For a 26-year-old young woman, a routine health concern turned unexpectedly serious when persistent neck discomfort was diagnosed as a follicular thyroid nodule. The medical part was straightforward -she needed surgery. The emotional part wasn’t. Traditional thyroid surgeries often leave a long, visible scar across the front of the neck. For someone stepping into some of the most important years of her life personally, socially, and professionally the thought of a permanent neck mark felt overwhelming. “Her fear was very real,” recalls Dr. Amol Wagh, consultant – General & Laparoscopic Surgery, Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central. “Every time we discussed the procedure, her hand instinctively went to her neck. It wasn’t about vanity, it was about confidence and comfort.” To protect both her health and her peace of mind, Dr Wagh recommended a modern alternative: endoscopic thyroidectomy through the axilla. By creating three tiny 5 mm ports through the underarm, the entire thyroid surgery could be performed without making a single incision on the neck. The minimally invasive approach ensured reduced blood loss, smaller wounds, quicker recovery, and most importantly for her, a completely clear neck with no visible scar. For the patient, the most reassuring moment came post-surgery when she looked in the mirror and saw exactly what she had hoped for: no mark where she feared one the most. “Restoring her thyroid health was the priority,” said Dr Wagh, continuing, "But giving her an outcome that allowed her to return to life with confidence that mattered just as much.” Today, she is recovering well, grateful for a treatment that protected her health while preserving her appearance. Her case highlights how advanced surgical techniques can deliver clinical precision without compromising aesthetics, giving young patients the freedom to heal without carrying a lifelong reminder.
23 December,2025 09:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA new study conducted by scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has decoded the specific risk factors for breast cancer among women in India. Breast Cancer is among the top three cancers amongst women in India. The incidence of breast cancers in the country is expected to rise by about 5.6 per cent annually, translating to an estimated increase of 0.05 million new cases per year. The team from ICMR’s National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR), Bengaluru, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on 31 studies covering a total of 27,925 participants, with 45 per cent being diagnosed with breast cancer. The findings, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, showed that “reproductive timing, hormonal exposure, central obesity, and family history influence breast cancer risk primarily among Indian women”. "Women with late menopause (more than 50years), first pregnancy after 30 years of age, higher age at marriage, multiple abortions and central obesity (with waist-to-hip ratio more than 85 cm) are at significant risk," the researchers said in the paper. Among lifestyle factors, poor sleep quality, irregular sleep patterns, sleeping in a lighted room, and elevated stress levels were also positively associated with risk in individual studies. In contrast, higher levels of physical activity showed an inverse association. The analysis found that women over 50 years had a three-fold higher risk, and women aged 35-50 years had a 1.63-fold increase in risk, highlighting the importance of early screening for women in their forties. However, variations in age group classifications across studies may explain the observed heterogeneity. In high-income countries, breast cancer incidence rises significantly after the age of 50, with the majority of cases occurring in postmenopausal women. In contrast, India exhibits a relatively higher incidence of breast cancer in younger women, typically between their 40s and 50s. "Genetic susceptibility, earlier reproductive transitions, and distinct lifestyle factors may contribute to this disparity. These findings highlight the importance of early screening programmes for women in this age group to enable timely detection and intervention," said the researchers led by Saravanan Vijayakumar from the ICMR-NCDIR, in the paper. The study stressed that it is important to consider low BMI as a potential risk factor for breast cancer prognosis and treatment outcomes, as these findings highlight. As India has a high prevalence of abdominal obesity, lifestyle interventions aimed at reducing waist circumference may be beneficial for preventing breast cancer. Notably, the review also highlighted the critical need for large, extensive, population-based prospective cohort studies in India to define breast cancer prevention and early detection strategies with greater precision. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 December,2025 10:36 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSExposure to air pollution may have serious implications for a child's developing brain and cause damage to language development, memory, and mood regulation, according to a study. Air pollution causes harmful contaminants, such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone, to circulate in the environment. The study led by physician-scientists at Oregon Health & Science University in the US warned that exposure to air pollution is associated with structural changes in the adolescent brain, specifically in the frontal and temporal regions -- the areas responsible for executive function, language, mood regulation, and socioemotional processing. "What we discovered was a slow and subtle effect happening on the brain, and while it might not be causing symptoms immediately, it could be shifting developmental trajectories and outcomes over time," said lead author Calvin Jara, resident in otolaryngology/head and neck surgeries in the OHSU School of Medicine. For the study, the team analysed data from nearly 11,000 children. The results, published in the journal Environmental Research, showed that baseline exposure to specific air pollutants in the early phase of adolescence, or the onset of puberty, generally ages 9 to 10, was associated with both persistent and developmental changes in cortical thickness -- a measurement of the structural maturation of the outer layer of the brain. Atypical cortical thinning, especially thinning that is accelerated, can be an indication of an underlying neurological disruption and result in associated cognitive impairment. Researchers warn that these structural changes in the brain could have impacts on a child's overall health, well-being, and life trajectory. Alterations in the development of these critical brain regions could impair attention, memory, and emotional regulation, potentially leading to academic difficulties and behavioural concerns. Future research should continue to examine these broader long-term consequences, researchers said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 December,2025 10:31 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSAn international team of researchers led by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has developed a cutting-edge nanoinjection drug delivery platform that has the potential to make breast cancer treatment safer and more effective. Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality among women worldwide. Conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, often harm non-cancerous tissues due to systemic drug exposure. The new nanoinjection system delivers the anticancer drug doxorubicin directly into cancer cells using thermally stable nanoarchaeosomes (NAs) loaded into vertically aligned SiNTs etched onto a silicon wafer. The approach creates a precise and sustained therapeutic system that minimises damage to healthy cells by combining nanoarchaeosome-based drug encapsulation with silicon nanotube (SiNT)-based intracellular delivery, said the team, including those from Monash University and Deakin University in Australia. Experiments on in vitro (cell culture) and ex ovo (chick embryo) models, published in the journal Advanced Materials Interfaces, demonstrated that the NAD-SiNTs (Nanoarchaeosome-Doxorubicin-Silicon nanotubes) induced strong cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, while sparing healthy fibroblasts. The NAD-SiNTs triggered cell-cycle arrest and necrosis in cancer cells and significantly reduced angiogenesis, the process through which tumours develop new blood vessels, by downregulating key pro-angiogenic factors. The platform demonstrated 23 times lower inhibitory concentration (IC50) than free doxorubicin, suggesting higher potency at much lower doses, which can directly translate into lower treatment costs and fewer side effects. “This research could have transformative implications for healthcare delivery in low- and middle-income countries like India, where access to advanced cancer therapies remains limited by cost. By enabling targeted delivery of smaller doses with higher efficacy, the system can potentially lower the overall expense of cancer treatment and improve patients’ quality of life,” said Dr. Swathi Sudhakar, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras. “The platform also aligns with national goals for affordable healthcare innovation and could eventually be adapted for use in treating other forms of cancer,” she added. Unlike other nanoinjection platforms made from carbon or titanium nanotubes, the silicon nanotube-based design is inherently biocompatible and non-toxic, reducing the need for additional surface modifications. This makes it a more reliable and scalable candidate for future clinical translation. The next phase of research will focus on in vivo validation, long-term toxicity studies, and regulatory assessments to prepare for preclinical and clinical translation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 December,2025 10:23 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSUS researchers have found a gut bacterium that may help people lose weight and enhance their metabolic health. This comes amid several weight-loss injections and medications that have proved their ability to help people lose weight. In studies on mice, the team from the University of Utah found that a specific type of gut bacteria, called Turicibacter, can improve metabolic health and reduce weight gain. People with obesity tend to have less Turicibacter, suggesting that the microbe may promote healthy weight in humans as well. The results could lead to new ways to control weight by adjusting gut bacteria, said the team, in