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Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What's the Best Age to Start Building Healthy Habits to Boost Longevity? An Expert Explains
Aging is a natural part of life. Despite what the anti-aging industry tries to sell you, you can't stop the clock. However, there are ways to maintain and improve our physical and mental wellbeing as we age, which may help slow down the biological aging process and prevent age-related diseases. Maximizing our "healthspan," or the number of years we live in good health and disease-free, is just as important as maximizing our lifespan, according to Dr. Eric Topol, cardiologist and longevity scientist at the Scripps Research Institute. previously spoke with Topol about his science-backed lifestyle habits to age healthier in his New York Times bestseller 'Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity.' These include things like exercising regularly, avoiding ultra-processed foods, prioritizing nutrition, eating enough fiber, getting enough sleep, and staying mentally active. When is the best time to build these healthy aging habits? Expert Tip of the Day: It's Never Too Early or Late to Prioritize Healthy Aging "It's never too early or too late," Topol said of starting healthy aging habits in a TODAY segment aired June 25. Generally, your 60s are when you start to experience significant loss of muscle mass and bone density. "As you get to be 60, age-related diseases start to really hit," said Topol. These include cardiovascular disease, cancer and Alzheimer's. The earlier you start building healthy aging habits, the better, says Topol. However, if you can start adopting these by your 50s, it can make a big difference. "In advance of that (decline) in your 60s, if you start at age 50 doing all those things, it's about seven to 10 years of healthy aging that you can gain," says Topol. But if you're over 50 or 60 and haven't changed your habits, it's never too late to start. Why It Matters Previously, it was thought that the secret to aging healthy was good genes. But in a 2007 study, Topol and other scientists at Scripps Institute analyzed the DNA of 1,400 people between the ages of 80–105 who had never developed any common chronic diseases. "We found almost nothing to account from their genetics for their extraordinary healthspan," said Topol. However, they did share common lifestyle habits that may help slow down biological aging, he explained. "Exercise is paramount, (especially) strength training," said Topol, adding that it not only maintains muscle mass and bone density but also promotes balance, which prevents falls. It also keeps the immune system strong as we age. In his late 60s, Topol started strength training three days a week. "I'm more fit and stronger than I can ever remember,' Topol, now 71, said. It's also important to eat a balanced diet that provides enough protein, healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. Fiber is a standout healthy aging nutrient, said Topol, and getting enough of fiber can help prevent chronic disease. And prioritizing sleep and staying mentally fit can protect our brain health as we age and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. How to Get Started No matter how old you are, you can adopt these habits to live a healthier, longer life. Here are more of Topol's science-backed "lifestyle-plus" factors: Do 100 minutes a week of resistance training. Follow a Mediterranean diet. Eat 25–30 grams of fiber per day. Avoid ultraprocessed foods. Socialize with others. Don't take unnecessary supplements. Spend time outdoors in nature. TODAY's Expert Tip of the Day series is all about simple strategies to make life a little easier. Every Monday through Friday, different qualified experts share their best advice on diet, fitness, heart health, mental wellness and more. This article was originally published on
Boston Globe
07-07-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Robert Holton dies at 81; his potent chemo drug saved lives
He called the technique, which produced the medication in high amounts, the metal alkoxide process. He licensed his methodology to Bristol Myers Squibb, which became the first pharmaceutical company to manufacture Taxol. Generic versions are sold under the name paclitaxel. Advertisement 'There was a worldwide race underway to synthesize it,' Dr. Jeff Boyd, chief scientific officer for the Northwell Health Cancer Institute in Manhasset, N.Y., said in an interview. 'Many groups were working on it because what was needed was a cheap and readily obtainable source of the drug. He was the first to achieve total organic synthesis.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Dr. Holton completed the artificially made compound Dec. 9, 1993, beating dozens of competitors. Although scientists at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif., announced that they had also succeeded in synthesizing the drug, Dr. Holton's team was the first to publish details of its methods in a scientific journal. Before Dr. Holton's achievement, not only did three yews per patient have to die — because the bark where the anticancer alkaloid was first isolated had to be fully stripped — but the forests where they grew also stood to lose the bulk of these conifers. Advertisement Yew trees as a source for cancer treatment first came to scientific attention in the early 1960s. The US government began an extensive search for powerful anticancer compounds lurking in the leaves, twigs, roots, and bark of plants nationwide. It wasn't until 1970, after nearly a decade of research, that two scientists at the Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina isolated the potent alkaloid in the bark of a Washington state yew tree. Dr. Holton started his drug synthesis research in 1989. To avoid depleting the species of yew that is native to the western United States, especially the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Holton turned to the more abundant European variety as another source of the medication. Instead of utilizing the bark, he was able to isolate the alkaloid from twigs and needles, foregoing the need to kill the tree. Once he was able to fabricate the medication in a lab, it was no longer necessary to collect any part of the tree for drug production. 