NIH initiative to ‘rigorously evaluate’ benefits, harms of evolving cancer screening technologies
“The prospect of screening for multiple cancer types simultaneously through a blood draw or other simple methods has generated tremendous excitement. Multicancer detection tests — often called liquid biopsies — measure circulating tumor cells, tumor DNA or other substances in the blood, urine or other body fluids that can identify the presence of cancer.”
Tracking Exercise by Steps or Minutes? Study Finds Either Method Boosts Health
“Key Takeaways: Counting steps or tracking exercise minutes both help people become healthier. Either method lowered risk of premature death and heart disease. Future physical activity guidelines should consider including steps as well as exercise minutes.”
These 7 Breakfast Staples Are Ultra-Processed. How Should You Decide Which Ones to Avoid?
“Key Takeaways: Consuming high amounts of ultra-processed foods is associated with a 4% increased risk of early death from all causes, according to a 30-year study. Ultra-processed foods typically contain additives, added sugar, and saturated fats. Small dietary changes, like choosing plain oatmeal over flavored instant oatmeal, can help reduce intake of ultra-processed foods while maintaining a nutritious breakfast.”
Low-fat diets significantly reduce lung cancer risk in older adults, study finds
“Study findings reveal that adherence to low-fat dietary regimes significantly reduced lung cancer risk across cancer subtypes. These findings and the observed beneficial outcomes were most substantial for participants currently engaged in smoking practices. In contrast, the consumption of high saturated fatty acids was observed to increase lung cancer risk in the studied cohort.”
Biking over your lifetime is associated with less knee pain or arthritis, study suggests
“Bicycling, whether outdoors or in a spinning class, may help prevent knee arthritis and pain. People who biked at any point in their lives were 17% less likely to develop knee pain and 21% less likely to develop arthritis with pain in the knee joint, according to an analysis of data from more than 2,600 people in their 60s. The report was published earlier this month in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.”
Clinical trial testing licorice root for prostate cancer begins this spring
“A new clinical trial studying whether a compound derived from licorice root will affect prostate cancer in patients is now open at the University of Illinois Chicago. The study will be the first to assess whether the natural product has anti-cancer effects that could benefit patients as they await surgical treatment.”
Significant gaps between science of obesity and the care patients receive
“DALLAS, May 20, 2024 — As research continues to produce evidence about the underlying causes of obesity and optimal strategies to treat and manage obesity have evolved, there are disparities in application of the latest scientific advances in the clinical care that people with obesity receive. Widespread adoption of current findings, consistency of care and expertise in obesity care varies by health care professional and institution. These findings are detailed in a new American Heart Association scientific statement, “Implementation of Obesity Science Into Clinical Practice,” published today in the Association’s flagship scientific journal Circulation.”
A long-term ketogenic diet accumulates aged cells in normal tissues, a UT Health San Antonio-led study shows
“SAN ANTONIO, May 17, 2024 – A strict “keto-friendly” diet popular for weight loss and diabetes, depending on both the diet and individual, might not be all that friendly. A new study led by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) found that a continuous long-term ketogenic diet may induce senescence, or aged, cells in normal tissues, with effects on heart and kidney function in particular. However, an intermittent ketogenic diet, with a planned keto vacation or break, did not exhibit any pro-inflammatory effects due to aged cells, according to the research. The findings have significant clinical implications suggesting that the beneficial effect of a ketogenic diet might be enhanced by planned breaks.”
Building mindfulness skills into curricula can help keep students focused
““Reducing stress and increasing wellness and joy, I believe, will need to become more a central aspect of daily life in schools — not just something teachers do for the students before exams, but something all members of the community engage in, something woven into the culture and daily routines,” Aronson said.”
