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The Gary Null Show

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Gary takes on the real issues that the mainstream media is afraid to tackle. Tune in to find out the latest about health news, healing, politics, and the economy.

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  • #2569
    Friday · 25 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-30-26

    HEALTH NEWS Scientists Discover That Eating Peanuts Every Day May Help Protect the Aging Brain Your dreams may be protecting you from 83 diseases, major new study finds Plastic tea bags are releasing BPA, plasticizers and up to 2,500 microplastic particles into your cup of tea Taurine helps regulate inflammation linked to aging, Yale study finds Study of 57,793 Adults in 24 Countries Links Varied Social Activity to Better Cognitive Scores Scientists Discover That Eating Peanuts Every Day May Help Protect the Aging Brain Maastricht University Medical Center (Netherlands), October 27, 2026 (SciTech Daily) Peanuts may offer more than a convenient source of protein and healthy fats. New research suggests that eating them regularly could help the aging brain respond more effectively to insulin.The hormone insulin plays an important role in the brain, where it supports memory, learning, communication between nerve cells and other cognitive processes. As people age, the brain may become less responsive to insulin, which has been linked to age-related cognitive decliner. In a small clinical trial, researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center found that eating unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts daily for 16 weeks improved insulin responsiveness in brain regions involved in memory. The study was published in Food & Function. The trial included 31 healthy adults aged 60 to 75. Each participant completed a 16-week period of eating peanuts and a control period without them. During the peanut period, participants ate 60 grams (approximately two servings), or about 2.1 ounces, daily. They were instructed to consume the peanuts in the morning or afternoon. The changes in insulin responsiveness appeared in a cluster on the brain’s right side, encompassing parts of the lingual gyrus, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, and posterior cingulate gyrus. These regions are involved in memory. Earlier results showed a 3.6% increase in global cerebral blood flow, which supplies the brain with oxygen and nutrients, alongside a 5.8% improvement in verbal memory. Your dreams may be protecting you from 83 diseases, major new study finds Capital Medical University and Peking University (China), October 26 2026 (Natural News) More time in REM (rapid eye movement), or dream, sleep was linked to lower risk of 83 diseases in a study of 95,559 UK adults. About 48 extra minutes of REM sleep was tied to a 26% lower risk of heart failure, a 46% lower risk of dementia and an 80% lower risk of parkinsonism. Roughly 48 more minutes of it went along with an 11% drop in type 2 diabetes risk and a 14% drop in major depression risk.. Sleeping six to eight hours carried the lowest risk for 69 conditions, while under five hours raised risk for 37. A steady sleep schedule, skipping alcohol, morning light and magnesium-rich foods may help improve sleep naturally. More than eight hours didn’t offer extra protection. In fact, those logging more than eight hours were 60% more likely to develop major depression, though the authors note that oversleeping can itself be an early symptom of depression. Plastic tea bags are releasing BPA, plasticizers and up to 2,500 microplastic particles into your cup of tea Recep Tayyip Erdogan University (Turkey), October 26 2026 (Medical Xpress) Microplastics are now impossible to avoid. They have made their way into everything from agricultural soils to freshwater systems. So, it is unsurprising that they end up in most foods and drinks. One such example is the plastic tea bag. While many tea bags are still made of a cellulose material, some brands use a plastic mesh, despite the well-established fact that plastics can break down in hot water. Studies have reported particle release from tea bags, along with the migration of other plastic-related chemicals, such as phthalate esters (PAEs) and bisphenol A (BPA), which are added during production for increased flexibility, durability and thermal resistance. One study even reported that a single plastic tea bag releases billions of microplastic pieces at normal brewing temperatures. Now, a new study, published in npj Science of Food, has analyzed plastic tea bags from four different brands to break down their average microplastic release, the types of microplastics they contain and the PAE and BPA content in the average cup. The study compares tea brewed with plastic tea bags to bagless bulk tea. Plastic bags brewed for three minutes at approximately 95°C (203 degrees Fahrenheit) produced averages of between 555 and 2,498 microplastic particles per cup under the tested brewing conditions, with some brands producing significantly more than others. Taurine helps regulate inflammation linked to aging, Yale study finds Yale School of Medicine, October 23 2026 (News-Medical) In a new study published in Cell, researchers found that the amino acid taurine is key to the way the innate immune system senses danger signals. Even more, boosting taurine levels may diminish the effects of inflammaging. The researchers first became interested in taurine after finding that it increased as people restricted their calorie intake for up to one year. The team also found that moderate calorie restriction led to lower chronic inflammation-something that enhances healthy lifespan. But calorie restriction is not practical for most adults and there was little evidence as to whether taurine linked metabolism to the immune system. Taurine levels were expected to decrease with age because aging is associated with an increase in inflammation. They found that taurine actually increased with age. The finding was surprising and suggested that taurine does not drive aging. To find out if taurine plays a role in the NLRP3-mediated inflammation pathway, macrophages in a culture dish were challenged with various danger signals, including bacterial toxins. As the signals appeared, NLRP3 complexes began to assemble within the macrophages. Surprisingly, as the complexes were forming, macrophages released up to 80% of their taurine. Taurine itself allowed macrophages to sense all sorts of very different danger signals to initiate NLRP3 assembly. Restoring lost taurine back in cells stopped the downstream inflammatory responses initiated by the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Study of 57,793 Adults in 24 Countries Links Varied Social Activity to Better Cognitive Scores Shandong Medical University (China), October 26 2026 (Natural News) Participants were followed for a median of six years, and researchers assessed memory and other thinking skills and reported the results as cognitive scores, the report stated. The findings add to a body of research on lifestyle factors and cognitive aging. A 2026 Alzheimer's Association report found that nearly 9 in 10 American adults say maintaining brain health is very important, while only 9% say they know a lot about how to do it. A new international study explored how social engagement relates to cognitive health. Participants reported whether they took part in activities such as volunteering, sports clubs and classes. People who participated in social activities tended to have better cognitive outcomes over time than those who did not. Two activities stood out across all five survey groups: volunteering and sports club participation. Researchers said these experiences may keep the brain engaged and support cognitive reserve, described as the ability to cope with age-related changes and maintain function. CLIPS Francesca Albanese Says Information Control and Media Complicity Help Sustain Genocide in Gaza - 7:30 James Corbett - RFK Jr’s latest Maha Betrayal - 7:30

  • #2568
    Thursday · 1 hr 4 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-29-26

    HEALTH NEWS Study: Pomegranate-Derived Compound May Address Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Study finds lower rates of overweight among vegan-fed cats Researchers identify common nutritional supplement as potential treatment for psoriasis Vitamin C and Mistletoe Linked to Significantly Improved Survival in Breast Cancer Patients How everyday isolation is stealing our minds, landmark study reveals Study: Pomegranate-Derived Compound May Address Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Kings College London, October 21 2026 (Natural News) Researchers at King's College London have reported that urolithin A, a compound produced after gut bacteria digest foods including pomegranates, walnuts and berries, improved measures of heart function in animal models of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and in engineered human heart tissue. A particular type of heart failure affects more than 3 million people. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction occurs when the heart still pumps blood but struggles to relax and properly fill. The study tested the compound in animals and in engineered human heart tissue. The compound activates a protein called PKGl?, which promotes relaxation of blood vessels and the heart muscle. The compound also significantly improved heart function in human heart tissue engineered from stem cells, suggesting the effects in animal hearts could translate to humans. A separate account of the findings described the compound as improving heart function in animal models of HFpEF and in engineered human heart tissue. Research has found that pomegranate polyphenols, like punicalagin, are metabolized by gut bacteria into urolithin A, a compound reported to reduce arterial plaque buildup and inflammation. Study finds lower rates of overweight among vegan-fed cats Griffith University (Australia), October 26 2026 (Eurekalert) A large-scale survey has found cats fed vegan diets had lower rates of obesity and related health problems, than those fed conventional meat-based diets. An online survey analysed veterinary assessments of 1,305 cats fed either conventional meat-based (90%) or vegan (10%) diets for at least one year. After accounting for factorss, vegan-fed cats had 34% lower odds of being assessed as overweight. Overweight and obesity are common in domestic cats, with veterinary studies estimating that around 30–60% of cats are overweight or obese. Excess weight is associated with a range of health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, urinary tract disease and reduced quality of life. Carers feeding cats vegan diets also reported lower rates of body weight-related disorders such as osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal and mobility problems. Researchers identify common nutritional supplement as potential treatment for psoriasis State Key Laboratory of Biomedical Analysis (China), October 27 2026 (Eurekalert) Researchers in China have discovered that the vitamin B5 derivative pantethine limits the activity of immune cells that are key contributors to autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis. The study, to be published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM), shows that pantethine prevents the development of psoriasis in mice and also helps alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis patients in a small-scale human trial. Dendritic cells are specialized immune cells that help to coordinate the different parts of the immune system. They can engulf and present foreign antigens to activate highly specific T cells, as well as secrete a variety of immune signaling molecules to recruit other types of immune cells and promote inflammation. Because of this central role in directing immune responses, aberrant activation of dendritic cells is thought to underlie a variety of autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis. The researchers found that the levels of metabolic enzymes known as Vanins are elevated in the dendritic cells of patients with psoriasis and several other autoimmune diseases. Depleting these enzymes inhibited dendritic cell activation and limited their ability to activate T cells. Vanin enzymes convert the metabolite pantethine into vitamin B5, an essential nutrient required for cellular energy production. Pantethine itself is a widely available nutritional supplement often used to lower blood cholesterol levels due to its ability to inhibit cholesterol synthesis. Intriguingly, cholesterol can promote the activation of dendritic cells, and high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for the development of psoriasis. Pantethine administration effectively alleviated psoriasis in mice, suggesting that insufficient pantethine levels may be the crucial contributor to hyperactivation of dendritic cells and autoimmune inflammation following the up-regulation of Vanins,” Zhang says. Vitamin C and Mistletoe Linked to Significantly Improved Survival in Breast Cancer Patients Yeom Chang Hwan Hospital (South Korea), October 26 2026 (Focal Points) A new prospective cohort study published in Cancers followed 748 women with breast cancer for an average of 20.2 months and found that two natural-derived therapies were independently associated with substantially improved survival: MISTLETOE: 54% lower mortality risk (HR 0.463; p = 0.030). IV VITAMIN C: 44% lower mortality risk (HR 0.561; p = 0.045). Both associations remained statistically significant after adjustment for major clinical factors, including metastasis, chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and other complementary treatments. High-dose intravenous vitamin C was administered at 10–100 grams once or twice weekly, while mistletoe extract was administered through subcutaneous injections of 0.02–20 mg once or twice weekly. Treatment protocols required at least three months of therapy and more than 10 sessions. According to the study, high-dose intravenous vitamin C can achieve pharmacological concentrations that act as a pro-oxidant, generating hydrogen peroxide and inducing oxidative stress that may preferentially damage malignant cells. Vitamin C may also influence mitochondrial function, inflammatory signaling, and epigenetic regulation through DNA demethylation. Mistletoe extract may stimulate natural killer cells and T-lymphocytes, activate cancer-cell apoptosis (programmed cell death), and suppress VEGF signaling involved in tumor blood-vessel formation. How everyday isolation is stealing our minds, landmark study reveals University of St Andrews (Scotland) & the Max Planck Institute (Germany), October 26 2026 (Natural News) The research, which tracked over 30,000 Americans for nearly two decades, reveals that the objective absence of social contact—more than the subjective feeling of loneliness—acts as a powerful, independent force eroding mental sharpness. The study concluded that a staggering 94% of isolation's damaging effect on cognition operates independently of the feeling of loneliness. Modeling shows that moving someone from high to moderate isolation yields a measurable slowing of cognitive decline, a benefit consistent across gender, race and education. The research adds decisive evidence that social isolation significantly increases dementia risk, making it a clear target for prevention efforts in the absence of a cure. Loneliness is an internal, emotional state—a feeling of distress about one's social connections. Social isolation is an external, measurable condition of having few connections. The data showed that many people who feel lonely are not actually isolated and crucially, many who are highly isolated do not report feeling lonely.