'I have always been drawn to difficult problems, and synthesizing Taxol was a big one,' Dr. Holton said in 2018 during remarks at the annual meeting of the National Academy of Inventors in Washington, D.C. He was elected an academy fellow that year. 'Seeing the drug's success in treating so many patients has been an incredibly gratifying experience.' The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 1 million patients have been treated with Taxol. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1992 for ovarian cancer and, in 1994, for advanced breast cancer. The chemo agent is also used for the treatment of lung cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma, among other malignancies, Boyd said. Advertisement 'Dr. Holton's extraordinary contributions to science saved countless lives,' Richard McCullough, the president of Florida State University who is a chemist, said in a statement. 'Most scientists dream of having that kind of impact.' In 1994, The New York Times called Dr. Holton's synthesis of Taxol 'arguably the most important drug cobbled together by human hands.' The article also noted 'the cutthroat competition' to synthesize what everyone believed was destined to become a multibillion-dollar medication. In 1999, Bristol Myers Squibb earned $1.5 billion from sales of the drug. 'It's one of the most commonly used cancer drugs,' said Boyd, who is also the director of the Institute of Cancer Research at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset. Through licensing deals, Florida State University has earned more than $350 million in royalties associated with Dr. Holton's methodology, according to the university. Of that total, about $140 million went to Dr. Holton. The university announced in 2018 that royalties stemming from the drug synthesis technology are 'the most royalty income from any university-licensed technology in the United States.' Robert Anthony Holton was born Jan. 26, 1944, in Fayetteville, N.C., the only child of Aaron T. Holton and Marion (Downing) Holton. His father, who served in World War II, was a decorated US Navy veteran and worked as a salesperson after the war. After his father died in 1959, when Robert was 15, he and his mother moved to Charlotte where he attended secondary school and where she worked as a high school mathematics teacher. In 1962, he enrolled at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he majored in chemistry and met his first wife, Juanita Bird. They moved in 1966 to Tallahassee, where he began work on a doctoral degree in chemistry at Florida State University. The couple divorced in the early 1980s. Advertisement After a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University, Dr. Holton taught chemistry at Purdue University and Virginia Tech. He returned to Florida State in 1985 as a faculty member. In 1999, Florida State named him a distinguished research professor, and in 2007 the Florida Academy of Sciences awarded him a medal for his scientific contributions. He was inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame in 2015 and retired from the university in 2023. 'He was very creative and was also a scientist that focused on really hard problems in chemistry,' Sam Huckaba, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida State University, said in an interview. 'It took that kind of drive to crack the synthesis of Taxol.' He added that Dr. Holton's work brought national attention to Florida State's chemistry department, as did the research of his second wife, Dr. Marie Krafft, also a professor of chemistry. She died in 2014. Dr. Holton is survived by three sons: Robert and David Holton, from his first marriage, and Paul Holton, from his second. This article originally appeared in
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Alzheimer's disease: Common herbs used in the kitchen could help slow down the progression of the disease, study finds
Imagine a common sprig of rosemary or sage gracing your roast chicken! Now, imagine that this modest herb may harbor a powerful ally in the fight against Alzheimer's. Yes, that's right. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Recent breakthroughs spotlight a compound called carnosic acid, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powerhouse present in these kitchen staples. In its natural form, carnosic acid is unstable, yet innovative science has transformed it into a stabilized prodrug, diAcCA, capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and selectively activating in damaged, inflamed brain cells. While still in the pre-clinical stages, this discovery lights a spark of hope, hinting that everyday herbs might play a role in slowing, or even preventing, cognitive decline. What does the study say? In a recent study published in the journal Antioxidants, researchers from the Scripps Research Institute discovered a compound called carnosic acid – found in rosemary and sage – with impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They suggest that this compound could be beneficial for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's. Researchers Piu Banerjee and Dr. Stuart Lipton shared their findings with Fox News Digital. They said, 'In this study, we observed that administering this drug to mice that had advanced Alzheimer's-like disease significantly improved the number of neurons, as well as the number of synapses or connections between the brain cells.' They also noted, 'It reduced inflammation caused by current anti-amyloid antibody therapies and improved learning and memory behavior in the mice that received the drug.' Banerjee explained that carnosic acid is a 'prodrug,' meaning it's inactive until it enters the body, where it gets activated by oxidative and inflammatory stress. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'It specifically targets cells undergoing oxidative and inflammatory stress, without affecting healthy, normal brain cells,' she added. This makes it a safer option for treatment. The researchers believe carnosic acid might help reduce inflammation in aging brains. However, they urge caution. Courtney Kloske, director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer's Association, stressed that while studying mice helps us understand the disease, we really need to conduct human studies for a complete picture. 'These findings are intriguing, but more research is needed to see how these compounds affect people living with or at risk for Alzheimer's,' she advised. Banerjee and Lipton also noted that just cooking with sage and rosemary won't deliver the same anti-inflammatory benefits. "Critically, one cannot take sufficient herbs safely to produce the same effect as our new drug,' Banerjee explained. Kloske added, 'At this point, no one should consume these herbs or carnosic acid to prevent or treat Alzheimer's or other cognitive impairments.' Origins and key compound: Carnosic acid in rosemary and sage Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and sage have both storied reputations—ancient scholars hung rosemary in their robes to boost memory. Modern research confirms that carnosic acid, alongside carnosol and rosmarinic acid, provides potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that can reach the brain. These compounds activate the Nrf2 pathway, which spurs the production of endogenous enzymes that combat oxidative stress – one of Alzheimer's disease's key drivers. From kitchen to Lab: Creating diAcCA Carnosic acid's instability limited its therapeutic potential – until researchers at Scripps created diAcCA, an acetylated prodrug version. When consumed, diAcCA converts into its active form in the gut, crossing into the bloodstream and, crucially, the brain. In mouse models mimicking Alzheimer's (5xFAD strain), three months of diAcCA treatment led to restoration of memory and learning to near-normal levels, increased synaptic density in hippocampal circuits, and reduced neuroinflammation and diminished amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau accumulation. These results were consistent across behavioral tasks, histology, and biochemistry, with no observed toxicity. Mechanisms at work: A multi-front attack diAcCA (and its metabolite carnosic acid) appear to combat Alzheimer's via several reinforcing mechanisms: Antioxidant defense: Activates Nrf2, turning on protective genes that tackle oxidative stress and stabilize cell redox balance. Anti‑inflammatory action: Blocks cytokine release (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF‑α) and inhibits inflammasome activation, reducing harmful microglial activity. Neurotrophic support: Boosts nerve growth factor, BDNF, and synaptic resilience. Cholinergic enhancement: Rosemary's 1,8‑cineole component inhibits acetylcholinesterase, helping sustain acetylcholine levels vital for memory. Reduced neurotoxic proteins: Helps clear amyloid‑β and tau aggregates via synaptic and inflammatory pathways. The future ahead: While diAcCA hasn't yet been tested in people, several encouraging signals emerge: FDA classifies carnosic acid as 'Generally Recognized as Safe', which may speed early‑stage trials. diAcCA appears well tolerated in mice, with even digestive system benefits, while smaller human trials using rosemary/sage extracts showed improved cognitive speed and memory performance in older adults. Meta‑analyses of animal studies reflect moderate‑to‑strong cognitive gains from rosemary extract. Banerjee expressed hope for the future, stating, 'I hope our drug will start human clinical trials soon. If it proves to be effective, it will be a great new drug for those suffering from Alzheimer's. We are cautiously optimistic for its success in human clinical trials!' Reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease linked to target protein for diabetes, as per a study
New York Post
28-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
This common kitchen herb ingredient could help target or slow Alzheimer's
Experts believe they've identified a chemical compound in certain herbs that could help mitigate or prevent Alzheimer's disease — but before anyone makes a run for the spice rack, there are a few catches. In a study published in the journal Antioxidants earlier this year, researchers from the Scripps Research Institute identified a compound called carnosic acid, which is prevalent in rosemary and sage. Advertisement The compound could prove therapeutic for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, the experts concluded. Carnosic acid contains 'striking antioxidant [and] anti-inflammatory properties,' the researchers wrote in the findings. Scripps Research postdoctoral associate Piu Banerjee and board-certified neurologist Dr. Stuart Lipton, based in California, spoke with Fox News Digital about the results. 