Reforming the system of prescription drug prices; keto diet and mental health; ‘junk DNA’ from viruses - Morning Medical Update

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Drug price transparency

Americans spend a lot of money on prescription drugs, but it’s not always clear how prices are set. The leader of Transparency-Rx, a new coalition of pharmacy benefit managers, hopes to lead the charge for congressional action on pricing reforms.

Keto diet for body and mind

The ketogenic diet causes the body to change from using glucose as the primary energy source to using ketones that come from fat. Now doctors are studying how it might cause a change for mental health as well as physical health. One researcher called it “like life-changing,” according to this report from NPR.

Viruses in DNA

Human DNA still contains evidence of viral infection of primitive organisms from millions of years ago. Spanish scientists say what was thought to be “junk DNA” actually is crucial to human development, according to a new study and accompanying news release.