Medical Bulletin 29/September/2026 - Video

Here are the top medical news for today:

371,000-Adult Survey Finds Link Between Lower Whole-Fruit Intake and Heart Disease

People with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or major CVD risk factors reported eating whole fruit less often than those without these conditions, according to a US study published in Current Developments in Nutrition.

Researchers analysed data from 371,038 adults who participated in the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The analysis examined how often people consumed whole fruit and 100% fruit juice and compared those with and without high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack, coronary heart disease or stroke.

Overall, participants reported eating whole fruit about 1.06 times per day, while fruit juice was consumed about 0.3 times per day. These figures describe how often the foods were consumed, not the amount eaten.

After adjusting for age, race or ethnicity, education, smoking and income, whole-fruit consumption was less frequent among people who reported high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease or a previous heart attack.

The initial difference in whole-fruit consumption between people with and without stroke did not remain significant after adjustment.

The findings for fruit juice were less consistent. After adjustment, people with high cholesterol reported drinking fruit juice less frequently, while those who had experienced a heart attack reported drinking it more frequently. No significant differences remained for high blood pressure, stroke or coronary heart disease.

The study does not show that eating less whole fruit causes cardiovascular disease. Because the research was cross-sectional, researchers could not determine whether dietary habits came before or after a diagnosis. People may also have changed their diets after developing a health condition.

The researchers noted that the study measured consumption frequency rather than portion size and did not account for factors such as physical activity, body mass index, vegetable and whole-grain intake. The findings highlight differences in fruit-eating patterns among people with cardiovascular risk factors, while further research is needed to understand the relationship.

REFERENCE: Kesler BJ, Hess JM, Bodensteiner A, Palmer DG, Tande D (2026). Examining the Differences in Frequency of Whole Fruit or 100% Fruit Juice Intake among United States Adults With and Without Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Analysis of 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data. Current Developments in Nutrition, 10(9). DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.109517

Study Explores How the Mediterranean Diet May Protect Brain Health Through the Gut

The Mediterranean diet may support brain health through changes in the gut microbiome, but direct human evidence proving this link remains limited, according to a narrative review published in Nutrients.

The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, with moderate amounts of fish, poultry, fermented dairy and olive oil. Studies have linked greater adherence to the diet with slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers examined whether changes in the gut microbiome could help explain these benefits. The gut microbiome contains trillions of microorganisms that communicate with the brain through the gut-brain axis using microbial metabolites, immune signals, hormones and nerve pathways.

A Mediterranean-style diet provides fibre and other carbohydrates that gut microbes can ferment into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including butyrate. These compounds may support the intestinal barrier, regulate immune activity and reduce inflammation. Other microbial products, including secondary bile acids and indoles, may also influence intestinal and immune function.

The diet’s unsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids and plant compounds may further affect microbial composition, inflammation and oxidative stress. Fermented foods may also influence the microbiome, although their effects can vary between products and bacterial strains.

Researchers proposed that these changes could help maintain the intestinal and blood-brain barriers, reduce systemic inflammation and limit excessive activation of microglia, immune cells involved in brain inflammation. These pathways may also help protect mitochondria and neurons from oxidative stress.

However, most evidence currently comes from separate studies linking the Mediterranean diet, microbiome changes or brain health. Few human studies directly demonstrate that microbiome changes caused by the diet lead to better neurological outcomes.

Researchers concluded that the Mediterranean diet and gut microbiome have a biologically plausible connection to brain health, but long-term intervention studies are needed to establish whether microbiome changes actually mediate protection against Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

REFERENCE: Kamalakar, K., Akerele, C., Lafont, E., et al. (2026). Gut Microbiome-Mediated Neuroprotective Effect of the Mediterranean Diet: A Narrative Review of Cognitive Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease. Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu18193146

Joint Supplement Glucosamine Shows Possible Link to Faster Alzheimer’s Progression: Study

Glucosamine, a widely used supplement for joint health, was associated with a higher likelihood of dementia progression among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a study published in Nature Metabolism.

Researchers from the University of Florida analysed deidentified health records collected between 2012 and 2024. About 8% of patients in both groups reported using glucosamine, including 2,750 people with MCI and 1,896 people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).

After accounting for age, sex and demographic factors, glucosamine use was associated with a 25% higher likelihood that people with MCI would progress to dementia. Among people who already had ADRD, glucosamine use was also associated with a 25% higher risk of death. This association was not observed among people with MCI.

