Medical Bulletin 10/September/2025

The study, led by Associate Professor Jimmy Louie, Swinburne’s Discipline Lead of Dietetics, evaluated the nutritional impact of ultra-processed foods by placing them in the broader context of overall dietary patterns.

Louie and his team focused on re-evaluating the Nova classification system, which categorizes food based on levels of processing from fresh and minimally processed to ultra-processed. Although widely used in public health discussions, Nova has drawn criticism for failing to distinguish between nutritionally poor and nutritionally sound processed foods.

“Ultra-processed products often provide cost-effective sources of essential nutrients for economically disadvantaged populations and can contribute to reduced food waste through extended shelf-life capabilities,” said Louie. “Not everyone can live on only minimally processed foods. Nutritionally sound processed foods can be a healthy, practical choice.”

The researchers argue for a more comprehensive approach to food classification — one that considers both processing and nutritional value. “People deserve advice that makes that distinction,” Louie emphasized. “The evidence shows we can be smarter about which processed foods we avoid and which we keep.”

This new perspective underscores the need for more nuanced dietary guidelines and public health messaging that reflect the complexity of modern food systems.

Reference: “Are all ultra-processed foods bad? A critical review of the NOVA classification system” by Jimmy Chun Yu Louie, 4 August 2025, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. DOI: 10.1017/S0029665125100645

Only 1 in 5 People with Diabetes Have Optimal Blood Sugar Control: Study Finds

A significant proportion of people living with diabetes around the world remain unaware of their condition, with only one in five achieving optimal blood sugar control, according to a major new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. The research provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of diabetes care from 2000 to 2023, covering 204 countries and territories.

The study focused on the "diabetes care cascade," examining diagnosis rates, access to treatment, and success in blood glucose management among individuals aged 15 and older. In 2023, it found that an estimated 44% of people with diabetes are unaware of their condition, with underdiagnosis most pronounced among young adults—a group that faces heightened risks of long-term complications if left untreated.

Among those diagnosed, 91% were receiving pharmacological treatment. However, only 42% of those treated had their blood sugar levels under optimal control, meaning just 21% of all people with diabetes globally are managing the disease effectively.

The study highlighted stark regional disparities. High-income countries like those in North America and the Asia Pacific had the highest diagnosis and treatment rates, while Central sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest, with fewer than 20% of diabetes patients aware of their condition.

“By 2050, 1.3 billion people are expected to be living with diabetes, and if nearly half don’t know they have a serious and potentially deadly health condition, it could easily become a silent epidemic,” said Lauryn Stafford, first author and IHME researcher.

With diabetes cases rising rapidly, the study stresses the urgent need for early screening, particularly among younger populations and expanded access to treatment and glucose-monitoring tools, especially in underserved regions. The findings align with WHO’s 2022 global diabetes target, which aims to have 80% of people with diabetes diagnosed by 2030.

Reference: Global, regional, and national cascades of diabetes care, 2000–23: a systematic review and modelling analysis using findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study, Stafford, Lauryn K et al. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, Volume 0, Issue 0

Can Blood Tests Replace Brain Scans for Alzheimer’s? New Study Says Yes

In a study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have uncovered a significant connection between self-reported cognitive decline and blood-based biomarkers in Hispanic and Latino adults. This finding could lead to the development of a less invasive, more accessible, and cost-effective blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

The study, led by Dr. Freddie Márquez, a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Neurosciences, focused on improving early detection methods for neurodegenerative diseases.

The researchers analyzed data from 5,712 Hispanic and/or Latino adults aged 50 to 86, using information from the Study of Latinos–Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging.

The study found that higher blood levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL), a marker of nerve cell damage, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of brain inflammation, were associated with increased self-reported declines in thinking and cognitive planning. Elevated levels of tau protein (ptau-181) also correlated with worsening memory. Interestingly, amyloid-beta protein (Aβ42/40)—long considered a hallmark of Alzheimer’s—did not show a strong association with subjective cognitive decline.

“By including participants from underrepresented communities, we’re able to better understand how social determinants of health and comorbidities may influence cognitive trajectories and dementia risk.”

“This makes our findings especially relevant for real-world settings.” It’s important to note that there’s still a lot we don’t know about the utility of blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s detection,” said Márquez. “These tests have tremendous potential, but they should complement existing approaches, not replace them.”

While the findings support the potential of blood tests as early detection tools, the researchers stress the need for more research before widespread clinical use.

Reference: Márquez F, Tarraf W, Gonzalez K, et al. Alzheimer Disease Biomarkers and Subjective Cognitive Decline Among Hispanic and/or Latino Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(9):e2531038. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.31038