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Mushroom compound level predicts cognitive function

jcvzNational University of Singapore, December 21 2022.

Findings from a study reported in Antioxidants revealed an association between lower plasma levels of ergothioneine (ET), a compound that occurs in mushrooms, and an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.”Before this study, there was little evidence that ET levels in the blood can predict the risk of developing cognitive issues,” noted lead researcher Barry Halliwell, of the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. “Our findings demonstrate that if your ET levels are low, your risk of developing cognitive problems increases.” The study included 470 men and women of an average age of 73. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans conducted at recruitment determined the presence of cerebrovascular disease and/or brain atrophy and blood samples were evaluated for plasma ergothioneine. Neuropsychological tests administered at the beginning of the study and during up to 5 years of follow-up evaluated cognitive function. At the beginning of the study, 189 study participants had dementia, 193 were cognitively impaired without dementia and 88 had no cognitive impairment. Men and women with low (below the median) ergothioneine levels had worse cognitive function in comparison with those who had high levels. While cognitive function decreased over time among those with low or high levels of ergothioneine, the rate of decline was greater among participants who had low ergothioneine levels. When examined according to cognitive status, the long-term associations occurred only in participants who did not have dementia at the beginning of the study. “This points to the possibility of using a simple blood test to detect ET levels for early screening in the elderly to identify those who may have higher risk of cognitive decline,” Dr Halliwell stated. The researchers are planning a trial to evaluate the effects of ergothioneine supplementation among adults with mild cognitive impairment.

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Acupressure versus acupuncture—which one is better at treating sleep disturbance in patients with cancer?

University of Hong Kong, December 21, 2022

Both acupuncture—which is invasive and involves inserted needles—and acupressure—which is non-invasive and involves mechanical pressure—can potentially help reduce sleep disturbance in patients with cancer. A recent analysis of published clinical trials suggests that acupressure may have a greater effect than acupuncture. The analysis, which is published in Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, included 24 randomized controlled trials involving 2,002 patients. The findings suggest that nurses and other health professionals in oncology settings should be provided with acupressure training to help patients who are experiencing sleep problems.“Based on available evidence, acupressure may be a more promising approach than acupuncture for reducing sleep disturbance in patients with cancer,” said corresponding author Denise Shuk Ting Cheung, BNurs, PhD, RN, of the University of Hong Kong. “Future studies should focus on the differential mechanisms of action of acupressure and acupuncture and link them to the multifactorial causes of sleep disturbance in patients with cancer.”

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Extraversion, conscientiousness linked to immune system function

University of Nottingham, December 15, 2022

Researchers have long suggested that personality may influence health. Now, a new study suggests that certain personality traits may play a role in immune system function. The research team – led by Prof. Kavita Vedhara of the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham in the UK – found that extraverts are more likely to have strong immune systems, while people who are conscientious tend