The Gary Null Show - 11-13-26

ANNOUNCEMENT    Starting Monday, November 16th - This episode of the Gary Null Show will be the last free show archived on prn.live and podbean - if you want to listen to Gary's shows starting from November 16th,  you can subscribe as a premium member on  https://garynull.substack.com/   The daily 12pm ET show will still be live for free on prn.live   The premium subscription is 9$ a month or 90$  annually, this includes:   Gary Null Live Show Monday-Friday Archives Progressive Commentary Hour Interviews Full Essays and Reports Gary Null Documentaries Extended Classrooms on the Air

HEALTH NEWS   New Findings Explore How Peanuts May Help Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk Scientists scanned people's brains before and after 45 days of yoga. Here's what changed Chemotherapy for breast cancer linked to accelerated biological aging Going to the park at least once a week can improve children's mental health Study Finds 70% Lower PMOS Odds Among Women With Highest Diet-Quality Scores

HEALTH NEWS   Capsaicin Supplement Improved Cognitive Scores in a Small Pilot Trial Study Links Mentally Active Sitting to Lower Dementia Risk; TV Viewing Tied to Higher Risk Nutritional supplement may improve blood vessel health markers, trial suggests A Hidden Substance in Drinking Water May Be Linked to Heart Problems in Children COVID-19-related stress linked to faster epigenetic aging in adolescents

Gary reads an essay about the US Healthcare and continues with part 2 of his essay How To Be An Architect of Your Own Life 

HEALTH NEW   Shatavari root extract may support women’s sexual wellness Energy drinks, stimulant products linked to cardiac arrest, heart attack in young adults Overtraining may disrupt the brain's dopamine regulation, leaving levels elevated during rest Mushroom blend shows promise for mind health in Gen Z women A Healthier Form of Salt Could Prevent Nearly 3 Million Deaths Every Year, Scientists Say     Shatavari root extract may support women’s sexual wellness San Francisco Research Institute & Patil University of School and Medicine (India) November 2 2026 (Int'l Journal Women's Health)   In Ayurvedic medicine, Shatavari (wild Asparagus) is traditionally well-known for supporting hormonal (gonadotropin-releasing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], estrogen, and progesterone) balance and improving physical and emotional health. It plays an important role in sustaining healthy estrogen during menopause. In addition, it supports the adrenal gland in managing hot flashes, insomnia, depression, and unnecessary sweating. Shatavari’s steroidal saponins improve progesterone emission and mimic hormonal properties.   In healthy women, Ashwagandha accompanies Shatavari (SHT-ARE) with its adaptogenic and stress-modulating properties by acting on different physiological pathways. Shatavari balances estrogen and progesterone levels, while Ashwagandha enhances stress resilience and supports adrenal function.   A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, three-armed study was conducted over 8 weeks with 135 women participants.   After 8 weeks, the SHT-ARE group demonstrated improvements arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and total sexual wellness compared to the placebo group. The SHT alone group showed improvements in only total wellness. SHT-ARE also showed reductions in tension, anger, depression, atigue, esteem-related affect, and confusion,.   Energy drinks, stimulant products linked to cardiac arrest, heart attack in young adults University of Virginia School of Medicine, November 3 2026 (Eurekalert) In a review of more than 28,000 adverse-event reports to the FDA over eight years, caffeinated energy drinks and stimulant supplements were linked to serious heart conditions far more often than other products. Cardiac arrest was reported about 11 times more often in connection with caffeine- and stimulant-containing products vs. products without these ingredients. Reports involving energy drinks and supplements were about 4.5 times more likely to include heart attacks and four times more likely to include ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal rhythm in the heart’s lower pumping chambers) or heart palpitations. Similar patterns existed between consumption of caffeinated energy drinks and stimulant supplements and reports of other heart conditions, including elevated heart rate (nearly 3 times more often), chest pain (2.71 times more often) and fainting (about 2 times more often). Sales of caffeinated energy drinks have more than doubled over the past decade, reaching over $20 billion in 2024.   