Health
Nutrient found in beef and dairy improves immune response to cancer
Last Updated on September 13, 2025 by Rod Washington
Nutrient found in beef and dairy improves immune response to cancer
Newswise — Trans-vaccenic acid (TVA), a long-chain fatty acid found in meat and dairy products from grazing animals such as cows and sheep, improves the ability of CD8+ T cells to infiltrate tumors and kill cancer cells, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Chicago.
The research, published this week in Nature, also shows that patients with higher levels of TVA circulating in the blood responded better to immunotherapy, suggesting that it could have potential as a nutritional supplement to complement clinical treatments for cancer.
“There are many studies trying to decipher the link between diet and human health, and it’s very difficult to understand the underlying mechanisms because of the wide variety of foods people eat. But if we focus on just the nutrients and metabolites derived from food, we begin to see how they influence physiology and pathology,” said Jing Chen, PhD, the Janet Davison Rowley Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine at UChicago and one of the senior authors of the new study. “By focusing on nutrients that can activate T cell responses, we found one that actually enhances anti-tumor immunity by activating an important immune pathway.”
Finding nutrients that activate immune cells
Chen’s lab focuses on understanding how metabolites, nutrients and other molecules circulating in the blood influence the development of cancer and response to cancer treatments. For the new study, two postdoctoral fellows, Hao Fan, PhD and Siyuan Xia, PhD, both co-first authors, started with a database of around 700 known metabolites that come from food and assembled a “blood nutrient” compound library consisting of 235 bioactive molecules derived from nutrients. They screened the compounds in this new library for their ability to influence anti-tumor immunity by activating CD8+ T cells, a group of immune cells critical for killing cancerous or virally infected cells.
After the scientists evaluated the top six candidates in both human and mouse cells, they saw that TVA performed the best. TVA is the most abundant trans fatty acid present in human milk, but the body cannot produce it on its own. Only about 20% of TVA is broken down into other byproducts, leaving 80% circulating in the blood. “That means there must be something else it does, so we started working on it more,” Chen said.
The researchers then conducted a series of experiments with cells and mouse models of diverse tumor types. Feeding mice a diet enriched with TVA significantly reduced the tumor growth potential of melanoma and colon cancer cells compared to mice fed a control diet. The TVA diet also enhanced the ability of CD8+ T cells to infiltrate tumors.
The team also performed a series of molecular and genetic analyses to understand how TVA was affecting the T cells. These included a new technique for monitoring transcription of single-stranded DNA called kethoxal-assisted single-stranded DNA sequencing, or KAS-seq, developed by Chuan He, PhD, the John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor of Chemistry at UChicago and another senior author of the study. These additional assays, done by both the Chen and He labs, showed that TVA inactivates a receptor on the cell surface called GPR43 which is usually activated by short-chain fatty acids often produced by gut microbiota. TVA overpowers these short-chain fatty acids and activates a cellular signaling process known as the CREB pathway, which is involved in a variety of functions including cellular growth, survival, and differentiation. The team also showed that mouse models where the GPR43 receptor was exclusively removed from CD8+ T cells also lacked their improved tumor fighting ability.
Finally, the team also worked with Justin Kline, MD, Professor of Medicine at UChicago, to analyze blood samples taken from patients undergoing CAR-T cell immunotherapy treatment for lymphoma. They saw that patients with higher levels of TVA tended to respond to treatment better than those with lower levels. They also tested cell lines from leukemia by working with Wendy Stock, MD, the Anjuli Seth Nayak Professor of Medicine, and saw that TVA enhanced the ability of an immunotherapy drug to kill leukemia cells.
Focus on the nutrients, not the food
The study suggests that TVA could be used as a dietary supplement to help various T cell-based cancer treatments, although Chen points out that it is important to determine the optimized amount of the nutrient itself, not the food source. There is a growing body of evidence about the detrimental health effects of consuming too much red meat and dairy, so this study shouldn’t be taken as an excuse to eat more cheeseburgers and pizza; rather, it indicates that nutrient supplements such as TVA could be used to promote T cell activity. Chen thinks there may be other nutrients that can do the same.
“There is early data showing that other fatty acids from plants signal through a similar receptor, so we believe there is a high possibility that nutrients from plants can do the same thing by activating the CREB pathway as well,” he said.
The new research also highlights the promise of this “metabolomic” approach to understanding how the building blocks of diet affect our health. Chen said his team hopes to build a comprehensive library of nutrients circulating in the blood to understand their impact on immunity and other biological processes like aging.
“After millions of years of evolution, there are only a couple hundred metabolites derived from food that end up circulating in the blood, so that means they could have some importance in our biology,” Chen said. “To see that a single nutrient like TVA has a very targeted mechanism on a targeted immune cell type, with a very profound physiological response at the whole organism level—I find that really amazing and intriguing.”
