one of these symptoms. Upon completing a four-month ketogenic diet, a significant improvement in psychiatric symptoms was observed in 79% of the participants.

Further research is required to ascertain whether dietary modifications can significantly, long-term benefit patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, given the small size and brief duration of the study. However, the results are part of an expanding body of evidence pointing to a strong connection between diet and brain health. Additionally, studies on the ketogenic diet have been conducted to treat epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. Theoretically, by addressing metabolic problems, the diet may lessen mental symptoms. The working theory, according to study lead author Shebani Sethi, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford Medicine, is that we’re giving the brain energy to get around these metabolic deficiencies.

Researchers are aware that a ketogenic diet can help the brain, but Sethi said it is still unclear how much the diet can specifically help with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Initial search strategies turned up a total of 32 experimental or observational studies, 14 of which satisfied the requirements to be included in this analysis. While the exact diet plans used in each study varied slightly, they all primarily looked at low-carb dietary intake to induce a ketotic state. According to the studies in this review, KD helped lower symptoms related to a range of psychiatric conditions.

There are various theories regarding the application of KD to treat mental health disorders. The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to glutamate ratio in the brain is thought to be altered by the KD, favoring GABA. Theoretically, the imbalanced GABA levels in a person with schizophrenia could be compensated for by this increase in GABA, which would then lessen symptoms like delusions and hallucinations.

Additionally, it is believed that ketogenic diets reduce reactive oxygen species and raise levels of phosphocreatine, adenosine triphosphate, and other nutrients that enhance metabolic efficiency. This may be advantageous for people on medications that increase their risk of gaining weight. This may lessen brain inflammation, which could relieve symptoms in a variety of illness states, including Alzheimer’s disease. 7 There is also another theory that suggests ketosis limits neuronal excitability and apoptosis, which could account for the positive reports of KD in epileptic patients.

Due to beneficial changes in the gut microbiome, the metabolic alterations linked to seizure reduction may also have potential benefits in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Acidic plasma is thought to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder by decreasing intracellular calcium and sodium. The KD improves daytime sleepiness by increasing the activation of orexin-containing neurons in narcolepsy patients by causing relative hypoglycemia. This systematic review aims to investigate the clinical effects of KD on different states of psychiatric illness. The examined research offers proof that the KD may help treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ASD, Alzheimer’s disease, and anorexia nervosa.

REFERENCES:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/04/02/ketogenic-bipolar-mental-diet/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8120987/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/a-keto-diet-may-help-improve-severe-mental-health-metabolic-symptoms

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_478

Researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK, have disproved earlier theories regarding frontotemporal dementia by discovering a novel protein called TAF15 that forms aggregated structures in cases of the illness. This finding adds something new to the small list of proteins known to aggregate in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. This discovery not only opens the door to more sophisticated diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches, but it also raises the intriguing possibility that TAF15 is connected to both motor neuron disease and frontotemporal dementia, providing new insights into these crippling conditions. The majority of neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia, are caused by proteins that aggregate into filaments called amyloids. Most of the time, researchers have identified the specific proteins that cause this aggregation, which allows them to concentrate on these proteins for diagnostic evaluations and treatment planning. Nevertheless, the precise protein causing frontotemporal dementia has not yet been identified by researchers in about 10% of cases. Researchers have now successfully determined the TAF15 protein’s aggregated structures in these specific instances.

The brain’s frontal and temporal lobes, which control emotions, personality, behavior, language comprehension, and speech, begin to degenerate with frontotemporal dementia. Compared to Alzheimer’s disease, this disorder usually shows symptoms earlier in life and is often diagnosed in people between the ages of 45 and 65. That can, however, also manifest in people of all ages. Scientists have discovered aggregated protein structures in their latest work, which could be a central point for future developments in diagnostic evaluations and treatments. Now that the essential protein and its structure have been found, scientists can concentrate on using it to identify and treat this particular type of frontotemporal dementia. This strategy is similar to those that are currently being used to target tau and amyloid-beta protein aggregates, which are characteristic characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers examined protein aggregates in the brains of four patients suffering from this type of frontotemporal dementia at the atomic level resolution using sophisticated cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) techniques. Up until now, researchers have linked this kind of dementia to other neurodegenerative illnesses and believed that a protein called FUS was in charge of aggregation.

