Month: April 2022

Walnuts can improve cognitive function. Blueberries can boost memory. Fish oil supplements can lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. You may have noticed these buzzy “brain food” claims scattered across online health articles and social media feeds. But can certain foods or diets really stave off or prevent dementia? Experts say that while nutrition studies are notoriously challenging to carry out, there is a compelling and ever-growing body of research that does suggest that some foods and diets may offer real benefits to an aging brain. So we spoke with two dozen researchers and pored over the research to better understand the links between diet and dementia. Four pillars of a ‘brain-boosting’ diet Scientists don’t yet know for certain what causes Alzheimer’s disease, the most common...

The United States has now recorded 11 cases of unexplained hepatitis in children, as the global toll hits 169 and the first death is registered — with doctors warning Covid infections may be behind the spate of illnesses. North Carolina has detected two cases in school-age children, on top of the nine spotted among under-6s in Alabama since October. Health officials say both have recovered, and did not need liver transplants. Doctors are not sure what is triggering the spike in cases, but Covid is yet to be ruled out as a possible cause of the inflammatory liver disease. Although many scientists say adenoviruses — which can cause the common cold — are behind the outbreak, some suggest a previous Covid infection followed by catching an adenovirus, or being infected with both viruses at the...