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- 02/12/25 - #325
02/12/25 - #325
Health Horizon. Herald Staff
February 12, 2025
Good morning. In today’s edition:
An Omega-3 Dose a Day Could Slow Ageing Process, ‘Healthspan’ Trial Finds. Daily Gram of Essential Fatty Acid Leads to ‘Three to Four Months Rejuvenation of Biological Age’ Over Three Years
New Study Suggests Rapid Weight Loss May Precede Dementia Diagnosis
A Study of 351 Pregnant Women Suggests That Vitamin D Levels in First Trimester Are Associated With Pregnancy Outcomes
Scientists in Italy Discover Rare Gene That Could Cause Alzheimer’s
…and lots more. Have a great day!
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FOOD & NUTRITION
An Omega-3 Dose a Day Could Slow Ageing Process, ‘Healthspan’ Trial Finds. Daily Gram of Essential Fatty Acid Leads to ‘Three to Four Months Rejuvenation of Biological Age’ Over Three Years
A daily dose of omega-3 could slow down how fast we age. This is what a big study looking into ways to keep us healthy as we get older found.
In the study, adults over 70 who took one gram of omega-3 every day for three years aged about three months less than those who didn’t take it. When they added vitamin D and exercise, the aging slowed down by almost four months.
The study was done in Switzerland with nearly 800 people. They used a method called epigenetic clocks to see how the body's aging was affected. This method looks at DNA to tell a person’s biological age, which might be different from their actual age.
Participants were put into groups. Some took omega-3, some took vitamin D, others exercised, and some did all three.
The results, shown in the journal Nature Aging, suggest that omega-3 helps slow aging. It worked even better with vitamin D and exercise. The study also found other benefits, like fewer falls and infections among older people.
Although the aging slowed only a little, this could be important for everyone’s health if the results hold over time. More research is needed to see if these benefits mean people can stay healthy longer as they age.
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WEIGHT LOSS
New Study Suggests Rapid Weight Loss May Precede Dementia Diagnosis
A new study from Australia suggests that sudden weight loss and high levels of "good" cholesterol might be early warning signs of dementia. This key research, reviewed by experts and published in JAMA Network Open, included over 5,000 participants. It looked at how changes in the body may link to the start of dementia.
Researchers at Monash University studied data from 1,078 people with dementia. They also looked at 4,312 individuals who did not have the condition. They found that people later diagnosed with dementia had significant weight loss. They also had higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as "good" cholesterol, years before their diagnosis.
These results suggest that physical changes might be early signs. This could help doctors spot risks and start treatment sooner. Dr. Ryan led the study. He stressed the need to watch for these signs in older adults. This could help prevent or delay dementia.
The research got strong funding from well-known groups like the National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute. This shows how important this work is. This study explores how heart health, metabolic function, and brain health interact. It opens up new ways to monitor and address early signs of dementia.
Understanding these links is key. They can help us create strategies to manage or prevent dementia. This offers hope to millions of families affected by the condition.
HEALTH
A Study of 351 Pregnant Women Suggests That Vitamin D Levels in First Trimester Are Associated With Pregnancy Outcomes
Dr. Alison Gernand and her team at Penn State University studied 351 first-time pregnant women. They wanted to see how vitamin D affects pregnancy. They focused on the first part of pregnancy, a time not often studied before.
Vitamin D is key for strong bones. During pregnancy, it also aids in placenta development and affects the baby's growth and weight. The study checked the levels of a type of vitamin D called 25-hydroxyvitamin, or 25(OH)D, in the women's blood early in their pregnancies.
The findings showed that women with lower levels of this vitamin in the first trimester were more likely to have babies early, before their due date. While only a few babies were born early, the connection was strong enough to suggest more research is needed.
The research also linked good vitamin D levels early on with better growth of the fetus, like length, during pregnancy. Dr. Celeste Beck, a study contributor, said not all women need vitamin supplements. However, it's important to monitor vitamin D levels closely.
Overall, the study suggests that getting enough vitamin D right from the start of pregnancy can be very important. Doctors and pregnant women should pay attention to this to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby.
Scientists in Italy Discover Rare Gene That Could Cause Alzheimer’s
Researchers in northern Italy have made an exciting discovery about Alzheimer’s disease by studying a family affected by it. They found a rare gene mutation that might cause the disease. This important finding involved a family where six out of fifteen members suffered from Alzheimer’s. All six had a mutation in a gene called GRIN2C, which helps with learning and memory.
This gene was not present in the healthy family members, showing a strong connection between the mutation and Alzheimer’s. The study was published in the journal "Alzheimer's Research & Therapy." It is the first to link the GRIN2C mutation to Alzheimer’s.
About 7 million people in Europe have Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia. It gradually gets worse, affecting memory and thinking as brain cells die. Many factors lead to Alzheimer’s, but only a few gene mutations are known to cause it directly. The discovery of the GRIN2C mutation is significant.
Peter Giese, a professor at King’s College London, highlighted the value of this discovery. He explained that it provides strong genetic evidence and could lead to a clearer understanding of Alzheimer’s. Researchers now plan to study this mutation in labs or with animals to learn exactly how it affects the brain and to look for possible treatments.
This breakthrough could lead to new ways to treat Alzheimer’s, giving hope to millions of people impacted by the disease.
✢ A Note From Hem Hero
The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.