Latest news with #NursesHealthStudy
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Harvard will destroy 1.5million samples that could hold the key to stopping colon cancer epidemic
Fifty years of Harvard research is set to be flushed down the toilet. Since 1976, the university has collected more than 1.5million samples of human feces, urine, toenails, saliva, hair and blood from people for scientific research, allowing them to track how bodies change over time. Researchers behind the project say it could reveal key mutations that lead to cancer or habits that could help someone live longer. Dr Walter Willet, a physician who has been with the project since 1977, said the collection could also be a treasure trove of information on the reasons for the colon cancer surge in young people. But now, all of these possibilities are set to be lost after three grants to support the project — worth $5million per year — were cut by the Trump administration. Dr Willet has managed to secure emergency funding from Harvard for the collection but says this could run out within weeks. If more funds aren't raised, he said, then it's likely that the collection will be packed into plastic biohazard bags and shipped off to an incinerator — along with the valuable information it contains. 'We can't let that happen,' Dr Willit told 'we are working hard to make sure the resources are not lost'. The database — called the Harvard biorepository — holds samples from more than 200,000 women and men who took part in Harvard-led studies. This includes participants in the Nurses Health Study, 121,000 women tracked since 1976, and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, tracking 51,000 men since 1986. For both studies, participants were asked to fill in bi-annual surveys on their diet, exercise and health — allowing researchers to detect factors that may raise someone's risk of suffering from a disease like cancer. More than 10,000 participants have already died, but scientists are continuing to carry out the surveys on those who are alive — some over 95 years old — hoping to detect hidden clues to longevity. Since 1982, the researchers have also been collecting biological samples from the participants to add further data to their project. From the Nurses Health Study, the database currently holds 62,000 toenail clippings, 50,000 urine samples, 30,000 saliva samples, 20,000 hair samples and more than 16,000 samples of feces collected between 1982 and 2019. It also holds an estimated 1.5million blood samples from more than 30,000 participants, and tissue samples from 16 cancers that emerged in participants during the study. From the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, it includes blood samples from more than 18,000 participants and more than 1,700 samples of tissue from cancers including prostate cancer. The Nurses Health Study has already resulted in the publication of more than 400 cancer-related studies, nearly 300 projects and participation in 33 cancer consortia. Top studies include a 2007 paper that found higher levels of inflammation-linked proteins in the blood raised the risk of colon cancer, and a 2004 paper that found people with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood had a lower risk of colon cancer. There are also early studies into the gut microbiomes of participants based on analysis of stool samples collected from 2019. While it is still too soon for these to reveal reasons for the surge in colon cancer cases, they hold promise Other notable findings include a 2003 paper that found postmenopausal women with higher estrogen levels had a higher risk of breast cancer. And a 1995 analysis of toenail clippings that suggested people with lower levels of selenium in their diets — a nutrient found in nuts — may have a higher risk of lung cancer, although this was later disputed by other research. Data from the studies' questionnaires has also been used in recent years to suggest that suggests a diet high in red meat could raise the risk of type 2 diabetes. And studies that linked a higher consumption of trans fats — a type of fat that influences cholesterol and that is used in cookies, pies and other bakery products — to a higher risk of coronary heart disease. The work was instrumental in the 2018 FDA ban on hydrogenated oils — which are used to make trans fats — in the US. The samples are stored in up to 60 large cylindrical freezers that are five-foot tall by five-foot wide housed in two locations at Harvard. It is split across two locations to protect the collection in case of an incident like a fire. The toenails and hair are not frozen because they do not degrade easily, Dr Willit said, meaning they are comparatively easy to store. But the rest of the collection is kept in the freezers that constantly have liquid nitrogen pumped through them — which has a temperature of -320F (-196C) — to preserve the samples. Running the freezers alone costs about $300,000 a year, Dr Willit said. The team receives several dozen requests a year for access to the collection from scientists, he added. In response, samples are either shipped to the scientists or the team undertakes the research in their lab and sends the scientists the results. Researchers are also constantly adding to the collection, collecting cancer samples from patients when the disease emerges and new data via surveys. So far, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in New York has agreed to offer funding to preserve the cancer samples from the Nurses Health Study. It is not clear how long this funding will last. But Dr Willit says they are continuing to avidly seek backers for the samples in the rest of the collection. The database was supported by three federal grants from the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. It comes amid a mammoth battle between the Trump administration and Harvard University, that has seen more than $3billion in grants cut from America's wealthiest institution. In the latest salvo, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's effort to keep Harvard from hosting foreign students — who make up approximately 27 percent of its student body. The administration has repeatedly accused the university of doing too little to fight anti-semitism on its campuses and to stem pro-Palestine protests that disrupted some classes in 2024 and 2025.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Coffee Could Be The Secret to Healthy Aging For Women, Scientists Discover
