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Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Forget fat jabs, if you want to lose some weight take this VERY unusual pill (just ask Nicole Kidman!)
They are the miniscule sea creatures devoured by fish, seals, Nicole Kidman. Now scientists have discovered that adding a krill to your meals could be the secret to the perfect weight-loss diet. An experiment involving overweight Glaswegians found that taking supplements containing oil from the shrimp-like creatures helped the participants keep muscle mass while losing weight. Researchers found taking a daily krill pill maintained dieters' muscle and strength despite dramatic cuts to their food intake. Their study – published in the journal Obesity – concludes: 'Supplementation may offer a beneficial strategy to enhance the quality of weight loss.' Krill are tiny crustaceans that form a vital link in the food chain, feeding on microscopic plankton and then being hoovered up themselves by fish and sea mammals. They live in vast swarms and flourish best in the colder waters of the polar regions, also helping to slow climate change by fixing carbon in the seabed. The blue whale lives exclusively on krill, consuming as much as four tons a day. But their potential value to our own health is now emerging as their oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that can nourish the brain, heart and joints. For the latest study – led by Dr Dalia Malkova, a senior lecturer in human nutrition - 41 middle-aged Glaswegians were chosen, all of whom were either obese or very overweight. All went on a special weight-loss regime for two months, in which they fasted on alternate days when they consumed only 500 calories. They also underwent physical tests of their strength both at the start and end of the trial. Roughly half the dieters were given four krill oil capsules a day with their meals while the others were handed placebo pills containing plant-based substitutes. After two months, participants in both groups had lost an average of ten pounds on the scales. But 96 per cent of the weight shed by the krill group was fat, compared with only 73 per cent in the group given a placebo. That additional muscle retention meant those taking the supplements lost next to no hand-grip strength, even as the others weakened markedly. And they also gained power in their legs while the placebo group showed no change. In an added bonus, the krill-takers saw their blood pressure and markers of inflammation drop faster too. The authors explain that weight-loss diets cause 'reduced muscle mass, potentially leading to diminished muscle strength [and] this could have adverse effects on metabolic health.' But the Glasgow results show that taking krill oil 'is a valuable strategy to mitigate some of the adverse effects of diet-induced weight loss'. Hollywood actress Kidman, 58 - who won a Best Actress Oscar for the 2002 movie The Hours - is the face of Swisse, an Australian health supplement company that sells oil capsules from krill harvested in the Antarctic. She starred in a television advert for the pills, dancing on a beach and running into the sea, alongside the slogan: 'Live healthy. Be happy.'
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Orkney carved stone head could be more than 900 years old
An intricately-carved sandstone head which could be more than 900 years old has been found on the Orkney island of head was discovered by University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) archaeology student Katie Joss at the Skaill Farm was exploring the foundations of a large wall when the head popped out into her hands."It was quite a shock, we were removing a slab when the head came rolling out at us and as we turned it around we saw a face looking back at us. It was really exciting," she said. Dr Sarah Jane Gibbon from the UHI Archaeology Institute is co-director of the dig at Skaill Farm, which is now in its 10th year. She said she was surprised at the intricacy of the carved face and hair, which looks serene despite its nose being broken off."It looks very similar to a carved head in the south aisle of St Magnus cathedral," she added that the style of it suggested it might have had a similar function in a 12th Century building."It's really unusual, we've found nothing like this here at Skaill before," she said."We don't know how the head ended up in the backfill of this building, though the fact the nose is broken could be a clue." The head - which has not been given a name yet - is being preserved with the other finds from the will be cleaned up and put on public display at some point in the name of Skaill farm comes from from the Old Norse word "skáli", meaning "hall".The Skaill excavation site sits directly on top of what was once the Norse settlement of powerful 12th Century Viking chieftain, Sigurd of Westness. Dan Lee, an archaeologist with the UHI Archaeology Institute, said: "Sigurd was pals with Earl Rognvald, who built St Magnus cathedral in Kirkwall."We think we are standing on the hall that Sigurd built and lived in, which then became a late-medieval farmstead."Right next door we have the remains of St Mary's chapel and a medieval tower called The Wirk."We think this was a real seat of power in that period."
