"Your DNA can predict your intelligence" - let's take a look

Scientists can measure intelligence by testing saliva after showing for the first time that your Intelligence Quotient (IQ) can bee predicted by studying your DNA.

Researchers have identified 538 genes that can influence how clever people are, and say that can be obtained by using a simple mouth swab. They used data from the UK Biobank - a genetic study into health and disease - to compare DNA with IQ scores in more than 240,000 people.

They found that the genes accounted for a difference of up to 7 per cent in IQ by boosting the way neurons carry signals to the brain. Some influenced other biological processes, including the length of life.

Principal Investigator, Professor Ian Deary, of the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology at Edinburgh University, said: "this study suggest health and intelligence are related in part because some of the same genes influence them."

They concluded that intelligence can be a "heritable trait", and found the study was able to predict it in one study group "using only their DNA."

HMHB actively promotes and active lifestyle. Exercise boost the blood flow around the body, and oxygen intake, and this itself boost confidence and esteem. Staying hydrated too can help you focus better. There are many factors that influence intelligence, which includes what kind of help you get as a child from a parent. But it is interesting to see they link it to genes.

"Blue light pollution as harmful as junk food" - a bold claim here

England's top doctor has warned that light pollution from phones and tablets could be as harmful as junk food. She says it is fuelling an epidemic of sleep deprivation.

Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, said: "people should try to make sure their mobile phones are turned off well before bedtime. That goes for children as well."

It is estimated that more than three quarters of Brits are exposed to blue light before going to bed. Research has suggested it prevents production of the hormone Melatonin - an important factor in going to sleep - as the body is sensitive to its shorter wavelengths. The NHS warns that regular poor sleep increases the risk of various serious medical conditions, including obesity (as you then eat through boredom and being awake longer), heart disease and diabetes, as well as mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

HMHB has put various postings on this blog around sleep problems, and universally people continue to talk about media technology being a factor. Do we really need to be checking emails after 9pm? Do we have to find out what our friends are doing on social media right away? Do we have to be playing on a gaming app? Let's start to relax earlier, have conversations with actual people, or if you are on your own, take time for yourself. Get a bath, shower, book, or even meditate. Find some time for you away from technology.

Does Calorie Counting actually work?

Remember the days when you did not have that list on all foods, with calories, carbs (sugars), fats, salt etc. We, as a nation, and a world, continue to get fatter, so does it make a difference?

Putting calorie counts on menus could cut people's intake by 12 per cent and fight obesity, say researchers.  They are now calling on the Government to make these figures compulsory. (as of today).

Scientists analyzed data from 28 various studies looking at the impact of nutritional labelling on purchasing and consumption. Diners given the information averaged 48 fewer calories - or eight per cent - when eating a typical -calorie lunch - such as a pizza slice (people only eat a slice?) and a soft drink.  Other experiments in a laboratory suggested calorie counts may slash intake by up to 12 per cent.

Professor Susan Jebb, who worked on the review at the University Of Oxford, said: "this should provide policy makers with the confidence to introduce measures to encourage or even require calorie labelling on menus."

Her Co-Author, Professor Theresa Marteau, of the University of Cambridge, added; "while calorie labelling may help, other measures to reduce calorie intake are also needed."

Caroline Cerny, from the Obesity Health Alliance, said: "when we know the nutritional content of the food we are eating, the more likely it is that we will make healthier choices."

HMHB actively promotes a healthy diet as part of a lifestyle. Anything that can help you do that is great. Seeing calorie, sugar, salt, and fat content on products is great. But when you eat out, is that not meant to be a treat, a luxury, a time to indulge? As long as you do it sparingly, do enjoy yourself. But keep an eye on those targets!!!

Heavy Drinking causes Early Onset Dementia - interesting

This week we have already included two posting on the links between alcohol and the brain - and here is a third just to make things interesting. This study was more about heavy drinking, which the study claims is the cause of more than half of all early-onset dementia cases.

French scientists spent six years studying 57000 patients struck down by dementia before the age of 65, and found 57 percent had been heavy drinkers. 39 per cent of cases were  said to be directly related to regular boozing. Another 18 per cent of sufferers had been problem drinkers. Overall, those who drank too much were more than three times likelier to develop dementia.

Heavy drinking is defined as three daily pints of beer for men, and two large glasses of wine for women.  Government guidelines for both sexes suggest no more than 14 units of alcohol a week - which is thee equivalent to a daily pint of beer or glass of wine.  More than a quarter of UK adults are estimated to exceed these limits.

Lead researcher, Dr. Michael Schwarzinger, of Translational Health Economics Network in Paris, said: "heavy drinking is not a small problem. There is a strong effect of large alcohol consumption and brain damage."

Dr. Sara Imarisio of Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "taking steps to curb the amount you consume can have far-reaching health benefits."

Around 850,000 Brits have dementia, and this is expected to hit two million in the next three decades. One in 20 is said to be "early-onset".

Dr Doug Brown, of the Alzheimer;s Society, did add: "It in no way suggests moderate alcohol intake can cause early-onset dementia."

HMHB is all about promoting a healthy lifestyle, but also not telling people they cannot have something in their diet. Some people do get into heavy drinking - and that can cause many problems, physically and mentally. It is being responsible around all items of nutrition that will give you the best chance of a healthy life. Make better choices. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol then do please seek professional help.

Eating slower helps you stay slimmer!! - Experts claim here.

A recent study has suggested that chewing food slowly can cut the risk of obesity by a third. Apparently, people who ate their meals at a "normal" rate were 29 per cent less likely to be dangerously fat than those who "wolfed down their mosh". Those who ate slowest cut their rate by 42 per cent.

The reason, say researchers, is it takes about 20 minutes for our gut to tell our brain we are full - putting those who ate quickly at the greatest risk of overeating. The study also suggested that rushed workers who gobble down snacks and sandwiches at lunch are fuelling the obesity epidemic.

Researchers at Japan's Kyushu University studied 60000 diabetics over six years, getting them to record whether they ate quickly, slowly or at normal speed. Those who consumed their food slowly lost a sixth of an inch from their waistline compared with the fastest eaters.

HMHB promotes healthy nutrition, and that involves not just what you eat, but also how you eat - even things like portion size is important. Lunch is a dangerous meal. It is often taken when you are not at home, and therefore can be processed food, or eaten quickly. Try and prepare in advance, and make suitable time to not only eat but also digest your meal. Eat with others. Conversation can help slow down your eating. Also drinking water can help make you feel fuller.

Can Oily Fish lower the risk of Breast Cancer?

For a long time now we have been advised to include oily fish in our weekly diets, but according to this research it can greatly help fight breast cancer. Let's read more.

Professor David Ma, of the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, claims that eating salmon, tuna or mackerel twice a week can slash a woman's risk of breast cancer.

Fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids are an incredible eight times more effective than flaxseeds and other oils in preventing the disease.  In experiments on mice, the marine-based fats reduced the size of breast tumours by up to 70 per cent and the number of tumours by 30 per cent.

Again, this is an interesting study, with incredible findings. Changing your diet to a healthier one does not have to be expensive, and the benefits can be fantastic - and life-saving!!!

Does Green Tea lower the risk of Prostate Cancer?

We are often told we need to drink more green tea. And in a later blog entry we will delve into this. But here we talk about a study that claim it may help with Prostate cancer.

Bristol and Oxford University researchers plan a major trial after earlier studies showed that drinking green tea, or tomato juice, could lower the risk of contracting prostate cancer.  Doctors could be asked to recommend that men at risk drink green tea or tomato juice daily to ward off the disease if the trial is successful.

Tomatoes contain a compound called Lycopene, an antioxidant which has been linked to reducing cell damage and preventing cancer growth.  Green Tea contains antioxidants known as flavoids which are thought to reduce damage to cell DNA.

Anything than can help our immune system fight off illness and disease is great.. This is definitely an interesting study.