Women are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. In March, a team from China published research in Nature. finding that a hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH, may play a key role in determining why. Tantalizingly, they also demonstrated that blocking FSH can reverse the process, leading to the speculation that a single drug that could block…
Ow-steoporosis: New research directions for a common condition
By Garbo Gan, Former Lab Technician in Kennedy Lab On a warm Saturday morning, my 83-year-old great-aunt Margaret* was strolling through the park. While descending a small flight of concrete steps, she lost her footing and found herself at the base of the stairs. To her surprise, she was unable to get up. Her left…
Is there really such a thing as brain food?
It seems not a week goes by that there isn’t a new study suggesting that eating or drinking one thing or another may help protect against neurodegenerative disease. There have been studies suggesting things as varied as beneficial effects of walnuts on cognition and brain health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7071526/ , speculating that salmon and sardines can help…
Getting More Out Of Your Mitochondria
You’ve got billions of mitochondria running through your cells. They might be small. But they’re mighty – the microscopic little engines that could. Sure, mitochondria power your cells, but that’s an oversimplified way of thinking about them because in terms of what they do, pure energy just scratches the surface. Mitochondria largely determine how you…
Does cilantro taste like soap to you?
Cilantro is one of those “love it or hate it” herbs. Some people go nuts for it and add it to everything. Others will meticulously pick every green leaf out of their pico de gallo before eating. Your genetic variants shape how you taste things – from whether you taste certain bitter flavors to how…
Can You Lower Cholesterol Without Medications Like Statins?
Elevated cholesterol levels are associated with a greater risk of heart disease and stroke. But it is possible to manage your cholesterol. Some people may be able to lower cholesterol naturally without medication; others may require statins to help bring cholesterol levels back into the optimal range. Here’s what you need to know about cholesterol-lowering…
What is your COVID-19 budget?
By Dr. John Newman, Assistant Professor at Buck Institute and Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatrics at UCSF Medicine I recently tweeted some thoughts about the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we watch this pandemic wave reach daily new records, with hospitalizations nationally at their highest point yet, I want to update and re-emphasize some of…
COVID-19 and the Aging Immune System
By Eric Verdin, President and CEO of the Buck Institute Immunity is on everyone’s mind as we work to protect ourselves and each other from SARS-Cov2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 (note: this term refers to the disease caused by SARS-Cov2). One reason this virus has spread so rapidly is its novelty. The virus is…
How Intermittent Fasting Can Help with Weight Management
Intermittent fasting is a very popular form of eating where you switch between periods of fasting and periods of eating on a regular schedule. Research shows that intermittent fasting is a great way to manage your weight and limit your calorie intake, and it’s a smart addition to a healthy lifestyle. But what is it…
Simple Biohacks For Your Spine, Brain, and Immune System
Making sure your spine, brain, and immune system are performing correctly is important if you want to stay healthy and energetic. Taking care of them is vital to maintaining overall good health. Below are some simple biohacks you can use to help keep important bodily functions in good shape. How Your Spine, Brain, and Immune…