Your Napping Pattern Could Signal Underlying Health Concerns

If you frequently feel the need to nap during the day, you’re not alone. Many people turn to a quick power nap to recharge and combat tiredness. The quality and duration of sleep are closely tied to both physical and mental well-being. Adults should strive for 7-9 hours of sleep per night, which can become increasingly difficult with age. A new study suggests a link between daytime napping and increased mortality risk factors in older adults and seniors.

Researchers identified a significant link between napping patterns and long-term health risks, particularly affecting longevity and mortality. Specifically, extended nap durations, greater variability in nap lengths, and napping during midday to early afternoon hours were associated with a higher mortality risk.

The study tracked over 86,000 participants averaging 63 years of age, with 57% being female. They logged nap duration, timing, and deviations from regular napping routines for 7 days from activity trackers they wore. This information was compared with various factors, such as preferred sleep times, peak alertness or energy periods, BMI, demographic details, existing health conditions, nighttime sleep patterns, smoking, and alcohol use.

Researchers examined the link between napping patterns and all-cause mortality across an 8-year follow-up. They observed that individuals who passed away during this period tended to take longer naps, showed greater variability in nap timing, and typically napped around noon and early afternoon.

These results underscore the value of evaluating napping habits when assessing mortality risk in middle-aged and older adults. The study emphasizes that while napping itself isn’t necessarily harmful, shifts toward longer or irregular naps may indicate underlying health issues. It highlights the importance of clinicians including questions about daytime sleep in routine evaluations, particularly for older adults.

To view the original scientific study click below:
0350 Objectively-Assessed Napping Behaviors Predict Mortality in Middle-to-Older Aged Adults

Aging Reversed / ABC News

Now researchers have found a way not just to stop, but, reverse the aging process. The key is something called a telomere. We all have them. They are the tips or caps of your chromosomes. They are long and stable in young adults, but, as we age they become shorter, damaged and frayed. When they stop working we start aging and experience things like hearing and memory loss.

In a recent study published in the peer reviewed journal Nature scientists took mice that were prematurely aged to the equivalent of 80-year-old humans, added an enzyme and essentially turned their telomeres back on. After the treatment they were the physiological equivalent of young adults. You can see the before and after pictures in the videos above. Brain function improved, their fertility was restored it was a remarkable reversal of the aging process. In the top video the untreated mouse shows bad skin, gray hair and it is balding. The mouse with it’s telomeres switched back on has a dark coat color, the hair is restored and the coat has a nice healthy sheen to it. Even more dramatic is the change in brain size. Before treatment the aged mice had 75% of a normal size brain like a patient with severe Alzheimers. After the telomeres were reactivated the brain returned to normal size. As for humans while it is just one factor scientists say the longer the telomeres the better the chances for a more graceful aging.

The formal study Telomere dysfunction induces metabolic and mitochondrial compromise was published in Nature.

Additional information published by Harvard can be found in the following articles.

Scientists Find Root Molecular Cause of Declining Health in the Old

Decoding Immortality – Smithsonian Channel Video about the Discovery of Telomerase

While scientists are not yet able to accomplish the same results in humans we believe we have developed a nutraceutical to help prolong youth and possibly extend life until age reversal therapy for humans becomes available.

Stem Cell Secret’s of 115 Year Old Woman

New evidence that adult stem cells are critical to human aging has recently been published on a study done on a super-centenarian woman that lived to be 115 years. At death, her circulating stem cell pool had declined to just two active stem cells from stem cell counts that are typically more than a thousand in younger adults. Super-centenarians have survived all the normal diseases that kill 99.9% of us before 100 years of age, so it has been a mystery as to what actually kills these hardy individuals. This recent data suggest that stem cell decline may be the main contributor to aging. If so, stabilizing stem cells may be the best thing one can do to slow your rate of aging.

There are many theories of aging that have been proposed. For example, damage to cells and tissues from oxidative stress has been one of the most popular fundamental theories of aging for more than half a century. Yet antioxidant substances or genes that code antioxidant enzymes have proven largely ineffective in slowing aging when tested in model animals. Thus, interest by scientists has shifted to other hypotheses that might provide a better explanation for the slow declines in function with age.

Stem cells provide one such promising mechanism of aging. Of course, we all know that babies are young and vigorous, independent of the age of their parents. This is because adults have embryonic stem cells that can generate young new cells needed to form a complete young baby. Indeed, these embryonic stem cells are the product of continuously evolving stem cell populations that go back to the beginning of life on earth over 3.5 billion years ago!

