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News flashes are posted here frequently to keep you up-to-date with the latest advances in health and longevity. We have an unparalleled track record of breaking stories about life extension advances.

New taurine finding

October 28 2026. On October 23, 2026, the journal Cell reported a newly discovered function of taurine, an essential amino acid whose benefits continue to be revealed.

Researchers at Yale University found that taurine plays an essential role in the innate immune system and that increasing taurine levels in the body could lower the effects of inflammaging (aging-associated chronic inflammation).

"Biology has lots of surprises" senior author Vishwa Deep Dixit, PhD, of the Yale Center for Research on Aging remarked. "And the biggest surprise in this study is that taurine is controlling the innate sensing mechanism."1

In previous research, Dr Dixit and colleagues found that taurine increased and inflammation decreased during calorie restriction, a dietary technique that has extended the lives of laboratory animals. As part of the current investigation, the team compared serum taurine levels of young and old adults and observed that taurine increased with age, which suggested that the amino acid may be part of the body's attempt to normalize inflammaging. A similar increase was found in mice.

"We wanted to test whether taurine is just a passenger or a driver of the reduction in inflammatory response caused by caloric restriction," Dr Dixit explained.

Inflammaging is partly caused by activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a complex within the cells of the innate immune system that detects signs of injury or infection and stimulates inflammation in defense. Reducing NLRP3 activity has increased lifespan in mice and protected against functional decline caused by inflammation. Dr Dixit and associates found that when NLRP3 complexes assembled in immune cells known as macrophages that were exposed to bacterial toxins, up to 80% of the cells' taurine was transported outside of the cells. However, restoring taurine to the cells halted inflammatory responses initiated by the NLRP3 inflammasome.

"Now we know that taurine allows immune sensing and is one of the brakes within the cells that is keeping the inflammasome in check," Dr Dixit stated. "What we have answered is the first step of the puzzle in what causes this very critical innate immune system sensor to be activated."1

1. Tjandra K. Study Reveals Amino Acid Can Diminish Age-Related Inflammation. Yale School of Medicine. 2026 Oct 23. Accessed 2026 Oct 28. https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/amino-acid-diminishes-age-related-inflammation/

—D Dye

Cranberry improves overactive bladder in pilot trial

October 26 2026. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial reported October 6, 2026, in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology found that women with overactive bladder syndrome experienced improvement in their condition after adding cranberry to their diet.

The study included 25 women with overactive bladder symptom scores of 3 or higher on a scale of 0 to 15. Scores are based on daytime urinary frequency, nighttime frequency, urgency and urge incontinence. Twelve women received cranberry (cranberry powder, concentrated cranberry juice, cranberry extract powder, rice and cornstarch) and the remainder of the participants received a placebo for four weeks. Composition of the urobiome (bacteria and other microorganisms that live in the urinary tract) was analyzed from urine samples collected at the beginning and end of the trial.

At the end of four weeks, overactive bladder symptom scores were significantly reduced by 66.7% in the group that received cranberry and 40% in the placebo group.

Analysis of the women's urobiome revealed domination by bacteria of the Lactobacillus genus at the beginning of the trial, which were reduced in abundance after four weeks in women who received cranberry. Species could only be determined among 31% of examined lactobacilli, of which 99% were Lactobacillus iners. "Although Lactobacillus is generally considered protective in the urogenital tract, recent studies suggest that host immune responses to this genus vary by species," authors Ayaka Ito and colleagues at Kansai Medical University in Japan explained.

"This pilot study found that daily intake of a standardized cranberry supplement was well tolerated and was associated with improvement in overactive bladder symptoms in young adult women, with no serious adverse events observed during the 4-week intervention," Ito and associates concluded. "These findings support further investigation of whether urobiome alterations are involved in overactive bladder pathology in adequately powered confirmatory trials."

—D Dye

Higher serum carotenoids improve association between undesirable oral bacteria and premature mortality

October 23 2026. Research findings reported July 6, 2026, in BMC Nutrition revealed that having higher blood serum levels of plant compounds known as carotenoids, including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lutein and zeaxanthin, was associated with a lower incidence of mortality during over 25 years of follow-up among individuals with high serum levels of antibodies to Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Porphyromonas gingivalis is a bacterium found in the human mouth that is associated with periodontal infections.

