The Pulse

Poor sleep links to brain ageing

A recent study links poor sleep quality in early middle age with signs of accelerated brain ageing by late middle age. Conducted with 589 participants, the research involved sleep assessments at age 40 and five years later, along with brain scans 15 years after the study began. Researchers evaluated six sleep issues, such as trouble falling asleep, bad quality sleep and daytime sleepiness, and categorised participants into three groups based on the number of sleep problems reported. Those with more sleep issues had brain scans indicating an age-related shrinkage equivalent to nearly three additional years. The findings showed that participants with moderate to severe sleep difficulties had brains appearing 1.6 to 2.6 years older than those with fewer sleep issues. Study author Kristine Yaffe, MD, emphasises that
addressing sleep problems early through regular sleep schedules, exercise, and relaxation could support long-term brain health and reduce age-related cognitive decline.
Source: Neurology

Switching from butter to quality plant oils improves blood fat profiles

SA recent study shows that replacing saturated animal fats with plant-based unsaturated fats changes blood fat composition and is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. As part of the research, 113 participants underwent a 16-week dietary intervention. One group consumed a diet high in saturated animal fats, while the other followed a diet rich in unsaturated plant-based fats. Blood samples were analysed to identify lipid molecules reflecting each diet. They used a multi-lipid score (MLS) to summarise blood lipid effects. A high MLS indicates a healthy blood fat profile, which can be achieved with a high intake of unsaturated plant fats and a low intake of saturated animal fats, like the Mediterranean diet. The study’s MLS results were linked to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk in large observational studies. Participants with a higher MLS, indicating a beneficial fat composition, had a significantly reduced risk of cardiometabolic diseases.
Source: Nature Medicine

High fat intake can increase anxiety

New research suggests that eating high-fat junk foods when stressed can increase anxiety. The study found that a high-fat diet disrupted gut bacteria in rats, altered behaviour, and affected brain chemicals through a gutbrain pathway, fuelling anxiety. In the study, half the rats were fed a standard diet with 11 per cent fat, while the other half received a highfat diet with 45 per cent fat, mainly from saturated animal fats. Compared to the control group, the high-fat diet group gained weight and had less diverse gut bacteria. According to lead author Christopher Lowry, an unhealthy microbiome weakens the gut lining, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream and aff ect the brain in a way that can promote anxiety. Not all fats are harmful. Healthy fats from fish, olive oil, nuts, and seeds are anti-inflammatory and benefit the brain. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods to support gut health, and avoid fatty takeaway foods.
Source: Biological Research