The Gary Null Show

HEALTH NEWS
 
Berberine Shows Beneficial Effects on Metabolic Health, Study Reports
Cooperation beats selfishness more often than scientists thought
Sleep Disorders Don’t Just Exhaust You. New Research Shows They Change Your Brain
Two Hours of Strength Training Weekly Linked to Lower Heart Attack Risk in Women, Study Finds
Planetary Health Diet lowers cardiovascular risk in older women
 
 
Berberine Shows Beneficial Effects on Metabolic Health, Study Reports
Peking Union Medical College (China), July 24 2026 (Natural News)
 
 
A review published in the journal Molecules has summarized evidence indicating that berberine, a compound found in several plants, may influence glucose and lipid metabolism. According to the review, berberine has been associated with improvements in metabolic health markers across multiple studies. The compound is a yellow alkaloid extracted from plants such as European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric.
The review cited evidence that berberine may reduce blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity, according to clinical trials. A systematic review of seven randomized clinical trials from China published in Nutrients revealed that berberine consistently alters the composition of gut bacteria in patients taking the supplement, and the analysis examined data across conditions including Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and colorectal adenoma.
Lipid panel improvements, including lower total cholesterol and triglycerides, were also reported in the reviewed studies.
 
Cooperation beats selfishness more often than scientists thought
Hebrew University of Jerusalem & Rutgers University, July 20 2026 (Eureaklert)
 For decades, one of the most influential ideas in evolutionary biology has suggested that when individuals act purely in their own self-interest, cooperation should eventually collapse.
But a new study by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Rutgers University demonstrates that evolution may be far more optimistic than previously believed. Their findings reveal that cooperation does not require close family ties, reputation, repeated favors, or rigid social structures. Instead, cooperation can flourish simply because individuals respond differently to different opponents. The research proposes a new solution to one of biology's oldest puzzles: how cooperation survives in a world shaped by natural selection.
Using mathematical models, evolutionary simulations, and populations of artificial intelligence agents, the researchers found that cooperation consistently evolved when individuals adjusted their willingness to cooperate according to whom they encountered. Rather than treating everyone identically, simple opponent-specific responses created stable communities in which cooperative behavior repeatedly outperformed purely selfish strategies.
Perhaps the study's most surprising finding is that cooperative societies are not fragile exceptions. Across thousands of simulations, populations repeatedly evolved toward highly cooperative states, while purely selfish populations often failed to dominate. Even when mutations introduced new defectors, cooperative communities remained remarkably resilient.
 
Sleep Disorders Don’t Just Exhaust You. New Research Shows They Change Your Brain
Florida International University, July 26, 2026 (SciTech Daily)
A poor night’s sleep can affect far more than energy the next day. Research from Florida International University links sleep disorders with structural differences in brain regions that help control attention, motivation and decision-making.
Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the findings provide one of the broadest comparisons yet of how different sleep disorders are associated with the brain. 
The researchers compared two broad categories. Dyssomnias, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, interfere with falling asleep or remaining asleep. Parasomnias, including sleepwalking, nightmare disorder and sleep terrors, involve unusual events that disrupt the sleep cycle.
Both categories were associated with decreases in the thalamus, a region that filters incoming information, supports concentration, and contributes to higher-level thinking. The researchers identified changes specifically in the pulvinar, an area within the thalamus that directs attention and helps manage cognitive control.
These differences were connected with wider brain networks that support concentration and task performance. That pattern may help explain why disrupted sleep is associated with slower reactions, poorer decision-making and a greater likelihood of errors and accidents.
 
Two Hours of Strength Training Weekly Linked to Lower Heart Attack Risk in Women, Study Finds
Harvard School of Public Health, July 26 2026 (Natural News)
A large-scale study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has found that women who engage in regular strength training have a significantly lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The study examined data from 117,025 women over an average follow-up period of 14.5 years.
 