the paper published in the journal Cell Metabolism. Turicibacter, a rod-shaped bacterium, was found to single-handedly reduce blood sugar, levels of fat in the blood, and weight gain for mice on a high-fat diet. Turicibacter’s effects are unlikely to be unique; many different gut bacteria probably contribute to metabolic health. And results based on animal models may not apply to people. “We have improved weight gain in mice, but I have no idea if this is actually true in humans,” Round said. But the researchers remain hopeful that Turicibacter could provide a starting point for developing treatments that promote healthy metabolism and prevent excessive weight gain. Turicibacter appears to improve metabolic health by affecting how the host produces a fatty molecule called ceramides, the researchers found. Ceramide levels increase on a high-fat diet, and high levels of ceramides are associated with many metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. But the fats produced by Turicibacter can keep ceramide levels low, even for mice on a high-fat diet. “With further investigation of individual microbes, we will be able to make microbes into medicine and find bacteria that are safe to create a consortium of different bugs that people with different diseases might be lacking,” said first author Kendra Klag from the varsity. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 December,2025 10:09 AM IST | IANS | IANSResearchers have identified a previously overlooked protein that helps regulate appetite and energy use in the body. This "helper" protein supports a key system that decides whether the body burns energy or stores it, and when it does not function properly, appetite signals can weaken. New research suggests that a protein the body relies on to manage appetite and energy levels cannot function on its own. Instead, it depends on a partner protein to work properly. This discovery could help scientists better understand how genetic factors contribute to obesity. In a study published in Science Signalling on December 16, an international research team led by scientists at the University of Birmingham examined how a helper protein known as MRAP2 supports an appetite-regulating protein called MC3R. MC3R plays a key role in deciding whether the body stores energy or uses it. Building on earlier hunger research Previous studies had already shown that MRAP2 is essential for the activity of a related protein (MC4R), which is known to control hunger. The new research set out to determine whether MRAP2 provides the same kind of support for the closely related protein MC4R. To explore this question, the researchers used cell models to observe how the proteins interact. They found that when MRAP2 was present in equal amounts with MC3R, cellular signaling became stronger. This result suggests that MRAP2 helps MC3R do its job of balancing energy intake with energy use. The team also identified specific regions of MRAP2 that are required for supporting signalling through both MC3R and MC4R. How genetic mutations weaken appetite signals The researchers then investigated what happens when MRAP2 carries genetic mutations that have been identified in some people with obesity. In these experiments, mutated versions of the supporter protein (MRAP2) failed to boost MC3R signalling. As a result, the appetite-regulating protein did not respond as effectively. These findings indicate that changes in MRAP2 can interfere with the hormone system that normally helps maintain energy balance. When this system does not work as intended, appetite regulation may be disrupted. New clues for obesity risk and future treatments Dr. Caroline Gorvin, Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham and lead author of the study, said: "The findings give us some important insights into what's going on in the hormonal system, related to some key functions like energy balance, appetite, and puberty timing. "The identification of this protein, MRAP2, as a key aide or supporter to these essential appetite-regulating proteins also gives us new clues for people who have a genetic predisposition to obesity, and how MRAP2 mutations are a clear indication of risk." By learning more about how MRAP2 supports appetite related signaling, researchers hope to determine whether future drugs could target this protein. Such treatments might strengthen feelings of fullness, reduce overeating, and improve the body's overall energy balance, offering new options for weight loss when dieting alone is not effective. A collaborative effort in metabolism and cell signalling research The research was carried out by a team from the Department of Metabolism and Systems Science and the Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE). COMPARE is a cross-university Research Centre involving the Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, focused on studying how cells communicate in both health and disease. Its goal is to develop new therapies for widespread conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. The centre is supported by advanced research facilities, including the COMPARE Advanced Imaging Facility, which is available to researchers from academia and industry. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
20 December,2025 01:50 PM IST | Washington DC (USA) | ANIResearchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have uncovered a surprising player in autophagy, or the “self-eating” process that removes damaged parts of cells that can pave the way for developing therapies for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, and cancer. Autophagy is a key biological process where cells clear out damaged and unwanted materials. When a cell fails to clear waste, its health suffers, especially in long-lived neurons. The autophagy pathway, which removes damaged material and defends against infections, is disrupted in diseases like Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s. In cancer, autophagy plays dual roles. Autophagy initially prevents cancer but later supports tumour growth. Autophagy also acts as a tumour suppressor by maintaining genome integrity and cellular homeostasis by clearing cellular junk such as protein aggregates and damaged mitochondria. But it is also a double-edged sword as certain types of cancer cells hijack autophagy for their own survival and propagation. Understanding its regulation is crucial for the development of effective therapies. The team from JNCASR, an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), found that a group of proteins called the exocyst complex, which normally helps move important molecules to the cell surface, also plays a key role in autophagy. This complex comprises a team of 8 proteins; interestingly, 7 of the 8 proteins are required to help the cell grow the trash bag so that it can completely wrap up the waste. When this complex is missing, the cell’s bag-making factory stops working properly and even starts producing faulty, non-functional factories. The researchers led by Prof. Ravi Manjithaya used simple yeast cells to elucidate the formation of autophagosomes (cellular “trash bags”), thereby providing insights into how this vital process operates in higher organisms. They elucidated the mechanism by which a protein complex, exocyst, previously recognised for its role in secretion, also contributes to the autophagy pathway, which is crucial for maintaining cellular health. Since defects in autophagy are linked to several neurodegenerative diseases and cancers, the findings published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences will open new avenues for modulating this pathway to restore cellular balance and develop potential therapeutic. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
20 December,2025 01:49 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSIn a remarkable achievement, doctors in Pune have successfully saved the life of a 23-week premature baby boy weighing only 550 grams at birth, and complications like breathing difficulties. The baby, delivered after premature rupture of membranes at a private hospital in Kondhwa, required immediate life support. The NICU transport team, also known as “NICU on wheels”, retrieved the extremely premature newborn in a specialised neonatal ambulance. After 100 days of care, the baby was discharged at 37 weeks, weighing 2.2 kgs, breastfeeding well, and showing a healthy developmental progress. The couple, who were expecting their first child, and eagerly looking forward to parenthood had to face a challenge. They never imagined that their joyful journey would suddenly turn into fear and uncertainty. One evening, the wife experienced unusual discomfort, and within hours, her water broke. Since she had no prior chronic illnesses, no thyroid or diabetes concerns, and her antenatal check-ups had been normal so far, she was in the low-risk pregnancy category. This unexpected complication came without any warning signs, adding to the shock and anxiety for the couple. Terrified and in pain, the husband rushed her to a nearby private hospital. Upon evaluation, the obstetrics team confirmed that Rima had gone into extremely preterm labour at just 23 weeks of pregnancy. Her condition progressed rapidly, and the team performed a spontaneous vaginal delivery. The baby boy was born weighing only 550 grams, requiring urgent and specialised neonatal intervention due to his extreme prematurity. Recognising the critical condition of the newborn, the doctors immediately contacted Motherhood Hospital, Lullanagar in Pune. Within minutes, the specialised NICU on Wheels ambulance arrived to take care of the baby and mother. Led by Dr Prashant Laxmanrao Ramtekkar, consultant – Paediatrician & Neonatologist, at the hospital, the neonatal team carefully stabilised the micro-preemie, placed him on a ventilator, and transported him with the highest level of precision and monitoring. Dr Prashant shared, “When we received the call, we knew this baby needed immediate and advanced support to survive. Babies born at 23 weeks and weighing under 600 grams fall into the micro-preemie category and face extremely high risks — including breathing failure, brain bleeding, infections, and feeding difficulties. Our NICU on Wheels team reached the hospital, stabilised and intubated the newborn, and transferred him safely. The first few hours were critical, but timely action made a tremendous difference in his survival.” He added, “The baby had underdeveloped lungs, severe breathing difficulty, and required ventilator support from the first minute of life. We administered surfactant to help lung maturation and continued ventilation for seven days, after which he was shifted to non-invasive support like CPAP and HFNC. He also developed late-onset sepsis. This caused his blood to fail to clot properly, making the situation very critical. Treating such babies is extremely challenging because every organ is immature. We carefully managed fluids to prevent heart issues like PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) is a small blood vessel in a baby’s heart that normally closes soon after birth monitored brain scans, performed ROP screening, and ensured hearing development. Each milestone he achieved felt like a victory.” “For extremely premature babies, nutrition is as important as breathing support. The baby was started on total parenteral nutrition and later transitioned to expressed mother’s milk through a feeding tube. Gradually, we increased feeds as he tolerated them. Kangaroo Mother Care was introduced early, which helped him gain stability, bond with his parents, and grow physically and emotionally. By the time of discharge, he was breastfeeding well, gaining weight, and all his screenings for brain, eyes, and hearing were normal. The baby was discharged at 37 weeks of life, weighing 2.2 kgs, and was accepting breastfeeding well. The total NICU stay was 100 days. This shows a promising long-term outcome. We have advised regular follow-ups to monitor his growth and development”, highlighted Dr Ramtekkar. India records one of the highest burdens of prematurity in the world, with about 13 per cent of babies born preterm and over 3 million preterm births in 2020 alone. These newborns are extremely vulnerable and require immediate, specialized care to survive and thrive. That’s why timely intervention, skilled neonatal support, and a fully equipped hospital with advanced NICU systems are essential. With the right expertise and rapid response, even the tiniest babies get a real chance at life. “When I saw my baby for the first time, just 550 grams, my heart just sank. Every day in the NICU was an emotional rollercoaster, where even the smallest milestone felt like a big victory. I held on to hope each time he opened his eyes and breathed a little better. The team of doctors and nurses at Motherhood Lullanagar became our biggest strength through the toughest days. Today, watching him breastfeed and grow feels like witnessing a miracle, and I am grateful to the entire team for giving my son his chance at life," the mother concluded.
19 December,2025 12:49 PM IST | PuneEven as the bird flu virus H5N1 is evolving rapidly, with the potential to become a significant threat to human health, a team of Indian researchers using an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based model has decoded how the deadly virus can actually spillover to humans. In the study, published in the BMC Public Health journal, the team used BharatSim -- an ultra-large-scale agent-based simulation framework for infectious diseases that was originally built for Covid-19 modelling -- to describe the sequential stages of a zoonotic spillover. “We modelled the possibility of initial spillover events of H5N1 from birds to humans, followed by sustained human-to-human transmission,” said Philip Cherian and Gautam I. Menon from the Department of Physics at the Haryana-based Ashoka University, in the paper. “Our model describes the two-step nature of outbreak initiation, showing how crucial epidemiological parameters governing transmission can be calibrated given data for the distribution of the number of primary and secondary cases at early times,” they added. Avian flu, which first emerged in China in the late 1990s, has since occasionally infected humans. As South and South-East Asia have the world’s fastest-growing poultry markets, the region is predicted to be the likely location for an initial outbreak. Notably, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 990 human H5N1 cases across 25 countries, including 475 deaths with a 48 per cent fatality rate, between 2003 and August 2025. The computational model showed that culling birds is the most effective measure to curb H5N1 outbreaks, both in the case of a farm outbreak or a wet market. However, this will work only when no primary infection has occurred. “In our study of the tertiary attack risk, we found that even if an infection of a primary case occurs, onward infections are limited if cases are isolated and their household contacts quarantined. However, once tertiary contacts are infected, establishing control becomes impossible unless far more stringent measures are applied, including a total lockdown,” the experts noted. They stressed that it is in the very early stages of an outbreak that control measures make the most difference. "Once community transmission takes over, cruder public-health measures such as lockdowns, compulsory masking, and large-scale vaccination drives are the only options left,” the researchers added. The study shows how such models allow for the systematic real-time exploration of policy measures that could constrain disease spread, as well as guide a better understanding of disease epidemiology for an emerging infectious disease. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
19 December,2025 10:22 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSAir pollution is no longer just an environmental concern; it is steadily shortening life expectancy, reducing productivity and quality of life, said health experts here on Thursday, even as the national capital has been witnessing deteriorating air quality for over a month. Visuals from different parts of Delhi and the NCR showed sharply reduced visibility as dense smog engulfed roads, residential areas, and public spaces, affecting daily movement and raising health concerns among residents. Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 356, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The experts noted that prolonged exposure to air pollution is eroding India’s economic growth while triggering a sharp rise in serious health conditions such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, and neurological disorders. This is placing a growing strain on healthcare systems -- ultimately weakening India’s long-term development potential. “Prolonged exposure does not just shorten life expectancy; it increases the number of years lived with disability. In highly polluted cities, people may survive longer but with chronic illness that reduces productivity, quality of life, and economic contribution,” said Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. “Addressing air pollution, therefore, requires coordinated action across healthcare systems, urban planning, and public awareness, with a much stronger focus on preventive and primary healthcare,” he added at an event organised by the Illness to Wellness Foundation. Delhi-based pulmonologist Dr. G. C. Khilnani described air pollution as a "man-made public health emergency" that is likely to have a widespread impact on respiratory and cardiovascular health. “The most dangerous effects of air pollution are often invisible -- ultra-fine particles penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and damage multiple organs without early warning signs,” he said. Neurologist Dr. Daljit Singh noted that pollution affects brain blood circulation and significantly increases the risk of both ischemic and haemorrhagic strokes. “We are now observing clear seasonal spikes in stroke admissions during high-pollution months, indicating that pollution is emerging as an independent risk factor. Beyond stroke, air pollution is also associated with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease, making this a growing neurological challenge that must be urgently addressed,” Singh added. Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Mentor – FICCI Health Sector, stated that air pollution has become a silent risk factor aggravating nearly every disease category. “It disproportionately affects the poor, children, and outdoor workers, even though they contribute the least to the problem. The dangerous myth is that technology alone will solve this crisis. What we lack is urgency and accountability,” said Mahajan. The experts emphasised the need for long-term commitment, strong enforcement, and informed public participation to ensure healthier lives and a more resilient economy.
19 December,2025 09:49 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSWhile cheese -- high in saturated fat and sodium -- is known to raise the risk of high cholesterol or blood pressure, a new study has linked it to a lower risk of developing dementia. The study, published in the journal Neurology, showed that some high-fat dairy products, such as cheddar, Brie, and Gouda, as well as whipping cream, double cream, and clotted cream, may actually lower the risk of dementia. The findings challenge some long-held assumptions about fat and brain health. However, researchers from Lund University, Sweden, clarified that “the study does not prove that eating high-fat cheese and high-fat cream lowers the risk of dementia, it only shows an association”. Researchers analysed data from 27,670 people in Sweden with an average age of 58 at the start of the study. They were followed for an average of 25 years. During the study, 3,208 people developed dementia. The results showed that people who ate more high-fat cheese had a 13 per cent lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who consumed less. When looking at specific types of dementia, they found people who ate more high-fat cheese had a 29 per cent lower risk of vascular dementia. In addition, a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease was also found among those who ate more high-fat cheese, but only among those not carrying the APOE e4 gene variant -- a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Similarly, people who consumed high-fat cream daily had a 16 per cent lower risk of dementia compared to those who drank none. However, no associations were found between dementia risk and eating low-fat cheese, low-fat cream, high- or low-fat milk, butter, or fermented milk, which includes yogurt, kefir, and buttermilk. "These findings suggest that when it comes to brain health, not all dairy is equal," said Emily Sonestedt, from Lund University. "While eating more high-fat cheese and cream was linked to a reduced risk of dementia, other dairy products and low-fat alternatives did not show the same effect," she added. The team urged for more research to confirm the results. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
18 December,2025 03:34 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSADVERTISEMENT
