T-cell therapy is cancer treatment’s next moonshot

An oncologist explains why interest in the new technology goes beyond providing a new lease of life to

people with leukaemias and lymphomas.

An artist’s impression of T-cells (in grey) attacking another cell.

The story so far: The three major forms of treatment for any cancer are surgery (removing the

cancer), radiotherapy (delivering ionising radiation to the tumour), and systemic therapy

(administering medicines that act on the tumour). Surgery and radiotherapy have been refined

significantly over time – whereas advances in systemic therapy have been unparalleled. A new

development on this front, currently holding the attention of many researchers worldwide, is

CAR T-cell therapy.

Systemic therapy’s earliest form was chemotherapy: when administered, it preferentially acts

on cancer cells because of the latter’s rapid, unregulated growth and poor healing mechanisms.

Chemotherapeutic drugs have modest response rates and significant side-effects as they affect

numerous cell types in the body.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/explained-why-car-t-cell-therapy-is-cancer-treatments-next-moonshot/article66478184.ece

GERD: Early signs of acid reflux that should NOT be taken lightly

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common digestive problems worldwide. In India, 20-30% of the population is said to suffer from the condition. GERD or acid reflux occurs when stomach acids constantly flow back into the esophagus, which is the tube that connects your mouth to the stomach. The repeated backwash irritates the lining of your esophagus, also called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This in turn causes several symptoms, which either can be eased down with natural remedies or need more intervention.

Heart is the most common symptom of acid reflux. It is characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, right behind your breastbone. The painful sensation can travel from the lower part of the breastbone to the throat. It occurs when the acid from the stomach moves back up to the lining of the esophagus. This can last from several minutes to hours.

Regurgitation

If you have acid reflux, you're likely to experience regurgitation. Regurgitation is when undigested food accompanied by stomach acid travels back up from the stomach to the esophagus. This could make you burp and can leave a sour taste in your mouth. Overeating, exercising right after a meal or bending over after eating can cause this symptom.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is a medical term for when you find it difficult to swallow. It feels as though your food is stuck in your throat or chest. This occurs because of the damage caused by the reflux to the esophageal tissues. The scar and inflammation caused to the tissues can narrow it down making it difficult to swallow any food.

Sore throat and hoarse voice

As discussed, acid reflux occurs when stomach acid moves back up into the esophagus. This can irritate the lining of the tube and the vocal cords, leading to a sore throat, a dry cough, and wheezing. This may also result in a hoarse voice.

Chronic cough

Chronic cough is a cough that lasts for weeks. While it is not a typical symptom of GERD, links between the two have been drawn by several studies. Although it is unclear as to what causes cough in GERD, Medical News Today shares two possible theories. The first mechanism suggests cough is said to occur as a "reflexive action set off by the rising of stomach acid into the food pipe."The second theory claims, "reflux moves above the food pipe and causes tiny droplets of stomach acid to land in the voice box or throat. This type of reflux is known as laryngeal pharyngeal reflux (LPR). LPR may lead to the development of a cough as a protective mechanism against the reflux."

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/gerd-early-signs-of-acid-reflux-that-should-not-be-taken-lightly/photostory/97686491.cms?picid=97686504

Cardiac arrest: Woman shares the sign she missed when she had cardiac arrest at 24

At the age of 24, Brittany Williams almost lost her life due to a cardiac arrest. She lost consciousness and was admitted to hospital. She woke up two days later. Nine years later, Brittany has shared information pertaining to the health condition she had during cardiac arrest, and the symptoms which she ignored which nearly claimed her life.In the TODAY show, Brittany has opened up on the life threatening condition she faced back then.

"All of a sudden the left side of my body went numb and tingly"

Talking about how the cardiac arrest started to develop in her, Brittany said she experienced numbness and tingling sensation in the left side of the body while she was at work.Cardiac arrest is the sudden loss of the heart function as the heart stops beating abruptly. This leads to breathing issues and the person loses consciousness. Without prompt medical intervention or formal CPR the person may die due to cardiac arrest. One of the primary signs of cardiac arrest is unresponsiveness."I was at work, and all of a sudden the left side of my body went numb and tingly. I sat back and thought, 'Oh no, this doesn't feel right. This is not what I feel like on a day-to-day basis," she said in the show.

She searched the internet for her symptoms and spoke to her boss

When the symptoms got worse she immediately searched the internet and zeroed in on three conditions: stroke, heart attack and cardiac arrest.She immediately went to her boss, who dismissed her concerns. "You're 24 years old. You run five miles a day. You eat extremely healthy, that would never happen to you," Brittany remembers her boss saying."I trusted her.""And three days later I collapsed in a restaurant in Times Square," she said.During the seizure her parents were there with her who noticed that her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she just collapsed and became unresponsive.

She suffered from long QT syndrome

When Brittany was admitted to the hospital it was found that she suffers from long QT syndrome, a condition that causes a fast and irregular heartbeat. Many people suffer from congenital long QT syndrome. Sometimes it is also caused due to medication. It often goes unnoticed and sometimes misdiagnosed as seizure or epilepsy. Long QT syndrome is treated medically through medications like beta blockers and also by making changes to lifestyle.

What are the common signs of cardiac arrest?

The immediate symptoms of cardiac arrest are collapsing suddenly, no pulse, no breathing and loss of consciousness. Symptoms like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, weakness and fluttering of the heart occur before sudden cardiac arrest. People should pay attention to minor signals of cardiac arrest, which often get missed, just like in Brittany's case. She experienced a tingling sensation in the body which she had ignored entirely based on the opinion of her boss.