Women who performed any amount of resistance training had a lower risk of cardiovascular events compared with those who did none. The association persisted after adjusting for overall lifestyle and health factors, the study stated. 
Among the study’s specific findings, women who performed at least two hours of resistance training per week had a 44% lower risk of heart attack relative to women who did no resistance training, the report said. Any cardiovascular disease risk was 20% lower for that group, with an additional 5% reduction per extra hour of weekly resistance training, according to the study.
The benefits of strength training were more pronounced among women who maintained resistance training consistently and trained both upper and lower body, according to the study. Adding strength training to regular aerobic exercise – such as walking or running – was linked to better heart health.
 
Planetary Health Diet lowers cardiovascular risk in older women
University of Caliornia at Irvine, July 25 2026 (News-Medical)
A 20-year study of more than 65,000 postmenopausal women found that higher adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was associated with a lower risk of overall cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure.
The findings showed that women whose diet most closely followed the Planetary Health Diet had about a 28% lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared with women in the group scoring the lowest for adherence. However, even moderate adherence to the diet was linked with lower risk.
The Planetary Health Diet emphasizes foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and unsaturated fats while limiting foods such as red and processed meats, added sugars, refined grains and saturated fats.
The investigators followed 66,892 participants in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).  Overall, the results showed that women in the group whose diets were more closely aligned with the Planetary Health Diet had the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease. These women also showed a decreased risk of heart disease, heart failure and stroke risk compared to the women in the lowest-adherence group.
However, even moderate adherence to the diet was associated with a decrease in risk, with each 10-point increase in Planetary Health Diet Index score linked to further risk reduction.

HEALTH NEWS
 
Curcumin shows the best balance against cancer, study shows
First trial confirms swimming reduces disability from chronic back pain
Nanoplastics in Drinking Water May Be Making Dangerous Bacteria Stronger, New Study Warns
Kids remember veggie scents from womb, study finds
Watermelon Contains Compounds Linked to Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, Studies Show
 
Curcumin shows the best balance against cancer, study shows
Wroclaw Medical University (Poland), July 22 2026 (News-Medical)
Curcumin, berberine, and other plant-derived compounds have long attracted scientific interest because of their anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. A new study by researchers from Wroclaw Medical University, however, shows that not all natural compounds act in the same way, and strong anticancer activity does not always go hand in hand with a good safety profile.
The researchers compared five compounds: curcumin, berberine, biochanin A, cucurbitacin E, and CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester), a component of propolis. They investigated how these substances affected fibrosarcoma cells and healthy muscle cells. The study focused on the NF-κB signaling pathway, which regulates inflammation, metabolism, cell survival, and cellular aging.
The tested compounds disrupted mitochondrial function, reducing the cancer cells’ ability to produce energy. In fibrosarcoma cells, ATP levels decreased by approximately 83–92%, compared with reductions of around 23–73% in healthy muscle cells. This suggests that cancer cells are more vulnerable to disturbances in energy metabolism.
The compounds also affected mitophagy, the process responsible for removing damaged mitochondria.
All five compounds induced features of cellular senescence in fibrosarcoma cells. In this state, cells remain alive but permanently lose their ability to divide.
The strongest effect was observed with curcumin. The proportion of senescent cancer cells increased from approximately 16.5% to more than 75%. For the other compounds, the percentage exceeded 66% as well.
Healthy muscle cells generally showed a weaker response, suggesting a degree of selectivity towards cancer cells.
 
First trial confirms swimming reduces disability from chronic back pain
Macquarie University, July 21 2026 (Eurekalert)
 
Australian research has shown for the first time that a program of swimming can be clinically effective in reducing disability from chronic low back pain. 
Publishedin the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the clinical trial found an eight-week individualised program of swimming and education, guided by a physiotherapist, improved function and pain significantly more than education alone in people with back pain. 
The researchers recruited 76 adults aged 26 to 74 (average 41 years) who were experiencing some disability due to low back pain lasting for at least 12 weeks and allocated them at random to one of two groups. One group received an eight-week individualised program of swimming and education, supported by four telehealth coaching sessions with a physiotherapist. They weren’t regular swimmers, but they were able to swim 25 metres and feel confident in the water. 
The swimming programme was based on a goal of achieving three sessions of 30-45 minutes by the end of the eight weeks. 
After eight weeks, disability was significantly lower in the swimming group.  They improved by about 50 per cent from where they were before starting the program. Compared to the control group who received education only, swimmers scored on average 2.5 points or 30 per cent lower on a widely used disability scale.
 
