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- Ketogenic diet, by replacing glucose with ketones as an energy source, lessens alcohol cravings among people with alcohol use disorders.
- Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease-related death by up to 23 percent, especially in people with high triglyceride levels.
- Women see a 24 percent drop in premature death risk with just 140 minutes of weekly activity – half the time men need for similar benefits.
- Aging undermines the brain's capacity for maintaining working memory, with subtle declines in neuron activity and connectivity in the prefrontal cortex.
Conventional wisdom suggests that cognitive skills begin to decline in early adulthood, but this assumption may be misleading. A recent study found that cognitive skills—specifically math and reading skills—actually improve into one’s forties before experiencing a decline, and using these skills regularly is crucial in determining how abilities change over time.
Researchers analyzed data from a previous German study that monitored more than 3,200 adult participants over time, allowing for the identification of genuine age-related changes in cognitive abilities. They also considered measurement errors that could skew results.
They found that math and reading skills continued to improve into the participants' forties. After that, literacy declined slightly, while numeracy dropped more sharply—but only for participants with below-average skill usage. Those who regularly engaged in complex tasks at work or home, particularly white-collar and highly educated participants, maintained or improved their skills well beyond midlife. However, women experienced steeper declines in numeracy as they aged.
These findings suggest that cognitive decline is not inevitable. Remaining mentally engaged through work and daily activities may help preserve or enhance cognitive abilities beyond middle age. Maintaining healthy blood flow to the brain through vigorous exercise can support cognitive function in aging. Learn more in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
According to some estimates, Alzheimer’s disease will affect nearly 14 million Americans by 2060, with women comprising two-thirds of those cases. Research indicates that this disparity arises from the buildup of tau, a protein linked to cognitive decline, which occurs earlier and progresses more rapidly in women. A recent study found that menopausal hormone therapy accelerates tau accumulation in older women, potentially contributing to this heightened risk.
The study involved 146 cognitively healthy women between the ages of 51 and 89. Researchers used brain scans to measure the accumulation of amyloid-beta and tau proteins in the women’s brains and gathered information about their menopausal hormone usage.
They found that women over 70 who had used hormone therapy showed faster tau buildup in key brain regions linked to Alzheimer’s disease. This increase in tau was also associated with greater cognitive decline. However, in younger women—those under 70—hormone therapy had little to no effect on tau accumulation.
These findings suggest that the timing of hormone therapy plays a critical role in brain health, supporting the idea that initiating treatment earlier in menopause may be safer. Understanding how hormone therapy influences tau buildup could help refine guidelines for menopausal treatment and Alzheimer’s risk reduction. Learn more about factors that influence the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in this clip featuring Dr. Dale Bredesen.
Intense exercise—especially eccentric movements like downhill running or heavy weightlifting—can cause microscopic muscle damage, inflammation, and soreness. While this process is part of adaptation, excessive damage can delay recovery and hinder performance. A recent study found that curcumin, a compound derived from turmeric, may help reduce muscle damage and soreness, potentially speeding up recovery.
Researchers analyzed the findings of 11 studies on curcumin and exercise-induced muscle damage. The various studies focused on healthy adults who exercised regularly and took curcumin before, during, or after workouts.
The analysis revealed that curcumin supplementation may ease muscle soreness, reduce inflammation, and improve recovery after strenuous exercise. However, the benefits depended on dose (which ranged from 90 milligrams to 2.5 grams), bioavailability, and timing, with post-exercise supplementation appearing most effective.
These findings suggest that curcumin could be a useful supplement for athletes looking to minimize muscle soreness and recover faster. However, its low bioavailability may limit its effectiveness. In addition, the investigators noted that many of the studies were small, limiting their findings' applicability. Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound. Learn more about polyphenols in our overview article.
