Depression: High blood sugar and lower grey matter links.

Depression: High blood sugar and lower grey matter links.

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Around the world, 5% of adults are thought to be depressed. A known risk factor for depression is fluctuations in a person’s blood sugar levels.

The relationship between blood sugar levels and the likelihood of developing depression, according to Sun Yat-sen University researchers, may be mediated by decreased grey matter volume in the brain.

About 5% of the adult population worldwide suffers from depression, a mental illness that makes a person feel incredibly depressed and hopeless to the point where they are unable to enjoy their daily activities.

Variations in glycemia, or a person’s blood sugar levels, are one of the many risk factors for depression.

According to earlier research, people with diabetes, a disorder in which a person struggles to maintain adequate blood sugar levels, are two to three times more likely to experience depression.

The relationship between blood sugar levels and depression may now have a precise biological cause. This is according to researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.

According to research, the association between blood sugar levels and the risk of depression may be mediated by a decreased grey matter volume in the brain.

Depression, blood sugar, and brain structure

According to Dr. Hualiang Lin, a professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Sun Yat-sen University and the study’s corresponding author, they chose to investigate the effect of blood sugar on the risk of developing depression. Earlier research has established a link between changes in blood sugar levels and the development of depression.

Also, a lot of research has shown a clear connection between depression development and changes in brain structure and function. As a result, the information that is now available strongly supports that brain anatomy may play a moderating role in the co-morbidity of diabetes and depression. As a result, we carried out this research to learn more about this connection, said Dr. Lin.

Changes in the amount of grey matter in the brain have been linked in the past to depression. According to a 2019 study, particular changes in gray-matter volume were linked to lifetime major depressive illness.

Additionally, a study conducted in 2022 discovered that individuals with significant depression, bipolar illness, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders frequently have lower hippocampus grey matter volume.

Examining brain’s grey matter

Dr. Lin and his team gathered information from more than 500,000 UK Biobank individuals between the ages of 40 and 69 for this observational study.

Researchers examined the data and discovered a “significant correlation” between sadness, decreased grey matter volume, and raised levels of HbA1c, or glycosylated hemoglobin.

A quick test called HbA1c determines a person’s blood sugar levels during the previous three months, or glycosylated hemoglobin.

In comparison to study participants with or without diabetes, researchers found that a reduced grey matter volume was associated with depression. This association was particularly pronounced in study participants with prediabetes.

Even if the outcome supports our hypothesis, Dr. Lin stated, “We are still very excited about it.”

Previous studies on the specific brain regions connected to depression have been rather scarce, frequently concentrating on well-established clinical regions such the hippocampus or prefrontal cortex. Contrarily, we were able to more thoroughly analyse and identify probable grey matter regions that may be connected to depression in our study since it made use of MRI data from hundreds of different brain areas,” he said.

Age as a risk factor for increased risk

Furthermore, participants in the study who were 60 years of age or older had the strongest correlation between decreased grey matter volume and depression.

According to Dr. Lin, “This finding has important public health implications, particularly for the neurological health of older individuals.”

In particular, the findings indicate that in older people compared to younger people, the decline in grey matter volume is more pronounced for every one unit increase in HbA1c. The difference can be more than twice as great in some brain regions, according to Dr. Hualiang Lin.

This study shows that we may soon face increased dangers to brain health and mental well-being, he said, “given the global trend of population aging and the rising risk of diabetes.”

What does a normal blood sugar level mean?

Glucose, sometimes referred to as blood sugar, is crucial for numerous bodily processes. It is the body’s main source of energy, to start. And glucose is what “feeds” the brain, keeping it active and maintaining connections amongst its associated nerve cells.

The food you eat, especially carbohydrates like starchy vegetables, whole grains, and fruits, provides the body with blood sugar. Glucose is released into the bloodstream as these nutrients are broken down by the body through the digestive tract.

The pancreas starts to secrete insulin as soon as blood glucose levels increase. To give the body’s cells with the energy they require, insulin aids glucose absorption.

An individual with diabetes or one who is at risk for getting it may have high fasting blood sugar levels:

  • A good fasting blood sugar level is one that is 99 mg/dL or lower.
  • Prediabetes is indicated by a fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125 mg/dL.
  • One has diabetes if their fasting blood sugar level is 126 mg/dL or greater.

Hyperglycemia, or having too much glucose in the bloodstream, can cause the following symptoms:

Could controlling blood sugar lessen depression?

Dr. Daniel Pompa, a cellular health expert, author of the “Cellular Healing Diet,” and host of a weekly Cellular Healing TV podcast and YouTube show. He stated after reviewing this study that it has long been known that blood sugar levels have a significant impact on brain health. Also, this study only serves to further that understanding.

High glucose levels cause brain inflammation, which lowers cognitive function and emotional control. According to Dr. Daniel Pompa, long-term exposure to elevated glucose levels has been related to altered brain circuits that raise the chance of developing depression.

In those with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, higher levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) are associated with a reduction in brain capacity. Elevated HbA1c is linked to decreased grey matter sizes in regions including the hippocampus, thalamus, and prefrontal cortex. This is according to several other research that have supported this, Dr. Pompa continued.

As a strategy to treat type 2 diabetes, Dr. Pompa said he would like to see further research on the impact of lifestyle modifications and fasting. It also brain scans to measure these people’s grey matter volume.

In particular, he asked, “Can reducing type 2 diabetes symptoms stop or even reverse the loss of grey matter and lower rates of depression?”

Dr. Matthew J. Freeby, director of the Gonda Diabetes Centre and associate director of diabetes clinical programmes at the David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, said: “Unfortunately, depression is quite common in people living with diabetes, and there’s not much known as to the connection. For a better understanding of the problem’s causes and potential treatments, more research is urgently needed.

Although this research makes an interesting observation, Dr. Freeby stated that he did not believe we could yet identify physical changes in grey matter volume as the explanation.

REFERENCES:

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

Heart health may be impacted by the bacteria in your gut.

Heart health may be impacted by the bacteria in your gut.

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Heart health may be impacted by some gut bacteria, particularly certain strep species that are typically found in the mouth and digestive tract.

Gut bacteria in particular, according to researchers, may be connected to the development of plaque, which can result in clogged arteries.

According to experts, the new research expands on other studies that suggest a connection between gut flora and cardiovascular health. A new study reveals that the mouth and gut may be the origin of several cardiac issues.

A key contributor to heart attacks are deposits of fat, cholesterol, and other chemicals called atherosclerotic plaques, also referred to as clogged arteries.

According to Swedish researchers, a higher prevalence of these plaques is linked to the presence of specific oral bacteria, mainly Streptococcus, in the gut.

The research, conducted by scientists at Uppsala and Lund University and reported in the journal Circulation, was based on an examination of the gut flora and cardiac imaging of 8,973 persons between the ages of 50 and 65 who had no history of heart disease.

“We found that oral bacteria, especially species from the Streptococcus genus, are associated with increased occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques in the small arteries of the heart when present in the gut flora,” said Dr Tove Fall, a study author and professor of molecular epidemiology at the department of medical sciences and the SciLifeLab at Uppsala University.

Information from the gut bacteria and heart health study

The development of plaque in the blood arteries of the heart was detected early by researchers using cutting-edge imaging technologies.

