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Author: Sima

Published on Leave a comment on Air Pollution and Male Fertility
Human sperm Credit: Wikipedia

Studies find that male fertility is diminishing, with sperm counts decreasing globally every year in the past few decades. Scientists have been searching why this is occurring, suggesting a number of possible causes (e.g., environmental pollutants, pesticides, microplastics, endocrine disruptors, lifestyle habits.).

Recent studies are suggesting that pollution, especially air pollution, may be also be contributing to the problem of reduced male fertility. Researchers are finding regional differences in sperm count and quality.

Two recent studies presented similar findings at the recent European Study of Human Reproduction this past week, with both finding that where you live could have a bigger effect on sperm count, sperm quality, and fertility than lifestyle habits. In other words, the pollution in the area you live (air pollution or other environmental contaminant) has an effect on fertility - that is, sperm count and quality. [Studies show that lifestyle habits are also important.]

From Medical Xpress: Men living in different regions show marked differences in sperm quality despite similar lifestyles, novel study finds

A new study has found substantial regional differences in sperm quality, with men in the highest-performing region recording almost double the total motile sperm count of those in the lowest-performing region. ...continue reading "Air Pollution and Male Fertility"

Published on Leave a comment on The Earth Was At Its Greatest Distance From the Sun This Week

This past week, the Earth was at its greatest distance from the Sun, which is known as the aphelion. At aphelion, we are about 94.5 million miles from the sun.

Another fun fact: July 2, 2026 at noon was the middle of this year - with 182.5 days on either side.

Published on Leave a comment on Food Additives and Hypertension

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a big problem in adults. A large European study found that eight preservative food additives are associated with high blood pressure and heart (cardiovascular) disease. And the more a person eats additives in their daily diet (meaning more ultra-processed foods), the greater the risk of developing hypertension and heart disease.

The most problematic of the preservative food additives in this European study included: potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulphate, sodium nitrite, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, sodium erythorbate, citric acid, extracts of rosemary. These results suggest that a higher intake of preservative food additives means a greater intake of ultra-processed food, which ultimately is not good for the health (increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease).

Note that in the list of US problematic food additives may be somewhat different, because different additives may be more common. But all are indications of ultra-processed foods.

Bottom line: Nutrition matters! Eat as many minimally processed foods as possible. Also, read ingredient labels and try to avoid products that contain ingredients that are not normally found in a kitchen (e.g., xanthan gum, carrageenan).

From Science Daily: Researchers found 8 common food additives linked to high blood pressure and heart disease

A massive study suggests that some common food preservatives may be putting heart health at risk. ...continue reading "Food Additives and Hypertension"

Published on Leave a comment on Vitamin C Is Important For Aging Brain Health

We all know that vitamin C is important for our health, especially skin health, but it is also important for a healthy brain. A recent study found higher levels of vitamin C in aging adults is linked to a healthier aging brain. Nutrition matters!

The study found that having low levels of vitamin C in blood plasma in aging adults is correlated with having lower brain gray matter volume and connectivity. The study looked at 2040 aging adults (median age 69 years) in Japan - using both MRI scans and blood plasma samples.

As we age, the volume of the brain shrinks - this is normal. There are both structural and connectivity changes - again, it's normal.  But...you want to delay and minimize these changes, which is why this research finding that vitamin C is important for aging brain health is significant. As the researchers point out, one can make nutritional changes by increasing vitamin C foods in the diet. (BTW, generally foods are superior to supplements.)

Gray matter of the brain is where processing information, movement, and emotion control occur. It has an effect on new memories and multitasking.

Other studies have also pointed out that vitamin C are important for aging brain health. Lower levels of vitamin C have been associated with a higher risk of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Bottom line: Try to eat foods high in vitamin C frequently, preferably daily.

From  Science Daily: Scientists discover a surprising link between vitamin C and brain health

Researchers have found another clue that diet may influence how the brain ages. In a study of more than 2,000 older adults in Japan, people with lower levels of vitamin C in their blood tended to have less gray matter and weaker connections within an important brain network involved in memory and attention. While the findings do not prove that vitamin C protects the brain, they strengthen evidence that good nutrition could play a role in maintaining cognitive health later in life. ...continue reading "Vitamin C Is Important For Aging Brain Health"

Published on Leave a comment on Large Study Finds Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements Do Not Prevent Fractures

Uh-oh, two popular supplements don't have the health benefits that many think. Millions take vitamin D or calcium (or both) for stronger bones. A large review of 69 studies found that taking calcium or vitamin D or both does not prevent fractures and falls in older adults.

Other studies have had similar results. Bottom line: Focus on eating well and getting enough exercise, especially resistance exercises and balance exercises.

From Science Daily: Millions take calcium and vitamin D for stronger bones. A major review finds little benefit

A comprehensive review published in The BMJ suggests that calcium supplements, vitamin D supplements, or taking both together provide little to no clinically meaningful benefit in preventing fractures or falls for most older adults. ...continue reading "Large Study Finds Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements Do Not Prevent Fractures"

Published on Leave a comment on Sitting Many Hours A Day Has Health Harms

We all know that there are lots of health benefits, such as better heart health, to being more physically active. In contrast, a recent study found health harm from sitting more during leisure time and increased risk of early death, especially from cardiovascular disease (heart disease).

The study found that physical activity could not overturn the effects of prolonged sitting (6 or more hours every day) during leisure time - but it did help. Best was sitting the least (less than 3 hours per day) and being the most active.

Those who both sat more (6 or more hours per day) and were less physically active were more likely to have an early death - 94% increase in women and 48% more likely for men (when compared to those who sat the least and were the most physically active).

Bottom line: Turn off the TV, put away the cell phone, and get up and move!