"In most individuals afflicted with oral diseases, there is a marked elevation in serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies directed against P. gingivalis (P. gingivalis IgG)," authors Weihong Qui and colleagues at Fujian Medical University explained. "Serum P. gingivalis IgG titers persist at elevated levels for up to 15 years, which is indicative of both past and ongoing periodontal infections. Consequently, P. gingivalis IgG serves as a cumulative measure of periodontal infection over time."

The researchers analyzed data concerning serum P. gingivalis antibodies and carotenoid levels in 7,043 participants in the Third U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Porphyromonas gingivalis levels were categorized as low, intermediate and high. Carotenoid levels above the median were categorized as high and those below the median were classified as low.

Compared with low serum P. gingivalis IgG, high levels were associated with a 10% greater rate of mortality from all causes during a median 25.8-year follow-up period. People with low P. gingivalis IgG and high levels of carotenoids had the lowest mortality. In comparison with individuals who had high P. gingivalis IgG levels and low serum carotenoids, those with low P. Gingivalis IgG and high alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin levels had respective 26%, 22% and 21% lower mortality rates.

"These findings suggest that carotenoids-related nutritional status may play a modifying role in the association between periodontal pathogen exposure and long-term mortality," Qui and associates concluded.

—D Dye

Resveratrol may have “out of this world” benefits

October 21 2026. Research presented during August of this year at the scientific assembly of the Committee on Space Research in Florence, Italy, suggests that the plant compound resveratrol, which occurs in such foods as blueberries, cranberries, mulberries, cocoa and peanuts, could support health during spaceflight.

Second-year doctoral student Theodoros Pavlidis of the University of Rhode Island is seeking to learn how various levels of gravity affect muscle function and loss, and how to minimize these effects. "My research examines nutritional countermeasures that may help protect human health during spaceflight, with my current work focusing on resveratrol, a compound found in grapes and other plants," Pavlidis stated. "I'm investigating whether resveratrol can reduce muscle loss, preserve muscle function, and mitigate metabolic dysfunction associated with altered gravity. The long-term goal is to help make human spaceflight safer."¹

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that has antioxidant and other effects, including an ability to support a healthy inflammatory response. Pavlidis first learned about resveratrol at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus. "During my master's studies, I investigated nutrition-based interventions for mitigating DNA damage induced from space radiation," he said. "That experience deepened my interest in space health and motivated me to continue working in the field."

Pavlidis and his team were the international winner of NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge: Mars to Table, which judged submissions of food systems that could be used on the moon and Mars. "I served as a nutrition specialist on my team," he noted. "My role focused on developing nutritious, appealing meal plans and evaluating how nutrition could help address health challenges associated with future Mars missions."¹

He plans to establish a career that will enable him to discover how nutrition can support health during long space missions.

1. Nutritional countermeasures to spaceflight studied at URI. University of Rhode Island. 2026 Oct 5. Accessed 2026 Oct 20. https://www.uri.edu/news/2026/10/nutritional-countermeasures-to-spaceflight-studied-at-uri/

—D Dye

Preoperative melatonin, common sedative may reduce need for opioid drugs

October 19 2026. An analysis of 16 studies reported at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2026 annual meeting revealed an association between the use of melatonin or the sedative Ambien before surgery and a reduction in pain, insomnia and the need for opioid drugs.

"While we usually focus on what happens in the operating room, our review suggests we may be overlooking a critical window for improving outcomes in the nights before surgery," senior author Sebastian Amaya, MD, of Yale University stated. "Our paper is unique because it focused exclusively on pre-surgery-only use of melatonin or Ambien, showing that something as simple as improving sleep before a procedure can help patients have a more comfortable recovery while reducing the need for heavy painkillers and their potential risks."¹

Dr Amaya and colleagues analyzed 16 studies published from 2000–2025 that examined the effects of 1–20 mg melatonin or 10 mg Ambien among over 1,100 patients prior to abdominal, dental, orthopedic and other surgeries.

Melatonin use was associated with a healthy inflammatory response and less pain and anxiety. Among some individuals who underwent abdominal surgery, melatonin was associated with over a 30% decrease in the use of opioid pain-relievers. Melatonin additionally supported better sleep patterns and return to daytime activity during the postoperative period.