The daily ritual of imbibing a hot cup of freshly brewed and fragrant coffee isn't just good for the soul – it may be one of the ways to smooth the road to healthy aging for women. In a study of 47,513 women in the US with data spanning 30 years, scientists have found that long-term moderate coffee consumption in mid-life is positively correlated with the markers of healthy aging. "While past studies have linked coffee to individual health outcomes, our study is the first to assess coffee's impact across multiple domains of aging over three decades," says Sara Mahdavi, nutrition scientist at Harvard University and the University of Toronto. "The findings suggest that caffeinated coffee – not tea or decaf – may uniquely support aging trajectories that preserve both mental and physical function." To assess the long-term impact of a daily cuppa (or two) on aging, Mahdavi and her colleagues made a careful study of data collected as part of the Nurses' Health Study, a series of epidemiological studies that examine the long-term impacts of various factors on the health of nurses in the US. They examined health and dietary intake data collected since 1984, all the way up to 2016. Healthy aging was defined as living to 70 years or older, maintaining good physical function, staying free from 11 major chronic diseases, and with no cognitive, mental health, or memory impairment. The researchers also adjusted for other factors that might influence health, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, level of physical activity, and body-mass index. By 2016, the researchers identified 3,706 women who qualified as healthy agers. For this group, around 80 percent of their average daily caffeine intake came in the form of three small cups' worth of coffee. By contrast, tea and decaffeinated coffee were not associated with any of the markers of healthy aging; and cola intake was associated with a negative impact for the markers of healthy aging. In other words, coffee had a positive effect; tea and decaf were neutral; and cola had a negative effect. For the healthy agers, each additional cup of coffee, up to five small cups a day, boosted the odds of healthy aging by between 2 and 5 percent. For the cola drinkers, each cup per day reduced the odds of healthy aging by 20 to 26 percent. Of course, coffee isn't a magic bullet for your health; you should still look after yourself in other ways, Mahdavi says. "These results, while preliminary, suggest that small, consistent habits can shape long-term health. Moderate coffee intake may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking," she explains. "While this study adds to prior evidence suggesting coffee intake may be linked with healthy aging, the benefits from coffee are relatively modest compared to the impact of overall healthy lifestyle habits and warrant further investigation." The research has been presented at the NUTRITION 2025 conference in Orlando, Florida. Texas Woman Dies From Brain-Eating Amoeba After Flushing Sinuses Menopause Drug Reduces Breast Cancer Growth In Clinical Trial Bowel Cancer in Young People Is Rising – Here's How to Reduce Your Risk
Fox News
04-06-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Carbohydrates and fiber linked to healthier aging in some groups, study finds
Carbohydrates may have gotten a bad rap, but a new study from Tufts University finds that some are better than others — and that older women in particular could reap the benefits. The research, which was recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open, found that daily consumption of fiber and "high-quality" carbs in midlife can contribute to healthier aging and overall better wellness among older females. The researchers defined "healthy aging" as "the absence of 11 major chronic diseases, lack of cognitive and physical function impairments, and having good mental health." The study was led by researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "The main takeaway of the study is that consuming dietary fiber and high-quality carbohydrates — those from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes — is associated with positive health status in older adulthood," lead author Andres Ardisson Korat, a scientist at HNRCA, told Fox News Digital. "This includes the absence of chronic diseases and good physical and cognitive function." The researchers collected data from the Nurses' Health Study, in which 47,000 women reported their dietary habits and health outcomes between 1984 and 2016, according to a Tufts press release. The women ranged in age from 70 to 93 by the end of the study period. The researchers looked at the women's consumption of dietary fiber, total carbohydrates, refined carbohydrates, high-quality (unrefined) carbohydrates, and carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes. They also analyzed glycemic index (each food's score indicating how much it raises blood sugar) and glycemic load, which also takes into account portion size to provide a more accurate measure of each food's impact on blood sugar. "It's not just about 'carbs versus fats versus protein' — it's about what kind of carbs you're eating." Women who consumed higher amounts of total carbohydrates; high-quality carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes; and total dietary fiber in midlife were 6% to 37% more likely to have healthy aging and to score higher in several areas of mental and physical wellness, the study found. Conversely, consuming refined carbohydrates — which come from added sugars, refined grains and potatoes — and starchy vegetables resulted in a 13% reduced chance of healthy aging. "This study reinforces something many of us intuitively feel: quality matters," noted Melanie Avalon, a health influencer, entrepreneur and biohacker based in Atlanta, Georgia. "It's not just about 'carbs versus fats versus protein' — it's about the kind of carbs you're eating." Avalon, who was not involved in the research, discussed some of the more notable findings with Fox News Digital. "Perhaps most surprising was the finding that replacing just 5% of calories from carbohydrates with protein (from either plant or animal sources) was associated with lower odds of healthy aging by 7% to 37%," she said. Avalon also noted that when carbohydrates were segmented by type — processed versus unprocessed — the associations with healthy aging were independent of BMI (body mass index), a metric typically closely linked to metabolic health. "This suggests the effects of carbohydrate quality on healthy aging were not solely explained by weight-loss effects," she said. The study also briefly touched on the controversial topic of seed oils. "It found that higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) — which are commonly found in seed oils — was linked to decreased odds of healthy aging, adding nuance to the ongoing debate," Avalon added. Based on the study findings, the biohacker recommends favoring whole, unprocessed foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. "Shop the perimeter of the grocery store for produce and whole grains, as well as the freezer aisles for frozen fruit and vegetables," she suggested. "Consider dipping into the aisles only for pantry staples like canned legumes." For those who tolerate grains, people can reap the benefits of foods like quinoa, brown rice, oats and whole wheat products, Avalon noted. "Prioritize fiber-rich foods and minimize refined carbohydrates like white bread, sugary beverages and ultraprocessed snacks." "These shifts can meaningfully support healthy aging and reduce the risk of chronic disease." One chief limitation of the study is that the participants were mainly white female healthcare workers. "Because of the observational nature of the study, we cannot rule out confounding by other variables," Korat said. "We would have liked to have data on men to evaluate the associations in this group." The researchers called for more diverse studies that look closer at how dietary fiber and high-quality carbs contribute to healthy aging. "We hope our findings help inform consumers about the importance of healthy diets in the promotion of healthy aging," Korat added. "Personalized nutrition, grounded in both science and self-awareness, may be key to thriving across the decades." "The more we can understand about healthy aging, the more science can help people live healthier for longer." Avalon added that while diet is "foundational," it's just one piece of the "healthy aging puzzle." For more Health articles, visit "Exercise, sleep, stress management and social connection all play a role," she said. "Ultimately, personalized nutrition, grounded in both science and self-awareness, may be key to thriving across the decades."
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Women who drink up to three cups of coffee a day in their 50s may be healthier in old age, scientists say
A new study has found that women in middle age who maintain a healthy coffee habit may have better physical, mental, and cognitive health as they grow older. 'Women who drank one to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day in their 50s were more likely to reach older age free from major chronic diseases and with good cognitive, physical, and mental health,' the study's lead author, Dr Sara Mahdavi, adjunct professor in the the faculty of medicine and department of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto said. The research was initially presented as an abstract at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition on Monday, but will be submitted for peer review in the coming months, according to Mahdavi. The study draws on dietary data from more than 47,000 women who participated in the Nurses' Health Study. All of the women surveyed were in middle age and had been followed for 30 years to understand their rates of death and disease. 'In this study, we found that moderate caffeinated coffee consumption during midlife was associated with a higher likelihood of healthy aging 30 years later,' Mahdavi said. But it's not just the caffeine or just the coffee that's giving the health benefits. Tea and cola, both of which have caffeine, did not yield the same signs as drinking coffee, nor did drinking decaffeinated coffee. The study is primarily observational and cannot state definitive cause and effect relationships. It is simply pointing out that women who maintained a healthy use of coffee in middle age also tended to experience a healthier aging. Researchers note that coffee drinking may just be a habit of individuals who tend to lead otherwise healthy and active lifestyles, which also contribute to healthier aging. In the past, moderate coffee drinking has been linked to lower risks of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Despite the findings, Mahdavi wasn't ready to call for non-coffee drinkers to pick up a press and a mug. 