Latest developments in the medical field: Fasting, anti-aging remedies, and additional updates
Staying updated on the latest health and wellness news can be overwhelming, especially with the flood of information available. That's why we've curated this week's noteworthy findings in nutrition, aging, and well-being for you.
Shining Light on Misinformation
Our very own Maria Cohut chatted with Dawn Holford, PhD, a research fellow in the School of Psychological Science at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. Their discussion focused on helping you identify signs of misinformation and learn strategies to verify the credibility of health information.
Holford emphasized the importance of lateral reading and empathetic refutation: lateral reading involves using multiple sources to corroborate facts, while empathetic refutation requires employing emotional intelligence to argue against misinformation without sparking defensiveness.
With the temporary pause on public communications from federal health agencies under the order of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), many people faced a data and credibility void, searching for reliable sources.
Want more insights on this topic? Tune in for our podcast this month, featuring Jenny Yu, MD, FACS, where we dive deeper into mis- and disinformation and the psychology behind them.
Diet's Impact on Aging
A recent study looked at the link between dietary quality and biological aging—a measure of how well someone is aging. The study suggested that a diet low in fruits, vegetables, and high in fast food, processed red meat, and soda could speed up aging in young adults, while adding more fruits and vegetables may slow down the process.
While this isn’t entirely new information, this study is significant because it highlights this effect is observable even in young adults. Previous studies have shown that a poor quality diet can lead to accelerated aging.
For more information on this topic, check out our article on NAD supplements and exercise for slowing down aging, and find out if they could benefit you.
Juice Cleanses and Gut Health
A study published in MDPI Nutrients revealed that juice cleanses, which involve consuming only fruit and vegetable juices for 3-7 days, may be harmful to health.
The study found that just three days of a juice cleanse can alter the gut microbiome, leading to an increase in harmful bacteria and a decrease in beneficial ones. This disruption can result in inflammation and gut permeability.
The lack of fiber in juices is a significant factor—insoluble fiber is necessary for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. The absence of fiber increases the risk of negative health consequences, such as inflammation and reduced gut health.
While the study and its sample size were limited, frequent or prolonged juice cleanses could potentially have long-term effects on gut health and overall health. Consider the nutritional composition of juice diets, especially sugar and carbohydrate levels, when evaluating their impact on microbial dynamics.
Want to explore the pros and cons of juice fasts further? Dive into our article for a deeper understanding.
Enrichment Data (Optional)
Recent studies suggest that juice cleanses can have several negative effects on gut health and overall wellbeing. Here are the key findings:
- Disruption of Oral and Gut Microbiome:
- Oral Microbiome: Dietary changes can significantly impact the oral microbiome within just three days. Juice-only diets increase harmful bacteria associated with inflammation, such as Proteobacteria, and reduce beneficial bacteria like Firmicutes.
- Gut Microbiome: While the gut microbiome is less sensitive to short-term changes, juice-only diets can lead to increased gut permeability and inflammation. This is due to their high sugar content and low fiber content.
- Inflammation and Cognitive Decline:
- These bacterial changes are linked to inflammation and cognitive decline, which could have long-term implications for overall health.
- Lack of Fiber:
- Juices lack insoluble fiber, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. The absence of fiber could lead to microbiome imbalances and potential health consequences.
- Comparison with Whole Food Diets:
- Studies showed that diets that include both juice and whole foods experienced some bacterial shifts, but to a lesser extent than juice-only diets. Plant-based whole-food diets generally showed more favorable microbial changes.
- Potential Long-Term Consequences:
- While the studies were short-term, frequent or prolonged juice cleanses could lead to cumulative negative effects on the microbiome and overall health. Be mindful of the nutritional composition of juice diets, particularly their sugar and carbohydrate levels, when evaluating their impact on microbial dynamics.
In relation to Holford's emphasis on verifying health information, it's crucial to recognize that misinformation surrounding weight loss diets can lead to harmful consequences. Misleading claims about quick weight loss through extreme diets, such as juice cleanses, might mislead individuals into neglecting balanced nutrition, which can negatively impact long-term health and wellness.
Furthermore, research on aging and dementia has highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy diet for longevity and cognitive health. Aging studies indicate that a poor-quality diet high in fast food, processed red meat, and soda could accelerate aging, particularly in young adults. Conversely, consuming fruits and vegetables can contribute to slowing down the aging process. This emphasizes the significance of considering the impact of dietary choices on long-term health and potential aging-related issues, including dementia, given the links between them.
