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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.

Higher vitamin C linked with more gray matter, better brain connectivity

June 29 2026. Study findings reported June 10, 2026, in PLOS One revealed greater gray matter volume in the brains of individuals who had higher plasma vitamin C. A higher level of the vitamin was also associated with better connectivity among brain regions that compose the default mode network, which is active during rest.

"Vitamin C is essential for improving brain health," authors Haruka Nagaya and colleagues noted. "It is a crucial antioxidant in the brain that plays a role in several biological functions, including acting as a cofactor in various enzymatic reactions, serving as a neuromodulator, and being involved in regulating certain peptide hormones."

The study included 2,044 men and women over 64 years of age. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measured gray matter (involved in processing information) and white matter (involved in connecting parts of the nervous system), as well as connectivity within the brain's default mode network. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma vitamin C.

The researchers found an association between higher plasma vitamin C levels and an increased ratio of gray matter to total intracranial volume, as well as greater default mode network connectivity. "Our study demonstrates that higher plasma vitamin C levels are associated with better preserved structural connectivity of the default mode network (DMN), a key brain network involved in cognitive function," coauthor Tomohiro Shintaku, MD, PhD, stated. "This finding generates the exciting hypothesis that a diet rich in vitamin C might play a supportive role in maintaining brain health and mitigating age-related cognitive decline in older adults."

Krill oil increased the omega-3 index from 4.3% to 7.4%, an improvement that approaches the 8% or higher omega-3 index value associated with a reduction in cardiometabolic risk. The trial's primary objectives, which included feasibility and acceptability of krill oil, were met by the group that received krill. Participants who received krill oil experienced trends toward global improvement and a reduction in pain sites and pain intensity.

"What I found most fascinating about this research is that we were able to detect these subtle but significant associations between a single nutritional factor and large-scale brain networks by utilizing a robust, community-based cohort of over 2,000 older adults," he added. "It truly highlights the potential impact of our everyday dietary habits on our brain structures."

—D Dye

Krill oil relieves chronic musculoskeletal pain in older men and women

June 26 2026. A pilot trial that included 40 participants aged 60 years and older with moderate chronic musculoskeletal pain resulted in improvements among those who received krill oil for 12 weeks in comparison with a placebo. The findings were reported in the June 2026 issue of The Journal of Nutrition.

"Krill oil (Ephausia superba) is a marine source of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in which EPA and DHA are predominantly bound to phospholipids rather than triglycerides or ethyl esters," authors Javier A. Tamargo, PhD, and colleagues noted. "This structural difference is thought to enhance bioavailability and tissue uptake."

"Although previous studies have shown promise for the analgesic effects of krill oil, most have focused on middle-aged adults, condition- and site-specific pain (i.e., knee osteoarthritis), with mild-to-moderate symptom severity, and have been conducted outside the United States."

In the Krill Oil for Pain in Elders randomized, double-blind trial, 20 men and women were given 4 grams per day of krill oil that provided 1,288 mg of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, and 20 individuals received a placebo for 12 weeks. Participants completed study visits prior to the beginning of the treatment period and at the sixth and twelfth weeks. Blood samples collected from the participants were analyzed for markers of inflammation and omega-3 status.

"These findings support a fully powered randomized controlled trial to evaluate krill oil as a nutritional strategy for pain management in aging populations," Dr Tamargo and associates concluded.

—D Dye

PQQ lowers midlife mortality risk and more in rodent study

June 24 2026. A study reported May 11, 2026, in Food & Function revealed improved survival during midlife, delayed aged appearance and muscle dysfunction, as well as other benefits in mice given the nutrients pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) or imidazopyrroloquinoline (IPQ, which is converted from PQQ).

PQQ is a popular coenzyme that scavenges free radicals and has been reported to promote the formation of new mitochondria as well as boost brain function. IPQ is converted from PQQ in the presence of the amino acid glycine but does not have PQQ's free radical-scavenging ability. "This study investigated the potential of PQQ and IPQ as geroprotectors that promote healthy longevity, addressing the general lack of lifespan aging intervention experiments in mammals," authors Keiko Odera of Toho University in Japan and colleagues noted.

The study used a strain of mice that experience accelerated senescence and a short lifespan. The animals were given a diet enhanced with PQQ or IPQ throughout their lives or beginning at midlife. Control groups of mice received the same diet minus PQQ or IPQ.

Mice that received lifelong PQQ and IPQ had reduced mortality during middle-age compared with the control group. Those that received PQQ had better muscle function at three months of age.