They coupled the details with genetic sequencing information on a variety of bacteria that live in the stomach (as well as the mouth and throat).

In addition to the link between Streptococcus anginosus and atherosclerotic plaque, researchers also noted that Streptococcus oralis appeared to be connected to plaque accumulation.

According to the study’s findings, levels of some Streptococcus species in the mouth and the gut were associated with fatty deposits in the arteries.

Dr. Marju Orho-Melander, a senior author of the study and a professor of genetic epidemiology at Lund University, said, “We have just begun to grasp how the human host and the bacterial community in the various compartments of the body affect one other.”

According to our study, people who carry streptococci in their stomach have changed cardiovascular health. We must now look into whether these bacteria have a significant role in the emergence of atherosclerosis, she added in a press release.

Plaque buildup is facilitated by two different bacteria species.

One of the most important links the researchers discovered after looking at cardiac imaging and gut flora was with two particular bacteria.

Streptococcus species and indicators of systemic inflammation in the blood have a close relationship. Researchers connected the bacteria with diseases of the oral cavity because they were the same species that were discovered in the mouth.

According to Mesilhy, “Streptococcus anginosus and Streptococcus oralis subsp. Oralis were the most prevalent in [this study group] patients with coronary atherosclerosis.”

Mesilhy continued, “Previous research in mice suggest that oral exposure to Streptococcus species induces plaque formation.

How do gut microbes affect heart health?

Dr. Kezia Joy, an advisor for the UK-based online healthcare company Welzo who was not involved in the study, said that “emerging evidence suggests that alterations in the composition and function of the gut microbiota, commonly referred to as dysbiosis, may contribute to various health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.”

According to studies, specific gut bacteria can create metabolites such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which has been linked to the onset and development of atherosclerosis. “TMAO has been linked to increased oxidative stress, atherosclerotic plaque development, and inflammation. Furthermore, the development of physiological systems including lipid metabolism, inflammation, and immunological responses all of which are important contributors to the development of cardiovascular diseases can be influenced by the gut microbiota.”

Dr. Bina Joe, chair of the physiology and pharmacology department at the University of Toledo in Ohio and founding director of the school’s Centre for Hypertension and Precision Medicine, stated that “the strength of this study is that it’s a large cohort [of participants], the researchers have done a very careful analysis of them at an early stage of cardiovascular disease, and the use of biomarkers” to identify particular gut bacteria that may contribute to plaque formation.

The significance of studying gut microbes

The Swedish study, according to Joe, who has previously led research into the connections between gut bacteria and high blood pressure, is a significant advancement in a field of study where the link between bacteria and cardiovascular illness is more hypothesized than established.

For instance, flossing is now recommended by dentists as a technique to reduce the buildup of mouth germs that may increase the risk of heart disease.

“We don’t know why, but it works,” said Joe.

Further investigation into the exact bacteria that affect cardiovascular disease and the execution of longitudinal studies that could demonstrate a causation rather than an association between gut flora and heart health are questions for future study, according to Joe.

Streptococcus bacteria, for instance, present in both the mouth and the gut, but it’s doubtful that just one strain is to blame for plaque formation because bacteria cannot thrive in both an anaerobic environment like the gut and an oxygen-rich one like the mouth.

Joe remarked, “It’s unclear whatever species of Streptococcus [the researchers] are referring to. In the end, a large community of bacteria may be at play rather than a specific strain.

Summary

A link between gut flora and coronary atherosclerotic plaques has been demonstrated by a recent study.

Researchers studied gut flora and cardiac imaging, and the results showed a strong connection between two different kinds of bacteria.

The study also demonstrated a connection between certain of the species linked to levels of the same species in the mouth and the accumulation of fatty deposits in heart arteries. These findings imply that microorganisms affect several biological systems.

REFERENCES:

For Heart disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_99

Links between sleep brain waves and blood sugar control.

Links between sleep brain waves and blood sugar control.

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Diabetes is a disorder that makes it difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar levels.

When the body stops generating or responding to the hormone insulin, which controls blood glucose (sugar), blood glucose levels rise too high.

Poor sleep quality and higher blood sugar levels are related, according to research. A recent study has discovered that certain deep sleep brain waves are connected to the control of blood sugar levels.

The researchers hypothesise that elevating particular deep-sleep brain waves could lower the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

More than 6% of the world’s population currently has diabetes, which is on the rise globally. The American Diabetes Association estimates that 37.3 million Americans, or 11.3% of the population, have diabetes, with more than 35.4 million of those having type 2 diabetes.

96 million Americans aged 18 and older had prediabetes in 2019, which is a condition in which blood glucose (sugar) levels are increased but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

The risk factor for type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, frequently has no symptoms and can go unnoticed for a very long time.

To lower the chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes, the National Institutes of Health recommend many lifestyle modifications, including:

  • if a person is overweight, reducing 5–7% of their body weight and maintaining that weight loss
  • getting up to 30 minutes of exercise five times each week
  • consuming fewer servings and making an effort to consume nutritious foods the majority of the time.

What connection exists between sleep and diabetes?

Numerous studies have connected poor blood glucose control and sleep issues. Raised blood glucose levels and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes are all linked to inadequate sleep length, poor sleep quality, and sleep disorders such insomnia and sleep apnea.

Now, a study has postulated a mechanism through which deep sleep is associated with lower blood glucose levels and contends that sleep quality rather than quantity is a better predictor of blood glucose levels.

Researchers discovered a connection between some deep sleep brain waves and better blood sugar regulation the next day.

According to the study, which was published in Cell Reports Medicine, deep sleep enhances the body’s sensitivity to insulin by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to better blood sugar regulation.

According to study co-author and researcher Vyoma D. Shah of the Centre for Human Sleep Science, “the association with blood glucose control appears to be strongly explained by a link between deep sleep oscillations and specific alteration in insulin sensitivity, rather than insulin synthesis, storage, or secretion.”

The study noted that “the causal chain by which this occurs in humans is still unexplored.”

Brainwaves suggest a metabolic connection

Although she was not engaged in this study, Fiona McLoone, a research communications officer at Diabetes UK, commented:

“This study gives us more information about how the brain regulates blood glucose levels while we sleep; however, more research is required to determine whether assistance with improving sleep could benefit those who have type 2 diabetes or are at risk for developing it.”

Previous studies have suggested that decreased glucose metabolism is related to a shortening of slow-wave, or deep, sleep.

In a laboratory experiment, it was discovered that healthy young people’ insulin sensitivity significantly decreased when slow-wave sleep was inhibited, which in turn reduced glucose tolerance and raised the chance of developing diabetes.

Researchers found that clusters of strong wave ripples from the hippocampus, which happen during non-REM sleep, caused a drop in blood sugar levels in the rats within 10 minutes.

In the current investigation, the researchers first examined 647 people’s nocturnal polysomnography results as well as their next-morning glucose and insulin readings. They subsequently conducted their trials once more on a different 1,996 subjects.

They were looking to see if coupled non-REM spindles the night before were linked to better peripheral blood glucose levels the next day.

Other variables known to affect blood glucose management, such as age, gender, race, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, quantity of sleep, and sleep quality, were accounted for in both groups.