From Science Daily: More time spent sitting linked to higher risk of death; Risk found to be independent of physical activity level

A new study from American Cancer Society researchers finds it's not just how much physical activity you get, but how much time you spend sitting that can affect your risk of death. Researchers say time spent sitting was independently associated with total mortality, regardless of physical activity level. They conclude that public health messages should promote both being physically active and reducing time spent sitting. ...continue reading "Sitting Many Hours A Day Has Health Harms"

Published on Leave a comment on Study Finds Tylenol Use During Pregnancy Safe

Is Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy actually linked or a cause of autism? A large recent study says NO - there is no link between acetaminophen (also called paracetamol) use during pregnancy and autism. Whew..

The long-running well-done study conducted in Hong Kong did NOT find a link with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the children born to women who took paracetamol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy. Dose taken and timing (taken early or late in pregnancy) did not change the results of the study. The study included 708,020 mother-child pairs (of these approximately 43.3% had prenatal paracetamol exposure). and they were studied for many years.

For years Tylenol was considered safe to take during pregnancy for pain and fevers. Apparently it is still safe.

From Medical Xpress: Should pregnant women worry about taking Tylenol? 20-year sibling-matched study finds no link to autism or ADHD

Tylenol (also known as acetaminophen or paracetamol) is one of the most widely used over-the-counter options for easing pain and reducing fever, including during pregnancy. More recently, safety concerns around use during pregnancy have gained attention, with claims of a possible link between prenatal exposure and autism in children increasingly appearing in news headlines and prime-time debates. ...continue reading "Study Finds Tylenol Use During Pregnancy Safe"

Published on Leave a comment on Unsafe Pesticide Applications

It continues to amaze me that people applaud the use of frequent heavy duty pesticides, especially for cosmetic reasons (e.g., to have lawns look like carpets).  Do they not realize that there are health harms, and so should be used only when necessary?

Well, I recently traveled out of the country and was surprised, even shocked, that some (high end) hotels do routine daily pesticide applications in their gardens, both using a sprayer and fumigation. They even fumigate routinely among people sitting and even dining outside! After asking, I found out that the hotel does this because their customers don't want to see any insects and the daily fumigation shows that "action is being taken".

Are you kidding me? The applicator didn't even wear gloves, and walked along a driveway, as well as a stone terrace next to a building - fumigating all the while. And people just sat there! (My photos were taken through a window.) And by the way, throughout the city there were very few insects, including mosquitos. So was the hotel's fumigation all performative, for show?

What I'm also wondering is whether the pesticide applicator knew about long-term health harms to him, such as cancer and neurological damage?

Published on Leave a comment on Many Studies Link A Commonly Used Pesticide To Health Harms

It has long been known that the pesticide chlorpyrifos has harmful health effects on humans, especially developing fetuses and children. Unfortunately, it is still in use.

A recent review of nearly 300 studies looking at chlorpyrifos found that the pesticide has harmful effects throughout the body, also causes DNA damage, harms children's brains and nervous systems, causes cancer.and that harmful effects are found at levels that are considered safe by the EPA. Unfortunately, more health harms are found each year.

While the pesticide is no longer allowed to be used for household use in the US (remember cans of Raid cockroach killer?), it is still allowed to be used on farms, in greenhouses, golf courses, and more. Keep in mind that industry-funded studies of chlorpyrifos have been used to shape federal policy and exposure limits for decades.

In other words, federal standards do not protect public health. Why is that not surprising?

Excerpts from the investigative journalism site U.S. Right To Know: Nearly 300 studies link the common pesticide chlorpyrifos to multi-organ damage, DNA disruption, and chronic disease 

Key findings:

    • A review of nearly 300 studies summarizes evidence that chlorpyrifos may harm multiple systems throughout the body, including the brain, hormones, liver, gut microbiome, muscles, reproductive organs, and bones.
    • The review describes DNA damage, chromosome instability, and epigenetic changes that may alter how genes function long after exposure.
    • Some harmful effects appear at exposure levels below those considered safe under current pesticide exposure testing standards.

...continue reading "Many Studies Link A Commonly Used Pesticide To Health Harms"

Published on Leave a comment on Areas of High Pesticide Use and Cancer Rates

People assume that if a pesticide is allowed to be used, than it must be safe. Wrong! Pesticides are registered with the government precisely because they are dangerous.

We are not exposed to just one pesticide at a time, but mixtures of pesticides - for example, in the foods we eat, our yards, our homes, our water, and even our air (from drift). The big question is: What (if anything) are these pesticide mixtures doing to us?

A recent study conducted in Peru set out to answer the question regarding exposure to pesticide mixtures. They compared heavily agricultural areas (lots of pesticides applied) and non-agricultural areas throughout the country. 31 pesticides were looked at, and yet none of these are considered cancer-causing (according to the World Health Organization).

They researchers found up to 150% higher incidence of cancers in the regions with higher environmental pesticide exposure. There were cancer "hot-spots" in the country, and different cancers depending on the pesticide mixtures people are predominantly exposed to.

By the way, finding increased cancers in both adults and children in heavy pesticide use areas (generally agricultural areas), is also found in other studies. The people exposed to the most are farmworkers, their families, and anyone living near farms. But also anyone with pets (e.g., flea treatments), and anyone having pesticide treatments in their homes or in their yards. People also ingest pesticides/pesticide residues from the foods they eat.

From Science Daily: Pesticide exposure linked to 150% higher cancer risk in major study

A major new study published in Nature Health has found a strong connection between environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides and an increased risk of cancer. By combining environmental monitoring, national cancer registry data, and biological research, scientists from the IRD, Institut Pasteur, University of Toulouse, and the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases (INEN) in Peru provide new insight into how pesticide exposure may contribute to the development of certain cancers. ...continue reading "Areas of High Pesticide Use and Cancer Rates"