Animals that were given PQQ or IPQ starting in midlife demonstrated improvement in muscular function compared with the beginning of the study. "PQQ and IPQ improve age-related changes regardless of whether intake begins in early or middle-age, although intake from early age is particularly effective in diminishing mortality risk during midlife," the authors concluded.

"To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that PQQ and IPQ . . . whether initiated in the early or middle age, is effective in ameliorating age-related alterations, such as muscular function, and diminishes mortality risk during midlife in mice," they announced.

—D Dye

AMA journal reports vitamin B3 is cost-effective for common skin cancer prevention

June 22 2026. A study published June 10, 2026, in the American Medical Association journal JAMA Dermatology concluded that orally administered nicotinamide (also known as niacinamide or vitamin B3) shows promise as “a cost-effective and patient-centered preventive approach” for common skin cancers known as keratinocyte cancers.

Previous studies have demonstrated that 500 milligrams of nicotinamide twice per day lowered the risk of keratinocyte cancers. These skin cancers include basal cell and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, which are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States. While keratinocyte cancers are not as dangerous as melanoma, they require treatment such as Mohs surgery, which is associated with significant cost.

The current investigation included 33,822 older men and women within the Veterans Health Administration who had a history of one or more keratinocyte cancers. Nicotinamide was consumed for 30 or more days by 12,287 individuals, resulting in a total cost of $161,451. The use of nicotinamide was associated with the prevention of 624 keratinocyte cancers per year, With $526,032 in keratinocyte cancer treatment cost savings, the net cost savings associated with nicotinamide use was $364,581. This represents a 19.9% decrease in yearly keratinocyte cancer treatment costs. Additionally, nicotinamide was associated with better quality of life as per the Skindex-16 Quality of Life Scale.

"The present findings may be particularly pronounced for individuals at elevated keratinocyte cancer risk, including those with prior keratinocyte cancers, extensive actinic [sun exposure] damage, and immunosuppressed status," authors David Perez of Georgetown University School of Medicine and colleagues noted.

"In this economic evaluation, oral nicotinamide was a cost-effective and patient-centric preventive approach for keratinocyte cancer, particularly in individuals with keratinocyte cancer history at high risk of multiple primary keratinocyte cancer," they concluded.

—D Dye

Nutrient additions up from two decades ago

June 15 2026. A study reported June 15, 2026, in the American Medical Association journal JAMA Network Open determined that the addition of nutrients to the diet by people residing in the U.S. significantly increased between 1999 and 2023.

Chun Sing Lam, PhD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and colleagues evaluated data obtained in 11 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), an ongoing program conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics to monitor the health and nutrition of the U.S. population. Cycles examined in the study included 1999–2000, 2001–2002, 2003–2004, 2005–2006, 2007–2008, 2009–2010, 2011–2012, 2013–2014, 2015–2016, 2017–2020 and 2021–2023. The current investigation included 33,127 women and 30,315 men who provided information concerning the use of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

While 51% of NHANES participants reported the use of added nutrients in 1999–2000, 60% reported using them during August 2021–August 2023. Outside of their presence in multivitamin/mineral formulas, significant increases were observed in the use of vitamins, which increased from 25% to 39%, minerals, which rose from 18% to 27%, and botanicals, which increased from 11% to 13%. Significant growth occurred in the use of vitamin D, vitamin B12, biotin, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, turmeric, fruit or vegetable combinations, lycopene, omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid or flaxseed, fish oil, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), coenzyme Q10, chlorella, fiber, ginger and bromelain. Growth was pronounced among older adults. Multinutrient use declined, which may reflect a preference for personalized nutrition approaches.

"Use among US adults increased over time, with diversification beyond multivitamin/multiminerals toward products marketed for immune, anti-inflammatory, gut, skin, or joint health," Lam and colleagues concluded. "A substantial increase was observed in older adults."

—D Dye

Vitamin K2 slows coronary artery calcification

June 12 2026. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial reported June 10, 2026, in the American Medical Association journal JAMA Cardiology found a slower rate of increase in coronary artery calcium in men and women who were given menaquinone-7 (MK-7), a form of vitamin K2, compared with a placebo group.

High coronary artery calcium, indicating calcified plaque buildup, is a predictor of major cardiovascular events like heart attack.

The trial included 150 adults with concerns suggestive of coronary artery disease and moderate plaque burden as determined by coronary artery calcium scores calculated from CT imaging. Seventy-five participants received 360 micrograms orally administered MK-7, and an equal number of participants received a placebo daily for two years. CT scans were repeated at 12 and 24 months. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma vitamin K levels at the beginning of the trial and the end of each year.