The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology researchers were able to ascertain that the protein aggregates present in every brain had the same atomic structure by employing cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Remarkably, TAF15, a different protein, rather than FUS, was the guilty party. The researchers explained that this result was unexpected because, up until this study, neither the structural properties of TAF15 nor its involvement in the formation of amyloid filaments in neurodegenerative conditions had been identified. Through insights that were previously unattainable with earlier technologies, cryo-EM is revolutionizing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying dementia and neurodegenerative diseases in a broader context. The complexity of cryo-electron microscopy, the researchers admitted, restricted their analysis to the brains of just four people. However, there is a chance that we will be able to develop instruments for screening hundreds of patient samples in order to determine the degree of these aberrant protein aggregates, now that we have a better understanding of the pivotal protein and its structure. A progressive loss of muscle control is a characteristic of motor neuron disease, which is also experienced by some people with frontotemporal dementia. In this study, two people with both conditions gave their brains for examination.

In these instances, the TAF15 protein was found in aggregated form in brain areas linked to motor neuron disease, according to the researchers. It is possible that TAF15 plays a role in the development of both frontotemporal dementia and motor neuron disease because two people who had both conditions had identical TAF15 aggregates. The investigators are currently investigating whether patients with motor neuron disease who do not show frontotemporal dementia symptoms have these aberrant TAF15 aggregates. This study further examined the possibility that additional abnormal proteins may be contributory to the neuropathological process of fronto temporal lobar degeneration and dementia (FTLD), stated James Giordano, PhD, MPhil, Pellegrino Center Professor of Neurology and Biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Center. Giordano was not involved in this research and told Medical News Today. The investigation, which was well-conducted, examined the presence and amount of TAF protein, a variant abnormal protein constituent. TAF protein, along with other known abnormal proteins (like characteristic tau and alpha-synuclein entities), are found in and contribute to the neurodegenerative processes of frontotemporal dementia (FTLD). Dr. According to Giordano, this study importantly demonstrated that TAF protein is also present in the total proteinopathic constituency of the, albeit at a somewhat lesser concentration.

The results of the study further support and advance aspects of the amyloid hypothesis of neurodegenerative dementia, according to Dr. Giordano. He added that the discovery of the TAF variant might be a useful diagnostic marker in addition to a possible therapeutic target for the management of FTLD. Jennifer Bramen, M.D. D. Frontotemporal lobe dementia (FTD) is an emotionally taxing illness for which there is no known treatment, according to a senior research scientist at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California, who was not involved in this study. Dr. Bramen came to the conclusion that FTD is a heterogeneous disease, which makes research on it more difficult. Increased patient treatment options may result from a deeper comprehension of various subtypes.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/scientists-find-new-protein-linked-early-onset-dementia
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/12/231206115845.htm
https://www.mcknights.com/news/clinical-news/scientists-identify-protein-linked-to-early-onset-dementia/
https://www.sciencealert.com/unexpected-protein-linked-to-early-onset-dementia-in-huge-discovery

For mental health medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_478

According to a recent randomized controlled trial, older adults who eat a poor-quality diet may benefit cognitively from taking daily supplements of cocoa extract. The authors found that older adults who regularly ate a high-quality diet showed no cognitive benefit from cocoa extract. Flavanols, which are abundant in cocoa, may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. There is still need for more investigation into the possible cognitive advantages of cocoa. According to a recent study, older adults with routinely poor diet quality may benefit cognitively from taking daily cocoa extracts. Daily doses of cocoa extract did not appear to improve cognitive function in any of the study participants. The authors of the study note a borderline trend for people with inadequate diets, though. The COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), a randomized clinical trial (RCT) carried out at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, comprised the clinical cohort of participants in this study. The benefits of taking a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement for cancer prevention and a daily cocoa extract supplement for cognitive function were examined in this larger trial, which involved 21,442 older Americans.

A portion of the research’s funding came from Mars Edge, an entity under Mars Inc. committed to the study of nutrition. Among the other donors were the U. S. The FDA, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, Harvard Catalyst, Contract Pharmacal Corp., and the National Institutes of Health. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition publishes the findings. The authors claim that there has been inconsistent research on the impact of cocoa on cognitive health. The small effect observed in this study for individuals with poor diet quality points to a need for more investigation. There were 573 older participants in the study, with a mean age of 69.6. Women made up 49.2 percent of this group. At the start of the study, each participant received a thorough cognitive evaluation, and over the following two years, they underwent follow-up testing. A daily supplement containing 500 mg of cocoa extract, which included 80 mg of the antioxidant epicatechin, was given to certain study participants, while control participants were given a placebo. A total of 492 individuals finished the two-year evaluations. After two years, no improvement in cognition was seen in the group as a whole. Specifically, those taking cocoa supplements showed no improvement in executive function, attention, episodic memory, or global cognition when compared to those receiving a placebo. Flavanols, a subclass of flavonoids that are naturally occurring in plants, fruits, and vegetables, are abundant in cocoa. Our trial results provide insight into the cognitive benefits of cocoa extract, said Dr. Chirag M. Vyas, the study’s first author.

The mechanism through which flavanols may improve cognition in individuals with poor diets is not explained by the study, but Dr. Vyas proposed the following theory: by lowering oxidative stress and inflammation, cocoa flavanols may improve cognitive function outcomes in older adults with poor diet quality. Studies have linked systemic levels of inflammation linked to cognitive aging and elevated oxidative stress in older adults with poor diets. Dr. According to Vyas’ theory, eating cocoa flavanols may lessen cognitive stressors and may also be influencing other neuroprotective processes. Over the course of a 12-week follow-up period, a 2021 trial found that cocoa flavonoids had a positive impact on cognitive aging. In addition to other plant compounds, nutritionist Kristin Kirkpatrick, who was not involved in the study, told MNT I advise clients to get plenty of flavonoids. and frequently suggest dark and cocoa chocolate as a fantastic choice with a wide range of culinary applications. Dr. According to Vyas, more investigation is required to clarify the weak link found in the study. Regarding the distinction between cocoa extract and actual cocoa or chocolate, Dr. Vyas replied, There is no simple answer to this question.. Due to compositional differences, the precise effects of chocolate, cocoa powder, and extract on cognitive health may differ, according to him. For instance, a particular compound is isolated to produce cocoa extract.

Even though the COSMOS cocoa extract supplement contains all of the naturally occurring bioactive components of the cocoa bean, we were unable to evaluate the effects of various formulations, separate cocoa extract components, or varying cocoa flavanol concentrations in this trial on cognitive benefits. According to Kirkpatrick, if someone is interested in the flavonoid benefits of cocoa beans, they should consume dark chocolate that is at least 75% cacao or use pure cocoa in their regular meals and snacks, such as topping applesauce or oatmeal with it. would supply that. Customers should search for that 100 percent cocoa, as pure raw cocoa usually contains no added sugar or fat, according to Kirkpatrick. You can use cocoa in a variety of ways, like adding it to yogurt or creating desserts like chocolate mousse. she continued. Dr. Vyas stated that he is not sure if he would advise consuming cocoa to improve cognitive function. According to the results of our trial, using supplements containing cocoa extract did not appear to improve cognitive function overall in older adults, he said. He is hesitant to guarantee a significant benefit just yet, even though the study indicates that older individuals who do not follow a healthy, balanced diet may benefit from consuming cocoa. Notwithstanding these encouraging results, more research is necessary to fully comprehend how cocoa flavanols affect cognition, particularly in more diverse populations and among those with lower-quality diets.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cocoa-extract-supplement-improves-cognition-older-adults
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-12-cocoa-supplement-benefits-cognition-older.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/12/231207151255.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/cocoa-extract-may-help-reduce-risk-of-cognitive-decline-in-older-adults

For medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com