News Briefs: August 2021
Ultra-Processed Foods and Mortality
Researchers based in Italy wanted to know if ultra-processed convenience foods (UPFs) might play a role in premature death. UPFs are those that are
commercially made, typically quite high in sugar and fat, and come packaged in a box, bag, or plastic container. Examples of UPFs include fried and salty snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and drinks. UPFs are further defined as those created almost entirely from substances extracted from foods, with little, if any, intact foods. UPFs also typically contain flavors, colors, and other additives that imitate or intensify the sensory qualities of foods (e.g., extra crunchy and vibrantly colored). For the study, researchers analyzed data from 22,475 men and women who were followed for eight years. Those who consumed the greatest amount of UPFs were indeed found to have increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. Their findings also revealed that sugar was significantly responsible for the increased risk. Higher consumption of UPFs was also associated with higher calories, cholesterol, and sodium but lower intake of fiber. Researchers recommend that people limit consumption of UPFs and instead enjoy more natural and minimally processed foods. The study appeared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Feb. 2, 2021.
Exercise Enhances Thinking and Memory
Physical activity can improve thinking and memory even if you haven’t worked out in a long time, according to a new study of older adults. Researchers discovered that previously unconnected portions of the brain became more connected and more flexible as study participants started to move more regularly. Specifically, the study found that aerobic exercise had a positive influence on the medial temporal lobe (MTL) network, one of the earliest brain regions to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The study tested the effect of a 20-week twice-weekly dance-based aerobic exercise intervention and compared outcomes to a non-exercise group. All participants received extensive cognitive tests, fitness and lifestyle assessments, and an invitation to undergo functional magnetic resonance brain scans (fMRI). Participants were African Americans, average age 65 ,with a mean educational level of 14 years and included men and women. Exercise exertion was at moderate intensity. Researchers found that exercise provided both rehabilitative and protective effects upon MTL function that were not observed in the control group. Moreover, exercise participants improved their ability to learn and retain information as well as to apply knowledge in new situations. According to the researchers, this kind of thinking tends to diminish with age, but the exercisers actually achieved higher test scores compared to when they started the study. Researchers further note that the social connectivity aspect of a group exercise class also may have influenced the outcomes.
Remdesivir Speeds COVID-19 Recovery
Remdesivir is an antiviral medication that targets a range of viruses. It was originally developed over a decade ago to treat hepatitis C and a cold-like virus called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It wasn’t an effective treatment for either disease, but it showed promise against other viruses. Remdesivir works by interrupting the virus’s replication process, including coronaviruses. Coronaviruses have genomes made up ribonucleic acid (RNA), and remdesivir interferes with one of the key enzymes the virus needs to replicate RNA. This prevents the virus from multiplying. Researchers began a trial studying the effects of remdesivir in February 2020 and the findings appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine on Oct. 8, 2020. Scientists randomly assigned 1,062 hospitalized COVID- 19 patients to receive remdesivir or a placebo plus standard treatment. Patients who received remdesivir were quicker to recover (i.e., being medically stable enough to be discharged from the hospital). The median recovery time was 10 days with remdesivir compared to 15 days for the placebo group. Remdesivir treatment also may prevent patients from progressing to more severe respiratory disease. Those treated with remdesivir were less likely to need high levels of respiratory support. The findings show that remdesivir alone isn’t a sufficient treatment for all patients but does provide some benefit. Studies are underway to evaluate remdesivir in combination with other therapies.
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