IN these troubling times of wokeness, extremely radical ideologies, and confusing state of people’s minds, remembering wonderful memories and retrieving decades-old cherished joys and happy events could be a beneficial antidote to these challenges today. Unfortunately, even in our 40s and 50s, remembering old memories and recalling previous knowledge in our younger years hidden in our brain may be difficult, if not impossible, for some. But there is good news on the horizon!
A drug already in use for bronchial asthma, previously approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), has been labelled recently as a “magic pill” for its ability to restore lost memories and recall previously hidden knowledge.
The same could be achieved with optogenetic therapy, but the “magic drug” is comparatively safer, non-invasive and equally effective.
“If proven effective, this novel approach could offer a new ray of hope for millions suffering from conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s, or simply help everyday people remember critical elements of their lives lost to the passage of time,” according to the research team from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
The research is ongoing and a most promising potential in keeping the brain of billions around the world youthful, with healthier memory maintenance and more efficient retrieval of old data. All these with a safe “magic pill.”
Drug ‘stops’ aging
Infusing older patients with blood of younger and healthier individuals shows promise at “turning back the clock on aging,” but new studies show that scientists may be able to achieve the same without using another person’s blood.
Researchers from Columbia University in New York reported that “an anti-inflammatory drug can rejuvenate the system which manufactures blood in the body and possibly increasing the human lifespan by decades!”
The investigators, scientist Passegue and graduate student Carl Mitchell, discovered “the anti-inflammatory drug anakinra, approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis cases, reverses some of the effects of aging on the hematopoietic system. The drug is available under the brand name Kineret…Administering the drug returned aging blood to a younger and healthier state.” And this means extending lifespan!
Published in the journal Nature Cell Biology, this wonderful and exciting discovery, when worldwide clinical trials confirm its effectiveness, might just be the fountain of youth Ponce de Leon and all of us have been searching for.
Manicures and cancer
Many women prefer gel manicure because it lasts longer and do not easily chip. However, ultraviolet light from nail lamps has been associated with increased risk for cancer, according to some studies. The long wavelengths of ultraviolet light (UVA) from the UV nail dryer can damage the DNA and cause mutation in human cells that elevates the risk for skin cancer.
In other studies, using a strong sunscreen prior to gel manicure appear to lessen the risk. Having gel manicure, without UV dryer, appears to be a logical, safer, alternative.
Coffee and liver disease
There is a dual epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus around the world. Obesity increases the risk for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Losing 30 to 50 percent of body weight among the severely overweight by strict dieting have been founds to cure diabetes, even to the point of stopping insulin for good. This is no longer a theory but a proven scientific fact.
New studies found that coffee “helps protect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among people with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D)…caffeine intake was correlated with decreased liver fibrosis in NAFLD and other chronic liver-related illnesses.”
Portuguese scientists discovered that caffeine and polyphenols in coffee may reduce the severity of NAFLD among those with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The research was sponsored by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) and was reported in the journal Nutrients.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: [email protected].