UF Health Podcasts

Latest Episodes:

Glucosamine could speed Alzheimer’s disease Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

For more than three decades, glucosamine has been marketed as a way to relieve painful joints.

But a new study suggests the popular supplement also might be linked to faster progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at the University of Florida found that people with mild cognitive impairment who reported taking glucosamine stood a 25% greater chance of progressing to dementia than those who did not use it.

The researchers also uncovered evidence suggesting that glucosamine may interact with biological processes in the brain that are already disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers reached their conclusion after analyzing a raft of patient health records combined with advanced imaging studies of human brain tissue and mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.

While the results do not prove that glucosamine causes dementia and will need to be confirmed in clinical trials, the researchers say the work adds to growing evidence that metabolic dysfunction plays an important role in neurodegenerative diseases.

One estimate from the National Institutes of Health said that at least 6.5. million adults, or 2.6% of the U.S. population, had used glucosamine or chondroitin [kuhn-droy-tin] for joint pain.

Researchers identified evidence that a protein and sugar pathway is excessively active in Alzheimer’s disease. They suggested the pathway could represent a new target for future treatments.

Correlation is not causation, but the study’s findings do offer those with creaky joints a topic to bring up the next time you sit down with your doctor.

ARCHIVE: Smushy Snout Squad: Understanding and Caring for Brachycephalic Dog Breeds Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Did you know this about canine tapeworms? Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Tapeworms called Echinococcus multilocularis use canids as their definitive, or “normal,” hosts. That means they complete their life cycle in dogs, coyotes, foxes or wolves without causing them many problems. But once these animals pass egg-laden feces into the environment, rodents, rabbits, hoofed mammals and even humans can become infected.

In an abnormal host, the parasite can’t complete its life cycle and instead becomes trapped in the body where it travels to various organs. The subsequent tumor-like growths can cause all sorts of problems.

This isn’t just an issue for other animals. Young children and immunocompromised people are especially at risk.

Pet parents can help by using a monthly pet dewormer that’s effective against tapeworms — and by cleaning up after their pets.

For some, exercise helps muscles age well Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

What would it be like to be stronger for longer? A new study from researchers at Duke explores how regular exercise not only keeps your muscles healthy but also helps them age with grace.

As muscles get older, a gene called DEAF1 [def-one] rises to the occasion. As its levels increase, a growth pathway, called mTORC1 [em-tor-see-one], tumbles into overdrive. The delicate balance between protein production and protein removal falls to the wayside; muscle weakening is hastened. Excess activity in mTORC1 means muscles get confused, building new proteins and forgetting to remove damaged ones. Eventually, there are too many lemons, and muscles become stressed. There is a gradual loss of strength.

In a healthy individual, exercise helps to undo this imbalance by bringing back proteins that “check” DEAF1 levels at the door, lowering them back down to acceptable levels. This acts like a reset button, supporting your muscles’ ability to keep clearing out deadweight and build themselves back.

Age-related muscle loss is a common issue strength training attempts to combat. Researchers hope this study, along with further work, might prompt new ways to prevent or treat muscle health that declines over time. Now that we know DEAF1 is a vital regulator of the muscle regeneration process, researchers believe future work could be even better equipped to find new ways of shielding muscles from some of the harsher impacts of aging.

Importantly, researchers noticed some cases where older muscles did not recover as well, which would explain why certain older adults reap more reward from exercise than others. But evidence still points to benefits outweighing sitting on the couch.

Designing successful weight management plans for pets Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

Globally, about 50 percent of pet cats and dogs are obese. What’s more, weight loss plans for our furry friends often fall flat. So, what can we do to help our chubby companions?

First, talk to your veterinarian about a healthy weight management plan that will center on your pet’s preferences. Then, be prepared to weigh your pet daily at home — and weigh their food, too.

Focus on nutritionally complete foods that provide low calories but high fulfillment. Feeding smaller meals more often may help, and be sure to count any low-calorie treats.

Provide stimulating activities that allow your pet to forage for food, like using puzzle feeders or creating food treasure hunts.

Finally, get ready for some high-intensity begging. Offering a toy reward when you sit down to eat may effectively distract your pet.

