Latest news with #ParminderSingh
Medscape
7 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Taurine: From Energy Drink Darling to Cancer Suspect?
Taurine enjoys a strong reputation for boosting both physical and mental performance and has long been a staple ingredient in many energy drinks. A 2023 study in Science even suggested that supplementing this amino sulfonic acid — which the body can produce endogenously — could extend life span, at least in mice and monkeys. That research, led by Parminder Singh, PhD, of the Buck Institute in Novato, California, also observed that taurine levels in human blood appear to decline with age. These findings helped fuel a rise in over-the-counter taurine supplement sales. But new evidence suggests that the antiaging effects may be overstated — and that high intake of taurine could even pose risks, including a possible increase in blood cancer susceptibility for some individuals. Poor Fit as Aging Biomarker A more recent Science study casts further doubt on taurine's longevity promise. Maria Emilia Fernandez, PhD, and colleagues at the National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, found that taurine does not serve as a reliable biomarker of biological aging. Unlike the earlier cross-sectional study, their longitudinal research repeatedly measured taurine levels in participants over time. The results showed no consistent age-related decline. In many cases, taurine concentrations increased with age. The researchers concluded that individual variability far outweighed any patterns linked to aging. No Reliable Reference Ranges 'There are no reliable reference values for taurine that could be applied broadly to the general population,' Kristina Norman, MD, head of the Department of Nutrition and Gerontology at the German Institute of Human Nutrition in Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Nuthetal, Germany, told Medscape's German edition . Still, she noted that the study doesn't rule out the possibility that taurine may have beneficial effects in specific contexts — such as for cardiometabolic health. 'That was not the question Fernandez and her colleagues set out to explore,' said Norman, who is also the deputy director of the Research Group in Geriatrics at the Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 'There are a number of interventional studies on taurine supplementation,' Norman added, 'but the results have been inconsistent, which makes interpretation difficult.' Currently, the effects of taurine appear highly dependent on individual factors, including a person's age and underlying health status. As such, Norman advised that taurine supplementation should neither be broadly recommended nor discouraged at this stage. Taurine in the Diet — and in the Data According to the European Food Safety Authority, the maximum safe daily intake of taurine is 100 mg/kg of body weight — about 7 g for a 70-kg adult. European regulations limit taurine in energy drinks to no more than 4 g/L. Taurine also occurs naturally as a breakdown product of the amino acids cysteine and methionine, particularly in meat, fish, seafood, and dairy products. Fernandez's study analyzed data from three human cohorts (973 participants in total) as well as blood samples from rhesus monkeys and mice. The researchers found no evidence of age-related declines in circulating taurine levels among healthy individuals — in fact, levels were often stable or increased with age. Diet, rather than age, showed a stronger correlation with taurine concentrations. Moreover, they found no association between taurine levels and physical parameters such as muscle strength or body weight. 'These findings challenge the prevailing hypothesis that taurine declines with age and contributes to aging,' Norman said. Linked With Leukemia Cell Growth A second study, recently published in Nature , has raised new concerns about potential risks associated with high taurine intake. Researchers led by Sonali Sharma, PhD, from the Department of Biomedical Genetics at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, found elevated taurine concentrations in the microenvironment of leukemia cells. They also identified taurine transporters on the cell membranes, which facilitated the uptake of taurine into the cells, where it appeared to support glycolysis. According to Sharma's team, taurine may play a role in both the development and progression of leukemia. 'It's still unclear whether this potential risk applies broadly or only to certain individuals — such as those with a personal or family history of blood cancer,' said Norman. She also noted that it remains uncertain whether orally supplemented taurine even reaches the tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, she added, the findings open up new therapeutic possibilities — namely, targeting taurine transporters in malignant cells as a novel approach to leukemia treatment. Benefit for Longevity or Performance The Nature study also reinforces the need to re-evaluate taurine's use as a dietary supplement. 'Individuals at increased risk of leukemia should probably avoid taurine supplementation,' Norman advised. More broadly, she noted there is currently no strong evidence to support taurine's use for enhancing physical or cognitive performance or slowing the aging process. 'We simply don't have high-quality data confirming whether taurine works — or at what dose,' Norman said. She also cautioned that taurine's side-effect profile remains poorly understood. 'Taurine could potentially offer benefits in some clinical contexts,' she acknowledged. 'But right now, I would discourage people from taking it on their own 'just in case.''
