Latest news with #CliffordSegil
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
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Scientists Identify Possible Link Between Microplastics and Brain Health
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Research points to the potential health repercussions of microplastics. Now, a study seeks to explain how these nanoparticles enter the human brain (of which up to a 'spoonful' may be present!) and the potential impact they may have on our overall health. Microplastics are plastic particles that are smaller than five millimeters in size, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Four papers published in the May issue of the journal Brain Medicine explain how research suggests that microplastics from ultra-processed foods may build up in the brain. Those microplastics could be a factor in rising rates of depression, dementia, and other mental health disorders around the world, the researchers argue. Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, D.O., is a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., is a toxicologist at MedStar Health; Jamie Alan, Ph.D., is an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University; Jo Ellen Wilson, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., is an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center This is considered the most comprehensive analysis so far of how microplastics could impact brain health. Considering that a recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine determined that there's about a plastic spoon's worth of microplastics in the average human brain, all of these papers are worth paying attention to. Here's what the study found, plus what doctors want you to keep in mind going forward to protect against microplastics. The scientific papers dive into recent research surrounding microplastics in the brain, along with the potential impact on mental health. One paper hypothesizes that microplastic exposure from ultra-processed foods is contributing to the growth of a range of mental health issues. It points out that ultra-processed foods make up more than 50% of the calories people in countries like the U.S. eat, noting that these foods contain much higher concentrations of microplastics than whole foods. The papers point to research that links ultra-processed food to poor mental health outcomes, like a review published in The BMJ that found that people who ate ultra-processed foods had a 22% higher risk of depression, 48% higher risk of anxiety, and 41% higher risk of poor sleep outcomes. The researchers suggest that microplastics could be the missing link between these two factors, citing the example of foods like chicken nuggets, which contain 30 times more microplastics per gram than chicken breasts. Another scientific paper breaks down recent research on microplastics accumulating in the brain, noting that studies found that levels were up to five times higher in people who were diagnosed with dementia. In one paper, Ma-Li Wong, Ph.D., M.D., a professor of psychiatry and behavioral services at Upstate Medical University, stresses that finding such a 'spoonful' of microplastics in the brain is a 'reckoning' about environmental contaminants and brain health. 'The boundary between internal and external has failed,' she wrote. 'If microplastics cross the blood-brain barrier, what else do we think remains sacred?" Another paper looked at preliminary evidence to suggest that something known as extracorporeal therapeutic apheresis, which filters blood outside the body, may have the potential to remove microplastic particles from the blood. It's not entirely clear how microplastics make their way into your brain, says Jamie Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. However, she points to previous research that suggests these tiny particles get into your blood after you're exposed to them in the environment or your food and then cross the blood-brain barrier because they're so small. It's not entirely clear right now. 'We do not know the long-term consequences of exposure to these,' Alan says. However, there are links being formed, especially when it comes to brain health. 'Some studies have found an association between higher levels of microplastics in the brain and certain brain disorders such as dementia, depression, and anxiety,' says Jo Ellen Wilson, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 'The direction of association of this effect remains unclear.' She points to this debate scientists are currently having about the impact of microplastics on dementia rates: Do higher levels of microplastics in the brain cause brain disorders like dementia, or do people who have conditions like dementia, who already have a more permeable blood-brain barrier, build up more microplastics in their brain because their brains are more permeable? 'This question of causation is an important one and has not yet been answered,' Dr. Wilson says. But the potential impact of microplastics in the brain likely depends on where the microplastics end up, says Clifford Segil, D.O., a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. 'If microplastics are truly entering the brain and affecting brain neurotransmitter function, then the effects would correlate for wherever in the brain is accumulating these microplastics,' he says. 'If the front of the brain collects microplastics, they could cause behavioral issues, versus if the temporal lobes or the side of the brain collects microplastics, they could cause cognitive issues.' As of this moment, no. 'The idea of microplastics being able to get inside of the brain is novel, and if true, the next step would be to determine where in the brain they are accumulating, and then reverse engineer whatever method they are using to find their way into the brain to help find a way to get them out of our brains,' Dr. Segil says. Dr. Wilson says that doing your best to reduce your exposure to microplastics may help. 'We know that by reducing your exposure to plastics, over time, you may be able to decrease microplastic burden in your body,' she says. There is some research to suggest that eating plenty of fiber could help reduce microplastics' impact on your body, but more work is needed, says Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., a toxicologist at MedStar Health. Microplastics are practically everywhere, making them hard to avoid. But there are a few things you can do to try to lower your exposure to these tiny particles. 