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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"

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The topic of farts is rarely discussed in adult conversations. This is because passing gas or farting can be embarrassing to the person farting, especially when occurring in a public setting. One wonders: Is farting (flatulence) normal? How many farts per day is normal?

Research shows that releasing intestinal gas through the rectum (farting) is part of normal and healthy digestion. On the other hand, "excessive farting" could be a sign of some sort of intestinal problem. Two recent studies examined "normal farting" and came up with different results. An Australian study found that overall people reported 5 farts per day using a "Chart your fart" app, but a Maryland study had participants wear special "smart" underwear that measured any passing of gas and came up with 32 farts per day!

From Medscape: Flatus Status: How Many Farts a Day Is Normal?

Researchers Emily Brindal and Danielle Baird developed the “Chart Your Fart” app as a citizen-science initiative.

The app allows people to log their emissions in real time, and to (optionally) rate them in terms of stench, loudness, duration, and — critically — detectability. Which is obviously necessary to determine whether he who smelt it actually dealt it. ...continue reading "Farting Is Perfectly Normal"

Vitamin D supplements are available in both D2 and D3 form. Research has long supported that it's vitamin D3 that has health benefits, and that vitamin D2 doesn't do anything. Well... a recent study found that vitamin D2 actually has a negative effect - that it lowers how much vitamin D3 the body absorbs.

Ingesting vitamin D2 supplements results in lower levels of vitamin D3 in the blood - measured as  serum vitamin 25(OH)D3 concentrations.  Note that Vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D synthesized in human and animals skin upon exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight. Thus, vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D that our body naturally produces from sunlight and then use.

All the more reason to avoid vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), and instead only take vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Read the ingredients list on the bottle!

From Science Daily: Scientists warn popular vitamin D supplement may have a “previously unknown” downside

Taking vitamin D2 might lower the body's levels of the more efficient form of vitamin D, vitamin D3, according to new research from the University of Surrey, John Innes Centre and Quadram Institute Bioscience. Many people take vitamin D supplements to support their bone and immune health and meet the UK government recommendation of 10 micrograms (µg) each day, especially during the winter months. ...continue reading "Research Finds Vitamin D3 to Be Beneficial, But Not Vitamin D2"

Vitamin C pills Credit: Wikipedia

Researchers are studying high dose vitamin C as part of treatment for several cancers, including pancreatic cancer. These high doses of vitamin C (pharmacologic ascorbate) are not taken orally (by mouth), but in IVs (taken intravenously). It is always given alongside chemotherapy.

The intravenous vitamin C doses are 150 to 190 times larger than ordinary vitamin C tablets that are taken orally. This is because orally taken vitamin C cannot reach the blood levels needed to produce a pharmacologic effect.

Some of the results are amazing. For example, persons with pancreatic cancer it doubled survival compared to chemotherapy alone (from 8 months to 16 months) , and those receiving vitamin C used alongside standard chemotherapy had fewer side effects than when using chemotherapy alone. It is still unclear for which cancers the vitamin C treatment works and for which it doesn't.

The only problem is that pharma companies may not be interested because it can not be patented, and can't be developed as a new drug that they can make big profits off of. It's plain old vitamin C - but not as a nutritional supplement, but used as a medical drug (pharmacologic ascorbate).

Click on the link for the full story and dosing details. Excerpts from Medscape: Vitamin C’s Potential Use in Cancer Is Getting a Second Look

When Garry Buettner, PhD, who has been studying the chemistry and biochemistry of vitamin C for at least four decades, was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), he applied his research to his own life — reviewing the data and designing a protocol for his treatment. ...continue reading "High Dose Vitamin C As Part of Cancer Treatment?"

Remember when health advice was to limit egg consumption, that they had too much cholesterol, and to only eat egg whites? Well.... studies in the last decade have proven that advice as being 100% wrong for a number of reasons. It turns out that eggs are a great source of a number of nutrients (e.g., choline) needed for brain health and memory function.

A recent study found that frequent egg consumption by persons (mean age 59 years at the start of the study) lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). The researchers found that there was a 27% decreased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease among persons who ate at least 5 eggs a week, but even eating fewer eggs was beneficial. The participants were followed for 15 years.

Other studies have also found a decreased risk of AD in persons eating eggs frequently - with one study finding that more than one egg consumed per week reduced the risk of developing AD up to 47%.

Some key nutrients necessary for brain health that are provided by eggs are: choline, the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, tryptophan, phospholipids, and an omega-3 fat known as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The researchers viewed the nutrients in eggs as being "neuroprotective" (protecting neurological function).

From Medical Xpress: Egg consumption associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease

Consumption of eggs is associated with a lower risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease for those 65 years and older, according to researchers at Loma Linda University Health. Eating one egg per day for at least five days a week reduces the risk of Alzheimer's by up to 27%, researchers found. ...continue reading "Egg Consumption Is Beneficial For Brain Health"

Many people load up on all sorts of supplements thinking it'll give them better health and perhaps even extend their life span. But researchers found that one popular anti-aging supplement (known as spermidine) thought to extend the life-span could also be fueling the growth of cancer. How can this be?

The researchers found that the effects of polyamines (including spermidine), which are in all living cells, can either promote healthy aging or can fuel cancer growth. The difference was in which protein they influenced, and whether the cells were healthy to start with. In healthy cells they support cellular maintenance and energy production but in cancer cells they help drive rapid growth.

