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The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
The unexpected nutrient scientists say could cut cognitive issues in old age
Adults who consume more dietary copper tend to perform better on cognitive tests, including memory, attention and language, research has found. In a study of more than 2,400 Americans aged 60 and above, those eating roughly 1.4mg of copper a day scored higher on a number of cognitive assessments than those consuming less than 0.8mg. Copper, though needed in only trace amounts, plays a key role in brain health, helping produce energy in nerve cells, supporting the creation of key neurotransmitters, and bolstering the body's natural antioxidant defences. Shellfish, grains, beans and nuts are good sources of copper, but experts say a balanced diet should provide adequate amounts. Scientists continue to debate, however, whether copper's effects on the ageing brain are overall protective or harmful, as large amounts can cause gastrointestinal issues. The team for this latest research into the benefits of copper asked participants to recall everything they ate on two separate days. They then averaged those figures to estimate each person's daily copper intake. Cognitive abilities were tested with four well-established tasks, including quick symbol-matching and immediate and delayed word-recall, plus an overall 'global' score combining all measures. The results revealed a clear pattern: cognitive performance improved as copper intake rose, peaking at around 1.2 to 1.6 mg per day, depending on the test. Above those levels, benefits levelled off, and scores showed no further gains. Those in the top quarter of copper consumers outscored the lowest quarter by roughly four symbols on the matching test and recalled about half a word more after a delay. People who had previously suffered a stroke appeared to gain even more benefit: high copper consumers in this group had an especially marked boost in their overall cognitive score. While the researchers say this is not enough evidence to suggest that copper intake improves cognitive function, they have argued the link is 'biologically plausible'. 'Dietary copper is crucial for brain health and may confer protective effects on cognitive function through its involvement in antioxidant defence, neurotransmitter synthesis, and energy metabolism,' the report states.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
How soup might soothe symptoms and support recovery from colds and flu
For generations, chicken soup has been a go-to remedy for people feeling under the weather. It holds a cherished place in many cultures as a comforting treatment for colds and flu. But is there any real science behind the idea that soup can help us recover from respiratory infections? Alongside colleagues, I conducted a systematic review to explore this question, which examined the scientific evidence on the role of soup in managing acute respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold, influenza and COVID-19. Out of more than 10,000 records, we identified four high-quality studies involving 342 participants. These studies tested a variety of soups, including traditional chicken broth, barley soup and herbal vegetable blends. While still early-stage, the evidence was promising. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. One study found that people who ate soup recovered up to 2.5 days faster than those who didn't. Symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat and fatigue were milder. Some participants also showed reduced levels of inflammation-related markers: substances in the blood that rise when the immune system is fighting an infection. Specifically, levels of IL-6 and TNF-α – two proteins that help trigger inflammation – were lower in those who consumed soup. This suggests that soup may help calm an overactive immune response, potentially making symptoms less severe and recovery more comfortable. However, none of the studies examined how consuming soup influenced everyday outcomes of acute respiratory tract infections, such as whether people took fewer days off work or were less likely to end up in hospital. That's a major gap in the evidence, and one that future research needs to address. There are several reasons soup may help. It's warm, hydrating and typically nutrient-rich. Ingredients like garlic, onion, ginger and leafy greens have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune-supportive properties. The warmth can also help loosen mucus, soothe sore throats and promote overall comfort during illness. There's also a strong cultural and behavioural aspect to food-based self-care: when people use food not just for nourishment, but as an intentional part of managing illness and promoting recovery. In many households, food becomes medicine not only because of its ingredients, but because it symbolises care, routine and reassurance. My previous research found that parents, in particular often turn to traditional remedies, like soup, as a first line of defence when illness strikes, often well before seeking professional medical advice. This reflects a growing interest in home remedies and the importance of culturally familiar treatments: remedies that feel safe, trusted and emotionally resonant because they're part of a person's upbringing or community norms. These kinds of treatments can increase confidence and comfort when self-managing illness at home. Food-based self-care may become increasingly important as pressure on healthcare systems continues to grow. With rising concerns about antimicrobial resistance, overstretched services, and lingering trauma from global pandemics, simple, evidence-informed home treatments can play a crucial role. They help people manage mild illness, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and avoid placing additional strain on GPs or emergency departments for minor ailments that can be safely treated at home. Even a simple phone message about the common cold – 'Most common colds get better in a few days and don't need treatment from your GP' – has been shown to reduce appointment demand by 21%, highlighting how low-cost, home-based care could ease pressure across the system. The Local Government Association (LGA) reports that GPs handle approximately 57 million cases of minor conditions such as coughs and colds annually, costing the NHS over £2 billion a year. It argues that educating people about effective self-care could help save GPs an hour a day on average. So chicken soup is easy to prepare, affordable, safe for most people and widely recognised as a comforting, familiar home remedy for minor illness. Still, our review highlighted a clear need for more research. Future studies could examine standardised soup recipes and investigate whether particular combinations of nutrients or herbs work best: does chicken soup have the same effect as barley broth or vegetable potage? Is there a difference if it's homemade versus canned? Just as importantly, future research needs to measure meaningful outcomes: how quickly people return to work or school, how well they sleep during illness, how they rate their comfort and energy levels, for example. Soup isn't a replacement for medicine. But alongside rest, fluids and paracetamol, it might offer a simple way to ease symptoms and help people feel better. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Sandra Lucas does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Medscape
11-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Childhood Trauma Predicts Poor Mental Health in Adults
TOPLINE: A study showed that increased exposure to childhood trauma was associated with poor mental health outcomes, increased stress, and higher risks for suicide among adults. Stress appraisals and perceived stress mediated this association. METHODOLOGY: In this prospective study, 273 adults (mean age, 38 years; 48.4% men; 85% White) completed online questionnaires in two sessions. Researchers assessed the potential associations between childhood trauma (including emotional/physical/sexual abuse and emotional/physical neglect) and outcomes in adulthood related to mental health, suicide risk factors, and stress. Session 1 included the collection of data on demographics, history of childhood trauma, perceived social support, subjective socioeconomic status, and suicide-related experiences. After 1 week, session 2 included the collection of data on daily stress appraisals; severity of depression and anxiety; and perceived stress, defeat, and entrapment. TAKEAWAY: Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) scores were significantly correlated with stress appraisals, perceived stress, depression, anxiety, defeat, entrapment, social support, and subjective socioeconomic status (P < .01 for all). CTQ scores significantly predicted stress appraisals, perceived stress, depression, anxiety, defeat, and entrapment (P < .001 for all). Childhood trauma had significant indirect effects on mental health and suicide risk factors via stress appraisals (depression, anxiety, defeat, and entrapment; P < .001 for all) and perceived stress (depression, anxiety, defeat, and entrapment; P < .001 for all). Social support, subjective socioeconomic status, and suicide-related history did not moderate the association between CTQ scores and mental health outcomes, stress-related outcomes, and suicide risk factors among adults. IN PRACTICE: "[The study] findings underscore the enduring impact of childhood trauma on mental health outcomes and suicide risk in adulthood, mediated through its influence on stress appraisals and perceptions of stress encountered in daily life," the authors wrote. "These current findings may inform interventions designed to reduce the negative effects of childhood trauma," they added. SOURCE: This study was led by Leizhi Wang, School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, England. It was published online on June 23 in PLOS One. LIMITATIONS: This study did not include participants' current health conditions, potentially leading to confounding. Additional limitations included the lack of a longitudinal study design and lack of objective stress assessments such as the measurement of cortisol levels. DISCLOSURES: This study did not receive any specific funding, and the authors declared having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