'Certain water filters, especially those that feature smaller filter pore sizes, may be able to reduce human exposure to microplastics by removing the particles from drinking water,' Dr. Johnson-Arbor says. Avoiding the use of plastic in general—including plastic food containers and water bottles—can be helpful, but Dr. Johnson-Arbor points out that this can be a 'challenge' because plastic products are so common in everyday life. 'Even though many grocery stores don't use plastic bags at checkout, plastic products can still be found in the bags that we put fresh fruits and vegetables in at the grocery store, and the plastic wrap that covers pre-cut meat and produce,' she says. She suggests using bamboo or wood cutting boards, since plastic boards can become damaged over time and transfer microplastics to food that is being cut. Finally, Dr. Johnson-Arbor recommends using bamboo, metal, or glass food storage containers instead of plastic, and to avoid reheating foods in plastic containers. Again, microplastics are all over the place, making it hard to fully cut them from your life. But doing what you can to lessen your exposure may help protect your overall health—and your brain. 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Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A New Study Reveals There's A Specific Diet Linked To A Significantly Lower Dementia Risk
A new study suggests that a specific diet could lower your dementia risk. Researchers analyzing data from nearly 93,000 American adults found that those who closely followed the MIND diet had a 9 percent lower risk of developing dementia. The MIND diet stands for Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. If you've been paying attention to health and wellness headlines over the past few years, you'll already know that your diet impacts everything from gut health to energy levels, but new research suggests it may even influence your dementia risk. That's the major takeaway from the study, which was presented at the American Society for Nutrition's annual meeting. The study pinpoints a specific eating plan—the MIND diet—as having a meaningful impact on dementia risk. Of course, following a specific diet won't automatically wipe away any risk of developing dementia, but neurologists say these new findings are worth paying attention to. Here's why that is, and what they make of the results. Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, DO, is a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, is the medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University For the study, researchers analyzed data from nearly 93,000 American adults who participated in the Multiethnic Cohort Study, a long-term study that started in the '90s. At the start of the study, the participants were between 45 and 75 years old. During the study period, more than 21,000 developed Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. The researchers discovered that study participants who closely followed the MIND diet had a 9 percent lower risk of developing dementia. There was a difference in race, too: People who were African American, Latino, or White had a 13 percent lower risk. But the researchers also discovered that people who followed the MIND diet more closely over 10 years, even if they weren't super consistent at the start of the study, had a 25 percent lower risk of dementia compared to those who stopped adhering as much to the eating plan over time. The MIND diet stands for Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. It's an iteration of the Mediterranean diet that is focused on eating plant-based foods with the goal of preventing dementia, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). The MIND diet encourages people to focus on eating green leafy vegetables, berries, whole grains, beans, and nuts. It also encourages followers to have olive oil and one or more weekly servings of fish, while limiting red meat, sweets, cheese, butter and margarine, and fast and fried food, per the NIA. The study didn't find that following a MIND diet caused a drop in dementia risk—it just found a link between people who followed the diet and lower risk. But neurologists say there could be something behind this link. 'The MIND diet is generally a balanced diet that manages portion control and offers a diversity of food choices,' says Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. 'This approach offers benefits for improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. By improving blood flow to the brain, overall brain health can be improved.' Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, agrees. 'Eating healthy prevents cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease which, in turn, prevents heart attacks and strokes,' he says. That question is still under investigation, Dr. Segil says. 'Many diets have been proposed to decrease your risk of getting Alzheimer's dementia as we age and it still remains challenging to see any diet is 'neuro-protective' against getting Alzheimer's dementia,' he adds. Still, Dr. Segil suggests that it may be best to avoid diets that are high in fats and sugars, and limit simple carbohydrates and ultra-processed foods. (All of these food factors have been linked to bodily inflammation, which is associated with dementia risk.) 'Eating a balanced diet of proteins, vegetables, and vitamins, and drinking water are healthy choices which can make you more healthy—and maybe your brain more healthy,' he says. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alzheimer's Symptoms May Surface in Your 20s, Study Finds