The study, “Trans-vaccenic acid reprograms CD8+ T cells and anti-tumor immunity,” was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grants CA140515, CA174786, CA276568, 1375 HG006827, K99ES034084), a UChicago Biological Sciences Division Pilot Project Award, the Ludwig Center at UChicago, the Sigal Fellowship in Immuno-oncology, the Margaret E. Early Medical Research Trust, the AASLD Foundation a Harborview Foundation Gift Fund, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Source: University of Chicago Medical Center
Author
health and wellness
Stacking Healthy Habits for Progress, Not Perfection
Healthy Habits: Many struggle with building healthier habits due to unrealistic expectations rather than lack of motivation. The American Heart Association’s My Life Check tool offers personalized heart health insights, helping to set attainable goals. Simple lifestyle changes—focused on nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management—can gradually lead to significant health improvements.
Last Updated on April 10, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Feature Impact) Despite the best of intentions, it’s common for plans to build healthier habits to fall flat. Often, the culprit isn’t a lack of motivation or discipline; rather, it’s unrealistic expectations.
Overhauling your lifestyle requires a level of commitment that isn’t always practical. Understanding your personal health needs and the challenges you need to overcome can help give you a more realistic roadmap toward better health.
Tools to Guide You
Every plan needs a starting point and there are many reputable sources that can help guide you toward a plan that addresses your personal health needs.
For example, the American Heart Association introduced My Life Check, a simple, free tool to help individuals understand their heart health and what’s driving it. Users answer simple questions about their daily habits and health factors to get a personalized Heart Health Score in minutes.
The results are private and downloadable, giving you full control of your information. The tool turns big goals into small, specific actions you can start right away. Knowing your numbers relative to your heart health (and where you are in comparison to target ranges for optimal health) can help you decide how to build a better map to get you where you want to be.
While the report is customized to each individual, no personal data is stored and answers are only used to calculate health scores and provide personalized recommendations and practical steps to improve your health, so you can use your results to focus on what matters most to you. Every small step you take, such as moving more, eating smarter, sleeping better or managing stress, can add up over time.
Finding Your Path
Once you’re armed with data and know where you stand on your heart health numbers, small steps become clearer and more manageable. That knowledge makes it easier to choose one area to focus on, such as getting more sleep, taking daily walks or adding more color to your meals.
Healthy changes don’t need to be expensive or complicated. The best habits are ones that fit real life when every action you take moves you closer to your goals.
Eat Smart
Choose foods that help you feel your best, one meal at a time. Add more color to your plate and focus on balance, not restriction. Simple, affordable swaps can make a real difference.
Move More
Find movement that fits your life, such as a walk, a stretch or dancing while you cook. Every bit of activity counts and it all supports your heart and mind. Move for joy, not just for results.
Sleep Well
Rest is a foundation of good health, not a reward. Protect your bedtime routine and give your body the recovery it deserves. Notice how good sleep makes everything else easier.
Manage Stress
Check in with yourself regularly, both mentally and emotionally. Create simple moments to pause, breathe, laugh or step outside. Connection, kindness and calm all support a healthy heart.
Staying motivated and on track is also easier when you can check back in, see your progress and realize the steps you’re taking are making an impact. Checking in every few months to see how you can grow gives you the chance to celebrate your progress, learn from challenges and keep building lasting habits that feel good.
To get started with personalized tips to set your own health goals, visit heart.org/mylifecheck.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
<img src="https://ssl.google-analytics.com/collect?v=1&tid=UA-482330-7&cid=1955551e-1975-5e52-0cdb-8516071094cd&sc=start&t=pageview&dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures.com%2F17763%2F10236&dt=STACKING-HEALTHY-HABITS-FOR-PROGRESS-NOT-PERFECTION" />
https://erp.featureimpact.com/api/v1/tracking/17763/10236/track.js
<script type="text/javascript">
(function () {
var image = new Image(1, 1);
image.src = 'https://erp.featureimpact.com/api/v1/tracking/17763/10236/track.gif?referrer=' + window.location.href;
image.id = 'feature-impact-content-tracking-pixel';
image.style.position = 'absolute';
image.style.top = 0;
image.style.left = 0;
document.body.appendChild(image);
})();
</script>SOURCE:
MINNEAPOLIS — The powerful new documentary Come Talk to ME is set to make its big-screen debut at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF), marking a significant milestone for the independently produced film centered on Parkinson’s disease, communication, and human connection.
The 2026 festival, running April 8–19, will feature more than 200 films from around the world. Come Talk to ME is scheduled for two screenings, including a meaningful premiere on April 11—World Parkinson’s Day—followed by a second showing on April 14. Both screenings will take place at the Main Cinema at Saint Anthony Main in Minneapolis.
A Story About Communication and Connection
Directed by Deacon Warner and produced by Jackie Hunt Christensen, the documentary follows Christensen, her husband Paul, and a close-knit group of friends living with Parkinson’s disease.
The film explores how communication evolves as the disease progresses, highlighting the creative and deeply human ways individuals maintain relationships—with family, friends, and healthcare providers—even as traditional speech becomes more challenging.
Christensen, diagnosed with Parkinson’s at just 34, emphasizes that the film is ultimately about preserving connection:
“Having Parkinson’s does not mean that you stop loving, caring, and feeling… communication is everything.”
Innovative Use of AI Voice Technology
One of the film’s most groundbreaking elements is its use of AI-generated narration powered by ElevenLabs.