  • #2567
    Wednesday · 1 hr 4 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-28-26

    HEALTH NEWS Meta-Analysis Links Daily Nut Intake to Lower Hypertension Risk Probiotics May Protect From Signs of Early Cognitive Decline, Clinical Trial Finds Late-Night Snacking Could Be Putting Your Liver at Risk Can drinking tea help protect against cardiovascular disease? US drinking water could contain double the reported PFAS levels, model estimates Meta-Analysis Links Daily Nut Intake to Lower Hypertension Risk Imperial College London, October 19 2026 (Natural News) A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that regular nut consumption is associated with a lower risk of developing hypertension, researchers said. Participants who ate the most nuts had a 16% lower risk of high blood pressure compared with those who ate the least. Eating about a handful of nuts each day was associated with a 20% lower risk of developing hypertension, according to a new analysis. The largest reduction, 26%, appeared at about 30 grams per day compared with none, a level that aligns with several European and North American dietary guidelines. The studies followed participants aged 18 to 87. The dose-response analysis indicated a curved relationship: benefit rose with intake and then leveled off, the researchers said. Eating far more than 30 grams daily did not appear to add much extra protection based on available data. The studies followed participants aged 18 to 87. The dose-response analysis indicated a curved relationship: benefit rose with intake and then leveled off, the researchers said. Eating far more than 30 grams daily did not appear to add much extra protection based on available data. The findings add to a growing body of evidence linking nut intake to cardiovascular benefits. tary guidelines that recommend nuts as part of a heart-healthy diet Probiotics May Protect From Signs of Early Cognitive Decline, Clinical Trial Finds Chonnam National University Medical School (Korea), October 20 2026 (Science Alert) A rigorous new clinical trial has now found evidence that certain probiotic mixes may protect from some initial signs of cognitive decline. Among older adults with early cognitive impairment, taking a multistrain probiotic supplement daily for roughly six months resulted in a number of benefits. Most notably, probiotic use compared to a placebo was associated with better scores on several cognitive tests, and it also led to a significant reduction in plasma levels of pTau181. This is a blood-based biomarker of Alzheimer's disease that measures levels of a phosphorylated form of tau protein in the blood, which can reflect Alzheimer's-related changes in the brain. Of the 100 participants originally randomized, 40 completed the 24-week probiotic intervention, while another 47 completed the placebo treatment. The probiotic given to participants consisted of three bacterial strains, including subspecies of Bifidobacterium animalis, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, and Levilactobacillus brevis. Compared to those given a placebo, those who were given a daily probiotic supplement showed a significant reduction in plasma pTau181 by the end of the trial. After just 24 weeks, they also showed significantly better scores on a Clinical Dementia Rating system. After 24 weeks, changes to most inflammatory markers were generally modest. But one marker in particular, called IL-1β, declined to a greater extent in the probiotic group than the placebo group. Late-Night Snacking Could Be Putting Your Liver at Risk Oregon Health & Science University, October 21, 2026 (SciTech Daily) Eating late at night may have consequences beyond weight gain and poor sleep. A major study lsuggests that regularly eating after dinner or close to bedtime is associated with a higher risk of liver disease. The findings, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, link late-night eating to two liver conditions: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (fatty liver disease) and cirrhosis. For the study, late-night eating was defined as consuming food after dinner or after bedtime. The research team examined information from self-reported dietary and lifestyle information from nearly 200,000 participants. The results revealed a notable association. Participants who reported eating late at night had rates of liver disease that were 20% to 30% higher than those who did not report the habit. Can drinking tea help protect against cardiovascular disease? Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, October 21 2026 (Eurekalert) In a Journal of Internal Medicine study, people who drank tea had a lower risk of vascular disease than non–tea drinkers. Among 485,934 adults in China followed for a median of 9.05 years, there were 14,863 cases of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, pulmonary heart disease, and peripheral artery disease. Regular tea consumption was linked with an 11% lower risk of experiencing these outcomes. The lowest risk was estimated at approximately 6–8 cups per day among weekly drinkers. Black tea showed more consistent inverse associations with vascular disease than green tea. Regarding strength, moderate-strength tea was associated with the lowest risk. Interestingly, “burning hot” tea was associated with an elevated risk of vascular disease. “Joint analyses showed that tea consumption, smoking status and physical were collectively associated with vascular risk, with the favourable combination of habitual tea consumption, non-current smoking and high physical activity associated with the lowest risk,” the authors wrote. US drinking water could contain double the reported PFAS levels, model estimates Texas Christian University, October 25 2026 (Eurekalert) Common ways of reporting perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—the man-made, so-called forever chemicals that pose environmental and health threats—could underestimate the concentration of PFAS in United States drinking water by as much as half, finds a study in the Cell Press journal Cell Reports Sustainability. Using a model based on data from across the country, the researchers estimate that by counting PFAS levels that fall below minimum reporting levels as zero, current reports capture only 44% of the average concentration of 25 PFAS in community water systems. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires public water systems to monitor the levels of 29 PFAS in drinking water. These chemicals can persist in the environment over a long time, and previous research has linked PFAS exposure to many health issues, including cancer, liver damage, and developmental problems in children. The EPA’s minimum reporting levels (MRLs) generally means a concentration that most laboratories can reliably measure and report, but it doesn’t suggest that the water tested is PFAS-free or that it’s safe. But these data points are often treated as zero when agencies and researchers summarize average PFAS levels in drinking water. To investigate the PFAS values below the MRL, the team analyzed more than 1.8 million PFAS measurement records in the national dataset published by the EPA. They found that 98% of PFAS test results were below the MRL. They found that treating below-limit results as zero captured only 44% of the average concentration of the 25 PFAS that the models estimated across 9,991 community water systems. The typical reports left out more than half of the estimated total. The EPA has set legally enforceable limits covering six PFAS in drinking water, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), that have been linked to serious health problems. When counting below-limit results as zero, the national average concentration is about 2.6 nanograms per liter in drinking water for the six chemicals. But the team’s model estimates that, in reality, the average could be 5.2 nanograms per liter