'Coffee may support longevity, but it's not a universal prescription — especially for women. Hormonal shifts influence how caffeine is metabolized, so the benefits depend on timing, biology, and individual health," Mahdavis told CNN. Caffeine can last longer in the bodies of some people due to hormonal differences — for example, estrogen inhibits a liver enzyme that is needed to break caffeine down — and midlife tends to be a time when women's hormones are shifting. 'Moderate caffeinated coffee consumption — typically one to three cups per day — can be part of a healthy diet for many adults,' Mahdavi said. 'However, this should not be taken as a blanket recommendation for everyone to begin or increase coffee intake with the goal of longevity.' And coffee — or other caffeinated drinks — are best avoided by individuals with other health problems, like anxiety or sleep disorders, according to the National Institute of Health.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Secret to aging 'healthily': Trick to boost longevity and reduce chronic disease revealed
A morning cup of java could be doing more than help women wake up in the morning - because it could also aid with aging. Research from Harvard University has found a connection between drinking coffee and healthy aging in women, with the findings presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Orlando on Monday. The in-depth analysis found that middle-aged women who drank caffeinated coffee aged 'healthily' - which was defined as living to age 70 or older, being free from 11 major chronic diseases, maintaining physical function, having good mental health, exhibiting no cognitive impairment and showing no memory complaints. However, the researchers didn't find any links between tea or decaf coffee and aging better. On the other hand, drinking more cola was linked with lowering the chance of healthy aging. 'While past studies have linked coffee to individual health outcomes, our study is the first to assess coffee's impact across multiple domains of aging over three decades,' Dr. Sara Mahdavi, a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, said. 'The findings suggest that caffeinated coffee, not tea or decaf, may uniquely support aging trajectories that preserve both mental and physical function.' Researchers started collecting data from women who were part of the Nurses' Health Study in 1984, tracking almost 48,000 participants aged between 45 and 60. All participants filled out surveys providing details about their diet and health across a span of 30 years with all data being recorded and analyzed. The researchers assessed caffeine intake using validated food frequency questionnaires which included drinking popular forms of caffeine, including coffee, tea, cola and decaffeinated coffee. Preliminary analyses accounted for other factors that might influence healthy aging, such as body weight, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, education level and protein in the diet. 'Our study has several key strengths,' Dr. Mahdavi explained. 'In addition to the large sample size and 30 years of follow-up, we assessed several different aspects of longevity and healthy aging as well as very comprehensive information on nutritional and lifestyle habits that were collected every four years after the initiation of the study,' she added. The researchers found that those deemed 'healthy agers' typically consumed an average of 315mg of caffeine per day, which in today's standards is the equivalent to three small cups of coffee or one and a half large cups. 'More than 80 percent of that caffeine came from regular coffee consumption,' the press release noted. It continued: 'For women in the healthy agers group, each extra cup of coffee per day was tied to a two percent to five percent higher chance of doing well later in life.' However, it noted that although soda also contains caffeine, participants who people drank it daily had a 20 percent to 26 percent lower likelihood of healthy aging, showing that not all types of caffeine are beneficial. The study also noted that drinking up to two cups a day may offer additional benefits for some but may not be healthy for others. There are some limitations to the study, with Dr. Mahdavi pointing out that the participants were mainly white, educated, female, health professionals. 'Further work is needed to confirm generalizability to broader populations,' she told Fox News Digital. While she doesn't recommend starting to drink coffee if it's not already a part of your diet, she says it can contribute to a balanced diet for those who drink it. 'For people who already consume moderate amounts — typically two to four cups per day — this study adds to the evidence that coffee can be part of a healthy lifestyle,' the expert explained. A study published earlier in the year found that drinking between one and several cups of coffee before midday was found to cut the risk of heart and circulatory diseases by a whopping 31 percent, in comparison with those who drink it throughout the day. Research suggests the time you enjoy an espresso or flat white is more important to your health than how much you drink. In the first study to examine the time it is consumed, researchers used data from more than 40,000 US adults taking part in studies examining health, nutrition and lifestyle over a decade. They found distinct patterns of coffee drinking, with 36 percent enjoying it before midday, 16 percent consuming coffee throughout the day and half not drinking it at all.