Ambien helped people with preexisting sleep challenges sleep better prior to surgery and was associated with less postoperative pain. The medication also helped reduce the need for opioids among colorectal surgery patients during and after the procedure. When anxiety and inflammation were examined, Ambien's effects were less pronounced than melatonin.

"Melatonin may be particularly valuable for patients who experience significant anxiety before surgery, those at higher risk for respiratory complications and older adults who may be vulnerable to cognitive side effects from traditional sedatives," Dr Amaya noted. "Ambien may be better suited for patients with preexisting insomnia or significant sleep disruption."¹

1. American Society of Anesthesiologists®. Melatonin and Ambien before surgery may improve sleep, reduce pain and opioid use after surgery. 2026 Oct 18. Accessed 2026 Oct 19. https://www.newswise.com/articles/melatonin-and-ambien-before-surgery-may-improve-sleep-reduce-pain-and-opioid-use-after-surgery

—D Dye

Vitamin B12 deficiency associated with higher rate of colorectal cancer, all-cause mortality during 10-year follow-up

October 16 2026. Study findings reported September 30, 2026, in the American Association for Cancer Research journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention revealed an association between below normal serum levels of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and an increased incidence of colorectal cancer as well as mortality from all causes during up to ten years of follow-up.

The investigation included 368,252 men and women with serum vitamin B12 measurements obtained between 2006 and 2020. University of Taiwan researchers matched 184,126 individuals with low serum vitamin B12 levels of less than 200 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) with an equal number of people who had midrange B12 levels of 400 to 600 pg/mL.

Having a low level of vitamin B12 was associated with 16% greater incidence of both colorectal cancer and mortality during follow-up compared with having a midrange B12 concentration. When the researchers evaluated cancer by type, colon cancer incidence was 17% higher and rectal cancer was 12% higher in the low B12 group. The association between low B12 and increased mortality was present at all follow-up time points examined. While an association between low B12 and colorectal cancer was also present across follow-up, a statistically significant increase in colorectal cancer was observed at two years.

In their discussion of the findings, authors Yuan-Tsung Tseng and colleagues remarked that "Low B12 status may impair one-carbon metabolism, leading to homocysteine accumulation and disrupted DNA methylation; genomic instability is also biologically plausible through the functionally linked folate pathway. The colorectal epithelium, with its high rate of cellular turnover, may be particularly vulnerable to these disruptions."

"This is the first study to use PET-MRI to evaluate the effects of NAC administration in patients with MS," Dr Monti and his associates announced. "The current study provides encouraging initial data that NAC might positively impact resting functional connectivity and cerebral glucose metabolism in MS patients, and this appears to be associated with improved symptoms, particularly related to cognition and attention."

"Low serum vitamin B12 was associated with higher all-cause mortality; its association with colorectal cancer was less robust at longer landmarks," they concluded.

—D Dye

NAC improves brain function in people with MS

October 14 2026. The December 2026 issue of IBRO Neuroscience Reports published the findings of researchers at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia of a brain benefit for the antioxidant nutrient N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a modified form of the amino acid cysteine) in people with the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS).

The randomized study included 29 people with mild to moderate MS. In addition to standard care, 16 participants received 500 milligrams NAC twice per day for six days per week and intravenous NAC on the remaining day of the week for an average of four months. The remaining participants who served as a control group received only standard care. Participants received magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain at the beginning of the study and at the end of the treatment period. Questionnaires concerning symptoms were completed by all participants at both time points.

Magnetic resonance imaging revealed alterations in functional connectivity in several brain regions following treatment with NAC. "The experimental group showed that some brain regions had decreased functional connectivity in response to treatment and some areas had increased functional connectivity, suggesting NAC may enhance functional connectivity in areas in which it is impaired, and improve functional connectivity in areas in which it is abnormally heightened," authors Daniel A. Monti, MD, and colleagues wrote.

FG PET scanning of the brain revealed greater cerebral glucose metabolism in several areas of individuals treated with NAC. Participant symptom scores for attention and cognition were significantly associated with these brain changes.

—D Dye

Review concludes benefits for ashwagandha, saffron in stress-related mental health issues

October 12 2026. A systematic review of 31 clinical trials, published on October 9, 2026, in JoVE, affirmed the benefits of two commonly used herbs for mental health issues caused by stress.