  • #2566
    Tuesday · 1 hr

    The Gary Null Show - 10-27-26

    HEALTH NEWS Flavonoid found in citrus slows lung cancer cell growth in lab tests Prenatal supplement linked to improved child cognition and social behavior Antibiotic use from childhood linked to higher odds of IBS in young adulthood Pure cranberry juice may help protect teeth from decay Smartphones are wrecking teens' sleep, study indicates Flavonoid found in citrus slows lung cancer cell growth in lab tests Friedrich–Alexander University Erlangen–Nurnberg (Germany), October 20 2026 (Medical Xpress) Quercetin is found in citrus fruits, onions and buckwheat and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Now researchers at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen at Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) have investigated how the plant compound could help treat lung cancer. In the lab, experiments showed that quercetin slows the division of lung cancer cells and almost completely stops their migration. The results have appeared in the journal Cell Death Discovery. Quercetin led to the tumor cells dividing more slowly in the experiments. In one of the two types of lung cancer cells studied, the plant compound also reduced oxidative stress. This stress is caused by reactive oxygen compounds in cells and can lead to the development of cancer. Quercetin had a particularly pronounced effect on the migration of cancer cells—a key prerequisite for them to form metastases. The higher the quercetin dose, the fewer cancer cells migrated. At the highest dose, the migration almost completely stopped,. In the studied cancer cells, the amounts of EGFR and PD-L1 decreased. EGFR takes up growth signals and transmits them into the cell. PD-L1 can help cancer cells hide from the body's own immune defenses.\ Prenatal supplement linked to improved child cognition and social behavior University of Colorado, October 20 2026 (Medical Xpress) A nutritional supplement taken during pregnancy may support fetal brain development and improve children's cognitive performance and social behavior, according to new research from the University of Colorado. The randomized clinical trial, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, found that children whose mothers took phosphatidylcholine, a form of choline found naturally in foods, had fewer social withdrawal problems and scored higher on cognitive tests than children whose mothers received a placebo. This is the largest randomized clinical trial of prenatal choline supplementation ever conducted. What this study showed that we have not observed before was an increase in the overall IQ of about eight points when measured at age 4. That put significantly more children into the higher IQ percentile on the test we used. Researchers enrolled 206 pregnant women, randomly assigning them at 16 weeks of pregnancy to receive either 9,000 milligrams of phosphatidylcholine daily or a placebo until delivery. Researchers assessed children's behavior from 18 months to 4 years of age and measured cognitive performance at ages 3 and 4. Among children whose parents completed behavioral assessments, 4% in the supplement group had elevated social withdrawal problems, compared with 24% in the placebo group. These behaviors can include limited interest in other people, withdrawing from social activities and reduced eye contact. Children in the supplement group also scored an average of nearly eight points higher on standardized cognitive tests than children in the placebo group. Researchers also observed significantly fewer children with behavioral profiles and language difficulties commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder in the supplement group. Antibiotic use from childhood linked to higher odds of IBS in young adulthood University of Gothenburg (Sweden), October 19 2026 (Eurekalert) IBS is a common digestive disorder that affects more than 60 million people across Europe, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. Whilst previous research has suggested a link between antibiotic use and IBS, evidence on whether childhood exposure is associated with IBS in adulthood remains inconsistent. Researchers analysed data from 2,853 participants in the population-based Swedish birth cohort. Antibiotic prescriptions were obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, when participants were aged 9–11 years, until one year before IBS was assessed at age 24. The researchers examined whether participants had received antibiotics, the total number of prescriptions received, and the classes of antibiotics prescribed. At age 24, 10.0% of participants had IBS, of whom 79.4% were female. Antibiotic use was more common among those with IBS, with 87.8% having received antibiotics during the study period compared with 80.2% of those without IBS. After accounting for sex and family socioeconomic status, those who had received antibiotics had 1.5 times the odds of IBS (95% CI 1.0–2.2) compared with those who had not. The odds of IBS increased progressively with the number of antibiotic prescriptions. Compared with those who received no antibiotics, participants receiving one or two prescriptions had 1.3 times the odds of IBS, rising to 1.6 times (95% CI 1.0–2.4) with three to five prescriptions and 1.7 times (95% CI 1.1–2.6) with six or more. When individual antibiotic classes were examined, tetracyclines and cephalosporins remained significantly associated with higher odds of IBS after adjusting for sex and family socioeconomic status. Any use of tetracyclines was associated with 1.4 times (95% CI 1.1–1.8) the odds of IBS, while three or more prescriptions of cephalosporins were associated with 6.0 times the odds (95% CI 1.9–18.8). Pure cranberry juice may help protect teeth from decay University of Illinois, Oct 21 2026 (News-Medical) Boil them, mash them, simmer them in a sauce. UIC College of Dentistry researchers found another reason to add these tart berries to your grocery cart: oral health. Medicinally speaking, cranberry juice is often used to ward off urinary tract infections. That’s because the crimson berries contain anti-inflammatory compounds called proanthocyanidins that unstick bacteria, like E. coli, from cells. 14 children and eight adults were randomly assigned to drink either unsweetened pure 100% cranberry juice, a cranberry juice cocktail containing 27% juice with added sugar, or water. On the morning of the study, participants arrived with a night’s worth of plaque buildup on their pearly whites. Thirty minutes later, the researchers collected plaque samples from the participants’ unswabbed teeth. They’d assess the beverages’ effects on these samples compared to those collected before the experiment. Sure enough, the plaque exposed to pure cranberry juice appeared to be growing more slowly than the unexposed samples. Swishing with pure cranberry juice was also linked to less acid production in both adults and children — a key factor for healthy enamel. Smartphones are wrecking teens' sleep, study indicates Seattle Children's Research Institute, October 21 2026 (Medical Xpress) Teens who use their phones late into the evening suffer from delays in falling asleep, shorter total sleep time and sleep that's more restless and broken, researchers report in JAMA Pediatrics. These findings suggest that reducing evening smartphone use, particularly after 10 p.m. and immediately before bedtime, may help improve sleep health in adolescents. For the study, researchers analyzed data on 425 kids with an average age of nearly 15 who were participating in an ongoing study of adolescent brain development. They gathered nearly 7,600 nights of data from the participants. Results showed that on nights when teens used their phone longer than their personal average after 10 p.m., they slept an average of 20 minutes less and fell asleep more than an hour (64 minutes) later. Teens glued to their phones also were more likely to wake up again within a half-hour after they nodded off, researchers said. There also was a dose effect, in that every extra minute of smartphone use past 10 p.m. above a teen's own average added to later sleep onset and reduced total sleep time, the study said.

  • #2565
    October 26 · 1 hr

    The Gary Null Show - 10-26-26

    HEALTH NEWS Fermented tea kombucha shows promise in reducing depression-like behaviors, animal study reveals Brief self-care meditation delivers body confidence boost, study shows Researchers Discover What Reading for Pleasure May Be Doing to Your Brain Popular sports supplement may help shield the brain from damage linked to gut inflammation The Gut-Muscle Connection: Fermented Foods May Influence Muscles Via Gut, Review Says Fermented tea kombucha shows promise in reducing depression-like behaviors, animal study reveals University of Minnesota, October 20 2026 (Natural News) Researchers found kombucha consumption linked to fewer depression-like behaviors in mice across different diets. The fermented tea altered gut bacteria composition, affecting pathways involved in tryptophan metabolism and serotonin production. Behavioral benefits varied by diet type, with Western-diet mice showing additional anxiety reduction and brain chemistry changes. Mice on standard diets experienced increased short-chain fatty acids, supporting gut barrier function. Brief self-care meditation delivers body confidence boost, study shows La Trobe University (Australia), October 18 2026 (Eurekalert) A three-week online self-compassion meditation program can produce improvements in body appreciation and positive wellbeing, while reducing body dissatisfaction. Australian adults who completed the self-compassion meditation training reported significantly increased body appreciation, positive wellbeing and lower self-judgement. The benefits were still evident six weeks after the program concluded and frequency of practice alone did not drive the size of change. The randomised controlled trial, published in the journal Mindfulness, involved 227 people, aged 18 to 39 years. Participants in the intervention group undertook 20 minutes of daily self-compassion, while those in the control group remained on the waitlist. Many body image interventions focus directly on appearance concerns, but the study found that simply encouraging people to treat themselves with greater kindness and understanding can improve how they feel about their bodies. Fostering self-compassion, which encourages individuals to respond to personal difficulties with greater kindness and mindful awareness rather than harsh self-criticism, may be key to enhancing body appreciation rather than mindfulness practice alone. Researchers Discover What Reading for Pleasure May Be Doing to Your Brain University of Cambridge, October 19, 2026 (Scitech Daily) Reading for pleasure may do far more than provide entertainment. A scientific review published in Psychological Medicine links the habit to better mental health, stronger cognitive abilities, and a lower risk of dementia. Research also suggests that reading is associated with measurable differences in brain structure, although scientists are still investigating whether reading directly causes these changes. Researchers from the University of Cambridge examined evidence spanning childhood through old age. Their findings suggest that reading for enjoyment, whether alone or with others, may support brain health in several ways, with some benefits potentially appearing after just a few minutes. Reading may also provide psychological benefits throughout adulthood. Surveys associate reading for enjoyment with lower stress, greater relaxation, stronger empathy, and more openness to different perspectives. In one survey, nearly two in five adults (38%) identified reading as their preferred way to unwind. A neuroscience study reported that just five minutes of reading fiction could reduce stress by up to 20%. The potential benefits of reading extend into later life, when preserving memory and thinking abilities becomes increasingly important. In a study of nearly 5,500 adults aged 55 and older, participants who frequently engaged in mentally stimulating activities, including reading, were significantly less likely to develop cognitive impairment during five years of follow-up. Popular sports supplement may help shield the brain from damage linked to gut inflammation Universidad de Sevilla (Spain), October 15 2026 (Medical Xpress) The gut-brain axis is a two-way biochemical hotline, with messages zipping back and forth all day long. When the gut is chronically inflamed, inflammatory signals travel through the body to the brain and trigger neuroinflammation. The hippocampus, which governs memory, learning and mood, is especially vulnerable, so its disruption can affect how you think, remember and feel. A recent study published in Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity investigated how chronic ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, impacts the brain and whether oral intake of creatine, a popular supplement in sports nutrition, can protect against brain damage. The researchers chemically induced chronic colitis in rats and observed their recovery with or without creatine. The creatine group received the supplement in drinking water, starting 10 days before colitis induction and continuing throughout the experiment. In rats given daily oral creatine, hippocampal creatine concentrations increased by 20%–30%, reaching normal levels in both sexes. In males, creatine prevented structural neuron loss, stopped electrical membrane leaks and normalized the neuron firing threshold. The Gut-Muscle Connection: Fermented Foods May Influence Muscles Via Gut, Review Says Teagasc Food Research Centre & University College York (Ireland), October 19 2026 (Natural News) A review published in the journal Communications Biology examines whether microbes in fermented foods influence muscle through the gut-muscle axis, which the paper describes as a two-way chemical communication network between the digestive tract and skeletal muscle. According to the paper, gut bacteria release byproducts that travel through the bloodstream and may influence muscle tissue, while exercise sends signals back that can alter the gut. The review describes this bidirectional network as the gut-muscle axis, or GMA. Skeletal muscle has a profound influence on metabolic health, functional capacity, and resilience across the lifespan, the review states [2]. The clinical stakes center on sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle, which is linked to frailty and loss of independence. Muscle also helps control blood sugar. The review cites a study linking one gut bacterium to muscle strength in people and lower levels of that bacterium in older adults. In mouse findings described in the review, front-leg grip strength improved, and muscle fibers changed when the bacterium was administered Protein and exercise remain the established defenses, though older muscles respond less to protein. The review notes that beyond dietary protein and physical activity, the gut microbiome may have the capacity to impact skeletal muscle mass and function. Fermented foods deliver these compounds directly, and some contain live microbes that interact with existing gut bacteria, according to the authors. The review states that fermentation modifies the nutritional and microbial characteristics of dietary protein in ways that may influence microbial metabolite production.

  • #2564
    October 23 · 1 hr 5 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-23-26

    Do You Hesitate to Engage in Your Dreams? Do you dream about something all the time but fail to engage in it? What do you have that's so important that you're afraid of losing it? Why do you hold on to old habits? How do they serve you?

