News You Can Use

OBESITY MAY CONTRIBUTE TO GUM DISEASE

Obesity can cause a slew of health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory disorders. Now gum disease can be added to that list, according to a recent study that appeared in the Journal of Dental Research. In an analysis of mice, researchers noticed that chronic inflammation caused by obesity can trigger the development of certain cells called osteoclasts. These cells break down bone tissue, including the alveolar bone that holds teeth in place. And since 47 percent of Americans already suffer from periodontal disease, consuming a high-fat diet can put your pearly whites in even more danger, particularly if you have poor dental habits.

Kwack KH. Novel Preosteoclast Populations in Obesity-Associated Periodontal Disease. Journal of Dental Research, 2021.

BETTER MEDICINE: DRUGS VS. DIET

A new study suggests that diet may be more effective than drugs in keeping conditions like diabetes, stroke, and heart disease at bay. In an animal study published in Cell Metabolism, nutrition was shown to have a greater impact on metabolic health and aging than three drugs commonly used to treat diabetes and other serious conditions. Though the medications work along the same pathways as nutrients from food, researchers concluded that the drugs actually inhibit the metabolic response to healthy foods instead of working with them. That means people would get better value by simply changing their diet to improve metabolic health rather than taking drugs. Of course, always talk to your doctor about what your best course of action is before making any big changes to your health regimen.

Le Couteur DG. Nutritional reprogramming of mouse liver proteome is dampened by metformin, resveratrol, and rapamycin. Cell Metabolism. Volume 33, Issue 12, P2367- 2379.E4, December 07, 2021.

THINK YOU’RE DESTINED FOR DEMENTIA? NOT SO FAST

If a family history of dementia has you feeling doomed about your future, here’s some encouraging news: A recent report reveals that preventing frailty later in life could help to dramatically increase your chances of dodging dementia, even if you have a genetic predisposition. Published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, the study found that the risk of dementia was lowest in people who were fit and engaged in a healthy lifestyle, regardless of their genes. On the other hand, people with a strong genetic risk who were very frail were shown to be at six times greater risk of dementia than those without either risk factor.

Ward DD. Frailty, lifestyle, genetics and dementia risk. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Published Online First: 21 December 2021.

SUPPORT HEART HEALTH WITH VITAMIN D

Genetic evidence now confirms that a vitamin D deficiency won’t just put your bones at risk, it could undermine your heart health as well. In a recent study, Australian analysts discovered that people with a vitamin D deficiency are more likely to suffer from heart disease and higher blood pressure than those with normal levels. And the chance of heart disease was more than double for participants with the lowest concentrations of this vital nutrient. But don’t worry, boosting your vitamin D intake is as easy as taking a daily supplement, getting 15 minutes of sun exposure every day, and eating more foods rich in the vitamin like salmon, eggs, and mushrooms.

Zhou, Ang et al. Non-linear Mendelian randomization analyses support a role for vitamin D deficiency in cardiovascular disease risk. European Heart Journal, 2021.

10 MINUTES A DAY CAN INCREASE YOUR LIFESPAN

Getting a workout in every day may seem like too much for your busy schedule. But new research shows that all you need is a quick 10 minutes of daily exercise to live a longer and healthier life. In fact, more than 110,000 deaths could be prevented in the U.S. each year if adults over 40 added just 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity to their regular daily routines. An increase of 20 or 30 minutes could lead to even more lives saved, the study noted. And squeezing in that 10 minutes is a lot easier than you might think. Briskly walking a mile, playing outside with the kids or your dog, or dancing to a few of your favorite tunes can all give you that beneficial boost to help you live longer.

Saint-Maurice PF. Estimated Number of Deaths Prevented Through Increased Physical Activity Among US Adults. JAMA Intern Med. Published online January 24, 2022.

TRICLOSAN TRIPS UP GUT HEALTH

Triclosan got a lot of attention a few years ago when the FDA banned it from soap products due to its harmful effects. However, this troublesome chemical is still used in thousands of other everyday products like toothpaste, cosmetics, cutting boards, and yoga mats. That’s problematic because triclosan appears to be readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, according to results of an international study. Researchers were able to identify that specific enzymes in the gut’s microbiome interact with triclosan, wreaking havoc in the gut by sparking inflammation and exacerbating colitis. So beware of products deemed “antibacterial,” or ones labeled as “odorfighting” or “keeps food fresher, longer” says the Environmental Working Group. All of these may contain triclosan.

Zhang J. Microbial enzymes induce colitis by reactivating triclosan in the mouse gastrointestinal tract. Nature Communications. 10 January 2022.

MAGNESIUM FORTIFIES IMMUNE RESPONSE

From creating energy to regulating mood, magnesium plays a critical role in hundreds of chemical reactions in the body. It’s also an important factor in the immune system’s ability to handle pathogens, according to new data out of Switzerland. Your immune response relies on T-cells—a type of white blood cell that destroys the harmful microbes that can make you sick. But this study showed that T-cells can only eliminate abnormal or infected cells efficiently in a magnesium-rich environment. So load up on foods like spinach, avocado, almonds, and dark chocolate to ensure your immune system is ready to take on dangerous invaders.

Lötscher J. Magnesium sensing via LFA-1 regulates CD8 T cell effector function. Cell. January 19, 2022.