Tag: 7/8/25

Categories : Respiratory DiseasesTags :

Researchers Debunk Concerns over Common Flu Antiviral in Children

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Unsplash

For decades, medical professionals debated whether a common antiviral medication used to treat flu in children caused neuropsychiatric events or if the infection itself was the culprit.

Now researchers at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt have debunked a long-standing theory about oseltamivir, known as Tamiflu.

According to the study, published in JAMA Neurology, oseltamivir treatment during flu episodes was associated with a reduced risk of serious neuropsychiatric events, such as seizures, altered mental status and hallucination.

“Our findings demonstrated what many pediatricians have long suspected, that the flu, not the flu treatment, is associated with neuropsychiatric events,” said principal investigator James Antoon, MD, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine at Monroe Carell. “In fact, oseltamivir treatment seems to prevent neuropsychiatric events rather than cause them.”

Key points:

  • Influenza itself was associated with an increase in neuropsychiatric events compared to children with no influenza, regardless of oseltamivir use.
  • Among children with influenza, those treated with oseltamivir had about 50% reduction in neuropsychiatric events.
  • Among children without influenza, those who were treated with oseltamivir prophylactically had the same rate of events as the baseline group with no influenza.

“Taken together, these three findings do not support the theory that oseltamivir increases the risk of neuropsychiatric events,” said Antoon. “It’s the influenza.”

The team reviewed the de-identified data from a cohort of children and adolescents ages 5-17 who were enrolled in Tennessee Medicaid between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2020.

During the four-year period, 692 295 children, with a median age of 11 years, were included in the study cohort. During follow-up, study children experienced 1230 serious neuropsychiatric events (898 neurologic and 332 psychiatric).

The clinical outcomes definition included both neurologic (seizures, encephalitis, altered mental status, ataxia/movement disorders, vision changes, dizziness, headache, sleeping disorders) and psychiatric (suicidal or self-harm behaviours, mood disorders, psychosis/hallucination) events.

“The 2024-2025 influenza season highlighted the severity of influenza-associated neurologic complications, with many centres reporting increased frequency and severity of neurologic events during the most recent season,” said Antoon. “It is important for patients and families to know the true risk-benefit profile of flu treatments, such as oseltamivir, that are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.”

“These flu treatments are safe and effective, especially when used early in the course of clinical disease,” added senior author Carlos Grijalva, MD, MPH, professor of Health Policy and Biomedical Informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Investigators hope the findings will provide reassurance to both caregivers and medical professionals about the safety of oseltamivir and its role in preventing flu-associated complications.

Source: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Categories : Diet and Nutrition Metabolic DisordersTags :

The Type 2 Diabetes Risk from Potatoes May Hinge on Their Preparation

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Photo by Mitchell Luo on Unsplash

French fries were associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), while other forms of potatoes – including baked, boiled, and mashed – were not, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study also found that swapping any form of potato for whole grains may lower the risk of T2D.

The study was published July 30 in the BMJ. [Regrettably, no mention is made of SA’s beloved slap tjips – Ed.]

According to the researchers, while previous studies hinted at a link between potatoes and T2D, the evidence was inconsistent and often lacked detail on cooking methods and the potential effects of substituting other foods for potatoes. “Our study offers deeper, more comprehensive insights by looking at different types of potatoes, tracking diet over decades, and exploring the effects of swapping potatoes for other foods,” said lead author Seyed Mohammad Mousavi, postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Nutrition. “We’re shifting the conversation from, ‘Are potatoes good or bad?’ to a more nuanced—and useful—question: How are they prepared, and what might we eat instead?”

The researchers examined the diets and diabetes outcomes of 205,107 men and women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study, Nurses’ Health Study II, and Health Professionals Follow-up Study. For more than 30 years, participants regularly responded to dietary questionnaires, detailing the frequency with which they consumed certain foods, including French fries; baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes; and whole grains. They also reported on new health diagnoses, including T2D, and various other health, lifestyle, and demographic factors, which the researchers controlled for. Over the course of the study period, 22,299 participants reported that they developed T2D.