  • #2563
    October 22 · 1 hr 5 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-22-26

    HEALTH NEWS Study Reports Natural Compound Shows Anticancer Activity in Preclinical Models Ultra-processed food intake linked to silent strokes in healthy middle-aged adults, study finds Study Finds Lower Magnesium Levels in Adults With Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes This New Research About Microplastics Is Pretty Damn Scary Mindfulness exercises can support psychotherapy for adolescents Study Reports Natural Compound Shows Anticancer Activity in Preclinical Models University of Windsor (Canada), October 15 2026 (Natural News) A study published in Oncotarget reports that an aqueous dandelion root extract inhibited colorectal cancer cell proliferation and survival in laboratory and animal models, according to the paper. The research describes a preclinical investigation of a compound derived from a common flowering plant long used in traditional medicine. The study states the extract was derived from the root of the dandelion plant. The paper reports the extract was tested in several cancer cell models with no toxicity to non-cancerous cells. The study found that the aqueous dandelion root extract triggered programmed cell death in more than 95% of colorectal cancer cells tested in the laboratory. The paper reports the extract activated multiple death-signaling pathways. The researchers reported no toxicity to non-malignant cells at the doses tested. Ultra-processed food intake linked to silent strokes in healthy middle-aged adults, study finds McMaster University (Canada), October 15 2026 (Eurekalert) Healthy adults who eat high amounts of ultra-processed food, like packaged snack foods, sugary breakfast cereals, soft drinks, instant noodles, and ready-to-eat frozen meals, are more likely to have signs of damage to the brain that may increase the chances of clinical stroke and future memory problems. Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan the brains of nearly 9,000 people between the ages of 35 and 69 with no history of heart disease from communities across Canada and detected tiny areas of damage more frequently in participants who ate the most ultra-processed food compared to those who ate the least. Participants with the highest intake were 40 per cent more likely to show these changes, which produce no obvious symptoms but are considered early warning signs that can appear years before a stroke or memory problems begins. In this study, ultra-processed foods made up an average of about 25 per cent of participants' daily food servings. For the heaviest consumers, that increased to 45 percent of everything on their plates, compared with just 16 per cent for those who ate the least. Study Finds Lower Magnesium Levels in Adults With Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Kunming Medical University (China), October 17 2026 (Natural News) A study of 68 adults with type 2 diabetes found that median blood magnesium levels were lower in participants with higher HbA1c, a marker of average blood sugar over the past two to three months. The median magnesium level was about 2.1 mg/dL in the higher HbA1c group compared with 2.3 mg/dL in the better-managed group, the study stated. The findings add to a body of research examining the relationship between magnesium status and glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Researchers split the 68 participants into two groups based on HbA1c and compared blood magnesium levels alongside other markers of metabolic health. Magnesium levels were lower in participants with higher blood sugar, and low magnesium levels were found only in the higher HbA1c group. Lower magnesium levels also were associated with higher triglycerides, suggesting a potential relationship between magnesium status and other markers of metabolic health, according to the study. Within the higher HbA1c group, magnesium was not significantly linked to HbA1c, although researchers observed a trend toward lower magnesium alongside higher HbA1c. Medical literature has documented that magnesium status is frequently altered in individuals with type 2 diabetes, and the mineral serves as a critical cofactor in more than 300 enzymatic reactions, many of them involved in glucose metabolism. A separate report listed magnesium among the essential minerals involved in muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, and bone development, and cited National Institutes of Health recommended daily amounts of 400 to 420 milligrams for adult men and 310 to 320 milligrams for adult women. This New Research About Microplastics Is Pretty Damn Scary Columbia University, October 19 2026 (Futurism) A new piece of research is pushing back on the long-held belief that plastic is a harmless and chemically inert material. The new study, published in the journal Nature, took a look at the way micro and nanoplastics interact with water-rich environments such as the human body. It found that typical consumer-grade microplastics exhibit “intrinsic physicochemical activity” there, indicating that the tiny chunks of plastic do indeed react chemically inside our bodies. As plastic fragments into smaller and smaller particles, its surface area increases enormously. Then microplastics change the water that surrounds them, generating high-energy, reactive radicals that very likely contribute to biological damage that we see in animals and potentially in humans as a result of microplastic exposure.” An earlier Columbia study found that the average liter of bottled water contains upward of 240,000 tiny microplastics, a much higher count than previously known. Combined with the new research, it looks like those untold thousands of plastic bits are capable of causing much more chemical harm than scientists had given them credit for. It’s estimated that food packaging accounts for 40 percent of the world’s total plastic production. Mindfulness exercises can support psychotherapy for adolescents Heidelberg University (Germany), October 16 2026 (Eurekalert) A brief mindfulness exercise at the beginning of a psychotherapy session can have a positive effect on psychological symptoms in adolescent patients. Adolescents who completed a mindfulness exercise at the beginning of each session experienced a greater reduction in symptoms than those in the comparison group, who received psychotherapy without a standardized session-introduction. The researchers also found that patients perceived a greater improvement in the therapeutic alliance. The study involved 90 adolescents aged 11 to 19 who were receiving outpatient treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, or ADHD and were randomly assigned to one of three groups. In the mindfulness group, each of the 24 therapy sessions began with a corresponding five- to ten-minute intervention. A second group completed relaxation exercises of the same duration at the beginning of each session, while the third group received no standardized session-introduction. In the field of mindfulness, various types of exercises were used, including breathing exercises, a body scan, and mindful walking. The analysis showed that psychological symptoms decreased over the course of therapy in all three groups. However, the reduction was greater in the mindfulness group than in the group without a structured session-introduction. According to the adolescents, the quality of the therapeutic alliance also improved over time in the mindfulness group, while it declined slightly in the group without a structured session-introduction.

  • #2561
    October 20 · 1 hr 4 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-20-26

    How To Make Your Life More Manageable And Less Chaotic, you can read the full article on Gary Null Substack https://garynull.substack.com/p/how-to-make-your-life-more-manageable?r=zchpo

  • #2560
    October 19 · 1 hr

    The Gary Null Show - 10-19-26

    CIPS -Tucker Carlson Maha honeypot -12:40 BEFORE MODERN MEDICINE, THERE WERE PLANTS. Before aspirin, there was willow bark Before cough syrup, there was elderberry Before iron pills, there was nettle leaf Before vapor rub, there was eucalyptus Before sleep aids, there was lavender Before band-aids, there was plantain leaf Before cold medicine, there was wild cherry bark Before eczema creams, there was calendula Before disinfectants, there was thyme Before antibiotics, there was garlic Before pain balms, there was arnica Before probiotics, there was sauerkraut Before toothache gel, there was clove Before scar creams, there was rosehip oil Before anxiety pills, there was chamomile Before migraine tablets, there was feverfew Before muscle relaxants, there was valerian Before energy drinks, there was ginseng BEFORE EVERYTHING CAME FROM A LAB, IT CAME FROM THE EARTH. Here is the transcription of the text in each image: First Image WHEN YOU FINALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT DRIVES THE SYSTEM, AND IT ISN'T HEALTH... Mammography: $3.2 billion Colonoscopy: $3.8 billion Acid reflux meds: $15 billion C-section: $300 billion Blood pressure meds: $40 billion Bariatric surgery: $9 billion Cancer care: $350 billion Cholesterol meds: $22 billion Birth control: $30 billion Diabetes care: $220 billion Vaccines: $95 billion Pharmaceuticals: $1.8 billion Second Image COUNTRIES WITH THE LOWEST AVERAGE IQ Estimated national average. United States is about 98 Chalkboard in background: Knowledge Builds Brighter Futures Niger: 48 Ivory Coast: 52 Malawi: 52 Yemen: 53 Zambia: 53 Chad: 56 Benin: 57 Mali: 58 Namibia: 59 If prone to stones, most guidelines recommend no more than 100 mg of oxalate daily. Some doctors recommend only 50 mg. Wise to pair oxalate foods with calcium rich foods to reduce absorption. Keeping hydrated is crucial. Should take about 1000-1200 mg of calcium a day with meals when eating oxalate rich foods. Unfortunately most high oxalate foods do not contain enough bioavailable calcium relative to the oxalate load. For example, spinach is rich in calcium but almost 90-95% of it is already bound and not available. Too much Vitamin C can make your body produce oxalate. Don’t take more than 500 mg a day. Here are high-oxalate foods ranked from highest content to lowest Spinach (½ cup cooked) – ~750–755 mg Rhubarb (½ cup) – ~540–541 mg Almonds (1 oz / ~22 nuts) – ~120–122 mg Miso soup (1 cup) – ~110–111 mg Baked potatoes with skin (1 medium) – ~90–97 mg Grits (1 cup) – ~97 mg Beets (½ cup) – ~76 mg Cocoa powder (4 tsp) – ~67 mg Okra (½ cup) – ~57 mg Bran cereals / shredded wheat cereals (1 cup) – ~40–57 mg (bran higher) French fries (½ cup / ~4 oz) – ~50–51 mg Cashews (1 oz) – ~49 mg Raspberries (1 cup) – ~48 mg Sweet potatoes (1 cup) – ~28 mg (some sources higher for a medium baked potato) Cranberries – low (typically <10 mg per serving) Stevia sweeteners – negligible / essentially 0 mg Aside from dairy, here are 10 plant based foods high in calcium: Sesame seeds / tahini – ~90–100+ mg per tablespoon of seeds or tahini Chia seeds – ~180 mg per ounce (about 2 tablespoons) Calcium-set tofu – ~250–860 mg per ½ cup (depends on the coagulant used) Fortified plant milks (soy, almond, oat, etc.) – ~300–450 mg per cup Collard greens (cooked) – ~250–350 mg per cup Kale (cooked) – ~150–180+ mg per cup Bok choy (cooked) – ~150–185 mg per cup Almonds – ~75–100 mg per ounce (about 23 almonds) White beans / navy beans (cooked) – ~100–160 mg per cup Dried figs – ~50–100+ mg per 3–5 figs Other foods that help or relieve kidney stones include: Celery juice Pomegranate juice Basil juice Dandelion root juice Horsetail juice Wheatgrass juice Need to be taking lots of fluids because it will stimulate urination. Not much can be done with treatments. extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is the most common treatment for larger and obstructing stones. This sends non-invasive shock waves to break up stones into smaller pieces that can be passed ureterocopy with laser lithotripsy -- a scope passed through the urethra and ladder to fragment stone with laser. a good homeopathist can give preparations to help dissolve stones, including oxalate stones