Alzheimer's symptoms and changes in cognitive function typically start to appear after age 65. A new study published in Lancet Regional Health-Americas finds that Alzheimer's symptoms can present much earlier than thought, as early as the mid-20s. Experts say that in addition to staying active, eating healthy, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol, it's a good idea to try to use your brain "vigorously" to stay sharp. When you close your eyes and think about Alzheimer's disease, you're probably conjuring up an image of an older person. That makes sense, because the symptoms usually start to rear their ugly heads after age 65. But new research suggests that the devastating disease may actually influence a person's cognitive function decades before they're actually diagnosed. The groundbreaking study, which was published in the journal Lancet Regional Health – Americas, is raising a lot of questions about early biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease—and how to keep your brain healthy, starting from a younger age. Here's what the study found, plus what neurologists want you to keep in mind when digesting the information. Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, DO, is a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, is the medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. For the study, researchers analyzed data from Waves IV and V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, which is a long-term health study that has tracked teens since the mid-90s. The researchers did a slew of in-home interviews, cognitive tests, and physical exams, and collected blood samples from thousands of participants in their 20s and 30s. Ultimately, 1,112 study participants who did in-home interviews were given cognitive tasks like immediate word recall, delayed word recall, and backward digit span. They also provided a sample for genetic testing. The researchers then tied those scores to Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) scores in 529 people. The researchers discovered that certain risk factors and biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's disease may influence a person's cognitive function starting in their mid-20s and continuing onwards. 'Key risk factors for Alzheimer's disease are linked to cognitive function as early as ages 24–44, highlighting the need for early prevention in the US,' the researchers wrote in the conclusion. The study focused on a few different factors, including the CAIDE score. The list included things like a person's age, education, sex, systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading), body mass index, cholesterol, physical activity, and the gene variant apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE ε4), a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The researchers also discovered that ATN (amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration), and immune biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's disease may be present and related to cognition in people in their 40s and younger. Sort of. 'When I see younger patients concerned with getting dementia when they are elderly, I 'risk stratify' and do the same tests I would do in an octogenerian concerned they have dementia,' says Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. That means doing blood tests to look for reversible causes of memory loss—including thyroid tests and checking vitamin levels like B12. 'I would also obtain a structural picture of their brain to see if they have had silent strokes or atrophy,' Dr. Segil says. The only actual available "test" for Alzheimer's disease in younger people would be to check someone's APOE 4 levels, which is considered the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Segil says. 'But this [test] being positive in a young patient would be challenging to say has any clinical significance,' he adds. There are a few things you can do right now to make sure you have the healthiest brain as you get holder. Aside from eating a healthy diet, staying active, avoiding tobacco, and limiting your alcohol consumption, it's a good idea to 'vigorously' use your brain, says Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. 'This is best achieved through self-investment in education but also through socialization and human interaction,' he says. 'Working on finding and cultivating new friends and interests in youth helps to develop those old friendships that are so important later in life.' Dr. Segil also recommends keeping your body and mind busy to maintain your brain health. Ultimately, if you're concerned about your dementia risk or if you have a family history of the disease, check in with your primary care physician, who should be able to offer some personalized guidance. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctors Say This Easy Habit Can Protect Your Brain As You Age—And Might Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
New research suggests being curious can protect brain health as you age. Older adults who stay curious and learn new things may be able to offset Alzheimer's disease. By tapping into your senses, you can easily experience newness in a known environment. Little kids ask questions about absolutely everything: why you have to flush the toilet, what the backstory is for a stranger's tattoo, what love means. The list goes on and nothing is off-limits. But that curiosity tends to drop off as we grow up and get older. And apparently, recent research says that's not a good thing for your brain. A new study suggests that older adults who maintain a healthy dose of curiosity and try to learn new things may be able to help offset or even prevent Alzheimer's disease. And yes, that almost sounds too easy to be true. So, what's behind this curiosity-dementia link? Women's Health tapped neurologists for more. Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, DO, is a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, is the medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University The study, which was published in PLOS One, recruited more than 1,200 people between the ages of 20 and 84, and asked them to fill out an online questionnaire with the goal of figuring out how curious they were in general. The researchers then asked participants to guess the answers to hard trivia questions that most people likely wouldn't know. For example, What was the first country to give women the right to vote? (Answer: New Zealand!) After they guessed the answer, participants were asked how interested they were to know the answer before they were shown it. The researchers discovered that people who have more "state curiosity" (which is a fleeting desire to know something) also have more "trait curiosity" (i.e. they're naturally curious), and vice versa. But the researchers also discovered that the drive to learn new things dropped in early adulthood, increased sharply after middle age, and continued upward into older age. The researchers said in a press release that older adults who are able to stay curious and want to learn new things may be able to offset or even prevent Alzheimer's disease (even though the study didn't explicitly look at data to support this conclusion). But those who aren't interested in learning new things may be at risk for dementia. This conclusion isn't groundbreaking, by the way: Other studies suggest that older adults who are highly curious have better long-term memory retention than their less-curious counterparts. There are a few things going on that make your curiosity protective to your brain health. 