'In this study, we observed that administering this drug to mice that had advanced Alzheimer's-like disease significantly improved the number of neurons, as well as the number of synapses or connections between the brain cells,' the team said. Advertisement 4 Experts believe they've identified a chemical compound, carnosic acid, in certain herbs like rosemary and sage that could help mitigate or prevent Alzheimer's disease. Brent Hofacker – The experts added, 'It also reduced inflammation that is caused by the current anti-amyloid antibody therapies. We also observed an improvement in the learning and memory behavior of the mice that received the drug.' Banerjee and Lipton also noted that carnosic acid is a 'prodrug,' meaning it's inactive at first — but once it enters the body, it's activated by oxidative and inflammatory stress. 'It specifically targets cells undergoing oxidative and inflammatory stress, without affecting the healthy, normal brain cells,' Banerjee said. Advertisement 'This further makes it a safe option for therapeutics.' The experts agreed that carnosic acid could potentially improve the inflammation that generally occurs in most aging brains. There are cautions, however. Advertisement Courtney Kloske, director of scientific engagement for the Chicago-based Alzheimer's Association, told Fox News Digital that studies based on a mouse model of Alzheimer's can be helpful but are not conclusive. 4 Experts say carnosic acid could improve inflammation occurring in most aging brains. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – 'Models are important in helping us understand the basic biology of the disease, but we need human studies in representative populations for ideas to be fully validated,' Kloske said. 'Therefore, while these are intriguing findings, more research is needed to understand the impacts and outcomes of these compounds on people living with, or at risk for, Alzheimer's.' Cooking sage and rosemary won't provide the full anti-inflammatory effects, Banerjee and Lipton stressed. 4 'We need human studies in representative populations for ideas to be fully validated,' Courtney Kloske, director of scientific engagement for the Chicago-based Alzheimer's Association, says about the limitations of the information. – 'Critically, one cannot take sufficient herbs safely to produce the same effect as our new drug,' Banerjee said. The study, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged. Advertisement Kloske advised that, at this point, 'no one should consume these herbs (or carnosic acid) to prevent or treat Alzheimer's or other cognitive impairment.' 4 According to Scripps Research postdoctoral associate Piu Banerjee and board-certified neurologist Dr. Stuart Lipton, cooking sage and rosemary won't provide the full anti-inflammatory effects. Ganna – Dr. Lee Murray, a neurologist in Jackson, Tennessee, echoed Kloske's concerns. 'Before patients start incorporating rosemary and sage in every dish they eat, we need to remember these studies are pre-clinical,' Murray told Fox News Digital. Advertisement 'Currently, there is insufficient clinical evidence to recommend rosemary and sage as a standard therapy for Alzheimer's dementia.' Murray, however, said the data 'is encouraging' and opens the door to additional pathways for potential therapeutics. Banerjee said she hopes that 'our drug will start human clinical trials soon.' She added, 'If it proves to be effective, it will be a great new drug for those suffering from Alzheimer's … From the results of our animal studies, we are cautiously optimistic for its success in human clinical trials.'
Alalam24
22-06-2025
- Health
- Alalam24
A Single Dose Could Reshape Immunity Against the Deadliest Viruses
A team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Scripps Research Institute has developed a groundbreaking method to enhance the immune response against HIV using just a single vaccine dose, by combining two powerful immune-boosting agents. In experiments conducted on mice, results showed that the combination of traditional 'alum' and a new immune adjuvant called SMNP led to the production of more diverse and larger quantities of antibodies, compared to using the vaccine alone or with just one adjuvant. This development not only opens promising avenues for HIV prevention, but could also accelerate the creation of effective single-dose vaccines for other infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza. The researchers based their study on a modified HIV protein known as MD39, used as an antigen attached to alum particles with the addition of SMNP. Following vaccination, the team observed that this combination remained stable in lymph nodes for up to a month, giving the immune system more time to build a strong and targeted response. Professor J. Christopher Love, one of the lead researchers, explained: 'This method mimics what happens during natural infection, where the antigen remains in the body for a long time, giving immune cells the opportunity to strengthen their defenses.' By analyzing B cells in the mice, researchers found that the enhanced vaccine produced a broader and greater quantity of antibodies, increasing the likelihood of generating 'broadly neutralizing' antibodies capable of targeting multiple strains of HIV. Love added: 'The more opportunities we give the immune system to explore different options, the higher the chances of producing effective antibodies against a wider range of viruses.' The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, suggests that the approach can be applied to protein-based vaccines for various diseases. Additionally, the components used are already familiar to health authorities, which could speed up regulatory approval. Love concluded: 'The true strength of this approach lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. It doesn't require new technologies, just a smarter use of existing tools to develop stronger, faster vaccines.' The research was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Koch Institute, the Ragon Institute, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