  • #2558
    October 15 · 1 hr 2 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-15-26

    HEALTH NEWS Study reveals how different plant saponins alleviate ischemic stroke The bacteria on your tongue could be linked to your brainpower Staying Active Could Have Two Major Benefits for People With Parkinson’s, Scientists Find How spinach protects the brain while tap water may pose a hidden risk Frequent and unintentional daytime napping linked to higher dementia risk in older adults Study reveals how different plant saponins alleviate ischemic stroke Zheijiang University (China), October 12 2026 (News-Medical) Ischemic stroke accounts for approximately 85% of all strokes and remains a major cause of death and long-term disability. Current treatments can restore blood flow in eligible patients, but therapeutic options remain limited, particularly for protecting threatened brain tissue and supporting recovery. Two types of ginseng -- Panax notoginseng and Panax ginseng have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine and are commonly associated with "activating blood" and "replenishing qi," respectively. Modern studies have reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects for their saponins. A study published in Targetome reports that the two saponin preparations alleviate ischemic brain injury through shared neuroprotective effects but preferentially regulate vascular-cytoskeletal and mitochondrial-metabolic pathways, respectively. The researchers established permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in male C57BL/6 mice and administered low or high doses of P. notoginseng saponins (PNS) or P. ginseng saponins (PGS), with edaravone serving as a positive control. Twenty-four hours later, they assessed neurological deficits, infarct volume, tissue damage, neuronal integrity, and apoptosis; a separate experiment monitored survival for seven days. At 200 mg·kg, PNS and PGS lowered neurological scores from 3.67 in untreated model mice to 2.00 and 2.17, respectively. PNS reduced average infarct volume from 30.73% to 11.70%, comparable to the drug edaravone, while PGS reduced it to 13.33%. Seven-day survival increased from 25% in model mice to 75% with PNS and 50% with PGS. The bacteria on your tongue could be linked to your brainpower University of Exeter (UK), October 12 2026 (Medical Xpress) Whether you're a quick or slow thinker depends on several factors, such as the efficiency of the brain's wiring and the amount of gray matter in specific control centers. But there may be another, rather surprising influence, and that's the bacteria in your mouth. Scientists have found an association between the mix of microbes on your tongue and how well the brain performs cognitive tasks as we age. Previous studies have shown that poor oral health and gum disease are linked to cognitive impairment. Other research has found that nitrate from the food we eat can influence blood flow to the brain and cognitive performance. The research team recruited 15 younger adults and 15 older adults. Each volunteer completed a set of 10 tests that assessed memory, processing speed and focus. The researchers collected tongue swabs and blood and saliva samples. They then sequenced the DNA in the swabs to identify which bacteria were present. People with higher levels of Prevotella histicola in their mouth showed faster reaction times on different cognitive tasks. But the results for another microbe, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, were mixed. Older adults had higher levels of bacteria tied to gum disease, such as Treponema and Tannerella. Staying Active Could Have Two Major Benefits for People With Parkinson’s, Scientists Find University of Cincinnati, October 13 2026 (SciTech Daily) People with Parkinson’s disease who stay more physically active may experience slower declines in memory, thinking, and movement abilities, according to a study that followed participants for up to seven years. Researchers found that greater activity was consistently associated with more favorable outcomes. The study included 294 adults with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease, whose average age was 66. Participants reported how much time they spent being physically active each week, including activities at work, around the house, and during recreation. Participants were classified into three groups: those active for up to four hours weekly, those active for four to eight hours, and those exceeding eight hours. On a 30-point cognitive assessment, where lower scores indicate poorer performance, the least active participants experienced an estimated average decline of 0.478 points per year. The middle group declined by 0.090 points annually, while the most active group showed almost no average decline, at just 0.007 points per year. How spinach protects the brain while tap water may pose a hidden risk Edith Cowan University (Australia), October 11 2026 (Natural News) In a finding that underscores a critical nuance in nutritional science, a landmark 27-year study has revealed that not all nitrates are created equal. Researchers tracking over 54,000 adults discovered that the chemical compound nitrate, found in both spinach and tap water, has starkly opposite associations with dementia risk depending on its source. The research, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, suggests that while nitrate from vegetables is linked to a lower likelihood of dementia, nitrate from processed meats and drinking water—even at levels deemed safe by regulators—is associated with a higher risk. A 27-year study found that nitrate from vegetables is linked to a lower risk of dementia, while nitrate from processed meats and tap water is associated with a higher risk. Vegetables deliver nitrate with antioxidants that promote its conversion to beneficial nitric oxide. Processed meats contain compounds that can steer nitrate toward forming harmful molecules linked to brain cell damage. Increased dementia risk was associated with nitrate levels in drinking water far below current U.S. safety limits, suggesting regulations set for acute infant poisoning may not protect against long-term brain health risks. Consuming about 64 mg of nitrate daily from vegetables—equivalent to roughly half to one-and-a-half cups of raw leafy greens—was linked to the lowest dementia rates. Vegetables deliver nitrate packaged with protective antioxidants like vitamin C and polyphenols. These compounds help steer nitrate toward forming beneficial nitric oxide while blocking its conversion into harmful molecules called N-nitrosamines, which animal studies have linked to brain cell damage. Meat, however, presents a riskier biochemical package. It contains elements like heme iron and specific proteins that can promote the formation of those damaging N-nitrosamines. This creates a scenario where the same initial compound—nitrate—can lead to vastly different outcomes in the brain. Researchers found elevated dementia rates associated with nitrate concentrations between 1.8 and 5.1 milligrams per liter. These levels are roughly one-tenth of the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency safety limit of 44 mg/L, a standard set decades ago primarily to prevent acute infant illness, not long-term brain health in adults.The primary source of water nitrate is agricultural fertilizer runoff. Frequent and unintentional daytime napping linked to higher dementia risk in older adults Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, October 13 2026 (Euerkalert) Daytime napping is common among older adults. New research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests that how often, how intentionally, and how long older people nap may be linked to their risk of developing dementia. The study, published in The Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, followed 995 U.S. Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older who were free of dementia at the start of the study in 2013 and tracked them for up to 10 years. The researchers found that participants who napped frequently—defined as most days or every day—had a 48% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who rarely or never napped, even after accounting for demographic factors, health conditions, and nighttime sleep characteristics such as sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, and a measure of obstructive sleep apnea risk. Unintentional napping—defined as falling asleep without meaning to rather than planning a nap—was associated with a 39% higher risk of dementia. Napping for 30 minutes or less was also linked to a 40% higher risk.

  • #2557
    October 14 · 1 hr 4 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-14-26

    Part 3 of - How To Become Self-Sufficient Instead Of Co-Dependent - you can read the full article on Gary Null Substack https://garynull.substack.com/publish/post/220402566?back=%2Fpublish%2Fposts%2Fpublished

  • #2556
    October 13 · 46 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-13-26

