When most people think of dementia, they think of memory problems.
However, the condition can also affect a person’s behavior and personality, according to the Alzheimer’s Society, as cited by LADBible.
This is particularly true of frontotemporal dementia, the most common form of dementia among people under the age of 65.
The disease affects areas of the brain responsible for emotions, behavior, and decision-making, among other functions.
Family often notices it first
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, people with the condition are often unaware that anything has changed.
As a result, family members or close friends are usually the first to notice the symptoms.
The disease can make it more difficult to concentrate, plan ahead, or behave as they normally would.
Some people lose interest in their hobbies, while others begin repeating the same actions over and over.
Three types of food stand out
Eating habits may also change.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, people with frontotemporal dementia may develop unusually strong cravings for sugary foods, fatty foods, and carbohydrates.
The organization also notes that some people lose the ability to stop eating, drinking alcohol, or smoking. They may also display changes in their table manners.
These changes can appear early in the course of the disease, long before obvious memory problems develop.
For that reason, it may be worth paying attention if several of these signs appear over time.
Salt is essential for the body, but consuming too much over time can take a toll on both your heart and blood vessels. According to the article, even small dietary changes may help reduce the strain on your cardiovascular system.
Salt plays an important role in the body
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Sodium is needed to help regulate fluid balance, blood pressure, and the normal function of nerves and muscles. The body needs salt, but only in appropriate amounts.
When does salt become a problem?
Photo: Shutterstock.com
According to the article, many people consume more sodium than recommended. When intake remains high over time, it becomes more difficult for the body to maintain the proper balance of sodium and fluids.
Your heart has to work harder
Photo: Shutterstock.com
A high sodium intake causes the body to retain extra fluid. This increases the volume of blood circulating through the body, forcing the heart to work harder to pump it.
Blood pressure can rise
Photo: Shutterstock.com
The additional fluid can gradually lead to high blood pressure, one of the best-known consequences of consuming too much salt.
Blood vessels can become less flexible
Photo: Shutterstock.com
The article explains that excessive sodium intake may damage the inner lining of blood vessels, making them stiffer and less able to function properly.
The risk increases over time
Photo: Shutterstock.com
As the heart and blood vessels remain under constant strain, the risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart failure can increase.
Not everyone responds the same way
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Some people are more sensitive to salt than others, meaning their blood pressure rises more easily when sodium intake is high.
Processed foods are a major source of sodium
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Much of the sodium in the average diet comes from processed and packaged foods. Choosing lower-sodium alternatives can help reduce overall intake.
Home cooking gives you more control
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Preparing meals at home makes it easier to manage how much salt is added during cooking.
Herbs and spices can add flavor
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Fresh and dried herbs, along with a variety of spices, can enhance meals without increasing sodium intake.
Citrus is another option
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Lemon and lime can brighten the flavor of many dishes and reduce the need for added salt.
Vinegar can boost flavor too
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Balsamic, apple cider, and red wine vinegars are highlighted in the article as flavorful alternatives that require little or no added salt.
Taste your food before adding salt
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Experts recommend tasting your meal before reaching for the salt shaker. Salty ingredients can also be used more strategically in smaller amounts to maximize flavor.
Many young children in the United States get a large share of their daily energy intake from ultra-processed foods.
These include sugary breakfast cereals, pre-packaged snacks, fast food, and processed meats, according to HealthDay.
In a new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers followed 144 Hispanic mothers and their children from infancy until the children reached the age of six.
Throughout the study, they recorded the children’s diets and examined their brains using MRI scans.
No difference in learning
The study did not find that the children had poorer memory or performed worse on tests measuring their thinking skills.
According to HealthDay, the researchers found no link between the children’s diets and their cognitive abilities.
However, the researchers believe that changes in the brain may occur before they become apparent in a child’s behaviour or learning.
They therefore say that further research is needed.
Changes in the brain
Children with a higher intake of ultra-processed foods had smaller brain volumes in regions involved in functions such as emotion, motivation, and reward.
According to the researchers, brain volume in these regions was nearly two percent smaller for every 10-percentage-point increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
The researchers emphasize that the study shows only an association.
It does not prove that ultra-processed foods cause these changes, and they therefore call for further studies.
Researchers from the University of Glasgow analysed data from more than 91,000 participants in the UK Biobank, according to The Guardian.
The participants wore activity trackers and were followed for an average of 12 years.
The aim of the study, published in PLOS Medicine, was to investigate whether prolonged periods of sedentary behaviour were associated with the risk of dying from cancer.
The researchers also examined what happened when some sedentary time was replaced with physical activity.
Small changes
The findings showed that light activity, such as slow walking, washing dishes, or doing other household chores, was associated with a lower risk than remaining inactive.
According to the study, replacing one hour of sitting each day with one hour of light physical activity was associated with a 12 per cent lower risk of dying from cancer.
Professor Kevin McConway of the Open University, who was not involved in the research, told The Guardian that the findings are interesting.
At the same time, he stressed that further research is needed.
More than 30 minutes
The study highlights one finding in particular.
People who sat or lay still for more than 30 minutes at a time had a higher risk of dying from cancer than those who interrupted their sedentary time more frequently.
According to the researchers’ analysis, the risk increased by 10 per cent for every additional hour per day spent in uninterrupted inactivity.
However, the researchers emphasised that the study shows only an association and cannot prove that prolonged sedentary behaviour is the direct cause.
When doctors try to prevent a stroke, the focus is often on keeping major arteries clear and reducing the risk of blood clots. But a new study suggests that approach may not address the underlying cause of one of the world’s most common stroke types.
Reporting in Circulation, researchers led by the University of Edinburgh found evidence that lacunar stroke is more closely linked to damage affecting the brain’s smallest blood vessels than to fatty narrowing of larger arteries.
The findings could help explain why current preventive treatments do not always work as expected, reports Science Daily.
Looking beyond blocked arteries
To investigate, scientists monitored 229 people who had experienced a mild stroke, using brain scans and clinical assessments over the course of a year.
Rather than finding a connection between blocked larger arteries and lacunar stroke, the team found that patients with enlarged arteries inside the brain were far more likely to have this specific type of stroke.
Those vascular changes were also associated with worsening small vessel disease and additional brain injury over time.
More than 25% of participants developed new “silent” strokes during follow-up, despite receiving standard preventive medication.
A new direction
The findings suggest that future treatments may need to focus on preserving the health of the brain’s microscopic blood vessels instead of targeting plaque in larger arteries alone.
Researchers are already exploring that possibility through the ongoing LACunar Intervention Trial 3 (LACI-3), which is evaluating whether existing medicines can reduce further brain damage and lower the risk of complications such as memory decline, dementia and additional strokes.
While more research is needed before treatment guidelines change, the study offers a different way of understanding a condition that affects thousands of people each year and may help shape future strategies for stroke prevention.
Research suggests that many patients regain weight after stopping weight loss medication. A large international analysis found that weight gain often begins just weeks after treatment ends, even among people who previously lost significant amounts of weight, reports Science Daily.
Many patients started gaining weight again
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Researchers found a clear pattern showing that participants began regaining weight after stopping their medication. In many cases, the increase started within the first weeks after treatment ended.
The analysis included studies from around the world
Photo: Shutterstock.com
The research combined results from 11 randomized studies conducted in several different countries. The goal was to examine how the body responds after people stop taking anti obesity medication.
More than 2,400 people were included
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Researchers analyzed data from 1,574 people in treatment groups and 893 people in control groups. This gave the study a broad foundation for comparing outcomes after treatment stopped.
Several different drugs were examined
Photo: KK Stock / Shutterstock.com
The analysis included medications such as semaglutide, tirzepatide, orlistat, and phentermine topiramate. Researchers compared how patients responded after using different types of treatment.
GLP 1 drugs made up most of the studies
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Six of the 11 studies focused on GLP 1 receptor agonists. These medications were originally developed for diabetes treatment but are now increasingly used for weight loss.
Patients lost weight while on treatment
Photo: Caroline Ruda / Shutterstock.com
The results showed that participants generally experienced significant weight loss while taking the medication. Several treatments had a clear impact on both body weight and BMI.
Weight regain often started soon after stopping
Photo: Shutterstock.com
According to the analysis, weight gain frequently began around eight weeks after patients stopped taking the medication. The same trend appeared across multiple studies.
The trend continued for several months
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Researchers found that weight regain continued for an average of about 20 weeks before beginning to level off. Many participants regained a substantial portion of the weight they had lost.
Follow up checks showed the same pattern
Photo: Shutterstock.com
The studies tracked participants at several points after treatment ended. Researchers observed clear weight increases after eight, 12, and 20 weeks.
Lifestyle changes affected the outcome
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Researchers also looked at factors such as diet and exercise. The findings showed that lifestyle habits influenced how much weight participants regained.
Results differed depending on the medication
Photo: Shutterstock.com
The amount of weight regained varied depending on the specific treatment participants had received. Some medications were linked to greater rebound weight gain than others.
Tirzepatide patients regained much of the lost weight
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Participants who had taken tirzepatide for 36 weeks regained nearly half of the weight they had previously lost after switching to a placebo.
A research team from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center presented a new study at the ESTRO 2026 cancer congress in Stockholm, according to Newswise.
The researchers examined a combination of hormone therapy and targeted radiation treatment.
According to the researchers, modern radiation technology has become more precise, making it possible to deliver stronger treatment in fewer sessions.
At the same time, doctors now know more about which types of breast cancer respond best to specific treatments.
Selected patients
The study included 20 patients with early-stage hormone-sensitive breast cancer.
All patients first received hormone therapy for three months, followed by five sessions of high-dose radiation treatment.
The researchers found that some patients responded particularly well to the treatment.
Smaller tumors and high sensitivity to estrogen appeared to be important indicators of a positive outcome.
The researchers emphasized that the treatment was only tested on a small and carefully selected group of patients.
Could avoid surgery
After more than three years of follow-up, the results showed that patients with a complete response to the treatment had no signs that the cancer had returned.
This means that some patients in the trial were able to avoid surgery entirely.
However, the researchers believe that larger studies are needed before the treatment can be used more widely.
Researchers from the University of Sydney examined how different eating patterns affect the bodies of older adults, according to News Medical.
The study involved 104 participants between the ages of 65 and 75 and was published in the journal Aging Cell.
Participants were divided into four groups following different types of diets.
Some consumed more plant-based foods, while others ate higher amounts of animal fat or more complex carbohydrates.
The researchers measured the participants’ biological age before and after the trial using blood samples and other health data.
Rapid changes
The results showed that several participants experienced improved biological age markers after just four weeks.
The most significant changes were observed among individuals who consumed more complex carbohydrates and followed a more plant-based diet.
In contrast, no clear improvements were found in the group that consumed large amounts of animal fat.
According to the researchers, the body’s markers can respond quickly to dietary changes, particularly in relation to metabolism and inflammation.
Researchers urge caution
Although the findings appear promising, the researchers do not believe the study proves that aging can be slowed or reversed.
They point out that the changes may represent temporary reactions in the body rather than evidence that the participants actually became biologically younger.
The researchers therefore emphasize that longer-term studies are needed to determine whether the changes persist over time.
Earwax is often seen as something that simply needs to be removed, but research cited by News-Medical suggests it may contain valuable information about the condition of the ear and overall health.
Its color, smell, and consistency can sometimes provide important clinical clues, although they cannot be used on their own to diagnose a medical condition.
Earwax often cleans itself
Photo: Shutterstock.com
For most people, the ear canal is self-cleaning, and it is usually unnecessary to remove earwax unless it causes symptoms or makes it difficult for a healthcare professional to examine the ear.
Earwax contains many different substances
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Earwax is produced from glandular secretions and dead skin cells.
It contains fats, proteins, cholesterol, amino acids, and a variety of other organic compounds.
It may reflect the body’s condition
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Research published in Biochemia Medica explains that earwax may reflect the body’s metabolism, microbiome, and overall physiological condition because it also contains substances originating from the bloodstream.
Two common types of earwax
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Earwax is generally classified into two types: wet and dry.
The wet type is stickier and contains more fats, while the dry type has a lower fat content and is typically grayish and brittle.
Genetics play an important role
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Differences between wet and dry earwax are largely linked to variations in the ABCC11 gene.
The two types occur at different frequencies across various population groups.
Age and health affect earwax
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Children’s earwax is often softer and more moist than that of adults.
As people age, earwax generally becomes drier and harder. Hormones, medications, and certain illnesses can also alter its composition.
Earwax has its own microbiome
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Healthy earwax contains bacteria and fungi that naturally inhabit the ear canal.
This balance can be affected by factors such as moisture, injuries, hearing aids, and changes in the immune system.
The smell can provide important clues
Photo: Shutterstock.com
An unusual odor from earwax may be associated with certain medical conditions.
Diabetes, for example, can alter the volatile organic compounds found in earwax, although this approach is not yet used as a routine diagnostic method.
Consistency can change during illness
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Very oily and excessive earwax has been observed in people with Parkinson’s disease.
Increased earwax production has also been reported in individuals with psoriasis, while other changes may be linked to conditions such as eczema affecting the ear canal.
The color may be significant
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Light-colored earwax is generally newer, while darker earwax is often older.
Green earwax may indicate an ear infection, while brown earwax containing red streaks could suggest an injury to the ear canal or a ruptured eardrum.
A bad smell should be taken seriously
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Foul-smelling yellow or green discharge from the ear may be a symptom of a serious ear canal infection, particularly in people with diabetes or weakened immune systems.
If a persistent odor is accompanied by pain or hearing loss, a medical evaluation is recommended.
New technology is studying earwax
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Researchers are using metabolomics and advanced spectroscopic techniques to analyze earwax.
The goal is to identify biological markers that could eventually be used in medical diagnostics.
Research is still limited
Photo: Shutterstock,com
The research remains at an early stage, and significant differences between individuals make it difficult to establish reliable reference values.
There is also a need for standardized methods of collecting and storing earwax samples.
Cotton swabs can cause problems
Photo: Shutterstock.com
If treatment is needed, approved methods such as earwax-softening drops, ear irrigation, or removal by a healthcare professional are recommended.
Using cotton swabs or other objects inside the ear canal can increase the risk of blockages, injuries, and infections.
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance in the body and a component of joint cartilage.
As a result, many people choose to take it as a dietary supplement, often together with chondroitin sulfate, in the hope of relieving pain caused by osteoarthritis, according to Health.
Some studies have found no significant difference compared with a placebo, while others have reported modest improvements in certain patients.
Known risks
Glucosamine is generally considered safe for most people.
The most common side effects include headaches, nausea, and constipation, according to the Mayo Clinic.
In addition, a new study published in Nature Metabolism found an association between glucosamine use and faster cognitive decline in people with mild memory impairment.
However, the researchers emphasized that the study does not demonstrate that glucosamine is the cause. More research is therefore needed, Health reports.
Use with caution
Dietary supplements are not regulated in the same way as medicines.
As a result, the contents and dosage may vary from one product to another, orthopedic surgeon Nathan K. Endres told Health.
The overall body of research also does not provide a clear answer as to how effective glucosamine is.
A 2022 meta-analysis published in Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery found modest improvements in some people with knee osteoarthritis, while other studies found no significant benefit.
As a result, experts believe that some people may experience benefits from glucosamine, but the scientific evidence remains limited, according to Health.
