FDA advisers vote against combination therapies of GSK's blood cancer drug
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Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Adding this popular fitness supplement to your diet could be the cure for constipation... but experts warn it could backfire
Adding more creatine to your diet could help cure chronic constipation and reduce the risk of deadly bowel cancer, a promising new study has revealed. Over the last 30 years, young diagnoses of the disease have shot up by an alarming 80 per cent across the globe, figures suggests. Scientists have suggested a host of factors are likely behind the phenomenon—from increasing pollution to rising obesity, and even chronic constipation. But now, US researchers are claiming that simply adding more animal-derived creatine to your daily diet could slash the risk of constipation by 19 per cent. Creatine is typically considered a fitness supplement, taken by athletes and avid gym goers to help power high intensity training sessions as well as those requiring sustained energy such as tennis players. However, doctors and wellness experts have become increasingly curious about its potential health benefits outside of the gym. Creatine is a compound that naturally occurs in the body, and is produced by the liver, kidneys and pancreas. We can also get it from dietary sources such as red meat, fish and chicken. The compound acts as a quick fuel source for muscles, helping restore levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—which plays a crucial role in muscle metabolism. And whilst creatine is often associated with fitness fanatics looking for an edge, experts now say dietary creatine could help aid digestion. In the current study, US researchers analysed over 10,700 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) over five years. The experts extracted data on dietary creatine intake to see whether this had an effect on bowel habits, taking into consideration potentially confounding factors such as age, sex, and physical activity levels. They found that those who consumed more creatine through their diet were significantly less likely to suffer from chronic constipation. A ten-fold increase in absolute creatine intake was associated with a 19 per cent lower risk of constipation. Constipation is a common condition that affects people of all ages, making it harder to have regular bowel movements and fully empty the bowels. Common symptoms also include abdominal pain, bloating or nausea. Chronic constipation is estimated to affect up to 15 per cent of the world's population. Researchers found that the benefits of creatine were more profound in male participants, smokers, drinkers and those younger than 48-years-old—which could help treat the epidemic in young people. Whilst bowel cancer is caused by a number of factors, according to Mr Haney Youssef—a colorectal surgeon who was not involved in the current study— constipation significantly increases the risk of the disease. According to the study, creatine—like fibre—helps maintain regular bowel movements and optimal gut functioning. 'Maintaining regular bowel movement is essential,' Mr Youssef said. 'This reduced the time potential toxins spend in contact with the bowel wall. 'This is crucial because prolonged contact with harmful substances can damage the delicate lining of our colon and rectum.' The researchers, led by Professor Baohua Zheng, concluded: 'Our study offers valuable insights into the potential role of dietary creatine in gut health.' However, they acknowledged some limitations of the study, including the use of self-report data that could confound results. Red meat, chicken and fish are all good sources of absolute creatine, buy experts have long warned against eating red meat due to increased cancer risk. And whilst diet alone should provide all the creatine the body needs, the fitness-minded often take it in supplement form to optimise their workouts. Despite being one of the most researched supplements available, creatine is known to cause a number of minor side-effects from bloating to abdominal pain—especially when taken in high doses, a practice dubbed 'loading' by fitness influencers. Dr Avinish Reddy, a longevity expert, said there is no need for this phase, with higher doses putting unnecessary strain on the kidneys as they struggle to filter out excess waste. The study comes as amid a growing body of research that has uncovered how emulsifiers, typically found in synthetic creatine supplements, could be an overlooked contributor to bowel cancer. Studies have found that these additives can wreak havoc on the gut microbiome, causing bloating, bowel changes and inflammation linked to cancer. Dr Maria Abreu, president of the American Gastroenterological Association, previously told the Daily Mail: 'Chronic inflammation leads to colon cancer, and I suspect that's transformative in this new rise of young people developing colon cancer,' she told this publication previously.' 'One of the things that has changed very dramatically in our food supply is the addition of emulsifiers.' Common symptoms of the disease include persistent changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation, needing or feeling the need to empty your bowels more or less frequently, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss and extreme fatigue. However bowel cancer can also appear with no symptoms until it has spread, when it becomes harder to treat. While the disease is known to be linked to obesity, experts have noted the disease is increasingly affecting otherwise fit and healthy patients. Some experts believe the explanation must lie in environmental factors young people have been exposed to more than previous generations. While no 'smoking gun' has been found, there are multiple theories including modern chemicals in diets, microplastics, and pollution. Around 44,000 cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK, claiming the lives of almost 17,000 patients each year. Overall, just over half of bowel cancer patients are expected to be alive 10 years after their diagnosis. Cancer Research UK estimates that more than half—54 per cent—of bowel cancer cases are preventable.
Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Bacteria 'bloom' explodes in popular Midwest lake as officials warn vacationers to stay away
A bacteria called 'cyanobacteria' has bloomed in Lake Erie, with officials warning vacationers to the popular Midwest tourist attraction to remain on high alert. Cyanobacteria manifest as blue-green algae and are typically found in freshwater. The bacteria are essential in maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem, but excessive blooms can lead to disastrous health effects. The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science released an alert warning of a cyanobacteria bloom in western Lake Erie that spans around 160 miles. Those swimming in the lake from Maumee Bay north, Monroe, Port Clinton, into the western basin on West Sister Island, and Sandusky Bay have been warned of toxins exceeding the recreational limit. The cyanobacteria bloom has created scums and discolored green water that can be dangerous for swimming. 'Toxins have been detected below the recreational limit in western Lake Erie. They can be highly concentrated in scums! If you see scum, keep your pets and yourself out of the water,' the alert read. The NCCOS uses satellite imagery and forecasting technology to determine the status of the bloom. Field samples also show the depth and level of toxicity in the water. Satellite images taken on Tuesday revealed that the western part of Lake Erie was highlighted in green and blue, meaning high amounts of cyanobacteria were present. The NCCOS added that high winds can underestimate the full area impacted. Winds can mix the bloom, and clouds can obscure the satellite reading. Cyanobacteria are a type of HAB (Harmful Algal Blooms) and can cause harm to the environment and humans. Cyanobacteria can also produce a byproduct called cyanotoxins, which can cause diarrhea, headaches, skin irritation, and even death, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The bloom occurs when the water gets warmer, making July to October the peak season for Lake Erie. The NCCOS released a seasonal forecast for HABs in Lake Erie in June, predicting the severity would be a three with a potential range of two to four out of ten. Scientists expected a predicted bloom severity of mild to moderate, noting the bacteria would concentrate in July, peak in August, and continue until September. Gregory J Dick, a professor of Biology at the University of Michigan, wrote in The Conversation that climate change has increased cyanobacteria growth. Cyanobacteria grow in warmer climates, meaning that temperature increases exacerbate growth. The alert was issued for Maumee Bay north, Monroe, Port Clinton, into the western basin on West Sister Island, and Sandusky Bay Dick added that cyanobacteria can be lethal to pets, and new science suggests that long-term exposure for humans may even exacerbate respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal problems. These health issues have even been linked to liver cancers, kidney disease, and neurological problems. In 2014, a cyanobacteria bloom contaminated Lake Erie, which made its way into the water supply. Over 450,000 residents in Toledo were issued an advisory not to drink the water and were forced to purchase bottled water for over two days.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
RFK Jr. pulls $500 million in funding for vaccine development
Health and Human Services Secretary and longtime vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Tuesday that the department is canceling nearly $500 million in contracts for new vaccine development. In a video shared to his X profile, Kennedy said the agency is winding down its mRNA vaccine development under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority - and will be canceling 22 development projects. 'We reviewed the science, listened to the experts and acted,' he said, claiming that 'the data shows these vaccines fail to protect against upper respiratory infections like COVID and [the] flu.' The department will now be shifting the funding allocated to these 22 projects 'toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.' Instead, the Department of Health and Human Services will focus on 'the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that don't collapse when viruses mutate.' 'Let me be absolutely clear: HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them,' Kennedy concluded. 'That's why we're moving beyond the limitations of mRNA and investing in better solutions.' Health and Human Services officials say the canceled contracts include an award for Moderna for an mRNA vaccine to combat the H5N1 bird flu, as well as existing contracts with Emory University and Tiba Biotech. The department will also alter its mRNA-related contracts with CSL Seqirus and AstraZenaca, and is rejecting or canceling multiple contract bids with Pfizer and CSL Sequirus. A spokesperson for Moderna, however, told The Hill the company is unsure what award the department was referring to, saying they are not involved in developing an mRNA vaccine for the bird flu. The company also noted to Axios that its pandemic flu contract was canceled in May. Indeed, Kennedy's announcement on Tuesday marked his latest move targeting vaccine manufacturers and calling into question the jabs' effectiveness. He has previously pulled back recommendations around the COVID-19 vaccines and fired the panel that makes vaccine recommendations. But infectious disease experts have argued that the mRNA technology used in vaccines is safe, and they credit its development during the first Trump administration with slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Unlike traditional vaccines - which have required growing pieces of viruses - mRNA vaccines instruct the body to produce a fraction of the virus, which then sets off the body's immune response. The vaccines can be made within months and quickly altered as a virus changes, and without mRNA jabs, future pandemics may be harder to stop, experts have warned. Rick Bright, a flu expert who was ousted as chief of BARDA during the first Trump administration, for example, said the Department of Health and Human Services is 'undermining our ability to rapidly counter future biological threats. 'We're weakening our frontline defense against fast-moving pathogens - a huge strategic failure that will be measured in lives lost during times of crisis,' he told The New York Times. He was called out by infectious disease experts for his decision to cut the funding Chris Meekins, assistant secretary for pandemic preparedness in the first Trump administration also claimed that ending BARDA's mRNA work created a 'national security vulnerability. 'These tools serve as a deterrent to prevent other nations from using certain biological agents,' he claimed online. 'The speed of the technology to create new biodefense capabilities is a national security asset.' Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, added that he does not 'think I´ve seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business.' Yet Kennedy insisted that work is underway on an alternative as he spoke at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska Tuesday evening alongside the state's two Republican senators. He said a 'universal vaccine' that mimics 'natural immunity' is the administration's focus. 'It could be effective - we believe it´s going to be effective - against not only coronaviruses, but also flu,' he said. The Department of Health and Human Services also noted that 'other uses of mRNA technology within the department are not impacted by this announcement' as scientists around the world explore its use for cancer immunotherapies. Billionaire tech entrepreneur Larry Ellison even praised the technology for its potential to treat cancer at the White House earlier this year.