Overtraining may disrupt the brain's dopamine regulation, leaving levels elevated during rest   University of São Paulo (Brazil), November 3 2026 (Medical Xpress) Excessive physical exercise affects more than just the muscles; it can also alter brain chemistry. A new study published in the journal Neuroscience reveals that exhaustive training without adequate rest alters the regulation of dopamine in the hippocampus, a brain region closely linked to memory and the regulation of emotions.   When observing mice subjected to an intense exercise routine, researchers noted that dopamine, a neurotransmitter essential for alertness and motivation, remained elevated at a time when the animals should have been resting. If this same mechanism is confirmed in humans, the discovery could help explain why athletes who train excessively often suffer from anxiety, insomnia and chronic fatigue. This would highlight the biological importance of rest for physical performance and mental health. The authors emphasize that dopamine is not a biological villain because it is essential for pleasure and keeping us awake at the right times. The real problem is the imbalance created when dopamine levels rise at bedtime, as well as the resulting imbalance relative to other neurotransmitters.     Mushroom blend shows promise for mind health in Gen Z women Northumbria University (UK), November 2 2026 (Frontiers in Nutrition) Functional mushrooms, particularly Lion’s mane (and Reishi are increasingly marketed for cognitive and mood-related benefits, despite limited evidence to date. This trial examined the effects of four-week supplementation of Lion’s mane and a Lion’s mane and Reishi mushroom blend on mood and wellbeing in Gen Z women experiencing subjective stress and/or anxiety. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, trial was conducted. Eighty-four young women (aged 18–26) received either 1.8 g powdered Lion’s mane, 1.8 g powdered Lion’s mane and Reishi mushroom blend, or placebo in capsulated form for 28-days. Mood and wellbeing were assessed at baseline, weekly during the intervention period and at Day 42. Analysis indicated that the mushroom blend resulted in lower anxiety than Lion’s Mane alone. Secondary interactions for anxiety and stress suggested a pattern of benefits of the mushroom blend over Lion’s mane and placebo at various timepoints. Qualitative data supported this pattern. Significant improvements across all psychological measures were observed regardless of treatment allocation, suggesting participatory benefits alongside intervention effects.   A Healthier Form of Salt Could Prevent Nearly 3 Million Deaths Every Year, Scientists Say George Institute for Global Health (Australia), November 7, 2026 (Scitech Daily)   Replacing ordinary salt with a potassium-enriched alternative could prevent nearly three million deaths worldwide each year, according to a new study covering 193 countries. Researchers estimate that a global switch could also prevent more than ten million new cases of cardiovascular and kidney disease annually, offering a potentially powerful way to reduce the health burden of high blood pressure. Potassium-enriched salt replaces part of the sodium chloride in regular table salt with potassium chloride. It looks, tastes, and performs much like conventional salt in cooking but contains less sodium and provides additional potassium, two changes that can help lower blood pressure. Potassium-rich salts—commonly known as potash—are natural mineral deposits made up of potassium-bearing salts like potassium chloride. Switching only household table salt could prevent approximately 1.85 million deaths and 6.19 million new cases of cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease annually. Replacing salt exclusively in processed and restaurant foods could prevent another estimated 1.56 million deaths and 5.46 million new disease cases each year under that separate scenario. Although potassium-enriched salt can help lower blood pressure, it may pose risks for people whose kidneys cannot effectively remove excess potassium from the bloodstream. This can lead to hyperkalemia, a potentially dangerous condition that can disrupt the heart’s electrical activity. People with advanced kidney disease and those taking certain medications that increase blood potassium levels require particular caution.  

