Health & Fitness

Not sure what to wear to your mat or Reformer Pilates class? We asked the experts. 

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Most people enter the New Year wanting to lose weight. So, before you opt for a juice cleanse or the keto diet, dietitian Melissa Meier wants you to try one of these 5 sustainable diets first. 

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Did you know that sun protection doesn’t start and end with sunscreen? From the clothes you wear to how late you eat at night, it turns out there’s a bunch of sun protection mistakes you could be making. Lucky for you, we’ve got the expert guide on how to fix them.

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Foodie tradition dictates only eating wild oysters during months containing the letter 'r' -- from September to April. Now, a new study suggests people have been following this practice for at least 4,000 years.

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Wrinkles on the skin of a microscopic worm might provide the key to a longer, healthier life for humans. Working with Caenorhabditis elegans, a transparent nematode found in soil, researchers found that the nervous system controls the tiny worm's cuticle, a skin-like exterior barrier, in response to bacterial infections.

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Neuroscientists have discovered how the listening brain scans speech to break it down into syllables. The findings provide for the first time a neural basis for the fundamental atoms of language and insights into our perception of the rhythmic poetry of speech.

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Photoinitators (PIs) are compounds used in the ink of many types of food packaging. The substances have been shown to migrate into food and, when consumed, show up in human blood serum. Now, for the first time, researchers report they have detected PIs in human breast milk, although they say the levels consumed by breastfeeding infants are unlikely to be a health concern.

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The holiday period is food heaven - no doubt about that. Among the delicious desserts and endless array of canapés, it's easy to go overboard. Dietician Susie Burrell explains the good and the not-so-good when it comes to silly season o'dourves. 

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From a monogrammed reusable water bottle to waterproof speakers you can customise, these personalised gifts will show you really care.

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Researchers have discovered that a peptide links together migraine pain and pain induced by opioid overuse.

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Complications following a procedure to treat tongue-tie in babies are occurring that can result in admission to hospital, something a paediatrician says needs to be better understood by both health practitioners and parents.

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Complications following a procedure to treat tongue-tie in babies are occurring that can result in admission to hospital, something a paediatrician says needs to be better understood by both health practitioners and parents.

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From cutting back on calories to training for hours at the gym, burning fat may seem like a daunting task. But celebrity trainer Sam Wood, proves it's not hard at all. 

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Researchers have developed a system that can accurately locate a shooter based on video recordings from as few as three smartphones.

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Survivors of sepsis -- a life-threatening response to an infection -- have expressed a need for advocacy and follow-up support, according to a new study.

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When looking at paintings, we don't assess each one on its own merits. Instead, we carry a bias, according to a new study.

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Mesearchers have developed a bot equipped with artificial intelligence that can beat human players in tricky online multiplayer games where player roles and motives are kept secret.

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Previous exposure to the pollutant DDT may contribute to the risk of diabetes among Asian Indian immigrants to the United States, according to a new study.

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Students who rarely ate breakfast on school days achieved lower GCSE grades than those who ate breakfast frequently, according to a new study.

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Researchers have uncovered new information regarding the effects of impaired expression of the gene SHMT2 in genetically modified mice. They found that suppression of SHMT2 expression of SHMT2 altered activity in metabolic pathways, which in turn inhibited growth and impaired mitochondrial respiration, which is a critical cellular function that has been linked to human aging and age-related illnesses. Activation of SHMT2 may have future potential as a treatment for age-related illness.

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A scientist has revealed a key role for 'selfish' transposable elements in the evolution of the mammary gland, a defining feature of all mammals.

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Engineers have developed a microscope that adapts its lighting angles, colors and patterns while teaching itself the optimal settings needed to complete a given diagnostic task. In the initial proof-of-concept study, the microscope simultaneously developed a lighting pattern and classification system that allowed it to quickly identify red blood cells infected by the malaria parasite more accurately than trained physicians and other machine learning approaches.

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When people walk around, they process visual information differently than at rest: the peripheral visual field shows enhanced processing.

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One of the more complex problems facing social psychologists today is whether any intervention can move people to change their behavior about climate change and protecting the environment for the sake of future generations. Now researchers report that an intergenerational reciprocity approach, asking people to reflect on sacrifices made in the past by others for their benefit today, may generate a sense of moral obligation to future generations.

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Researchers studying six adults who had one of their brain hemispheres removed during childhood to reduce epileptic seizures found that the remaining half of the brain formed unusually strong connections between different functional brain networks, which potentially help the body to function as if the brain were intact.

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A discovery about how the immune system responds to malaria infection could lead to better treatments for hepatitis C, HIV and lupus, say researchers. The research team showed, in laboratory models, that strong inflammatory signals caused by malaria infection activate molecules that trigger the production of highly potent antibodies to fight the disease.

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A new study finds that, in the first year and a half of the program, children with mental health diagnoses who were served by the TEAM UP sites went for more primary care visits than similar children served by nearby non-participating community health centers.

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Some of the most common symptoms experienced by cancer patients are memory problems, difficulties with multitasking, and reduced attention and concentration. Historically, cancer patients with these symptoms were often diagnosed with depression. Research over the past decade has revealed that many cancer patients experience such symptoms as a consequence of specific damage to the brain caused by either their tumor or their treatment.

While radiation to the brain has long been linked to causing cognitive difficulties, the effects of chemotherapy on brain structure and function have only recently been discovered. We now know that the majority of patients treated for cancer, including breast, lung, colon, and many other cancer types, experience difficulties with memory, multitasking, cognitive processing speed, attention, and concentration as a consequence of their treatment. The good news is that such symptoms may slowly improve over time in most patients.

There are treatment strategies to help patients recover more quickly

If you or someone you care for is having problems with memory or thinking following cancer treatment, it is important to undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation to rule out other conditions that can mimic certain side effects from chemotherapy. For example, endocrine disorders (such as thyroid abnormalities), vitamin deficiencies, sleep deprivation, or depression should all be ruled out (or treated), as these conditions can cause changes in memory and slowed thinking.

Extensive research over the past decade has identified how chemotherapy targets brain structure and function as an unwanted side effect of cancer therapy. Those efforts have also started to shed light on the mechanisms that enhance brain regeneration and expedite recovery from brain injury, previously thought to be impossible. While various therapeutic interventions currently remain in clinical testing, there are a number of lifestyle actions that have been found to be effective.

• Regular physical exercise. Cardiovascular exercise is one of the strongest drivers of brain repair after injury, stimulating the growth of new neurons, facilitating connections between brain cells, and enhancing overall cognitive resilience.
• Sufficient restorative sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation damages brain cells, prevents brain regeneration, causes daytime fatigue, and reduces cognitive function. Poor sleep also impairs the basic mechanism that eliminates toxic waste in the brain — a process that primarily happens during sleep. Simple behavioral changes to improve sleep hygiene include avoiding neurostimulants prior to bedtime (coffee, chocolate, beverages with high sugar content, etc.), and minimizing exposure to electronic devices in your bedroom. Meditation and various relaxation techniques can also be helpful to improve sleep.
• Good nutrition. A diet rich in antioxidants can be helpful in minimizing cancer therapy-related damage to brain cells and unwanted cognitive side effects from cancer therapy. Therefore, enriching your diet with fruits and vegetables, along with weight loss (if you are overweight or obese), are highly recommended strategies. While a natural supply of antioxidants and vitamins from food is best, some people who are unable to maintain a well-balanced diet may benefit from multivitamin supplementation.
• Engaging in positive and stress-reducing activities. Brain plasticity and nervous system regeneration can be enhanced when all senses are activated, particularly through activities that lead to new experiences and sensations (“environmental enrichment”). Engaging in new activities, learning a novel skill, or traveling can be of tremendous value. In addition, many patients find that engaging in spiritual practices can have a positive effect on healing.

Certain medications may enhance brain function and minimize cognitive symptoms

Medications such as neurostimulants and anti-aging drugs may be used in conjunction with lifestyle interventions to improve memory and cognition after cancer treatments. Speak with your doctor about these options.

New research suggests there may be a connection between the immune system, the bone marrow, and the brain, highlighting new avenues for future pharmacological and biological therapies that may enhance brain function after injury and delay the process of brain aging.

Cancer survivorship programs at many hospitals may offer help

A thorough neurological evaluation can be helpful in identifying areas of brain functioning that can be improved with specialized neurocognitive rehabilitation programs. Many patients benefit from this type of rehab as part of their cancer treatment.

Collectively, while symptoms of brain dysfunction are common in cancer patients, there are several interventions that can be considered to help with recovery and enhance healing. Research in this area remains in its infancy, but the curtain has been lifted. There are promising pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapeutic interventions on the horizon, and there are many lifestyle changes you can start today.

Resources

Neural correlates of chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment. Cortex, May 2014.

Assessment and management of cognitive changes in patients with cancer. Cancer, June 15, 2019.

Pharmacologic management of cognitive impairment induced by cancer therapy. Lancet Oncology, February 2019.

Sleep drives metabolite clearance from the adult brain. Science, October 18, 2013.

Bone marrow drives central nervous system regeneration after radiation injury. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, June 1, 2018.

The post Suffering from “chemo brain”? There’s hope and many things you can do appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

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