The filmmakers recreated Christensen’s voice using archival audio recorded shortly after her diagnosis in 2000. This AI-generated voice—nicknamed “JHC2K”—serves as the primary narrator, allowing Christensen to “speak” throughout the film in a way that would otherwise be difficult due to the progression of Parkinson’s.
Director Warner called the experience both innovative and deeply personal:
“To be part of [MSPIFF’s] rich history… while also utilizing cutting-edge AI technology to set us apart from other films is incredible.”
Festival Screenings and Accessibility
Come Talk to ME will screen twice during the festival:
- Saturday, April 11 (World Parkinson’s Day) – Early afternoon (time TBD)
- Tuesday, April 14 – Late afternoon (time TBD)
Ticket pricing:
- MSP Film Society Members: $11
- General Admission: $17 (+ online fee)
- Students: $10 (with ID)
In a move aligned with the film’s mission, the April 11 screening will offer free admission (donation-based) for individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease.
The venue also provides limited wheelchair seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
A Film Seeking Broader Impact
Beyond its festival debut, Come Talk to ME is actively seeking sponsors to expand its reach and impact. The filmmakers hope to bring the documentary to wider audiences, particularly within communities affected by Parkinson’s disease.
At its core, the film delivers a powerful message: even as physical abilities change, the need for connection—and the human drive to communicate—remains constant.
Why This Film Matters
As awareness of Parkinson’s disease continues to grow, Come Talk to ME stands out as both an emotional narrative and a technological milestone. By combining personal storytelling with AI innovation, the film offers a new way to understand life with Parkinson’s—and the enduring importance of being heard.
Source and Related Links
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) Official Site
- MSP Film Society Official Website
- World Parkinson’s Day – Official Information
- Parkinson’s Foundation – Resources & Support
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
- ElevenLabs – AI Voice Technology Platform
STM Daily News’ Entertainment section delivers the latest on movies, television, music, pop culture, events, and industry buzz. From breaking news and trending stories to feature coverage and community-centered entertainment reporting, it keeps readers connected to what’s happening on screen, on stage, and beyond.
health and wellness
Heart Risks Go Beyond the Heart: Don’t Forget to Check Blood Sugar and Kidney Health
Heart Risks Go Beyond the Heart: Don’t Forget to Check Blood Sugar and Kidney Health
(Feature Impact) Diabetes and kidney disease are major risk factors for heart disease, yet many cases are undiagnosed. In fact, most people don’t realize their heart, kidney and metabolic health – how the body creates, uses and stores energy – are connected. Understanding these connections can help you take steps toward protecting your long-term health.
Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is a health condition that includes heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity. Many people don’t realize they’re at risk, though, because they aren’t aware of health risks beyond the heart. Almost 1 in 4 U.S. adults with diabetes are unaware they have it, according to a 2026 statistics update from the American Heart Association. In addition, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that as many as 9 in 10 adults with chronic kidney disease don’t know they’re living with the condition.
Learning about CKM syndrome can be a helpful step in understanding your overall health picture.
How are CKM conditions connected?
Heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes have shared risk factors – including high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar; excess weight; and reduced kidney function – and they’re closely linked. Having one condition often increases the likelihood of developing the others.
“We are encouraging people to become aware of the connection between conditions so they and their health care team can think about their overall health beyond individual conditions,” said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health and senior vice president of women’s health at Northwell Health. “Understanding the connection helps you better prevent complications through lifestyle changes and appropriate treatment.”
The biggest health threats from CKM syndrome are disability and death from heart disease and stroke, which make up the “cardiovascular” part of CKM. The “metabolic” part includes diabetes and obesity. Kidney disease is closely linked with both metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
How common is CKM syndrome?
CKM-related risks are common. Nearly 90% of U.S. adults have at least one risk factor for CKM syndrome. The 2026 statistics report showed about half of all U.S. adults have high blood pressure, about 1 in 3 has high total cholesterol, more than half have prediabetes or diabetes, about 1 in 7 has kidney disease and more than half have a high waist circumference.
These risks often develop slowly, with few or no symptoms at first, but you can stay informed. Rosen emphasizes regular screening of your cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic health, which can catch problems early.
“Due to the current risk factor rates, everyone could benefit from being screened this way,” she said.
Regular check-ins with your health care team can offer a clearer picture of your CKM health. They can check your:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol panel (total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides)
- Blood glucose (blood sugar), measured in either the short term as fasting glucose or long term as A1C
- Body weight and size, measured by body mass index and waist circumference
- Kidney function, using both UACR and eGFR
These results can be used in the PREVENT online calculator to estimate your risk for cardiovascular disease over the next 10 or 30 years. CKM syndrome can often be prevented and improved with healthy daily habits like those in Life’s Essential 8 and science-based treatments.
The CKM Health Initiative was introduced by the American Heart Association to raise awareness of the connections between CKM syndrome conditions and improve diagnosis rates. It’s supported by founding sponsors Novo Nordisk and Boehringer Ingelheim, supporting sponsors Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Bayer, and champion sponsor DaVita.
Visit Heart.org/myCKMhealth to learn more about CKM health, including screening and treatment options.
SOURCE:
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
