A dog’s body can generate vitamin C. So, too, can a cat’s. Unfortunately, human ancestors lost that trick during their evolutionary climb.
Roughly 40 million years ago, the forebearers of apes and humans could access plentiful fruit rich in vitamin C. So over time, the gene responsible for making it withered on the evolutionary tree. We lost the ability.
Which for marketers is a good thing, otherwise we might not have gotten one of the most famous ad slogans ever: A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.
Now, a Japanese study shows just how important a glass of OJ, or a piece of any fruit or vegetable producing the nutrient, is to our good health. Researchers demonstrated that lower vitamin C levels were associated with reduced brain tissue and altered structural network patterns in the organ.
That provides strength to what scientists long suspected. The vitamin might help prevent cognitive decline.
The study included about 2,000 volunteers who underwent brain MRIs. Scientists also measured their vitamin C levels through a blood test.
Previous research had already shown that vitamin C levels in the fluid surrounding the brain are twice those in blood. That, too, suggests its importance in brain health.
Scientists don’t suggest that vitamin C acts alone in maintaining the brain. It is instead viewed as perhaps one of several important factors.
It’s essential to remember that these findings can only indicate an association and do not establish cause and effect.
Until natural selection jump-starts our ability to produce vitamin C once more, it can’t hurt to grab an orange now and then.

A dog’s body can generate vitamin C. So, too, can a cat’s. Unfortunately, human ancestors lost that trick during their evolutionary climb. Roughly 40 million years ago, the forebearers of apes and humans could access plentiful fruit rich in vitamin C. So over time, the gene responsible for making it withered on the evolutionary tree. We lost the ability. Which for marketers is a good thing, otherwise we might not have gotten one of the most famous ad slogans ever: A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine. Now, a Japanese study shows just how important a glass of OJ, or a piece of any fruit or vegetable producing the nutrient, is to our good health. Researchers demonstrated that lower vitamin C levels were associated with reduced brain tissue and altered structural network patterns in the organ. That provides strength to what scientists long suspected. The vitamin might help prevent cognitive decline. The study included about 2,000 volunteers who underwent brain MRIs. Scientists also measured their vitamin C levels through a blood test. Previous research had already shown that vitamin C levels in the fluid surrounding the brain are twice those in blood. That, too, suggests its importance in brain health. Scientists don’t suggest that vitamin C acts alone in maintaining the brain. It is instead viewed as perhaps one of several important factors. It’s essential to remember that these findings can only indicate an association and do not establish cause and effect. Until natural selection jump-starts our ability to produce vitamin C once more, it can’t hurt to grab an orange now and then.

Study shows vitamin C’s importance to brain health

Is there anything better than sitting? By looking at the rates of Americans who engage in the sedentary activity — roughly half of the population, by the way — you’d guess no. And, though your body prefers moving to sitting by miles, we’re going to tell you what you really want to know: how to sit better.
A study led by the University of Glasgow found that breaking up your sitting by short movement breaks was associated with an 18% lower risk of death from diabetes- and obesity-related cancers per each added hour of relentless reclining.
Researchers defined “interrupted sitting” as a sit either lasting less than half an hour, or one broken up by some kind of activity.
Though previous research has largely targeted decreasing how much total time we spend on our rears, this study posited that simply decreasing the duration of each “sit” could matter just as much as sitting less.
When they modeled these results, scientists noted that swapping out even one hour of uninterrupted sitting with the intermittent version was linked to a 12% lower risk of death related to cancer. The analysis drew from the data of more than 90,000 participants across 12 years. To get an idea of how often people were moving, researchers relied upon wrist devices that tracked activity as opposed to self-reports of movement.
Though more research is needed to understand what’s prompting these improvements, scientists think extended sedentary periods could be impacting mechanisms like blood sugar regulation, scientists say. Getting up, even for a little, keeps your body running smoothly.
Taking the time to leave your chair to rinse out a coffee cup has never felt more important.

