Fitness Factoids: Volume 12
Blood Hormone Restores Youthful Hearts To Old Mice
Scientists have made a stunning discovery that could revolutionize the way age-related heart disease is treated in the future. Researchers have identified a protein known as growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF 11) that has shown the potential to reverse age related heart disease. GDF 11 circulates at high levels in the blood of young mice, but declines with age. When researchers treated elderly mice with the protein over the course of four weeks, elevating levels of GDF11 in the blood, the mice experienced a reversal of symptoms associated with age related heart disorder. Researchers are now planning to study the effects of GDF 11 in humans with the hope of replicating the results of the mouse model and testing to see whether GDF 11 could mediate the effects of age related degeneration in other tissues.
http://www.nature.com/news/blood-hormone-restores-youthful-hearts-to-old-mice-1.12971
Study Links Cannabinoid Receptors to PTSD
A study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatr
y conducted by researchers at the NYU Langone Medical Center shows a connection between quantity of cannabinoid receptors in the brain, known as CB-1 receptors, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Past animal studies have indicated that psychoactive compounds such as cannabis can impair memory and reduce anxiety when they activate CB-1 receptors in the brain. Researchers were able to determine that patients suffering from PTSD have more CB-1 receptors in areas of the brain associated with fear and anxiety. Those who suffer from PTSD also have lower levels of the neurotransmitter anandamide, an endocannabinoid that binds to CB-1. If anandamide levels are too low, Dr. Neumeister explains, the brain compensates by increasing the number of CB1 receptors. “This helps the brain utilize the remaining endocannabinoids,” he says. Dr. Neumesiter’s research strengthens the case for expanded use of medical marijuana, which has continued to gain acceptance at the state level, although federal use is still outlawed.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/brain-imaging-study-links-cannabinoid-receptors-to-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-findings-bring-first-pharmaceutical-treatment-for-ptsd-within-reach
Weight Loss Gut Bacteria
The Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium has discovered that a single species of gut bacteria known as Akkermansia muciniphila may the potential to reverse obesity and Type-2 diabetes. While a number of studies have highlighted the differences in gut bacteria between obese and lean individuals, this is the first that was able to demonstrate a direct link between metabolism and a specific species of bacteria for improving metabolism. When researchers fed overweight mice the bacteria they that observed that the mice lost approximately half of their fat mass, and had increased in
sulin sensitivity despite having no additional changes made to their diets. This study has led researchers to believe that they will be able to use these bacteria as prevention or cure for obesity and type-2 diabetes in the near future.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22458428
Study Confirms Daily Aspirin Reduces Cancer Risk
Taking a low dose of aspirin everyday may reduce the risk of cancer and slow the spread of the disease by as much as 16% according to data released by the American Cancer Society. The study, which tracked nearly 100,00 participants, found that among those who took a daily aspirin pill for up to eleven years had a reduced cancer risk by as much as 40% from esophageal, stomach, and colorectal cancers. This study comes on the heels of another study published by Oxford University just a few months ago that also reported on the anti-cancer effects of daily aspirin use. Although preliminary research on exactly how aspirin affects cancer is underway,
scientists anticipate that aspirin’s ability to mediate systemic inflammation plays a large role in the process. Taking a daily low dose aspirin (70mgs) may be beneficial to those looking to reduce inflammation and potentially reduce their risk of cancer.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/aug/10/daily-aspirin-cancer-risk-study
Thinking We Have More Sex than Others Makes Us Happy
People who think they have sex more than their peers are generally happier according to Tim Wadsworth, associate professor of sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder. Wadsworth recently published a paper in which he found that people who reported steadily higher levels of happiness also reported higher levels of sexual frequency. Wadsworth also noted that those who believed that their peers were having as much, if not more sex, reported being generally unhappier. When asked to explain the correlation between happiness and sexual frequency Wadsworth said “there is plenty of evidence that information concerning normative sexual behavior is learned through discussions within peer groups and friendship networks. As a result 
of this knowledge, if members of a peer group are having sex two to three times a month but believe their peers are on a once-weekly schedule, their probability of reporting a higher level of happiness falls by about 14 percent.” Professor Wadsworth’s study confirms something men have known since the beginning of time. When it comes to sex, more is always better.
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