Recent Longevity News for the week ending 11/30/16

Omega-3 fatty acids stimulate brown adipose tissue metabolism - Science Daily, 11/21/16 - "The main function of brown adipose tissue is to burn calories and to make physical warmth out of fat (thermogenesis). However, a recent study by this research team has defined that brown adipose tissue also acts as an endocrine organ and can secrete factors that activate fat and carbohydrates metabolism ... these molecules, released by the adipose tissue (brown adipocytes or batokines) have positive metabolic effects. For this reason, they could be used in new therapies for obesity and related metabolic diseases" - See fish oil supplements at Amazon.com.

Common probiotics can reduce stress levels, lessen anxiety - Science Daily, 11/21/16 - "a common probiotic sold in supplements and yogurt can decrease stress-related behavior and anxiety ... bacteria in the gut altered the gene expression associated with stress- and anxiety-related pathways in the fish allowing for increased signaling of particular neurotransmitters" - See probiotic products at Amazon.com.

Plant compounds may boost brain function in older adults, study says - Science Daily, 11/29/16 - "People get these compounds, known as carotenoids, from their diets, and two of them -- lutein and zeaxanthin -- have been shown in previous research to bolster eye and cognitive health in older adults ... In this study, participants with lower levels of lutein and zeaxanthin had to use more brain power and relied more heavily on different parts of the brain in order to remember the word pairings they were taught. People with higher levels, on the other hand, were able to minimize the amount of brain activity necessary to complete the task. In other words, they were more "neurally efficient."" - See zeaxanthin lutein at Amazon.com.

New topical immunotherapy effective against early skin cancer - Science Daily, 11/21/16 - "The investigational treatment combines a cream formulation of a chemotherapy drug called 5-fluorouracil with a synthetic form of vitamin D called calcipotriol. Topical 5-fluorouracil alone is prescribed to treat actinic keratosis ... Following treatment, facial lesions were reduced by 88 percent in the investigational group versus 26 percent in the control group. On the scalp, lesions were reduced by 76 percent in the investigational group compared with about 6 percent for the control group. On the right arm, the reduction was 69 percent for the investigational treatment versus about 10 percent for the control. On the left arm, the precancerous lesions were reduced by 79 percent for the investigational treatment compared with 16 percent for the control" - Note:  I've used the topical 5-fluorouracil a couple times, once from a dermatologist's prescription and a second time from an overseas pharmacy.  It's mean stuff.  See the YouTube video (that's not me) but you skin looks years younger when it's healed.

Protein, salt drive post-meal sleepiness - Science Daily, 11/22/16 - "new research with fruit flies suggests higher protein and salt content in our food, as well as the volume consumed, can lead to longer naps ... "In Drosophila, there is a well-documented interaction between sleep and metabolism, whereby flies suppress sleep or increase their activity when starved ... after eating a meal, the animals sleep more before returning to a normal state of wakefulness ... only protein and salt were effectors of post-meal sleep, suggesting that this form of sleep can indeed be regulated by specific food types" - Note: I figured that on my own a long time ago.  A lot of people have been telling me I have it backwards by eating before bedtime but it gives me a sounder sleep and I'm the old guy with the 40 inch chest and 30 inch waist and they're not.

Healthy women should take breast cancer pill, says NICE - BBC, 11/29/16 - "Trials show that per 1,000 patients taking anastrozole for five years, 35 cancer cases would be prevented compared with 21 for tamoxifen" - Note: I would think that Femara (letrozole) would be more effective and have less side-effects than the four they mention but it doesn't mention Femara (letrozole).

Abstracts from this week:

Efficacy of curcumin, and a saffron/curcumin combination for the treatment of major depression: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study - J Affect Disord. 2017 Jan 1;207:188-196 - "123 individuals with major depressive disorder were allocated to one of four treatment conditions, comprising placebo, low-dose curcumin extract (250mg b.i.d.), high-dose curcumin extract (500mg b.i.d.), or combined low-dose curcumin extract plus saffron (15mg b.i.d.) for 12 weeks ... Active drug treatments comprising differing doses of curcumin and combined curcumin/saffron were effective in reducing depressive and anxiolytic symptoms in people with major depressive disorder" - [Nutra USA] - See saffron at Amazon.com and curcumin products at Amazon.com.

Withania somnifera Root Extract Enhances Telomerase Activity in the Human HeLa Cell Line - Center for Preclinical and Translational Medicine Research, 15 April 2016 - "Ashwagandha root extract powder, at a concentration of 10 µg - 50 µg/ml (Figure 2), increased telomerase activity by ~45%, in the Human HeLa cell line upon 72 hrs exposure (Figure 3), as determined by the TRAP assay" - [Nutra USA] - See Ashwagandha at Amazon.com.

A randomised controlled trial comparing a dietary antiplatelet, the water-soluble tomato extract Fruitflow, with 75 mg aspirin in healthy subjects - Eur J Clin Nutr. 2016 Nov 23 - "Increasing numbers of food ingredients are gaining acknowledgement, via regulated health claims, of benefits to human health. One such is a water-soluble tomato extract, Fruitflow (FF), a dietary antiplatelet. We examined relative platelet responses to FF and to 75 mg aspirin (ASA) in healthy subjects ... The suppression of platelet function observed after consuming FF is approximately one-third that of daily 75 mg ASA. The reversible action of FF renders it less likely to overextend the time to form a primary haemostatic clot than ASA, an important safety consideration for primary prevention" - [Nutra USA] - See Fruitflow at Amazon.com.

Neat Tech Stuff / "How To's":

Easy alternatives to hanging Christmas lights - CNET, 11/29/16 - "The Star Shower Motion Laser Light or the Star Shower Motion are decent choices if you just want some colorful, moving lights on you house. You can also purchase laser lights that project snowflakes, reindeer, snowmen and other festive images"

The best space heater - Engadget.com, 11/28/16 - "For a larger space that you plan to warm for hours at a time, get the De'Longhi EW7507EB. This 14.5 by 6.3 by 25.2-inch radiator-style unit efficiently, silently, and steadily puts out plenty of heat, and it can maintain a set temperature on a schedule with its built-in thermostat and timer ... The best heater for a larger area is the De'Longhi EW7507EB. During testing, it performed almost identically to the now-discontinued De'Longhi TRD0715T Safeheat, which was our large-room heating pick for three years running. Both heaters outperformed similar models at heat generation, thermal retention, and energy efficiency"

Health Focus (Chromium):