Hussain Alyami, MD, PhD, of Najran University in Saudi Arabia and the University of Auckland, New Zealand, reviewed findings for ashwagandha and saffron, which have shown positive effects among individuals experiencing anxiety, sleep issues and other stress-associated conditions. "To our knowledge, no systematic review has comprehensively examined both plants across multiple mental health outcomes while identifying critical evidence gaps," Dr Alyami announced.

Dr Alyami selected 31 randomized, controlled trials that examined the effects of ashwagandha and/or saffron in anxiety, burnout, cognition, depression, mood, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep or perceived stress. Ashwagandha, standardized for its withanolide content, showed efficacy for anxiety, stress and sleep at 30 to 600 milligrams (mg) per day. Saffron standardized extract was found to be effective for anxiety, depression and sleep at 15 to 30 mg per day. Dr Alyami noted that the clinical effects of ashwagandha and saffron in burnout and PTSD remain uninvestigated; however, evidence from preclinical research that provided the herbs" mechanisms of action offers a rationale for their exploration in clinical trials.

"Saffron (Crocus sativus) and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) have promising clinical evidence for stress-related mental health outcomes, particularly anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and sleep disturbance, with generally favorable safety profiles," Dr Alyami wrote. He observed that the bioactive constituents of crocin and safranal in saffron, and withanolides in ashwagandha act via mechanisms that include hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal-axis regulation, monoaminergic and GABAergic modulation and neuroplasticity-related pathways.

—D Dye

Small study finds brain benefits for turmeric in Alzheimer disease patients

October 09 2026. An observational study that included ten participants with mild cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer disease revealed improved cognitive function and lower estimated brain age after four months of consuming turmeric (Curcuma longa). The findings were reported September 30, 2026, in Frontiers in Nutrition.

The study included eight women and two men of an average age of 74.8 years who were diagnosed with Alzheimer disease. Participants were instructed to consume two capsules per day of turmeric extract that contained curcumin as well as the turmeric sesquiterpene compounds turmeronol A, turmeronol B and bisacurone. Cognitive function and other factors were assessed before and after the four-month study period.

Cognitive function scores derived from self-administered tests revealed significantly higher memory scores and lower estimated brain age at four months in comparison with the beginning of the study. The Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA, a standard evaluation of cognitive function) did not reveal differences in total scores between the beginning and end of the study; however, subscale MoCA scores of attention and the digit span test showed significant increases. The observed changes suggested improvements in cognitive processes involving the frontal lobe of the brain.

"This observational study provides preliminary evidence of a potential association between Curcuma longa intake and changes in frontal lobe-mediated functions, particularly working memory, in individuals with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer disease," author Yuta Manabe, MD, PhD, of Yokohama Shintoshi Neurosurgical Hospital in Japan concluded. "Further investigation in larger, placebo-controlled studies is warranted to evaluate the effects of different doses and durations of Curcuma longa intake."

—D Dye

Review suggests benefit for plant compounds in obesity-related condition

October 07 2026. A review published October 7, 2026, in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences discussed evidence for the role of ferroptosis in dysfunctional tissue and inflammation observed in obesity. Authors Stefano Ruga, PhD, of Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Italy, and colleagues identified plant-derived compounds, such as curcumin, quercetin and resveratrol, which they suggest may help inhibit ferroptosis.

Ferroptosis describes a form of cell death caused by iron-dependent peroxidation of lipids (fats). While iron is an essential nutrient, iron equilibrium may become altered in the fat tissue of obese individuals, resulting in iron overload that is conducive to ferroptosis. In their review, the authors provide evidence that fat tissue in obese individuals may have other conditions favorable to ferroptosis, including the accumulation of phospholipids that contain a high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids which are susceptible to peroxidation, and impaired defenses by antioxidants, which combat oxidation.

"The study of adipocyte ferroptosis offers a valuable molecular framework for understanding how metabolic stress can be translated into persistent tissue inflammation," coauthor Antonio Giordano, MD, PhD, stated. "By connecting iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defenses and immune-cell signaling, this emerging field may help identify new biological targets for the prevention and management of obesity-related metabolic disorders."

"The next challenge is to determine which mechanisms are truly causal in human disease and how they can be translated into safe and effective interventions," he added. "The review further explores the potential of plant-derived nutraceutical compounds, including curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, bergamot polyphenolic fraction, sulforaphane, oleuropein, and astaxanthin, which may influence multiple components of ferroptotic pathways through mechanisms such as modulation of oxidative stress, iron homeostasis, lipid peroxidation, and activation of antioxidant signaling."1

1. Sbarro Health Research Organization. Obesity-Related Inflammation Driven by Fat Cells, Iron, and Free Radicals. News Release. 2026 Oct 7. Accessed 2026 Oct 7. /articles/obesity-related-inflammation-driven-by-fat-cells-iron-and-free-radicals

—D Dye

Low vitamin D associated with increased uterine fibroid risk

October 05 2026. A systematic review and meta-analysis published September 22, 2026, in The Journal of Nutrition found that women with uterine fibroids had significantly lower serum vitamin D levels than those without the condition and that adding vitamin D to the diet reduced was associated with improved symptoms.

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus and surrounding tissue that may cause abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure and/or pain, or infertility. Treatment options include surgery, uterine artery embolization, focused ultrasound and prescription drugs.

Meta-analysis of 22 studies that analyzed the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and fibroid prevalence in a total of 3,636 participants revealed significantly lower levels of the vitamin among women with fibroids compared with women without fibroids. Twenty-one of these studies found a large negative effect size, meaning that women with fibroids had markedly lower levels of vitamin D in comparison with women who did not have the condition.

Of ten clinical studies that evaluated the effects of adding vitamin D to the diet that included a total of 2,460 participants, nine found improved symptoms such as urinary frequency, painful menstruation and heavy menstrual bleeding in association with vitamin D, and some showed decreased fibroid size and progression compared with the control groups. The study that evaluated the effect of added vitamin D in secondary prevention found that fibroids recurred in 18.5% of the placebo group and 9.1% of women who received the vitamin.

"Evidence from clinical studies has shown that vitamin D . . . can be associated with improvement of fibroid associated symptoms and may play a role in reducing fibroid size or halting further progression of existing fibroids," Adriana I. Gutiérrez-Camacho and colleagues at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine wrote. "The data supports a promising role for vitamin D . . . in regulating fibroids and highlights the need for further clinical investigation of vitamin D as a potential alternative therapy."

—D Dye

Tomatoes, rich in lycopene, improved cognitive performance in middle-aged adults

October 02 2026. Findings from a randomized, crossover trial published May 18, 2026, in Antioxidants indicate a beneficial effect for daily tomato intake in cognitive function and brain connectivity in middle-aged men and women. Tomatoes are the main food source of the carotenoid lycopene, which has antioxidant effects, supports a healthy inflammatory response and may cross the blood-brain barrier, according to preliminary research.

The trial included 42 healthy individuals aged 40–55 years. Eighteen participants consumed concentrated tomato paste daily in addition to their habitual diets and 22 participants were assigned to a low-lycopene control diet in which the consumption of lycopene-rich foods was limited for three months. At the end of the three-month period, dietary regimens assigned to each group were switched following a one-month washout period during which no dietary modifications were assigned. Cognitive performance and plasma levels of lycopene and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (a protein involved in memory, learning and brain health) were evaluated at the beginning of the study and at the end of each three-month treatment period. A subsample of 14 participants additionally underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess brain connectivity at these time points.

Tomato intake significantly improved aspects of selective attention and associative memory compared with a low lycopene diet. In the group that consumed tomatoes, a borderline increase occurred in plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Magnetic resonance imaging showed changes in brain connectivity after tomato consumption that were correlated with cognitive gains. "To our knowledge, this is the first clinical trial to link changes in the antioxidant lycopene with alterations in functional brain connectivity," authors Ricardo López-Solís and colleagues announced.

"Beyond lycopene, tomatoes contain a wide array of bioactive compounds, including other carotenoids (e.g., phytoene, β-carotene, and lutein), vitamins (A, C, and E), and (poly)phenols (e.g., naringenin, quercetin, caffeic acid, kaempferol, chlorogenic acid, rutin), that may jointly contribute to cognitive improvements through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities," they noted.

—D Dye

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