Oral

Dandelion leaves boost brain-protective compounds after digestion

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A common wild plant may hold hidden brain benefits. Dandelion leaf polyphenols survive digestion and continue targeting pathways associated with Alzheimer’s disease.  Study: Characterisation of Dandelion Polyphenols and Their In Vitro Neuroprotective Effects During Simulated Digestion. Image credit: DUSAN ZIDAR/Shutterstock.com A recent study in Foods examined the enzyme-targeted neuroprotective potential of polyphenols from dandelion flowers, roots, … Read more

Snus linked to gum damage but tooth decay risk unclear

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Snus is clearly linked to damage to the gums. The connection to tooth decay, however, remains unclear, according to a systematic review. When it comes to white snus, more studies are needed. The researchers reviewed 26 European studies on Swedish smokeless tobacco (snus) and oral health. The overall picture that emerges is nuanced. There is … Read more

Oral semaglutide fails to slow early Alzheimer’s decline in two phase 3 trials

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Despite hopes raised by earlier observational studies and biomarker shifts, The Lancet trials found that oral semaglutide did not meaningfully slow clinical progression in early Alzheimer’s disease over two years. Key Takeaways Oral semaglutide did not slow cognitive or functional decline in people with early Alzheimer’s disease. Two large phase 3 trials independently reached the … Read more

Weekly Health Update | Namibia Ends Mpox Outbreak; Nigeria Faces Seasonal Lassa Fever Surge

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This week, Africa is facing a mixed health situation. Namibia has declared an end to its mpox outbreak, while Madagascar is reporting rising case counts. Nigeria is grappling with a seasonal surge in Lassa fever. The World Health Organization has raised fresh concerns about the growing burden of oral diseases across the continent. Elsewhere, Senegal … Read more

Experimental therapy eliminates pancreatic precancerous cells in mice study

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A new preclinical study in mice shows that precancerous cells in the pancreas can be eliminated before they have the chance to become tumors. Using an experimental therapy to target microscopic precancerous lesions in the pancreas nearly doubled survival in mouse models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) compared to the same treatment given after cancer … Read more

Scientists uncover how the immune system actively builds food tolerance

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Food allergies are serious and, for some, potentially deadly. And yet, despite decades of research into allergies and what causes them, very little is known about why the vast majority of people are able to tolerate foods that can sicken or even kill others. “We know a lot about what the immune system sees and does if … Read more

New peptide fragments teach the gut to tolerate food

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In little moments like when sipping coffee or licking an ice cream cone, it doesn’t seem like your body is pulling off a biological miracle. But it is. That cookie is not you-yet when you put it in your mouth, your body is able to tolerate it and process it without any detriment to your … Read more

Engineered lettuce may turn injectable GLP-1 therapies into oral pills

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Few drugs have entered mainstream awareness as quickly or as dramatically as glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1 receptor agonists. Initially approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, they have since also transformed the therapeutic landscape of obesity and weight management. These medications are clearly effective. They stimulate the release of insulin and … Read more

Periodontal bacteria trigger bone density reduction via the gut

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Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the gums, affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and is increasingly linked to systemic disorders beyond the oral cavity. Epidemiological studies have long suggested an association between periodontitis and osteoporosis, particularly in postmenopausal women, yet the biological mechanisms connecting these conditions have remained unclear. Growing evidence indicates that … Read more

Childhood cavities and gum disease raise adult heart disease risk

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A national study suggests that cavities and gum disease in childhood may echo decades later in the arteries, reinforcing the idea that protecting young smiles could also help safeguard lifelong heart health. Study: Childhood oral health is associated with the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Image credit: PeopleImages/Shutterstock.com Oral disease in adults is … Read more