This is a bitter pill to swallow. Many cocoa products in the US contain concerning levels of toxic heavy metals, a new study from George Washington University warns. Many cocoa products in the US contain worrisome levels of lead and cadmium, a new study from George Washington University warns. Picture Partners – stock.adobe.com Researchers analyzed 72 cocoa-based foods — including dark chocolate, often praised as a heart-healthy treat — over eight years. They found that 43% of the products contained an amount of lead that tops recommendations, while 35% exceeded cadmium limits. Surprisingly, organic-labeled products had higher levels of lead and cadmium than non-organic products, the researchers said. Contamination can come from soil or occur during manufacturing. A single serving of these cocoa items may not pose significant health risks, but several servings might. Leigh Frame, director of integrative medicine at GW, led the testing of 72 cocoa-based products. The George Washingto...
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
Novel test can predict dementia up to 9 years before diagnosis
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
UK scientists say they have developed a “first-of-its-kind” test that can predict the onset of dementia up to nine years before an official diagnosis is made.
UK scientists say they have developed a “first-of-its-kind” test that can predict the onset of dementia up to nine years before an official diagnosis is made. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – stock.adobe.com
The model — touted as more than 80% accurate — relies on scans of a network within the brain that is more active during periods of quiet rest. The findings were published Thursday in the journal Nature Mental Health.
The model — touted as more than 80% accurate — relies on scans of a network within the brain that is more active during periods of quiet rest. Atthapon – stock.adobe.com
No single test can diagnose dementia — the Queen Mary University of London researchers say their system is more reliable than memory tests and measurements of brain shrinkage that doctors may use when gathering information about the patient.
The new model utilizes functional MRI — a non-invasive medical imaging tool — to detect changes in the default mode network, portions of the brain that are especially active when our mind wanders and particularly vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease.
5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. comzeal – stock.adobe.com
The team said it takes about six minutes to collect the necessary data on an MRI scanner.
“We hope that the measure of brain function that we have developed will allow us to be much more precise about whether someone is actually going to develop dementia, and how soon, so that we can identify whether they might benefit from future treatments,” said Charles Marshall, who led the research team.
The researchers analyzed functional MRI scans from over 1,100 UK volunteers to estimate the effective connectivity between the 10 regions of the brain that constitute the default mode network.
Each participant was assigned a dementia probability — their medical data was used to confirm if the prediction was right.
For those who developed dementia, the model could predict within a two-year margin of error how long it would take the diagnosis to be made.
“Using these analysis techniques with large datasets we can identify those at high dementia risk, and also learn which environmental risk factors pushed these people into a high-risk zone,” said lead study author Samuel Ereira.
“Enormous potential exists to apply these methods to different brain networks and populations, to help us better understand the interplays between environment, neurobiology and illness, both in dementia and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases,” he added.
There is no cure for dementia, but medications can help manage symptoms and slow disease progression.
In our fast-paced modern world, having the ability to calm the mind is invaluable. By learning to control the breath and withdraw the senses with the practice of Tummo breathing you can tap into an inner stillness. Those who regularly practice Tummo often report feeling more centered, present, and in tune with themselves. Also known as “Inner Fire” meditation, Tummo helps ignite inner “heat,” burning away mental fog while energizing both body and mind. Our contributor Bayu Prihandito, Life Coach, and RYT 200 Yoga Teacher, says, “What we call the “inner fire” Tummo meditation, is known to increase mental clarity, focus, and reduce stress. With practice and patience, you can experience a heightened sense of peace from the ability to manage your emotions more effectively.” With roots tracing back centuries in Tibetan Buddhism, Tummo uses focused breathing and visualization to unlock deep states of relaxation and mental clarity. This Tibetan meditation technique is...
This is a bitter pill to swallow. Many cocoa products in the US contain concerning levels of toxic heavy metals, a new study from George Washington University warns. Many cocoa products in the US contain worrisome levels of lead and cadmium, a new study from George Washington University warns. Picture Partners – stock.adobe.com Researchers analyzed 72 cocoa-based foods — including dark chocolate, often praised as a heart-healthy treat — over eight years. They found that 43% of the products contained an amount of lead that tops recommendations, while 35% exceeded cadmium limits. Surprisingly, organic-labeled products had higher levels of lead and cadmium than non-organic products, the researchers said. Contamination can come from soil or occur during manufacturing. A single serving of these cocoa items may not pose significant health risks, but several servings might. Leigh Frame, director of integrative medicine at GW, led the testing of 72 cocoa-based products. The George Washingto...
English actor, Hugh Bonneville, is best known for his character as Robert Crawley in the hit period-drama called Downton Abbey . During one of his interviews with BBC One TV in August 2020, his fans were confused and created a controversy on social media as the star looked “unrecognizable” and had lost a lot of body weight. So, what led to this incredible Hugh Bonneville weight loss? From his diet plan and workout routine to other secrets — find everything you need to know about how he lost 16 pounds and slimmed down during the pandemic. Who Is Hugh Bonneville? Born on 10th November 1963 in Paddington (London, United Kingdom), Hugh Bonneville is a renowned and classically trained English actor who is renowned for his role as Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham, in the popular TV series named Downton Abbey . His performance and acting skills in this period drama got him several nominations such as one Golden Globe nomination, two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and three Screen...
Comments
Post a Comment