healthy living – Lacto Bacto

Full-Fat Dairy Products Have Health Benefits

SimaAugust 9, 2026August 9, 2026Leave a comment

Glass of whole milk

For years health professionals advised everyone to avoid whole fat dairy products. They said all that saturated fat was unhealthy, but studies from the last decade is proving that advice wrong. Recent studies have found that consuming full-fat dairy products, including whole milk, is associated with a number of health benefits.

The latest is a Canadian study that found health benefits (e.g., lower blood pressure, and increased ingestion of protein, vitamin D, and calcium) from consuming three servings of full-fat dairy products daily for 12 weeks. The full-fat dairy products were milk, yogurt, and cheese. There were no negative health effects (e.g., in weight, cholesterol levels, lipids, insulin resistance) when compared to two other groups that did not consume full-fat dairy.

Interestingly, all the study participants had metabolic syndrome, so the researchers were pleasantly surprised to see health benefits and no adverse effects from consuming all that full-fat dairy.

Bottom line: Stop avoiding full-fat dairy! Dairy products are healthy for us.

From Science Daily: For decades, we were told to choose low-fat dairy. New research says otherwise

A new Canadian study led by University of Toronto professor Harvey Anderson adds to growing evidence that full-fat dairy can be part of a healthy diet. ...continue reading "Full-Fat Dairy Products Have Health Benefits"

The Farm Bill and Pesticide Liability

SimaAugust 7, 2026August 9, 2026Leave a comment

There was a huge blow to anyone concerned with hidden (by pesticide manufacturers) health effects of pesticides this week. Senate Republican members of the Senate Farm Appropriations Committee voted down an amendment to the Senate farm bill that would have enabled lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers when pesticide health effects and harms are revealed.

The amendment, which was proposed by Senator Booker, also stated that if a product causes cancer, it should be on the pesticide label.

The only good news is that the farm bill did not advance out of committee this week. But it will reconsider the farm bill in September. If the farm bill passes as it is written, only what is on pesticide labels can be acknowledged - and it generally just talks about immediate acute effects, such as skin irritation.

Cancer, neurological harms, effects on the fetus, long-term harms, etc. are typically not on pesticide labels, even if pesticide companies know of harmful health effects (hiding harmful effects is called "failure to warn"). Basically, not allowing consumers to sue pesticide companies is a screw you to Americans.

And yes, the voting was along party lines - Republicans don't want us to be able to sue if health harms are found, while Democrats voted to preserve the right to sue.

From The Hill: Republicans vote down farm bill amendment enabling lawsuits against pesticide companies, a blow to MAHA

Senate Republicans on Thursday voted down an amendment that sought to open up Americans’ ability to sue pesticide companies over the health impacts of their products. ...continue reading "The Farm Bill and Pesticide Liability"

Sauna Sessions Boost Immune Cell Release Into Bloodstream

SimaJuly 31, 2026Leave a comment

For years sauna lovers have been praising the health benefits of hot sauna sessions, with studies finding reduced risk of hypertension, sudden cardiac death, stroke, dementia, and a lower risk of a number of respiratory conditions. A study from Finland suggests why these benefits from sauna sessions occur.

Researchers in Finland found that one 30 minute session of sauna heat increases beneficial immune effects by releasing more infection-fighting white blood cells into the bloodstream - an "immune cell mobilization". This effect is temporary.

The participants (51 healthy males and females, average age 50 years) in the study were exposed to traditional Finnish sauna sessions - with dry air and a relatively high temperature. The sessions lasted 30 minutes, with a brief cold shower midway during the session to cool down. They could drink water during and after the sauna sessions.

Physical activity also results in a similar temporary release of white blood cells. This is considered beneficial.

From Science Daily: A single sauna session sends immune cells surging

A new Finnish study suggests that spending time in a sauna can temporarily move more white blood cells into the bloodstream. These immune cells help the body detect and respond to pathogens and disease. ...continue reading "Sauna Sessions Boost Immune Cell Release Into Bloodstream"

Some Weight Loss Drugs Can Result In Menstrual Related Problems

SimaJuly 31, 2026Leave a comment

It looks like another health problem has popped up with some of the weight loss drugs so many women of reproductive age are now taking. This time menstrual related events, including heavy menstrual bleeding, blood clots, and frequency of menstrual bleeding.

