Category: 8. Health

Can what you eat during pregnancy really change your gut bacteria? New research reveals how the Mediterranean diet boosts beneficial microbes for expectant mothers, while stress-busting mindfulness may not be enough.

Study: Effects of Mediterranean diet or Mindfulness Based-Stress Reduction during Pregnancy on Maternal Gut and Vaginal Microbiota. A sub-analysis of the IMPACT BCN trial. Image Credit: leonori / Shutterstock

In a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers conducted a clinical sub-analysis to investigate the impacts of maternal diet and stress levels on the maternal microbiome. The study leveraged data from the IMPACT BCN randomized trial and found that a Mediterranean diet intervention significantly altered the composition of the maternal gut microbiota, promoting an increase in beneficial, short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria.

A mindfulness-based stress reduction program had more modest effects on the maternal gut microbiome, with some increases in health-associated bacteria, but did not significantly alter overall microbiome structure (p=0.094). These findings highlight the maternal gut as a potential therapeutic target for improving both maternal health and potentially influencing long-term child welfare. It is important to note that microbiome outcomes were measured as exploratory endpoints, and further research is needed to determine how these changes may influence clinical outcomes for mothers and infants.

Background

Pregnancy represents a period of substantial and profound physiological change, extending beyond just the mother and her developing fetus to also include their resident microbial symbionts. Notably, research has found that maternal gut and vaginal microbiomes are the primary sources for seeding the infant’s microbiota, a process critical for the latter’s development of a healthy immune system and metabolism in later life.

Parallel studies have established a link between the independent influences of diet and stress on non-pregnant adult microbiome composition and function. Unfortunately, there remains a scarcity of evidence from randomized trials on whether structured lifestyle interventions, such as diet and stress level interventions, especially during pregnancy, can purposefully and beneficially alter these crucial microbial ecosystems.

Understanding these associations would provide prospective mothers and their caregivers with the information to optimize maternal and fetal physiological outcomes.

About the study

The present study aims to address this knowledge gap by conducting a sub-analysis of the Improving Mothers for a better PrenAtal Care Trial BarCeloNa (IMPACT BCN) cohort, a randomized controlled trial (parallel design) carried out at the Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (BCNatal) in Barcelona, Spain. IMPACT BCN aimed to elucidate whether lifestyle interventions could reduce the incidence of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) newborns.

The current study focused on the maternal microbiome as a key exploratory outcome and used a subsample of 351 pregnant individuals from the main trial who were at high risk of having an SGA baby. Identified participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental subgroups: 1. The Med Diet group – These individuals received counselling to adopt a Mediterranean dietary pattern, supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and walnuts. 2. The Stress Reduction (SR) group – These individuals were enrolled in an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program (Kabat-Zinn adapted for pregnancy), and 3. Usual/routine Care group: These individuals were subjected to standard prenatal care protocols without additional intervention.

Study data collection comprised the extraction of maternal fecal and vaginal samples (following intervention termination – 34-36 weeks’ gestation). Crucially, a subset of 85 participants was used to obtain baseline readings (before intervention initiation). Microbiome structure was evaluated using high-resolution 16S rRNA gene sequencing for community characterization and functional evaluation.

Study findings

Study findings revealed that modifiable behaviors, particularly diet, are strongly linked to microbiome health in pregnant women. Specifically, the Med Diet intervention was closely associated with the overall alteration of the gut microbiota structure (p = 0.002), leading to a significant enrichment in bacteria from the Firmicutes phylum. Adherence to the Med Diet was observed to promote the growth of bacteria (e.g., Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae) known to produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

Simultaneously, Med Diet adherence reduced microbiome concentrations of potentially harmful bacteria, most notably the genus Campylobacter (p < 0.001). While the strength of outcomes was more limited, the mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention was associated with enrichment of specific health-associated bacteria, such as Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010 and Turicibacter, but did not significantly affect the overall gut microbiota composition (p=0.094 for overall structure).

Microbial diversity was observed to decrease as pregnancy progressed, with this reduction being more pronounced among participants in the intervention groups.

Additionally, independent of intervention group assignment, higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet pattern correlated with greater microbial diversity and beneficial microbial shifts.

It should be noted that the study exclusively analyzed the maternal microbiome; the offspring’s microbiome was not assessed.

Neither intervention had a significant effect on the composition or diversity of the vaginal microbiota, which remained stable (dominated by the Lactobacillus genus), as is typical during a healthy pregnancy.

Conclusions

The present study provides the first evidence highlighting the role of structured interventions (targeting modifiable behaviours) in influencing the maternal gut microbiome during pregnancy. It demonstrates that a Mediterranean diet can foster a gut environment rich in beneficial, anti-inflammatory SCFA-producing bacteria, providing a plausible mechanism through which this diet may improve pregnancy outcomes. However, clinical outcomes related to these microbiome changes were not directly assessed in this sub-analysis and should be investigated in future research. While the stress reduction program’s effect was more subtle, study findings still suggest a link between psychological well-being and gut microbial health.

Together, these outcomes position the maternal gut microbiome as a potentially important therapeutic target. By optimizing a mother’s diet and promoting stress management, it may be possible to cultivate a healthier microbial environment that benefits both mother and child. Future research exploring the long-term impacts of these microbial shifts on neonatal and child health may allow for the development of personalized maternal behavioral interventions designed to optimize both her and her offspring’s safety and holistic health.

A latest systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by scientists from institutions across China and the United States has uncovered promising insights into how vitamin D supplementation can significantly impact cardiometabolic health. The study, which was published in Engineering, has implications for tailored therapeutic strategies targeting cardiovascular diseases and related risks.

The comprehensive review analyzed 99 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving a total of 17 656 participants. The analysis revealed that vitamin D supplementation, with a median dose of 3320 International Units (IU) per day, was associated with favorable effects on various cardiometabolic risk factors, including reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and fasting blood insulin.

Significantly, the researchers discovered that the benefits of vitamin D supplementation were most pronounced in specific groups: non-Western populations, individuals with baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 15.0 ng·mL⁻¹, those with a body mass index (BMI) below 30 kg·m⁻², and older individuals aged 50 years or above.

This research underscores the need for personalized vitamin D intervention strategies, taking into account individual characteristics such as ethnocultural background, age, BMI, and baseline vitamin D levels. The findings highlight the potential of longer intervention durations (three months or more) and higher doses to optimize cardiometabolic health outcomes in specific populations.

These findings could lead to significant advancements in preventive medicine and nutritional sciences, potentially leading to the development of more effective public health strategies. By tailoring vitamin D supplementation based on individual characteristics, healthcare providers may improve intervention efficacy and reduce the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases.

The authors suggest that future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms behind these observed effects and the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation on chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, studies exploring the long-term effects and potential risks associated with high-dose supplementation are warranted.

This landmark study not only provides new insights into the benefits of vitamin D supplementation for cardiometabolic health but also emphasizes the importance of personalized medicine in optimizing these effects. As cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality globally, the findings from this meta-analysis offer a glimmer of hope for more targeted and effective preventive strategies.

Mount Sinai researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of teaching surgical trainees a difficult procedure using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and an extended-reality headset without the presence of an instructor. All of the 17 trainees in the study achieved surgical success.

The novel study, published in Journal of Medical Extended Reality, drew highly favorable reviews from student participants who tested the deep learning model. The results carry significant implications for future training of residents and surgeons, as well as for the even broader field of autonomous learning within medicine.

For the first time, we created an AI model linked to an extended-reality headset to prove that a critical step in a kidney cancer procedure could be done with 99.9 percent accuracy. We believe our study offers early proof that AI programs that substitute for proctors, who teach resident physicians, can reduce training costs and ultimately improve the quality, efficiency, and standardization of that instruction.”

Nelson Stone, MD, Clinical Professor of Urology, Radiation Oncology, and Oncological Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and corresponding author of the study

Surgical training of residents has traditionally required the presence of a teaching proctor alongside the student physician in the operating room, which can result in inconsistent skills acquisition. Dr. Stone and his team, which included researchers from the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center in upstate New York, explored an alternative training system using AI programs they developed, including ESIST (educational system for instructionless surgical training). This model coupled deep learning methodology with a custom-designed extended-reality headset worn by the 17 participants to stream surgical instructions and video content before their eyes, while allowing their hands to remain free to practice the intricate procedure.

The operation simulated a partial nephrectomy procedure designed to remove a cancerous portion of a kidney, including placing a clamp on the renal artery. For this replication, researchers created a “phantom” kidney from 3D printed casts of an anonymized patient’s computerized tomography (CT) scans. The casts were filled with water-based polymers and assembled to create a partial nephrectomy model with kidney tumors. While students practiced, the system’s sophisticated first-person camera continuously monitored their training, providing real-time feedback and projecting corrective prompts as part of its skills assessment capability.

“Above all, our study proved that a complex procedure like a partial nephrectomy could be effectively taught to surgical trainees using a simulated model, without the presence of an instructor,” noted Dr. Stone. “This finding addresses an urgent need resulting from the shortage of trainers and supervisors to educate physicians on new medical devices and techniques, and from the severe time constraints on attending physicians to train residents pursing surgical careers.”

Another major advantage of advanced teaching technology, added Dr. Stone, is that it allows future surgeons to become proficient in procedures outside the operating room, thus helping to reduce the risk of surgical errors. “From the patient’s point of view, we hope this study will provide reassurance that the technology can be leveraged to greatly improve surgical proficiency, while reducing surgical errors,” said Dr. Stone.

The next step for Mount Sinai researchers is to use the AI algorithm technology they developed to build more complex synthetic cadaver models to train students in entire procedures, rather than just one component, as reported in the study. The team was encouraged by a survey it conducted after the training, which found that 100 percent of the participants believed the program had great educational value.

“Our investigation suggests that AI systems could indeed play an important complementary role in shaping the future of surgical education in this country,” asserts Dr. Stone. “The public should be reassured that the pathway to autonomous learning we investigated in this small study could eventually lead to significant cost savings and improved patient outcomes and, importantly, to the cultivation of a highly skilled new generation of surgeons.”

The study’s authors, as listed in the journal, are Jonathan J. Stone, Nelson N. Stone, Steven H. Griffith, Kyle Zeller, and Michael P. Wilson.

All authors, except Kyle Zeller, hold equity in Viomerse.

The research was funded by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (grant 1R41EB026358-01A1) and the National Science Foundation (grant 1913911).

Dementia is a condition that affects how the brain works—especially when it comes to memory, thinking, and reasoning. It’s not just “forgetting things” like where you put your keys; it’s more serious and can interfere with daily life. People with dementia might struggle to remember names, conversations, or even what day it is. Over time, it can get harder to plan, make decisions, or recognize familiar people and places.There are different types of dementia, but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. Others include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Each type has its own patterns, but they often share similar symptoms like confusion, mood swings, or trouble with speech.Dementia mostly affects older adults, but it’s not a normal part of aging. Some people in their 40s or 50s can get it too, though that’s less common. Things like family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, and lack of physical or mental activity can increase the risk.Recently, Dr Zayed Almadidy, MD, neurosurgeon shared a video where he has explained the different risk factors of dementia and how to prevent them.“Very often, as a neurosurgeon, people ask me, ‘What can I do to reduce my risk of developing Alzheimer’s?’ The CDC has found five different ways to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. These are risk factors that have been clinically shown to increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia,” he explained.The doctor lists 5 risk factors: tobacco and alcohol use, hearing loss, high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes and lack of physical activity.

Lack of physical activity

Let’s start with exercise—or the lack of it. Not moving your body enough doesn’t just impact your heart and waistline; it also affects your brain. Physical activity boosts blood flow to the brain, supports memory, and helps reduce inflammation. People who live mostly sedentary lives are more likely to face cognitive decline as they age. The fix? You don’t need to run marathons. Walking, swimming, dancing, or doing yoga a few times a week can make a big difference in keeping both your body and mind sharp.

Uncontrolled diabetes

If your blood sugar is all over the place, your brain may pay the price. Uncontrolled diabetes is a big risk factor for dementia. High blood sugar levels over time can damage blood vessels and nerves, including those in your brain. That damage can lead to memory issues and increase your chances of developing Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Keeping diabetes in check with medication, healthy eating, and regular check-ups can really help protect your brain health.

High blood pressure

Think of your brain like a sponge, it needs a steady, healthy flow of blood to function well. High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can mess with that flow, putting strain on your blood vessels and increasing your risk of stroke, memory problems, and vascular dementia. The tricky part? High blood pressure often doesn’t cause symptoms, so many people don’t even know they have it. Getting regular blood pressure checks and managing it through diet, exercise, or medication can help protect your brain long-term.

Hearing loss

This one surprises a lot of people. Hearing loss, especially if left untreated, can increase your risk of dementia. Why? When your brain has to work harder to process sounds, it has less energy to focus on memory and thinking tasks. Plus, people with hearing problems often start to withdraw socially, which can lead to isolation—another dementia risk. If you’ve noticed your hearing slipping, don’t ignore it. Getting tested and using hearing aids if needed can really help.

Tobacco and alcohol use

Smoking and heavy drinking are both major risk factors for brain health. Smoking reduces blood flow and oxygen to the brain, while alcohol—especially in large amounts—can actually shrink brain tissue over time. Even moderate drinking may raise your risk if you’re already dealing with other health issues. Quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol (or avoiding it altogether) can do wonders not just for your brain but your whole body.While there’s currently no cure, early diagnosis and the right support can make a big difference. Medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes may help slow symptoms and improve quality of life. The doctor suggests physical activity, quitting smoking and alcohol, going for therapy, staying social and engaging in mentally stimulating exercises to prevent dementia risk.

In a preclinical study, Cedars-Sinai investigators found that boosting angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in key immune cells called microglia in the brain helped protect the brains of specially bred laboratory mice against Alzheimer’s disease. Their findings, published in Nature Aging, could lead to cellular therapies to help treat the disease in humans.

We found that by using gene editing to boost ACE in immune cells called microglia, which we believe become exhausted in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, we supercharged those cells and seemed to restore them to full function. This allowed the microglia to clear the brain of the amyloid plaques associated with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and to reverse neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.”

Warren Tourtellotte, MD, PhD, professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Biomedical Sciences at Cedars-Sinai, and senior author of the study

To perform their experiments, investigators used genetic engineering to develop laboratory mice that accumulated amyloid plaques in their brains and overexpressed ACE in their microglia.

“The overexpression of ACE had a profound effect on the Alzheimer’s-related brain changes in these mice,” Tourtellotte said. “Their brains had fewer amyloid plaques and damage to neurons, and the connections between them appeared to be rescued. In addition, when ACE was expressed in microglia in these mice their performance in learning and memory tests was markedly improved.”

The next step in this line of research is to show that this same biology exists in human microglia, Tourtellotte said. While more studies are needed, these findings might eventually lead to creation of a cell-based therapy that would work either independently or along with other Alzheimer’s disease treatments.

“Scientific discovery is the key to developing treatments that will help us overcome Alzheimer’s disease, which affects more than 7 million people in the U.S. and those who love them,” said Nancy L. Sicotte, MD, chair of the Department of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai. “These findings, from the first pilot project to receive funding from the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders at Cedars-Sinai, point to a promising new direction for future work and possible new treatments.”

Analysis of over 36,000 people with high blood pressure has shown that taking more steps, even below the recommended daily target of 10,000 steps, and walking faster, is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of major problems of the heart and blood vessels. 

The study, published today (Thursday) in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, found that compared to a daily step count of 2,300 steps, every extra 1,000 steps was linked to a 17% reduction in the risk of developing a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), up to 10,000 steps. Additional steps above 10,000 were associated with a lower risk of stroke. 

Approximately 1.28 billion people worldwide are living with high blood pressure, and it places them at increased risk of heart disease (49% increase), stroke (62% increase) and heart failure (77-89% increase). Until now, it has been unclear how much people with high blood pressure need to increase their physical activity in order to see a reduction in their risk of MACE. 

Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, Director of the Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub at the University of Sydney, Australia, who supervised the study, said: “This study is one of the first to demonstrate a dose-response relationship between daily step count and major problems of the heart and blood vessels. In a nutshell, we found that, if you live with high blood pressure, the more you walk with greater intensity, the lower your risk for future serious cardiovascular events. 

“These findings support the message that any amount of physical activity is beneficial, even below the widely recommended daily target of 10,000 steps.” 

The study analyzed data obtained from 32,192 people who had enrolled in a sub-study of the UK Biobank study. They had been diagnosed with high blood pressure and agreed to wear an accelerometer on their wrist for seven consecutive days to measure how far and how fast they walked. Data from the accelerometers was collected between 2013 and 2015. The average age was 64 and the participants were followed up for nearly eight years, providing the researchers with data for 283,001 person-years. During this time 1,935 cases of heart problems or stroke occurred. 

In addition to a 17% reduction in overall risk for every extra 1,000 steps a day, the researchers found a 22% reduction in heart failure, 9% reduction in risk of heart attack, and 24% reduction in risk of stroke. This means that every increase of 1,000 steps a day was associated with: 

The average (mean) intensity of the 30 minutes of fastest walking per day was 80 steps a minute and this was associated with a 30% reduced risk of MACE. There was no evidence of harm in people whose 30 minutes of fastest walking or running was over 130 steps a minute.

The researchers found similar results when they looked at 37,350 people without high blood pressure. Every 1,000-step increase in daily step count led to an average lower risk of MACE, heart failure, myocardial infarctions and stroke of 20.2%, 23.2%, 17.9%, and 24.6%, respectively. 

Our findings offer patients accessible and measurable targets for heart health, even below 10,000 steps daily. Clinicians should promote physical activity as standard care, especially in patients with high blood pressure. Our results can inform new, tailored public health recommendations for these patients. Future recommendations on walking in people with high blood pressure could consider promoting higher stepping intensity.” 

Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, Director of the Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub at the University of Sydney

Strengths of the study include the large number of patients, the use of accelerometers to provide detailed information on numbers of steps and speed, and the use of data from national records in England, Wales and Scotland on deaths and causes of death. 

Limitations include the fact that physical activity was measured only when people first joined the study and did not include any subsequent changes in behaviour. In addition, the researchers point out that their findings can show only that there is an association between walking further and faster and better health outcomes, not that it causes these better outcomes. However, they conducted extensive analyses to minimise the risk of what is called ‘reverse causation’ (in which, in this case, health problems could be causing both a reduction in physical activity and an increase in heart disease events). Most UK Biobank participants are White, are less likely to be obese, to smoke or drink alcohol, and to be better educated, and so they may not be representative of the general UK population. 

Scientists reveal a new genetic resource from the MIND diet trial, opening the door to precision nutrition strategies for protecting cognitive function in aging adults.

Data Descriptor: Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) Trial: Genetic Resource for Precision Nutrition. Image Credit: crystal light / Shutterstock

A recent Data Descriptor study published in the journal Nutrients described the genotyping, quality control (QC), and imputation procedures for generating a new genetic resource from participants in the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) trial.

Dementia prevalence is projected to increase due to progressive aging of the global population. Age-related cognitive decline varies among individuals. The MIND diet is a hybrid of the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) and Mediterranean diets with select modifications. The MIND diet emphasizes berries, green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts, seafood, whole grains, wine, olive oil, poultry, and limited fat intake.

Studies suggest that adherence to the MIND diet may slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the primary MIND clinical trial itself found no significant differences in cognitive change after three years when compared to a calorie-restricted control diet.

This result is a key motivation for the current genetic study. Variation in the metabolism of MIND diet constituents between individuals may enhance or limit their efficacy and ultimately impact response to the diet. Therefore, knowledge on genetic factors contributing to this variation could be valuable in identifying subgroups who especially benefit from this diet and exploring the mechanisms underlying the relationship between cognitive health and the MIND diet.

About the study

In the present study, researchers in the United States described genotyping, QC, and imputation procedures for generating genetic data of the MIND trial participants. The MIND trial was a phase III randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the effects of the calorie-restricted MIND diet on cognitive decline compared to a usual diet with a similar caloric restriction. Participants were older, overweight, and cognitively unimpaired adults with a suboptimal diet and family history of dementia.

Blood samples were collected at several time points. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and serum samples. Notably, the researchers had to overcome challenges, including the closure of a laboratory due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated using serum for DNA extraction in many cases where whole blood was unavailable. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping was performed using whole-blood and serum samples.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with call rates > 95%, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) p > 1 × 10-6, and minor allele frequency (MAF) > 0.05 were used for sample QC. Mismatches between self-reported and genetically inferred sex were identified.

Relatedness (kinship) among trial samples and the effects of DNA specimen, study site, and array batch were examined. Further, sample ancestry was genetically inferred using principal component analysis (PCA). For SNP QC, genotype concordance was evaluated between duplicate pairs to estimate the reproducibility of genotyping.

For the second sample QC, the team calculated heterozygosity and differentiated samples of poor quality from those of naturally low heterozygosity using statistical models to identify outliers.

Further, they performed a second SNP QC to retain chromosome X and autosomal variants with MAF > 0.01, HWE p > 1 × 10-6, and call rates > 95%. A second PCA was performed per ancestry using a pruned set of autosomal biallelic SNPs with MAF > 0.05 and call rates > 98%. Further, genotype imputations were performed for each ancestry using the Haplotype Reference Consortium (HRC) and 1,000 Genomes Project Phase 3 (1000G) reference panels.

APOE genotype of participants was initially determined by sequencing rs7412 and rs429358 SNPs at APOE exon 4. Furthermore, the APOE genotype was derived using imputed SNPs, and concordance was assessed using the sequenced APOE genotype. To validate the genetic data quality, the researchers sought to replicate known associations from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) with diet-related biomarkers.

Findings

DNA concentrations ranged between 0.12 ng/μL and 4.14 ng/μL in serum samples and 4.4 ng/μL and 277.8 ng/μL in whole-blood samples. Genetic data were generated for 602 trial samples. Excluding samples pre-QC with call rates < 90% and SNPs with MAF < 0.01 resulted in 573 participants with genotype data for over 1.01 million SNPs. In total, 630,959 SNPs were used for sample QC checks. Two samples with mismatches between self-reported and genetically inferred sex were excluded.

Three pairs of first-degree relatives were identified. The principal component 1 (PC1) separated White individuals from Black participants. The three Asian participants and one “other” participant clustered closer to White individuals. The team used PC1 to define a subset of participants of European ancestry as self-identified White individuals within six standard deviations (SDs) of PC1 means.

Similarly, a smaller subset of African-ancestry participants was determined. The ancestry of eight other participants could not be confidently inferred, so their genetic data were excluded from the final dataset.

Genotype concordance rates ranged between 98.1% and 99.8%, indicating high consistency. After sample QC, 58 and 494 unrelated samples of inferred African and European ancestries were retained, respectively. After a second PCA, the population sub-structure remained evident in the European ancestry group. Further, after all QC procedures, 809,442 and 772,662 variants were retained for 494 and 58 inferred European and African ancestry participants, respectively.

Following imputation with the 1000G panel, around 47.1 million variants were obtained for each ancestry. HRC imputation, performed only for European-ancestry participants, resulted in 39.1 million variants. HRC imputation demonstrated a higher quality for low-frequency and common variants. The APOE genotype concordance was 98.2% between 1000G-imputed and sequenced genotypes.

Compared to sequencing data, the imputed genotypes misclassified five non-carriers as E4 carriers and two E4 carriers as non-carriers. Similarly, HRC imputation yielded genotypes identical to those with the 1000G panel. The team replicated at least one SNP previously linked to adiponectin, alpha-linolenic acid, coffee intake, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, tea intake, and docosahexaenoic acid in the 1000G imputed data. Results were comparable with HRC-imputed data.

Conclusions

In sum, the study presents a genetic resource from the first RCT of the MIND diet targeting cognitive outcomes. The findings highlight the adequacy of serum as an alternative source of DNA. Although serum DNA extraction and genotypic performance were inferior to those of whole blood, serum remains attractive in cases of missing or insufficient whole blood. The HRC and 1000G reference panels yielded high-quality imputed data for African and European ancestry populations.

Concordance was high between imputed and sequenced APOE genotypes. Moreover, the researchers replicated known GWAS associations with diet-related biomarkers.

The authors also noted several limitations to provide context for future research. These include that the study population was predominantly of European ancestry, which may limit the generalizability of findings, and that the specific participant criteria (e.g., overweight, family history of dementia) mean the resource is not representative of the general population. They also advise that potential batch effects from specimen type and study site should be accounted for in future analyses.

This genetic resource enables analyses of genetic contributions to variability in cognitive responses to the MIND diet, supporting integrative analysis with other data types to delineate underlying biological mechanisms. The data will be made available to other researchers via The National Institute on Aging Genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease Data Storage Site (NIAGADS).

These efforts could ultimately inform precision nutrition strategies and help promote cognitive health.

Experiencing complications during pregnancy is linked with a higher risk of stroke before age 50, according to a study published August 6, 2025, in Neurology^®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers found female participants who had certain pregnancy complications were more likely to have an early stroke. These included preeclampsia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, miscarriage and stillbirth. The study does not prove that pregnancy complications cause stroke. It only shows an association.

While the overall risk of stroke is still very low, our study found pregnancy complications may be an early warning sign of stroke risk-even before age 50. Knowing this history could help doctors identify those who may benefit from early prevention and cardiovascular care.”

 Frank-Erik De Leeuw, MD, PhD, study author of Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands

The study included 1,072 female participants who experienced at least one pregnancy, including 358 who had an ischemic stroke, ages 18 to 49 years old, and 714 without stroke.

Researchers looked at how often certain pregnancy complications occurred in those who had strokes compared to those who did not. They included preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure during pregnancy, preterm birth before 37 weeks, small-for-gestational-age births, gestational diabetes and pregnancy loss, including miscarriage and stillbirth.

The findings indicate that 51% of those who had a stroke experienced at least one pregnancy complication compared to 31% of those without a stroke. Once researchers adjusted for the age of the participants at the time of the first pregnancy, they found that people who had a stroke were more than twice as likely to have at least one pregnancy complication than people without a stroke.

The strongest associations were seen in participants with a history of stillbirth, who were nearly five times more likely to have a stroke, however De Leeuw noted that the number of participants who reported a stillbirth was small. Those with a history of preeclampsia were about four times more likely, while those with preterm birth or small–for-gestational-age births had nearly three times the risk.

Certain complications – especially preeclampsia and preterm birth – were associated with strokes caused by large artery disease, a type often linked to atherosclerosis, which is a build-up of fatty deposits called plaque in the arteries.

“Doctors should ask about pregnancy history when assessing stroke risk,” De Leeuw said. “Our study suggests we may need to start thinking about cardiovascular prevention earlier in life-not just after menopause. Future studies should investigate the effects of lifestyle modification aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk in women with complications during pregnancy.”

A limitation of the study is data on some pregnancy complications were reported by the participants themselves and may not be as reliable as medical records. Researchers were also unable to adjust for all stroke risk factors, like high blood pressure or cholesterol.

Frustrated by years of missed diagnoses and medical dismissal, Australian women now have a powerful ally in Ovum, a breakthrough app using artificial intelligence to turn symptom tracking and health insights into action, advocacy, and better outcomes.

Image Credit: Ovum

For too long, women have been suffering in silence. More than half of Australian women suffer from a chronic health condition and wait years to be diagnosed after being ignored or dismissed by health professionals.

An Australian first women’s health AI partner, Ovum, is set to fundamentally change the game, disrupting the health system and empowering women with the information to advocate for their health.

Officially launching on the App Store, Ovum is powered by the Ovum Brain, an AI engine purpose-built to help women understand their body and advocate for it. Women log symptoms and lifestyle changes, and Ovum responds with personalised insights based on their health history and goals, helping them track their health as it evolves. It also integrates media reports and generates health summaries for women to take to their doctor.

Founder and CEO Dr Ariella Heffernan-Marks said women are waiting far too long to be diagnosed, and Ovum hopes to empower women to take control of their health journey. “It takes an average of six to eight years for women to be diagnosed with endometriosis. This happens because too often the medical system dismisses women,” she said.

Ovum was co-created with Nakatomi — Ovum’s day-one venture partner and one of the first investors, who helped validate, design, build, and launch the company and product. Earlier in the year, Ovum closed its raise of $1.7 million with backing by Nakatomi, Giant Leap, Antler, Alice Anderson Fund, and Wollemi Capital Group.

Dr Heffernan-Marks said Ovum, which has been nearly four years in the making, has been backed by data and insights from real women from the beginning.

“We have tested the app in the beta stage and have held two clinical trials at The Royal Hospital for Women and St George Hospital to understand the experiences of healthcare for women and how AI can increase preventative health behaviours.”

“Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and my driving force, including ‘Everything that women have needed to track their health, feel empowered, and have ownership of their own data.’ I’m so proud to deliver an Australian first that genuinely supports women navigate their health.” Dr Heffernan-Marks said. Ovum will help to revolutionise the health system for women like Joyce Jaio. Joyce was told by a doctor she couldn’t be pregnant, only to find out later she was actually halfway through her pregnancy. “I had been to the doctor for symptoms. One of the symptoms was kicking in my stomach. I had done pregnancy tests and they came back negative. They dismissed this particular symptom and didn’t order a blood test. They told me I had postpartum depression.” Joyce explained. “That was when I realised the medical system was broken.”

Ovum draws from female-centric medical literature to understand and learn from a wide range of health factors, identifying patterns over time and providing timely, intuitive reminders when attention is needed.

Ovum Ambassador and Perimenopause advocate Grace Lam said that Ovum would have been invaluable when she was navigating one of the most challenging times in her life, battling perimenopause without support from her General Practitioner. “I thought doctors knew everything but my GP didn’t know much about perimenopause. Because I wasn’t sleeping at that point for three months, she gave me sleeping pills,” Ms Lamb said.

“I didn’t want to rely on the sleeping pills. That’s when I went down the rabbit role of perimenopause symptoms online … I learnt more about perimenopause online than from my doctor.”

With an ambitious mission of ending gender health inequity across Australia, Ovum is now available for a free trial on the App Store.

“This is just the beginning. Our mission is to ensure every woman has access to the personalised insights she needs to make confident decisions about her health, no matter her age, location, or background,” Dr Heffernan Marks said.

Eating healthy foods is now considered more important than ever, as your overall health largely depends on it. But in the quest for nutritious foods, many fall for misleading marketing. Many foods marketed as ‘healthy’ can wreak havoc on your well-being, especially gut health. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist, has now warned about some of the foods that are often assumed ‘healthy’, but aren’t. “I’m a gut doctor, and some foods may look harmless but silently disrupt your gut microbiome. Here’s what I skip and what I eat instead,” he said, sharing a list of foods. From milk to salad dressings, here are six foods you should avoid to protect your gut health. Snack bars

Snack bars, including protein bars, often masquerade as healthy options, but what we hardly notice is that they are ultra-processed and loaded with sugars, and additives. Dr. Sethi says they are nothing but ‘candy bars in disguise’. He stresses that these bars are loaded with emulsifiers, fake fiber, and seed oils. They destroy the healthy gut microbiome balance. Over time, these ingredients will leave you bloated and disrupt digestion. Dr. Sethi suggests swapping processed bars for a handful of nuts or fresh fruits. You can pair them with natural nut butter. These provide fiber, healthy fats, and nutrients that benefit the gut. Sugar-free gums

If you are reaching for sugar-free gums because you have cut sugar from your diet, it’s a mistake. Sugar-free gums are worse than the regular varieties because the former is loaded with artificial sweeteners, like sorbitol, which can wreak havoc. “They can trigger gas, bloating, and even diarrhea,” Dr. Sethi explains. That doesn’t mean you forget about refreshing your mouth. Consider using natural alternatives like fennel seeds after meals. “I take them daily,” the doctor said. Fennel seeds may also help digestion.Salad dressings

Do you buy salad dressings from stores? Well, it’s time to rethink your choice. Store-bought salad dressings may be convenient, and often come with bold claims like ‘healthy’, or ‘no trans fat’, but they are loaded with additives that harm your gut health. “Even ‘healthy’ ones are often full of inflammatory oils and added sugars,” Dr. Sethi says. What can you do? Make your salad dressing at home. Add ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, and some fresh herbs, and enjoy a nutritious and healthy dressing for your salad. And it’s cheaper than the store-bought ones.Yogurts

We are obsessed with yogurts now, thanks to their influencers and wellness gurus. Yes, yogurts are good for your gut health, due to their probiotic content. However, if you reach for flavoured yogurts, it kills most of the benefits. Dr. Sethi stresses that most of these flavoured yogurts are marketed as healthy, “but often loaded with added sugars and artificial flavours.” Instead of flavoured varieties, pick the good old plain Greek yogurt and add berries, cinnamon, and chia seeds to make it more delicious and nutritious. Milk in coffee

Yes, that’s right. For some, adding milk to the coffee can do more harm than good. “Lactose can be irritating for sensitive guts and trigger bloating or discomfort,” Dr. Sethi says. Instead, stick to plain black coffee. If you like milk in your coffee, go for almond milk, and add some cinnamon powder for a sweet boost.

Granola

Millions of people across the world have granola for breakfast. This breakfast staple is considered healthy, but guess what? It isn’t really. Most of the granola you buy is packed with added sugars, making it worse for your gut than some desserts, because excess sugar feeds the harmful bacteria, leading to inflammation. Dr. Sethi suggests opting for steel-cut oats or plain yogurt with berries and chia.