The Nutrient: Blueberries improve cognition, Poor sleep at 40, and Monkeypox

Research

Blueberry Supplementation in Midlife for Dementia Risk Reduction

This study looked at two major concerns of mine: dementia and hyperinsulinemia. What drew my attention was that they used blueberries as a preventative tool, and the results on cognition and blood sugar are impressive.

When compared to a placebo, daily blueberry powder (equivalent to 1/2 cup of berries daily) for 12 weeks improved memory, and participant's overall ability to think. This suggests that supplementation can protect against future cognitive decline in people at risk of dementia. The blueberry powder also improved fasting insulin which means blood sugar was kept in check.

What does this mean for you? Both dementia and diabetes take years to develop, often beginning in midlife. There's no treatment for dementia, so your best bet is to prevent it, and it's impressive to have a dietary tool that is this effective. We've known about the powerful cognitive benefits of flavonoids in blueberries (anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins) for years, and it's helpful to have research backing this up. I eat blueberries everyday, typically organic frozen ones that turn my smoothie from a nice shade of green to an unsightly brown color that's similar to what I see in the diapers I've been changing every two hours.

News

Age 40 is when busy Americans get the least sleep

A graph of how long Americans sleep forms a U-shaped pattern across our lives, with age 40 being the low point and hours of sleep starting to creep back up about age 50, Medical College of Georgia investigators report.

EurekAlert!

When helping patients improve their sleep the first two questions I ask are what time do you go to bed and how long does it take to fall asleep. I'm interested in quality of sleep as well as amount, and it looks like 40 y/o Americans are struggling with both.

Article

Monkeypox Could Be Nothing—Or It Could Be the Next Syphilis

Three possible paths the virus could take in the United States

The AtlanticRachel Gutman

Very few people who contract monkeypox die from it or get seriously sick. Even if monkeypox did become widespread among the American population routine vaccination could eliminate much of the associated risks to people’s health. But the more people who get sick, the greater the likelihood that someone will experience a rare and serious complication.

Words of the week

“If you want to change your life, change what you pay attention to.” – Austin Kleon