Medical Bulletin 24/September/2025

Over 18 months, participants followed one of three diets: a standard healthy diet, a traditional calorie-restricted Mediterranean diet, and a green-Mediterranean diet that added daily intake of green tea and Mankai, a protein-rich aquatic plant. The Mediterranean-style diets were low in simple carbohydrates, high in vegetables, and replaced red meat with poultry and fish.

The researchers measured protein levels in the participants’ blood and discovered that elevated levels of specific proteins were linked to accelerated brain aging. Importantly, these proteins decreased significantly in individuals who adhered to the green-Mediterranean diet. The study suggests that the anti-inflammatory compounds found in green tea and Mankai may play a protective role in brain health.

“Studying the circulating proteins in blood allows us to observe, in a real-life setting, how the brain’s aging processes are influenced by lifestyle and dietary changes,” said Anat Meir, postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard Chan School, who co-led the study. “This approach gives us a dynamic window into brain health, helping to reveal biological changes long before symptoms may appear. By mapping these protein signatures, we gain powerful new insight into how interventions, such as diet, may help preserve cognitive function as we age.”

The findings build on growing evidence that personalized nutrition can play a significant role in maintaining cognitive health, particularly as the global population continues to age.

Reference: https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/green-mediterranean-diet-may-slow-brain-aging/

This Common Sugar Combo Could Be Fueling Cancer Spread: Study Finds

A new study published in Nature Metabolism by researchers has uncovered alarming evidence that sugary drinks can actively fuel the spread of colorectal cancer. The study found that the combination of glucose and fructose—common ingredients in sweetened beverages—directly enhances cancer cell mobility and increases the risk of metastasis, particularly to the liver.

Sugary drinks, ranging from soft drinks and packaged fruit juices to energy drinks and so-called “health” beverages, are part of everyday consumption habits. The study zeroes in on how the unique mix of glucose and fructose, rather than either sugar alone, plays a dangerous role in cancer progression. Researchers observed that when colorectal cancer cells were exposed to this sugar duo, their ability to move and invade new organs significantly increased. Notably, this effect was not replicated with glucose or fructose in isolation.

Delving into the mechanism, the researchers identified the enzyme sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) as the key driver. The glucose-fructose mix activates SORD, which then boosts glucose metabolism and triggers the cholesterol synthesis pathway—a biological route that enhances cancer cell spread. This pathway is the same one targeted by statins, drugs typically used to lower cholesterol. When researchers suppressed SORD in preclinical models, cancer metastasis slowed, even with continued sugary drink intake.

Lead author Dr. Jihye Yun had previously shown that sugary drinks could fuel tumor growth independent of obesity. This new study strengthens that evidence by demonstrating that these drinks not only contribute to cancer development but also make existing tumors more aggressive.

The implications are especially concerning given that sugary drinks are widely consumed by both adults and children. The study reinforces the urgent need for public awareness and dietary change.

Reference: Feng, T., Luo, Q., Liu, Y. et al. Fructose and glucose from sugary drinks enhance colorectal cancer metastasis via SORD. Nat Metab (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01368-w

Routine Blood Tests Could Predict Spinal Cord Injury Outcomes: Study Finds

A new study published in the journal npj digital medicine suggests that routine hospital blood tests could be used to accurately predict injury severity and even mortality outcomes in patients with spinal cord injuries. The study used machine learning to analyze millions of data points from standard bloodwork, offering a potentially affordable and accessible tool for improving early diagnosis and critical care decision-making.

Spinal cord injuries affect more than 20 million people globally, with nearly a million new cases occurring each year. These injuries are difficult to assess in emergency settings, as early neurological examinations often rely on patient responsiveness, which can be compromised. This variability in presentation complicates both prognosis and treatment decisions during the early stages of care.

To tackle this challenge, researchers led by Dr. Abel Torres Espín from Waterloo’s School of Public Health Sciences examined medical data from more than 2,600 patients in the United States. Over the first three weeks following injury, the team analyzed routine blood markers—such as electrolytes and immune cell levels—using machine learning models to identify hidden patterns that correlate with injury severity and patient outcomes.

Significantly, the model’s predictions did not rely on traditional neurological assessments, making them useful even in cases where patient cooperation is limited.

The findings reveal that the predictive accuracy of these models increases as more blood data is collected over time. Compared to traditional imaging or advanced biomarker analysis—which may not be readily available—routine bloodwork is low-cost, widely available, and can offer real-time clinical insights.

“This foundational work can open new possibilities in clinical practice,” said Torres Espín, “allowing for better-informed decisions about treatment priorities and resource allocation in critical care settings for many physical injuries.”

Reference: Mussavi Rizi, M., Fernández, D., Kramer, J.L.K. et al. Modeling trajectories of routine blood tests as dynamic biomarkers for outcome in spinal cord injury. npj Digit. Med. 8, 470 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-025-01782-0