The Gary Null Show

HEALTH NEWS
 

Ginkgo Biloba Shows Benefit for Dementia Symptoms, Not Prevention, Review Finds

Limiting sugar early in life associated with lower risk of dementia later

This edible flower could do more than brighten a plate

Hair Loss May Be an Overlooked Side Effect of Ozempic and Mounjaro

Too little or too much iodine may push immunity off balance

HEALTH NEWS
 

Review finds blueberry and grape polyphenols may improve vascular health

Plant compound shows promise for treating rheumatoid arthritis at its source, study finds

Screen Time at Ages 1 and 6 Linked to Lasting Learning and Memory Effects

Some caffeinated drinks are linked to poorer memory

Study: Morning Exercise Linked to Lower Daily Calorie Intake Compared to Evening Workouts

 

Review finds blueberry and grape polyphenols may improve vascular health

Universidad Católica de Murcia (Spain), July 27 2026 (News-Medical)
A recent review published in the journal Nutrients examined the evidence on the effects of blueberries, grapes, and their bioactive compounds on cardiovascular risk markers.

In the present study, a comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published from January 2015 through April 2026. 

Two systematic reviews and meta-analyses reported that grape polyphenols at doses exceeding 500 mg/day for at least 12 weeks significantly reduced C-reactive protein levels, while the other reported improvements in vascular function or BP in 84% of the human studies it assessed, including a significant reduction in systolic BP.

One found a modest reduction in BP and improvement in endothelial function with flavan-3-ol foods, such as tea, apples, cocoa, and grape-derived products.

Moderate- and high-quality RCTs reported improvements in lipid peroxidation, lipid profiles, flow-mediated dilation, diastolic BP, and paraoxonase activity.

Resveratrol and blueberry RCTs mainly reported endothelial and vascular benefits, such as improved nitric oxide production and flow-mediated dilation and reduced BP and inflammatory markers. One high-quality RCT involving older men with metabolic syndrome showed significant improvements in arterial stiffness and endothelial function after six months of daily blueberry consumption.

 
 

Plant compound shows promise for treating rheumatoid arthritis at its source, study finds
Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, July 27 2026 (Natural News)

A plant-derived compound called obakulactone (OL) reduced swelling, inflammation and joint damage in rats with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published in Engineering.

 

The compound, a tetracyclic triterpenoid from the bark of Phellodendri cortex, also rebalanced immune activity and corrected disrupted fatty acid metabolismd. P. cortex has been used in traditional medicine and contains OL along with other constituents,

Researchers tested OL in rats with rheumatoid arthritis, administering low, medium and high doses for 21 days. Treatment significantly reduced joint swelling and helped restore the normal structure of cartilage and the synovium, the tissue lining the joints, according to the report.

 

Blood tests showed dose-dependent decreases in inflammatory molecules including IL-1, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF, as well as rheumatoid arthritis markers RF, CCP-Ab, CRP and MMP-3, officials said. The compound also reduced abnormally high levels of CD3+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages within the joints and shifted macrophages from a proinflammatory M1 state toward an anti-inflammatory M2 state.

 

Screen Time at Ages 1 and 6 Linked to Lasting Learning and Memory Effects
National University of Singapore & Zhejiang University (China), July 28, 2026 (SciTech Daily)

A study that tracked children from age 1 through age 8 found that greater screen viewing time, especially during infancy and near the start of school, was associated with lower academic performance at age 9 and weaker working memory at age 10.5. The results indicate that when children use screens may matter as much as how long they spend using them.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise avoiding screens before 18 to 24 months and limiting viewing to less than one hour per day between ages 2 and 5. Many children exceed those recommendations, yet previous research on screens and cognitive development has produced inconsistent results.

The analysis included 502 children followed from infancy into middle childhood. Higher screen viewing during particular stages was associated with poorer academic results and weaker working memory later on. The clearest and most consistent relationships appeared during infancy and near school entry, suggesting that these may be especially sensitive periods for cognitive development.

Children with greater total screen exposure across childhood also generally performed less well in school. Together, the findings suggest that both the timing and overall amount of viewing may have implications for learning and memory.

 

Some caffeinated drinks are linked to poorer memory

Applied Science Private University (Jordan), July 28 2026 (News-Medical)

A recent study in the Journal of Education and Health Promotion examined the association between caffeine-containing products and memory performance, anxiety, and stress among university students in Jordan.

204 students were ultimately included in the study.  Mild psychological distress was the most common category, with 38.2% reporting such symptoms. About four in ten reported mild depression, and over a quarter experienced moderate anxiety. Only a small minority showed severe or extremely severe stress.