HEALTH NEWS   New study of 3000 adults connects symbolic immortality to stronger psychological well being Cold showers benefit the environment and your health MIND Diet Tied to Higher Cognitive Scores in Study of 8,681 Older Adults in China Low vitamin D more than doubles kidney patients’ risk of dialysis within a year Mushroom extract supplement linked to improved aerobic performance in male athletes   New study of 3000 adults connects symbolic immortality to stronger psychological well being Hebrew University of Jerusalem, November 2 2026 (News-Medical) What does it mean to feel that a part of us will live on after we are gone? A new study of nearly 3,000 adults found that people who believed they would be remembered by others after death tended to report better mental health, a stronger sense of meaning and lower levels of problematic substance use and addictive behaviors. The findings point to a possible link between our sense of lasting significance and the way we cope with stress, uncertainty and mortality. The study examined what psychologists call "symbolic immortality," the sense that some part of us will continue through our relationships, accomplishments, identity or legacy. Those with a stronger sense of symbolic immortality tended to report greater self-esteem, stronger social support, more meaning in life and more secure relationships. They also reported fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, fewer sleep problems and fewer difficulties regulating their emotions. At its core, the idea is simple: people may fare better when they feel that their lives have meaning beyond the present moment. Importantly, the researchers distinguished symbolic immortality from belief in an afterlife. While the two were related, afterlife belief was closely tied to religiosity and belief in God and was not consistently associated with better mental health.    Cold showers benefit the environment and your health University of Basel (Switzerland), October 31 2026 (Eurekalert) A recent study explored whether people are more willing to adopt habits that benefit both the climate and their health if those habits are easy to incorporate into everyday life and offer personal rewards. This question was investigated by studying the effects of regular cold showers. The study included 719 participants aged 18 to 65 who were asked to take showers as cold as their shower would allow for 12 weeks. Many participants dropped out during the first two weeks, but the dropout rate declined afterward.  The remaining participants reported feeling increasingly better, both mentally and physically. Subjective improvements also showed up in their sick leave: On average, participants took 31% fewer sick days than the control group. Participants said they felt more awake and refreshed. They also took pride in having pushed themselves to do something uncomfortable.  Over time, taking cold showers saves you money. People tend to spend less time in the shower, reducing their water consumption. They also use less energy because the water doesn't need to be heated. That means lower utility bills and a measurable reduction in CO2 emissions. Over the 12-week study, participants reduced their CO2 emissions by 15 kilograms per person, roughly equivalent to the emissions from driving 100 kilometers. In other words, cold showers make sense both environmentally and financially.   MIND Diet Tied to Higher Cognitive Scores in Study of 8,681 Older Adults in China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China), November 3 2026 (Natural News)   Older adults who more closely followed the MIND diet tended to score higher on cognitive screening tests than those who did not, according to findings published in Frontiers in Nutrition. The analysis drew on data from 8,681 independently living older adults.   The MIND diet combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH eating patterns and is built around foods associated with brain health. Researchers reported no meaningful association between physical activity levels and cognitive scores in this sample. The analysis also found no evidence that physical activity altered the relationship between diet and cognition. The report noted that the finding does not indicate exercise is unimportant for brain health, only that this study did not detect a clear link in its sample. The eating pattern emphasizes leafy greens, other vegetables, berries, nuts, beans, whole grains, fish, and olive oil. It recommends limiting red meat, butter, cheese, fried foods, pastries, and sweets.    Low vitamin D more than doubles kidney patients’ risk of dialysis within a year I-Shou University (Taiwan), November 3 2026 (Natural News) Researchers publishing in Frontiers in Nutrition combed through records from more than 160 million patients across 140 healthcare organizations, matching 29,654 kidney disease patients who were vitamin D deficient against an identical number who had healthy levels. Within just one year, the deficient group faced a 2.24 times higher risk of major kidney events, including dialysis and full-blown kidney failure, and nearly double the risk of dying from any cause. Here’s the cruel irony: your kidneys are actually responsible for activating vitamin D in your body. They turn the vitamin’s storage form into the hormone your cells rely on. When kidney function starts to slip, that conversion falters. And when vitamin D levels drop, research suggests kidney damage accelerates. It’s a vicious feedback loop that pulls patients downward.   Among those with vitamin D below 20 ng/mL, there were 7.3 serious kidney events per 100 person-years. Among those with levels above 30 ng/mL, there were just 3.6.   Mushroom extract supplement linked to improved aerobic performance in male athletes Central University of Rajasthan (India), November 2 2026 (Antioxidants) The study found that a mushroom extract rich in beta-glucan, taken at 320 mg daily for 40 days, was associated with improved aerobic exercise measurements in 50 male athletes.  Their measured oxygen consumption, an important indicator of endurance and aerobic fitness, increased by approximately 12–15% after supplementation. Laboratory experiments also suggested that beta-glucan, taurine, and L-arginine may help protect heart muscle cells from some of the effects of oxygen deprivation and support cellular energy production.  The researchers also observed changes in several blood measurements, although body composition did not significantly change. 