CPR is crucial

It is very important to make sure that medical help reaches the person when he or she has cardiac arrest. CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation gives compression to the heart which might help in creating an electrical impulse that makes the heart pump.Heart health: Myths cardiologists wish people stop believingCPR is done only when the person is not breathing. One should check whether the person is breathing or not before giving CPR. It is because the CPR compression might interfere with the normal heart beat. In CPR, one has to push hard and fast on the person's chest — about 100 to 120 pushes a minute. Then rescue breaths are given after every 30 compressions.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/cardiac-arrest-woman-shares-the-sign-she-missed-when-she-had-cardiac-arrest-at-24/photostory/97691734.cms

Stroke symptoms: Mini-stroke signs like sudden delirium can appear a week before a major stroke

A stroke is also called a brain attack and can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death. A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain gets blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.

Strokes are often silent before the attack. However, there are certain symptoms that can indicate a mini-stroke, which can lead to a major, life-threatening stroke in the coming hours or days.

Mini stroke symptoms are common

Around 43 percent of stroke patients experience mini-stroke symptoms “up to a week before” a major stroke, according to the health portal Cardiac Screen.Mini strokes refer to a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), which is triggered by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to a part of the brain. Sudden delirium is one of the tell-tale signs of TIA.

What happens in sudden delirium?

A study, published in the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found that one of the common signs of TIA is sudden delirium or confusion. This symptom could leave you unable to think or speak clearly.

About the study

The research team examined 2,416 participants who suffered from an ischaemic stroke. They found that in 549 patients, TIAs appeared before the actual emergency and happened within the week leading to a stroke in most cases.

How to identify someone with delirium

A patient experiencing delirium could feel disorientated and struggle to pay attention or remember things. According to the NHS UK, if you suspect someone is experiencing this sign, “Try asking the person their name, their age and today's date. If they seem unsure or cannot answer you, they probably need medical help.”It is important to not ignore the early warning signs and “get help right away as a more serious stroke could be hours or days away,” Cardiac Screen warns.

How to prevent a stroke

Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help in reducing your risk of a stroke. Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit your salt intake and ensure you do not have more than six grams a day. Excessive salt intake can lead to high blood pressure, which can increase your risk of stroke. It is important to quit smoking and cut back on alcohol.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/this-is-normal-8-times-you-might-be-seriously-mistaken-with-seemingly-normal-sexual-health-facts/photostory/97692427.cms

Brain health can decline due to poor oral health: Study

Gum disease, missing teeth, lack of plaque removal and other signs of poor oral health increase stroke risk.

Taking care of your teeth and gums may have benefits beyond oral health, such as increasing brain function, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2023.

The meeting, which will be held in person and electronically in Dallas from February 8 to 10, 2023, is the world's leading forum for stroke and brain health researchers and physicians.

Studies have shown that gum disease, missing teeth and other signs of poor oral health, as well as poor brushing habits and lack of plaque removal, increase stroke risk. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the number 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. Previous research has also found that gum disease and other oral health concerns are linked to heart disease risk factors and other conditions like high blood pressure.

"What hasn't been clear is whether poor oral health affected brain health, meaning the functional status of a person's brain, which we are now able to understand better using neuroimaging tools such as magnetic resonance imaging or MRI," said study author Cyprien Rivier, M.D., M.S., a postdoctoral fellow in neurology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

"Studying oral health is especially important because poor oral health happens frequently and is an easily modifiable risk factor - everyone can effectively improve their oral health with minimal time and financial investment."

Just as healthy lifestyle choices impact the risk of heart disease and stroke, they also affect brain health, which includes one's ability to remember things, think clearly and function in life. Three in five people in the U.S. will develop brain disease in their lifetime, according to latest estimates from the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

Between 2014 and 2021, researchers in this study analyzed the potential link between oral health and brain health among about 40,000 adults (46 per cent men, average age 57 years) without a history of stroke enrolled in the U.K. Biobank. Participants were screened for 105 genetic variants known to predispose persons to have cavities, dentures and missing teeth later in life, and the relationship between the burden of these genetic risk factors for poor oral health and brain health was evaluated.

Signs of poor brain health were screened via MRI images of the participants' brains: white matter hyperintensities, defined as accumulated damage in the brain's white matter, which may impair memory, balance and mobility; and microstructural damage, which is the degree to which the fine architecture of the brain has changed in comparison to images for a normal brain scan of a healthy adult of similar age.

The analysis found:

People genetically prone to cavities, missing teeth or needing dentures had a higher burden of silent cerebrovascular disease, as represented by a 24 per cent increase in the number of white matter hyperintensities visible on the MRI images.

Those with overall genetically poor oral health had increased damage to the fine architecture of the brain, as represented by a 43 per cent change in microstructural damage scores visible on the MRI scans. Microstructural damage scores are whole-brain summaries of the damage sustained by the fine architecture of each brain region.

"Poor oral health may cause declines in brain health, so we need to be extra careful with our oral hygiene because it has implications far beyond the mouth," Rivier said. "However, this study is preliminary, and more evidence needs to be gathered - ideally through clinical trials - to confirm improving oral health in the population will lead to brain health benefits." The analysis was limited by the fact that the UK Biobank includes only people who reside in the U.K., and they are predominantly of European ancestry (94 per cent of the U.K. Biobank participants reported their race as white vs. 6 per cent reported as mixed, Black British, Asian British or other). In addition, more research among people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds is needed.

American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, Stroke Council member and volunteer expert Joseph P. Broderick, M.D., FAHA, a professor at the University of Cincinnati Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine and director of the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, said while the study results don't demonstrate that dental hygiene improves brain health, the findings are "intriguing" and should prompt more research.

"Environmental factors such as smoking and health conditions such as diabetes are much stronger risk factors for poor oral health than any genetic marker - except for rare genetic conditions associated with poor oral health, such as defective or missing enamel," Broderick said. "It is still good advice to pay attention to oral hygiene and health. However, since people with poor brain health are likely to be less attentive to good oral health compared to those with normal brain health, it is impossible to prove cause and effect. Also, genetic profiles for increased risk of oral health may overlap with genetic risk factors for other chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, stroke, infections, etc. that are known to be related to brain imaging markers." Broderick was not involved in this study.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/brain-health-can-decline-due-to-poor-oral-health-study-476671

Intermittent fasting might reverse type 2 diabetes, reveals study

Fasting for a certain number of hours each day or eating just one meal a couple of days a week can help your body burn fat.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism of the Endocrine Society, patients who underwent an intermittent fasting diet intervention achieved complete diabetes remission, which is defined as a HbA1c (average blood sugar) level of less than 6.5% at least one year after stopping diabetes medication.