Drinking to relieve stress could change your brain, study suggests Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Who among us has not turned to a vice when under an onslaught of stress? Whether it’s a pint of ice cream, endless video games or a glass of wine, we all have our means of coping.

Some of them, however, might leave an impact far beyond the intended stress relief — and one that is markedly more negative. Especially in the case of alcohol.

According to a study from scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, relying on alcohol to manage stress in early adulthood might result in lasting negative impacts to the brain. And no, they do not ebb with decades of sobriety.

In a study using mouse models, researchers found that mice would return to drinking when stressed even after long periods of cessation. There was little to no difference in ability to learn between mice that drank heavily and mice that drank lightly. But other changes emerged.

An area of their brains called the locus coeruleus [sih-roo-lee-us], responsible for thinking and decision-making, remained active in mice that tended to consume alcohol instead of switching off as needed. This reduced their ability to solve problems.

Most notably, middle-aged mice who once had a heavy drinking habit demonstrated reduced mental flexibility, or the ability to act quickly in new or changing situations. And, though further research is needed before we can apply these results to humans, it’s worth second-guessing that drink if it’s your only method of relief.

Into every life a little stress must fall. It’s better to find a more sustainable means of managing it, and ideally one that leaves your body feeling better, rather than worse. But did we mention the ice cream?

The lowdown on collagen supplements Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Collagen is the most prevalent protein in our bodies. It’s in our hair, skin, fingernails, bones, blood vessels and intestines, of all places.

As we age, our bodies begin to produce less collagen, leaving our skin less elastic and our bones more brittle.

For many years, collagen supplements, derived from the remains of animals, like cows, pigs, chickens or fish, have been popular with those trying to maintain a youthful look.

But more recently, these supplements have been marketed for everything from strengthening joints to boosting athletic performance.

A new study set out to pin down what collagen can do and what it cannot.

Researchers in the United Kingdom conducted the most comprehensive study of collagen to date, involving at least 8,000 supplement-taking participants from around the world.

Here is what the study found that collagen can do, if taken for a sustained period: It can make your skin look and feel more hydrated. And it can help relieve some joint stiffness from osteoarthritis.

To a lesser degree, taking extra collagen can offer modest improvements in muscle mass and muscle structure.

But if you are taking it in hopes of achieving a new personal best race time or to improve your vertical leap, the researchers say you will probably be disappointed. Collagen also will not help you bounce back faster from strenuous exercise, reduce muscle soreness or improve your tendons in any way.

They also noted that collagen won’t lower cholesterol, blood pressure or blood sugar. Nor can it rebuild tooth enamel or regrow gum tissue.

Taking collagen supplements may do you good. Just be sure to take claims about them with a big grain of salt.

The epidemic of obesity in U.S. horses Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

Over half of mature light-breed horses in the U.S. are obese — an incidence that’s among the highest in the world.

For most of them, the problem is equine metabolic syndrome, which centers around abnormal insulin activity. That, in turn, is driven by people feeding their horses grain-based diets and concentrated carbohydrates. The resulting long-term insulin elevation drives fat storage, which predisposes the horse to laminitis — a painful, and sometimes fatal, breakdown of hoof structures — as well as other problems.

Now, equine veterinarians aren’t just focusing on a horse’s weight loss, they’re measuring the insulin levels that can drive obesity. As consumers and horse stewards, people can do their part by feeding better diets, including good quality hay, instead of relying heavily on tasty grains.

Canine heartworm disease continues to expand its range Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

The American Heartworm Society, or AHS, recently released the results of its latest three-year survey of canine heartworm disease.

Although the Gulf Coast and southeastern U.S. still have high case numbers, the updated AHS map shows that canine heartworm disease has expanded to new areas far from these epicenters.

Several reasons are cited for these trends. Populations of infected wildlife, like coyotes, are expanding into urban areas. In addition, dogs are being adopted from heartworm-established areas and relocated to lower-risk locales. Increased storm activity is also fueling subsequent spikes in mosquito numbers. Finally, families moving into high-risk regions may be bringing unprotected pets.

Just remember, canine heartworm disease is nearly always avoidable with the right preventative.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected