Medical Bulletin 31/May/2025

Here are the top medical news for the day:

Meta-Analysis Shows Using Gadgets May Benefit Older Brains

In an age dominated by smartphones, social media, and artificial intelligence, a new study published in Nature Human Behaviour brings an encouraging perspective: technology might actually help older adults stay mentally sharp. Conducted by neuropsychologists Jared Benge from the University of Texas and Michael Scullin from Baylor University, the study challenges long-standing fears about “digital dementia,” instead suggesting that digital engagement may reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

To uncover the impact of technology on the aging brain, the researchers conducted a meta-analysis, reviewing 57 studies that involved data from more than 411,000 adults over the age of 50. These studies tracked the relationship between technology use and cognitive performance, using cognitive tests and dementia diagnoses to measure decline.

The key findings showed that using computers, smartphones, and the internet may help people over 50 experience less cognitive decline. The overall odds ratio was 0.42, meaning those who used technology more frequently had a 58% reduced risk of cognitive decline.

This protective effect was stronger than some commonly recognized factors like physical activity (35% risk reduction) and managing blood pressure (13% risk reduction). However, researchers caution that the causal link is not yet proven, especially since participants from low- and middle-income countries were underrepresented. Also, the study didn’t include the effects of brain training games or all forms of technology usage.

Reference: Benge, J.F., Scullin, M.K. A meta-analysis of technology use and cognitive aging. Nat Hum Behav (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02159-9

Weight Loss in Midlife Linked to Long-Term Health Benefits: Study Finds

A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that sustained weight loss in early middle age can lead to major health improvements and a longer life. Conducted by researchers at the University of Helsinki, the study tracked over 23,000 individuals from Finland and the United Kingdom over a period ranging from 12 to 35 years, offering one of the most comprehensive long-term looks at the effects of lifestyle-based weight management.

As global obesity rates continue to rise, researchers have long debated the true long-term benefits of weight loss outside of diabetes prevention. This new study, led by Professor Timo Strandberg, provides strong evidence that maintaining a healthier weight starting in midlife can significantly improve overall health outcomes. The participants, aged 30 to 50 at the beginning of the study, were followed for decades to assess how their weight changes impacted their long-term health.

Those who were overweight at the start and successfully lost an average of 6.5% of their body weight—then maintained that loss throughout the follow-up period—were found to have clear health advantages compared to those who did not. The researchers emphasize that it wasn't just the weight loss itself that mattered, but the ability to keep the weight off long-term. “Weight maintenance is crucial,” the study notes.

Professor Strandberg highlighted the significance of these findings in the context of today’s growing obesity crisis. “The benefits of lifestyle-based weight management are widely discussed even though studies have found it surprisingly difficult to demonstrate health benefits beyond the prevention of diabetes,” he said. “I hope the findings will inspire people to see that lifestyle changes can lead to major health improvements and a longer life. This is particularly important today as more people are overweight than when the collection of our research data began 35 years ago.""

The study further reinforces the health guideline that maintaining a lifelong body mass index (BMI) under 25 is ideal. As more people face weight-related health challenges than ever before, this research offers compelling motivation to adopt and sustain healthy lifestyle habits.

Reference: Timo E. Strandberg, Arto Y. Strandberg, Satu Jyväkorpi, Annele Urtamo, Solja T. Nyberg, Philipp Frank, Jaana Pentti, Kaisu H. Pitkälä, Mika Kivimäki. Weight Loss in Midlife, Chronic Disease Incidence, and All-Cause Mortality During Extended Follow-Up. JAMA Network Open, 2025; 8 (5): e2511825 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.11825

Study Shows How Antioxidants May Undo High-Fat Diet Damage

A new study published in Molecular Cell sheds light on how high-fat diets disrupt cellular metabolism and increase the risk of metabolic diseases. Conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the study reveals that many of the damaging effects of a high-fat diet can be reversed by the use of antioxidants. The research, led by Tigist Tamir, now a professor at the University of North Carolina, and senior author Forest White of MIT, explores the biochemical disruptions at the cellular level that lead to weight gain and insulin resistance.