 
Nanoplastics in Drinking Water May Be Making Dangerous Bacteria Stronger, New Study Warns
Virginia Tech University, July 21 2026 (Natural News)
A study published in the journal Water Research found that nanoplastics, tiny plastic particles invisible to the naked eye, can increase the mechanical strength of bacterial biofilms and make them more resistant to disinfectants. The research, conducted by Virginia Tech and an international team, examined how these particles affect microbial communities inside drinking water systems. 
The findings indicate indirect public health risks through water systems. The nanoplastics can make the antimicrobial-resistant pathogens better survive, which could be harmful to the environment and would have public health implications.
 
The study focused on biofilms containing E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two bacteria commonly associated with waterborne infections. When exposed to nanoplastics, the bacteria activated multiple defense mechanisms, resulting in thicker, heavier biofilms. These strengthened biofilms pose a greater challenge for water treatment facilities, according to the researchers.
Biofilms are communities of bacteria that attach to surfaces, such as the interior walls of water pipes. These bacterial colonies produce a protective matrix that shields them from environmental threats, including disinfectants. While some biofilms are beneficial, those formed by pathogenic bacteria can pose risks inside drinking water distribution systems.
 
Waterborne nanoplastics are already widespread. A French government study found that glass bottles can contain five to 50 times more microplastics than plastic bottles, with contamination often originating from painted caps.
 
Kids remember veggie scents from womb, study finds
Durham University, May 13 2026 (Medical Xpress)
Experiencing bitter or non-bitter flavors before birth can shape taste likes or dislikes after being born, according to new research led by the Durham University Department of Psychology. Researchers found that young children are less likely to react negatively to the smell of vegetables they were repeatedly exposed to in the womb. They say their findings could have implications for establishing healthy eating habits in children.
The researchers examined the facial reactions of 12 three-year-olds to the non-bitter smell of carrot or the bitter smell of kale.
They found that the three-year-olds whose mothers had taken carrot powder capsules as part of a controlled experiment when pregnant were less likely to show negative facial reactions toward the smell of carrot. Similarly, those whose mothers had taken kale powder capsules while pregnant reacted less negatively to the smell of kale.
The researchers say their latest finding supports the argument that exposure to flavors in late pregnancy can result in long-lasting odor or flavor memory in children.
 
Watermelon Contains Compounds Linked to Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, Studies Show
UCLA, July 22 2026 (Natural News)
 
Watermelon contains bioactive compounds that have been linked to improvements in cardiovascular function and metabolic healths. The fruit is a source of the amino acid citrulline, which the body converts to arginine, and the antioxidant lycopene, both of which have been associated with positive health outcomes.
According to a review in the journal Nutrition clinique et métabolisme, watermelon consumption increases plasma arginine concentrations in adults. The body converts citrulline into arginine, which then supports nitric oxide production, a molecule that helps relax blood vessels. Lycopene, the carotenoid responsible for watermelon's red color, is also present in notable amounts and acts as an antioxidant.
Watermelon's L-citrulline and L-arginine content improves arterial function and blood pressure Another report states that citrulline is useful for blood pressure regulation and metabolic health.
 

HEALTH NEWS
The humble garnish that fights cancer: New science reveals parsley’s potent secretBirdsong and walks in the forest tied to significant mental health benefitsFrequent cannabis users wake with higher cortisol levels, study findsNicotinamide riboside chloride: A potent neuroprotector and therapeutic candidate for alcohol-induced cognitive impairmentRepeatedly losing and gaining weight may accelerate muscle loss

HEALTH NEWS
 
Analysis of 82 Trials Shows Black Seed May Improve Cardiovascular Risk Markers
New Study Reveals Herpesvirus Infection May Accelerate Alzheimer’s Disease
Favorable lifestyle factors reduce dementia risk across key genetic profiles
People are living longer, but spending more years in poor health
Imbalances in the oral microbiome linked to symptomatic hand osteoarthritis
 
 
 
Analysis of 82 Trials Shows Black Seed May Improve Cardiovascular Risk Markers
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (Iran), July 21 2026 (Natural News)
 
 
A pooled analysis of 82 randomized controlled trials involving 5,026 adults has found that supplementation with Nigella sativa, commonly known as black seed or black cumin, is associated with improvements in multiple cardiovascular risk markers.
 
