Medical Bulletin 11/Jul/2025 - Video

Here are the top medical news for the day:

Wrinkles, Acne, Dark Spots? Use These Dermatologist-Approved Skincare Ingredients

As summer temperatures rise and skincare aisles overflow with countless options, a new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, identifies the most effective skincare ingredients for seven common skin concerns, based on expert consensus from nearly 80 dermatologists across 43 institutions nationwide.

Conducted by Northwestern Medicine researchers, the study was led by senior author Dr. Murad Alam, vice chair and professor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The research aimed to guide both dermatologists and consumers in choosing the most scientifically supported ingredients for their skincare needs.

“This is the first time experts have come together nationally to cut through the overwhelming number of skin care options,” said Dr. Alam. “We wanted to help both doctors and everyday users understand which ingredients are backed by the most expert support.”

To reach this consensus, researchers used a rigorous Delphi method, in which dermatologists rated the effectiveness of skincare ingredients on a 1–9 scale across two rounds of evaluation and expert discussion. Only those ingredients with strong agreement made the final list.

Among the most highly recommended were mineral sunscreens, praised for their ability to protect against wrinkles, redness, and dry skin. Retinoids, vitamin A - derivatives, were endorsed for treating acne, wrinkles, dark spots, large pores, and oily skin. A complete list of recommended ingredients for each skin concern is available in the published study.

Dr. Alam emphasized the importance of simplicity in skincare routines. “Using too many products can irritate your skin and make things worse,” he said. “It’s about knowing which ingredients are most effective for your specific concerns and are best for your routine.”

The study also highlighted a critical gap in consumer knowledge. This consensus-based study may offer a reliable resource for both clinicians and consumers navigating an unregulated market.

Reference: Skincare ingredients recommended by cosmetic dermatologists: A Delphi consensus study, Alvarez, Gabriella V. et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 0, Issue 0

1½ Cups of Grapes a Day May Help Combat Age-Related Muscle Loss

A new clinical study from the University of California, Davis, published in the journal Food & Function, has found that eating grapes daily may significantly improve muscle strength in postmenopausal women.

Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength, can begin as early as age 40. Over time, it can reduce mobility, increase the risk of falls, and severely impact quality of life and independence. With limited treatment options currently available, researchers have been exploring nutritional approaches to address this growing health concern.

The study, led by Dr. Gerardo Mackenzie, involved postmenopausal women who were assigned to consume either whole grape powder equivalent to about 1 ½ cups of fresh grapes daily or a placebo powder that lacked the beneficial compounds found in grapes. At the end of the study period, women in the grape group showed measurable improvements in muscle strength, particularly in hand grip and walking speed.

Researchers also measured levels of irisin, a hormone associated with muscle and bone growth, both before and after the intervention. The group consuming grape powder experienced a 14.4% increase in plasma irisin levels, while those in the placebo group saw a 7.8% decrease. While the differences in irisin levels between the groups did not reach statistical significance, the researchers did find a significant and positive association between changes in grip strength and irisin levels over time.

“These findings indicate that regularly consuming a modest amount of grapes – just 1 ½ cups per day – can help improve muscle strength in postmenopausal women who are at risk for muscle loss as part of aging,” said Mackenzie. “Incorporating grapes into the diet may offer an easy and promising nutritional approach to help mitigate sarcopenia, a condition for which there are no effective treatment options.”

The study highlights grapes as a potential tool in maintaining muscle health, especially in aging populations.

Reference: Alliaceae vegetable consumption and sarcopenia: findings from the TCLSIH cohort study,

Xuena Wang, Hao Geng, Jiaoyang Li, Ge Meng, Hongmei Wu, Yeqing Gu, Jian Huang, Junsheng Huo, Bing Zhang, Gangqiang Ding and Kaijun Niu

Food Funct., 2025,16, 2084-2095

Bigger Waist, Slower Steps? New Study Says Yes

A new study published in Aging (Aging-US), sheds light on the relationship between body shape and physical performance. The research reveals that individuals with higher waist-to-hip (WHR) and waist-to-height (WHtR) ratios are more likely to exhibit poorer physical function, raising concerns about long-term mobility and independence as people age.

The study analyzed data from over 10,000 adults aged 18 to 98 years. These participants took part in the Longevity Check-up 8+ project, a large-scale Italian health initiative designed to promote healthy lifestyles and assess cardiovascular risk.

Researchers assessed participants' waist-to-hip (WHR) and waist-to-height ratios and evaluated their physical performance using the five-repetition chair stand test a widely used measure of lower-body strength and mobility. “Among 10690 participants (mean age 57.0 ± 14.8 y; 54% females), men exhibited higher waist-to-hip (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio and a higher prevalence of abnormal values (61% and 71%),” the authors noted.

The study found that individuals with elevated waist ratios took significantly longer to complete the chair stand test, suggesting impaired physical function. This correlation remained strong even after accounting for lifestyle and cardiovascular factors. Waist to height ratio emerged as the more reliable predictor of poor performance across various age and gender groups.

Researchers highlight the waist-to-height ratio as a practical, low-cost tool that could be used in clinical and community health settings to identify those at risk of functional decline.

Reference: Martone AM, Levati E, Ciciariello F, Galluzzo V, Salini S, Calvani R, Marzetti E, Landi F. Impact of waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios on physical performance: insights from the Longevity Check-up 8+ project. Aging (Albany NY). 2025 May 30; 17:1375-1385 . https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206260

Obesity May Raise Breast Cancer Risk, More So in Women with Heart Disease: Meta Analysis

A new study published in Cancer by researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and partner institutions reinforces the link between obesity and an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Importantly, the study reveals that this risk is significantly heightened in women with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), highlighting a critical intersection between two major health concerns.

The findings come from a large meta-analysis combining individual participant data from two of Europe’s most comprehensive cohort studies the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) and the UK Biobank. The analysis included 168,547 postmenopausal women who were cancer-free and had not been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease at the time of their enrollment. These women were followed for approximately 10 years to assess long-term health outcomes.

The researchers found that among women without cardiovascular disease, each 4.5 kg/m² increase in body mass index (BMI) was associated with a 13% higher risk of developing breast cancer. However, among women with a history of cardiovascular disease, the same increase in BMI corresponded to a 31% rise in breast cancer risk. This sharp difference underscores how underlying cardiovascular conditions may amplify the cancer risks associated with excess weight.

In contrast, the relationship between BMI and breast cancer risk was not significantly different between women with and without type 2 diabetes.

These findings suggest that preventing obesity among postmenopausal women with CVD may lead to greater reductions in breast cancer incidence compared with the general population. Furthermore, the results could support the development of risk-stratified breast cancer prevention and screening strategies, particularly targeting women with CVD.

Reference: Fontvieille E, Jansana A, Peruchet-Noray L, et al. Body mass index and breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women with and without cardiometabolic diseases: findings from two prospective cohort studies in Europe. Cancer. 2025;e35911. doi:10.1002/cncr.35911