• Researchers identified a gut bacterium that helps prime intestinal stem cells for faster recovery
  • In preclinical models, short-term fasting increased the population of this bacterium, helping the small intestine regenerate more effectively after radiation treatment
  • The findings could lead to dietary or microbe-based strategies to reduce side effects of cancer radiation therapy

JULY 9, 2026- A new preclinical study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has identified a gut bacterium that, when combined with short-term fasting, helps prepare the small intestine to regenerate more effectively after radiation damage.

These findings support a possible new strategy for reducing the harmful side effects of radiation therapy in cancer patients, potentially allowing doctors to deliver safer, more effective treatment. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was co-led by Helen Piwnica-Worms, Ph.D., professor of Experimental Radiation Oncology, and Kunal Rai, Ph.D., professor of Genomic Medicine.

“Fasting helps prepare intestinal cells to respond more quickly and effectively after injury, almost like training the cells with an emergency preparedness plan,” Piwnica-Worms said. “This study helps explain how that plan is organized and identifies a key bacterium involved in coordinating the response.”

Why is radiation damage an issue for cancer patients?

Radiation therapy is a common treatment for abdominal cancers, including pancreatic, colorectal and gynecologic cancers. However, the small intestine is highly sensitive to radiation, and damage to its lining can cause nausea, diarrhea, infection and, in severe cases, life-threatening complications. These side effects often limit how much radiation can be safely delivered.

Earlier preclinical work from the Piwnica-Worms Laboratory demonstrated that fasting before treatment improved intestinal recovery after radiation, but the biological mechanisms behind this effect were not fully understood.

How does fasting prepare the intestine to rebuild itself?

Fasting for 24 hours increased levels of a beneficial bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila, or AKK, in the small intestine. AKK produces a small molecule called propionate, which works with other metabolic changes triggered by fasting to add small chemical tags to proteins called histones – around which DNA is wrapped – inside intestinal cells. These histone tags change how genes are read without altering the genetic code itself.

The chemical tags act as a kind of advance warning system by unwrapping DNA from histones to allow gene expression in a group of intestinal cells that accumulate during fasting. These cells carry genetic programs associated with regeneration, similar to preloading them with instructions for rapid repair. After radiation treatment, these cells expanded and contributed to regeneration of the intestinal lining.

Importantly, researchers found that the benefits of fasting were lost when AKK was selectively removed, confirming its essential role in the regeneration process. The regenerative response returned only when AKK was reintroduced alongside fasting, suggesting both components are required to produce the response.

The findings suggest that fasting changes the biological state of intestinal cells before treatment, enabling a faster and more effective recovery process once damage occurs. This newly identified pathway connecting diet, gut microbes and tissue regeneration may help explain how the body coordinates recovery after injury and could offer new opportunities to support patients undergoing radiation therapy.

What’s next for this research?

Future research can investigate whether this regenerative pathway could be used to support recovery in other healthy tissues affected by cancer treatment. If the results are consistent, the approach could potentially be tested in clinical trials for patients receiving abdominal radiation. Researchers also are interested in whether the same strategy might benefit other rapidly dividing tissues, such as bone marrow, from treatment-related damage.

These findings suggest new strategies that may not require patients to fast before treatment, such as microbial therapies or metabolite-based approaches.

“Fasting is not always practical for cancer patients, and this work supports several other potential ways to enhance recovery after treatment,” Rai said. “Whether through dietary interventions, targeted microbes or their metabolites, the goal is to help repair healthy tissue more effectively while patients receive the cancer therapies they need.”

This research was supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). For a full list of collaborating authors, disclosures and funding sources, see the full paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.



JULY 8, 2026—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today launched the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, a nationwide initiative inviting hospitals to serve healthier, more nutritious meals. The voluntary pledge encourages hospitals to reduce highly processed foods and prioritize nutrient-dense options that align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, reinforcing the critical role of nutrition in improving patient health, supporting recovery, and promoting long-term wellness.

“Patients recovering from serious medical conditions deserve better than ultra-processed and deep-fried junk foods,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “President Trump has directed HHS to put real food at the center of American health. Today, we’re challenging hospitals across the country to lead by example by serving nutritious, minimally processed meals that help patients heal, reduce chronic disease, and help Make America Healthy Again.”

“When it comes to managing chronic disease, reducing co-morbidities like obesity, and shortening recovery times, a healthy diet can make all the difference,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “I’m grateful to President Trump for his leadership in putting nutrition and prevention at the center of America’s health agenda. Hospitals should nourish patients with the same commitment they bring to every other aspect of care. That’s why we’re challenging hospitals to limit ultra-processed foods, feature nutritious meals that promote healing, and lead the way in delivering prevention-first, whole-person care.”

The Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge includes commitments to:

  • Limit ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages
  • Use baked, broiled, roasted, stir-fried, or grilled cooking methods instead of deep frying
  • Limit processed meats and foods high in added sugars, sodium, and artificial additives
  • Emphasize whole grains over refined grains
  • Prioritize minimally processed proteins, including plant-based options.

In March, CMS Administrator Dr. Oz reminded hospitals [PDF, 288 KB] that Medicare requires them to meet each patient’s individual nutritional needs. Consistent with 42 CFR §482.28 and CMS guidance, hospitals should provide inpatient meals that align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The new nutrition page on HHS.gov serves as the central hub for Secretary Kennedy’s nutrition initiatives, featuring the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, resources to advance nutrition education in medical schools, the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, and the upcoming The Real Food Show.



BY: Sharon Theimer

World Brain Day is July 22

JULY 10, 2026 –  — The same lifestyle choices that reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer also can reduce your risk of cognitive decline. Bryan Woodruff, M.D., a cognitive neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, explains the brain-body connection, lifestyle changes to foster brain health and why work to make earlier detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is important.

“What’s good for your overall health is good for your brain too,” Dr. Woodruff says.

You may have heard that Alzheimer’s disease is caused, in part, by the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques and twisted tau proteins in the brain. While true, other brain changes also are likely involved, Dr. Woodruff says.

“When scientists look at the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease after they’ve died, they find more than just plaques and tangles,” he adds.

They often find a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in the vessels that supply blood to the brain. They also discover evidence of microscopic strokes — also called microinfarctions.

Unlike major strokes with noticeable symptoms such as facial drooping, physical numbness, a severe headache and trouble speaking, microscopic strokes are silent. As more occur, they can starve brain tissue of oxygen and nutrition. If enough microvascular changes occur, there may be symptoms like slowed thinking and trouble concentrating.

“Your brain, as with every other organ in your body, depends on your cardiovascular system,” Dr. Woodruff says: This is why it’s so important to care for your heart and blood vessels.

Lifestyle choices help reduce risk

Thanks to this connection, what benefits your heart also protects your brain. To get these benefits:

  • Manage heart disease risk factors. Treat elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol levels. Don’t use tobacco products. Keep your weight in the healthy range. “The earlier you address these, the better the benefit is for your brain,” Dr. Woodruff says.
  • Follow a heart-healthy diet. The Mediterranean diet‘s emphasis on minimally processed whole foods and fruits and vegetables may improve brain health by helping to keep body fat and chronic inflammation in check. The Mayo Clinic Diet takes a similar approach to establishing a healthy-eating lifestyle.
  • Get enough sleep. Research has linked insomnia to cognitive decline. And poor sleep can also increase your risk of other diseases that can impact cognition, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
  • Maintain social connections. Social connections are thought to benefit the brain in many ways. Research suggests that social engagement triggers the release of chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, which improve mood and outlook. Social connections may help to spur the growth of new connections between nerve cells.
  • Treat hearing and vision loss. If you can’t see and hear what’s going on around you, you’ll find it more difficult to communicate and remain social. “Those sensory functions are integral to how we think and interact with the world,” Dr. Woodruff says. “If you don’t see or hear it, then you can’t encode and remember it.”
  • Avoid chronic use of sedating medications. Some medicines used to treat pain, insomnia and other conditions can dull thinking, slow reaction time and make you feel sleepy. If you’re not sure of the side effects of the medications you take regularly, talk with your healthcare professional, who can look at what is on your medication list and suggest alternatives, Dr. Woodruff advises.
  • Exercise. Physical and mental exercise can benefit brain health. A large study found rates of cognitive decline were twice as common in sedentary people.

Keeping your mind active through activities you find enjoyable, particularly trying new things, can also exercise your brain. When you have difficulty learning something new, your brain builds new connections between nerve cells. If you continually learn new skills and information over time, experts believe that these networks of nerve cell connections create a cognitive reserve, sort of like savings in a bank account.

“Cognitive reserve doesn’t mean you’re immune,” Dr. Woodruff says. “But it buys you some cushion against a neurodegenerative problem.”

The importance of early detection

Dr. Woodruff is among Mayo Clinic researchers working to make earlier diagnosis of dementia and its precursor mild cognitive impairment possible, to allow for earlier treatment. This will be essential if therapeutic advances eventually make it possible to slow or even halt progression, he says.

It is never too late to make lifestyle changes to protect and improve brain health, he adds: “I tell all my patients, regardless of the severity of their cognitive decline, to take care of their overall health.”

For more information about brain health, visit Mayo Clinic Press and the Mayo Clinic News Network.

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.



July 8,2026 – Neurologist Rejo P. Cherian, M.D., who specializes in neuromuscular medicine, has joined Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care. He brings advanced expertise in diagnosing and treating complex disorders affecting the peripheral nerves, muscles and neuromuscular junction.

Dr. Cherian is triple board-certified in neurology, neuromuscular medicine and electrodiagnostic medicine. He specializes in the evaluation and management of conditions such as polyneuropathy, myopathy, motor neuron disease, plexopathy and neuromuscular junction disorders including myasthenia gravis. His practice emphasizes electrodiagnostic testing — specifically nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) — to help accurately diagnose complex neuromuscular conditions and guide individualized treatment plans.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Cherian to Marcus Neuroscience Institute,” said Warren Selman, M.D., chief medical executive at Marcus Neuroscience Institute. “His advanced training in neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine strengthens our ability to deliver highly specialized, evidence-based care to patients with complex neurological disorders.”

He completed his neurology residency at Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio, where he served as chief resident. He went on to complete a fellowship in neuromuscular medicine and neurophysiology at Cleveland Clinic. He currently serves as assistant professor of neurology at Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, where he contributes to the education and training of future physicians.

His approach to care centers on evidence-based medicine and shared decision-making. His care philosophy is rooted in evidence-based medicine, guided by clinical experience and appropriate patient involvement. He advocates for shared decision-making to ensure patients understand their diagnosis and feel confident in their treatment plan.

Dr. Cherian will see patients at 800 Meadows Road, Boca Raton, Florida; 331 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 100, Deerfield Beach, Florida; and 670 Glades Road, Suite 300, Boca Raton, Florida.

 

About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 29,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned institutes specializing in cancer care, brain and spine care, heart and vascular care and orthopedic care. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and The Baptist Health PineApp, a virtual health platform. Baptist Health South Florida is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and is the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida by U.S. News and World Report. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.



July 9, 2026 – HCA Florida JFK North Hospital is pleased to announce the promotion of Sandhya Henry, MHA, BSN, RN, CPPS, to Vice President of Quality.

Henry joined HCA Florida JFK North Hospital in 2022 as Director of Patient Safety and Risk Management and has been a driving force behind the hospital’s commitment to quality, patient safety, and continuous improvement. Throughout her tenure, she has partnered with physicians, nurses, and hospital leaders to strengthen the organization’s culture of safety, improve patient outcomes, and advance quality initiatives across the hospital. Her leadership has contributed to HCA Florida JFK North Hospital earning the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for four consecutive years and achieving measurable improvements in patient safety and quality performance.

“Sandhya is an exceptional leader whose passion for patient safety and quality excellence has made a lasting impact on our hospital,” said Andrew Wright, Chief Operating Officer of HCA Florida JFK North Hospital. “She leads with integrity, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to improving the care we provide every day. We are excited to have her join our executive leadership team in this well-deserved role.”

As Vice President of Quality, Henry will oversee the hospital’s quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, accreditation, and performance improvement programs. She will work closely with physicians, clinical teams, and hospital leadership to drive strategic quality initiatives, ensure regulatory readiness, and further enhance the exceptional care provided to our patients.

A registered nurse with more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, Henry holds a Master of Healthcare Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and is a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS). Prior to joining HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, she held leadership positions with Trinity Health and Henry Ford Health System, leading enterprise-wide quality, clinical operations, and healthcare improvement initiatives.

About HCA Florida JFK North Hospital

HCA Florida JFK North Hospital is a 280-bed acute care facility that has served Palm Beach County for more than 50 years. The hospital is nationally recognized for clinical excellence, earning Healthgrades’ 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award and being named among Healthgrades’ America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery (2025) and America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery (2025). Additional distinctions include designation as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, Blue Distinction Center+ for Spine Surgery, CAP Laboratory Accreditation, and recognition through the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Gold Plus Achievement Awards for Stroke. Conveniently located near I-95, the hospital provides 24/7 emergency care for all ages and offers specialized services in behavioral health, spine, general surgery, gastrointestinal care, women’s health, orthopedics, urology and vascular services. With a focus on innovation and compassionate care, HCA Florida JFK North Hospital is proud to serve West Palm Beach and surrounding communities. For more information, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.

About HCA Florida Healthcare

HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is one of Florida’s leading healthcare networks. Its 11,200 physicians and 80,000 colleagues work together to deliver evidence-based, collaborative care through nearly 12.8 million patient encounters annually. With more than 670 connected care sites, including hospitals, physician practices, urgent care centers and freestanding emergency rooms—across the state, HCA Florida Healthcare helps expand access to the specialized care patients need. HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals are annually recognized for excellence in patient experience and clinical outcomes, including three facilities ranked in the top 2% nationally for overall clinical excellence. A leader in healthcare education, HCA Florida Healthcare supports the next generation of healthcare workers through its 153 graduate medical education programs across 29 hospitals. In 2025, the network provided more than $1.1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.5 million to community organizations across the state. Visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com