Caramel or nut-filled chocolate was the most frequently consumed item, reported by 54.9% of students, followed by Arabic coffee (40.2%) and red tea (35.8%). Milk chocolate was also popular, typically consumed once or twice a day. Dark chocolate was less common, while American coffee and green tea were less popular, and decaffeinated coffee was rarely chosen.

Overall DASS scores, representing depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, showed positive correlations with the consumption of dark chocolate, American/instant coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and red tea, indicating these items were linked to higher psychological distress scores.

Memory ability was negatively associated with higher intake of American coffee, Arabic coffee, and soft drinks.  The authors note that chocolate and green tea also contain bioactive compounds such as cocoa flavanols and L-theanine, which may have contributed to these associations alongside caffeine.

 

Study: Morning Exercise Linked to Lower Daily Calorie Intake Compared to Evening Workouts
Copenhagen University Hospital (Denmark), July 27 2026 (Natural News)

 
A new study has found that morning exercise was associated with lower calorie consumption throughout the day compared to evening workouts, according to the research. Participants who exercised in the morning consumed about 400 fewer calories at the post-workout meal and roughly 547 fewer calories over the full 24-hour period, the study reported.

 

The study, which involved 35 healthy young adults. Each participant completed 30 minutes of treadmill running multiple times under varying conditions: morning fasted, evening fasted for 12 hours or 6 hours, and morning or evening fed, the study stated. The repeated-measures design enabled researchers to compare the same person's responses across different scenarios, officials said.

After evening sessions, participants reported higher hunger, a stronger desire to eat, and lower fullness compared to morning sessions, the study found. Those who worked out in the evening consumed about 400 more calories at the post-workout meal and roughly 547 more calories over the full day, according to the research.

 

The appetite advantage was attributed to circadian rhythms, researchers said. The hunger hormone ghrelin naturally rises in the evening, while satiety hormones are more active in the morning,.

Gary reads the second part of his latest essay - How to Manifest Your Authentic Self and the latest on Health and Healing.



HEALTH NEWS



Ancient grain sorghum shows potential against Alzheimer’s in early cell research


Daily multivitamin improves functional health in older adults, study finds


Kids who own cellphones have poorer reading comprehension scores than those who don’t, researchers find


Time-restricted eating may help retain cognitive function in older adults


Exercise Rewires Heart’s Nerve Network in Left-Right Pattern



Ancient grain sorghum shows potential against Alzheimer’s in early cell researchEdith Cowan University & Alzheimers Research Australia, July 27 2026 (Natural News)



Sorghum polyphenols reduced toxic amyloid-beta buildup in brain cells by up to 76 percent in a laboratory study.


Scientists extracted polyphenols from three varieties of sorghum — black, red-brown and red — and exposed cultured human brain cells to amyloid-beta, the sticky protein long implicated in Alzheimer's plaque formation.


Black sorghum showed the strongest protective effect on cultured human brain cells.


Treated cells had over 70 percent better survival and 80 percent more active mitochondria.


The findings still require animal studies before any health claims.



Sorghum is gluten-free, fiber-rich, and loaded with the same class of plant compounds found in berries, olive oil, tea and dark chocolate — nutrients researchers have long connected to healthier brain aging.



Daily multivitamin improves functional health in older adults, study finds


Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, July 27 2026 (News-Medical)



The ability to perform everyday activities free of debilitating symptoms profoundly affects quality of life as we age. In a new study, older adults who took a daily multivitamin had significantly better measures of functional health after 3 years compared with those who took a placebo.



According to researchers, the findings suggest a daily multivitamin can help older people maintain day-to-day functioning by helping to preserve cognitive abilities, and it may also benefit blood circulation and physical stamina.



The researchers analyzed data from over 16,000 people aged 60 years and older. Participants were randomly assigned to take a daily multivitamin, a cocoa extract supplement, both or neither, with placebos used for the control group and for those taking only one supplement.



After 3 years, participants taking a multivitamin had significantly better functional health than those taking a placebo.



Kids who own cellphones have poorer reading comprehension scores than those who don’t, researchers find


University of California at Los Angeles, July 27 2026 (Eurekalert)



The widespread concern about the effect of cellphones on reading comprehension in elementary school children has led to surprisingly little experimental research. 


New research by UCLA psychologists found a statistically significant relationship between owning a cellphone and lower reading scores — children who owned cellphones had poorer reading comprehension than those who did not. 


This negative relationship between phone ownership and reading scores held for students who spoke English at home and those who did not.


In fact, simply owning a phone correlated with worse reading comprehension, whether or not the phone was brought to school.