The researchers also investigated a possible biological explanation using human brain tissue and genetically modified mice. Their findings focused on a process called protein glycosylation, in which sugar molecules are attached to proteins. This is a normal cellular process, but the researchers found evidence that it may become overactive in Alzheimer’s disease.

Human brain tissue from people with Alzheimer’s showed greater protein glycosylation than tissue from people without the disease. In mice, glucosamine increased this sugar attachment and was associated with poorer social memory. Suppressing the pathway with a chemical treatment improved memory performance in the animals.

Glucosamine can cross the blood-brain barrier and enter pathways involved in protein glycosylation. The researchers suggested that the Alzheimer’s brain may respond differently to glucosamine because of existing metabolic changes.

However, the findings do not prove that glucosamine causes dementia to progress. The researchers said controlled clinical trials are needed to determine whether glucosamine directly affects dementia progression. The findings do not currently establish that people should stop taking glucosamine.

REFERENCE: Tara R. Hawkinson, et al.; Hyperglycosylation is a metabolic driver of Alzheimer’s disease. Nature Metabolism, 2026; 8 (6): 1410 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-026-01538-4

Scientists Explore How House Cats Could Improve Cancer Treatment for Humans

A large genetic study of nearly 500 cats has found that many cancer-driving mutations in feline tumours are also seen in human and dog cancers, providing new clues about how these diseases develop.

Published in Science, the international study analysed tumour samples from almost 500 domestic cats across five countries. Researchers examined genetic changes that can help cancer cells grow and survive.

The team found that several cancer driver genes in cats were also involved in human cancers. One notable example was feline mammary cancer, where more than half of the tumours analysed carried mutations in the FBXW7 gene.

FBXW7 normally helps control proteins involved in cell growth and division. When the gene is altered, these proteins can accumulate and potentially promote uncontrolled cell growth. Similar FBXW7 mutations have been reported in human breast cancer and have been associated with poorer outcomes.

Genetic similarities were also identified across cancers affecting the blood, bones, lungs, skin, gastrointestinal system and central nervous system.

The researchers said these findings could be particularly useful because cats often share living environments with humans. They may be exposed to some of the same household chemicals, air pollutants and smoke, allowing naturally occurring cancers in cats to provide clues about how genes and environmental exposures interact.

The study also explored whether genetic changes could help guide treatment. In laboratory testing, some chemotherapy drugs showed greater activity against feline mammary tumour samples carrying altered FBXW7. However, these findings were based on tissue experiments and do not establish that the treatments will work in living cats or humans.

Researchers have made the genetic data available as a resource for further studies. They hope it will support precision oncology, in which treatment is guided by the molecular features of an individual tumour.

REFERENCE: Bailey A. Francis, et al..; The oncogenome of the domestic cat. Science, 2026; 391 (6787): 793 DOI: 10.1126/science.ady6651

That Fresh Cleaning Smell May Fill Your Home With Harmful Nanoparticles: Study

Scented cleaning products may make homes smell fresh, but they can also rapidly generate tiny airborne particles that may reach deep into the lungs, according to research from Purdue University.

The study, presented at an American Chemical Society meeting, examined how fragrance compounds released by conventional cleaners and botanical products react with ozone indoors.

Many scented cleaning products contain chemicals called terpenes, including limonene, pinene, thymol and linalool. When these compounds react with ozone in the air, they can form new particles.

Researchers tested cleaning activities such as mopping floors, spraying countertops and wiping surfaces inside a model home designed to resemble an ordinary house. They found that cleaning could generate billions or even trillions of particles, depending on the product.

Most of the particles were ultrafine particles measuring about 1–30 nanometres. Because these particles are extremely small, many household air-quality monitors may not detect them.

The researchers said the particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system. Ultrafine particles may contribute to irritation and inflammation, although the study did not establish specific health effects from the particles produced during household cleaning.

Particle formation occurred within minutes of using scented products. The researchers also found that higher indoor ozone levels could intensify nanoparticle formation. In experiments involving ozone-producing disinfection devices, the combination of ozone and fragrance compounds resulted in greater particle production.

The findings suggest that indoor air chemistry can change quickly during routine cleaning, even when there is no visible smoke, dust or haze. Researchers emphasised that cleaning remains important for removing germs from surfaces.

However, they suggested several ways to reduce exposure to the particles. These include choosing fragrance-free or low-fragrance cleaning products, improving ventilation by opening windows or using exhaust fans, and avoiding the simultaneous use of scented cleaners and ozone-generating devices.

REFERENCE: American Chemical Society. "That fresh cleaning smell could be filling your home with nanoparticles." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 September 2026.