They discovered that the coupling of slow waves and sleep spindles during deep sleep was connected to better blood glucose regulation the next morning.

How could REM sleep affect blood sugar?

The parasympathetic nervous system’s activity, according to the authors, may be the cause of the influence on blood glucose.

They discovered that deep sleep activated this area of the nervous system, causing the body to become more sensitive to insulin, causing the body to absorb more glucose from the bloodstream into cells, so reducing blood sugar.

As Shah commented that the results of our study are not applicable to all deep sleep in general, but rather to the coupling (nearly simultaneous or time-locked occurrence) of slow oscillations and spindles in deep sleep, despite the fact that there are numerous techniques that can alter brain waves during sleep, including electrical, audio stimulation, and better sleep hygiene to increase the ease of falling asleep and the likelihood of staying asleep.

The connection might not be direct

The researchers issue a warning that their results do not prove a causal link between better blood glucose regulation and deep sleep. They do, however, offer a theory as to how the link occurred.

According to Shah, “based on a seminal study in rats that inspired this study, it is plausible that during sleep, hippocampal sharp wave ripples which we index by measuring slow oscillation-spindle coupling in this study send a signal to a relay station called the lateral septum, which in turn modulates blood glucose levels.”

The authors also make the case that monitoring brain waves during deep sleep could be a non-invasive way to determine how well someone is controlling their blood sugar.

What will the upcoming research focus be?

We learned from Shah that “our findings are the first to demonstrate an association between these particular deep sleep brain waves (slow oscillation-spindle coupling) and glucose regulation, reiterating the significance of sleep in the clinical management of hyperglycemia.”

“We hope this study paves the way for future research that can better understand the causal mechanisms underlying these associations, and eventually, develop therapeutics to enhance slow-oscillation spindle coupling during sleep, to better control blood sugar levels,” she continued.

She also outlined possible areas for further study, such as measuring glucose levels at various times and examining whether slow oscillation and spindle coupling may be used to change glucose regulation or vice versa.

However, as McLoone cautioned, “Some people are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes than others, and getting a good night’s sleep is an essential component of good health, but currently the best evidence for reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes involves eating a healthy, balanced diet and keeping active.”

REFERENCES:

For Diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=13

Food categories that could reduce cardiovascular risk.

Food categories that could reduce cardiovascular risk.

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Researchers looked into how various meal groups affected cardiovascular health. They discovered a relationship between lower cardiovascular risk and diets high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole-fat dairy, and fish.

To determine how much each element contributes to risk reduction overall, more research is required. A significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an unhealthy diet.

Higher intakes of processed meats, refined cereals, and sugar-sweetened beverages. These in particular, are known to raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Likewise, there is a correlation between lower CVD risk with diets like the Mediterranean, Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. All of these diets call for consuming more of:

  • Fruit
  • Vegetables
  • Legumes
  • Nuts
  • Fish

Recent research has revealed that several foods, such as whole-fat dairy. They were previously believed to raise the risk of CVD and may instead have beneficial or neutral benefits. Many of these fresh discoveries have not yet, however, been included in dietary recommendations.

Furthermore, it is unknown whether earlier findings hold true for other regions of the world because the majority of dietary studies have been carried out in North America, Europe, and East Asia.

Researchers have looked at nutrition and health data from 80 nations on five continents.

In all geographic areas, they discovered a relationship between diets high in fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, seafood, and whole-fat dairy with a reduced risk of CVD and mortality. The results were more compelling for lower-income nations.

‘PURE’ diet versus Mediterranean and DASH diets

First, the researchers looked at information from 166,762 people between the ages of 35 and 70 who lived in 21 low-, middle-, and high-income nations on five continents. The individuals were monitored for an average of 9.3 years.

Six food categories associated with decreased death rates were used by the researchers to establish a score for a healthy diet:

  • fruit
  • vegetables
  • legumes
  • nuts
  • fish
  • dairy

The diet score was given the name “PURE” diet score in honour of the research it was based on.

Overall, the researchers found that the average diet score was 2.95. Also, the nations with a higher per-capita gross national income had a higher prevalence of healthier diet ratings.

During the follow-up period, they also tallied a total of 8,201 significant CVD events and 10,076 fatalities.

In the end, people with diet scores of 5 or 6 had a considerably lower risk of developing cardiovascular problems than participants with diet scores of 0 or 1.

They had a total of:

  • a 30% decrease in the mortality rate
  • Reduced risk of stroke by 19%
  • 18% decreased CVD risk
  • Heart attack risk is reduced by 14%.

The PURE diet score was applied to data from five more studies, encompassing 96,955 participants in 70 different countries, and the researchers discovered comparable outcomes.

They also noted that compared to other popular diet scores, such as the HEI, Mediterranean, and DASH diet scores, the PURE diet score exhibited a marginally greater correlation with CVD or death.

However, compared to the Planetary diet score, the PURE diet score was noticeably more predictive of death and major CVD events.

In order to strike a balance between a nutritious diet and a sustainable food system, the Planetary diet was created. The emphasis on plant-based foods and weekly limits of 98 grammes of red meat, 203 grammes of chicken, and 196 grammes of fish make it the most restricted diet of those under study.

How to eat for a healthy heart?

The study’s authors suggest eating every day as follows based on the PURE diet score:

  • 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day
  • 1/2 cup of legumes
  • an amount of nuts
  • 0.3 fish servings
  • 2 dairy servings
  • one-half dish of red meat
  • 0.3 portions of chicken

Additionally, they advised 2-3 weekly servings of fish and 3-4 weekly servings of beans.

How diet is good for your heart?

Dr. Debbie Fetter, an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis who teaches nutrition but was not involved in the study, discussed the potential cardiovascular health benefits of diets high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, seafood, and whole grains with us.

Foods derived from plants, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, are nutrient-dense and contain phytochemicals, which are protective agents. According to Dr. Fetter, phytochemicals can minimize inflammation and oxidation, which helps protect against chronic diseases like CVD.

Dr. Mary Greene, a board-certified cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology in New York City, who was also not engaged in the study, was another person we spoke with. She pointed out that reducing processed foods may also contribute to some of the diet’s advantages.

We are aware that consuming fewer processed foods foods tainted by human manufacturing, foods containing additives, chemicals, and preservatives to keep them shelf-stable can reduce inflammation in the body, which has a negative impact on the cardiovascular system in particular. Avoiding these foods will help to maintain cardiovascular health, according to Dr. Greene.

“The food groups identified by this study, when consumed in their most natural state, can help to preserve cardiovascular health,” she continued.

Separating apart whole foods from processed foods

We enquired about the study’s limitations from senior clinical dietitian Dana Hunnes, Ph.D., of the UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles who was not engaged in it. She pointed out that the study did not identify causal relationships; it just documented connections.

“The best we can do with this type of study is to say that these six foods are associated with lower risk for cardiovascular disease, but it doesn’t really look at how powerful each of those six foods is in potentially ‘causing’ cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Hunnes said.

This, she said, is crucial because it’s possible that the majority of health advantages came from eating more fruits, veggies, nuts, and legumes, and that those who ate these items also ate fish and dairy, which may have minor benefits.