'New interests develop robust connections in the brain,' says Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. 'This network of connections is what builds a more resilient brain.' Doing the same thing repeatedly also gets old, points out Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. 'As we age, trying to avoid this repetition is healthy,' he says. 'Reading a new book is likely better for your brain than reading an old book again.' Ultimately, Dr. Segil says that seeking out new things 'may create new brain pathways rather than strengthening old pathways.' Dr. Segil recommends that you try to touch on your five senses (vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste) while experiencing new things. That means eating new foods, looking at new art, and going to a concert and hearing something different, he says. A lot of the scientific findings on this topic have similar conclusions when it comes to supporting good brain health: Don't smoke. Do moderate to vigorous exercise for at least 150 minutes a week. Limit how much alcohol you have. Try to do brain-stimulating activities, like reading, playing games, and visiting museums, regularly. Eat a healthy, varied diet, like the MIND diet. Oh, and of course, stay curious. You never know where it can lead you—and your mind. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alzheimer's Symptoms Can Appear Decades Earlier Than Thought, New Study Finds. Here's What To Know
Alzheimer's symptoms and changes in cognitive function typically start to appear after age 65. A new study published in Lancet Regional Health-Americas finds that Alzheimer's symptoms can present much earlier than thought, as early as the mid-20s. Experts say that in addition to staying active, eating healthy, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol, it's a good idea to try to use your brain "vigorously" to stay sharp. When you close your eyes and think about Alzheimer's disease, you're probably conjuring up an image of an older person. That makes sense, because the symptoms usually start to rear their ugly heads after age 65. But new research suggests that the devastating disease may actually influence a person's cognitive function decades before they're actually diagnosed. The groundbreaking study, which was published in the journal Lancet Regional Health – Americas, is raising a lot of questions about early biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease—and how to keep your brain healthy, starting from a younger age. Here's what the study found, plus what neurologists want you to keep in mind when digesting the information. Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, DO, is a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, is the medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. For the study, researchers analyzed data from Waves IV and V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, which is a long-term health study that has tracked teens since the mid-90s. The researchers did a slew of in-home interviews, cognitive tests, and physical exams, and collected blood samples from thousands of participants in their 20s and 30s. Ultimately, 1,112 study participants who did in-home interviews were given cognitive tasks like immediate word recall, delayed word recall, and backward digit span. They also provided a sample for genetic testing. The researchers then tied those scores to Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) scores in 529 people. The researchers discovered that certain risk factors and biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's disease may influence a person's cognitive function starting in their mid-20s and continuing onwards. 'Key risk factors for Alzheimer's disease are linked to cognitive function as early as ages 24–44, highlighting the need for early prevention in the US,' the researchers wrote in the conclusion. The study focused on a few different factors, including the CAIDE score. The list included things like a person's age, education, sex, systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading), body mass index, cholesterol, physical activity, and the gene variant apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE ε4), a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The researchers also discovered that ATN (amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration), and immune biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's disease may be present and related to cognition in people in their 40s and younger. Sort of. 'When I see younger patients concerned with getting dementia when they are elderly, I 'risk stratify' and do the same tests I would do in an octogenerian concerned they have dementia,' says Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. That means doing blood tests to look for reversible causes of memory loss—including thyroid tests and checking vitamin levels like B12. 'I would also obtain a structural picture of their brain to see if they have had silent strokes or atrophy,' Dr. Segil says. The only actual available "test" for Alzheimer's disease in younger people would be to check someone's APOE 4 levels, which is considered the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Segil says. 'But this [test] being positive in a young patient would be challenging to say has any clinical significance,' he adds. There are a few things you can do right now to make sure you have the healthiest brain as you get holder. Aside from eating a healthy diet, staying active, avoiding tobacco, and limiting your alcohol consumption, it's a good idea to 'vigorously' use your brain, says Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. 'This is best achieved through self-investment in education but also through socialization and human interaction,' he says. 'Working on finding and cultivating new friends and interests in youth helps to develop those old friendships that are so important later in life.' Dr. Segil also recommends keeping your body and mind busy to maintain your brain health. Ultimately, if you're concerned about your dementia risk or if you have a family history of the disease, check in with your primary care physician, who should be able to offer some personalized guidance. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
