New research shows that the structure of a protein that causes Alzheimer’s disease—called amyloid beta—changes to allow it to become toxic to brain cells. Scientists have found that the protein’s internal shape changes into a long, flat structure called a beta sheet.

According to researchers, the amyloid beta structure able to penetrate cells is similar to a layer cake, with components that are stacked upon each other. First, these proteins bind to the cell. Then, they are taken into the cell, where they cause damage and cell death that leads to Alzheimer’s.

Scientists don’t know whether the amyloid beta is toxic before entering the cell, or becomes toxic once inside. Learning more about the structure of these proteins may help researchers figure out a way to interrupt the process, possibly preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

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Sourced from: ScienceDaily, Shape-shifting protein behind Alzheimer’s disease

Many people are trying to eat healthier these days—choosing organic foods, cage-free eggs, grass-fed beef, etc. at the grocery store. But what about the food at your favorite chain restaurant? According to a new report, most of these restaurants are still using meat from animals over-treated with antibiotics.

Antibiotics are used in poultry and livestock to help the animals survive and grow more quickly in conditions that are unhealthy, unsanitary, and crowded. But this misuse of these medications contributes to antibiotic resistance—a serious health problem that makes treating bacterial infections more difficult. According to the CDC, more than 2 million Americans contract antibiotic-resistant infections and about 23,000 people die as a result of the infection each year.

A recent report co-authored by a number of organizations shows that, while restaurant chains like Panera Bread and Chipotle Mexican Grill are doing a good job offering consumers foods produced without the routine use of antibiotics, most—16 out of the 25 chain restaurants surveyed—are not. Other chains that received a “passing” grade include: Subway, Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s.

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Sourced from: CNN, Does your favorite restaurant serve too many antibiotics?

According to a new study, some benefits of choosing healthy dietary fats—from foods like fish, nuts, and monounsaturated vegetable oils—are cancelled out by stress. Researchers already know that diet and stress can affect inflammation in the body, and inflammation is linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. In this new study, they looked at the relationships among dietary fat, stress levels, and inflammatory markers in the blood.

Study participants—about 60 women with an average age of 53—were given a meal high in saturated fat or a meal made with monounsaturated sunflower oil, and then were asked to complete a detailed questionnaire about their stress level. Researchers took blood samples and measured levels of four inflammation markers.

After controlling for other factors that can affect inflammation—age, physical activity level, weight, abdominal fat, for example—researchers found that women who ate the meal high in saturated fat had higher inflammation marker levels than women who at the healthy fat meal. However, inflammation markers were just as high in women who ate the healthier meal, but reported feeling stressed.

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Sourced from: MNT, Stress erases benefits of eating ‘good’ fats, study says