Gary reads Part 4 of How to Recognize a Man 

HEALTH NEWS   Novel peptide from red alga shows potential for blood glucose control Experts Spent Decades Searching for the Secret to Happiness. Here’s What They Found The silent threat of sarcopenia: Why muscle loss demands immediate action Why permanent daylight saving time is a bad idea for health Adventurous play linked to better physical and mental health in children   Novel peptide from red alga shows potential for blood glucose control Hokkaido University (Japan), Oct 27 2026 (News-Medical) It is a dietary staple found in sushi, rice wraps, and ramen toppings. Commonly known as nori in Japan and gim in Korea, red seaweed is especially popular across Asia. Research lhas discovered that digestion of a particular red alga releases a peptide, or a small fragment of protein, with potential benefits for blood glucose control and diabetes prevention. The study was published in Food Bioscience. Researchers subjected this seaweed, known as dulse (Devaleraea inkyuleei), to an artificial digestion process in the laboratory, mimicking how it is digested in the human body. They found that a novel peptide called EVYR, made up of just four amino acids, is released during the process and could help regulate blood glucose levels. When we eat, our blood glucose level rises, prompting the pancreas to release insulin. Several proteins and enzymes are involved in this process. EVYR works by inhibiting an enzyme called dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), which breaks down hormones that stimulate insulin release. By inhibiting this enzyme, EVYR helps maintain the activity of the hormones and allows them to stimulate insulin release for longer. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the team also found that other red algae could also potentially release EVYR during digestion, based on comparisons of protein sequences across different species and computer simulations.   Experts Spent Decades Searching for the Secret to Happiness. Here’s What They Found Simon Fraser University (Canada), October 28, 2026 (SciTech Daily) Some of the world’s leading happiness researchers have changed how they live because of what they have discovered. After decades of studying well-being, several have made a conscious effort to spend more time with family and friends, reflecting one of the strongest findings in happiness science. Their insights come from a discussion involving 13 international experts with a combined 600 years of research experience. The key takeaways: Strong relationships are central to happiness. Social connections consistently emerge as powerful predictors of well-being. Several researchers have applied this finding by deliberately making more time for the people closest to them. More money does not guarantee greater happiness. Financial security helps support a good life, but additional income generally has a smaller effect on happiness once essential needs are met. Meaningful activities support well-being. Work and other pursuits can contribute to happiness when they provide purpose and reflect a person’s values. Daily habits can help cultivate happiness. Researchers described using strategies supported by scientific evidence, including practicing gratitude, savoring positive experiences, volunteering, strengthening relationships, and becoming more socially involved. Being happy does not mean always feeling good. Lasting well-being involves living according to personal values, building supportive connections, and adapting to difficulties rather than avoiding negative emotions altogether.   The silent threat of sarcopenia: Why muscle loss demands immediate action Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, October 28 2026 (Natural News)     A meta-analysis of 248 studies concluded that older adults may need to consume 0.4 to 0.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight daily to mitigate muscle loss or sarcopenia. For a 150-pound individual, this equates to 68–82 grams of protein. The review highlighted the role of leucine, an amino acid that stimulates muscle protein synthesis, and emphasized pairing protein intake with resistance training for optimal results. Meeting the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 0.8 grams per kilogram is no longer sufficient. Instead, older adults should aim for 1–1.2 grams per kilogram.   Strength training combined with adequate protein is most effective for muscle preservation.   Vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased muscle loss risk. The review found that daily supplementation of 800 IU or more improved muscle function in deficient individuals.   Mediterranean-style diets show protective benefits against age-related muscle decline. These diets emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and healthy fats like olive oil.   Why permanent daylight saving time is a bad idea for health New York University, October 29 2026 (Futurity) In July, the House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent. But research shows that daylight saving time doesn’t actually save energy or increase productivity. Instead, sleep researchers agree that daylight standard time is more aligned with our biology. The later sunrise of daylight saving time “leads to permanent disruption of our natural biological rhythms. We need morning sunlight to get us up and going. Switching the clock in the spring comes with its own issues, including an increase in car accidents and heart attacks in the week that follows. Changing clock times is not good for us, but the bill now in the Senate would lock Americans out of sync with the sun. A brighter winter evening is a poor trade for a darker, groggier, unhealthier winter morning.     