    HEALTH NEWS New review identifies pistachios as a promising whole food for sleep research Dietitians Say Boiling Sweet Potatoes May Help Manage Blood Sugar Better Than Roasting or Baking Very severe long COVID linked to differences in lung and mouth microbiomes Using AI for just 10 minutes erodes your ability to persist at hard things Late-night snacking may affect liver health New review identifies pistachios as a promising whole food for sleep research Augusta University Medical College of Georgia, October 6 2026 (News-Medical) Nearly one-third of U.S. adults report sleeping less than seven hours a night, below the minimum amount recommended for most adults, while nearly one in five has trouble staying asleep most days or every day. At the same time, nearly one-third of Americans say they are seeking improved sleep from foods, beverages or nutrients. Pistachios have attracted researchers' attention because they naturally bring together several nutrients and plant compounds connected to sleep. Now, a new narrative review published in Nutrition Research Reviews identifies pistachios as a promising whole food for sleep research and explores how their nutrient profile may influence processes related to sleep quality, falling asleep, staying asleep and regulation of the sleep–wake cycle. Pistachios provide tryptophan, vitamin B6 and magnesium, which the body uses in the production of serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is involved in sleep regulation and is also used to make melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate the sleep–wake cycle. Pistachios also contain phytomelatonin, the form of melatonin produced by plants, although its absorption and effects from eating pistachios have not been established in people. Pistachios provide vitamin B6 and magnesium, which are involved in the production and function of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain chemical that helps quiet nerve activity and plays a role in regulating sleep. A one-ounce serving of pistachios provides about 71 milligrams of tryptophan, roughly 20% of the daily amount recommended for a 154-pound adult. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid the body uses to make serotonin, a brain chemical involved in sleep regulation, and melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate the sleep–wake cycle. The authors of this review concluded that pistachios could represent a promising wholefood intervention for improving sleep due to their unique combination of nutrients and bioactives, and map a clear path to additional research needed. Dietitians Say Boiling Sweet Potatoes May Help Manage Blood Sugar Better Than Roasting or Baking University of West Indies (Jamaica), October 10 2026 (Natural News) Boiling sweet potatoes may offer advantages for blood sugar management compared with roasting, baking, or frying. The report described boiling as the easiest cooking method and one that may help prevent large post-meal blood sugar spikes. The glycemic index, or GI, is a scale that ranks carbohydrate-containing foods by how quickly they raise blood sugar after eating. Boiling sweet potatoes may be better for blood sugar than baking or roasting, according to dietitians. The result is a sweeter, denser vegetable with a different effect on blood glucose than a boiled sweet potato. Researchers compared a baked or roasted potato to a raisin and a boiled potato to a grape. That moisture difference is one reason the two preparations behave differently in the body. Research on carotenoid retention suggests boiling generally preserves these compounds well compared with some higher-heat methods, though results vary by sweet potato variety and the antioxidant being measured. One study found that boiling unpeeled medium-sized sweet potato roots for 30 minutes resulted in a 14 to 59 percent reduction of total carotenoid content across four sweet potato cultivars. Other research on orange-fleshed sweet potato reported a true retention of all-trans-beta-carotene ranging from 70 percent to 80 percent with longer boiling times. Very severe long COVID linked to differences in lung and mouth microbiomes University of Dundee (UK), October 10 2026 (Medical Xpress) People with long COVID have distinct differences in the mix of bacteria that live in their mouths and lungs, according to a study of more than 700 people published in the European Respiratory Journal. The research also shows that these differences in the lung microbiome are linked to respiratory symptoms, as well as the cognitive and digestive problems known to occur in long COVID. Researchers say their findings may shed light on why some people develop long COVID and could point to new ways to treat the condition. Prior studies have shown some changes in the gut microbiome with long COVID, but COVID is a lung disease and so it makes sense to look to see if the lung microbiome is changed in long COVID." Researchers divided the participants into four groups based on how severe their symptoms were five months after being discharged from the hospital. These were "very severe," with serious physical, mental and cognitive impairments; "severe," with serious mental and physical impairments but no cognitive problems; "moderate," with primarily cognitive difficulties; and "mild," with few symptoms and good recovery. Six months after patients were discharged, researchers collected saliva samples from their mouths and sputum samples from their lungs and used DNA sequencing to identify which microbes were present. This showed that people with very severe long COVID had clear differences in the microbiome in their mouths and lungs compared with people who did not have severe long COVID. It also showed that there were differences linked to specific symptoms, including reduced lung function (meaning your lungs cannot hold as much air as normal or air cannot flow in and out of your lungs as easily as normal), neurocognitive symptoms (including "brain fog," difficulties with memory, attention and concentration) and gut symptoms (including pain, nausea, diarrhea and loss of appetite). Among the changes associated with long COVID symptoms was an overabundance of bacteria that produce lactic acid. Using AI for just 10 minutes erodes your ability to persist at hard things University of California at Berkeley, October 9 2026 (Eurekalert) Brian Christian has spent 20 years thinking about how artificial intelligence will change our minds and our world. His 2020 book The Alignment Problem has been praised as one of the best on AI, and like many scientistss. Christian was part of a team behind a landmark study that found that spending just 10 minutes relying on an AI tool significantly impairs our ability to focus and persist with difficult tasks. To test how quickly people’s focus and persistence plummeted, researchers designed a series of randomized controlled trials and recruited 1,222 participants online. For the first experiment with 354 participants, one group was tasked with solving 15 basic fraction problems without help, while another had ChatGPT open on the side to use for assistance and to even ask for the answer. The group with AI access started off more accurately than the group without it. Then, after 12 problems, researchers took away the AI tool. Almost immediately, the people in that group stopped solving questions accurately. A similar thing happened when they ran the experiment on a second, larger group of 667 participants. Whereas the AI users got answers wrong or gave up entirely when the AI assistance was withdrawn, the group without AI stuck with the task and were more successful at the end. Researchers then ran a third experiment with 201 participants and an SAT reading comprehension prompt. The results echoed those from the fraction problems: When the AI tool was removed, persistence and accuracy dropped. The findings backed up what anecdotes and surveys have increasingly found in recent years: An overreliance on AI for answers erodes our cognitive fitness. When AI produces answers in seconds, we get used to that speed; anything that takes longer feels inefficient. And relying on AI also removes what the team called “productive struggle,” which can lead people to find their research strengths and passions. Late-night snacking may affect liver health Oregon Health & Science University, October 9 2026 (News-Medical) New research led by Oregon Health & Science University suggests you should think twice about indulging in a late-night snack if you'd like to preserve liver health. The study, published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, documents an increase in the correlation between people who reported late-night eating - defined as eating after dinner or after bedtime - and a heightened risk of two types of liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and cirrhosis. Researchers analyzed three large, preexisting nationwide datasets. They extracted diet and lifestyle habits self-reported by almost 200,000 participants in all three studies, grouped them by eating behaviors, and then looked for correlations to people who reported fatty liver disease or cirrhosis. They found a 20% to 30% increase in all forms of liver disease among the group of people who reported late-night eating compared to those who did not.

  • #2555
    October 12 · 1 hr

    The Gary Null Show -10-12-26

    HEALTH NEWS New review identifies pistachios as a promising whole food for sleep research Dietitians Say Boiling Sweet Potatoes May Help Manage Blood Sugar Better Than Roasting or Baking Very severe long COVID linked to differences in lung and mouth microbiomes Using AI for just 10 minutes erodes your ability to persist at hard things Late-night snacking may affect liver health New review identifies pistachios as a promising whole food for sleep research Augusta University Medical College of Georgia, October 6 2026 (News-Medical) Nearly one-third of U.S. adults report sleeping less than seven hours a night, below the minimum amount recommended for most adults, while nearly one in five has trouble staying asleep most days or every day. At the same time, nearly one-third of Americans say they are seeking improved sleep from foods, beverages or nutrients. Pistachios have attracted researchers' attention because they naturally bring together several nutrients and plant compounds connected to sleep. Now, a new narrative review published in Nutrition Research Reviews identifies pistachios as a promising whole food for sleep research and explores how their nutrient profile may influence processes related to sleep quality, falling asleep, staying asleep and regulation of the sleep–wake cycle. Pistachios provide tryptophan, vitamin B6 and magnesium, which the body uses in the production of serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is involved in sleep regulation and is also used to make melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate the sleep–wake cycle. Pistachios also contain phytomelatonin, the form of melatonin produced by plants, although its absorption and effects from eating pistachios have not been established in people. Pistachios provide vitamin B6 and magnesium, which are involved in the production and function of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain chemical that helps quiet nerve activity and plays a role in regulating sleep. A one-ounce serving of pistachios provides about 71 milligrams of tryptophan, roughly 20% of the daily amount recommended for a 154-pound adult. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid the body uses to make serotonin, a brain chemical involved in sleep regulation, and melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate the sleep–wake cycle. The authors of this review concluded that pistachios could represent a promising wholefood intervention for improving sleep due to their unique combination of nutrients and bioactives, and map a clear path to additional research needed. Dietitians Say Boiling Sweet Potatoes May Help Manage Blood Sugar Better Than Roasting or Baking University of West Indies (Jamaica), October 10 2026 (Natural News) Boiling sweet potatoes may offer advantages for blood sugar management compared with roasting, baking, or frying. The report described boiling as the easiest cooking method and one that may help prevent large post-meal blood sugar spikes. The glycemic index, or GI, is a scale that ranks carbohydrate-containing foods by how quickly they raise blood sugar after eating. Boiling sweet potatoes may be better for blood sugar than baking or roasting, according to dietitians. The result is a sweeter, denser vegetable with a different effect on blood glucose than a boiled sweet potato. Researchers compared a baked or roasted potato to a raisin and a boiled potato to a grape. That moisture difference is one reason the two preparations behave differently in the body. Research on carotenoid retention suggests boiling generally preserves these compounds well compared with some higher-heat methods, though results vary by sweet potato variety and the antioxidant being measured. One study found that boiling unpeeled medium-sized sweet potato roots for 30 minutes resulted in a 14 to 59 percent reduction of total carotenoid content across four sweet potato cultivars. Other research on orange-fleshed sweet potato reported a true retention of all-trans-beta-carotene ranging from 70 percent to 80 percent with longer boiling times. Very severe long COVID linked to differences in lung and mouth microbiomes University of Dundee (UK), October 10 2026 (Medical Xpress) People with long COVID have distinct differences in the mix of bacteria that live in their mouths and lungs, according to a study of more than 700 people published in the European Respiratory Journal. The research also shows that these differences in the lung microbiome are linked to respiratory symptoms, as well as the cognitive and digestive problems known to occur in long COVID. Researchers say their findings may shed light on why some people develop long COVID and could point to new ways to treat the condition. Prior studies have shown some changes in the gut microbiome with long COVID, but COVID is a lung disease and so it makes sense to look to see if the lung microbiome is changed in long COVID." Researchers divided the participants into four groups based on how severe their symptoms were five months after being discharged from the hospital. These were "very severe," with serious physical, mental and cognitive impairments; "severe," with serious mental and physical impairments but no cognitive problems; "moderate," with primarily cognitive difficulties; and "mild," with few symptoms and good recovery. Six months after patients were discharged, researchers collected saliva samples from their mouths and sputum samples from their lungs and used DNA sequencing to identify which microbes were present. This showed that people with very severe long COVID had clear differences in the microbiome in their mouths and lungs compared with people who did not have severe long COVID. It also showed that there were differences linked to specific symptoms, including reduced lung function (meaning your lungs cannot hold as much air as normal or air cannot flow in and out of your lungs as easily as normal), neurocognitive symptoms (including "brain fog," difficulties with memory, attention and concentration) and gut symptoms (including pain, nausea, diarrhea and loss of appetite). Among the changes associated with long COVID symptoms was an overabundance of bacteria that produce lactic acid. Using AI for just 10 minutes erodes your ability to persist at hard things University of California at Berkeley, October 9 2026 (Eurekalert) Brian Christian has spent 20 years thinking about how artificial intelligence will change our minds and our world. His 2020 book The Alignment Problem has been praised as one of the best on AI, and like many scientistss. Christian was part of a team behind a landmark study that found that spending just 10 minutes relying on an AI tool significantly impairs our ability to focus and persist with difficult tasks. To test how quickly people’s focus and persistence plummeted, researchers designed a series of randomized controlled trials and recruited 1,222 participants online. For the first experiment with 354 participants, one group was tasked with solving 15 basic fraction problems without help, while another had ChatGPT open on the side to use for assistance and to even ask for the answer. The group with AI access started off more accurately than the group without it. Then, after 12 problems, researchers took away the AI tool. Almost immediately, the people in that group stopped solving questions accurately. A similar thing happened when they ran the experiment on a second, larger group of 667 participants. Whereas the AI users got answers wrong or gave up entirely when the AI assistance was withdrawn, the group without AI stuck with the task and were more successful at the end. Researchers then ran a third experiment with 201 participants and an SAT reading comprehension prompt. The results echoed those from the fraction problems: When the AI tool was removed, persistence and accuracy dropped. The findings backed up what anecdotes and surveys have increasingly found in recent years: An overreliance on AI for answers erodes our cognitive fitness. When AI produces answers in seconds, we get used to that speed; anything that takes longer feels inefficient. And relying on AI also removes what the team called “productive struggle,” which can lead people to find their research strengths and passions. Late-night snacking may affect liver health Oregon Health & Science University, October 9 2026 (News-Medical) New research led by Oregon Health & Science University suggests you should think twice about indulging in a late-night snack if you'd like to preserve liver health. The study, published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, documents an increase in the correlation between people who reported late-night eating - defined as eating after dinner or after bedtime - and a heightened risk of two types of liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and cirrhosis. Researchers analyzed three large, preexisting nationwide datasets. They extracted diet and lifestyle habits self-reported by almost 200,000 participants in all three studies, grouped them by eating behaviors, and then looked for correlations to people who reported fatty liver disease or cirrhosis. They found a 20% to 30% increase in all forms of liver disease among the group of people who reported late-night eating compared to those who did not.