In adults, the mostly immortal embryonic stem cells give rise to mortal adult stem cells in all the tissues of the body. These adult stem cells can regenerate your cells and tissues as they wear out and need replacement. Unfortunate, adult stem cells also age, which leads to fewer cells and/or loss of function in cell replacement. As functional stem cells decline, skin and organs decline with age.

Blood from world’s oldest woman suggests life limit

Time Magazine: Long-Life Secrets From The 115-Year-Old Woman

Somatic mutations found in the healthy blood compartment of a 115-yr-old woman demonstrate oligoclonal hematopoiesis

Abstract
The somatic mutation burden in healthy white blood cells (WBCs) is not well known. Based on deep whole-genome sequencing, we estimate that approximately 450 somatic mutations accumulated in the nonrepetitive genome within the healthy blood compartment of a 115-yr-old woman. The detected mutations appear to have been harmless passenger mutations: They were enriched in noncoding, AT-rich regions that are not evolutionarily conserved, and they were depleted for genomic elements where mutations might have favorable or adverse effects on cellular fitness, such as regions with actively transcribed genes. The distribution of variant allele frequencies of these mutations suggests that the majority of the peripheral white blood cells were offspring of two related hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) clones. Moreover, telomere lengths of the WBCs were significantly shorter than telomere lengths from other tissues. Together, this suggests that the finite lifespan of HSCs, rather than somatic mutation effects, may lead to hematopoietic clonal evolution at extreme ages.

Pesticides May Pose Cancer Risk Similar to Tobacco

A recent study reveals that residing in regions with heavy pesticide use may substantially elevate cancer risk, comparable to smoking’s impact. The findings highlight that the cumulative effect of multiple pesticides, rather than one specific chemical, is likely the main driver of heightened cancer risk.

In areas with intensive agricultural pesticide use, such as the Midwest, there may be an elevated cancer risk, particularly for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and bladder cancer. These findings highlight significant public health concerns regarding the long-term health impacts of pesticide exposure.

Pesticides are commonly used to manage pests and weeds but can negatively affect agricultural and household environments. The study examined nationwide data from all U.S. states, covering 3,143 counties and 89,000 farmers, to assess how various pesticide use patterns influence cancer rates, comparing the risk to that of smoking, a well-established cancer risk factor.

The researchers developed profiles of agricultural pesticide use across different counties, focusing on usage patterns rather than individual pesticides. These profiles were then compared to cancer rates. The study pinpointed the most frequently used pesticides in counties with patterns associated with the highest cancer rates.

The study revealed that agricultural pesticide use carries a cancer risk comparable to tobacco smoking for various cancers, especially in regions with high agricultural activity. Specific pesticide combinations may be more strongly linked to increased cancer rates, underscoring the need for public health services to prioritize caution in safeguarding community health.

Despite the potential risks posed by pesticides, agriculture depends on them to sustain productivity, making their complete removal impractical. The researchers aim for their findings to raise awareness about the origins of produce and the chemicals it may be exposed to, encouraging more informed consumer choices.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Comprehensive assessment of pesticide use patterns and increased cancer risk

Ultra-Processed Foods Trigger Overeating and Brain Changes

A new brain imaging study indicates that ultra-processed food consumption increases hunger and overeating resulting in weight gain. This is concerning and sparks worries that these widespread products may fundamentally reshape our eating patterns. This may be a result of altered brain structure by changing neural pathways.

Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured products containing ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup, white sugar, white flour, vegetable oils (soy, corn, safflower, canola, etc), stabilizers, artificial antioxidants, and various synthetic compounds. They typically contain high levels of sugar, sodium, fat, and carbohydrates, while lacking vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This combination is linked to adverse health affects including overweight and obesity.

The study scanned the brains of nearly 30,000 middle-aged adults and identified structural changes in regions controlling hunger and food cravings. There were notable differences in brain areas governing appetite, impulse, and feelings with higher ultra-processed food consumption.

It was found that brain structural changes, including fewer cell bodies and greater extracellular space volume, indicate a neurodegenerative process that may cause neuroinflammation, which likely contributes to altered eating patterns.

Consumption of ultra-processed foods boosts cravings for these foods by triggering inflammation in the brain’s reward center. Increased intake was associated with thickening in the brain area essential for recognizing objects and processing shapes, indicating alterations in how the brain interprets visual food stimuli.

