Proof is in the Pudding, Super Dodgers and Novids, PCSK9 protein and Psoriasis
The Full Panel meets your TLDR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) needs by delivering the latest medicine & health news in a nutshell. 🥜
High-fat, high-sugar pudding & your brain
Gist: Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research in Cologne and Yale University have discovered that foods with high fat and sugar content can change our brain, causing it to develop a preference for these types of foods. The study aimed to understand whether our preference for unhealthy and fattening foods is innate or learned.
Nitty-Gritty: One group of volunteers received a high-fat, high-sugar pudding daily for eight weeks, while the other group received a pudding with the same number of calories but less fat. During the study participants underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan while completing a task that measured their response to different rewards. The results showed that the group who consumed the sweet and fatty snack had a blunted response in the brain's reward system compared to the control group. This means that they required a greater amount of reward to achieve the same level of pleasure as the control group.
Big Picture: The study suggests that habitual consumption of a sweet and fatty snack may lead to a reduced sensitivity to reward and may contribute to overeating and obesity. A good reminder that we should always aim for a balanced and varied diet to promote overall health and well-being.
Original article: here.
Novid to COVID
Gist: Some individuals, referred to as "super-dodgers" or "Novids” have managed to avoid contracting COVID-19. Scientists are interested in studying these people to understand if they possess any unknown antibodies, genetic codes, or cellular makeup that could help them resist the virus. This knowledge could potentially be used to create improved vaccines or treatments.
Nitty-Gritty: According to Dr. Sabrina Assoumou, an assistant professor at the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, various factors could explain why some people have not contracted COVID-19, including but not limited to, vaccination status, cautious behaviour, socioeconomic status, and luck. Studying these individuals could provide valuable insights into how to protect others and develop drug therapies or vaccines.
Dr. Assoumou mentioned that early in the pandemic, a study found that some people with a mutation in the genes coding for the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) (a protein marker on most cells in your body) seemed less likely to have symptomatic infections. Additionally, individuals exposed to other coronaviruses but not severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) appeared to have T cells (a type of immune cell) primed to target SARS-CoV-2, leading to a faster immune response and milder disease.
*It is important to note that COVID-19 (novel CoronaVirus Disease-2019) is the disease, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus (source and further details: Coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)).
Big Picture: Current research aims to improve vaccine efficacy by developing intranasal vaccines that prevent early infections in the upper respiratory tract and universal coronavirus vaccines that target various versions of the virus, addressing potential variants. However, there is still much to learn, as our understanding of COVID-19 and SARS continues to evolve.
Original article: here.
On the flip side, a recent study was published about post-COVID-19 syndrome can be found here (i.e. the after-effects that some experience after contracting COVID-19).
Anti-cholesterol agent & Psoriasis link
Gist: A new study suggests that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a protein that regulates cholesterol levels in the body, may also play a role in the development of psoriasis. The study found that those with higher levels of PCSK9 were more likely to develop psoriasis.
Nitty-Gritty: Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin. It is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The study suggests that PCSK9 may be one of these genetic factors.
The researchers found that a drug called evolocumab (trade name Repatha), which targets PCSK9 to lower cholesterol levels, may have a beneficial effect on psoriasis. In a small group of participants with psoriasis who were given evolocumab, the severity of their psoriasis improved.
The study provides new insights into the genetic factors involved in psoriasis and suggests that targeting PCSK9 may be a potential therapeutic approach for treating psoriasis.
Big Picture: Promising insights that a drug already on the market, evolocumab, could be a treatment for psoriasis. Stay tuned as research develops!
Original article: here
Shorter eating interval associated with lower weight gain risk
Gist: A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that meal frequency and size are more significant determinants of weight loss or gain than the time between the first and last meal.
Nitty-Gritty: The study found that shorter eating intervals, defined as the amount of time between the first and last calorie intake of the day, were associated with a lower risk of weight gain over time. Specifically, participants who had an eating interval of less than 11 hours per day had a lower risk of weight gain compared to those with an eating interval of 11-13 hours per day.
The study also found that longer sleeping intervals, defined as the amount of time between bedtime and wake-up time, were associated with a lower risk of weight gain. Participants who slept for at least 7 hours per night had a lower risk of weight gain compared to those who slept for less than 6 hours per night.
Big Picture: We all know the benefits of getting a good sleep (7-9 hours). By getting a proper night’s sleep, we can directly shorten our wake time and thus, our eating window. 🙃
Idea: It may also be worthwhile determining if you can delay your first meal by enjoying that cup of coffee longer or having an earlier dinner.
Original article: here.
A little Off Topic:
Turns out that slightly wilted potted palm by our window is crying
Gist: This article discusses how plants respond to stress by emitting sounds that can be detected by certain animals. Researchers have found that plants emit ultrasonic vibrations when they experience drought, extreme temperature changes, or other forms of stress.
😱Check it out➡️ You can take a listen to the audio file embedded in the article to hear what plants sound like!
Nitty-Gritty: The article suggests that this phenomenon may have evolved as a means of communication between plants and animals. For example, when a plant is under stress, it may emit ultrasonic vibrations to attract animals that can help it by pollinating or spreading seeds. Conversely, animals that can detect these vibrations may be able to locate plants that are under stress and may offer a potential food source. The discovery highlights the complex interactions that occur between different organisms in nature.
Big Picture: Go water and pamper your plants!
Beyond Text:
Dr Peter Attia on lipids (run time: 6mins55 seconds)
If you’d like to learn more about what Dr. Attia has to share about cholesterol and cardiac risk, check out his blog post here.
🤓 Myth Busting 👊🏼
Contrary to what our parents may have told us as children, you don't lose most of your body heat through your head.
In 2006, scientists debunked this myth. They found that the amount of body heat lost through a person's head is only about 7 to 10 percent of total body heat. All that to say, body heat loss from the head is proportional to the amount of skin on the average human head. 🤷🏻♂️
Read more: here.
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