Medical News Today
3 days ago
- Medical News Today
Higher copper intake may be linked to better brain health
As the population ages, disorders affecting the nervous system, including cognitive decline and dementia, are the leading cause of overall disease burden and lifestyle can affect a person's risk of developing cognitive decline as they and minerals, such as vitamins B and C, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, are essential in maintaining cognitive function.A new study suggests that dietary copper intake may also be important, with too little or too much negatively affecting cognitive are living longer, but not necessarily healthier lives. One consequence of living longer is a higher likelihood of cognitive decline and dementia. But following a healthy diet and lifestyle can help to reduce that help maintain cognitive function, people should ensure that their diet contains correct levels of vitamins and minerals. Although these micronutrients are needed in only tiny amounts, deficiencies can affect cognitive performance as well as physical health.A new study suggests that one particular micronutrient, copper, may be important in maintaining cognitive function as we get study, which is published in Scientific Reports, reports that there is an optimum level of dietary copper intake for older people, below which cognitive function may be impaired, and above which there was not further benefit.'The study suggests that moderate dietary copper intake (approximately 1.2–1.6 mg/day) is associated with better cognitive function in older adults, particularly in processing speed and executive function. The observed reverse L-shaped curve indicates benefits up to a threshold, beyond which no additional cognitive advantage is observed. This aligns with copper's role in neurotransmission and antioxidant defence.'— Steven Allder, consultant neurologist at Re:Cognition Health, who was not involved in the copper affects brain functionThe study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), between 2011 and 2014. Researchers analyzed 2,420 participants, determining their dietary copper intake by averaging two 24-hour dietary recalls. From this, they divided them into quartiles, from greatest to least copper intake. They then assessed their cognitive function using 4 standard tests:The Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) — a paper-and-pencil cognitive test on a single sheet of paper that requires a subject to match symbols to numbers according to a key at the top of the Animal Fluency Test (AFT) — naming as many animals as possible in a short period of time (usually 1 minute).A Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD) subtest — a range of tests used to assess Alzheimer's cognition Z score — a standardized measure that summarizes an individual's overall cognitive function across a battery of cognitive M. Holland, MD, MS, physician-scientist and assistant professor at the RUSH Institute for Healthy Aging, RUSH University, College of Health Sciences, not involved in the study, explained how copper is used in the brain:'Copper plays a vital role in the brain's health by supporting several biological systems, most notably energy metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and antioxidant defenses. It acts as a cofactor for enzymes that help generate cellular energy and protect neurons from oxidative stress, which is a key contributor to aging and cognitive decline. One enzyme in particular, superoxide dismutase (SOD1), relies on copper to neutralize harmful free radicals-that can harm normal brain tissue,' he told Medical News copper intake linked to better cognitive function, up to a pointIn this cross-sectional observational study, the researchers found that people in the top quartile for copper intake scored higher on the cognitive function tests. However, they observed that cognitive function scores peaked at a certain level of copper intake then did not increase optimum levels for each test were 1.63 mg/day for DSST, 1.42 mg/day for AFT and 1.22 mg/day for the Z score. 'This study highlights that cognitive benefits of copper appear most pronounced at moderate dietary levels, around 1.2 to 1.6 mg/day. Above that threshold, the gains taper off, which aligns with our understanding that both deficiency and excess can disrupt brain health. Too little copper may impair synaptic function and energy production, while too much can promote oxidative damage and inflammation, essentially flipping copper's role from protector to stressor.'— Thomas M. Holland, MDAllder also emphasized that balance is key:'Excessive copper can generate free radicals, overwhelm antioxidant systems, and disrupt mineral homeostasis, potentially accelerating neurodegenerative changes such as amyloid-beta accumulation and tau tangles seen in Alzheimer's disease.'How to get the right amount copper in your dietOur experts advised that eating a diverse, whole-food diet will ensure adequate, but not excess copper, and supplements should be taken only on medical advice. Elena Rolt, registered nutritional therapist and functional medicine practitioner at explained how you can get the right amount of copper.'Shellfish such as oysters, crabs and lobsters are among the richest natural sources, providing high concentrations of this mineral. Organ meats, particularly liver, are also exceptional sources of copper and have long been valued for their nutrient profile.'Sources of copper in diet'For those following plant-based diets, mushrooms, especially shiitake, nuts and seeds, including cashews, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds, offer an excellent alternative. Whole grains, such as quinoa and oats, are other significant contributors, alongside legumes like lentils and chickpeas, which provide both copper and plant-based protein. […] leafy greens such as spinach and kale contain moderate amounts of copper, further supporting overall intake when incorporated into daily meals.'— Elena Rolt, registered nutritional therapistThere's good news for chocolate lovers, too. Both Rolt and Holland advocated dark chocolate, provided it is more than 70% cocoa, as a rich source of dietary findings, but further research neededAs a cross-sectional study, this research cannot determine whether copper causes improved cognitive function.'The methodological approach, leveraging NHANES data and validated cognitive assessments, gives the findings strong credibility, and the fact that the results held up even after adjusting for a range of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors adds to their weight,' Holland said.'To really move the science forward, I'd love to see prospective studies that follow people over time to determine whether copper intake actually slows cognitive decline. Even better would be randomized trials that test copper supplementation, specifically in individuals at risk of cognitive impairment,' he told MNT.'This study really highlights how our brains are influenced by the foods we eat, even at the micronutrient level. It reinforces my belief that lifestyle and nutrition aren't just about preventing chronic diseases like dementia, diabetes, or heart disease, but also about preserving the very essence of who we are, our memory, our ability to think clearly, connect with others, and maintain independence as we age.'— Thomas M. Holland, MD