Among participants who received MK-7, plasma levels of the vitamin rose compared with the beginning of the study while placebo group levels were unchanged. In the placebo group, coronary artery calcium scores rose from a median of 145 AU at baseline to 214 AU at the trial's conclusion. Participants who received MK-7 experienced a lower rate of progression, with a median increase of 135 AU to 184 AU. Increases in coronary artery calcium scores were related to the number of plaques that became partially calcified over the course of the study.

"This randomized clinical trial found that . . . MK-7 has the potential to reduce new coronary artery calcification in people with mild coronary disease," Liv M. Vossen, MD, PhD, and colleagues concluded. "This is relevant because it is an inexpensive and safe product that can easily be purchased."

—D Dye

Meta-analysis of studies affirms curcumin improves symptoms in men with enlarged prostate

June 10 2026. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that evaluated the effects of curcumin in men with benign prostate enlargement concluded that, compared with a placebo, curcumin significantly improved prostate symptoms, prostate specific antigen (PSA) and more.

Curcumin, a compound occurring in the spice turmeric, has been associated with benefits that include support of a healthy inflammatory response.

Diogo Souto Santana of Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil, and his colleagues analyzed six studies that included a total of 697 men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) who were receiving treatment with alpha-blocker and/or 5-alpha reductase inhibitor medications. Three of the studies were randomized, controlled trials and the remainder were nonrandomized comparative studies. Trial duration ranged from three to twelve months.

Pooled analysis of study results showed that treatment with curcumin was associated with a significant reduction in International Prostate Symptom Scores in comparison with a placebo. Compared with participants in the placebo groups, there was an average 0.52 nanogram per milliliter reduction in PSA among curcumin-treated men. Prostate volume was lower among participants who received curcumin and maximum urinary flow rate increased. Because reductions in PSA and prostate volume were significant but "modest," the researchers suggested that curcumin's primary benefit is improvement of symptoms rather than structural modification of the prostate gland.

Further analysis revealed that benefits were greater among men who were treated with alpha-blockers alone than in those treated with both alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reducase inhibitors.

Santana and colleagues remarked that the findings support the hypothesis that targeting inflammatory pathways may help improve the symptoms of BPH. They concluded that, "Curcumin supplementation was associated with a significant improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms, as reflected by clinically meaningful reductions in International Prostate Symptom Scores compared with placebo.

—D Dye

Creatine could boost cancer immunotherapy

June 08 2026. Research reported April 17, 2026, in iScience suggests a role for creatine in improving the activity of immune cells known as dendritic cells, whose actions include regulation of antitumor T cell immunity. "Bolstering the dendritic cells that train and activate T cells could potentially offer a way to bring the benefits of immunotherapy to more patients," authors Elliot Kang and colleagues at the University of California Los Angeles explained.

"Immunotherapy has shown remarkable promise, but it only works for a subset of patients," senior author Lili Yang elaborated. "What this study shows is that creatine doesn't just help the T cells fighting cancer — it also energizes the entire infrastructure supports and guides them. That makes creatine a promising supplement to holistically support the immune response that modern immunotherapies depend on."

By observing which metabolic genes were the most active in dendritic cells that had infiltrated mouse tumors, the research team observed an increase in the gene that encodes the creatine transporter that draws creatine into cells. They observed that creatine-deficient dendritic cells grown next to T cells resulted in T cells that had fewer divisions and less production of molecules needed to fight cancer.

In a mouse model of melanoma, daily creatine improved the activation and abundance of tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells while slowing tumor growth. In human cells, creatine enhanced the activation of a type of dendritic cell used in dendritic cell cancer vaccines, suggesting a use for creatine during vaccine production. "The potential we see here is that creatine could be used in two complementary ways: as a supplement to enhance the immune response of patients already receiving immunotherapy, and as a tool to improve the quality of dendritic cell-based vaccines before they're administered," co-first author James Elsten-Brown stated.

"Understanding how to metabolically support dendritic cells is about supporting the entire anti-tumor response, not just the killer T cells at the end of it," Kang noted.

—D Dye

Sunlight exposure not always adequate to support vitamin D sufficiency

June 05 2026. A study that included older adults and ethnic adults in Northern England found that the summer season was not associated with improvement of vitamin D insufficiency. The findings were reported May 19, 2026, in the European Journal of Clinical Medicine. "We need to be thinking about more consistent, year-round ways to support healthy vitamin D levels," co-lead researcher Bernard M. Corfe commented.

