An international study revealed that the drug Cabergoline, used to stop breast milk production after pregnancy loss or when breastfeeding is impossible, may help reduce the risk of breast cancer after birth.
The researchers, led by the University of British Columbia in Canada, explained that the results pave the way for conducting clinical trials to test the effectiveness of the drug in preventing the disease. The study was published on Thursday in the journal Cancer Discovery.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women globally, and it arises as a result of abnormal cell growth in breast tissue. Risk factors for developing it include advanced age and genetic predisposition, especially mutations in the BRCA1 and TP53 genes, in addition to hormonal and other lifestyle factors.
The study analyzed the health records of more than 150,000 women in Spain and Norway, with data available on their use of cabergoline. The results showed that women who took the drug to inhibit breast milk production were about 70 percent less likely to develop breast cancer during the following years, compared to others.
According to the researchers, these results were reinforced by experiments on mice carrying mutations in the BRCA1 and TP53 genes, which are associated with aggressive forms of breast cancer, as giving them a single dose of the drug reduced the rate of tumor appearance by about half.
The team points out that the idea of the drug is based on a biological process known as “Involution,” which is the changes that occur in breast tissue after weaning, when the mother’s milk production stops and tissues that are no longer necessary for breastfeeding begin to decline, with the excess cells being eliminated.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes stimulate the growth and branching of milk-producing structures within the breast. After breastfeeding ends, the body begins to get rid of excess tissue and reorganize its structure. But the researchers found that this process may not be completed naturally in the mice used in the experiments, which allows cells to remain that may later turn into cancer cells.
Experiments have shown that cabergoline may help complete and accelerate this process, by reducing potentially precancerous tissue, reducing cell proliferation, and reducing the area of mammary ducts, as well as enhancing the activity of immune cells responsible for getting rid of damaged cells.
Researchers believe that the period following weaning may represent an important opportunity for preventive intervention in mothers, especially in women who are more vulnerable to infection due to genetic factors, such as carrying a mutation in the BRCA1 gene.
They pointed out that these results gain importance in light of the limited preventive options available for this group, which include hormonal treatment or surgery, which may have significant physical and psychological effects.
However, the team cautions that the effectiveness of cabergoline in preventing breast cancer in humans still needs to be proven through clinical trials, and the current results do not mean that the drug has become an approved preventive option for this purpose.
A cup of warm milk before bed may seem like a simple habit, but it provides a range of nutrients that are especially important during menopause. With hormonal changes, women may experience sleep disturbances, hot flashes, and decreased bone density and muscle mass. Which makes daily nutrition an important factor in supporting health during this stage.
In a report published by the Eating Well website, nutritionists explain how warm milk can help support sleep, bone and muscle health, and fluid replacement, in addition to other evening habits that may contribute to improving the quality of life, while emphasizing that it is not an independent treatment for menopausal symptoms.
How does warm milk help deal with menopausal symptoms?
The benefits of milk are related to the nutrients it contains. Therefore, cold milk provides the same nutritional value as warm milk. However, a warm drink may help you relax, making it suitable for a quiet evening routine. It can be taken alone or added to decaffeinated tea or coffee.
1. It may help improve sleep
Many women suffer from sleep disorders during pre- and post-menopause, including insomnia and night sweats. Which may affect the quality of life.
Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that the body uses to produce serotonin and melatonin, two compounds involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. It also provides calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D, which are elements that play helpful roles in regulating sleep and melatonin production.
Research indicates that there may be a relationship between consuming milk and dairy products and improving sleep quality. A systematic review analyzed 14 studies spanning nearly 50 years and concluded that a balanced diet that includes dairy products may be associated with improved sleep, but more research is needed to confirm this relationship.
"Warm milk is not a sleeping pill; one cup provides a modest amount of tryptophan," says Whitney Stewart, MD, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. But nutrients work together over time, and the habits themselves are important. The body benefits from regularity; Therefore, following a calm and consistent relaxation routine before bed may help improve sleep.”
2. Helps protect bones
Estrogen levels decrease during premenopause, and remain low after menopause; This may accelerate bone loss and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Therefore, it is increasingly important to obtain nutrients that support bone health.
Stewart explains that bones need more than calcium alone, noting the importance of protein, phosphorus, and vitamin D as well to maintain their health and strength.
