Exposure to air pollution during childhood increases the risk of developing bronchitis in adulthood, a new study reveals.
Researchers found that young adults with bronchitis symptoms were likely exposed to two types of air pollutants as children:
Particle pollution, which includes dust, pollen, wildfire ash, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust.
Nitrogen dioxide, primarily from gasoline engines.
Bronchitis involves inflammation of the large airways in the lungs, leading to severe coughing spells that produce mucus or phlegm. Other symptoms include wheezing, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
“Our findings indicate that childhood exposure to air pollution has subtle yet lasting effects on our respiratory system, continuing to impact us into adulthood,” said Dr. Erika Garcia, an assistant professor of population and public health sciences at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
“Reducing air pollution would benefit not only children with asthma but also their long-term respiratory health as they transition into adulthood,” Garcia added in a university news release.
The findings were published June 28 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine.
Full text: HealthDay.
Parkinson’s disease, the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, affected over 8.5 million people in 2019, according to the World Health Organization. The prevalence of Parkinson’s has more than doubled globally since 1990.
The risk of developing Parkinson’s increases with age, and men are 50% more likely to develop the disease than women. Additional risk factors include genetics, exposure to environmental toxins, and past traumatic brain injury.
Research has also suggested that an imbalance in gut microbiota may play a role in the disease's development.
A recent study conducted across five countries has revealed that individuals with Parkinson’s have a significant reduction in bacterial genes responsible for producing riboflavin (vitamin B2) and biotin (vitamin B7). This research, led by scientists at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan, was published in the journal NPJ Parkinson’s Disease.
Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, and the researchers propose that deficiencies in riboflavin and biotin could contribute to this inflammation. They found that reduced levels of these genes were strongly associated with lower concentrations of fecal short-chain fatty acids and polyamines in Parkinson’s patients. Both substances are crucial for the production of the intestine's mucus layer.
These findings provide testable hypotheses and support the growing body of evidence that the gut microbiome may significantly influence aspects of Parkinson’s disease.
Full text: Medical News Today.
Obesity is influenced by more than just diet and exercise—it may be rooted in your genetic code, according to recent research. "Obesity's causes are very complex and involve a combination of many factors. However, in this study, we identified a clear genetic trigger for obesity," said Dr. Mattia Frontini, lead study author, British Heart Foundation senior fellow, and associate professor in cellular biology at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.
The study found that women with a particular gene mutation weighed an average of 4.6 kilograms (10.14 pounds) more, and men with the variant weighed an average of 2.4 kilograms (5.29 pounds) more. This mutation in the SMIM1 gene leads to decreased thyroid function and reduced energy expenditure, explained Frontini. "Given the same food intake, less energy is used, and this excess is stored as fat," he said.
Weight is not merely a matter of willpower or laziness. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, your body size and shape are influenced by many factors, including lifestyle habits, sleep, medications, health issues, environment, and genetics.
Research into the genetic aspects of obesity and potential treatments is ongoing. Severe restrictive dieting is not recommended, as it can lead to increased cravings and a cycle of guilt, restriction, and bingeing. Instead, a gradual, sustainable approach to lifestyle changes is advised to maintain a healthy relationship with food, according to Emily Feig, a postdoctoral fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Feig's advice, featured in a CNN report, emphasizes that making changes to your lifestyle should be done gradually and sustainably, ensuring you maintain a positive and healthy relationship with food.
Full text: CNN Health.
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