The study found that three servings weekly of French fries increased the risk of developing T2D by 20%. Baked, boiled, and mashed potatoes were not significantly associated with T2D risk. The researchers calculated, however, that eating whole grains – such as whole grain pasta, bread, or farro – in place of baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes could reduce the risk of T2D by 4%. Replacing French fries with whole grains could bring T2D risk down by 19%. Even swapping refined grains for French fries was estimated to lower T2D risk.

The researchers complemented their study with a novel meta-analytic approach to estimate how swapping potatoes for whole grains could affect the risk of T2D, using data from previously published cohort studies. This involved two separate meta-analyses: one based on data from 13 cohorts examining potato intake and the other from 11 cohorts on whole grain intake, each encompassing over 500 000 participants and 43 000 T2D diagnoses across four continents. The results were closely consistent with those of the new study.

“The public health message here is simple and powerful: Small changes in our daily diet can have an important impact on risk of type 2 diabetes. Limiting potatoes – especially limiting French fries – and choosing healthy, whole grain sources of carbohydrate could help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes across the population,” said corresponding author Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition. “For policymakers, our findings highlight the need to move beyond broad food categories and pay closer attention to how foods are prepared and what they’re replacing. Not all carbs—or even all potatoes—are created equal, and that distinction is crucial when it comes to shaping effective dietary guidelines.”

Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Categories : AgeingTags :

Psilocybin Byproduct Delays Aging and Extends Lifespan, New Study Suggests

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Photo by Marek Piwnicki

As revenues from the anti-aging market – riddled with hope and thousands of supplements – surged past $500 million last year, Emory University researchers identified a compound that actively delays aging in cells and organisms.

A newly published study in Nature Partner Journals’ Aging demonstrates that psilocin, a byproduct of consuming psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, extended the cellular lifespan of human skin and lung cells by more than 50%.

In parallel, researchers also conducted the first long-term in vivo study evaluating the systemic effects of psilocybin in aged mice of 19 months, or the equivalent of 60–65 human years. Results indicated that the mice that received an initial low dose of psilocybin of 5mg/kg, followed by a monthly high dose of 15mg/kg for 10 months, had a 30% increase in survival compared to controls. These mice also displayed healthier physical features, such as improved fur quality, fewer white hairs and hair regrowth.

While traditionally researched for its mental health benefits, this study suggests that psilocybin impacts multiple hallmarks of aging by reducing oxidative stress, improving DNA repair responses, and preserving telomere length. Telomeres are the structured ends of a chromosome, protecting it from damage that could lead to the formation of age-related diseases, such as cancer, neurodegeneration or cardiovascular disease. These foundational processes influence human aging and the onset of these chronic diseases.

The study concludes that psilocybin may have the potential to revolutionize anti-aging therapies and could be an impactful intervention in an aging population.

“Most cells in the body express serotonin receptors, and this study opens a new frontier for how psilocybin could influence systemic aging processes, particularly when administered later in life,” says Louise Hecker, PhD, senior author on the study, and former associate professor at Emory, where the research was initiated and funded.

While much of what researchers know about psilocybin relates to the brain, few studies have examined its systemic impacts. Many people associate psilocybin with the hallucinogenic impacts, but the majority of the cells in the body express serotonin receptors.

“Our study opens new questions about what long-term treatments can do. Additionally, even when the intervention is initiated late in life in mice, it still leads to improved survival, which is clinically relevant in healthy aging,” adds Hecker, currently an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine.

Not just a longer life, but a healthier life

“This study provides strong preclinical evidence that psilocybin may contribute to healthier aging – not just a longer lifespan, but a better quality of life in later years,” says Ali John Zarrabi, MD, director of psychedelic research at Emory’s Department of Psychiatry. “As a palliative care physician-scientist, one of my biggest concerns is prolonging life at the cost of dignity and function. But these mice weren’t just surviving longer – they experienced better aging,” adds Zarrabi, co-investigator of the study. 