  • #2554
    October 9 · 1 hr 2 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-9-26

    It's Friday, and Gary takes calls from his listeners and reads part four of his latest essay Saving Civilization Before Our Own Beliefs and Behaviors Destroy It.

  • #2553
    October 8 · 49 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-8-26

    ORDER NOW - CLICK HERE THE LIES WE LIVE WITH, YET THE TRUTHS WE MUST FACE We spend much of our lives searching for success, security, approval, and control. Along the way, we absorb countless ideas about who we should be, what we should value, and what is supposed to make us happy. Rarely do we stop to ask whether these beliefs are true, or whether they are quietly keeping us from the lives we were meant to live. In The Lies We Live With Yet the Truths We Must Face, Gary Null, PhD, examines the fears, habits, emotional wounds, and social forces that separate us from our authentic selves. With insight and compassion, he explores guilt, shame, addiction, materialism, betrayal, and the pressure to conform, while showing how courage, forgiveness, awareness, and love can lead us toward a more conscious life. This book invites us to look honestly at what we have accepted, what we have avoided, and what we are finally ready to change. By releasing what no longer belongs in our lives, we can recover what has been lost, rediscover our inner strength, and begin creating a life of greater meaning, freedom, and purpose. Within these pages, you will explore: How social conditioning shapes your beliefs, choices, and sense of identity Why guilt, shame, fear, and emotional wounds continue to influence your life How to recognize the habits and distractions that keep you from being fully present What it means to release addiction, negativity, and patterns of self sabotage How love, forgiveness, trust, and vulnerability can restore human connection Ways to reclaim your passion, inner strength, and authentic purpose How conscious choices can help you create a more balanced, meaningful, and fulfilling life

  • #2552
    October 7 · 1 hr 4 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-7-26

    HEALTH NEWS Eating walnuts daily may boost mood and shift serotonin-related metabolism Higher daily step counts linked to fewer mental health problems in early adolescence, study finds How dementia risk and heart failure is being linked to dreaming Sardinian village may be a new longevity hotspot New study shows any healthy eating plan slows aging Eating walnuts daily may boost mood and shift serotonin-related metabolism University of Barcelona (Spain), October 2 2026 (News-Medical) In a recent study published in Food & Function, researchers evaluated whether 8 weeks of walnut consumption affects mood states in young adults and whether these effects are associated with urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), cortisol, and urolithin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation and is produced from the dietary amino acid tryptophan. Its main metabolite, 5-HIAA, can be measured in urine as an indicator of serotonin metabolism. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, tryptophan, fiber, and polyphenols, including ellagitannins that gut microbiota convert into urolithins. These metabolites may indicate walnut intake and biological responses; however, further research is needed to clarify how walnut consumption relates to mood and metabolic pathways. The study used an 18-week open-label randomized crossover trial involving adults aged 20–35 years. Participants were randomly assigned to consume 40 g of walnuts per day with dinner or to refrain from nuts and nut products for the next 8 weeks. After a 2-week washout period, participants crossed over to the alternate condition. During the walnut condition, total mood disturbance was 4.85 points lower than during the control condition. Anger and fatigue also decreased. Two trait food-craving domains showed initial reductions: anticipation of relief from negative states and feelings after eating and guilt associated with cravings or giving in to them. Urinary 5-HIAA increased significantly during walnut consumption, while urinary cortisol did not differ significantly between conditions. Higher urinary 5-HIAA was associated with lower total mood disturbance. The paper also reports an association with lower fatigue. Higher daily step counts linked to fewer mental health problems in early adolescence, study finds King's College London, October 1 2026 (Eurekalert) A study of more than 5,500 adolescents in the US found that those who took more daily steps at age 11 to 12 had fewer mental health problems a year later. The more adolescents walked, the fewer mental health problems they had a year later, and the benefit didn't level off at any point the researchers could measure. Teenagers who took under 5,000 steps a day had the most symptoms; those averaging around 8,000 had fewer; and those hitting 12,000 or more had the fewest of all. Adolescents with the highest step counts also showed slightly thicker brain tissue in two areas involved in movement and in regulating emotion, and this difference helped explain part of the link to better mental health. How dementia risk and heart failure is being linked to dreaming Peking University (China), September 29, 2026 (NaturalHealth365) How much of last night did you actually spend dreaming? Most people have no idea. Until recently, most sleep researchers didn’t either, since large studies relied on people guessing how well they slept. Now, wrist trackers worn by more than 95,000 adults have put real numbers on those hours. The results reach far beyond feeling rested in the morning, because one sleep stage lined up with lower risk for 83 separate diseases. Over a median follow-up of 8.9 years, the team checked those sleep patterns against more than 1,000 diseases in participants’ health records. REM sleep, the stage when most dreaming happens, stood out above everything else. For roughly every extra 48 minutes of REM, dementia risk fell by 46% and heart failure risk dropped by 26%. Even more striking, Parkinson’s disease risk was 80% lower. Total hours were only part of the picture. Participants who woke up often during the night faced a higher risk of several conditions. For 69 of the 83 conditions tied to sleep duration, the lowest risk fell between six and eight hours a night. Meanwhile, people sleeping fewer than five hours faced a higher risk of 37 different conditions, the worst showing in the entire study. Chamomile, lemon balm, passionflower, and valerian root have long histories as evening teas. In fact, research suggests valerian and chamomile can improve sleep quality for some people. Pair a warm cup with magnesium-rich foods like pumpkin seeds, spinach, or wild-caught salmon at dinner. Together, these create a slower wind-down than scrolling ever will. Sardinian village may be a new longevity hotspot University of Illinois at Chicago, October 6 2026 (Medical Xpress) A terracotta-tiled village in the mountains of Sardinia may offer researchers a rare opportunity to uncover the secrets of exceptional longevity. A new study found that women in the village of Bolotana, on the Italian island of Sardinia, who reach age 70 are nearly four times as likely to reach age 100 as women in the United States. The findings suggest the community could represent a newly identified "blue zone," an area where people live unusually long lives. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Aging, examined demographic records from the village of about 2,300 residents and found a favorable pattern of survival among older adults, particularly women. Researchers estimated that 13.8% of women in Bolotana who reach age 70 will live to 100, compared with approximately 3.5% of women in Italy and 3.6% of women in the United States. The traditional diet of the Sardinian longevity zone in the mountainous Ogliastra area is a largely plant-centered Mediterranean-pastoral diet rather than a strictly vegetarian diet. The diet centers heavily on locally grown vegetables, legumes, whole grains, potatoes, fruits when available, and olive oil. Beans and other pulses are regularly consumed. The mountain communities of the Blue Zone have a strong pastoral culture, and sheep's and goat's milk, cheese and other dairy foods are important sources of protein and fat. New study shows any healthy eating plan slows aging German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases & University of Bonn, October 5 2026 (Natural News) A German study of 7,500 adults found ten distinct healthy eating styles (e.g., Mediterranean, Nordic, DASH) all linked to slower biological aging, emphasizing that consistency in whole, nutrient-rich foods—not rigid adherence to a specific diet—is key to longevity. All ten diets share core elements like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and healthy fats (e.g., olive oil, omega-3s), which reduce inflammation and support cellular repair regardless of cultural or regional dietary labels. Even modest improvements (e.g., swapping fried foods for roasted vegetables) correlate with slower aging Diets rich in antioxidants (berries, leafy greens) and anti-inflammatory foods (fatty fish, herbs like ginger) counteract chronic inflammation—a major driver of aging and disease—while processed foods and industrial oils accelerate it. Diet works in tandem with sleep, physical activity and sunlight for optimal health, creating a "multi-pronged defense" against aging. The study emphasizes practical, adaptable habits over rigid rules for long-term well-being.