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Health dept declares July as anti-dengue month, intensifies awareness drives across district
To curb the spread of dengue during the monsoon, the health department has designated July as 'Anti-Dengue Month.' Throughout the month, local health officials will conduct awareness camps across the district, urging residents to take preventive measures against the mosquito-borne disease. District information officer Parminder Singh and district BCC coordinator Barjinder Singh Brar making students aware about the prevention of dengue at Government High School Barewal on Wednesday. (HT Photo) The monsoon arrived in the state on June 22, and six dengue cases have already been reported in the district. Last year, nearly 300 cases were recorded during the monsoon season. The state's health minister, who launched the anti-dengue campaign in Ludhiana on May 30, announced that the department aims to reduce dengue cases by 90% this year, building on the 50% reduction achieved in 2023. Civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur emphasised the importance of following health guidelines during the rainy season to effectively control the disease. She urged residents to keep their homes and surroundings clean, eliminate stagnant water, and remove waste from rooftops to prevent mosquito breeding. District epidemiologist Dr Sheetal Narang added that health department teams are conducting door-to-door dengue surveys to detect mosquito larvae early and break the transmission cycle. As part of the campaign, awareness activities are being held in schools as well. On Wednesday, district mass media and information officer Parminder Singh and district BCC coordinator Barjinder Singh Brar educated students at Government High School, Barewal, about dengue prevention. The department has also launched a weekly initiative, 'Har Shukarvaar, Dengue te Vaar' (every Friday, strike on dengue), dedicating Fridays to intensified anti-dengue drives.
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: Law student among 3 held for extorting ₹7 lakh from IT professional
Mohali cyber police have busted a gang with the arrest of a law student and his two accomplices who allegedly extorted ₹7.66 lakh from an IT professional through an elaborate honey trap scheme that began with a phone call. The accused include law student Arshdeep Kumar, a native of Barnala and currently residing in Zirakpur; Parminder Singh, also from Barnala, and Pooja Taneja, of Karnal, Haryana, both working for private firms. The gang targeted Aditya Nandan, a resident of Sunny Enclave and an employee at an IT company. According to police, the trap was initiated when Pooja contacted Nandan from an unknown phone number and gradually built a fake friendship with him over phone conversations. Also bought 3 iPhones with victim's credit card After gaining his trust, she insisted on meeting him in person. The victim agreed and shared his address. She arrived at his residence accompanied by another female. After settling in, she called two men to the location and the group allegedly began threatening the victim, pressuring him to reveal his bank credentials and credit card details. Using that information, they withdrew ₹7.66 lakh in cash and used his credit card to purchase three iPhone 16 Pro Max phones. They also fled with his laptop, mobile phone and important documents. Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Rupinder Kaur Sohi said after police were alerted, an operation was carried out swiftly under the supervision of senior officers. Tracking the transaction IDs and analysing other critical cyber evidence led investigators to the Airport Road area, where the accused was arrested. Police also recovered stolen electronics and iPhones purchased using the victim's credit card. The accused have been booked under Sections 308(2) (extortion), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Cyber Crime police station in Mohali.
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Peddler's property seized in Machhiwara
The Khanna police seized the property of a drug peddling accused in Machhiwara during a drive against drugs on Saturday. The accused whose property has been seized is Parminder Singh of Sherpur Khurd, cops said. As per details provided by Samrala deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Mohit Kumar Singla, Parminder was facing trial in at least 17 cases, including drug peddling, liquor smuggling and assault. The DSP said that during investigation, it was found that the accused had invested the drug money to purchase a property. According to the official, a report was sent to the respective authorities and freezing orders under Section 68-F (2) were issued by the competent authority.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Signalled to stop and facing 19 FIRs, Punjab man rams SUV into police barricade in Jalandhar, opens fire
Jalandhar: A man facing 19 police cases was shot in the left leg and arrested on Tuesday morning after he crashed a stolen SUV into a police barricade when cops signalled him to stop and then opened fire at the police team. The exchange of fire took place on the Adampur-Mehtiana road in Jalandhar's Kalara village. Jalandhar SSP (rural) Harvinder Singh Virk said the incident took place at a checkpoint at 5.50am. He said when cops at the checkpoint signalled a Bolero Camper to stop, the driver attempted to flee, crashing into the barricades set up by the police and trying to escape on foot. During this, the suspect started firing at the police team. Police warned him multiple times to surrender, but he continued shooting, said the SSP. "Due to the seriousness of the situation and the threat to the lives of police personnel, ASI Parminder Singh returned fire, hitting the suspect in the left leg, and he was apprehended," said the SSP. Accused Paramjit Singh alias Pamma is a resident of Binjo village in Hoshiarpur district. Police have seized two pistols, four live cartridges, two empty shells, 15 grams of heroin, and the stolen Bolero Camper which had a forged number plate. Virk said Paramjit was already facing 19 criminal cases in Punjab.