3. Provides protein to support muscles
Muscle mass naturally declines with age, and this process may accelerate during menopause. Which may lead to decreased strength and mobility. And for this reason; The importance of protein increases at this stage, due to its role in maintaining muscles and supporting their strength.
Milk contains two main types of protein: whey, which digests quickly, and casein, which takes longer to digest. Some research suggests that consuming protein before bed, especially casein, may support muscle repair during the night, but most studies used larger amounts than what one cup of milk provides.
A cup of milk contains about 8 grams of complete protein, which provides the essential amino acids that the body needs.
4. Helps replace fluids with hot flashes and night sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats may affect your body's hydration; The body loses fluids and electrolytes when sweating. These losses may accumulate if attacks are repeated during the day and night; Therefore, maintaining adequate hydration helps the body regulate its temperature.
Water constitutes more than 80 percent of the components of milk; Which makes a cup of it in the evening a contributor to meeting the daily fluid needs. It also naturally contains potassium, calcium and magnesium, which are electrolytes that help maintain fluid balance in the body.
Other tips for dealing with menopausal symptoms
Warm milk is most beneficial when it is part of a balanced lifestyle. “The evening should be viewed as a time to relax and prepare for sleep,” says Elizabeth Shaw, M.D., a registered dietitian. Keep the bedroom cool, dim the lights, and choose drinks that help calm the body rather than stimulate it. “These habits will not eliminate symptoms, but they may improve feelings of well-being after sleep.”
To improve your evening routine, it is recommended to follow the following steps:
- Create a suitable bedroom: A dark, quiet and cool environment helps reduce the effects of night sweats and improve sleep.
- Reduce screen use in the evening: Bright light from phones, televisions, and computers may keep the brain alert; Therefore, it is preferable to stay away from it before sleeping.
- Regular physical activity: Exercise helps improve sleep and mood during menopause, and it is preferable to practice it early in the day. Because activity before sleep may increase alertness.
- Consult a doctor about symptoms: Treatment options are available for sleep problems, hot flashes, mood changes, and urinary symptoms. Therefore; These problems should not be assumed to be an inevitable part of aging or endured without seeking medical advice.
A study conducted by researchers from King's College London in Britain reported that children between the ages of 9 and 11 who consume larger amounts of caffeine sleep for a shorter period of time, have differences in the surface area of the cerebral cortex, and are more likely to develop psychological and behavioral problems during the following months.
The study showed that these associations were observed in children who drank one caffeinated drink per week, compared to those who did not drink these drinks. Soft drinks were the main source of caffeine among the participants, according to results published Thursday in the journal “Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging.”
Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It is found naturally in coffee and tea, and is added to some soft drinks and energy drinks. Children may consume it without realizing it, through these drinks, chocolate, and others. Despite its role in enhancing alertness and reducing feelings of drowsiness, it may affect sleep and cause insomnia and tension in some people.
The researchers relied on data from 9,632 children between the ages of 9 and 11 years, as part of a large study that tracks the brain development and health of children and adolescents. Children provided information on the number of caffeinated beverages they consumed weekly, including coffee, tea, and soft drinks, while their parents reported their children's average hours of sleep.
The team used magnetic resonance imaging to measure the thickness and surface area of the cerebral cortex. The cortex is the folded outer layer of the brain, and it plays an essential role in cognitive functions, attention, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
The results revealed that high caffeine consumption is associated with a decrease in the surface area of the cerebral cortex in 22 regions distributed over the four lobes of the brain, even after taking social and economic factors into account, including family income and the educational level of the parents.
The researchers also found that children who consumed the most caffeine slept for a shorter period, and that lack of sleep was in turn linked to a decrease in the surface area of the cerebral cortex. The two factors partly contributed to explaining the relationship between high caffeine consumption and increased mental health problems after 6 months, including attention difficulties and mood and behavior disorders.
After 18 months, the association between cortical surface area and mental health problems persisted, while the association with short sleep duration was no longer apparent in the same analysis.
The researchers pointed out that it is difficult to isolate the effect of caffeine from factors associated with the consumption of soft drinks, including the fact that they contain large amounts of sugar, and the possibility that their consumption is linked to less healthy lifestyle habits and behaviors that involve a greater degree of risk. They called for additional studies that take into account types of drinks, timing of consumption, and sleep quality.
The team stressed that the results do not prove the existence of a direct causal relationship between caffeine consumption and changes in brain structure or mental health problems, but rather show connections that require further research to understand their nature and determine the factors influencing them.