  • #2551
    October 6 · 1 hr 3 min

    The Gary Null Show - 10-6-26

    HEALTH NEWS Blueberries can modify the gut microbiome in older adults with mild depression Living environments and lifestyle factors may contribute to faster adult biological aging Too little salt may hurt memory just as badly as too much Regular walking is good for people with COPD, even if they live in areas with higher air pollution Study: Stroke Rates Nearly Doubled in Adults Under 55 Blueberries can modify the gut microbiome in older adults with mild depression Hinda & Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research & Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, September 30 2026 (Medical Xpress) A new pilot study found that older, sedentary adults who consumed blueberries daily showed a greater, more consistent reduction in depressive symptoms, along with minor changes in markers of gut microbial enzymes. The preliminary data warrant further research into the link between blueberries, the gut microbiome and mood in older adults. Fiber and anthocyanins in blueberries have potential to modify the gut microbiome and metabolites that are relevant to depression in older adults. Sedentary adults 65 and older with mild depressive symptoms were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled pilot study. Participants consumed 48 grams (1.7 ounces) of blueberry powder per day (approximately two cups, or 475 milliliters, of fresh berries) or a matched placebo powder for three months. Within the blueberry group, there were statistically significant differences in the gene abundance of several enzyme commissions of the gut microbiome—including EC 3.6.3.31 Polyamine Transporting ATPase, which is involved in the production of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Living environments and lifestyle factors may contribute to faster adult biological aging University of Jyväskylä (Finland), September 30 2026 (News-Medical) Researchers found that biological aging may accelerate already in early adulthood. In addition to lifestyle factors, environmental exposures and living environment may contribute to faster biological aging. In the study, childhood and adolescent lifestyle and environmental exposures explained approximately 28% of the variation in biological age at the age of 22. Genetics, lifestyles and environmental factors shape how fast our bodies age. Biological aging begins already before birth, and it can progress faster or slower than chronological age. Faster biological aging increases the risk of developing age-related diseases earlier in life. In a longitudinal twin study researchers examined the exposome, the totality of lifestyle and environmental exposures, and its effect on biological age in young adulthood using machine learning models. In the study, the exposome was captured based on 186 lifestyle and environmental exposures, including lifestyle factors, surrounding greenness, air pollution, and living area sociodemographic factors. The researchers found that the measured childhood and adolescent exposures explained approximately 28% of the variation in epigenetic age at the age of 22. Smoking, alcohol use, and youth unemployment were associated with accelerated biological aging. In contrast, higher tree cover, vegetation index, and neighbourhood age structure predicted slower aging. The findings highlight the significant impact that living environments and social circumstances have on biological age already in youth. Too little salt may hurt memory just as badly as too much Zhejiang University (China), October 5 2026 (Medical Xpress) Salt can make or break a dish. A little too much or too little can throw everything off, leaving even the most luxurious ingredients tasting off. But get the balance right, and salt can bring out the flavor in even the simplest ingredients. The brain relies on a similar balancing act for healthy function and memory. While we are aware of the ill effects of having too much salt, what happens when we consume too little? A recent study compared how long-term low-salt and high-salt diets affected memory, gut health and brain health in mice whose guts were colonized with human gut bacteria. The researchers focused on the gut–metabolite–brain axis, examining how dietary salt alters gut bacteria and their chemical products, and how those changes signal back to the brain. Mice on either a low-salt or a high-salt diet struggled with memory, but through two different biological pathways. Compared with mice eating a normal amount of salt, they did worse on tests of short-term working memory and long-term recognition memory. Inside the hippocampus, the brain's memory center, both diets lowered critical synaptic proteins like SYN1, PSD95 and BDNF and suppressed CREB activation. All of these are essential tools neurons use to build memories and adapt, so weakening them reduced the brain's ability to form memories. With a low-salt diet, a drop in essential hippocampal synaptic proteins impaired long-term and short-term memory. Regular walking is good for people with COPD, even if they live in areas with higher air pollution Barcelona Institute for Global Health, October 5 2026 (Eurekalert) Regular walking reduces symptom flare ups for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, even if they live in an area with poor air quality, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research. The researchers carried out a study with 262 COPD patients from five European countries: the UK, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland and Greece. All participants wore a movement sensor for a period of seven days that could monitor how many steps each person took, how long they walked for and how fast they walked. The researchers also collected data on levels of air pollution at the patients’ home addresses over the two previous years. This included levels of particulate matter smaller than 2.5μm (PM2.5), black carbon, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. The researchers found that regular walking was associated with fewer symptom fare ups, regardless of the levels of air pollution at the patients’ home address. Walking 1000 steps per day reduced the likelihood of flare ups by around five per cent. Regularly walking at a faster pace (more than the participants average speed of one metre per second) increased the benefits of walking. Study: Stroke Rates Nearly Doubled in Adults Under 55 University of Cincinnati, September 28 2026 (Natural News) First-time stroke rates among adults ages 20 to 54 in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region rose by about 83% between 1993 and 2020, according to a study published in Neurology. Researchers identified 2,076 first-ever strokes over the 27-year period, with the rate climbing from 33.9 to 62.2 cases per 100,000 person-years. The finding adds to a growing body of evidence that cardiovascular disease is no longer confined to older populations. While age remains an important risk factor, younger adults can and do experience strokes, with 10% to 14% of all strokes occurring in people under 45. Ischemic strokes, the most common type that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked, accounted for most of the increase in the study. Hemorrhagic strokes, which occur when a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain, did not show the same upward trend. The study also tracked health characteristics of younger adults who experienced strokes and found increases in several cardiovascular risk factors. High blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and substance use all became more common. Substance use saw an especially large jump, rising from 4.6% in the early 1990s to 40.2% in 2020, much of which reflected marijuana use, according to the study. Previous research has linked frequent cannabis use to heart risks, including increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

  • #2550
    October 5 · 1 hr

    The Gary Null Show - 10-5-26

    HEALTH NEWS Endocrinologists reveal 7 fruits that stabilize blood sugar without sacrificing flavor A survey of 371,000 adults links heart disease to eating whole fruit less often Study Links Greater REM Sleep to Lower Risk of 83 Diseases Mediterranean rockrose extract shows fungicidal activity against fungi that cause common skin infections Reading Linked to Lower Dementia Risk, Review Finds Endocrinologists reveal 7 fruits that stabilize blood sugar without sacrificing flavor Tufts University, October 1 2026 (Natural News) Tufts University endocrinologists shared their collective expertise, drawn from Tufts Medical Center, to providesevidence-based guidance for anyone seeking to maintain steady blood glucose while enjoying nature's sweetest offerings. Fruit sugars arrive wrapped in fiber and water, surrounded by antioxidant polyphenols, vitamins and minerals that slow digestive absorption. A meta-analysis of nineteen randomized controlled trials published in Frontiers in Endocrinology found that eating whole fresh and dried fruit in moderation significantly decreased fasting blood glucose in people with diabetes. Apples with intact skin provide soluble fiber that forms a gel in the digestive tract, delaying sugar absorption. Dr. Willis recommended pairing apples with almond butter for improved post-meal blood glucose response. Pears contain even more fiber than apples, making them a slightly superior choice. Both fruits have been linked to lower type 2 diabetes risk in observational studies. Raspberries, strawberries and blueberries offer exceptional fiber-to-carbohydrate ratios, Their polyphenol content, plant compounds acting as antioxidants, has demonstrated positive effects on blood sugar regulation. Kiwis provide prebiotic benefits that support beneficial gut bacteria, potentially improving insulin sensitivity. Avocados combine fiber with healthy fats that slow stomach emptying. A survey of 371,000 adults links heart disease to eating whole fruit less often University of North Dakota, September 28 2026 (News-Medical) In the present study, researchers investigated differences in the frequency with which adults with and without CVD risk factors or CVD in the US consumed whole fruit and 100% fruit juice. This study used data, which included 371,038 adults. The team performed a secondary analysis of the data to examine whether the frequencies of whole-fruit and fruit-juice consumption differed between people with and without CVD and between those with and without CVD risk factors. CVD measures included myocardial infarction (heart attack), angina/coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke. Whole-fruit consumption was less frequent in respondents with high BP, high cholesterol, a heart attack, CHD, or stroke compared to groups without the respective CVD risk factor or condition. In regression analyses, participants with high cholesterol consumed fruit juice less frequently, whereas those with a heart attack consumed it more frequently. Fruit juice consumption frequency did not differ significantly after adjustment between individuals with and without high BP, stroke, or CHD. Study Links Greater REM Sleep to Lower Risk of 83 Diseases Capital Medical University (China), September 28 2026 (Natural News) Greater amounts of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and deep sleep were associated with lower risks of dozens of diseases, while sleeping fewer than five hours per night was linked to elevated risk across 37 conditions, according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine. The research analyzed data from 95,559 UK Biobank participants who wore wrist accelerometers for seven consecutive days and nights. Participants were followed for a median of 8.9 years. Greater REM sleep, measured per interquartile range of 47.6 minutes, was associated with lower risk of 83 diseases, the report stated. Hazard ratios were 0.74 for heart failure, 0.54 for dementia and 0.20 for Parkinson's disease, indicating a substantial reduction in relative risk for those in higher REM sleep categories. Greater deep sleep was linked to lower risk of seven conditions, including type 2 diabetes and major depressive disorder. "The findings provide additional evidence supporting the role of a 6-8 hours' sleep duration as a health safeguard for middle-aged and older adults, likely attributable to more favorable distributions of sleep stages. The study adds to a body of research examining how sleep architecture, rather than total sleep time alone, relates to long-term health outcomes. Mediterranean rockrose extract shows fungicidal activity against fungi that cause common skin infections Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche (Portugal), September 28 2026 (Eurekalert) A polyphenol-rich extract from Cistus salviifolius or Mediterranean rockrose traditionally used to treat skin conditions, has shown fungicidal activity against several dermatophytes, the fungi responsible for superficial infections of the skin, hair and nails. The rockrose has traditionally been used in different regions in topical preparations to treat wounds, inflammation and skin infections. Dermatophytes are fungi capable of colonizing keratin-rich tissues such as the skin, hair and nails, causing very common infections, including different types of ringworm. The researchers prepared the polyphenol-rich extract and tested its activity against different fungal species. Dermatophytes were particularly sensitive, especially Trichophyton rubrum—one of the main causes of fungal skin infections—and Microsporum canis, which can be transmitted from animals to humans. The extract showed no antifungal activity at the concentrations tested against yeasts such as Candida albicans. The extract was also tested on reconstructed human epidermis, tissue grown in the laboratory from primary keratinocytes, the cells that make up most of the outer layer of the skin.The researchers infected this tissue with dermatophytes to study whether the treatment could slow the infection and protect the skin barrier. When applied after infection, the rockrose extract reduced fungal load and tissue invasion, preserved the epidermal barrier and decreased the inflammatory response. It also did not reduce keratinocyte viability under the conditions tested. Reading Linked to Lower Dementia Risk, Review Finds Healthy Brain Clinic (California), September 30 23026 (Natural News) A review published in the journal Psychological Medicine states that reading for pleasure is associated with better cognitive skills, improved mental well-being, and a lower risk of cognitive decline across all ages. The review synthesizes data from childhood through older adulthood, presenting reading as an accessible, low-cost activity with potential brain-health benefits. Neuroimaging cited in the review found that reading for pleasure was linked to larger cortical areas and greater volumes in brain regions associated with language and emotional regulation. Among adults who read for just 30 minutes each week, 64% reported a better understanding of other people's feelings. Twenty percent said they began taking better care of their health, and 19% took up a new hobby as a result of reading. Half of the readers noted they became more tolerant of other people's beliefs, and 17% said they were able to stay calmer during a disagreement. Survey data cited in the review also found that 74% of adult readers said reading positively affected their mental health and well-being, and 41% said it helped them feel more connected to others.

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