Adventurous play linked to better physical and mental health in children University of Exeter (UK) & University of British Columbia, October 27 2026 (Medical Xpress) The biggest international study ever on risky play has found that children who have more opportunities for outdoor adventurous play tend to have better physical and mental health, as well as improved social and cognitive development. Their research found that when children have access to environments that support outdoor adventurous play, like creatively designed playgrounds and natural spaces, their health is better across these domains, too. The team also found that independent mobility (being able to go out without adult supervision) is good for children's levels of physical activity. Adventurous play—also referred to as risky play because children are allowed to take risks within certain boundaries—is thrilling, exciting play and includes examples such as riding a bike fast downhill, climbing a tree, paddling in a stream and play fighting. The categories defining adventurous/risky play are height, speed, getting lost, dangerous elements (water, fire, etc.), dangerous tools (e.g., using a hammer, whittling with a knife) and rough-and-tumble play. If we deny children the opportunity to engage in the sort of play that previous generations took for granted, we take away rich learning opportunities linked to children's health and development, ultimately affecting some of the key issues we see around us today.    

HEALTH NEWS   Novel peptide from red alga shows potential for blood glucose control Experts Spent Decades Searching for the Secret to Happiness. Here’s What They Found The silent threat of sarcopenia: Why muscle loss demands immediate action Why permanent daylight saving time is a bad idea for health Adventurous play linked to better physical and mental health in children   Novel peptide from red alga shows potential for blood glucose control Hokkaido University (Japan), Oct 27 2026 (News-Medical) It is a dietary staple found in sushi, rice wraps, and ramen toppings. Commonly known as nori in Japan and gim in Korea, red seaweed is especially popular across Asia. Research lhas discovered that digestion of a particular red alga releases a peptide, or a small fragment of protein, with potential benefits for blood glucose control and diabetes prevention. The study was published in Food Bioscience. Researchers subjected this seaweed, known as dulse (Devaleraea inkyuleei), to an artificial digestion process in the laboratory, mimicking how it is digested in the human body. They found that a novel peptide called EVYR, made up of just four amino acids, is released during the process and could help regulate blood glucose levels. When we eat, our blood glucose level rises, prompting the pancreas to release insulin. Several proteins and enzymes are involved in this process. EVYR works by inhibiting an enzyme called dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), which breaks down hormones that stimulate insulin release. By inhibiting this enzyme, EVYR helps maintain the activity of the hormones and allows them to stimulate insulin release for longer. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the team also found that other red algae could also potentially release EVYR during digestion, based on comparisons of protein sequences across different species and computer simulations.   Experts Spent Decades Searching for the Secret to Happiness. Here’s What They Found Simon Fraser University (Canada), October 28, 2026 (SciTech Daily) Some of the world’s leading happiness researchers have changed how they live because of what they have discovered. After decades of studying well-being, several have made a conscious effort to spend more time with family and friends, reflecting one of the strongest findings in happiness science. Their insights come from a discussion involving 13 international experts with a combined 600 years of research experience. The key takeaways: Strong relationships are central to happiness. Social connections consistently emerge as powerful predictors of well-being. Several researchers have applied this finding by deliberately making more time for the people closest to them. More money does not guarantee greater happiness. Financial security helps support a good life, but additional income generally has a smaller effect on happiness once essential needs are met. Meaningful activities support well-being. Work and other pursuits can contribute to happiness when they provide purpose and reflect a person’s values. Daily habits can help cultivate happiness. Researchers described using strategies supported by scientific evidence, including practicing gratitude, savoring positive experiences, volunteering, strengthening relationships, and becoming more socially involved. Being happy does not mean always feeling good. Lasting well-being involves living according to personal values, building supportive connections, and adapting to difficulties rather than avoiding negative emotions altogether. The silent threat of sarcopenia: Why muscle loss demands immediate action Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, October 28 2026 (Natural News) A meta-analysis of 248 studies concluded that older adults may need to consume 0.4 to 0.