Science Weekly - 3rd July 2020

Just as we hit July, there were many papers published on topics varying between physiological effects of particular nutrients of our body, how exercise promotes quality of breast milk and why arteries age.

Here are the highlights:
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• ​The Gut Shields the Liver from Fructose-Induced Damage
• ​Excessive Sugar Intake Linked with Unhealthy Fat Deposits
• ​Study Finds Exercise Increases Benefits of Breast Milk for Babies
• ​Lifting Weights Makes Your Nervous System Stronger, Too
• ​A Vaccine Targeting Aged Cells Mitigates Metabolic Disorders in Obese Mice
• ​Why do arteries age? Study explores link to gut bacteria, diet.
• Exercise can slow or prevent vision loss, study finds

The Gut Shields the Liver from Fructose-Induced Damage

After one consumes food or a beverage containing fructose, the gastrointestinal system, or gut, helps to shield the liver from damage by breaking down the sugar before it reaches the liver, according to a new multi-center study. However, the consumption of too much fructose -- particularly in a short period of time -- can overwhelm the gut, causing fructose to 'spill over' into the liver, where it wreaks havoc and causes fatty liver, researchers discovered.

Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Excessive Sugar Intake Linked with Unhealthy Fat Deposits

Sugar consumption is linked with larger fat deposits around the heart and in the abdomen, which are risky for health.

Source: European Society of Cardiology

Study Finds Exercise Increases Benefits of Breast Milk for Babies

Even moderate exercise increases compound that reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity
​A new study finds even moderate exercise during pregnancy increases a compound in breast milk that reduces a baby's lifelong risks of serious health issues such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

Source: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Lifting Weights Makes Your Nervous System Stronger, Too

Gym-goers may get frustrated when they don't see results from weightlifting right away, but their efforts are not in vain: the first few weeks of training strengthen the nervous system, not muscles.

Source: Society for Neuroscience

A Vaccine Targeting Aged Cells Mitigates Metabolic Disorders in Obese Mice

Researchers developed a novel vaccine that removes senescent T cells from adipose tissues. They showed that vaccinated obese mice had improved glucose tolerance and insulin resistance without showing severe adverse events. These findings could help develop a novel therapeutic tool.

Source: Osaka University

Why do arteries age? Study explores link to gut bacteria, diet.

Eat a slab of steak and your resident gut bacteria get to work immediately to break it down. But new research shows that a metabolic byproduct, called TMAO, produced in the process can be harmful to the lining of arteries, making them age faster.

Source: University of Colorado at Boulder

Exercise can slow or prevent vision loss, study finds

Exercise can slow or prevent the development of macular degeneration and may benefit other common causes of vision loss, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, new research suggests.

Source: University of Virginia Health System