Eating ultra-processed foods like cold breakfast cereal, cookies, and hot dogs may speed up early signs of Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study published in Neurology. The research found that people who consumed more of these processed foods were more likely to experience early symptoms of the disease compared to those who ate very few.

The study analyzed data from over 42,000 participants with an average age of 48, who did not have Parkinson’s disease at the start of the study. They were followed up to 26 years and completed regular medical exams and health questionnaires. Researchers also reviewed food diaries that listed what participants ate and how often.

The team looked at several types of ultra-processed foods, including sauces, spreads, or condiments; packaged sweets; snacks or desserts; artificially or sugar-sweetened beverages; animal-based products; yogurt or dairy-based desserts; and packaged savory snacks. One serving was equivalent to a single can of soda, one ounce of potato chips, one slice of packaged cake, a single hot dog, or one tablespoon of ketchup.

Researchers divided participants into five groups based on how many ultra-processed foods they ate per day on average. The highest group consumed 11 or more servings daily, while the lowest group averaged fewer than three servings daily.

After adjusting for factors like age, physical activity, and smoking, researchers found that participants who ate 11 or more servings of ultra-processed food per day had a 2.5-fold higher likelihood of having three or more early signs of Parkinson’s disease compared to those consuming fewer than three servings per day.

When looking at individual symptoms, eating more ultra-processed foods was tied to an increased risk for nearly all symptoms except constipation. The study’s author, Xiang Gao, emphasized the importance of choosing whole, nutritious foods over processed ones to maintain brain health.

While the study suggests a link between ultra-processed food consumption and early signs of Parkinson’s disease, it does not prove causation. More research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the complex relationships between diet, lifestyle, and neurodegenerative diseases.

In the meantime, individuals can take steps to reduce their exposure to ultra-processed foods by:

* Reading labels carefully
* Choosing whole grains over refined ones
* Limiting sugary drinks and snacks
* Opting for fresh fruits and vegetables instead of packaged options
* Cooking meals from scratch using fresh ingredients

By making informed food choices, individuals can contribute to a healthier brain and potentially reduce their risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.

The Dark Side of Cannabis Use in Pregnancy

A recent systematic review has raised significant concerns about the risks associated with consuming cannabis while pregnant. The study, conducted by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University, analyzed 51 observational studies involving over 21 million people to examine the potential adverse effects of cannabis use during pregnancy.

The findings are alarming: consuming cannabis appears to increase the odds of preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant death. These results are consistent with definitive evidence in nonhuman primate models exposed to THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.

The placenta, a vital organ responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, is particularly affected by cannabis use during pregnancy. Research has shown that cannabis can lead to decreased blood flow and reduced availability of oxygen in the placenta, ultimately affecting fetal development and growth.

While many pregnant women may view cannabis as a harmless substance due to its increasingly widespread legalization, the reality is far more concerning. Cannabis remains a Schedule 1 substance under federal law, and its use during pregnancy is not recommended by medical professionals.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Jamie Lo, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing fetal health over any perceived benefits of cannabis use during pregnancy. “Abstinence is ideal,” she notes, “but it’s not realistic for many patients.” In such cases, a harm-reduction approach can be recommended, advising pregnant women to reduce their cannabis consumption and frequency to minimize potential risks.

The research, part of the Systematically Testing the Evidence on Marijuana (STEM) project, highlights the need for more comprehensive studies on the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy. By understanding these risks, healthcare providers can better counsel expectant mothers and promote healthier outcomes for both mother and child.

Sources:

* The study was published in JAMA Pediatrics.
* Funding for this research was provided by the Office of Rural Health in the Veterans Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Key Takeaways:

* Consuming cannabis during pregnancy appears to increase the odds of preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant death.
* The placenta is particularly affected by cannabis use during pregnancy, leading to decreased blood flow and reduced availability of oxygen.
* A harm-reduction approach can be recommended for pregnant women who cannot abstain from cannabis use.
* More comprehensive studies are needed to fully understand the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy.

Rewritten Article:

In the highlands of Peru, two thousand years before the Inca empire rose to power, a lesser-known society known as the Chavín Phenomenon flourished. This enigmatic culture left behind a rich legacy of art, architecture, and materials that spanned modern-day Peru. Through innovative agriculture, craft production, and trade, Chavín built a growing social order and laid the foundations for hierarchical societies among the Andes’ highest peaks.

But one of their most powerful tools wasn’t farming – it was access to altered states of consciousness. A recent study has uncovered the earliest-known direct evidence of psychoactive plant use in the Peruvian Andes, shedding light on the ritualistic practices that shaped this ancient society.

Researchers from the University of Florida, Stanford University, and South American institutions discovered ancient snuff tubes carved from hollow bones at the heart of monumental stone structures at Chavín de Huántar, a prehistoric ceremonial site. By conducting chemical and microscopic analyses, they revealed traces of nicotine from wild relatives of tobacco and vilca bean residue, a hallucinogen related to DMT.

These substances were not used for personal visions but as part of tightly controlled rituals that reinforced the social hierarchy. Unlike communal hallucinogenic use common in other ancient cultures, Chavín’s rituals were exclusive, with snuff tubes found in private chambers within massive stone structures that held only a handful of participants at a time.

“Taking psychoactives was not just about seeing visions,” said Daniel Contreras, Ph.D., an anthropological archaeologist at UF and co-author of the study. “It was part of a tightly controlled ritual, likely reserved for a select few, reinforcing the social hierarchy.”

These experiences were likely profound and even terrifying, with the supernatural world feeling like a force beyond comprehension. By controlling access to these altered states, Chavín’s rulers established a potent ideology that convinced their people that their leadership was intertwined with mystical power and part of the natural order.

The study also uncovered trumpets made from conch shells and chambers seemingly designed to enhance awe-inducing musical performances. These rituals extended beyond the use of psychedelics, creating immersive experiences that reinforced belief systems and social structures.

“One of the ways that inequality was justified or naturalized was through ideology – through the creation of impressive ceremonial experiences that made people believe this whole project was a good idea,” Contreras said.

Their study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, helps solve a century-old mystery about this site. Since its first excavation over a hundred years ago, Chavín has been seen as related to both earlier, more egalitarian societies and the mountain-spanning empires ruled by powerful elites that came later.

Controlled access to mystical experiences explains this major social transition, a finding only made possible by decades of intense excavations and advanced analytical methods. As Contreras noted, “It’s exciting that ongoing excavations can be combined with cutting-edge archaeological science techniques to get us closer to understanding what it was like to live at this site.”