Health headlines: November 2024

The latest in medical and wellness news you need to know.

Author

Umayya Theba
November 30, 2024

De-worm meds for cancer? Fenben and Ivermectin: Safe, effective, and affordable anti-tumour treatment

Cheap and readily available anti-parasitic agents like Fenben and Ivermectin have been used to treat both humans and animals for years. Despite anecdotal stories and news reports about their efficacy in treating cancer that has metastasised, clinical literature about its potential remains non-existent.

How xylitol—a type of sugar—actually heals cavities and does more for your health

Derived mainly from birch trees, xylitol is a sugar alcohol naturally present in many fruits and vegetables. It has a low-GI rating of only 7 in comparison to sugar which is around 65, and has 1:1 sweetness in relation to table sugar. However, unlike sugars in fruits, cakes, and starchy carbs which feed bad bacteria, xylitol inhibits the growth of the bacteria that causes cavities while aiding the remineralisation of teeth, and in doing so, stops cavities from deepening further.

Better maternal diet boosts brain growth and IQ in kids

Researchers have assessed how maternal prenatal diet quality affects brain structure and the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children between 10 and 14 years of age. Their findings indicate that high-quality maternal diets during pregnancy significantly influence children’s brain structure along with cognitive outcomes that are mediated by structural brain changes.

Soy estrogens do not negatively affect menopause-related changes

Isoflavones are a plant form of estrogens found predominantly in soy products. A study published in Advances in Nutrition reviewed 40 clinical trials, including 3,285 post-menopausal women, and found that soy isoflavones did not have a negative effect on estrogen-related changes such as endometrial thickness, vaginal health, and hormone levels compared to placebos.

Can developing type 2 diabetes before age 50 raise dementia risk?

Now, researchers from the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing have found that adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the age of 50 — especially those who also have obesity — have a higher chance of developing dementia than those who receive a type 2 diabetes diagnosis later in life.

Lack of vitamin D can lead to early-onset spinal deformities

The impact of vitamin D for spinal health was emphasised by Prof Dr S Bakhtiar Choudhary at a recent TEDx talk. The doctor spoke about how Vitamin D insufficiency can cause a bent spine in young individuals, an issue typically seen in adults over the age of 30.

While 80% of Vitamin D comes from sunlight, the rest can be supplemented by diet. "The frozen shoulder syndrome and joint stiffness, among other conditions, can be prevented if you maintain adequate levels of the crucial Vitamin," he said, adding that acting in time can help prevent complications and the need for surgery.