March 16, 2024 - Sleep and Diet
liquorice || strokes || migraines || dementia || energy || sleep || insulin || TBI's & ALZ || microbiome
This Week’s Headlines
+ Liquorice Can Affect Blood Pressure
+ Potential Biomarkers for Early Detection of Heart Attacks and Strokes
+ Poor Sleep and Migraines
+ Gravity and Migraines
+ Mediterranean Diet Impacts Dementia Risks
+ Listen to Your Body
+ Types of Sleepers
+ Smart Nozzles for Pesticides
+ New Potential Insulin Source
+ Blast Related Concussions Correlate to Alzheimer’s Risk
+ Good Sleep Stimulates the Immune System
+ How Your Microbiome Can Turn Goodness Into Inflammatory Diseases
Liquorice Can Affect Blood Pressure
Quick Take - Something to avoid before you take your blood pressure. As I’ve been leaning into herbal teas, this gives me something to think about.
The study conducted by Linköping University reveals that even small amounts of liquorice can elevate blood pressure, contrary to the previous understanding that only large quantities had this effect. Liquorice, derived from Glycyrrhiza plants, contains glycyrrhizic acid, which disrupts fluid balance, leading to increased blood pressure. The research, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, involved 28 individuals consuming liquorice containing 100 mg of glycyrrhizic acid daily for two-week periods. Results showed a significant average blood pressure increase of 3.1 mmHg. Moreover, sensitive individuals experienced decreased levels of hormones regulating fluid balance and exhibited signs of increased heart workload. The findings suggest potential risks associated with liquorice consumption, prompting reconsideration of dietary recommendations and product labeling. This study underscores the need for cautious consumption of liquorice products, especially in light of its prevalent use beyond established safe limits, affecting public health and dietary guidelines.
Potential Biomarkers for Early Detection of Heart Attacks and Strokes
Quick Take - Identifying a potential biomarker for early detection offers the possibility of improved screening methods and thus earlier detection and possible prevention of heart attacks and strokes. I’m very curious where research on plaque vs cholesterol goes.
Understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and its implications for heart attack and stroke prevention is crucial for public health. This research sheds light on the role of the protein TREM2 in the formation of unstable plaques, which significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular events. The identification of TREM2 as a potential therapeutic target offers hope for novel treatments to stabilize plaques and prevent heart attacks and strokes. Furthermore, the discovery of a soluble form of TREM2 as a potential biomarker for early detection could revolutionize screening and intervention strategies for cardiovascular disease. By offering insights into complex disease processes and proposing new avenues for treatment and diagnosis, this study has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the global burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Poor Sleep and Migraines
Quick Take - Good sleep is the foundation for so many aspects of wellness, this significant correlation between poor sleep and migraine attacks isn’t surprising, but not will send me down a deeper rabbit hole as I’ve been leaning into better sleep. How do we really measure it, how do we really impact it.
The relationship between poor sleep and migraine attacks, finding that disrupted sleep increases the likelihood of migraine occurrence. Using preclinical mouse models, the research team determined that sleep deprivation, rather than migraine-like pain, contributes to the onset of migraine attacks. Understanding this link may prompt individuals prone to migraines to prioritize sleep health, potentially reducing the frequency of migraine episodes and improving overall well-being.
Gravity and Migraines
Quick Take - Gravity and pressure seems very related to me, so additional research into gravity or pressure changes that cause migraines is welcomed.
A study published in Neurology® reveals that astronauts undergoing long-haul space flights, exceeding 10 days, may experience migraine and tension-type headaches, attributed to changes in gravity affecting brain function. Dr. W. P. J. van Oosterhout from Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands, underscores the potential link between space travel, altered pressure within the skull, and headaches.
Mediterranean Diet Impacts Dementia Risks
Quick Take - More hummus, please.
A study reveals an association between a healthier diet and reduced dementia risk and a slower pace of aging. Utilizing data from the Framingham Heart Study, researchers found that adherence to the Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet correlated with a decelerated pace of aging as measured by DunedinPACE, subsequently reducing risks for dementia and mortality.