Hello, it’s us again! The Full Panel Newsletter!

The Full Panel delivers the latest medicine & health news in a nutshell. 🥜

What’s happening in Canadian research. 🧠

Gist: The CAN-PROTECT project, led by Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, along with researchers at the University of Calgary, will examine whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with cognitive decline in older adults aged 65 and above.
Nitty-Gritty: Earlier research indicates a possible correlation between vitamin D deficiency and cognitive impairment in aging adults. The study will test vitamin D levels in participants and use MRI scans to evaluate brain structure and function changes over time. Researchers will also assess whether vitamin D supplements can slow or prevent cognitive decline. The objective is to gain a better understanding of vitamin D's role in brain health and potentially develop new approaches to prevent or treat cognitive decline before it starts.
Big Picture: All of us are aging and if there’s a way to age well and prevent devastating cognitive decline— We are here for it!
➡️Original source: here.

If you need another reason to drink more coffee, look no further! ☕️

Gist: A pair of recent studies published in the Journal of Functional Foods and the journal of Food Chemistry suggests that adding milk to coffee may enhance its anti-inflammatory properties. The study involved testing the effects of coffee with and without milk on inflammatory markers in 62 healthy adults.
Nitty-Gritty: Participants were randomly assigned to drink either black coffee or coffee with milk, and their blood was tested for markers of inflammation before and after consumption. The authors of the study concluded that when the polyphenols found in coffee react with the amino acids found in milk, they exhibit an enhanced inhibitory effect on inflammation in immune cells, potentially reducing inflammation in humans. The researchers say this anti-inflammatory effect may occur when combining other types of food, such as a meat dish with vegetables or a smoothie with milk or yogurt.
Big Picture: Here at The Full Panel we like coffee— A lot! Any reason to drink more is a good reason to us!
➡️Original source: here.

Sweet tasting, but bitter side effects: Erythritol. 🍭

Gist: A new study has found that erythritol, a sugar substitute commonly used in stevia, monkfruit, and keto products, is linked to blood clotting, stroke, heart attack, and death. Erythritol appeared to be causing blood platelets to clot more readily, which can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
Nitty-Gritty: The study, published in Nature Medicine, revealed that people with risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, are twice as likely to experience a heart attack or stroke if they have high levels of erythritol in their blood. Researchers found that higher levels of erythritol were connected to a greater risk of heart attack, stroke, or death within three years. While the Calorie Control Council, an industry association, says that reduced-calorie sweeteners like erythritol are safe, the results of this study are alarming, and more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Big Picture: We’ll stick to nature’s sweets: fruit! 🍎 Last time we checked: an apple a day keeps the doctor away ;)
➡️Original source: here.

Move over statins, bempedoic acid is here! ❤️

Gist: A study led by the Cleveland Clinic found that bempedoic acid, the first drug designed for statin-intolerant patients, significantly reduced the risk of serious cardiovascular events in patients with high cholesterol and a history of heart disease.
Nitty-Gritty: The trial involved over 13,970 patients who were unable to tolerate statins due to side effects. The study participants were randomly assigned to receive bempedoic acid or a placebo. After approximately two years, the researchers found that patients receiving bempedoic acid had a 17% reduction in their risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular event, such as heart attack, stroke or death from cardiovascular disease. Patients in the treatment group also experienced a significant reduction in their LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels. The results of the study suggest that bempedoic acid may provide an effective alternative for patients who are unable to tolerate statins.
Big Picture: It’s been awhile since a new anti-cholesterol agent has been brought to market. It will be interesting to see how bempedoic acid compares to its statin counterparts from a risk reduction perspective. Stay tuned!
➡️Original source: here.

ChatGPT for Scientific Writing 🤖

Gist: A recent article published in the journal Nature explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific writing. The article discusses several examples of AI tools that can assist with various aspects of scientific writing, including literature review, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.
Nitty-Gritty: The authors suggest that AI can help researchers to save time, improve the quality of their writing, and increase the reproducibility of their research findings. However, they also note that AI tools have limitations and that they should be used in conjunction with human expertise and judgement. The authors call for continued development and refinement of AI tools for scientific writing and for greater collaboration between researchers and AI developers to ensure that these tools are effective and user-friendly.
Big Picture: We asked ChatGPT for input on the above:
“Overall, ChatGPT can be a helpful tool in scientific writing, but it should not be viewed as a substitute for human expertise and critical thinking.” We have to agree! Well articulated, ChatGPT!
➡️ Original source: here.

Groovy Times Ahead: Make Way for Psychedelics? 😶‍🌫️

Gist: The legalization of cannabis in many parts of the world has opened up a new wave of research into the potential benefits of other psychoactive substances, such as psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and MDMA. Supporters of these substances argue that they have therapeutic benefits for a range of mental health conditions and that they should be decriminalized or legalized for medical use.
Nitty-Gritty: Recently, there has been a growing push to fast-track the legalization of psychedelics for medical use, particularly in the United States and Canada. Some advocates suggest that psychedelics could become the next frontier in mental health treatment, offering a new and potentially effective approach to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, critics argue that more research is needed to fully understand the risks and benefits of these substances, and that legalization should be approached cautiously to ensure patient safety.
Big Picture: It’s promising to hear that new treatments may be on the horizon. However, before we go diving into the next quick-fix du jour (💥 flashback to the OxyContin scandal anyone!?)—lets understand the benefits and risks associated with psychedelics and their use. Stay tuned, more to be learned!
➡️Original source: here.

⏰ Health Tips: How to Optimize Your Morning Routine!

Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University, suggests a morning routine helps set the tone for a productive and positive day. Huberman's routine includes several activities to boost physical and mental well-being. Click to watch & learn more!
Tight on time? Pro-tip: Increase the playback speed to 2x to learn the facts twice as fast! 😉

🤓Interesting factoid of the week: Approximately one-fourth of the bones in the human body are in your feet!

Interested in previous newsletters or other articles we’ve written? Check them out here at: thefullpanel.com

Got a question for us? Suggestions for content you’d like to see? Feedback? E-mail us at: hello@mail.thefullpanel.com