Medical Bulletin 13/June/2026 - Video

Here are the top medical news for today:

New Study Links Low-Methionine Diet to Improved Brain Tumor Treatment Outcomes

A simple dietary change dramatically slowed the growth of one of the deadliest brain cancers in mice, offering researchers a promising new direction for future treatments.

Scientists from Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions found that restricting methionine—an essential amino acid obtained through food—disrupted the survival of glioma cells, slowed tumor growth, and extended survival in animal models. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Gliomas are aggressive brain tumors that rely heavily on methionine to fuel rapid growth and regulate gene activity. To test whether reducing this nutrient could affect cancer progression, researchers fed one group of mice a normal diet and another a methionine-restricted diet.

The results were striking. Mice receiving less methionine developed slower-growing tumors and survived significantly longer. While examining the tumors under a microscope, researchers made an unexpected discovery: the DNA inside cancer cells appeared partially unraveled instead of tightly packed.

Further investigation revealed that methionine restriction disrupted chromatin—the structure that organizes DNA inside cells. When chromatin becomes unstable, gene activity changes, triggering stress that ultimately causes cancer cell death.

The team also studied a protein called Hp1bp3, which helps maintain chromatin stability. Mice lacking this protein developed faster-growing tumors and had shorter survival. Surprisingly, when Hp1bp3 deficiency was combined with a methionine-restricted diet, tumor growth slowed even further and survival improved beyond expectations.

Although the findings are encouraging, the research was conducted only in mice. Scientists caution that it is too early to recommend methionine-restricted diets for people with brain cancer. More studies are needed to determine whether this dietary approach is safe and effective in humans and whether it could complement existing glioma treatments.

REFERENCE: Lozzi, B., et al. (2026). Hp1bp3 loss links chromatin reorganization to metabolic vulnerability in glioma. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2601061123. https://pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2601061123

Short-Term Fasting May Reduce Gum Disease Inflammation: Study

A five-day low-calorie diet may help reduce inflammation linked to gum disease, suggesting that what you eat could play an important role in oral health alongside regular brushing and professional dental care.

Researchers from King's College London found that short-term calorie restriction lowered inflammatory markers in both the blood and gum tissue of people with periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that has also been linked to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology.

The study involved 28 patients, who were divided into two groups. One group followed a fasting-mimicking diet three times over six months, while the other continued their usual eating habits. During each cycle, participants consumed about 1,100 calories for the first two days, followed by 750 calories for the next three days. They then gradually returned to a normal diet over the following two days. After six months, researchers analyzed blood samples and gingival crevicular fluid—the fluid found between the gums and teeth that reflects gum health.

Compared with the control group, participants who followed the low-calorie diet showed lower levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation throughout the body. They also had reduced levels of inflammatory molecules specifically associated with gum disease.

Researchers believe several factors may explain the benefits. Calorie restriction can reduce oxidative stress, a process that damages cells and fuels inflammation. Eating fewer refined carbohydrates and high-calorie foods may also help lower inflammation. In addition, fasting could influence the oral and gut microbiome, although more research is needed to confirm this effect.

Because fasting may not be suitable for everyone, including some people with diabetes or other medical conditions, researchers say larger studies are needed before the approach can be recommended in routine clinical care. Future research will also explore safer dietary strategies for high-risk patients who cannot fast.

REFERENCE: Mainas, G., E. Figuero, M. A. Basilio, et al. 2026. “A Fasting-Mimicking Diet Affects the Inflammatory Response Following Periodontal Treatment: A Multi-centre Feasibility Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial.” Journal of Clinical Periodontology1–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.70139.

Popular Joint Supplement Glucosamine Linked to Faster Alzheimer's Disease Progression, Study Finds

A popular supplement commonly taken for joint pain may have an unexpected downside for brain health, according to a new study that links its use to faster progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers from the University of Florida found that people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who regularly used glucosamine were about 25% more likely to develop dementia than non-users. The findings, published in Nature Metabolism, are based on patient health records, human brain tissue analyses, and experiments in mouse models.

The team analyzed electronic health records collected between 2012 and 2024, including thousands of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias or MCI. About 8% of patients reported taking glucosamine, a supplement widely marketed for joint health.

After adjusting for age, sex, and other factors, researchers found that glucosamine use was associated with a 25% higher risk of progression from MCI to dementia. Among people already diagnosed with Alzheimer's and related dementias, supplement use was also linked to a 25% higher risk of death. However, the researchers emphasize that the study shows an association, not proof that glucosamine causes dementia.

To understand the possible mechanism, the team investigated how glucosamine affects the brain. They found that the supplement appears to increase a biological process known as protein sugar-tagging, which was already excessively active in Alzheimer's brains.

Experiments in mice showed that glucosamine increased this abnormal sugar-tagging activity and worsened memory problems. When researchers blocked the process, memory performance improved. Analysis of donated human brain tissue also revealed much higher levels of protein sugar-tagging in Alzheimer's brains than in healthy brains.

While the findings raise important questions about glucosamine use in people with cognitive impairment, experts stress that the results need confirmation in clinical trials. People taking glucosamine, especially those with memory problems or dementia, should not stop the supplement on their own but discuss any concerns with their healthcare provider.

REFERENCE: Tara R. Hawkinson, Zizhen Liu, et al.; Hyperglycosylation is a metabolic driver of Alzheimer’s disease. Nature Metabolism, 2026; DOI: 10.1038/s42255-026-01538-4