Intermittent fasting diets have become popular in recent years as an effective weight loss method. With intermittent fasting, you only eat during a specific window of time. Fasting for a certain number of hours each day or eating just one meal a couple of days a week can help your body burn fat. Research shows intermittent fasting can lower your risk of diabetes and heart disease.

"Type 2 diabetes is not necessarily a permanent, lifelong disease. Diabetes remission is possible if patients lose weight by changing their diet and exercise habits," said Dongbo Liu, Ph.D., of Hunan Agricultural University in Changsha, China. "Our research shows an intermittent fasting, Chinese Medical Nutrition Therapy (CMNT), can lead to diabetes remission in people with type 2 diabetes, and these findings could have a major impact on the over 537 million adults worldwide who suffer from the disease."

The researchers conducted a 3-month intermittent fasting diet intervention among 36 people with diabetes and found almost 90% of participants, including those who took blood sugar-lowering agents and insulin, reduced their diabetes medication intake after intermittent fasting. Fifty-five percent of these people experienced diabetes remission, discontinued their diabetes medication and maintained it for at least one year.

The study challenges the conventional view that diabetes remission can only be achieved in those with a shorter diabetes duration (0-6 years). Sixty-five percent of the study participants who achieved diabetes remission had a diabetes duration of more than 6 years (6-11 years).

"Diabetes medications are costly and a barrier for many patients who are trying to effectively manage their diabetes. Our study saw medication costs decrease by 77% in people with diabetes after intermittent fasting," Liu said.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/intermittent-fasting-might-reverse-type-2-diabetes-reveals-study-476908

What causes stress urinary incontinence and how to treat it?

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition that affects millions of people around

the world. It is defined as the accidental leakage of urine due to physical stress, such as

coughing, laughing, or exercising. SUI can be a frustrating and embarrassing condition, but it

is treatable and manageable with the right approach. In this article, we will explore the causes

of SUI and the available treatment options.

What are the possible causes of stress urinary incontinence?

Dr. Ruchi Bhandari, Consultant Gynaecologist, Infertility Specialist, Director, Mishka IVF

Centre, Jaipur, says, “The main cause of SUI is a weak pelvic floor. The pelvic floor muscles

help to support the bladder and control urination. Over time, these muscles can weaken, leading

to SUI. Pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, aging, and obesity can also contribute to the

weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and increase the risk of SUI. Women are more likely to

experience SUI than men, but anyone can be affected by this condition.”

How to treat stress urinary incontinence?

To treat SUI, there are several options available. Pelvic floor muscle exercises, also known as

Kegels, are a common and effective treatment for SUI. These exercises help to strengthen the

pelvic floor muscles, which can help to prevent and manage SUI. Lifestyle changes, such as

losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding bladder irritants, can also help to reduce the

symptoms of SUI.

Exercise to strengthen pelvic floor muscles:

Sit comfortably and squeeze the pelvic floor muscles 10 to 15 times to strengthen them. Breathe

normally and avoid tensing your leg, bottom, or stomach muscles at the same moment. You

might try holding each squeeze for a few seconds once you grow used to performing pelvic

floor exercises.

Medications and surgery for stress urinary incontinence:

“Medications, such as antimuscarinics and beta-3 agonists, can also be prescribed to help relax

the bladder muscles and reduce SUI. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the

pelvic floor muscles or bladder neck. This type of surgery is known as a sling procedure and

can be effective in treating SUI,” says Dr. Bhandari.

Another effective treatment is Laser therapy, a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure that

uses CO2 lasers to help resolve the condition. The treatment is performed by cosmetic

gynecologists and aims to improve the strength and elasticity of the pelvic floor muscles.

Additionally, the results of laser treatment for SUI can last for several years, reducing the need

for bulky and uncomfortable incontinence products. By resolving SUI, women can experience

improved quality of life and increased confidence.

In conclusion, SUI is a common condition that affects millions of people around the world.

With the right approach, SUI is treatable and manageable. Pelvic floor muscle exercises,

lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, and laser treatment are all effective treatment options

for SUI. If you are experiencing symptoms of SUI, it is important to consult a healthcare

provider to determine the best treatment plan for your specific case.

Find out about the latest Lifestyle, Fashion & Beauty trends, Relationship tips & the buzz on

Health & Food.

Carcinoma of the esophagus, also known as esophageal cancer, is a type of cancer that affects

the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach.

If left untreated, esophageal cancer can be deadly. Fortunately, early detection and treatment

can greatly improve a person's chances of survival.

What are the possible causes of esophageal cancer?

Dr. Sarath Chandra Reddy, Consultant - Radiation Oncology, CARE Hospitals, Hi-Tech City,

Hyderabad, says, “Unfortunately, there is no screening protocol for the general population

except in individuals with high risk factors that can increase a person's likelihood of developing

esophageal cancer, including these”:Tobacco useAlcohol consumptionBarrett's esophagusAcid

reflux

Methods of detection:

There are several methods for detecting esophageal cancer in its early stages.Endoscopy: An

endoscopy involves inserting a long, flexible tube with a camera and light attached into the

mouth and down the esophagus.

Biopsy: A biopsy involves removing a small sample of tissue

for examination under a microscope. This is the only definitive way to diagnose esophageal

cancer.Newer techniques like Capsule endoscopy and Unsedated Transnasal endoscopy are

showing much promise.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/esophageal-cancerhow-

to-catch-it-early-and-treat-it-in-time/photostory/97639053.cms?picid=97639073

A biopsy can spread cancer": Myths oncologists wish you never believed

Cancer burden continues to increase worldwide. It is the second leading cause of death globally and claims more than 9.5 million lives annually.

Cancer awareness is essential to bring down the number of cancer deaths globally and for this purpose World Cancer Day is observed every year on February 4.

"World Cancer Day aims to prevent millions of deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, and pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease," says the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

Dispelling myths and understanding the key symptoms of cancer are two of the most important ways to increase knowledge around cancer.

Myths are the encumbrances that widen the gap between cancer care and cancer patients

While there is so much medically supported information around cancer, in reality few of these reach the concerned people. Not just the lack of dissemination of information, belief in wrong information or myths widens the gap between advanced cancer treatment and the patients.

10 early signs of cancer which should not be missed

"The common myths we doctors hear about cancer are: Cancer is cancel; Cancer is incurable; Cancer is lifelong," Dr Akash Shah, Senior Consultant, Department of Medical Oncology, Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad.

"Cancer is highly curable in the early stages (stages I & II). It can be cured lifelong in 80 to 90 % of early stages of cancer,' Dr Shah adds.

Myth: A biopsy can spread cancer

This is a myth, says Dr Shah and explains that a biopsy is mandatory in most cases of cancer for proper diagnosis and treatment plans. However, some cancers do not require a biopsy and direct surgery is possible.

Cancer treatment: How to take care of the body post surgery

Biopsy is a medical process in which a small piece of tissue is taken from the body to test in the laboratory. People experiencing unexplainable signs and symptoms are recommended for biopsy in order to determine the issue.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/a-biopsy-can-spread-cancer-myths-oncologists-wish-you-never-believed/photostory/97580118.cms

You should take the HPV vaccine, go for cervical screening now?

Why you should take the HPV vaccine, go for cervical screening now

The best time for girls to get vaccinated is between nine and 14 years. Meanwhile Women should begin screening from the age of 21. The efficacy of the vaccine is reported between 95 and 100 per cent for HPV 16 and 18, says Dr Abhishek Shankar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at AIIMS, Delhi

HPVThe HPV vaccine is given in two to three doses and the best time to start is when a girl is between nine and 14 years but can be given beyond 14 years also with a doctor's advice. 

Get informed: Awareness about the facts on cervical cancer must lead to an action-oriented approach. Just reading about cervical cancer is not going to prevent or detect the disease early if you do not take the HPV vaccination or go for age-appropriate screening. You should educate and encourage others too for the same.

Get vaccinated: The HPV vaccine is given in two to three doses and the best time to start is when a girl is between nine and 14 years but can be given beyond 14 years also with a doctor’s advice.

Get screened: Cervical cancer screening starts at age 21 and is repeated periodically as advised by the doctors.

Get investigated: Women should consult a doctor and get further investigated when they have vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause, foul-smelling, watery or bloody vaginal discharge, pain during intercourse, unexplained, persistent pelvic and/or back pain.

Get treated: Women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer must go for complete treatment as it saves lives.

HPV makes up a group of viruses that are extremely common worldwide – there are more than 100 types, of which at least 14 cause cancer. HPV 16 and 18 are together responsible for about 70 per cent of the global disease burden. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection. The higher rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality in India are not attributable to differences in cervical infection with HPV types. Instead, they are because of the absence of the HPV vaccination programme, the relative lack of high-quality cervical cancer screening and the lack of access to cervical cancer treatment.

Vaccination is the best prevention. Cervarix and Gardasil are the currently available HPV vaccines. Cervarix is a bivalent vaccine that protects you against HPV type 16 and 18. Gardasil is available in quadrivalent and non-valent forms that protect you against HPV strains 6, 11, 16 and 28 (and additionally 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 in nine-valent or Gardasil 9).

The WHO now recommends one or two-dose schedules for girls aged between nine and 14 years, one or two-dose schedules for girls and women aged between 15 and 20 years and two doses with a six-month interval for women older than 21 years.

HPV vaccines are safe and part of the immunisation programme in many of the countries. Efficacy of the vaccine is reported between 95 and 100 per cent for HPV 16 & 18. Also, studies have confirmed the cross protection from HPV 31, 33 and 45.

Who should go for cervical screening and when? As per the recommendations, women aged between 21 and 29 years should be screened with cervical cytology examination (pap smear or test) every three years. Women aged between 30 and 65 years should go for cervical cytology examination every three years, a HPV DNA test every five years or co-testing with Pap Smear and HPV DNA test every five years. No screening is recommended for women below 21 years.

The elimination of cervical cancer will require not only bold strategic actions that are designed to improve community awareness in India but also to encourage women to adopt vaccination and go for screening. It also needs efforts to make the vaccine and screening accessible, rapidly expand workforce capacity, strengthen health systems; lower vaccine prices and accelerate the introduction of affordable technology into screening and treatment algorithms. Remember cervical cancer is preventable.

https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/why-you-should-take-the-hpv-vaccine-go-for-cervical-screening-now-8424284/

Age-related abdominal fat may lead to less effective muscle function: Study

Findings add to the growing dangers of body fat storage.

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism links age-related abdominal fat increase to decreased muscle density. Low muscle density means that the muscle is fattier, which may result in less effective athletic activity and, as a result, more falls.

Individuals with the greatest six-year accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in the belly had significantly lower muscle density, according to the study. These findings add to the growing dangers of body fat storage, as VAT accumulation is a preventable risk factor for poor musculoskeletal outcomes associated with ageing.

Entitled “Accumulation in Visceral Adipose Tissue Over 6 Years Is Associated With Lower Paraspinal Muscle Density,” it is the first large, longitudinal study of the association between changes in VAT and muscle density.

“Most obesity research has focused on metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and osteoarthritis. But there is considerably less consensus on the role of obesity on the risk for low muscle mass or muscle density,” said Lead Author Ching-Ti Liu, PhD, Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at Boston University School of Public Health, and Senior Author Douglas P. Kiel, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Musculoskeletal Research Center and Senior Scientist, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research.