The results, Dr. Greene continued, are open to interpretation. Although a pint of rich ice cream is technically a full-fat dairy product, she pointed out that it is also a highly processed and fattening item, so it is best to stay away from it.

The low-fat, sugar-free flavoured creamer, which is a highly processed item that contains chemicals linked to diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, would be a better substitute for a splash of heavy cream in your daily coffee. Making the distinction when discussing these various dietary groups is crucial, she continued.

No need to switch to a vegan diet

The study, according to Dr. Fetter, supports the idea that choosing nutrient-rich foods including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seafood, and dairy can lower CVD risk.

She continued, observing that the relatively restrictive Planetary Diet Score was less predictive of cardiovascular health and mortality than the PURE diet score.

“This finding supports varying your dietary pattern and suggests that if you do consume animal-source foods, you can do so in moderation rather than completely restrict or avoid them,” she said.

“You don’t necessarily need to go completely plant-based to lower your risk of heart disease, but rather moderate amounts of fish and dairy were found to be linked to a reduced risk of CVD in this analysis,” she said in her analysis.

REFERENCES:

For Heart disease treatments that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=11

Fibromyalgia: Links with risk of suicide and infections.

Fibromyalgia: Links with risk of suicide and infections.

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According to researchers, fibromyalgia’s effects extend beyond the discomfort in the muscles and joints.

The risk of suicide, infection, and accidents is reportedly increased in those with chronic condition.

According to some experts, these increased risks may be a result of both the discomfort associated with having fibromyalgia and the propensity of some medical personnel to downplay the seriousness of the condition.

The signs of fibromyalgia, such as body-wide pain and exhaustion, are far better understood than their underlying causes.

A recent study that was released in the journal RMD Open raises the possibility that the effects of fibromyalgia may extend well beyond the everyday discomfort it causes.

Researchers Dr. Yulia Treister-Goltzman and Dr. Roni Peleg of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel found that people with fibromyalgia also have a higher rate of suicide, accidents, and infections than people without chronic condition.

What is fibromyalgia?

An episode of fibromyalgia can be physically and emotionally draining. Lifestyle interventions can aid in symptom management.

If you or a loved one has fibromyalgia, you are well familiar with the difficulties and unknowns that this chronic pain illness may bring. Dealing with flare-ups or brief spikes in symptom severity might be one of the most challenging elements of having fibromyalgia.

A chronic pain syndrome known as fibromyalgia is characterised by widespread musculoskeletal discomfort that has persisted for at least three months. It nearly always combines other severe symptoms including exhaustion and sleep issues in addition to generalized pain.

Fibromyalgia is complicated, and as a result, it’s frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed. The aetiology is typically unclear, and the symptoms might mimic those of other illnesses such autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and myofascial pain syndrome.

The fibromyalgia study’s specifics

The researchers examined eight previously released fibromyalgia papers that also described the condition’s detrimental effects.

According to Treister-Goltzman and Peleg’s research, patients with fibromyalgia have a threefold increased risk of suicide, which may be brought on by both the stress of dealing with persistent pain and the frustration of having their condition not treated seriously.

“Studies have shown that medical staff are reluctant to accept fibromyalgia as a medical condition and they face emotional and psychological difficulties interacting with these patients and coping with their disorder,” said the report.

Effects of having fibromyalgia

According to Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, a fibromyalgia specialist and author of multiple publications on the ailment, “being left crippled, in severe pain, with no energy and severe secondary cognitive dysfunction, as well as an average 32-12-pound weight gain secondary to metabolic changes, devastates people.”

Then, some doctors who are simply too lazy to study the studies and learn about these disorders suggest that the individual is insane rather than ill, leading to the callous denial of disability and health insurance benefits that they paid for and frequently leading to homelessness. Is it really a surprise that people with this illness have greater suicide rates?

According to experts, the weariness, poor sleep, and attention issues linked to fibromyalgia could account for the higher occurrence of accidents among those who have the condition.

According to the study’s authors, one of the primary hypothesizedhypothesis reasons of the illness may be to blame for the 44% greater risk of infections, including pneumonia and septicemia.

“More and more evidence supports immune system involvement and inflammation in fibromyalgia pathophysiology, which can explain the finding of increased mortality from infections,” claimed Treister-Goltzman and Peleg. Physical comorbidities could also be the cause.

The researchers did note, however, that those with fibromyalgia also had a lower risk of dying from cancer than those without the condition.

They pointed out that one reason is that persons with fibromyalgia may experience earlier cancer detection due to their increased involvement with the healthcare system.

Symptoms and signs of a fibromyalgia flare-up

It’s possible for your current symptoms to momentarily get worse when you’re going through a fibromyalgia flare-up. A fibromyalgia flare-up may present with the following signs and symptoms:

  • heightened discomfort and tenderness all over your body
  • migraines and headaches
  • increased weariness despite getting enough rest
  • stiffness
  • disruptions in sleep
  • having trouble focusing or thinking
  • memory, reasoning, or concentration issues
  • emotional signs like despair or anxiety
  • increased sensitivity to stimuli including noise, light, and temperature fluctuations
  • sensations of tingling or numbness
  • jaw or face ache
  • digestive problems, including symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Research into fibromyalgia is crucial.

The findings, according to the researchers, should serve as a warning to the medical community to pay more attention to fibromyalgia and any potential comorbidities.

According to Treister-Goltzman and Peleg, “Fibromyalgia is frequently referred to as an ‘imaginary condition’ with ongoing debates on the legitimacy and clinical usefulness of this diagnosis.” “Our review further demonstrates the need to treat fibromyalgia patients seriously, with a focus on screening for suicidal ideation, preventing accidents, and treating infections.”

Fibromyalgia is characterized by an increased sensitivity to pain, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

Infrequently, muscular and joint stiffness, tenderness to touch, numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, memory and concentration troubles, sensitivity to light, noise, odors, and temperature, as well as digestive problems, are additional signs of the illness.

Because fibromyalgia tends to run in families, previous research has suggested that the illness may be connected to the brain’s signaling of pain and may have hereditary roots.

REFERENCES:

For muscle and joints disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=28

Endometriosis: Reason for its prolonged diagnosis.

Endometriosis: Reason for its prolonged diagnosis.

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Endometriosis is a chronic disorder that can produce excruciating pain under various conditions, including menstruation and sexual activity. For some patients, getting an accurate endometriosis diagnosis might be difficult.

According to recent study, a number of factors, including societal and personal barriers, the behaviour and education of healthcare personnel, and other factors, can delay an endometriosis diagnosis by as much as 11 years.

The reasons why getting an accurate endometriosis diagnosis is challenging were recently investigated in a systematic review and qualitative synthesis.

The researchers pinpointed a number of causes, such as the normalisation of menstruation discomfort, the variety of symptoms, and the lack of training and fast referrals among medical personnel.

The analysis highlights opportunities for development in the early diagnosis and subsequent endometriosis treatment.

What is Endometriosis?

According to the Endometriosis Foundation of America, endometriosis is a painful disorder that affects an estimated 200 million people worldwide.

When endometrial-like tissue begins to proliferate outside the uterus, the disorder begins to manifest. Similar tissue normally only develops within the uterus. While it typically affects the rectum and reproductive organs, it can occasionally spread to other sites such as the bowel or pelvic cavity.