Ultra-processed foods are engineered for intense palatability, blending sugar, fat, and salt to swiftly activate dopamine-fueled reward circuits, promoting ongoing consumption. This disruption impairs our ability to feel satisfied, control urges, and make sound nutritional choices. This could result in a pattern of excessive eating.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Ultra-processed food consumption affects structural integrity of feeding-related brain regions independent of and via adiposity

How Processed Foods Quietly Spike Your Blood Pressure

A recent study suggests that phosphate additives, commonly used to preserve and enhance the flavor of processed packaged foods, may increase blood pressure. This is due to causing the protein FGF23 to build up in the blood and infiltrate key brain areas, such as the brain stem, that regulate blood pressure.

FGF23, a fibroblast growth factor protein triggered by inorganic phosphates in processed foods, can elevate blood pressure when consumed in large amounts. It accumulates in the blood and can cross into key brain regions, activating specific receptors that increase sympathetic nerve activity, ultimately leading to hypertension.

The study primarily concerns inorganic phosphates, which are absorbed at over 90% during digestion from processed foods, compared to organic phosphates in vegetables, where only 40-60% are absorbed, making inorganic phosphates more likely to accumulate to harmful levels in the blood.

Inorganic phosphate additives, widely used as preservatives and flavor enhancers in processed foods and cola drinks, are highly absorbable, posing greater risks than organic phosphates. While these additives help preserve and emulsify ingredients in ultra-processed foods, excessive phosphate intake can disrupt the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, potentially leading to weakened bones, kidney damage, and heightened risk of heart issues.

Phosphates are vital minerals essential for bodily processes such as DNA formation, cellular structure, forming strong bones, and generating energy. When consumed as part of a balanced diet rich in animal and plant proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, phosphates pose no concern. However, excessive phosphorus in the blood can pose serious health risks.

A routine blood test can measure phosphorus levels in your blood, with a normal range for adults being 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL. Elevated phosphorus, or levels above 4.5 mg/dL, is considered high, and reducing dietary phosphorus intake is a key step for managing this condition.

To view the original scientific study click below:
High Dietary Phosphate Intake Induces Hypertension and Sympathetic Overactivation Through Central Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Signaling

Unhealthy Microbiome May Affect Bone Health

A well-balanced gut microbiome is essential for supporting overall health, including the absorption of essential bone-building nutrients. When gut health declines, the body’s ability to absorb these nutrients is compromised. Studies have connected a healthy gut microbiome to improved bone density.

The gut-bone axis describes the intricate relationship and communication between the gut microbiome and the skeletal system. Previous research on skeletal health and disorders has increasingly focused on the gut-bone axis. A key pathway extensively studied is inflammation, particularly how an unhealthy microbiome can contribute to bone loss.

Specific gut bacteria improve nutrient solubility and absorption in the intestines. Some produce proteins that bind to calcium, facilitating its transport and utilization, especially in the bones.

Dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut bacteria, can damage the gut lining, allowing harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream. This sparks widespread inflammation, accelerating bone degradation and disrupting the balance between bone resorption and formation. Subsequently, this can contribute to disorders like osteopenia and osteoporosis. Inflammation also diminishes bone mineral mass, promoting greater bone deterioration.

Therapies targeting the microbiome, such as dietary modifications and probiotics, are increasingly recognized as potential strategies for preventing and managing osteoporosis. To promote gut and bone health, prioritize a varied, nutrient-rich diet that fosters beneficial bacteria and provides essential components for robust bones. These include foods rich in fiber, collagen, polyphenols, and fermented products. Limit the intake of sugar, alcohol and ultra-processed foods.

In addition to diet, synbiotics, which are combinations of probiotics and prebiotics, can aid in preventing and managing osteoporosis by modulating gut bacteria. These not only support digestion but also regulate immune function, which is intricately connected to bone remodeling.

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health, and achieving a balanced microbiome composition is essential.

Is Your Swimming Pool Hazardous to Your Health?

Swimming is an excellent form of exercise, but the chemicals used to keep pools germ-free can pose health to various parts of the body. A recent study highlights that disinfectants commonly used in swimming pools, such as chlorine and bromine, produce disinfection by-products when they interact with organic materials in the water. These by-products, called chloramines, form when chlorine reacts with substances like sweat and urine. Chloramines can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory passages, posing health risks to swimmers.

Swimming in chlorinated pools can cause eye issues due to chlorine exposure on the eye surface. Poor pool maintenance may promote bacterial or fungal growth, leading to skin rashes and ear infections. Chlorine gas or chloramines can also irritate the respiratory system, particularly in indoor pools with inadequate ventilation.

Elevated chlorine levels in pools can induce asthma, even in individuals with no prior history of the condition. Other irritants, such as ammonia and chloramines, present in pool water can also cause health problems. Some swimmers experience stomach discomfort after swallowing pool water.

