Medical Bulletin 26/March/2026

Here are the top medical news for today:

Common Vitamin Shows Promise in Breakthrough Treatment for Fatty Liver Disease

A new study suggests that a common nutrient—vitamin B3—may help treat metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, a condition that affects nearly 30% of people worldwide and currently has limited treatment options. The findings are published in the journal Metabolism.

Researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology and partner institutions discovered that a small molecule called microRNA-93 plays a major role in the disease. MicroRNAs are tiny molecules that control how genes work. In this case, high levels of miR-93 were found in people and animals with fatty liver disease.

The study showed that miR-93 worsens liver health by blocking a helpful gene called SIRT1. This gene is important for controlling how the liver processes fat. When SIRT1 is suppressed, fat builds up in the liver, leading to inflammation, scarring, and reduced liver function.

To confirm this, scientists reduced miR-93 levels in mice using gene-editing techniques. The results were promising—mice had less fat in their livers, better insulin sensitivity, and improved overall liver health. On the other hand, higher levels of miR-93 made the condition worse.

The most exciting finding came when researchers tested 150 existing drugs. They found that vitamin B3 (niacin) was the most effective in lowering miR-93 levels. In treated mice, niacin restored SIRT1 activity and improved fat metabolism in the liver.

Since vitamin B3 is already widely used and considered safe, it could become a new, affordable treatment option. However, more human studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in treating fatty liver disease.

REFERENCE: Yo Han Lee, Jinyoung Lee, et al.; Hepatic miR-93 promotes the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease by suppressing SIRT1. Metabolism, 2025; 169: 156266 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2025.156266

Study Links Ultra-Processed Diets to Impaired Fertility and Embryo Development Outcomes

A new study published in Human Reproduction suggests that eating high amounts of ultra-processed foods may negatively affect fertility and early embryo development.

Ultra-processed foods include packaged snacks, sugary drinks, fast food, and ready-to-eat meals. These foods are typically high in sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and additives, while being low in important nutrients.

Researchers studied over 800 women and 650 men and found that diet plays a role in both conception and early pregnancy. In men, higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was linked to a lower chance of conceiving and a longer time to achieve pregnancy. This may be because sperm health is sensitive to diet and nutrition.

In women, eating more ultra-processed foods was not clearly linked to difficulty getting pregnant, but it was associated with slightly slower embryo growth and smaller yolk sac size in early pregnancy. The yolk sac is important because it provides nutrients to the developing embryo in the first weeks.

Although these changes were small, they are important at a population level. Slower early growth has been linked in other studies to higher risks of premature birth, low birth weight, and future heart-related issues in children.

The study highlights that both parents’ health matters when planning a pregnancy—not just the mother’s. However, since this was an observational study, it does not prove that ultra-processed foods directly cause these effects.

Experts recommend reducing ultra-processed food intake and focusing on a balanced diet rich in whole foods to improve fertility and support healthy early development.

REFERENCE: Celine H X Lin, Romy Gaillard, Annemarie G M G J Mulders, Vincent W V Jaddoe, Mireille C Schipper, Periconceptional ultra-processed food consumption in women and men, fertility, and early embryonic development, Human Reproduction, 2026;, deag023, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deag023

Study Links Excessive Screen Time to Worsening Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Health Outcomes

Spending too much time on screens may harm heart health, even in young adults, according to new research presented at a major cardiology conference. The study found that people who spent six or more hours daily on screens outside of work or school had worse blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body weight compared to those with lower screen time.

Researchers analyzed data from 382 adults, with an average age of 35, living in urban areas. Participants who reported higher screen use showed significantly higher systolic blood pressure, increased “bad” LDL cholesterol, lower “good” HDL cholesterol, and higher body mass index (BMI). They also had larger waist measurements, indicating greater abdominal fat—an important risk factor for heart disease.

Importantly, these effects were seen even after accounting for physical activity. This means that regular exercise alone may not fully offset the negative impact of prolonged screen exposure. In fact, the study found that high screen time combined with low physical activity had an even stronger harmful effect, suggesting the two behaviors can amplify each other.

Higher screen use was also linked to unhealthy habits such as smoking and vaping, further increasing cardiovascular risk. Researchers believe that long hours spent watching videos, gaming, or scrolling social media may contribute to poor lifestyle patterns, including less movement, irregular sleep, and unhealthy eating.

The findings highlight the need to look beyond traditional advice that focuses only on exercise. Reducing screen time and building healthier digital habits may be equally important for protecting heart health.

Although the study does not prove cause and effect, it suggests that limiting recreational screen time could be a simple and practical step toward lowering long-term cardiovascular risk.

REFERENCE: Excessive Screen Time Signals Health Risk for Young Adults; American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26); https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2026/03/23/20/26/Excessive-Screen-Time-Signals-Health-Risk-for-Young-Adults