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight daily to mitigate muscle loss or sarcopenia. For a 150-pound individual, this equates to 68–82 grams of protein. The review highlighted the role of leucine, an amino acid that stimulates muscle protein synthesis, and emphasized pairing protein intake with resistance training for optimal results. Meeting the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 0.8 grams per kilogram is no longer sufficient. Instead, older adults should aim for 1–1.2 grams per kilogram. Strength training combined with adequate protein is most effective for muscle preservation. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased muscle loss risk. The review found that daily supplementation of 800 IU or more improved muscle function in deficient individuals. Mediterranean-style diets show protective benefits against age-related muscle decline. These diets emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and healthy fats like olive oil. Why permanent daylight saving time is a bad idea for health New York University, October 29 2026 (Futurity) In July, the House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent. But research shows that daylight saving time doesn’t actually save energy or increase productivity. Instead, sleep researchers agree that daylight standard time is more aligned with our biology. The later sunrise of daylight saving time “leads to permanent disruption of our natural biological rhythms. We need morning sunlight to get us up and going. Switching the clock in the spring comes with its own issues, including an increase in car accidents and heart attacks in the week that follows. Changing clock times is not good for us, but the bill now in the Senate would lock Americans out of sync with the sun. A brighter winter evening is a poor trade for a darker, groggier, unhealthier winter morning. Adventurous play linked to better physical and mental health in children University of Exeter (UK) & University of British Columbia, October 27 2026 (Medical Xpress) The biggest international study ever on risky play has found that children who have more opportunities for outdoor adventurous play tend to have better physical and mental health, as well as improved social and cognitive development. Their research found that when children have access to environments that support outdoor adventurous play, like creatively designed playgrounds and natural spaces, their health is better across these domains, too. The team also found that independent mobility (being able to go out without adult supervision) is good for children's levels of physical activity. Adventurous play—also referred to as risky play because children are allowed to take risks within certain boundaries—is thrilling, exciting play and includes examples such as riding a bike fast downhill, climbing a tree, paddling in a stream and play fighting. The categories defining adventurous/risky play are height, speed, getting lost, dangerous elements (water, fire, etc.), dangerous tools (e.g., using a hammer, whittling with a knife) and rough-and-tumble play. If we deny children the opportunity to engage in the sort of play that previous generations took for granted, we take away rich learning opportunities linked to children's health and development, ultimately affecting some of the key issues we see around us today. CLIPS    Why Women Who Have Everything Still See Themselves as Oppressed - 11:03    RFK Jr - RFK Jr.’s Latest MAHA Betrayal - 7:01 

CLIPS    ‘Paid off by Big Pharma’: Dr exposes Medical Journals’ ‘money laundering’ to cover up COVID Vax lies - Dr. James Thorpe - 5:00    Single Men Are Happier Than You Think Here is Why - Alice Talks 17:00  HEALTH NEWS Pomegranate extract, gut bacteria and the surprising source of skin elasticity Inside the narcissistic brain: fMRI research sheds light on the narcissist’s struggle with empathy Plant and animal proteins show opposite effects on testosterone levels Brisker walking tied to longer life More education reduces dementia risk decades later Pomegranate extract, gut bacteria and the surprising source of skin elasticity Centre Tecnologic de Catalunya (Spain), October 27 2026 (Natura News)   A 12-week study of pomegranate extract supplementation in 64 women showed improved skin elasticity and hydration—effects that appeared tied not to the fruit itself but to bacteria living in their digestive tracts. The results, published in a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study, add to a growing body of research connecting digestive health to skin function.   The trial tested 367 mg and 700 mg doses of Pomanox pomegranate extract. The 700 mg dose produced about 12 percent more improvement in elasticity   Pomegranate’s active plant compounds known as ellagitannins cannot be absorbed efficiently on their own during digestion. Instead, the large intestine must break them down into smaller molecules called urolithins, particularly urolithin A. Urine tests confirmed that 62 of the study participants saw urolithin A levels rise after supplementation, and those with the highest levels experienced the greatest improvement in skin elasticity.   