From Science Daily:  Scientists reveal why a popular anti-aging compound may also fuel cancer

Polyamines are naturally produced molecules present in all living cells. They play a vital role in basic biological functions, including cell growth and specialization. In recent years, scientists have focused on these compounds, especially spermidine, for their potential to support healthy aging. Often described as 'geroprotectors,' they have been shown to stimulate autophagy, a cellular recycling process that clears out damaged components. This benefit largely depends on a protein called eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A1).

At the same time, researchers have repeatedly observed high levels of polyamines in many types of cancer, where they are linked to aggressive tumor growth. This contrast has created a scientific puzzle. How can the same molecules that appear to promote longevity also be associated with cancer?
...continue reading "Study Finds Popular Anti-Aging Supplement Could Also Fuel Cancer Growth"

Yogurt with ultra-processed ingredients Credit: Wikipedia

There is concern in the United States about the increasing rates of colon cancer in young persons. Currently it is the leading cause of cancer in persons under 50 years. Some possible causes being examined are ultra-processed foods (over 50% of calories eaten daily by Americans), low fiber intake, and microplastics.

This is why the results of a recent study are especially concerning: about 71% of baby and toddler foods sold in the United States are ultra-processed. Snack sized packages and pouches were especially likely to having ultra-processed ingredients, as well as high levels of sugar and sodium (salt).

How to recognize ultra-processed foods? Read ingredient labels and if there is something that normally is not found in a person's kitchen, then it is ultra-processed. [Good book about this topic: Ultra-Processed People]

Examples of ingredients found in ultra-processed foods: emulsifiers, carrageenan, mono- and diglycerides, soy lecithin, polysorbate, cellulose, colors, titanium dioxide, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, dextrose, whey protein, nitrates, artificial flavors, natural flavors, colors, etc. Natural flavors are laboratory concoctions, even if they are "organic".

Excerpts from Food and Wine: Nearly 3 in 4 Packaged Baby-Food Products Sold in the US Are Ultra-Processed, Study Finds

  • A new study by The George Institute for Global Health found that 71% of baby and toddler foods sold in major U.S. grocery stores are ultra-processed.
  • Researchers identified more than 100 different additives in these products, with general additives, flavor enhancers, and thickeners among the most common.

...continue reading "Many Baby and Toddler Foods Are Ultra-Processed"

Some foods appear to have especially powerful health benefits. Berries are very beneficial, especially blueberries. (Or at least they have been studied more than other berries.) A recent study found that frequent or daily consumption of  wild blueberries is especially beneficial for cardiometabolic health, including vascular health.

Blueberries contain lots of fiber, polyphenols (which have powerful effects on vascular health), antioxidants, flavonoids (anthocyanins), and micronutrients. Wild blueberries have more of all these compared to farmed blueberries. Blueberries are especially beneficial for vascular health because they reduce inflammation and vascular dysfunction.

Bottom line: Researchers suggest eating daily half a cup to one cup blueberries, especially wild blueberries, for health benefits, such as lowering inflammation. (Less is good also - better to eat some than none)

Medical Xpress: Studies suggest Maine wild blueberries support gut and heart health

Wild blueberries—the iconic Maine crop dotting hillsides, decorating sweatshirts and adding personality to local menus—is more than a cultural symbol. More than 20 years of preclinical and clinical studies suggest that regularly consuming wild blueberries supports gut and heart health and may reduce risk factors associated with chronic disease. ...continue reading "Eating Wild Blueberries Has Health Benefits"

Lone star tick Credit: Wikipedia

Tick bites from the lone star tick are increasingly resulting in the alpha-gal syndrome in the United States. This syndrome results in an intense delayed allergic response to red meat (beef, pork, and lamb), dairy products, and gelatin. Researchers have now found another common food ingredient that may cause an allergic response in those with the syndrome: carrageenan.

Carrageenan is derived from seaweed and is a commonly used emulsifier in foods and an ingredient in medications. A recent study of 562 individuals with self-reported alpha-gal syndrome found that about 11% reported an allergic response to carrageenan.

Following up on this in larger groups of people (how pervasive is carrageenan allergy in alpha-gal syndrome?) will be interesting. Many drugs don't report ingredient lists, and how many people actually read food ingredient lists? Unfortunately, someone trying to avoid dairy products due to alpha-gal syndrome may instead eat non-dairy ice cream - which contains carrageenan (as a thickener)!

From Medscape: Carrageenan: A Potential Allergen for Patients With Alpha-Gal Syndrome

 Carrageenan is the second most commonly self-reported allergy by individuals with alpha-gal syndrome, surpassing nearly all other alpha-gal-containing food allergens, according to a research poster presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) 2026 Annual Meeting. ...continue reading "Carrageenan May Be A Problem In Those With Red Meat Allergies Caused By Tick Bites"

Cup of coffee Credit: Wikipedia

Once again, a recent study found that daily consumption of coffee has health benefits.

Recent research found that drinking a moderate amount of coffee (2 to 3 cups of daily) or 1 to 2 cups of tea daily was associated with a lower risk of dementia and better cognitive function. Decaf coffee appeared to have no effect on risk of dementia or cognitive functioning.

Persons with the highest intake (2 to 3 cups or more daily) of caffeinated coffee had an 18% lower risk of dementia compared with those who drank little or no caffeinated coffee. The large study followed people for as long as 43 years.

From Medical Xpress: Consuming 2–3 cups of coffee daily associated with lower dementia risk, better cognitive function

A new prospective cohort study by investigators from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard analyzed 131,821 participants from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), finding that moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee (two to three cups a day) or tea (one to two cups a day) reduced dementia risk, slowed cognitive decline, and preserved cognitive function. ...continue reading "Consuming Coffee Or Tea Daily Associated With Lower Risk of Dementia"