The study found that VAT may represent a modifiable risk factor for poor musculoskeletal outcomes with ageing.

“The study adds important new information to public health efforts to reverse the trend of the growing obesity problem in the United States and worldwide,” the authors said. “Fat that accumulates in the abdomen sometimes referred to as the ‘male pattern,’ was shown to produce less dense muscle surrounding the spine, resulting in less-effective muscle function.”

The other researchers on the study were Timothy Tsai, M.P.H., Research Software Engineer II at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research; Brett T. Allaire, Research Assistant III at the Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Mary L. Bouxsein, PhD, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Marian T. Hannan, D.Sc., M.P.H., Senior Scientist, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research; and Thomas G. Travison, Ph.D., Director of Biostatistics and Data Sciences, Co-Director of the Interventional

Studies in Aging Center, Senior Scientist, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/age-related-abdominal-fat-may-lead-to-less-effective-muscle-function-study-476670

Brain health can decline due to poor oral health: Study

Gum disease, missing teeth, lack of plaque removal and other signs of poor oral health increase stroke risk

Taking care of your teeth and gums may have benefits beyond oral health, such as increasing brain function, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2023.

The meeting, which will be held in person and electronically in Dallas from February 8 to 10, 2023, is the world's leading forum for stroke and brain health researchers and physicians.

Studies have shown that gum disease, missing teeth and other signs of poor oral health, as well as poor brushing habits and lack of plaque removal, increase stroke risk. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the number 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. Previous research has also found that gum disease and other oral health concerns are linked to heart disease risk factors and other conditions like high blood pressure.

"What hasn't been clear is whether poor oral health affected brain health, meaning the functional status of a person's brain, which we are now able to understand better using neuroimaging tools such as magnetic resonance imaging or MRI," said study author Cyprien Rivier, M.D., M.S., a postdoctoral fellow in neurology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

"Studying oral health is especially important because poor oral health happens frequently and is an easily modifiable risk factor - everyone can effectively improve their oral health with minimal time and financial investment."

Just as healthy lifestyle choices impact the risk of heart disease and stroke, they also affect brain health, which includes one's ability to remember things, think clearly and function in life. Three in five people in the U.S. will develop brain disease in their lifetime, according to latest estimates from the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

Between 2014 and 2021, researchers in this study analyzed the potential link between oral health and brain health among about 40,000 adults (46 per cent men, average age 57 years) without a history of stroke enrolled in the U.K. Biobank. Participants were screened for 105 genetic variants known to predispose persons to have cavities, dentures and missing teeth later

in life, and the relationship between the burden of these genetic risk factors for poor oral health and brain health was evaluated.

Signs of poor brain health were screened via MRI images of the participants' brains: white matter hyperintensities, defined as accumulated damage in the brain's white matter, which may impair memory, balance and mobility; and microstructural damage, which is the degree to which the fine architecture of the brain has changed in comparison to images for a normal brain scan of a healthy adult of similar age.

The analysis found:

People genetically prone to cavities, missing teeth or needing dentures had a higher burden of silent cerebrovascular disease, as represented by a 24 per cent increase in the number of white matter hyperintensities visible on the MRI images.

Those with overall genetically poor oral health had increased damage to the fine architecture of the brain, as represented by a 43 per cent change in microstructural damage scores visible on the MRI scans. Microstructural damage scores are whole-brain summaries of the damage sustained by the fine architecture of each brain region.

"Poor oral health may cause declines in brain health, so we need to be extra careful with our oral hygiene because it has implications far beyond the mouth," Rivier said. "However, this study is preliminary, and more evidence needs to be gathered - ideally through clinical trials - to confirm improving oral health in the population will lead to brain health benefits." The analysis was limited by the fact that the UK Biobank includes only people who reside in the U.K., and they are predominantly of European ancestry (94 per cent of the U.K. Biobank participants reported their race as white vs. 6 per cent reported as mixed, Black British, Asian British or other). In addition, more research among people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds is needed.

American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, Stroke Council member and volunteer expert Joseph P. Broderick, M.D., FAHA, a professor at the University of Cincinnati Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine and director of the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, said while the study results don't demonstrate that dental hygiene improves brain health, the findings are "intriguing" and should prompt more research.

"Environmental factors such as smoking and health conditions such as diabetes are much stronger risk factors for poor oral health than any genetic marker - except for rare genetic conditions associated with poor oral health, such as defective or missing enamel," Broderick said. "It is still good advice to pay attention to oral hygiene and health. However, since people with poor brain health are likely to be less attentive to good oral health compared to those with normal brain health, it is impossible to prove cause and effect. Also, genetic profiles for increased risk of oral health may overlap with genetic risk factors for other chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, stroke, infections, etc. that are known to be related to brain imaging markers." Broderick was not involved in this study.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/brain-health-can-decline-due-to-poor-oral-health-study-476671

Are you too young to have high BP?

High blood pressure is often seen as an old age problem. People experience abnormal blood pressure, for the first time, in their 50s and 60s mostly. But does that mean the incidence of elevated blood pressure is only specific to age? While the right answer to this is "No", it is important to understand what influences the rise in blood pressure. Experts have spoken against this biggest myth related to high blood pressure and the aftereffects like heart problems.