The meta-analysis, published in the journal Pharmacological Research, was conducted by researchers from several Iranian universities. The analysis used a GRADE-assessed, dose-response method to evaluate the effects of black seed compared with placebo or standard care.
 
According to the study, black seed supplementation led to significant reductions in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. The analysis noted that daily amounts used in most trials ranged from 1 to 3 grams of ground black seed or 1 to 3 milliliters of black seed oil. According to the researchers, one teaspoon of ground black seed contains roughly 4 grams, meaning a single daily teaspoon stirred into food falls within the range used in studies. For those who prefer oil, a half teaspoon delivers close to 2 milliliters.
The researchers emphasized that consistency, rather than a large single dose, appears to drive positive results.
 
New Study Reveals Herpesvirus Infection May Accelerate Alzheimer’s Disease
Cardiff University (UK), July 21, 2026 (SciTech Daily)
In a new study, researchers found that herpesvirus infection intensified memory problems and other Alzheimer’s-related changes in mice already vulnerable to the disease. The damage appeared to be driven not simply by the virus itself, but by the immune system’s prolonged attempt to control it.
Herpesviruses are a large family that includes viruses associated with cold sores, childhood infections, and glandular fever. After the initial illness passes, some can remain dormant inside the body and reactivate later, repeatedly drawing the immune system into action.
Scientists results suggest that T cells, immune cells that identify and attack infected cells, can enter the brain during herpesvirus infection and accelerate cognitive decline. Following infection, large numbers of immune cells moved into the brain. Most were CD8+ T cells that specifically recognized the virus, showing that they had entered the tissue as part of the body’s attempt to contain the infection.
Similar T cells have previously been found in the brains and spinal fluid of people with Alzheimer’s disease, although their exact role has remained uncertain.
The results indicate that a virus-driven immune response can actively speed the progression of Alzheimer’s-like disease rather than merely appearing alongside it.
 
 
Favorable lifestyle factors reduce dementia risk across key genetic profiles
 
 
Kyushu University (Japan), June 5 2026 (News-Medical)
With dementia cases expected to nearly triple worldwide by 2050, researchers are increasingly focused on identifying ways to prevent or delay the disease. While lifestyle and health-related factors, such as blood pressure control and physical activity, influence dementia risk, genetics also play a major role. Currently, it is unclear if maintaining a favorable lifestyle reduces dementia risk equally across different genetic backgrounds.
A new study led by Kyushu University examines whether favorable modifiable risk factors (mRF)-behaviors or conditions that people can change or control-can lower dementia risk even among individuals with high genetic susceptibility.
The researchers analyzed data from 9,605 community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older. They determined each participant's APOE ε4 genotypes, a primary genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, and calculated the mRF score based on lifestyle and health-related factors. This allowed the team to evaluate how genetic predisposition and lifestyle choices jointly interact to influence dementia risk. The results showed that dementia risk rose progressively with the number of APOE ε4 alleles.
Notably, among individuals with one or no APOE ε4 alleles, maintaining a healthier profile with lower mRF scores was linked to a significantly lower risk of dementia. In contrast, among individuals with two APOE ε4 alleles, dementia risk did not differ significantly between those with lower and higher mRF scores.
These findings suggest that maintaining favorable lifestyle and health conditions can effectively mitigate dementia risk, even among individuals carrying a single APOE ε4 allele. This underscores the importance of population-based prevention strategies focused on managing vascular and lifestyle risk factors.
 