"Although vitamin D deficiency is commonly viewed as a seasonal issue due to reduced sunlight exposure during winter, emerging evidence suggests that some demographic groups remain at risk year-round. Within the UK, certain subpopulations including various ethnic groups are at greater risk," authors Alice Goddard and colleagues explained. "Likewise, deficiency is widespread among older adults globally, occurring irrespective of season reinforcing the need for targeted public health strategies addressing these vulnerable groups."

The study enrolled 299 subjects that included adults aged 65 years and older and ethnic adults with dark pigmentation who provided blood samples that were analyzed for vitamin D during the screening phase of a clinical trial. Vitamin D levels categorized as insufficient or deficient at less than 20 ng/mL were detected in 54.8% of older adults and 72.1% of ethnic adults. In both groups, there was little variation in vitamin D insufficiency according to the month participants were screened. "What's striking about these findings is that vitamin D levels didn't improve, even in the summer months when we would usually expect them to recover," Professor Corfe stated. "For people living in places like the North of England, this shows that sunlight alone may not be enough, particularly for older adults and those from minoritized ethnic backgrounds. The message is simple but important. If you are in a higher-risk group, you can't assume that spending more time outdoors in summer will solve the problem."

—D Dye

D for depression

June 03 2026. A dose-response meta-analysis of clinical trials found an association between the addition of vitamin D to the diet and improvement in depressive symptoms. The results were reported March 16, 2026, in Frontiers in Nutrition.

The meta-analysis included 15 randomized, controlled trials that examined the effects of vitamin D on depression severity and other factors among a total of 962 men and women diagnosed with depressive disorders. Treatment groups received oral, parenteral, intravenous or intramuscular forms of the vitamin. Trial duration ranged from eight weeks to ten months.

The meta-analysis found significant improvement in depressive symptoms among individuals who received vitamin D compared with the control groups. Additionally, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) were lower in people who received vitamin D. Dose-response analysis of the trial findings revealed that higher daily vitamin D doses of up to 5,000 international units (IU) per day were associated with the greatest decrease in symptoms of depression.

"In this study, we aimed to consolidate all data from RCTs involving patients diagnosed with depression who received vitamin D," authors Hsuan-Hsien Li of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan and associates wrote. "The observed reductions in serum PTH and TNFα levels suggest anti-inflammatory mechanisms underlying its antidepressant effects."

"This is the first meta-analysis employing dose–response analysis to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on depression," they announced. "Higher daily intakes, particularly around 5,000 IU, were associated with greater symptom improvement; however, further high-quality trials are required to confirm optimal dosing and long-term safety."

—D Dye

Fisetin combined with aerobic training boosts pro-resolving mediator, lowers inflammation

June 01 2026. A randomized, controlled trial reported in 2026 in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition resulted in reduced inflammation and an increase in the specialized pro-resolving mediator maresin-1 in obese men assigned to interval resistance-aerobic training plus 200 daily fisetin.

"Fisetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, possesses antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, and senolytic properties," Mehran Alipour and colleagues wrote. "In cellular and animal models, fisetin has been shown to inhibit inflammatory signaling pathways (including NF‑κB), reduce oxidative stress, and shift macrophage polarization toward reparative phenotypes; there is also preliminary evidence that fisetin may support the production or preservation of specialized pro-resolving mediators."

Pro-resolving mediators such as maresin-1 are made in the body from omega-3 fatty acids to promote a healthy post-inflammatory response.

The trial included 11 men who were given 200 mg fisetin per day without interval resistance-aerobic training, 11 assigned to interval training and a placebo, 11 assigned to 200 mg fisetin per day plus interval training and 11 who received a placebo and no training. Blood levels of maresin-1 and markers of inflammation and metabolism were measured at the beginning and end of the trial.

After 12 weeks, men who received fisetin alone had reductions in the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, as well as metabolic factors that included fasting blood glucose, insulin and insulin resistance. Men who were assigned to training with or without fisetin showed significant increases in maresin-1 in addition to the same improvements observed in the group that received fisetin without training. The greatest increase in maresin-1 and reductions in metabolic markers in comparison with the beginning of the trial occurred among men who were assigned to training plus fisetin. "The synergy between exercise‑induced adaptations and fisetin's anti‑inflammatory properties offers a promising nonpharmacological strategy for mitigating obesity‑related metabolic risk," the authors concluded.

—D Dye

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