"People younger than 40 years can also have the problem of high BP"

Dr.Priyanka Sehrawat, a Gurugram based Neurologist, has posted on Instagram on this issue. "This is not true. There is a term called young age hypertension or young onset hypertension. This means people as young as 22-23 years old can have high blood pressure sometimes due to some causes." "Too Young to have high BP? Do you think only elderly people are affected by hypertension or high BP? Well, people younger than 40 years can also have the problem of high BP although the reasons differ. Common causes of Young onset hypertension are: Hyperthyroidism, Kidney issues, Renal artery hypertension, Coarctation of aorta, Pheochromocytoma and Substance use," she has posted on social media.READMORE

"The causes of high BP in young and old differ a lot"

Dr Sehrawat says that the causes of the onset of high blood pressure in young and old people differs a lot. "One example of high BP in young is hyperthyroidism, in which the level of T3 and T4 is exceptionally high" she explains. Among other reasons, which she has put in the caption, are kidney issues, renal artery hypertension, substance use, coarctation of aorta or the constriction of body's main artery or aorta, pheochromocytoma or neuroendocrine tumor that grows from chromaffin cells found in the adrenal glands. Read the post here

Blood pressure matters even when you are young

Being young does not safeguard one's health from adversities because most of the health issues are related to one's lifestyle. As per a study published in AHA Journals in 2019, hypertension among young people is common, affecting 1 in 8 adults aged between 20 and 40 years."Hypertension can have harmful health effects even at a young age. In the short term, it is associated with higher rates of left ventricular hypertrophy and alterations in brain volume and white matter hyperintensity volume, suggesting that hypertension in young adults may impact cardiovascular and brain health," the study says.

Unawareness, lack of diagnosis pose bigger risk

The myth surrounding the onset of hypertension is so prevalent that young adults do not notice the symptoms and even if they do, they are not concerned about it and skip going to a doctor.These factors add up and increase the risk of hypertension in young people.Young

people should check their blood pressure regularly. High blood pressure does not have any early warning signs and only the symptoms associated with the complications arising out of an elevated blood pressure are visible albeit at a later stage.

What can be done to alleviate this risk?

Simple and healthy habits like seasonal and balanced diet, exercising more, staying away from processed food, limiting salt or sodium intake, maintaining weight can help cut down the risk of high blood pressure.The ideal salt intake per day should be less than 1,500 mg.One should exercise for a minimum of 150 minutes per week. Exercises do not necessarily mean going to gym, one can get the benefit of exercises through daily chores like walking stairs, mopping the floor while squatting, etc.One should always avoid having saturated and trans fats. Uneasiness in these body parts might be due to heart problem.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/are-you-too-young-to-have-high-bp/photostory/97486605.cms?picid=97486668

Intermittent fasting vs calorie restriction: Which one can help you in weight loss, lowering cholesterol?

A new study says so. One should aim for three to five smaller meals per day, rather than two to three larger meals. This can help regulate blood sugar levels, reduce hunger and promote a sense of fullness, says Ushakiran Sisodia, Clinical Nutritionist and Head, Dietary Department, Nanavati Max Hospital.

Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting are two different approaches to weight loss and both have been studied in clinical trials. 

If you want to lose weight and hold it right there, then intermittent fasting (IF) may not work for you. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has said that the frequency and size of meals had a more significant impact on weight than the time window of eating. The results indicate that restricting eating to certain times of the day with intermittent fasting may be ineffective for people to lose weight in the long term. In the light of this study, Ushakiran Sisodia, Clinical Nutritionist and Head, Dietary Department, Nanavati Max Hospital, helps decode the long-term health impact of calorie-restricted eating.

1. Why is calorie restriction more effective than intermittent fasting? Please explain the clinical reasons behind it?

Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting are two different approaches to weight loss and both have been studied in clinical trials. Here are some of the clinical advantages of calorie restriction over intermittent fasting as per medical studies:

Weight loss: Calorie restriction has been shown to be effective for weight loss in several clinical trials. One study found that calorie restriction resulted in an average weight loss of eight per cent over six months, compared to a four per cent weight loss in the control group.

Improved metabolic health: Calorie restriction has been shown to improve several markers of metabolic health, including insulin sensitivity, blood glucose levels and lipid profiles.

Cardiovascular health: Some studies have found that calorie restriction can improve cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Increased lifespan: Calorie restriction has been shown to increase lifespan in several species, including monkeys and rodents, and has been proposed as a potential intervention for ageing and age-related diseases.

Better adherence: Calorie restriction is often easier to stick to compared to intermittent fasting, which can be difficult for some people to maintain. While both calorie restriction and intermittent fasting have been shown to be effective for weight loss and improved health, calorie restriction may be a more suitable approach for some individuals due to its potential health benefits and better adherence.

2. What should be the frequency and size of meals when we talk of calorie restriction?

The frequency and size of meals to achieve healthy weight loss may vary depending on individual needs and goals. However, there exist some common ground rules for meal frequency and size to support weight loss. One should aim for three-five smaller meals per day, rather than two to three larger meals. This can help regulate blood sugar levels, reduce hunger and promote a sense of fullness. Reduce portion sizes and aim for meals that are around 400-600 calories, depending on individual calorie needs. This can help reduce overall caloric intake and promote weight loss.

While planning or ordering your monthly rations or daily meals, opt for nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains, to help fill you up with fewer calories and provide essential nutrients. Accompany your meals with plenty of water throughout the day to help reduce hunger and support weight loss.

Most importantly, consciously practise mindful eating. Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues, and eat slowly to allow time for the brain to register fullness. It is important to consult a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, for personalised recommendations based on individual needs and goals. They can help design a meal plan that considers personal calorie needs, dietary restrictions and lifestyle factors to support healthy weight loss.

3. Appetite suppression can be a side effect of cancer treatment, and excessive weight loss can pose a health risk for people receiving treatment. Is it true that intermittent fasting can lead to these side effects?

Intermittent fasting can lead to temporary appetite suppression in some people. However, excessive weight loss can also occur in individuals who engage in intermittent fasting, particularly if they are not adequately fuelling up their bodies during the eating periods. We can share some commonly observed disadvantages of intermittent fasting:

Hormonal imbalances: Intermittent fasting can disrupt hormones responsible for regulating hunger and metabolism, such as insulin and leptin.

dehydration due to decreased fluid intake and increased fluid loss through urination.

Nutrient deficiencies: If not properly planned, intermittent fasting can result in nutrient deficiencies, particularly for micronutrients like vitamins and minerals.

Hunger and low energy levels: Intermittent fasting can lead to feelings of hunger and low energy levels, which can be difficult to tolerate, especially for individuals with busy schedules.

It’s important to note that everyone’s experience with intermittent fasting will be different, and it may not be suitable for everyone. People should consult with their doctor before starting any new diet or exercise programme, including intermittent fasting, to determine if it is safe and appropriate for their individual circumstances.

Moreover, it is true that some outcomes of intermittent fasting are similar to the symptoms of major chronic diseases and cancer, such as fatigue, decreased appetite and weight loss. However, there are key differences that can help distinguish between the two.

Sudden onset: Symptoms of major diseases such as cancer often develop suddenly and progress rapidly, while the disadvantages of intermittent fasting may develop gradually over time with continued fasting.

Other symptoms: Cancer symptoms often include additional symptoms such as pain, fever and changes in bowel or bladder habits, while these symptoms are not typically associated with intermittent fasting.

Duration: Symptoms of major chronic diseases persist and typically worsen over time while the disadvantages of intermittent fasting may improve with adjustments to the fasting regimen or by discontinuing fasting altogether.

Medical evaluation: Cancer symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation, including diagnostic tests, to determine the underlying cause, while the disadvantages of intermittent fasting can often be addressed by making changes to the fasting regimen or seeking medical advice.

If you experience any unusual symptoms, it’s important to seek medical evaluation to determine the cause. Your doctor can help determine if your symptoms are related to cancer or if they are the result of a different condition, such as the disadvantages of intermittent fasting.

What are the benefits of intermittent fasting?

Advantages are relatively easy to adhere to, as it only requires one day of fasting per week and can be as simple or complicated as the person wants to make it. Additionally, intermittent fasting is convenient for people with busy lifestyles who don’t want the extra hassle of tracking their meals and counting calories. Finally, some studies have linked intermittent fasting with a reduced risk of disease, although more research is needed in this area before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.

https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/why-smaller-meals-are-still-better-than-intermittent-fasting-if-for-losing-weight-8412207/

Know how eating high fat and high calorie foods can rewire your brain to eat for pleasure, cause obesity

Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine, US, found that after being continuously fed a high fat/high calorie diet, the brain adapts to what is being ingested and forgets to balance calorie intake. The study proves junk foods are endocrine disruptors, say experts

Next time you pop that biscuit absent-mindedly or reach out for the packet of chips out of habit while hammering away at your keyboard, know that you are not only loading up on calories, you are also delaying their digestion as fatty, junk foods dull your gut responses. Continuously eating a high fat/calorie diet can reduce the brain’s ability to regulate food intake, as it seems to disrupt the signalling pathway between the brain and the gut, according to new research. In short, mindless snacking rewires the brain and reduces its ability to regulate appetite or switch on the satiety button.

What the research says

The study on rats, published in The Journal of Physiology, found that after being continuously fed a high fat/high calorie diet, the brain adapts to what is being ingested and forgets to balance calorie intake. Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine, US, suggest that calorie intake is regulated in the short-term by cells called astrocytes (large star-shaped cells in the brain that regulate many different functions of neurons) that control the signalling pathway between the brain and the gut. “Continuously eating a high fat/calorie diet seems to disrupt this signalling pathway,” Dr Kirsteen Browning, Penn State College of Medicine, US, lead author, said. Astrocytes stimulate neurons that ensure the stomach contracts correctly to fill and empty in response to food passing through the digestive system. When they go awry, this natural process gets disrupted. “After 10-14 days of eating a high fat/calorie diet, these astrocytes fail to react and the brain’s ability to regulate calorie intake seems to be lost. This disrupts the signalling to the stomach and delays how it empties,” the researchers have said. However human studies will need to be carried out to confirm if the same mechanism occurs in humans, they add.

This finding is important because it nails the reason why we become gluttons and could encourage development of anti-obesity pills that target neurons.

Explains Dr Uday Phadke, Director of Diabetes and Endocrine Services, Sahyadri Group of Hospitals, Maharashtra, “Normal hunger is when one has not eaten for a long time and the body is craving for energy. This typical metabolic hunger triggers certain hormones in the gut that signal the brain to feed the body. But when one eats foods high in carbs and fats, they activate the reward mechanism whereby the brain starts feeling nice and asks for more of this pleasurable sensation. This is called hedonic hunger. Normally, the stomach is supposed to signal the brain that it is time to stop. On the other hand, the brain derives pleasure by eating fatty and sugary foods, stops responding to small amounts and asks for more. For instance, one may have had a full dinner but is tempted to have dessert despite not being hungry. Or one may eat a burger with cheese and meat that is akin to a thousand-calorie bomb. One may feel satiated but addicted to pleasurable sensation, the brain may generate a craving for more. It has nothing to do with hunger. The sight, smell and taste of the food can make you overeat. If one is not careful, this pleasure-eating can progressively lead to obesity.” Dr Phadke advises patients about restricting calorie-dense foods. “The goal is not to stop eating but to have alternatives, say a chapati instead of a biscuit that has so many calories and fat content,” he adds.

Junk foods are endocrine disruptors: Study authenticates that

“The research gives a scientific rationale. It’s high time that a warning should be written on all junk food preparations,” says Dr Shashank Shah, Consultant Bariatric Surgeon at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai. “Short-term junk food load is compensated by astrocytes and hypothalamic cells but chronic exposure to junk food and excess fatty acids can induce obesity,” he adds. “The hypothalamus is the area of the brain where neuronal control of obesity occurs. Foods rich in free fatty acids increase their flow to the hypothalamus. Excess deposited fatty acids

then disturb the function of astrocytes, inducing what is called reactive astrogliosis. This increases secretion of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which impacts neurotransmitters. This also increases inflammation and destroys the ability of surrounding cells of the hypothalamus to protect the body from excess weight. The result is reduction of energy expenditure and increase in body weight, followed by all other hormonal changes of obesity,” says Dr Shah. He feels it would be interesting to understand that bariatric surgeries like bypass procedures reduce the flow of such free fatty acids to the astrocytes, reduce inflammation and obesity.