Endometrial-like tissue thickens and eventually disintegrates over the course of your menstrual cycle so that it can pass from your body when you menstruate. Similar tissue that develops outside of your uterus and cannot leave your body if you have endometriosis.

It consequently gets caught, irritating the tissues in the area and resulting in scar formation and adhesions. This may lead to chronic pain that gets worse during your period.

Other endometriosis signs and symptoms include:

  • uncomfortable urine or bowel movements, especially during your period
  • unpleasant interactions
  • infertility
  • heavy menstrual bleeding
  • between periods bleeding
  • abdomen and lower back pain right before, during, or right after your period

The following information will help you understand how to diagnose and treat endometriosis.

Consequences of endometriosis

In endometriosis, uterine-like tissue develops outside of the uterus. These lesions may be found in the bladder, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, among other places.

Chronic endometriosis is treated mostly by controlling symptoms. Pain, frequently in the pelvic region, is the primary complaint. At some periods, such as during menstruation, the pain could come on. There could be more signs as well, such as exhaustion and trouble getting pregnant. After menopause, endometriosis symptoms may occasionally get better.

Additional information about endometriosis was provided to us by Dr. Ann Peters, an expert in obstetrics and gynaecology at Mercy Medical Centre who was not engaged in the study:

The most common symptom of endometriosis is painful periods, but it can also cause other unpleasant symptoms like heavy bleeding, chest pains, chronic fatigue, diarrhea, and constipation. Other symptoms of endometriosis include pain during sexual activity and during bowel movements.

Endometriosis is thought to affect one in ten women, but there are currently no noninvasive diagnostic methods, such as ultrasound or blood work tests, that would accurately detect endometriosis, according to Dr. Ann Peters.

The authors of the current review observe that a lot of women wait a long time for a proper medical diagnosis. They wished to learn more about the causes of this delay.

Obstacles to diagnosing endometriosis

The 13 articles in this evaluation all complied with the tight eligibility requirements. All of the studies either enrolled endometriosis-affected women or medical professionals with endometriosis diagnosis expertise.

The evaluation concentrated primarily on qualitative research in which individuals talked about their experiences getting an endometriosis diagnosis. The authors’ study of these publications yielded four types of themes that contributed to delayed diagnosis:

  • individual elements
  • Individual differences
  • health system variables
  • endometriosis-specific F actors

They discovered that ladies have trouble comprehending the typical menstrual pain on an individual basis. For instance, participants frequently believed that their discomfort was normal and that they should learn to live with it.

The timing of the endometriosis diagnosis was probably impacted by these concepts and the usage of self-care techniques to control symptoms.

Researchers discovered that social stigma against addressing menstrual issues and society’s acceptance of monthly pain as normal may have further delayed diagnosis.

Finally, endometriosis and healthcare circumstances affected when a diagnosis was made. Participants cited instances where general practitioners dismissed concerns or gave the impression that they lacked endometriosis understanding. Similarly, individuals who worked in healthcare said they had received insufficient endometriosis training, and many said they lacked clear clinical guidelines for diagnosis.

There were additional communication issues. Oral contraceptives are occasionally used by medical experts to help diagnose and treat endometriosis. Participants weren’t always given clear explanations of how to rule out other diagnoses or how to utilize oral contraceptives.

Lack of endometriosis testing

Medical specialists also pointed out that endometriosis symptoms often resemble those of other diseases, which can cause delays in diagnosis. Because there are no noninvasive tests that can provide a reliable diagnosis for endometriosis, it might be difficult to make a diagnosis. Referrals were made slowly.

The idea that laparoscopic surgery is the only method of diagnosis was one factor in this. Even medical specialists questioned the value of an endometriosis diagnosis.

Dr. Sophie Davenport, an English physician who wrote the study as part of her Master of Public Health (MPH) dissertation, outlined the multifaceted strategy that will be required to remove these obstacles:

The data’s main takeaways are that there are delays in diagnosis at every stage of the trip. We need to address these on a variety of fronts, from society understanding what “normal” menstruation is and being open to discussing menstrual problems to clinicians being knowledgeable about presentation and diagnosis and paying attention to patients who claim their periods aren’t normal, according to study author Dr. Sophie Davenport.

Diagnosed with endometriosis in the past

There were some issues with this study that point to the need for more investigation.

All of the research in the study were carried out in high-income nations, the majority of which provided universal healthcare. As a result, it might not be able to generalize the findings, and this research doesn’t address any potential financial obstacles to diagnosis.

The majority of participants in studies that provided demographic data were white women, highlighting the need for increased diversity in future research.

The samples among participants with endometriosis may be biassed towards those with more severe cases.

Participants in the research that examined the opinions of healthcare professionals were mostly general practitioners and doctors. Other service providers and experts in the field could be studied in future studies. The review was undertaken by just one reviewer, which increased the chance of bias or methodological flaws.

Dr. Davenport identified the following areas of future study:

Investigating how a patient’s perceptions of receiving an endometriosis diagnosis vary now that the clinical guidelines advise treating empirically based on signs and symptoms rather than doing a laparoscopic surgery first will be an important topic of research. According to the papers, this discouraged physicians from sending women to specialty services and caused a delay in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of those women, according to Dr Sophie Davenport.

Can I speed up the diagnosing process?

It is becoming simpler to receive a correct diagnosis as more individuals become aware of endometriosis and its symptoms. However, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to make sure you receive a prompt, correct diagnosis:

Try a self-test for endometriosis. Here is a quiz you can give yourself. on show your doctor during your appointment, print out your results, or save them on your phone.

Maintain a symptom log. Keeping thorough records of your symptoms may seem boring, but they will help your doctor make a proper diagnosis. Record your symptoms’ severity on a scale of 1 to 10, as well as any details about when in your cycle they often appear.

Use a period-tracking app or a notebook to record this information.

Find a specialist in endometriosis. Request a recommendation from your doctor for a gynecologist who specializes in endometriosis. For doctor recommendations and other advice, you can also look through internet support communities.

REFERENCES:

For Sexual disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=24

Aspartame: Classified as a carcinogen by health experts?

Aspartame: Classified as a carcinogen by health experts?

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An artificial sweetener called aspartame can be found in diet sodas, chewing gum, and other goods.

Aspartame is anticipated to be identified as a probable carcinogen by WHO officials. However, according to experts, it is unclear how much of the sweetener a person has to ingest to raise their chance of developing cancer.

One of the top health organisations in the world may soon designate a common artificial sweetener, which is included in chewing gum and diet drinks alike, to be potentially carcinogenic.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is anticipated to classify aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” for the first time, according to a Reuters report.

According to Reuters, the IARC decision was reached in June during a gathering of the group’s specialists and is meant to determine whether something poses a risk based on published research. How much of a product someone can safely ingest is not taken into account in the choice.

This year, the JECFA (the Joint WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization’s Expert Committee on Food Additives) committee on additives is also looking into the usage of aspartame. According to Reuters, it started meeting at the end of June, and authorities will make its conclusions public on Friday along with the IARC’s decision.

The aspartame controversy

The disclosures created a rift with significant food producers who frequently use aspartame, mostly as a sugar substitute. Similar IARC decisions in the past have sparked litigation, alarmed consumers, and forced firms to look for substitute substances.

In accordance with recognised daily limits, aspartame is safe, according to WHO regulators since 1981. According to Reuters, an adult weighing 60 kg (132 pounds) would have to consume 12 to 36 cans of diet Coke each day, depending on the amount of aspartame in the beverage, to be at danger.

Other regulatory authorities, including those in the US and Europe, have expressed the same position.

Carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, potentially carcinogenic, and not classifiable are the four categorization categories used by the IARC. Each level is determined by the quality of the supporting data, not by how hazardous a chemical is in particular.

Products like processed meat, asbestos, and electromagnetic waves from cell phones have all been labelled as potential carcinogens at one point or another depending on use.

Is aspartame a safe artificial sweetener?

Numerous studies on aspartame have been conducted over years. A study conducted on 100,000 persons in France in 2022 found a small increase in cancer risk among those who consumed more artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame.

Aspartame was associated with several tumors in mice and rats, according to a study conducted by the Ramazzini Institute in Italy in the early 2000s.

However, the first study was unable to demonstrate that aspartame was responsible for the elevated cancer risk, and concerns have been raised about the second study’s methodology.

It’s critical to recognize when a product fits into one of the IARC’s four categories, according to Dr. Misagh Karimi, an oncologist who specializes in gastrointestinal malignancies at the City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Centre in California.

“While hearing about this news regarding aspartame can be perplexing and upsetting, it is crucial to understand that the IARC does not take into account the magnitude of risk of these carcinogens, and a Class 2B carcinogen does not equate to a certain or even possible cause of cancer,” Karimi added.

He continued, “To put it simply, a Class 2B categorization, which aloe vera and nickel are listed under as well, meaning there are some hypotheses and weak evidence leading researchers to suspect that aspartame could probably cause cancer.

Having a balanced diet

Aspartame is included in almost 6,000 food products, according to Melanie Murphy, a licenced dietician and nutritionist who teaches in the nursing programme at the University of California, Irvine. Aspartame is “leaned on” by many people to control their diabetes and weight.

When it comes to food and wellness, everything has a place, according to Murphy. Aspartame consumption has been authorized by the [Food and Drug Administration] at a rate of 50mg per kg of body weight [per day], which is extremely high. For instance, the FDA estimates that a 130-pound person might take approximately 3,200 mg of aspartame per day, or more than 15 cans of Diet Coke.

According to Murphy, aspartame consumption is substantially lower than average. That still leaves open the question of how much is too much.

Given that the FDA’s approval is significantly more than the typical daily use, she added, “based on the science, it’s unclear as to what a reasonable amount could safely be at this point.”

Aspartame is present in some form in 75% of all diet beverages, sugar-free snacks, and sugar-free candies, according to Hejeebu. The main issue with artificial sweeteners is that when consumers believe the food or beverage they are consuming is ‘diet,’ they overindulge. The results are not conclusive, but diet soda intake has been related to diabetes and obesity getting worse.

Hejeebu continued, “Most of the time we don’t even know an artificial sweetener is in the goods we’re buying. Other naturally occurring sweeteners include stevia, xylitol, and monk fruit extract. These might be marginally superior, but we can’t be certain because further research is required.”

Foods that include aspartame

Aspartame is included in other products besides diet soda, according to Matthew Landry, Ph.D., an assistant professor of community health and disease prevention at the University of California, Irvine.

Additionally, it can be found in dessert mixes, frozen desserts, yoghurt, and chewing gum. Even vitamins, supplements, and cough medicines may contain it, according to Landry.

He said, “But that doesn’t mean you can’t find alternatives.” “Knowing what to look for in the grocery store comes first. Processed foods will most likely include aspartame. “The product contains aspartame if either the word ‘aspartame’ or ‘phenylalanine’ is present,” Landry stated.

Anything with the labels “diet” or “sugar-free” probably includes aspartame, he said.

When in doubt, choose whole fruits and vegetables because they don’t contain aspartame or artificial sweeteners and offer a variety of other health advantages including fiber. If you do need to sweeten a food or beverage, think about using honey or maple syrup.

According to Dr. Jessica Jones, an oncologist from Memorial Hermann and UTHealth Houston, there is still no conclusive evidence linking aspartame to cancer. She did, however, provide some suggestions for individuals who wish to ensure that their beverage isn’t raising their risk of developing cancer.

Consider switching fully to water or tea instead of soda, she advised.

REFERENCES:

For Overall health medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_328

Is placebo just as good as opioids for lower back?

Is placebo just as good as opioids for lower back?

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For the treatment of neck pain and low back pain, researchers examined the effectiveness of opioids with a placebo. After six weeks of therapy, there were no appreciable differences in pain scores between the opioids group and the placebo group. After a year later, the placebo group had somewhat lower pain scores.

The results imply that opioids might not be successful in treating some types of pain.

The greatest cause of disability worldwide is lower back pain. 619 million people worldwide would be impacted by the illness in 2020. This number is projected to rise to 843 million by 2050.

According to estimates of “years lived with disability,” neck discomfort is the fourth most common cause of impairment globally and a major contributor to disability.

When alternative treatments have failed to relieve a person’s lower back or neck pain, clinical guidelines advise turning to opioid medicines. According to studies, many people with the disorders, including two-thirds of those in Australia, may first try opioids.

Despite this, there isn’t much proof that opioids work well for treating neck and lower back pain. It is also well known that using opioids as a treatment raises the chance of unfavourable outcomes like opioid dependence, abuse, and overdose.

Treatment options may be influenced by additional research on the effectiveness of opioids in treating lower back and neck pain.

Researchers from the University of Sydney in Australia recently looked into the effectiveness and safety of brief opioid treatment regimens for treating neck and lower back pain.

They discovered that the risk of abuse rose with subsequent opioid treatments and that opioids did not provide better pain relief than a placebo.

There is no discernible difference between opioids and a placebo.

The average age of the 347 people the researchers enrolled in the study was 44,7. Nearly half of the participants were female, and all had experienced lower back pain, neck pain, or both for 12 weeks or less.

The patients were divided into two groups at random and either received the indicated treatment plus the opioid oxycodone-naloxone or the recommended treatment plus a matching placebo for up to six weeks.

Care that was advised by guidelines included assurance and suggestions to be active. Participants could seek additional care if needed after six weeks.

There was no discernible change in pain levels between the opioid and placebo groups, after 6 weeks of treatment. After accounting for the location of the pain and the number of days after the pain started, the results remained unchanged.

After 12 weeks, there was little difference in the pain scores between the placebo and opioid groups, but by week 52, individuals in the placebo group had slightly lower pain scores.

At week 6, the opioids and placebo groups’ average pain scores were 2.78 and 2.25, respectively. At 52 weeks, the opioids group’s pain score was 2.37, compared to 1.81 for the placebo group.

They also discovered that there was no difference in the groups’ physical quality of life. At 6 and 12 weeks, however, the placebo group’s mental health showed a modest but substantial improvement.

The number of participants reporting adverse events was the same in both groups, but the opioid group was more likely to develop opioid misuse.

On the Current Opioid Misuse Measure Scale, 20% of the opioid group and 10% of the placebo group were categorized as “at risk” after 52 weeks.

Why don’t opioids work?

Dr. Wang Lushun is a senior consultant orthopedic surgeon at Arete Ortho in Singapore and a non-participant in the study. He was questioned about the potential ineffectiveness of opioids for treating lower back and neck pain.

Opioids are typically used to treat pain, but recent research suggests that they might not be as beneficial for neck and lower back pain. This is because opioids primarily target pain perceptions rather than the underlying causes of pain, according to Dr. Wang.

“The medications aid in reducing pain perception by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. However, the main causes of these pains inflammation or physical harm are not actually relieved,” he said.

“The body can get tolerant to opioids over time, necessitating the use of greater doses to provide the same amount of pain relief”. Dr. Wang Lushun warned that this could result in adverse effects and perhaps reliance. One such side effect is a condition known as opioid-induced hyperalgesia, which can make pain worse.

What are the research’s constraints?

Dr. Joel Frank is a licensed psychologist at Duality Psychological Services in California who was not engaged in the study. He responded to our inquiry regarding the study’s shortcomings:

“First off, although 42% of the sample failed to follow the treatment strategy, which was medication-focused. Second, they claimed that the care was “not monitored,” even though their “guideline care” recommended physical activity.

Thirdly, Dr. Frank noted that the BPI, a self-report measure, was used as their main indicator of pain intensity. Self-report assessments are by nature subjective. To obtain a more complete picture of the subjective experienced pain Lee patients, it is recommended to integrate extra measures that assess pain catastrophization when using self-report measures for pain.

Additionally, we had a conversation with Dr. Vernon Williams, a sports neurologist, pain management expert, and founding leader of the Centre for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in California who was not affiliated with the study.

“Your body’s reaction to the anticipation of the active treatment and your body’s reaction to the possible benefit or anticipation of the placebo both have physiological effects. The study revealed that the opioid did not perform better than the placebo, not that it was ineffective. It’s a small but important difference,” he said.

A senior research scholar at the University of Sydney in Australia who was not involved in the study, Dr. Gustavo De Carvalho Machado, was also questioned about its shortcomings. He issued the following advice:

The results do not necessarily apply to emergency rooms and pre-hospital situations, where patients need an ambulance. The outcomes of this research were examined weeks after recruitment, and in emergency settings, prompt analgesia within hours is critical for management and discharge planning. Patients who present to these settings have more severe pain and disability.

Alternatives to traditional medicine for back pain

De Mesa was also asked about possible treatments for neck and lower back problems.

“More efficient solutions for neck and lower back pain deal with the underlying problems. For instance, a doctor can assist in identifying the precise muscles and/or surrounding tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, that are involved. Exercise, better ergonomics, and physical treatment may be advised,” he said.

Since spinal pain frequently has multiple causes, a holistic approach to treatment can aid in the patient’s long-term healing. Acupuncture, diet, cognitive behavioral therapy, and educational programs are all helpful in addition to physical fitness. As required, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken. Depending on the needs and circumstances of the individual, the optimum treatment strategy will change, he said.

De Mesa stated that spine surgeons, pain specialists, and board-certified physiatrists may be suggested for chronic spinal pain.

“Arthritis of the spinal joints or inflammation of the vertebral endplates may be the source of chronic pain. It may be advised to administer injections to locate the source of the pain and treat it,” the doctor said.

“Basivertebral nerve ablation and radiofrequency ablation of the spinal medial branch nerves are two examples of interventional therapies that may lessen pain and enhance quality of life. Surgery is only used as a last resort and is only done when it is judged medically essential,” he added.

REFERENCES:

For Bone disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=63

Short sleep may cancel mental benefits gained from exercise

Short sleep may cancel mental benefits gained from exercise

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In 8,958 persons in England who were 50 years of age and older, researchers examined cognitive function over a period of ten years.

According to the study, persons who get between 6 and 8 hours of sleep each night and who exercise more frequently had superior cognitive function.

Even if they engaged in higher levels of physical activity, people who slept for fewer than 6 hours per night exhibited a more rapid deterioration in cognitive function over ten years.

The advantages of higher levels of physical activity on cognitive function appeared to be preserved among participants aged 70 and older regardless of the quantity of sleep.

Physical activity appears to be good for the brain and may help prevent the onset of neurodegenerative diseases including dementia and Parkinson’s disease, according to existing research. A recent study discovered that sleep deprivation can lessen the advantages of exercising.

According to a 2022 nationally representative survey on the prevalence of cognitive impairment, 22% of Americans aged 65 and older have mild cognitive impairment and about 10% have dementia.

Numerous studies have revealed that exercise may lower the risk of dementia. More research continues to link a lack of sleep to a higher risk of dementia.

“Physical activity and sleep are factors that are thought to independently contribute to cognitive function, but they are also interrelated, where more physical activity is correlated with better quality sleep and physical activity may also regulate circadian rhythms,” said Mikaela Bloomberg, Ph.D.

Few studies that examined the effects of physical activity and sleep on cognitive function have been conducted, according to a team of UCL academics led by Bloomberg. Small and cross-sectional studies, which gather information from participants at a specific point in time, were the type of research they discovered.

Study is based on healthy people’ self-reported data.

Researchers from UCL analyzed longitudinal data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), which included 8,958 cognitively healthy people from England who were 50 years and older. The information was gathered from January 1, 2008, to July 31, 2019.

Every two years, participants provided reports on how much they moved and how long they slept.

Participants were asked how many hours they typically slept on a weeknight by researchers. The UCL researchers then classified sleep as “long” if it lasted longer than eight hours, “optimal” if it lasted between six and eight hours, and “short” if it lasted fewer than six hours.

Participants’ level of exercise was also questioned by researchers. Participants gave information about how often they engaged in light, moderate, and strenuous physical activity as well as whether they worked out more than once a week, once to three times a week, rarely, or never.

Using the immediate and delayed recall tests from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s disease, researchers evaluated the participants’ episodic memory. Participants were given a list of ten words by researchers, and they were asked to recall the terms both right away and a day later. The participants’ verbal fluency was also evaluated by the researchers using a test in which they had to name as many animals as they could in one minute.

Participants who disclosed receiving a dementia diagnosis during the follow-up period as well as those whose test results indicated some degree of cognitive impairment were excluded by the UCL researchers. Researchers also took into account information like whether participants had previously taken the same cognitive test when adjusting their analyses.

How do sleep duration and activity affect cognitive scores?

1,525 participants (50%) of the 3,069 participants who were assigned to the “higher physical activity category” said they exercised lightly, moderately, or vigorously more frequently than once per week. Another 1,161 individuals (37.8%) said they exercised lightly and moderately more frequently than once per week and vigorously once or twice per week.

2,384 (40.5%) of the 5,889 participants in the lower physical activity category said they did no vigorous exercise but did more than weekly mild and moderate exercise. Another 1,511 people (25.7%) said they did no vigorous exercise, just light exercise more than once a week, and only moderate exercise once or less frequently.