Is there anything better than sitting? By looking at the rates of Americans who engage in the sedentary activity — roughly half of the population, by the way — you’d guess no. And, though your body prefers moving to sitting by miles, we’re going to tell you what you really want to know: how to sit better. A study led by the University of Glasgow found that breaking up your sitting by short movement breaks was associated with an 18% lower risk of death from diabetes- and obesity-related cancers per each added hour of relentless reclining. Researchers defined “interrupted sitting” as a sit either lasting less than half an hour, or one broken up by some kind of activity. Though previous research has largely targeted decreasing how much total time we spend on our rears, this study posited that simply decreasing the duration of each “sit” could matter just as much as sitting less. When they modeled these results, scientists noted that swapping out even one hour of uninterrupted sitting with the intermittent version was linked to a 12% lower risk of death related to cancer. The analysis drew from the data of more than 90,000 participants across 12 years. To get an idea of how often people were moving, researchers relied upon wrist devices that tracked activity as opposed to self-reports of movement. Though more research is needed to understand what’s prompting these improvements, scientists think extended sedentary periods could be impacting mechanisms like blood sugar regulation, scientists say. Getting up, even for a little, keeps your body running smoothly. Taking the time to leave your chair to rinse out a coffee cup has never felt more important.

How to sit better (and avoid cancer while doing so)

Fish oil supplements are a huge industry. Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on them, hoping to support brain health by taking in the omega-3 fatty acids they contain.
A new study may provide a dose of reality, however. A two-year clinical trial conducted by University of Southern California researchers found that while fish oil supplements do deliver omega-3s to the brain, there is no meaningful benefit for memory, cognition or Alzheimer’s-related changes.
On its face, taking fish oil supplements is not illogical. Omega-3s, healthy fats found in some fish, help build the connections between brain cells key to our ability to think and remember.
More than 350 people between the ages of 55 and 80 who rarely ate fish were enrolled in the study. All were at elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease. They were placed in two groups. One group was given a daily, high-dose fish oil supplement; the other group got a placebo.
Each supplement contained 2,000 milligrams of docosahexaenoic [duh-kow-suh-hek-suh-know-ick] acid, or DHA, an omega-3 important in brain function. For the brain, DHA is like premium oil is to an engine.
By measuring DHA levels in participants’ cerebrospinal fluid, they could see it did indeed reach the brain.
Even so, that did not equate to measurable cognitive benefits. Participants went through memory tests at the start of the study and two years later. Those who took DHA supplements performed no better than the placebo group.
For now, the researchers say those who hope to safeguard brain health should focus on eating nutritious food and staying fit. And eating salmon, mackerel, sardines and anchovies surely can’t hurt.

Fish oil supplements are a huge industry. Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on them, hoping to support brain health by taking in the omega-3 fatty acids they contain. A new study may provide a dose of reality, however. A two-year clinical trial conducted by University of Southern California researchers found that while fish oil supplements do deliver omega-3s to the brain, there is no meaningful benefit for memory, cognition or Alzheimer’s-related changes. On its face, taking fish oil supplements is not illogical. Omega-3s, healthy fats found in some fish, help build the connections between brain cells key to our ability to think and remember. More than 350 people between the ages of 55 and 80 who rarely ate fish were enrolled in the study. All were at elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease. They were placed in two groups. One group was given a daily, high-dose fish oil supplement; the other group got a placebo. Each supplement contained 2,000 milligrams of docosahexaenoic [duh-kow-suh-hek-suh-know-ick] acid, or DHA, an omega-3 important in brain function. For the brain, DHA is like premium oil is to an engine. By measuring DHA levels in participants’ cerebrospinal fluid, they could see it did indeed reach the brain. Even so, that did not equate to measurable cognitive benefits. Participants went through memory tests at the start of the study and two years later. Those who took DHA supplements performed no better than the placebo group. For now, the researchers say those who hope to safeguard brain health should focus on eating nutritious food and staying fit. And eating salmon, mackerel, sardines and anchovies surely can’t hurt.

Fish oil supplements no help against memory issues

Intermittent fasting is all the rage. The diet, which restricts eating to certain hours, has gained traction as a way to lose weight and regulate hunger cues. Now, research is...

Fasting may help fight infections, study suggests

Hot dog lovers, take note: Eating that frankfurter could reduce your healthy life by 36 minutes. On the bright side, a serving of nuts might help add 26 minutes of...

Small diet changes can pay big health dividends

The gut microbiome is a jack of many, if not all, trades. The delicate ecosystem of microbes that have set up house in our intestinal tracts has been increasingly linked...

Household chemicals can affect children’s gut microbes

Nighttime is the right time to take your blood pressure medicine. Recent research shows a simple change in the time of day when you take this important medication can significantly...

For best results, take blood pressure medicine at bedtime

Nowadays, robots help us do a little bit of everything: Play music, vacuum and — in some cases — cure tummy troubles? A new research study in Boston says they...

Lab-made yeast “robots” may alleviate gut diseases

When it comes to addressing blood pressure, blood sugar and waist size, some people might think that means taking medication. But there is actually a much simpler way: Eat more...

Seeking a smaller waist? Consider whole grain foods

For some people, there is a new way to stop losing sleep because of chronic insomnia: a weighted blanket. Swedish researchers have found that for people with insomnia or certain...

For insomnia, try a weighted blanket

When the clock moves ahead one hour each spring for Daylight Saving Time, we’re all robbed of some sleep. For night owls, the effect can be especially disruptive. Early risers...

During Daylight Saving Time change, night owls suffer more

It’s a hurly-burly, fast-paced world of 24-hour news cycles and endless demands on our time, with workday tasks seemingly outnumbering the minutes of the day. It’s a wonder we get...

Even one night’s poor sleep impacts well-being

As the age-old saying goes, you are what you eat. Now, new scientific findings are expanding that idea. When it comes to muscle growth, it’s also about when you eat....

Time your eating to maximize muscle growth

Health in a Heartbeat is a daily radio series that features two-minute segments providing consumer-health information and the latest news on medical research, patient-care breakthroughs and health-care industry trends.  The series launched in January 2000 and is available at no charge to public radio stations nationwide. It is a unique project offered by University of Florida Health in association with the UF radio stations 89.1 WUFT-FM and 90.1 WJUF-FM. It currently airs in more than 53 cities in 18 states and Washington, D.C., in addition to being available on NPR.org and the NPR One mobile app.  Our scripts go through a vigorous research and approval process. Each script is reviewed by University of Florida physicians, UF Health experts and qualified medical editors. This ensures that you are receiving accurate and up-to-date health information.

Health & Fitness

Education

Health in a Heartbeat is a daily radio series that features two-minute segments providing consumer-health information and the latest news on medical research, patient-care breakthroughs and health-care industry trends. The series launched in January 2000 and is available at no charge to public radio stations nationwide. It is a unique project offered by University of Florida Health in association with the UF radio stations 89.1 WUFT-FM and 90.1 WJUF-FM. It currently airs in more than 53 cities in 18 states and Washington, D.C., in addition to being available on NPR.org and the NPR One mobile app. Our scripts go through a vigorous research and approval process. Each script is reviewed by University of Florida physicians, UF Health experts and qualified medical editors. This ensures that you are receiving accurate and up-to-date health information.

Share Health in a Heartbeat

Sign up to save your podcasts

Health in a Heartbeat

FAQs about Health in a Heartbeat:

How many episodes does Health in a Heartbeat have?

Health in a Heartbeat episodes:

FAQs about Health in a Heartbeat:

How many episodes does Health in a Heartbeat have?

More shows like Health in a Heartbeat

Up First from NPR