Obesity is a global public health concern because it is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes. According to Unicef’s World Obesity Atlas for 2022, India is predicted to have more than 27 million obese children, representing one in 10 children globally, by 2030.

https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/eating-high-fat-high-calorie-foods-rewire-your-brain-obesity-8416486/

Does this cause cancer? How scientists determine whether a chemical is carcinogenic – sometimes with controversial results

Several agencies have developed procedures to classify and categorise chemicals based on their potential to be carcinogenic.

Does this cause cancer? How scientists determine whether a chemical is carcinogenic – sometimes with controversial results.

People are exposed to numerous chemicals throughout their lifetimes. These chemicals can be from the air, foods, personal care items, household products and medications. Unfortunately, exposure to certain chemicals can cause harmful health effects, including cancer.

Substances that cause cancer are called carcinogens. Familiar examples include tobacco smoke, radon, asbestos and diesel engine exhaust.

To protect the health of the public, national and international health agencies evaluate many new and existing chemicals to determine if they are likely to be carcinogens in a process called cancer hazard identification.

If agencies judge the chemicals to be carcinogenic, they conduct further assessments to determine the level of risk, and legislators may put regulations in place to limit, or completely halt, the production and use of these chemicals.

I am a scientist who studies how the human body processes foreign chemicals, like environmental pollutants and drugs, and the effects of these chemicals on health. As part of my work, I have participated in chemical and cancer hazard identifications for several agencies, including the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. Here's how chemicals can cause cancer, and how we classify chemicals based on how carcinogenic they are – sometimes with controversial results.

How do chemicals cause cancer?

The mechanisms behind how toxic chemicals can lead to cancer are complex.

After a person is exposed to a carcinogen, the chemical is generally absorbed into the body and distributed into different tissues. Once the chemical has moved into the cells, it often undergoes chemical reactions that convert it into other forms.

The products of these reactions can directly or indirectly affect the cell's genes. Altering genes, which contain the cell's instructions on how to produce specific molecules, or the processes that regulate them can ultimately result in dysfunctional cells if the genetic damage isn't repaired. These cells don't respond normally to cellular signals and can grow and divide at abnormal rates, which are characteristic features of cancer cells.

How are chemicals classified for carcinogenicity?

To help safeguard the public and reduce the incidence of cancer, several agencies have developed procedures to classify and categorise chemicals based on their potential to be carcinogenic.

Among them are the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or IARC Monographs; the National Toxicology Program, or NTP; and the US Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. In general, these agencies examine a critical question: How strong is the evidence that a substance causes cancer or biological changes that could be related to cancer in people? Understanding the procedures used to answer this question can help with interpreting the decisions these agencies make.

The procedures used by the IARC – because of its long history, credibility and strong international reputation – provide a good example of how this process works. It's designed to be transparent and minimize bias, spanning over a year from selecting a chemical for evaluation to its final classification.

In this process, the IARC selects and invites a panel of scientific experts on the chemical to be evaluated. The panel does not conduct new research on its own, but carefully reviews all available papers in the scientific literature on the chemical's carcinogenicity in cell and bacterial cultures, animals and people.

To assess the strength of the evidence, the panel carefully considers the number of studies that are available and the consistency of the results, as well as the scientific quality and relevance of each study to cancer in people.

After discussing and deliberating on the results, the panel makes a final consensus classification. This classification places the chemical into one of four groups: Group 1 indicates that the chemical is carcinogenic to people, Group 2A that it is probably carcinogenic to people, Group 2B that it is possibly carcinogenic to people, and Group 3 that it is not classifiable.

A Group 3 classification does not indicate that the compound is not carcinogenic, but rather that the panel could not draw a conclusion about whether there is a causal link between the chemical and cancer from available studies. For example, exposure to several chemicals can make it unclear which ones are responsible for a later cancer diagnosis.

During its 50-year history, the IARC has evaluated and classified over 1,000 chemicals and other hazards. Many of these classifications have had broad societal implications, such as those for tobacco smoke, ambient air pollution, diesel engine exhaust and processed meat.

All were classified as Group 1, or confirmed to be carcinogenic to humans. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phones was classified as Group 2B, or possibly carcinogenic, and red meat was classified as Group 2A, or probably carcinogenic.

Though they haven't directly led to any regulations, these classifications have motivated additional scientific studies. While the IARC can advise regulators, it's up to countries to implement policies.

It is important to note that classifications do not indicate the size of the risk but are important in supporting health agencies worldwide as they implement actions to limit exposures to known, probable and possible carcinogens. In 2020, when the IARC classified opium consumption as Group 1, or carcinogenic to humans, this led the government of Iran to implement policies to reduce opium addiction in the country.

Controversies in carcinogenicity classifications

Though classifications from the IARC are based on robust scientific evidence, some have proved to be controversial.

For instance, in 2015, the IARC evaluated the carcinogenicity of glyphosate, a widely used weedkiller found in products like Roundup, which is produced by Monsanto. A panel of 17 experts from 11 countries systematically reviewed results from over 1,000 scientific studies and classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” or Group 2A.

Owing to its widespread usage and multibillion-dollar market value, a cancer classification decision for glyphosate has significant potential financial and legal consequences. Following its evaluation, the IARC received support from many regulatory and scientific bodies but was criticised by others. Other agencies, including the EPA, have seen similar controversies and politicisation of their hazard identifications and regulatory decisions.

I believe that agencies like the IARC play a critical role in evaluating the health effects of certain chemicals and in reducing exposure to potential carcinogens. Helping people better understand how these agencies evaluate chemicals can go a long way to ensure transparency and help protect environmental and public health.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/does-this-cause-cancer-how-scientists-determine-whether-a-chemical-is-carcinogenic-%E2%80%93-sometimes-with-controversial-results-475321