Participants who exercised more frequently were more likely to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. In addition, they had higher levels of education and affluence than those in the lower physical activity group, and they were more likely to be male, younger at baseline, married, or living with a partner. In comparison to individuals in the lower physical activity group, those in the greater physical activity group were more likely to not smoke, had lower body mass indices (BMI), fewer diagnoses of all chronic illnesses, and fewer depressive symptoms.

The long-term cognitive benefits of sound sleep

Regardless of how much sleep they had, participants from the higher physical activity group often had the highest baseline cognitive scores.

“However, for ages 50 and 60 years, those with higher physical activity and short sleep declined more rapidly such that after 10 years of follow-up, they had cognitive scores similar to those in the lower physical activity groups,” the UCL researchers wrote in their study report.

“We were surprised to see that the cognitive benefits associated with physical activity were reduced when participants had insufficient sleep duration, but these findings are certainly in line with previous research pointing to an important role of sleep in cognitive and physical recovery,” said Dr Bloomberg.

The cognitive advantages of exercise seemed to persist even in older participants (age 70 and above) who had trouble sleeping.

Dr. Vernon Williams, a sports neurologist, pain management expert, and founding director of the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles’ Centre for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine, told us he was glad to see research showing the value of sleep for long-term advantages in cognitive function.

The idea that sustaining physical health in the absence of optimum sleep health lowers the cognitive benefits of physical activity, along with evidence showing both exercise AND sleep are key elements for maintaining cognitive health, is convincing, according to Dr. Williams.

More study is required to determine how exercise and sleep affect brain function.

Ryan Glatt, a senior brain health coach and the FitBrain Program’s director at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California, told CNN that he thought the study was “very interesting” but pointed out its shortcomings.

The accuracy of self-reported physical activity and sleep length may have problems, and Glatt noted that the potential presence of sleep disorders or the effects of specific medications were not taken into account.

Dr. Bloomberg thinks there might be a way to carry out this study without depending on the participants’ honesty.

“An interesting next step would be to use objective measures of sleep and physical activity—for example, using wrist-worn accelerometers—to see whether we observe similar results,” she said.

The UCL researchers hope to see a similar study conducted on a wider range of populations in the future. Dr. Bloomberg further stated that she would like “to extend the results to dementia.”

To increase the likelihood that the impacts of sleep on cognition and not the other way around, Dr. Bloomberg said, “We purposefully excluded those with dementia and those whose cognitive scores suggested cognitive impairment.” Future studies ought to look into how physical activity and sleep patterns affect dementia risk.

REFERENCES:

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

Resistance training reduces Alzheimer’s signs in mice model

Resistance training reduces Alzheimer’s signs in mice model

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Exercise is known to help older persons think more clearly and lower their risk of developing dementia.

The underlying process is unclear, and the majority of study focuses on how aerobic exercise, which raises heart and breathing rates, affects the body.

Brazilian researchers have now examined how resistance training, such as lifting weights, affects cognition in male mouse models.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exercise is already known to be associated with better bone and muscular health, a lower risk of disease and obesity, and better mental health.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), physical activity is associated with better cognition in children, adolescents, and adults. There is also evidence that older persons who engage in more physical activity have reduced rates of dementia.

Both clinical trials and evaluations of the existing research have demonstrated that exercise helps older persons’ cognition.

This may be due to the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise. Myokines, which are chemicals released from the muscles as they contract, may be the cause of this in elderly people.

This suggests that in addition to aerobic activity, resistance training could potentially have a positive impact on health.

Strength training may improve cognitive functions

Researchers from the Federal University of Sao Paulo and the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil examined the effects of resistance training on male mice to learn more about the connection between cognitive health and exercise.

This study’s findings have been published in Frontiers of Science.

The study’s mouse model had a mutation that led to beta-amyloid plaques accumulating in the brain, thus researchers used that model in their investigation. The emergence of dementia is frequently linked to beta-amyloid plaques.

A third group of mice, which did have the mutation, were instructed to follow an exercise regimen that resembled strength training in humans whereas one group of mice with the mutation and a control group did not exercise.

The workout routine required the mice to climb a ladder over one meter tall that sloped at an inclination of 80 degrees while carrying burdens that were equal to 75%, 90%, and 100% of their body weight on their tails.

The mice were dissected after death to examine the development of beta-amyloid plaques.

The mice that had engaged in resistance training for four weeks not only had fewer amyloid plaques on the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is frequently affected by Alzheimer’s disease but also had more microglial cells, an immune cell type that helps to clear these plaques.

As Nancy Mitchell, a registered nurse with experience in geriatric care who was not involved in the study, explained to us, “According to this study, resistance training may aid in preventing or controlling Alzheimer’s disease by regulating the formation of the protein deposits (or plaques) on the hippocampus the part of the brain which controls memory and some thought processing.”

How do agitation and stress play a role?

Resistance exercise decreased stress, according to the findings. The hormone corticosterone, which in mice is the equivalent of cortisol in humans, was detected in the mice’s blood after four weeks of exercise.

Humans with high cortisol levels have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The levels of this hormone were discovered to be normal in the study mice, even though corticostfactorserone and cortisol can be released in response to exercise.

This was a startling discovery, according to Prof. Henning Ulrich, professor of biochemistry at the University of So Paulo and corresponding author of the study:

“We wanted to see if this kind of exercise would have any stressful effects. To our amazement, we discovered that it not only did not have any stressful effects, but it even lowered stress when compared to the inactive group! More significantly, exercise was also able to lower the amount of beta-amyloid that was present in the hippocampus, and in a different study conducted by our team, the amount of anti-inflammatory cytokines also helped to lower neuroinflammation.”

Before postmortem, mice were measured for movement to see whether they were agitated or restless because agitation is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

Resistance-trained mice were found to move less in their environment, which may have indicated that they were less disturbed.

Trials on humans have already started.

Although the results show a potential function for resistance training in Alzheimer’s mouse models, it should be highlighted that the study’s mice were all male.

They were adults but not typical of the senior population because they were also 6-7 months old. Prof. Ulrich stated, “We are preparing new experimental groups with female animals and the idea is to compare the results of males and females.”

He added that he and his colleagues also hoped that younger mice may be used in the tests.

When the first signs appeared, Prof. Ulrich said, “We already started an exercise routine with younger animals, to see if we can prevent the quick advance, or reduce the evolution of the disease when commencing physical activity in young individuals. This is comparable to a young person who engages in regular physical activity and does so into their later years.“

Furthermore, he added, some human study had already begun:

Additionally, we’ve started looking into how resistance training affects patients with mild cognitive impairment in collaboration with another UNIFESP study team. The effort is already underway, and we anticipate being able to present encouraging findings soon.

The benefits of exercise for brain health

There is growing evidence that physical activity has a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease, according to an email from geneticist and Parkinson’s disease researcher Dr. Sumeet Kumar.

According to research, those who are active have a lesser probability of contracting this illness than those who are inactive, he continued.

Dr. Kumar cited a review that revealed the bulk of studies in this field focused on the impact of aerobic exercise, such as tai chi and yoga.

The reasons why exercise has this beneficial effect on older adults’ brain health are unclear, but current knowledge points to improved growth and differentiation of brain nerve cells, decreased inflammation, improved blood vessel function, and hormonal regulation as the likely causes.

REFERENCES:

For Alzheimer’s disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=31