🌞 Vitamin D gives better immunity to cancer

Mice given a diet rich in vitamin D had better immune resistance to cancers and better outcomes on a immunotherapy treatment.

This was possible because Vitamin D encouraged the growth of a type of gut bacteria (called Bacteroides fragilis) which improves immunity to cancer.

Tumours in mice with more of this bacteria didn’t grow as much and therefore the animals had a better treatment outcome.

Although this study was in mice, but other human studies show a link between poor vitamin D levels and greater cancer risks.

This highlights the importance of Vitamin D for overall metabolic health.

🥊 Punchline

Vitamin D can regulate the ‘good’ gut bacteria which gives mice better immunity to cancer. How this happens (especially in humans) is still unknown.

🫘 Replacing red meat with legumes can be counterproductive

Replacing meat with legumes for lunch 5 days a week lowered total and ‘bad’ cholesterol.

But, increased blood fats, blood sugars and HbA1c (a marker of poor metabolism).

And legume-based lunch significantly reduced Vitamin B12 intake after meat reduction.

Lean red meat is one of the most nutrient dense foods.

This study reminds us how extremes, like completely cutting out lean red meat, have unfavourable health outcomes.

🥊 Punchline

Best outcomes are seen with diverse diets that combine both plant based foods and lean unprocessed animal protein.

😣 Acid reflux drugs linked to greater risk of migraine

Acid reflux is when stomach acid flows back into the food pipe , usually after a meal or when lying down.

People who take acid-reducing drugs (like proton pump inhibitors and histamine H2-receptor antagonists) may have a higher risk of migraine and severe headache than people who do not take these medications,

Probably of migraine was:

• 70% more likely among those taking proton pump inhibitors

• 40% more likely among those taking histamine inhibitors

• 30% more likely among those taking antacid supplements

The study couldn’t determine cause and effect, but these numbers are quite staggering even for associations.

🥊 Punchline

Acid-reducing medications are necessary for some people to manage acid reflux. We now know that migraine or severe headache are more common side effects than expected. If you experience these symptoms, talk with your doctors about it.