Saltwater pools are often considered the safest option among pool types. In these pools, salt breaks down into sodium and chloride, producing lower levels of chlorine compared to traditional chlorinated pools. This results in water that is generally gentler on the skin and lungs, reducing irritation and other health concerns associated with higher chlorine levels.

Swimming can be a safe and enjoyable activity by following preventative measures to minimize health risks associated with pool chemicals and irritants. Wear goggles to shield your eyes, consider using nose clips to limit inhaling irritants, rinse off sweat and organic materials before entering, avoid swallowing pool water, and select pools with well-maintained chlorine levels.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Health effects of exposure to chlorination by-products in swimming pools

Cannabis Use Tied to Blood Vessel Damage Similar to Tobacco

Recent research indicates that smoking marijuana or consuming THC gummies can adversely affect vascular health. Even healthy individuals who use cannabis may have a higher risk of developing heart disease.

Contrary to the common belief that marijuana smoke is harmless, research shows that both smoking and ingesting cannabis impair blood vessel lining function. Blood vessels appear to respond similarly to cannabis smoke as they do to tobacco smoke. Marijuana smoke shares numerous chemicals with tobacco smoke, including fine particles that contribute to cardiovascular disease and death.

The study involved 55 participants, with an average age of 31 years old, categorized as marijuana smokers, edible users, or nonusers. The marijuana smokers only smoke cannabis, and do not vape THC or use vaporizers. None of the participants were regularly exposed to secondhand smoke and all were not tobacco users. All participants using cannabis engaged in their preferred method at least three times a week for over a year, classifying them as regular, not occasional, users.

Researchers assessed flow-mediated dilation (FMD), an indicator of blood vessel relaxation and contraction. It is a standard clinical tool for evaluating endothelial function and predicting potential vascular disease. On average, FMD values were lower in marijuana smokers and edible users compared to nonusers. Greater cannabis use, whether smoked or ingested, was linked to reduced FMD values.

Cannabis use, similar to cigarette use, disrupts the cardiovascular system within blood vessels, causing increased inflammation, which heightens the risk of heart attack. A 2024 American Heart Association survey found that daily cannabis users had a 42% higher risk of heart attack and a 25% increased risk of stroke.

Similar to early tobacco studies, these epidemiological findings may justify stricter cannabis regulations. Historically, such evidence prompted warning labels, public smoking bans, and increased health monitoring.

To view the original scientific study click below:
Association of Endothelial Dysfunction With Chronic Marijuana Smoking and THC-Edible Use

The Toxic Blend of Microbes and Chemicals in Household Dust

Household dust is an intricate blend of organic material, microbes, and hazardous chemicals. These include biological contaminants such as mold, bacteria, mildew, and dust mites, alongside toxic substances such as mercury, lead, and flame retardants, posing potential health risks. Driven by the harmful impact of cleaners, medications, and environmental pollutants, dust often accumulates over months or years, creating a potent microbial mix.

Chemicals from household products are released into the air and mix with dust, which settles on surfaces or floors. People can breathe in, swallow, or absorb these tiny dust particles through their skin, affecting their health. Exposure to dust can activate respiratory issues in individuals with allergies or impaired breathing. Such things as pet dander, dust mites, and mold within dust serve as allergens, aggravating airways and triggering inflammation.

In a recent study, researchers directed participants to clean their homes as they typically would before deploying filters to gather dust samples. The study included 32 households, with at least 2 occupants that had resided in the home for at least 23 years and spent the majority of the day there.

The goal was to demonstrate that dust buildup occurs regardless of cleaning habits and to determine if the samples reflected the chemicals present in the households. The results identified 69 out of 76 tested human-made chemicals, such as endocrine disruptors, non-antibiotic drugs, and antibiotics, in at least one household dust sample. Several of these compounds matched medications frequently taken by the residents.

Household dust acts as both a storage site and a pathway for spreading resistant, harmful bacteria. Toxic chemicals in common products and building materials widely contaminate our homes, and these hazardous substances should be substituted with safer options.

To minimize exposure to chemicals in household dust and the surrounding environment, consumers can adopt simple measures to reduce dust levels. These include using a powerful vacuum with a HEPA filter, washing hands regularly, and steering clear of personal care and household products containing potentially harmful chemicals. Replacing as many chemical-based products as possible with natural alternatives can lessen the chemical impact on the dust microbiome.

To view the original scientific study click below:
House dust microbiome differentiation and phage-mediated antibiotic resistance and virulence dissemination in the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals