Here are some of the interesting things I read this week.
Nutrition Related
A new rapamycin study in Drosophilia suggests that the (m)TORC1 inhibition may have longevity promoting effects independent of those related to calorie restriction, since it was able to further increase lifespan in calorie restricted specimens.
In rats, a calorie restricted diet during lactation resulted in offspring that consumed less energy and were more resistance to weight gain on a high fat diet than those fed ad libitum, related possibly to leptin and likely other mechanisms.
Shift work (ie night work) creates health problems because of circadian desynchrony (internal clocks not in sync with schedule). A new and important rat experiment suggests that food intake during the time they normally sleep was the cause of health problems; shifting food intake to the normal eating period even when they were kept awake when they normally sleep prevented desynchrony and metabolic disturbances. Peripheral clocks entrained by food intake are scheduled to be covered in depth later this year.
Leptin and endocannabinoids oppose one another in their effects on food taste.
Fish oil may improve survival rate in patients with coronary artery disease, and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was slowed in those who took it in this observational study, a biomarker of ageing and cardiovascular disease risk.
Many people are quick to point a finger at fructose (e.g. high fructose corn syrup) as a principal cause of modern health problems. However, this review points out that the current human evidence fails to show unequivocally that moderate intakes is harmful.
Another study on the antioxidant/endurance performance issue; accumulating evidence suggests that vitamin-anxioxidants may prevent exercise induced adaptations (mainly mitochondrial biogenesis). This one found no effect, however, with C and E. A detailed review of this research is planned for this year.
A meta-analysis on the relationship between saturated fat and cardiovascular disease suggests there is none. Ronald Krauss is an important name on this study, who has helped to elucidate the different subtypes of LDL (as well as many other important finds).
More evidence that resveratrol does not activate SIRT1 directly, but only does so when attached to a fluorophore. A great summary of current issues here.
Green tea doesn’t really help you lose weight. Sorry supplement manufacturers.
A rebuttal to a recent study/media frenzy on the relationship between butt fat and health risks by Peter at ObesityPanacea.com.
Other
A well written piece based on anecdotal and empirical evidence on cannabis’ potential ergogenicity in certain contexts. I had not yet looked at research on cannabis in sport so this is a welcome summary.
Who says you need nucleic acids for evolution? Prions don’t care.
Death to metabolic syndrome, suggest recent papers. The term needs to be strictly defined or perhaps dropped from use completely.
A manuscript with Isaac Newton’s true apple/gravity story is digitized; the apple really didn’t hit his head.