On the skin, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus increased. These bacteria help maintain a balanced microbial environment and protect against pathogens. In the gut, both supplement doses boosted Prevotella, a group typically associated with a diet high in fiber, while the lower dose increased Akkermansia, a microbe linked with a healthy gut lining and reduced inflammation. Inside the narcissistic brain: fMRI research sheds light on the narcissist’s struggle with empathy Aalto University (Finland), October 26 2026 (Eurekalert)   Many people have narcissistic traits to some degree, for example, confidence in one’s own superiority, a sense of entitlement and a desire to be the centre of attention. However, some people present with notably higher narcissistic traits than others, and the neural basis of so-called ‘grandiose narcissism’ has rarely been studied in socially complex situations.     Neuroscience researchers used functional MRI (fMRI) to investigate how narcissistic traits influence brain activation in a situation mirroring everyday life. The findings showed that narcissistic brains were less in sync with one another during moments where people usually experience a sense of shared embarrassment.    People with a high number of narcissistic traits respond to another person’s vulnerable experience differently than others. People with a high level of narcissistic traits may not necessarily build supportive or genuine connections with others, which can lead to difficulties and misunderstandings in interaction.   In contrast, in brain areas associated with empathy, the activation of less narcissistic subjects was relatively similar across subjects, implying a more shared experience also at a neural level. The differences emerged in areas associated with interpreting social situations and with cognitive empathy. Plant and animal proteins show opposite effects on testosterone levels University of Eastern Finland, October 28 2026 (News-Medical) Higher animal protein intake was associated with lower blood testosterone levels, while higher plant protein intake was associated with higher levels. The findings were published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.   The study included 2,546 men aged 42-60 years and living in eastern Finland. Their dietary intake was assessed using four-day food records between 1984 and 1989, and concentrations of total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in blood samples. SHBG influences total testosterone concentrations in the blood. When the men were divided into four groups according to their protein intake, those with the highest animal protein intake had total testosterone concentrations that were, on average, 1.2 nmol/l lower than those of men with the lowest intake. The opposite association was observed for plant protein: those with the highest intake had concentrations 1.1 nmol/l higher than those of men with the lowest intake. Similar associations were also observed for SHBG concentrations.   More detailed analyses showed that higher dairy protein intake was associated with lower total testosterone and SHBG concentrations. Higher intake of plant protein from vegetables and sources other than cereal products was, in turn, associated with higher total testosterone concentrations. Meat protein intake was associated with lower SHBG concentrations but not with total testosterone concentrations. Brisker walking tied to longer life Norwegian University of Science and Technology, October 27 2026 (Medical Xpress)   In a new study, folks who walked at a brisker pace had a lower risk of an early death. Faster walking speed and more steps per minute are both associated with a lower risk of dying from any cause, researchers report in JAMA Network Open.   Walking speed and step rate were "consistently associated with all-cause mortality, even after adjustment for daily step count," the researchers wrote.   For the new study, researchers analyzed data for more than 4,000 British civil servants who are participating in a health research project established in the late 1980s. They averaged about 69 years of age at the time the study was done.   The study linked higher walking speeds to a 23% lower risk of death over the study period. A snappier step rate was tied to a 17% lower risk of death, the researchers said. Walking at a brisker pace suggests that you're living "with fewer chronic diseases and that whatever diseases you may have are more well managed. More education reduces dementia risk decades later University of Southern California & University of Wisconsin, October 26 2026 (Eurekalert)   A law that required British teenagers to stay in school for an additional year had an unexpected consequence nearly 50 years later: fewer dementia diagnoses.   Researchers studied a 1972 British compulsory-schooling reform that raised the minimum school-leaving age from 15 to 16. They found that the additional education resulting from the reform reduced diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias decades later.   The new study also uncovered a striking second finding: the reduction in dementia incidence happened even among people with high genetic susceptibility to the disease. The results suggest that education may be particularly protective for those at greatest inherited risk, challenging the idea that genetic risk is an unchangeable forecast of future health.   The study is believed to be the first to document a causal relationship between education and diagnosed dementia and to show that education can mitigate inherited risk of dementia.   More schooling could influence dementia through better job opportunities, higher income, more cognitively stimulating work, and changes in health and social circumstances. In the study, additional schooling also increased household income and reduced the incidence of stroke and heart attack.