Zarrabi emphasises the importance of further research in older adults, as well as the well-documented overlap between physical and mental health.

“Emory is actively involved in Phase II and III clinical trials of psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression, and these results suggest we also need to understand psilocybin’s systemic effects in aging populations,” says Zarrabi. “My hope is also that if psilocybin-assisted therapy is approved as an intervention for depression by the FDA in 2027, then having a better quality of life would also translate into a longer, healthier life.”

Source: Emory Health Sciences

Categories : Mental HealthTags :

Do Claimed Past-life Memories Affect Mental Health?

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Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash

In Brazil, belief in reincarnation is common, with up to a third of people believing it is possible. Some claim to have memories of their past lives. Researchers analysed the profile of adults who claim to have past-life memories, the features of these memories, and their associations with mental health, happiness, and religiosity/spirituality. The results indicated a high prevalence of mental disorder symptoms, with religiosity and spirituality being protective factors.

Most religious and spiritual traditions worldwide share a belief in a transcendental realm and/or the continuity of life after physical death. This belief is common among the adult population of 35 countries across six continents, with percentages ranging from 38% in Sweden to 85% in Indonesia.

A recent survey, involving nationally representative samples in 22 countries across all continents, concluded that there are no countries where most of the population said they did not believe in life after death, with the majority answering “yes” or “unsure” to this question.

While there are studies of claims of past-life memories (PLM) in children, there is still little knowledge about cases in adults and the impact of PLM on claimers. To fill this gap, Sandra Maciel de Carvalho and her team analysed the profile of adults who claim to have PLM, including sociodemographic data, the features of these memories, and their associations with mental health, happiness, and religiosity/spirituality.

With support from the BIAL Foundation, researchers from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (Brazil) and the University of Virginia (USA) performed an online survey for the first time among a sample of 402 adults living in Brazil who reported having memories of past lives. In this country, 66% of citizens say that there is probably, or definitely, life after death, and 33% believe that people will be reborn in this world.

Most of the sample participants were middle age 41.6 years, female (79%), with higher education (68%), Spiritists (54.5%), and very/moderately spiritual (91%). PLM started spontaneously in 82%, on average, at 19.9 years old. Birthmark/defect (54%), unusual philia (intense and unusual attractions or interests; 30%), and phobia in childhood (71%), and persistent phobia (71%) were commonly associated features.

The results were published in the article “Who Does Report Past-Life Memories? Claimers’ Profile, Religiosity/Spirituality and Impact on Happiness and Mental Health”, published in July in the scientific journal The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion and indicated that the PLM features in sample participants are similar to those usually reported among children, except for the female prevalence.

In this sample, childhood philias and phobias were associated with lower happiness and more symptoms of mental disorders (46%), which may indicate a lasting psychological impact associated with PLM. Post-traumatic stress disorder (36%) was associated with phobias. Religion/spirituality was associated with greater happiness and lower mental disorder outcomes, potentially acting as a protective factor.

According to Sandra Maciel de Carvalho, “this study demonstrated that PLM in adults may be more prevalent than previously thought and may be associated with significant suffering and distress”. PLM may constitute a “relevant issue in mental health, and further studies are needed on its prevalence, impact, and proper clinical management”, the researcher emphasises.

Learn more about the project “89/18 – National survey of “Cases of Reincarnation Type” in Brazil” here.

Source: BIAL Foundation

Categories : CancerTags :

New CANSA and ALVI ARMANI Partnership Offers Hair Restoration Support for Cancer Survivors

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Restorative programme helps post-cancer treatment patients regain hair, confidence, and quality of life after facing cancer 

Photo by Natasha Brazil on Unsplash

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has partnered with internationally renowned hair restoration clinic Alvi Armani South Africa, with head offices in Beverly Hills Los Angeles, to launch an initiative offering complimentary consultations and assessments to those recovering or recovered from cancer.

For many, completing cancer treatment is an experience that brings immense relief. However, it doesn’t always mark the end of the emotional journey. While chemotherapy and radiation often save lives, they can leave lasting reminders – and hair loss is among the most visible.

Cindy Pretorius, a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, an invasive skin cancer knows firsthand how the impact of the disease affects not just self-confidence but self-worth. After the cancer was removed, the surgery left lasting and visible scarring on her hairline. A hairline that was subsequently treated and restored through a minimally invasive hair transplant at Alvi Armani South Africa. “The team at Alvi Armani restored not only my hairline, but also my confidence,” said Pretorius.

Launching in August 2025, the initiative will offer CANSA-affiliated patients in recovery access to complimentary, in-depth, and personalised consultations. This may include scalp density and mapping assessments, as well as checks for lingering treatment effects. Where needed, survivors will receive advice and support with restorative hair treatments or transplants at Alvi Armani South Africa – offering significant financial relief and a renewed sense of hope.

“This isn’t about vanity. It’s about healing the whole person,” notes Dr Kashmal Kalan, Medical Director of Alvi Armani South Africa. “Unfortunately, even when cancer treatments end, the physical and emotional recovery continues. Many individuals in remission are confronted with reminders every time they look in the mirror and see someone who still looks like a patient, often making it difficult to reconnect with the person they were before cancer.”

For those recovering from cancer, the devastation of hair loss can continue to weigh heavily on their mental well-being. Studies show that persistent thinning, patchiness, or recession after treatment can fuel anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. Even when remission is achieved, hair regrowth can be slow, and this gap between survival and self-image can take a heavy toll.

“Hair plays an important role in how we express identity; by restoring it, we help people feel like themselves again – more confident to re-enter public life, apply for jobs, or socialise without feeling marked by illness,” he explains.

In cases where hair loss is permanent, transplants using Alvi Armani’s minimally invasive Vitruvian or Maximus follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique may also be performed. Recognised as global leaders in hair transplant procedures, Alvi Armani’s network – spanning Beverly Hills, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, San Diego, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Johannesburg – all use state of the art protocols, ensuring that South African patients receive the same world-class standard of care they would get at any other Alvi Armani clinic globally.

“People who’ve overcome cancer deserve more than just a life saved. They deserve the chance to live it fully, with confidence and joy. We’re extremely proud to walk this journey with them, and to help them reclaim their full sense of self.”

Alvi Armani are committing extensive financial and medical resources to support the initiative. A patient referral and screening process is in place to ensure clinical suitability, but any CANSA-affiliated person in remission may apply directly and will be guided accordingly.

CANSA and Alvi Armani will also collaborate at national events such as CANSA Relay For Life, and the CANSA High Tea, where participants will receive expert advice on scalp health, treatment options, and realistic expectations around regrowth.

“When you’ve fought so hard to stay alive, the last thing you want is to be reminded daily of what you lost. This partnership is ultimately about giving people that final piece of the puzzle back, so they can look in the mirror and not only see what they’ve overcome, but truly see themselves again,” concludes Dr Kalan.

“At CANSA, we understand that the cancer experience doesn’t end with treatment – healing also means restoring dignity, self-confidence, and quality of life. Our partnership with Alvi Armani South Africa reflects our commitment to holistic survivorship care. By offering complimentary consultations and access to world-class restorative hair solutions, we’re helping survivors reclaim not only their appearance but also their sense of self,” says Makoma Raolane, CANSA’s Sustainability Manager.

Individuals affected by cancer who are interested in the initiative can contact Alvi Armani South Africa directly, referencing their affiliation with CANSA, to schedule a complimentary consultation.

For more information, visit https://cansa.org.za/ and https://alviarmani.co.za/