Time-restricted eating may help retain cognitive function in older adults


Rutgers University, July 27 2026 (Medical Xpress)



Results from a small clinical trial suggest it may be possible to reduce the risk of dementia by eating during fewer hours of the day. The pilot study, which involved a weight-loss program for older women with overweight or obesity, showed modest cognitive improvements among those who limited their daily eating window instead of just reducing their calorie intake.



The trial enrolled 47 women ages 50–79 who were overweight or obese. All participants were counseled to reduce their calorie intake by 500 calories per day. Twenty-six participants were asked to restrict their eating to a window of less than nine hours per day, while the rest maintained a typical eating window of about 12 hours per day.



In the time-restricted eating group, participants generally ate only between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with an average daily eating window of 8.2 hours, compared with an average of 12.3 hours per day among those asked to maintain the standard eating window.



After six months, participants had lost about 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms), on average, about the same in both groups. Compared with participants who maintained a 12-hour eating window, those who consumed food for only 8–9 hours per day showed significant improvements in spatial planning and problem-solving at the end of the weight-loss program. They also showed a trend toward fewer errors on memory and learning tests, but there was no significant difference in performance on multitasking or reaction-time tests.
Exercise Rewires Heart’s Nerve Network in Left-Right PatternUniversity of Bristol (UK), July 21, 2026 (Natural News)



Regular aerobic exercise reshapes the nerves that regulate the heart, according to a study from the University of Bristol. The study found that after 10 weeks of training, rats showed asymmetric changes in the stellate ganglia nerve clusters -- paired structures in the lower neck and upper chest that send “go faster” signals to the heart.



The discovery reveals a previously hidden left-right pattern in the body’s “autopilot” system for the heart. This finding could eventually help doctors tailor treatments for arrhythmias, angina, and stress-induced “broken-heart” syndrome, according to the researchers.



Using advanced three-dimensional imaging techniques called stereology, the team examined nerve cluster changes after the exercise regimen. Trained rats had about four times as many neurons in the right cardiovascular nerve cluster compared with the left, relative to untrained animals. At the same time, neurons on the left side nearly doubled in size, while those on the right became slightly smaller, the researchers reported.



Dr. Coppi described the nerve clusters as acting like “the heart’s dimmer switch,” noting that exercise remodels that switch in a side-specific way. The stellate ganglia are part of the sympathetic chain, which regulates heart rate and contraction force, as described in functional anatomy texts. The asymmetric changes suggest that aerobic training induces a previously unrecognized form of

HEALTH NEWS
 

Berberine Shows Beneficial Effects on Metabolic Health, Study Reports

Cooperation beats selfishness more often than scientists thought

Sleep Disorders Don’t Just Exhaust You. New Research Shows They Change Your Brain

Two Hours of Strength Training Weekly Linked to Lower Heart Attack Risk in Women, Study Finds

Planetary Health Diet lowers cardiovascular risk in older women



 
 

Berberine Shows Beneficial Effects on Metabolic Health, Study Reports
Peking Union Medical College (China), July 24 2026 (Natural News)
 

 
A review published in the journal Molecules has summarized evidence indicating that berberine, a compound found in several plants, may influence glucose and lipid metabolism. According to the review, berberine has been associated with improvements in metabolic health markers across multiple studies. The compound is a yellow alkaloid extracted from plants such as European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric.
The review cited evidence that berberine may reduce blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity, according to clinical trials. A systematic review of seven randomized clinical trials from China published in Nutrients revealed that berberine consistently alters the composition of gut bacteria in patients taking the supplement, and the analysis examined data across conditions including Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and colorectal adenoma.

Lipid panel improvements, including lower total cholesterol and triglycerides, were also reported in the reviewed studies.

 

Cooperation beats selfishness more often than scientists thought
Hebrew University of Jerusalem & Rutgers University, July 20 2026 (Eureaklert)

 For decades, one of the most influential ideas in evolutionary biology has suggested that when individuals act purely in their own self-interest, cooperation should eventually collapse.

But a new study by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Rutgers University demonstrates that evolution may be far more optimistic than previously believed. Their findings reveal that cooperation does not require close family ties, reputation, repeated favors, or rigid social structures. Instead, cooperation can flourish simply because individuals respond differently to different opponents. The research proposes a new solution to one of biology's oldest puzzles: how cooperation survives in a world shaped by natural selection.

Using mathematical models, evolutionary simulations, and populations of artificial intelligence agents, the researchers found that cooperation consistently evolved when individuals adjusted their willingness to cooperate according to whom they encountered. Rather than treating everyone identically, simple opponent-specific responses created stable communities in which cooperative behavior repeatedly outperformed purely selfish strategies.