 
People are living longer, but spending more years in poor health
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (US), July 21 2026 (Eurekalert)
 
People are living longer, but spending more years in poor health 
The morbidity gap—the number of years people live in poor health—widened in nearly all countries, with wealthier nations facing the largest gaps.     
The US has the largest morbidity gap, closely followed by Australia and Canada.  
Women consistently live longer but spend more years in poor health than men.  
Musculoskeletal disorders, mental health conditions, hearing loss, and falls and other unintentional injuries are driving most years lived in poor health worldwide. 
Within a generation, the global morbidity gap widened by nearly two years, increasing from 8.8 years in 1990 to 10.7 years in 2023. Globally, people spent an average of 14.5% of their lives in poor health in 2023, up from 13.6% in 1990. Instead of occurring only in the final years of life, the widening morbidity gap was observed across the adult lifespan, suggesting that people are spending more years living with disease and disability throughout adulthood. 
Between 1990 and 2023, global life expectancy at birth increased from 64.6 years to 73.8 years, while healthy life expectancy rose from 55.9 years to 63.1 years. In 2023, the United States had the largest national morbidity gap at 14 years, followed by Australia at 13.9 years and Canada at 13.7 years.
 
Imbalances in the oral microbiome linked to symptomatic hand osteoarthritis
Central South University (China), July 21 2026 (Medica Xpress)
A study published RMD Open has linked specific imbalances and disruptions in the oral microbiome to symptomatic hand arthritis.
Its findings suggest that the microbial environment of the mouth may influence the disease process of hand arthritis, which is associated with pain, stiffness and reduced grip strength and can severely impair quality of life. The oral microbiome plays a role in systemic inflammation and interacts closely with the gut microbiome, which is significantly associated with symptomatic hand arthritis.
To assess the role of the oral microbiome, saliva samples from 52 people with symptomatic hand arthritis recruited from a community-based osteoarthritis study and 712 people without the condition were analyzed using ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.
Compared with samples taken from participants without hand arthritis, samples from participants with symptomatic hand arthritis showed significantly lower oral microbial richness and altered composition.
Specifically, the abundance of Trichococcus bacteria was significantly higher in the symptomatic hand arthritis samples and positively associated with the severity of hand arthritis symptoms. Trichococcus abundance in the oral microbiome was also positively associated with the gut microbial tyrosine metabolism pathway—a metabolic pathway previously implicated in hand arthritis.
Samples from participants with symptomatic hand arthritis also displayed reduced oral-gut microbiome correlations compared with controls, suggesting the balance between these two microbial communities was disrupted.

Gary reads Part 2  of his latest essay "How to Live An Illuminated Life"  you can read the whole article on Gary Null Substack  https://garynull.substack.com/p/how-to-live-an-illuminated-life

HEALTH NEWS
 
Ginger Induces Leukemia Cell Suicide
Researchers Warn Rising CO₂ May Already Be Changing Human Blood Chemistry
Hourly Walking Breaks of 5 Minutes Can Mitigate Harms of Prolonged Sitting, Study Finds
Heavy TV watching associated with smaller brain structures, study finds
Study: Microplastics in Blood Linked to Severe Heart Attacks
 
Gary reads Part 1 of his latest essay "How to Live An Illuminated Life"  you can read the whole article on Gary Null Substack  https://garynull.substack.com/p/how-to-live-an-illuminated-life

Gary reads the second part of his article "Stop Living Life in Duality" you can read the full article on Gary Null Substack. If you like what you are reading, please subscribe because you'll get access to Gary's long essays, healthy recipes and inspiring self empowering videos and documentaries. https://garynull.substack.com/p/stop-living-a-life-of-duality

Gary reads his latest article https://garynull.substack.com/p/stop-living-a-life-of-duality 

HEALTH NEWS
-Watching nature videos can help relieve stress, study finds-Study Finds Pesticide Residues in Infant Formula, Researchers Cite Health Risks-Dementia risk may also be reduced through diet-Going to the cinema, theater or a museum may slow down physiological aging-New Wearable Patch Boosts REM Sleep Without Drugs or Surgery

Gary Null reads the second part of his essay How Tens of Millions Of American Jobs Were Deliberately Destroyed Since The 1970s. You can read the full article on Gary Null Substack https://garynull.substack.com/p/how-tens-of-millions-of-american