Researchers looked at data in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System for 3 weight loss drugs (Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Liraglutide), which are glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. They found that females aged 12 to 55 years (reproductive age) reported problems with 2 of the weight-loss drugs. Semaglutide had the most adverse reports: heavy menstrual bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding, menstrual clots, infrequent menstrual periods (oligomenorrhea), and cycles without ovulation (anovulatory cycles). Tirzepatide had reports of intermenstrual bleeding and menstrual clots, and Liraglutide had by far the fewest adverse reports ("produced no significant signals").

From Medscape: Menstrual Clots and Heavy Bleeding Linked to Popular Weight-Loss Drugs

GLP-1 receptor agonists (RAs), particularly semaglutide, are associated with disproportionate reporting of menstrual adverse events including heavy bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding, and menstrual clots in reproductive-aged female patients. Tirzepatide showed signals for intermenstrual bleeding and menstrual clots. ...continue reading "Some Weight Loss Drugs Can Result In Menstrual Related Problems"

Male Testosterone Levels Show A Steep Decline Over Last Fifty Years

SimaJuly 24, 2026July 24, 2026Leave a comment

Uh-oh. Things are looking worse and worse for male fertility. Studies already are finding that human sperm count is going down year after year throughout the world. But a recent study also found that testosterone levels are going down in men.

According to a study presented at the July 2026 meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, testosterone levels in men have declined 54% between 1972 and 2019. This is a decline of more than 1% per year. Scientists are referring to this as a "major crisis in male reproductive health".

And no, the answer is not just giving men testosterone. As researchers have pointed out: this suppresses or "cuts off sperm production".

Instead, it would be much, much better to address the causes of the drop in male sperm counts and lowered testosterone - for example, pesticides, endocrine disruptors (e.g., phthalates, bisphenols), heavy metals, microplastics, and pollution. These are all known to adversely affect male reproduction.

Excerpts from The Guardian: Men’s average testosterone levels have halved in last 50 years, say scientists

Men’s average testosterone levels have halved over the past 50 years, according to scientists, who say society is facing a male fertility crisis. ...continue reading "Male Testosterone Levels Show A Steep Decline Over Last Fifty Years"

A Mediterranean Style Diet Cuts the Risk of Developing Heart Disease

SimaJuly 24, 2026Leave a comment

People have been arguing for years over what kinds of foods and dietary patterns are best for health, with many studies finding that a Mediterranean style diet is best for health. Another recent study found that a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, fish, and dairy is best for heart health when compared to other diets.

The study of 3042 Greek adults found that those following a plant-based style diet (basically a Mediterranean-style diet) had a 26% lower risk of developing heart disease over a 20 year period, when compared to either a Western diet rich in processed meat and ultra-processed foods, or to a high-calorie, but low-white-meat dietary pattern.

The high calorie, low white-meat diet seemed especially unhealthy. They also found that physical activity reduced heart disease (cardiovascular disease) risk, but smoking increased it.

Physical activity reduced CVD risk, while smoking increased it.

Excerpts from Medical News: Plant-based Mediterranean-style diet cuts heart disease risk by 26%

A recent European Journal of Nutrition study examined common dietary patterns in a Mediterranean cohort and assessed their long-term associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and outcomes.

Poor dietary habits, especially inadequate consumption of nutrient-dense foods, remain a leading modifiable risk factor. ...continue reading "A Mediterranean Style Diet Cuts the Risk of Developing Heart Disease"

Only One Bee and One Cabbage White Butterfly

SimaJuly 23, 2026July 30, 2026Leave a comment

After many days of nothing, finally saw some flying insects among my flowers!

The problem is that many of my neighbors are continuing their obsessions with weed-free carpet-like lawns, and their hatred for any insects - whether beneficial or harmful. Thus, nonstop pesticide applications for lawns, around residence perimeters, and into bushes (e.g., mosquito treatments using leaf-blower type pesticide applicators).

As a consequence, there are fewer beneficial insects to be found. So far this year I have found only one bee, one cabbage white butterfly (considered a pest by many), and only a few fireflies. It's sad. The brainwashing and marketing by the chemical industry of how frequent applications of pesticides are needed for a "healthy lawn and garden" is very powerful.

But I also found one insect I'm sorry to see - a deer tick.

Air Pollution and Male Fertility

SimaJuly 11, 2026July 11, 2026Leave a comment

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"

Food Additives and Hypertension

SimaJuly 10, 2026July 11, 2026Leave a comment

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"

Vitamin C Is Important For Aging Brain Health

SimaJuly 10, 2026July 11, 2026Leave a comment

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"