The Gary Null Show

The Gary Null Show 4.19.24

HEALTH NEWS
 
·         Melatonin helps prevent weight gain in preclinical research
·         Dietary treatment more effective than medicines in IBS
·         New England seafood loaded with more toxic ‘forever chemicals’ than realized, especially shrimp and lobster
·         Nattokinase Dissolves Fibrinaloid Microclots
·         Protecting brain cells with cannabinol: Research suggests CBN shows promise for treating neurological disorders
·         Research explores how a father’s diet could shape the health of his offspring
 
 
 
Melatonin helps prevent weight gain in preclinical research
University of Granada (Spain), April 17 2024 (Life Extension) 
Findings from a study reported in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy indicated that melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep, may be helpful in the prevention of obesity.
The study included 32 six-week-old rats that were bred to develop obesity and diabetes and 32 lean rats of the same age. 
Obese rats that received melatonin gained less weight and had less visceral fat (central obesity) compared with obese untreated animals at the end of the 12-week period. Melatonin-treated rats also had less obesity-induced muscle fiber atrophy and showed increased mitochondrial activity, which may contribute to the decrease in weight gain observed in these animals. Additional research showed that melatonin increased a thermogenic response to cold exposure, which helps burn fat. 
"During the day, it is good to expose yourself to natural light, do adequate physical activity, choose low-calorie diets loaded with unprocessed foods and replace these additives with thermogenic spices and herbs, avoid eating between meals, do not wear insulating clothing and keep the heating at a comfortable and cool temperature of around 17⁰ C, as well as showering with cool water," senior author Ahmad Agil of the University of Granada School of Medicine recommended.
 
Dietary treatment more effective than medicines in IBS
University of Gothenburg (Sweden), April 18, 2024 (Eurekalert) 
Dietary treatment is more effective than medications in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These are the findings of a study conducted at the University of Gothenburg. With dietary adjustments, more than seven out of ten patients had significantly reduced symptoms. 
The current study, published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, compared three treatments: two dietary and one based on use of medications. The participants were adult patients with severe or moderate IBS symptoms at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg.
The first group was given traditional IBS dietary advice, focusing on eating behavior combined with low intake of fermentable carbohydrates, known as FODMAPs. These include e.g. products with lactose, legumes, onions, and grains, which ferment in the colon and can cause pain in IBS.
The second group received a dietary treatment low in carbohydrates and proportionally high in protein and fat. In the third group, the best possible medication was given based on the patient's most troublesome IBS symptoms.
Of those who received traditional IBS dietary advice and low content of FODMAPs, 76% had significantly reduced symptoms. In the group receiving low carbohydrates and high protein and fat, the proportion was 71%, and in the medication group 58%.
 
 
New England seafood loaded with more toxic ‘forever chemicals’ than realized, especially shrimp and lobster
 
Dartmouth College, April 17, 2024 (Study Finds)
A new study out of Dartmouth College suggests that seafood from succulent lobster to flaky cod may come with an unseen risk: exposure to a class of persistent, man-made toxins known as PFAS.
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of chemicals that have been widely used in consumer products since the 1950s. You might know them best for their role in making non-stick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics, but they’re also found in a host of other items, from food packaging to firefighting foams. PFAS are incredibly resistant to breaking down in the environment. They can linger for years, even decades, accumulating in soil, water, and living organisms. This persistence is particularly concerning because exposure to certain PFAS has been linked to a range of health issues, including cancer, thyroid problems, and reproductive disorders.
Dartmouth researchers conducted a two-pronged study, published in the journal Exposure and Health. First, they analyzed fresh seafood samples purchased from a coastal New Hampshire market, testing for 26 different PFAS compounds. They focused on some of the most commonly consumed species in the region: cod, haddock, lobster, salmon, scallops, shrimp, and tuna. Several PFAS compounds were detected in the seafood samples, with the highest levels found in shrimp and lobster. 
New Hampshire’s children between two and 11 years-old in the state eat about a fifth of an ounce of seafood daily, putting them at the top end of the range for kids nationwide.
 
Nattokinase Dissolves Fibrinaloid Microclots
University of Liverpool (UK), April 18, 2024 (BioRxiv)
Post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection (long COVID) and after COVID-19 vaccination are characterized by micro blood clotting . The work of Scheim et al suggests the majority of syndromes in both cases are due to Spike protein mediated hemagglutination and then the development of small clots that serve the major organs in the body.  
Nattokinase, from the Japanese fermented food natto, is a protease with fibrinolytic activity that can thus degrade conventional blood clots.
In some cases, however, including in Long COVID, fibrinogen can polymerise into an anomalous amyloid form to create clots that are resistant to normal fibrinolysis and that we refer to as fibrinaloid microclots. 
The study shows that recombinant nattokinase is effective at degrading the fibrinaloid microclots in vitro. This adds to the otherwise largely anecdotal evidence, that we review, that nattokinase might be anticipated to have value as part of therapeutic treatments for individuals with Long COVID and related disorders that involve fibrinaloid microclots.
 
Protecting brain cells with cannabinol: Research suggests CBN shows promise for treating neurological disorders
Salk Institute, April 18, 2024 (Medical Xpress)
One in every 10 individuals above the age of 65 develops an age-related neurological disorder like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, yet treatment options remain sparse for this population. Scientists have begun exploring whether cannabinoids—compounds derived from the cannabis plant, like well-known THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol)—may offer a solution. A third, lesser-known cannabinoid called CBN (cannabinol) has recently piqued the interest of researchers, who have begun exploring the clinical potential of the milder, less psychoactive substance.
In a new study, scientists at the Salk Institute help explain how CBN protects the brain against aging and neurodegeneration, then use their findings to develop potential therapeutics. The researchers created four CBN compounds that were more neuroprotective than the standard CBN molecule
The findings, published in Redox Biology, suggest promise for CBN in treating neurological disorders like traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, and also highlight how further studies of CBN's effects on the brain could inspire the development of new therapies for clinical use.
 
Research explores how a father’s diet could shape the health of his offspring
University of Sydney (Australia) April 16, 2024
New research, published in Nature Communications, finds that the macronutrient balance in the diet of male mice affects the level of anxiety-like behaviour of sons and the metabolic health of daughters.
The research provides a step towards understanding how the effect of diet can transmit from one generation to the next via a father’s sperm. It could ultimately inform dietary guidelines for fathers-to-be, with the goal of lowering the risk of metabolic disease and mood disorders in the next generation.
At the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre in Australia researchers fed male mice one of ten diets differing in the proportions of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, then allowed them to mate with females reared on standard diet. The behaviour and physiology of the resulting pups were then studied.
The scientists discovered that male mice fed low protein and high carbohydrate diets were more likely to have male offspring with higher levels of anxiety, as measured by time spent in the safety zones of their maze. They also found that male mice that were fed high fat diets were more likely to have daughters with higher levels of body fat and markers of metabolic disease.
“Our study shows that the type of diet eaten before conception can program specific characteristics of the next generation,” says co-senior author and leader of the GECKO consortium Professor Romain Barrès, from the University of Copenhagen and Université Côte d’Azur, Nice.

The Gary Null Show 4.18.24

HEALTH NEWS
 
·         Researchers find evidence red cabbage juice can help gut health
·         Healthy diet lowers heart disease risk in breast cancer survivors
·         Antibiotics aren’t effective for most lower tract respiratory infections
·         Study suggests the brain's reward system works to make others happy, not just ourselves
·         Turkey Tail mushrooms boost immunity in women with breast cancer
·         Walking in Nature Improves Executive Function and Attention

The Gary Null Show 4.17.24

HEALTH NEWS
 
Olive oil prevents benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]-induced colon carcinogenesis
Green Tea Suppresses Brain Aging
Study on rats shows a junk food diet can cause long-term damage to adolescent brains
The surprising reason why you should be more grateful, according to science
Good blood pressure control could prevent fibroids
Liver fully recovers from a low protein diet

The Gary Null Show 4.16.24

HEALTH NEWS
 
Study Finds Green Tea may Heal Neurodegenerative Conditions like Alzheimer’s
Physical activity lowers cardiovascular disease risk by reducing stress-related brain activity, study finds
Micronutrient intake among U.S. adults has changed little over 15 years
Microplastics make their way from the gut to other organs, researchers find
Roseroot herb shows promise as potential depression treatment option
Blinking found to do more than simply wet the eyes—it helps boost visual signal strength

The Gary Null Show 4.15.24

HEALTH NEWS
 
·         Natural Approach to Treating Gliomas? The Case for Resveratrol
·         Presence of specific lipids indicate tissue aging and can be decreased through exercise, study shows
·         Probiotics improve cognitive function in schizophrenia patients
·         Chemicals stored in home garages linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk
·         Why Exercising At Night May Be Best For Health: 61% Lower Risk Of Death From Any Cause
·         Probiotic potential for pear antioxidants explored in study

The Gary Null Show 4.12.24

HEALTH NEWS
 
·         Replacing Benzocaine with Clove Gel: A Natural Approach to Topical Anesthesia
·         Study: Zinc deficiency linked to immune system response, particularly in older adults
·         Household Cleaners May Damage Lungs Like Pack-a-Day Smoking Habit
·         The Tropical Fruit that can Detox Toxic Fluoride
·         Study shows air pollution is associated with increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease
·         Increased vitamin C in the diet could help protect against cataracts

The Gary Null Show 4.11.24

HEALTH NEWS
 
·         Traditional Japanese diet associated with less brain shrinkage in women compared to western diet, says research
·         Weight training improves symptoms of anxiety and depression in old people, study confirms
·         Orange Peel Extract Shows Anti-Breast Cancer Potential While Being 1,000 Times Less Toxic Than Conventional Chemo
·         Cannabis use during pregnancy linked to increased risk of ADHD, autism and intellectual disability in children
·         Living near green space associated with fewer emotional problems in preschool-age kids, study finds
·         Vitamin D may keep low-grade prostate cancer from becoming aggressive

The Gary Null Show 4.10.24

HEALTH NEWS
 
·         Unveiling the Vascular Vitality of Dragon Fruit
·         Grape polyphenols may protect against obesity: Study
·         It’s true: healthy eating does result in longer life
·         Lonely children more likely to experience psychosis, new study finds
·         Study reveals mechanism linking heart disease to cancer development
·         Swapping red meat for herring/sardines could save up to 750,000 lives/year in 2050
 

The Gary Null Show 4.9.24

HEALTH NEWS
 
Can a cup of tea keep COVID away? Study demonstrates that certain teas inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in saliva
New study highlights the benefit of touch on mental and physical health
Low cardiorespiratory fitness in youth associated with decreased work ability throughout adulthood, finds 45-year study
Aggressively pursuing higher social status may exact a toll on health
Sorghum phytonutrients and their health benefits: A systematic review
Heart disease, depression linked by inflammation: study
 

The Gary Null Show 4.8.24

HEALTH NEWS
 
·         Antioxidant combination supports cognition, muscle
·         Berberine for Chemoprevention of Colon Polyps
·         Screening with a PSA test has a small impact on prostate cancer deaths but leads to overdiagnosis, finds study
·         Ruminating About Stressful Events May Increase Inflammation In The Body
·         Topical Frankincense Relieves Knee Osteoarthritis Pain and Stiffness
·         Great, Now Band-Aids Pose Cancer Risk Thanks To ‘Forever Chemicals’