A new study has found biological markers in the blood that may help predict prostate cancer more than 15 years before the disease is diagnosed.
According to the British Sky News network, the study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford included about a thousand people who later developed prostate cancer, in addition to a random sample that included 1,573 men.
The participants were followed for approximately 16 years, and the researchers measured more than 6,000 proteins in their blood.
The researchers identified 12 proteins that were linked to the diagnosis of prostate cancer after more than 15 years of collecting samples, including the “GZMK” protein, which is produced by immune cells that contribute to identifying and destroying abnormal cells.
The results indicate the possibility that the immune system may have already begun to respond to and deal with cancer-related changes years before the disease is clinically detected.
The study also identified 7 proteins associated with the most aggressive forms of the disease, including the ANKRD1 protein, which was found in cases of cancer that spread in the body or caused early death.
“By measuring thousands of proteins in blood samples collected years before diagnosis, we can begin to study the differences between men who later develop aggressive prostate cancer and those who do not,” said Dr. Qi Huang, one of the study’s co-authors and an epidemiologist at the University of Oxford.
Huang added that these results may contribute to deepening our understanding of aggressive types of prostate cancer, and help find biomarkers that “improve methods for assessing risks.”
Despite the importance of the results, experts stressed that the discovery of these proteins does not mean that a blood test is ready to reliably predict who will develop aggressive prostate cancer.
Professor Prabhakar Rajan, from Queen Mary University, said that the study has not yet proven the ability of a test based on proteins in the blood to reliably identify men who will develop aggressive forms of the disease.
For his part, Dr. Ian Foulkes, Director of Research at Cancer Research UK, said: “Although there is more work to be done, discoveries like this may pave the way for better ways to identify men at risk and, ultimately, prevent aggressive prostate cancer before it develops.”
According to estimates by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, about 1.5 million new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed annually around the world, while the disease causes the death of hundreds of thousands of men annually.
Nuts are easy to carry, rich in nutrients, and versatile, making them an ideal choice for a quick snack or to add nutritional value to dishes.
But with their many types, which one deserves to be the first choice?
The Health website asked this question to nutritionists, and their answer was that almonds are the best choice.
Almonds...the most beneficial nuts for health
Nutritionists who spoke to the “Health” website agreed that almonds are the best type of nut from a health standpoint.
“In terms of nutritional value, versatility and opportunities to include them in the diet, almonds should be the first choice,” said registered dietitian Janelle Popper, MS, RDN.
Nutritionist Mara Burrows, who holds a Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN) and a Registered Dietitian (RD), agreed, saying: “Almonds are my favorite nut, given the many health benefits they provide.”
Why are almonds the best choice among nuts?
Nutritionists prefer almonds because of their rich composition of nutrients, potential health benefits, as well as the variety of ways to eat them and use them in dishes.
Burroughs said that almonds are a good source of plant-based protein, as a one-ounce serving (about 28 grams) provides about 6 grams of protein, an amount that exceeds what is provided by other types of tree nuts, including cashews and walnuts.
Benefits of almonds for intestinal health
The benefits of almonds are not limited to protein, as they are a good source of fiber, which aids digestion and promotes regular bowel movement.
“It is a good source of fiber, which aids digestion and promotes regular bowel movements,” Burroughs said.
Research indicates that eating almonds may increase the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, which play a role in supporting digestive system health.
Healthy fats and vitamin E to protect the heart
Almonds also contain high levels of unsaturated fats that are beneficial for heart health, in addition to vitamin E, which is a nutrient that helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
Studies indicate that people who eat larger amounts of foods rich in healthy fats and vitamin E, such as almonds, may be less likely to develop heart disease.
Magnesium to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar
Almonds are also a good source of magnesium, a mineral the body needs to help maintain healthy blood pressure and regulate blood sugar levels.
Almonds help you feel full longer
The three nutrients found in almonds, which are fat, fiber and protein, contribute to enhancing the feeling of fullness.
Sports nutritionist Roxana Ehsani, who holds a master’s degree and specialist certificates in sports nutrition (MS, RD, CSSD, LDN), told the “Health” website: “The combination of fat, fiber, and protein helps you feel full for a longer period of time.”
In addition to its health benefits, almonds are distinguished by their pleasant taste and versatility, as they can be included in recipes for both sweet and savory foods.
Nutritional value of almonds
Almonds contain a group of important nutrients. A one-ounce serving (about 28 grams) provides the following nutritional values:
- Calories: 164 calories.
- Carbohydrates: 6.12 grams.
- Fat: 14.1 grams.
- Fiber: 3.5 grams.
- Protein: 6 grams.
- Vitamin E: 7.26 milligrams, equivalent to 48 percent of the recommended daily value.
- Magnesium: 76.5 milligrams, equivalent to 18.2 percent of the recommended daily value.
Scientists have revealed a new subtype of depression, which is linked to a disruption of the body’s biological clock, and may affect up to 1 in 4 people suffering from the disease, in a discovery that may explain the lack of response of some patients to traditional treatments, and paves the way for the development of more effective drug and behavioral treatment options, according to the Independent newspaper.
This finding may help explain why some common treatments for depression, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are not effective in a group of patients.
In this context, Emiliana Tonini, one of the co-authors of the new study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, says:
“Depression is not a single disease; “So understanding the characteristics of the different subtypes allows us to provide more effective treatments to patients at an earlier stage.”
What depression is linked to the biological clock?
The newly discovered subtype is called “circadian depression,” and it is linked to the body’s internal biological clock, which operates according to a 24-hour cycle and plays an essential role in regulating sleep and wake times.
Researchers from the University of Sydney point out that this type of depression is characterized by greater resistance to common conventional treatments used to treat the disease.
On the other hand, it may show a better response to treatments that target the brain circuits responsible for regulating the biological clock, such as melatonin, antidepressants that affect melatonin pathways, in addition to light therapy.
Researchers warn that not diagnosing circadian-related depression in young people may often lead to failure of treatment during its early stages, as well as the emergence of more side effects.
“Our research has identified circadian depression as a new subtype,” Dr. Tonini explains. “It has been shown that it affects about a quarter of the people included in our study who suffer from severe, recurrent, or persistent depression.”
A study that included more than 10 thousand people
As part of the study, researchers conducted a genetic analysis of data from more than 10,000 Australians suffering from depression, with the aim of identifying characteristics associated with this subtype of the disease.
The results showed that about 25 percent of the participants, equivalent to 2,604 people, suffer from “depression related to the circadian rhythm.”
Symptoms and characteristics associated with this type include the onset of depression according to a seasonal pattern, increased hours of sleep during depressive episodes, and a feeling of extreme fatigue upon waking up, in addition to a tendency to stay up and stay awake until late at night.
The researchers noted that people with this type of depression were more likely to develop the disease in the early stages of their lives, and that most of them were female, in addition to suffering from more severe symptoms of depression.
The study also revealed that these people have a higher genetic predisposition to developing health problems related to inflammation and heart health, in addition to a number of major neurological and psychological disorders.
The most prominent of these disorders are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Treatments targeting the biological clock
In light of these results, researchers believe that identifying this subtype of depression may help in choosing more appropriate treatments for patients, especially those that target regulating the body's biological clock.
Jacob Cruz, one of the study’s co-authors, said: “Given that this type of depression is linked to the body’s internal biological clock, treatments that target the circadian rhythm, such as light therapy or the use of melatonin, may be more appropriate and effective. Therefore, doctors should resort to it in the early stages in people who have this condition.”
He added: “For people who find that antidepressants do not achieve the desired results, it is important to consult a specialist doctor to obtain advice tailored to their individual circumstances.”
