There will be no newsletter next week as I gather with family and friends to celebrate my son's wedding. The newsletter will resume on Sunday, October 6.

Forever in Your Food

PFAS, or "forever chemicals," are increasingly found in food, raising concerns about long-term health impacts. These synthetic substances, used in products like nonstick cookware and food packaging, resist breakdown, contaminating farmland through sewage sludge fertilizer. Linked to cancer, liver disease, and developmental issues, PFAS can accumulate in food, particularly in items like milk, eggs, and seafood. While the FDA's tests show low levels in most foods, the full extent of contamination remains to be seen, and regulatory gaps leave questions about how safe our food supply truly is. How Dangerous Is PFAS in Food? - The New York Times (gift article).

Leaky Gut Instinct

Emerging research suggests long-term COVID-19 in children might be linked to gut permeability, or "leaky gut." Dr. Lael Yonker, a pediatric pulmonologist, has launched the first clinical trial testing larazotide, a drug to tighten intestinal walls. This trial seeks to address symptoms such as headaches, gastrointestinal pain, and attention issues in children with long-term COVID-19. While long Covid research has primarily focused on adults, Yonker's trial could provide an essential treatment option for young patients, possibly offering a breakthrough in combating this debilitating condition. The Gut Might Hold the Key to Treating Long Covid in Kids | WIRED.

Plastic Fantasy

In a lawsuit backed by ProPublica's reporting, California accuses ExxonMobil of deceptive marketing regarding its chemical recycling process, pyrolysis. The oil giant claims the technology transforms plastic waste into reusable products, such as fruit cups, but evidence shows less than 0.1% of the recycled content ends up in new products. Despite this, ExxonMobil advertises 30% recycled content using controversial accounting methods. The lawsuit likens this practice to past tobacco industry deceptions, calling for billions in penalties to fund public education and sustainability efforts. ExxonMobil Accused of Deceptive Marketing of Plastics Recycling Process — ProPublica.

Genes on Sale

Remember That DNA You Gave 23andMe? - The Atlantic explores the potential sale of 23andMe and its genetic data, raising concerns about DNA privacy. As the company struggles financially, with stock declines and leadership upheavals, its most valuable asset—customers' genetic information—may be sold. This creates uncertainties about how future owners might use sensitive data, with risks extending beyond current privacy policies. Insurance companies, law enforcement, and other third parties could exploit the DNA data for profit or surveillance. The article underscores that once DNA is shared, it cannot be fully controlled, posing long-term consumer risks.

AI Doctor's Notes

As physicians face overwhelming patient messages, AI tools like MyChart's "In Basket Art" are stepping in to draft responses. These tools use AI models to mimic doctors' voices, providing medical advice or administrative replies. Though many hospitals embrace efficiency, concerns over transparency and potential errors in AI-generated responses grow. Experts worry about automation bias, where physicians may rely too much on AI, risking patient safety. As AI edges into clinical decision-making, ethical questions arise about the role of technology in personal doctor-patient communication. That Message From Your Doctor? It May Have Been Drafted by AI - The New York Times (gift article).

The Rapamycin Gamble

Rapamycin, a drug traditionally used as an immunosuppressant, has gained attention in the longevity community for its potential anti-aging benefits. Early studies in animals, including mice, show promise, suggesting the drug can extend lifespan by inhibiting the mTOR complex, which is linked to cellular health. However, human studies remain inconclusive, with mixed results and limited long-term data. While some users report improvements in energy, reduced inflammation, and other minor health benefits, skeptics caution about the drug's potential risks, such as immune suppression. The quest for a longer, healthier life continues—cautiously. Rapamycin and Anti-Aging: What to Know - The New York Times (gift article).

A Recipe for Health

How UTSW's Food as Medicine Program Is Revolutionizing Physician Education - D Magazine explores the Food as Medicine program at UT Southwestern (UTSW) and how it is transforming physician education by incorporating culinary medicine into medical training. Spearheaded by Dr. Jaclyn Albin and Program Director Milette Siler, the initiative teaches medical students and residents how to use food to combat chronic illness. With cooking classes and real-world nutrition lessons, physicians learn to help patients manage conditions like diabetes and heart disease through diet. The program partners with local communities and aims to make healthy eating accessible and culturally sensitive, tackling health outcomes and social isolation. I am currently enrolled in a similar class offered online: Culinary Health Education Fundamentals (CHEF) Coaching—The Basics-Overview | Continuing Education Catalog. (thanks, Amy!).

Flowing Through Jazz

In a study of jazz musicians, researchers used EEG scans to explore the brain activity behind entering a "flow state," a heightened, effortless creative focus. Jazz guitarists of varying experience levels improvised while their brain activity was recorded, revealing that more experienced musicians frequently entered flow. Brain scans showed reduced activity in areas associated with cognitive control, suggesting that expertise enables performers to "let go" mentally, allowing creativity to flourish. This research sheds light on how mastery and relaxed focus foster spontaneous innovation. Brain Scans of Jazz Musicians Reveal How to Reach a Creative 'Flow State' | Scientific American.

Empathy: A Team Sport?

Empathy isn't just an individual endeavor—it's socially driven. Research shows that empathy flourishes when it's a group norm, not just a personal skill. Programs like "empathy cafes" and classroom workshops reveal that structured dialogues and reflective listening can foster understanding, even across deep divides. Neuroscience supports this: empathetic behavior lights up specific brain regions, and witnessing empathy in others boosts our empathetic response. The key takeaway? Empathy thrives when nurtured in communities, showing that togetherness can make the cognitive challenge of empathy more manageable and rewarding. Being Empathetic Is Easier when Everyone's Doing It | Scientific American.

Face Time

Unlike virtual connections, regular face-to-face interactions with friends significantly enhance physical and mental health. Studies reveal that in-person meetings boost the immune system, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being, comparable to the effects of a Mediterranean diet. Frequent physical contact, such as hugs, also benefits the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, lowering inflammation and improving sleep. Additionally, our sense of smell and neural synchrony are crucial in forming deeper, more empathetic connections. Decreased time spent with friends underscores the importance of rekindling in-person socializing for better health. In-person friendships are better for health than virtual connections - The Washington Post (gift article) (Thanks, Amy!).

Paws-in

The viral "paws-in" challenge on TikTok sees dogs imitating their owners by placing a paw atop a stack of human hands. The trend delights viewers, showcasing dogs' ability to mimic, seek attention, and connect with their human families. Experts highlight the role of training and innate behavior in dogs' responses. Even if some dogs don't join in perfectly, their varied reactions—using their muzzle or looking for cues—emphasize the deep bond between humans and their pets. The challenge underscores the joy and heartwarming connection pets bring to their owners' lives. Dogs are doing the viral 'paws in' challenge. Here's why. - The Washington Post (gift article).

Electric Dreams

Researchers have explored using electricity to control the immune system for over a decade, promising a revolution in treating chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Despite substantial investment, electroceuticals—implants designed to replace drugs—haven't yet fulfilled their early promise. Meanwhile, new research into bioelectric medicine shows potential for innovative treatments, including fast-healing bandages and cancer therapies. The field faces challenges, including precise targeting and overcoming biases toward nervous system-centric approaches. As research evolves, the dream of electrically hacking the body for better health remains an electrifying possibility. The decade-long quest to hack the body's immune system with electricity | MIT Technology Review.

Mediterranean Eating May Boost Brain Health

A new study in Nature Aging suggests the Mediterranean diet, rich in fatty acids, carotenoids, and vitamin E, may slow cognitive decline. Researchers from the University of Illinois and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that participants aged 65-75 with delayed brain aging had larger brain volumes, better connectivity, and higher cognitive scores. Essential nutrients included α-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid from fish and plants, carotenoids from colorful vegetables, and vitamin E from nuts and oils. While promising, the study calls for further research across diverse populations. New Study Suggests Mediterranean Diet May Slow Cognitive Decline.

Cognitive Harmony

Understanding cognition requires viewing the brain's large-scale coordination of neural activity, driven by rhythmic electric fields, rather than focusing on individual neurons. MIT neuroscientists argue that brain rhythms, once dismissed as mere byproducts, are crucial for organizing neural activity. These rhythms influence cognition and could be key to treating disorders like schizophrenia and epilepsy. Brain waves like beta and gamma rhythms coordinate complex cognitive tasks, acting like stencils guiding neural activity. Scientists hope to unlock deeper insights into how thoughts and memories form and function by studying these rhythms. To understand cognition, neuroscientists must learn its rhythms - Big Think.

The Brain-Belly Connection

In this episode of the Huberman Lab Podcast, Stanford's Dr. Andrew Huberman hosts Dr. Diego Bohórquez of Duke University. Dr. Bohórquez, an expert in gastrointestinal physiology and neuroscience, delves into the gut-brain axis, focusing on how our gut senses food. Unlike the popular microbiome focus, Dr. Bohórquez explores how our gut detects nutrients like amino acids, fats, and sugars, akin to how our eyes sense light. This episode reveals the intricate sensory mechanisms within our digestive system, offering a deeper understanding of how our gut communicates with our brain. ‎Huberman Lab: Dr. Diego Bohórquez: The Science of Your Gut Sense & the Gut-Brain Axis.

Following the Pharma Funds

How much Big Pharma is paying doctors discusses the financial relationships between doctors and pharmaceutical companies, highlighting the Open Payments website. This platform, run by Medicare, allows the public to see the payments made to doctors by healthcare companies. A recent JAMA study revealed that many physicians endorsing products on social media have received payments from the companies behind these products. The article emphasizes the importance of transparency in understanding these financial ties and their potential impact on healthcare costs and quality in the U.S.

Your Gut on Salt

Excessive salt, though essential historically, disrupts the gut microbiome, likely contributing to health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. Modern diets, laden with processed foods, exacerbate these problems. High sodium intake alters beneficial gut bacteria, leading to inflammation and metabolic disruptions and increasing cravings and weight gain. Reducing salt intake and focusing on unprocessed, plant-based foods can help maintain a healthy microbiome and prevent disease. The push for lower sodium in diets faces challenges from industry lobbyists, but evidence for its necessity continues to grow. How Salty Food Can Poison Your Microbiome.

Jazz Mind and Flow

Researchers at Drexel University's Creativity Research Lab studied how jazz musicians reach a creative "flow state." They discovered that flow involves a balance between expertise and releasing focus. Using EEG, they recorded the brain activity of 32 jazz guitarists, finding that flow states correlated with reduced frontal lobe activity, indicating low cognitive control. Experienced musicians showed enhanced sensory brain activity. The study suggests achieving flow requires extensive practice and the ability to let go of conscious control, allowing automatic, creative responses. This dual approach can help in mastering any creative task. Brain Scans of Jazz Musicians Reveal How to Reach a Creative' Flow State' | Scientific American.