Consuming a high-fat diet is already linked to obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease, but the molecular mechanisms behind these risks have remained unclear. To investigate, the researchers used a mouse model to observe the effects of a high-fat diet over time, particularly focusing on how it alters enzyme activity in metabolic pathways. They discovered that hundreds of enzymes involved in sugar, lipid, and protein metabolism became dysregulated through a process called phosphorylation, where enzymes are turned on or off in response to stress or nutrient levels.

Study showed that these changes led to insulin resistance and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species—damaging molecules that indicate cellular stress. Males were found to be more affected than females, who compensated more effectively for the high-fat diet.

“Under metabolic stress conditions, enzymes can be affected to produce a more harmful state than what was initially there,” said Tamir. "Then what we've shown with the antioxidant study is that you can bring them to a different state that is less dysfunctional."

However, when the researchers introduced the antioxidant BHA alongside the high-fat diet, they saw a dramatic reduction in weight gain and prediabetic symptoms. “They’re experiencing a lot of metabolic dysfunction, but if you co-administer something that counters that, then they have enough reserve to maintain some sort of normalcy,” Tamir added.

The findings point to the potential of antioxidant therapies in mitigating metabolic damage caused by unhealthy diets. Tamir now plans to explore whether such treatments could be used to prevent or manage obesity-related disorders in humans.

Reference: Tigist Y. Tamir, Shreya Chaudhary, Annie X. Li, Sonia E. Trojan, Cameron T. Flower, Paula Vo, Yufei Cui, Jeffrey C. Davis, Rachit Mukkamala, Francesca N. Venditti, Alissandra L. Hillis, Alex Toker, Matthew G. Vander Heiden, Jessica B. Spinelli, Norman J. Kennedy, Roger J. Davis, Forest M. White. Structural and systems characterization of phosphorylation on metabolic enzymes identifies sex-specific metabolic reprogramming in obesity. Molecular Cell, 2025; DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2025.05.007

Global Omega-3 Shortage Poses Serious Health and Environmental Risks: Study

A new study published in AJPM Focus reveals a critical global shortage of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential nutrients that support vital functions in the brain, eyes, heart, and endocrine system. Led by Timothy Ciesielski, a research scientist in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine, the study warns of significant health consequences if access to uncontaminated omega-3s continues to decline.

Omega-3s are essential fats that the human body cannot produce in sufficient quantities on its own. Instead, they must be consumed through food or supplements, commonly sourced from fish and plant oils. But due to growing environmental challenges such as ocean warming, overfishing, and pollution, these nutrient-rich resources are becoming increasingly scarce.

The research team analyzed global dietary patterns and found that approximately 85% of the world's population fails to consume adequate levels of omega-3s. The imbalance is worsened by the modern industrial diet, which contains about 20 times more omega-6 fatty acids—fats that can interfere with omega-3s and promote chronic inflammation when consumed in excess.

The study emphasizes the urgent need to not only increase the production and accessibility of omega-3-rich foods but also to reduce intake of omega-6s. Doing so, the authors argue, could help prevent or reduce the risk of chronic conditions linked to inflammation, such as heart disease, cancer, preterm birth, and certain mental health disorders.

Only about 15% of countries have achieved sufficient omega-3 levels, mostly those with better access to marine resources. This finding underscores the importance of ocean conservation and sustainable fishery practices.

“This isn’t just a healthcare issue; it’s a public health and environmental challenge,” Ciesielski said. “Everyone should have the right to uncontaminated omega-3s in their diet. These are important questions that require our collective attention and action.”

Reference: Timothy H Ciesielski. Global Access to Uncontaminated Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Requires Attention. AJPM Focus, 2025; 100341 DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2025.100341