As per the American Cancer Society, there were about 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2024, with 35,250 deaths. About 1 in 8 men in their lifetime are diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. It is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males in 118 of the 195 countries, and leading cause of death in 52 countries. In the US, it is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death and the most common cancer in men in the US, aside from non-melanoma skin cancer. Is there something that can lower the risk of prostate cancer? Well, an earlier research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests that men with low-risk prostate cancer who choose "watchful waiting" over immediate treatment may benefit from incorporating fish oil supplements into their diet. The study therefore explores how eating Omega-3-rich food and adding those dietary changes could influence cancer growth and potentially delay the need for aggressive interventions like surgery or drug therapy.

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What Does Prostate Cancer Means?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when malignant cells form in prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized gland in male reproductive system.

Prostate cancer treatment guidelines have shifted its path a bit in the recent years, with many men opting for active surveillance rather than immediate treatment for slow-growing tumors. However, about 50% of men on "watchful waiting" will require further treatment within 5 years because of the tumor progression. This is what triggered many researchers to aim and identify whether dietary modifications, specifically increasing omega-3 fatty acids, could prolong this surveillance period and slow down the tumor progression.

How was the study conducted?

The study analyzed 100 men who were diagnosed with low-risk or "favorable intermediate" prostate cancer. Participants were then divided into two groups: one continued with their usual diet, while the other received counseling to increase omega-3 intake through fish oil supplements and dietary adjustments. The intervention group was also advised to reduce omega-6 fats, commonly found in processed and fried foods like chips, cookies, and mayonnaise.

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What did the study find out?

The researchers then tracked whether there was any impact on the participants. For this, the researchers then measured each participant's Ki-67 index, a biomarker indicating the rate of cancer cell multiplication. After one year, men in the omega-3-focused group showed a 15% decline in their Ki-67 index, signaling a slowdown in cancer cell growth. In contrast, men who maintained their usual diet experienced a 24% increase in the same marker, indicating faster tumor progression.

Despite these promising results, the study found no changes in the Gleason grade—a key metric for assessing prostate cancer severity—among participants. This suggests that while omega-3 supplementation may slow cellular growth, however, it will not lessen the overall aggressiveness of the cancer.

The findings highlight the potential of dietary adjustments as part of prostate cancer management, though further research is necessary to determine long-term outcomes. For now, incorporating omega-3-rich foods like fish or supplements into a balanced diet may offer a simple and non-invasive strategy to support men opting for active surveillance.

Ever wondered if a simple change could make a big difference in your morning routine? While many of us reach for a cold glass of water or a hot cup of coffee, a medical expert is suggesting something else entirely: a warm cup of water. According to Dr. Kunal Sood, this seemingly small habit could be the key to kickstarting your day with surprising health benefits. It's an unusual but easy change that might just be worth trying.

Benefits of Warm Water

Dr. Sood points to three main reasons why starting your day with warm water on an empty stomach is a good idea. The first is that it can improve digestion. The theory is that warm water helps break down foods that your body might struggle with, making them easier to process. It may even help with constipation, as a 2016 study found that water heated to body temperature has a positive effect on bowel movements. This simple morning habit can help get your digestive system moving and prepare your body for the day ahead.

Aids Weight Loss

Another benefit of this simple habit is that it can help with weight loss. When you drink warm water, your body has to use energy to bring it down to your normal body temperature. This process gives your metabolism a slight, temporary boost. While it's a small change, that minor increase in your metabolic rate can help you burn a few extra calories over time. It's a simple, low-effort way to support your body's natural calorie-burning process, especially if you're trying to lose a little weight.

Boosts Blood Flow

Drinking warm water can also help improve your blood flow. The warmth causes your blood vessels to dilate, or widen. This widening effect allows blood to flow more easily throughout your body. Better circulation means oxygen and nutrients can be delivered more efficiently to your organs and muscles, which can make you feel more energized and ready to take on the day. It's a quick way to give your entire circulatory system a gentle and healthy boost.

What Happens When You Drink Cold Water?

Drinking cold water can actually make it harder for your body to do its job. It causes your blood vessels to shrink, which slows down digestion and makes it more difficult for your body to absorb water. Instead of focusing on getting nutrients from your food, your body has to work harder just to keep its temperature stable. This can cause you to lose water and feel less hydrated.

When you drink cold water right after eating, your body might create extra mucus. This could potentially weaken your immune system, making you more likely to catch a cold or other illnesses. For better digestion and hydration, it's often better to choose water at room temperature.

Some Precautions You Should Take Before Drinking Hot Water

Dr. Sood gives one final, very important piece of advice: make sure the water isn't too hot. It's crucial to be careful and check the temperature before you drink. You want the water to be comfortably warm, not scalding hot. Taking a moment to test it will prevent you from accidentally burning your mouth or throat. The goal is to make this a soothing, beneficial habit, not a painful one.

Fermented foods have long been a staple across cultures for centuries, India's curd and pickles, sauerkraut of Europe, and kimchi of Korea. They are not only a matter of tradition and taste, but increasingly a solution to gut health, immunity, and wellness. Emerging science suggests they could quite possibly unlock improved mental health, influence neurotransmitters, and soothe anxiety and depression.

Fermentation is a natural process by which microorganisms such as yeast or bacteria break down complex food molecules. Not only is it self-preserving for foods, but it also enhances their nutritional content. As foods ferment, they release short-chain fatty acids that help digest food and nourish cells in the intestines. The process also makes the nutrients more accessible, producing B-vitamins, vitamin K2, bioactive peptides, and organic compounds like lactic and acetic acid. Enzymes developed during fermentation assist in the breakdown of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, and retard anti-nutrients such as phytates and oxalates facilitating mineral absorption such as iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium.

Fermented foods typically contain live microbes, probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Even if the microbes are killed, their waste, which are called postbiotics, retain the capacity to achieve health benefits.

The mantra "a healthy gut equals a healthy you" never rang more true. Fermented foods deliver beneficial bacteria that rebalance microbes, combat harmful microbes, and support digestion. Live-culture ferments provide metabolites in the form of short-chain fatty acids, bacteriocins, and organic acids that push out pathogens, lower gut pH, and promote good bacteria.

Fermentation also predigests carbohydrates and complex proteins, tenderizing food on the digestive tract. Enzymes in fermented milk help lactase-deficient individuals digest milk products easily. Additionally, the breakdown of antinutrients improves mineral absorption—a critical advantage over vegetarian diets.

How Fermented Foods Boosts Immunity?

A healthy immune system starts in the gut. By providing support for probiotic gut bacteria, fermented foods are able to modulate immune function, improve gut-barrier integrity, and cause regulatory T-cell responses that control inflammation. Yogurt, kefir, and fermented cereals stabilize intestinal flora, which can indirectly improve overall immunity and protect the body from infection.

What Is The Gut-Brain Axis?

Your gut and brain are in constant communication through what is known as the gut-brain axis. This "highway" connects the gut and central nervous system by nerves, hormones, and immune signals. A balanced gut microbiome can soothe inflammation, regulate neurotransmitter production, and influence mood and thought. An imbalanced gut, however, can contribute to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

Research more and more points towards fermented foods to be the key players in this regard. Research in EMBO Molecular Medicine identified probiotic-rich fermented foods to reduce depression and anxiety. In a mice study, mice with probiotics from fermented foods showed less stress and anxiety-like behaviors. The mechanism is through modulation of neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which controls nerve activity in the amygdala area of the brain—the brain region responsible for fear and emotion.

How Fermented Foods Influence Neurotransmitters?

The gut microbiome has a direct influence on the production of neurotransmitters. Nearly 95% of the neurotransmitter serotonin, the "feel-good" one, is produced in the gut. The probiotics in fermented foods can influence serotonin and other neurotransmitters like dopamine and GABA, which have a direct influence on mood, anxiety, and sleep. In essence, what you eat can influence how you feel directly.

Benefits for Specific Health Conditions

Fermented foods are helpful in an array of conditions:

Gastrointestinal illnesses: Yogurt, kefir, and curd rice can restore intestinal balance with antibiotic therapy or occasional IBS.

Lactose intolerance: Cultured milk is more easily digested.

Mineral deficiency: Fermented legumes and cereals increase iron and zinc bioavailability.

Oral and vaginal health: Food containing lactobacillus might maintain healthy bacterial counts.

However, fermented foods must be eaten under careful circumstances: immunocompromised people, histamine intolerance, active SIBO, or hypertensive patients have to hold back on aged or high-sodium ferments. Pregnant women should opt for clean, pasteurized sources to play it safe.

Tips to Eat Fermented Foods Effectively To Reap Mental Health Rewards

For best mood-boosting effects of fermented foods, choose products with live and active cultures. Pasteurized products have zero live probiotics and therefore are less effective. Notably, fermented alcoholic beverages like beer or wine do not have the same probiotic effects.

Yogurt and Kefir: Both have Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, linked to reduced anxiety and depression.

Kimchi and Sauerkraut: Rich in lactic acid and prebiotic fibers to nourish beneficial bacteria.

Miso and Tempeh: Provide brain-benefiting probiotics and amino acids that assist with mental health.

Steer clear of excessive sodium and sugar, since excessive intake can disrupt gut microbiome balance and eliminate the benefits.

What Is Nutritional Psychiatry?

Nutritional psychiatry encourages paying attention to food's impact on mood. A convenient technique is a two-to-three-week trial period of a "clean" diet free from processed foods and sugar and tracking changes in body and mind. Gradual reintroduction of foods allows you to identify the foods that enhance or hamper your mood, showing the strong link between diet, gut microbiome, and mental health.

While fermented foods contain strong benefits, moderation is the key. Bloating, gas, or an upset stomach can happen in a few individuals if they overindulge. For most individuals, incorporating a variety of fermented foods in a total balanced diet is the best means to get both gut and brain reward.

Fermented foods are more than a culinary or cultural trend—potentially, they are a gateway between gut health, diet, and mental wellness. By affecting neurotransmitters, supporting gut microbiota, and enhancing nutrient absorption, fermented foods offer tangible value to mood regulation, anxiety alleviation, and overall health. Incorporating live-culture ferments like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and miso into your daily regimen might be an easy yet potent way to improve both brain and body.

Milkshakes may be a nostalgic treat, but new research warns they might be doing more harm than good to your brain. And no, we’re not just talking about the dreaded brain freeze.

A recent study published in The Journal of Nutritional Physiology found that just one high-fat milkshake can impair blood vessel function in a matter of hours. The results are a wake-up call about how quickly a single indulgent meal can impact both heart and brain health.

The “Brain Bomb” Experiment

Researchers tested two groups of men, 20 participants between ages 18 and 35, and 21 participants between ages 60 and 80. Each volunteer consumed what scientists described as a “high-fat milkshake.”

This wasn’t your average dessert order, the concoction was made with:

• 350 ml of heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
• 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon of instant non-fat dry milk

Each shake packed 1,362 calories, 48 grams of carbohydrates, and 9.5 grams of protein. The researchers even gave it a nickname, the “brain bomb.”

What Happened After Drinking the Shake

Before participants drank the shake, researchers measured their blood flow using ultrasound. They repeated the test four hours later, this time while the participants performed squats.

The results were striking: blood vessels showed a reduced ability to constrict and relax properly, a sign of impaired vascular function. This effect was seen in both younger and older participants, but was about 10% more pronounced in the older group.

The study authors noted that this kind of impairment could cause brief fluctuations in blood pressure — meaning too little or too much blood might reach the brain for short periods.

Why Blood Vessel Function Matters for the Brain

Healthy blood vessels are key for regulating blood pressure and ensuring a steady flow of oxygen to the brain. When they don’t work properly, the brain can experience short-lived episodes of poor blood flow. Over time, this can raise the risk of:

Stroke – caused by restricted or blocked blood flow

Cognitive decline – reduced oxygen supply can damage brain cells

Dementia – impaired blood circulation has been linked to vascular dementia

“Swings in blood pressure become harder to manage,” the researchers explained. “That can mean brief episodes of too little or too much blood reaching the brain. Over time, this increases the risk of developing conditions like stroke and dementia.”

Not Just About Long-Term Health

One of the key takeaways from this study is how immediate the effects were. The researchers emphasized that even a single high-fat meal, not just a long-term unhealthy diet, can have measurable consequences.

“Our study offers a timely reminder that diet doesn’t just shape our long-term health. It also affects our body and brain in real time. And as we’re learning, when it comes to protecting brain health, every meal may count,” the scientists wrote.

Should You Avoid Milkshakes Completely?

While this study sounds alarming, experts stress that the occasional indulgence is not necessarily harmful. The problem arises when high-fat, high-calorie meals become a regular part of the diet.

A single milkshake might not cause lasting damage, but repeated exposure to high-fat foods could keep blood vessels in a near-constant state of stress, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cognitive issues over time.

Think Before You Sip

This research highlights a critical point, our brain health is impacted by what we eat, meal by meal. That creamy milkshake might feel like comfort food, but it could be temporarily reducing blood flow to your brain within hours.

If you enjoy milkshakes, consider making lighter versions with lower-fat milk or plant-based alternatives, or save them for rare occasions rather than a frequent treat. Your brain, and your heart, may thank you for it.