News Feed

A recent NatFirst report analyzing over 23,000 packaged food products in India has raised concerns about the widespread presence of excess sugar, artificial additives, preservatives, and flavor enhancers in everyday foods marketed as “healthy.”Public health experts say growing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is strongly linked to rising obesity, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, hypertension, and chronic inflammation, especially among children and young adults. Misleading health claims and poor nutrition-label awareness are also making it harder for consumers to identify unhealthy products.Doctors recommend reducing dependence on packaged foods and focusing more on fresh, minimally processed meals to support long-term health and prevent lifestyle-related diseases.

Occasional bloating after overeating or stress is common, but doctors warn that persistent stomach swelling should not be ignored. Health experts say bloating that lasts for weeks or occurs alongside symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, or unexplained weight loss could point to underlying medical conditions.Specialists link chronic bloating to digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, liver disease, and in some cases, even certain cancers. Experts caution against relying only on home remedies or over-the-counter medicines without identifying the real cause.Doctors advise seeking medical evaluation if bloating becomes frequent or severe, as early diagnosis can play a critical role in managing potentially serious health conditions.

Researchers at Duke University have discovered a promising new approach to treating chronic nerve pain by restoring energy to damaged nerves. The study found that supplying injured nerves with healthy mitochondria - the tiny structures that produce energy inside cells - helped revive nerve function and reduce pain signals.Chronic nerve pain affects millions of people worldwide, often making even light touch feel painful. Scientists believe damaged nerves may lose the energy needed to function properly, and replenishing healthy mitochondria could help repair this imbalance.The findings open the possibility of developing entirely new treatments that target the root cause of nerve pain rather than simply masking symptoms.

Researchers at UT Southwestern have identified a newly discovered protein called HELZ2 that plays a major role in controlling cholesterol production in the liver. Scientists found that HELZ2 acts like a “master switch” by suppressing the genetic instructions needed to make apoB, a key component of cholesterol-carrying particles linked to artery blockage and heart disease.By reducing apoB production, the liver may release fewer harmful cholesterol particles into the bloodstream, potentially lowering cardiovascular risk.The discovery could open the door to a new class of cholesterol-lowering treatments aimed at preventing heart disease more effectively and with greater precision in the future.

Researchers at McGill University have developed a new strategy to boost the cancer-fighting power of natural killer (NK) cells — a key part of the body’s immune system. By temporarily blocking two specific proteins, scientists were able to make NK cells far more effective at penetrating tumor defenses and destroying cancer cells.The enhanced immune cells showed promising activity against several difficult-to-treat cancers, including leukemia, glioblastoma, kidney cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer.Scientists believe this approach could improve the effectiveness of future immunotherapies by helping the immune system overcome the protective barriers tumors use to survive. The findings offer new hope for developing stronger treatments against aggressive and therapy-resistant cancers.

A new study suggests that drinking nitrate-rich beetroot juice could help lower blood pressure in older adults in as little as two weeks. Researchers found that older participants who consumed concentrated beetroot juice twice daily experienced noticeable improvements in blood pressure, while younger adults showed little change.Scientists believe the benefits may come from how beetroot juice alters bacteria in the mouth. These microbes help convert dietary nitrates into compounds that relax blood vessels and improve circulation.The findings highlight a promising connection between diet, oral bacteria, and cardiovascular health, and suggest that simple nutritional changes could support healthier aging and heart function.

A major international study is challenging decades of standard heart attack treatment involving beta blockers, a drug routinely prescribed to millions of patients worldwide. Researchers found that for people who experienced uncomplicated heart attacks and maintained normal heart function, beta blockers provided little to no clear long-term benefit.The findings also raised concerns about potential risks in women, who showed a higher likelihood of death, repeat heart attacks, or hospitalization for heart failure when taking the medication compared to those who did not receive it.Scientists say the results could reshape future treatment guidelines and highlight the need for more personalized approaches to cardiac care.

A large global analysis suggests that eating more legumes and soy-based foods could help protect against high blood pressure. Researchers found that people with the highest intake of beans, lentils, chickpeas, and similar legumes were 16% less likely to develop hypertension.The benefits appeared even stronger for soy foods such as tofu and soybeans, with high consumers showing a 19% lower risk of elevated blood pressure. Scientists believe the fiber, plant protein, minerals, and heart-friendly compounds found in these foods may help improve blood vessel function and overall cardiovascular health.The findings add to growing evidence that simple dietary changes can play a major role in preventing chronic diseases.

A rare genetic condition called Urbach-Wiethe disease is reshaping scientists’ understanding of the brain’s “fear center,” the amygdala. Researchers studying patients in South Africa found that damage to a specific region of the amygdala did not eliminate fear as once believed. Instead, it altered how people judge risk, trust others, and make social decisions.Patients often showed extreme generosity, heightened anxiety, and difficulty balancing self-interest with concern for others. The findings suggest the amygdala may function less as a simple fear switch and more as a complex social decision-making system.Scientists say the research could transform how we understand emotion, behavior, and mental health.

A new study published in Science Advances suggests that acute stress can interfere with the brain’s ability to link past memories with new information, making insight and problem-solving more difficult under pressure.Researchers found that stress disrupts a cognitive process called “integration,” which helps people combine previous experiences with current situations to make inferences. Brain imaging revealed that the hippocampus - a region critical for memory and learning - becomes less effective during stressful situations.The findings may help explain why people often struggle to think clearly, connect ideas, or make smart decisions during exams, interviews, or high-pressure moments. Scientists believe the research could also improve understanding of anxiety-related disorders.