Perhaps the study's most surprising finding is that cooperative societies are not fragile exceptions. Across thousands of simulations, populations repeatedly evolved toward highly cooperative states, while purely selfish populations often failed to dominate. Even when mutations introduced new defectors, cooperative communities remained remarkably resilient.

 

Sleep Disorders Don’t Just Exhaust You. New Research Shows They Change Your Brain
Florida International University, July 26, 2026 (SciTech Daily)

A poor night’s sleep can affect far more than energy the next day. Research from Florida International University links sleep disorders with structural differences in brain regions that help control attention, motivation and decision-making.

Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the findings provide one of the broadest comparisons yet of how different sleep disorders are associated with the brain. 

The researchers compared two broad categories. Dyssomnias, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, interfere with falling asleep or remaining asleep. Parasomnias, including sleepwalking, nightmare disorder and sleep terrors, involve unusual events that disrupt the sleep cycle.

Both categories were associated with decreases in the thalamus, a region that filters incoming information, supports concentration, and contributes to higher-level thinking. The researchers identified changes specifically in the pulvinar, an area within the thalamus that directs attention and helps manage cognitive control.

These differences were connected with wider brain networks that support concentration and task performance. That pattern may help explain why disrupted sleep is associated with slower reactions, poorer decision-making and a greater likelihood of errors and accidents.

 

Two Hours of Strength Training Weekly Linked to Lower Heart Attack Risk in Women, Study Finds
Harvard School of Public Health, July 26 2026 (Natural News)
A large-scale study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has found that women who engage in regular strength training have a significantly lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The study examined data from 117,025 women over an average follow-up period of 14.5 years.

 

Women who performed any amount of resistance training had a lower risk of cardiovascular events compared with those who did none. The association persisted after adjusting for overall lifestyle and health factors, the study stated. 

Among the study’s specific findings, women who performed at least two hours of resistance training per week had a 44% lower risk of heart attack relative to women who did no resistance training, the report said. Any cardiovascular disease risk was 20% lower for that group, with an additional 5% reduction per extra hour of weekly resistance training, according to the study.

The benefits of strength training were more pronounced among women who maintained resistance training consistently and trained both upper and lower body, according to the study. Adding strength training to regular aerobic exercise – such as walking or running – was linked to better heart health.

 

Planetary Health Diet lowers cardiovascular risk in older women

University of Caliornia at Irvine, July 25 2026 (News-Medical)

A 20-year study of more than 65,000 postmenopausal women found that higher adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was associated with a lower risk of overall cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure.

The findings showed that women whose diet most closely followed the Planetary Health Diet had about a 28% lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared with women in the group scoring the lowest for adherence. However, even moderate adherence to the diet was linked with lower risk.

The Planetary Health Diet emphasizes foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and unsaturated fats while limiting foods such as red and processed meats, added sugars, refined grains and saturated fats.

The investigators followed 66,892 participants in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).  Overall, the results showed that women in the group whose diets were more closely aligned with the Planetary Health Diet had the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease. These women also showed a decreased risk of heart disease, heart failure and stroke risk compared to the women in the lowest-adherence group.

However, even moderate adherence to the diet was associated with a decrease in risk, with each 10-point increase in Planetary Health Diet Index score linked to further risk reduction.

HEALTH NEWS
 

Curcumin shows the best balance against cancer, study shows

First trial confirms swimming reduces disability from chronic back pain

Nanoplastics in Drinking Water May Be Making Dangerous Bacteria Stronger, New Study Warns

Kids remember veggie scents from womb, study finds

Watermelon Contains Compounds Linked to Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, Studies Show

 

Curcumin shows the best balance against cancer, study shows

Wroclaw Medical University (Poland), July 22 2026 (News-Medical)

Curcumin, berberine, and other plant-derived compounds have long attracted scientific interest because of their anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. A new study by researchers from Wroclaw Medical University, however, shows that not all natural compounds act in the same way, and strong anticancer activity does not always go hand in hand with a good safety profile.

The researchers compared five compounds: curcumin, berberine, biochanin A, cucurbitacin E, and CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester), a component of propolis. They investigated how these substances affected fibrosarcoma cells and healthy muscle cells. The study focused on the NF-κB signaling pathway, which regulates inflammation, metabolism, cell survival, and cellular aging.

The tested compounds disrupted mitochondrial function, reducing the cancer cells’ ability to produce energy. In fibrosarcoma cells, ATP levels decreased by approximately 83–92%, compared with reductions of around 23–73% in healthy muscle cells. This suggests that cancer cells are more vulnerable to disturbances in energy metabolism.

The compounds also affected mitophagy, the process responsible for removing damaged mitochondria.

