Weekly Health Quiz: Pesticides Linked to Parkinson’s Disease and Your Body on Ultraprocessed Food

1 Which everyday task may become harder as Parkinson’s disease progresses?

• Reading
• Hearing
• Tasting
• Walking
  

  Parkinson’s disease affects the brain circuits that control smooth movement, so walking, balance, and coordination may become more difficult over time. Learn more.

2 Which of these medications is not prescribed to induce sleep?

• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone
• Loperamide
  

  Zolpidem, zopiclone, and benzodiazepines are used as sleep aids, but they may disrupt brain rhythms involved in memory and waste clearance. Loperamide is not a sleep medication. Learn more.

• Benzodiazepines

3 What is one way to reduce pesticide exposure from produce?

• Buy more packaged foods
• Grow your own produce at home
  

  Growing your own fruits and vegetables gives you more control over pesticide use and can help reduce repeated exposure. Learn more.

• Store produce at room temperature
• Peel every fruit before eating

4 What can affect how much magnesium your body absorbs from a supplement?

• The form and dose
  

  A systematic review published in Nutrition found that magnesium absorption varies by form and dose, with organic forms generally better absorbed. Learn more.

• The capsule size
• The capsule color
• The serving time

5 About how much magnesium do most adults need each day?

• At least 400 mg
  

  Magnesium needs vary by person, but the guidance given is at least 400 milligrams daily for most adults. Learn more.

• About 200 mg
• At least 600 mg
• About 800 mg

6 What term is commonly used for the electric shock-like sensations some people report during SSRI withdrawal?

• Muscle tremors
• Sensory flashes
• Nerve spasms
• Brain zaps
  

  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) withdrawal can include “brain zaps,” along with symptoms such as dizziness, sleep problems, anxiety, and mood changes. Learn more.

7 What is a practical first step for cutting back on ultraprocessed foods?

• Count every calorie you eat
• Avoid all packaged foods until you detox completely
• Replace them with minimally processed foods
  

  Replacing highly processed products with foods that have simpler ingredient lists can reduce ultraprocessed food intake without requiring a complete diet overhaul. Learn more.

• Remove carbohydrates from meals

8 Which creative activity was linked to the largest difference in biological brain age?

• Visual art
• Tango dancing
  

  In research published in Nature Communications, tango dancers showed the largest difference, with brains appearing more than seven years younger than their actual age. Learn more.

• Strategy gaming
• Playing music

9 Which essential amino acid helps signal muscle growth?

• Glycine
• Leucine
  

  Leucine acts as both a building block for muscle and a metabolic signal that helps activate muscle protein synthesis and mitochondrial energy production. Learn more.

• Taurine
• Glutamine

10 What system helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle, hormone release, and daily alertness?

• Circadian rest-activity rhythms
  

  Circadian rest-activity rhythms help organize daily patterns of sleep, activity, hormones, and alertness across the 24-hour cycle. Learn more.

• Autonomic reflex pathways
• Metabolic feedback loops
• Sensory processing rhythms

11 Which foods can help maintain beneficial bacteria in the gut?

• High-fiber whole grains
• Fermented vegetables without live cultures
• Probiotic-rich foods
  

  Probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and kefir provide beneficial microbes that can help support a more balanced gut microbiome. Learn more.

• Protein “fortified” cereals

12 Which pancreatic cells are responsible for producing insulin?

• Beta cells
  

  Beta cells in the pancreas produce insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar. In the adolescent mouse study, prolonged fasting was linked to fewer mature beta cells and lower insulin production. Learn more.

• Alpha cells
• Sigma cells
• Delta cells

13 Besides exercise, what can help support healthier muscles?

• Eating more protein each day
• Avoiding carbohydrates after workouts
• Training harder with minimal rest days
• Protein, healthy carbohydrates, and recovery
  

  Protein and carbohydrates provide nutrients and energy for muscle repair, while adequate recovery gives muscles time to adapt and strengthen. Learn more.

14 Which factor was much more important for obesity than daily energy expenditure?

• Resting metabolic rate
• Physical activity level
• Immune system activity
• Calorie intake
  

  In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), calorie intake was about 10 times more important for obesity than daily energy expenditure. Learn more.

15 What is the medical term for involuntary teeth grinding or clenching that often occurs during sleep?

• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Sleep apnea
• Bruxism
  

  Bruxism affects about 8.6% of adults and can place substantial pressure on the teeth and jaw during sleep. Learn more.

• Trigeminal neuralgia

16 Granulosa cells depend heavily on mitochondria for what purpose?

• Storing reproductive hormones
• Fueling egg cell development
  

  Mitochondria provide the energy granulosa cells need to nourish and support developing eggs throughout the months-long maturation process. Learn more.

• Producing follicular fluid
• Controlling menstrual timing

17 Which of these habits may decrease butyrate production?

• Eating too little dietary fiber
  

  Gut bacteria make butyrate by fermenting fiber, so a low-fiber diet gives these bacteria less material to produce this short-chain fatty acid. Learn more.

• Including resistant starches regularly
• Staying sedentary most of the time
• Eating fermented foods with probiotics

18 What kind of carbohydrate can provide dogs with a moderate source of glucose?

• White rice
  

  White rice provides carbohydrates that supply glucose, which dogs use for functions such as brain and red blood cell energy. Learn more.

• Sweet potatoes
• Rolled oats
• Brown rice

19 When can changes associated with ovarian aging begin?

• Only after age 70
• Once all follicles are gone
• Immediately after menopause
• Years before menopause
  

  Changes in cell communication, follicle development, and tissue remodeling began before reproductive cycles stopped. Learn more.

20 Which cells have stopped dividing but remain metabolically active in the body?

• Stem cells
• Immune cells
• Senescent cells
  

  Senescent cells no longer divide, but they remain active. Their buildup over time is associated with aging and age-related disease. Learn more.

• Red blood cells

21 Which of these fish is a rich natural source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)?

• Wild-caught Alaskan salmon
  

  Cold-water fatty fish such as wild-caught Alaskan salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines are among the best natural sources of omega-3 fats. Learn more.

• Farm-raised tilapia
• Atlantic cod
• Yellowfin tuna