All five compounds induced features of cellular senescence in fibrosarcoma cells. In this state, cells remain alive but permanently lose their ability to divide.

The strongest effect was observed with curcumin. The proportion of senescent cancer cells increased from approximately 16.5% to more than 75%. For the other compounds, the percentage exceeded 66% as well.

Healthy muscle cells generally showed a weaker response, suggesting a degree of selectivity towards cancer cells.

 

First trial confirms swimming reduces disability from chronic back pain
Macquarie University, July 21 2026 (Eurekalert)

 

Australian research has shown for the first time that a program of swimming can be clinically effective in reducing disability from chronic low back pain. 

Publishedin the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the clinical trial found an eight-week individualised program of swimming and education, guided by a physiotherapist, improved function and pain significantly more than education alone in people with back pain. 

The researchers recruited 76 adults aged 26 to 74 (average 41 years) who were experiencing some disability due to low back pain lasting for at least 12 weeks and allocated them at random to one of two groups. One group received an eight-week individualised program of swimming and education, supported by four telehealth coaching sessions with a physiotherapist. They weren’t regular swimmers, but they were able to swim 25 metres and feel confident in the water. 

The swimming programme was based on a goal of achieving three sessions of 30-45 minutes by the end of the eight weeks. 

After eight weeks, disability was significantly lower in the swimming group.  They improved by about 50 per cent from where they were before starting the program. Compared to the control group who received education only, swimmers scored on average 2.5 points or 30 per cent lower on a widely used disability scale.

 
 

Nanoplastics in Drinking Water May Be Making Dangerous Bacteria Stronger, New Study Warns
Virginia Tech University, July 21 2026 (Natural News)

A study published in the journal Water Research found that nanoplastics, tiny plastic particles invisible to the naked eye, can increase the mechanical strength of bacterial biofilms and make them more resistant to disinfectants. The research, conducted by Virginia Tech and an international team, examined how these particles affect microbial communities inside drinking water systems. 

The findings indicate indirect public health risks through water systems. The nanoplastics can make the antimicrobial-resistant pathogens better survive, which could be harmful to the environment and would have public health implications.

 

The study focused on biofilms containing E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two bacteria commonly associated with waterborne infections. When exposed to nanoplastics, the bacteria activated multiple defense mechanisms, resulting in thicker, heavier biofilms. These strengthened biofilms pose a greater challenge for water treatment facilities, according to the researchers.

Biofilms are communities of bacteria that attach to surfaces, such as the interior walls of water pipes. These bacterial colonies produce a protective matrix that shields them from environmental threats, including disinfectants. While some biofilms are beneficial, those formed by pathogenic bacteria can pose risks inside drinking water distribution systems.

 

Waterborne nanoplastics are already widespread. A French government study found that glass bottles can contain five to 50 times more microplastics than plastic bottles, with contamination often originating from painted caps.

 

Kids remember veggie scents from womb, study finds
Durham University, May 13 2026 (Medical Xpress)

Experiencing bitter or non-bitter flavors before birth can shape taste likes or dislikes after being born, according to new research led by the Durham University Department of Psychology. Researchers found that young children are less likely to react negatively to the smell of vegetables they were repeatedly exposed to in the womb. They say their findings could have implications for establishing healthy eating habits in children.

The researchers examined the facial reactions of 12 three-year-olds to the non-bitter smell of carrot or the bitter smell of kale.

They found that the three-year-olds whose mothers had taken carrot powder capsules as part of a controlled experiment when pregnant were less likely to show negative facial reactions toward the smell of carrot. Similarly, those whose mothers had taken kale powder capsules while pregnant reacted less negatively to the smell of kale.

The researchers say their latest finding supports the argument that exposure to flavors in late pregnancy can result in long-lasting odor or flavor memory in children.

 

Watermelon Contains Compounds Linked to Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, Studies Show
UCLA, July 22 2026 (Natural News)

 
Watermelon contains bioactive compounds that have been linked to improvements in cardiovascular function and metabolic healths. The fruit is a source of the amino acid citrulline, which the body converts to arginine, and the antioxidant lycopene, both of which have been associated with positive health outcomes.

According to a review in the journal Nutrition clinique et métabolisme, watermelon consumption increases plasma arginine concentrations in adults. The body converts citrulline into arginine, which then supports nitric oxide production, a molecule that helps relax blood vessels. Lycopene, the carotenoid responsible for watermelon's red color, is also present in notable amounts and acts as an antioxidant.

Watermelon's L-citrulline and L-arginine content improves arterial function and blood pressure Another report states that citrulline is useful for blood pressure regulation and metabolic health.