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Stress in 2025 has surged in the United States—and the ripple effects are felt worldwide. A March study found that about three-quarters of employed Americans felt demoralized by the political and economic climate. A Bangkok-based clinician noted that many patients describe stress levels unseen in previous years, highlighting a global mental health challenge.

Global market jitters also influenced confidence. News of new tariffs sparked concerns about higher prices for everyday goods, potential layoffs, and a looming recession. Financial voices advise staying composed, reminding the public that steady decisions help weather volatility.

A recent health feature highlights eight everyday foods rich in creatine, an energy-building compound important for muscle health. For Thai athletes and fitness enthusiasts, these natural options offer a tasty, whole-food approach to supporting performance alongside training.

Creatine helps with high-intensity performance, faster recovery, and greater muscle gains. While many people reach for supplements, research shows creatine also occurs naturally in common foods—especially certain seafood and meats. Beyond muscle benefits, creatine may support brain function and metabolic health, making these foods a practical addition to balanced diets.

A health study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that combinations of common food additives may gradually raise the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Researchers from Université Sorbonne Paris Nord and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research analyzed data from more than 108,000 French adults in the NutriNet-Santé study, a long-running project examining how diet affects health. The findings indicate that mixes of additives—more common in today’s diets—could carry greater potential health risks than single additives alone.

A recent study from The Lundquist Institute has sparked discussion within the health community, suggesting that the low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet may not, after all, increase the risk of heart disease despite previous concerns about elevated cholesterol levels. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances, brings new insights into the cardiovascular risk associated with the popular keto diet, often adopted for its benefits in managing various chronic conditions.

Health experts from Vail Health have framed nutrition as a prescription, essential for preventing chronic illnesses. In a panel on April 3, they discussed how a balanced diet helps ward off cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and dementia.

A family medicine physician from Colorado Mountain Medical emphasized nutrition’s preventive power. “If society valued nutrition as highly as medication, we would see fewer chronic diseases,” she said. Nutrition should be treated as a proactive shield, not just a treatment after illness.

Doctors and health experts from Vail Health recently advocated for considering nutrition as one would a prescription medication, underscoring its vital role in preventing chronic diseases. During a panel held on April 3, experts shared insights into how a balanced diet can fend off conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and dementia.

Dr. Susie Vickerman, a family medicine physician at Colorado Mountain Medical, highlighted the often-overlooked preventive power of nutrition. “If society as a whole placed the importance on nutrition the same way they do on medication, we would have a whole lot less chronic disease,” she explained. The discussion emphasized nutrition not just as part of treatment, but as a preventative measure against disease development.

The recent focus on the Planetary Health Diet (PHD) could redefine dietary habits around the globe, promising not just longevity but also ecological well-being. Developed by the EAT-Lancet Commission, this diet highlights the need for a shift towards plant-based foods, simultaneously promoting human health and environmental sustainability. With its roots in the 2019 report “Food in the Anthropocene,” the PHD encourages a diet abundant in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and plant proteins, while advising reduced consumption of meat and dairy. This development is especially pertinent for Thailand as it aligns with the nation’s increasing interest in sustainable and healthy living.

As health-conscious individuals, it’s not uncommon for those of us in Thailand to turn to dietary supplements as a means of enhancing our well-being. However, recent research highlights alarming findings from a study published in JAMA Network Open in 2024, pointing out that certain popular supplements might pose significant risks to our liver’s health. This is particularly crucial given that the liver is central to our body’s ability to detoxify and metabolize substances, and damage to it can result in severe health repercussions, including liver failure.

A growing concern for households in Thailand and worldwide is how long eggs remain safe after their expiration dates. With food waste rising and budgets tightening, understanding proper storage can help families use eggs more confidently. A recent analysis by a health-focused publication indicates that, when kept correctly, eggs may remain safe beyond labeled dates. Food safety professionals at a major egg industry group support this view, noting that careful storage can extend usability.

A new study highlights how everyday dietary choices affect cholesterol levels, with processed meats emerging as a key concern. Cholesterol is a vital substance in the body, supporting hormone production and cell function. Yet when low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called “bad” cholesterol, builds up, it raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Experts say diet can influence cholesterol as much as medication. Senior researchers from a leading UK university emphasize that cutting back on processed meats can meaningfully lower LDL cholesterol. A registered dietitian notes that foods high in saturated fat—common in processed meats—tend to raise LDL levels. Even lean variants like turkey bacon or low-fat deli meats still carry saturated fat that can affect heart health.

A recent Washington Post column questions the belief that “natural” foods automatically mean better health. The discussion invites Thai and international readers to reassess food choices in light of science, culture, and everyday eating habits.

In Thailand, organic and naturally labeled products have surged in popularity. Bangkok and Chiang Mai farmers’ markets buzz with shoppers seeking what they perceive as healthier options. While a varied, unprocessed diet supports well-being, some so-called natural foods may still carry health risks. Natural sugars and fats, for example, can contribute to obesity and heart-related conditions that already affect Thai communities.

A groundbreaking advancement in cancer prevention has emerged through the development of a vaccine aimed at halting triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) before it even begins. This promising development deepens our understanding of how proactive immunological defenses can target aggressive forms of cancer. TNBC is notably difficult to treat, and this new vaccine—resulting from a collaboration between Anixa Biosciences and the Cleveland Clinic—marks a significant step forward in preventing this challenging condition.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has raised alarms over the increasing prevalence of invasive Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections, more infamously known as the flesh-eating disease, across ten states in the United States. This extensive research, covering around 35 million people over a decade, reports a worrying trend with cases doubling since 2022. For Thai readers, understanding the nature of this disease and its potential implications is crucial in a globally connected world where diseases can swiftly cross borders.

The U.S. has witnessed a dramatic 27% rise in maternal mortality over the past five years, a development described as “an urgent public health priority” in a recent study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This troubling statistic emerges even as funding for maternal and child health research has faced severe cuts. The implications of these findings extend beyond the U.S., serving as a critical warning for countries like Thailand, where maternal health remains a top priority as part of national and global health initiatives.

Calcium is the cornerstone of strong bones and overall vitality. It supports more than just a sturdy skeleton; it helps hair, nails, teeth, and skin stay healthy, and it plays key roles in muscle function, nerve signaling, and hormone release, according to nutrition experts. For many, calcium is essential for maintaining mobility and independence as age progresses.

Women face a heightened risk of bone loss with age, making calcium intake especially important for them. While calcium is vital for everyone, older women are more prone to bone-related issues and should prioritize calcium-rich foods as part of daily eating plans.

With bone health forming the bedrock of overall strength and vitality, the importance of calcium cannot be overstated. As the primary mineral constituent of bones, calcium does more than just fortify your skeletal structure. According to nutrition experts like Natalie Rizzo, it is essential for the health of your hair, nails, teeth, and skin. Additionally, calcium plays vital roles in muscle function, nerve transmission, and hormone secretion, says registered dietitian Frances Largeman-Roth.

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that consuming combinations of common food additives could incrementally increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Conducted by researchers from Université Sorbonne Paris Nord and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, the study analyzed data from over 108,000 French adults who participated in the NutriNet-Santé study. This longstanding research initiative explores various food-health connections. The findings highlight that while individual additives have been tied to several health issues previously, this research points to the potentially heightened risk posed by mixtures more commonly found in today’s diets.

Across households in Thailand, screens are now a constant companion for teenagers. A new study indicates a notable link between longer screen time and depressive symptoms among teen girls, prompting urgent questions for Thai families, educators, and policymakers. The research, highlighted by a senior health researcher, underscores the need for practical actions to safeguard youth well-being in a highly connected era.

While this trend is global, its impact varies by culture and region. In Thailand, high smartphone usage and widespread social media use among teens amplify both opportunities and risks. The findings offer timely guidance for parents and schools seeking balanced digital living that supports mental health and daily functioning.

The burgeoning $6.3 trillion wellness industry, often celebrated for promoting natural remedies and health innovations, is now under scrutiny for potentially facilitating viral outbreaks that threaten both animal and human populations. Central to this concern is the raw pet food market, which significantly overlaps with anti-science sentiment, and the misinformation that is causing harm beyond consumer health. With the recent spread of the H5N1 bird flu, there are increasing fears that this could be the seed of the next global pandemic.

Recent cutting-edge research from MIT and Harvard Medical School reveals that cytokines, immune molecules that play a crucial role in fighting infections, also affect brain functions, inducing profound behavioral changes such as anxiety or increased sociability. This discovery opens new avenues for understanding the interconnectedness of the immune and nervous systems and illuminates potential pathways for treating neurological conditions like autism and depression.

Cytokines, including a variety named IL-17, have been the focus of these transformative studies. Researchers discovered that IL-17 operates in the brain’s distinct regions—the amygdala and the somatosensory cortex—eliciting contrasting effects. Within the amygdala, IL-17 induces anxiety, while in the cortex, it promotes sociability. These dual roles underscore a complex interaction between the brain and immune system, suggesting that behavioral changes during illness are not solely due to physical fatigue but also to brain functions being directly modulated by immune activity.

The safety of consuming expired eggs has been a topic of interest for many households in Thailand and across the globe. As food waste becomes a critical concern and economic pressures tighten budgets, knowing how long eggs can actually last is vital. The recent study by EatingWell reveals that eggs, when stored correctly, remain consumable well beyond their expiration dates—a finding confirmed by food safety managers at the American Egg Board.

A recent exploration into Dr. Luc Beaudoin’s cognitive shuffling method could offer a tranquil solution for those battling sleepless nights, a condition all too familiar to many Thais navigating hectic urban lifestyles. This innovative mental exercise promises to silence racing thoughts, helping individuals drift off into a restful slumber sooner.

Cognitive shuffling, initially conceptualized by Dr. Beaudoin during his undergraduate years, has resurfaced as a prominent method for promoting better sleep. Envisioned during his studies on visual motion detection—a concept where the brain processes moving images—it dawned on Beaudoin that the brain’s control system for sleep onset might be tricked into inducing sleep through controlled, random thoughts. The technique formally emerged in 2009, aiming to assist individuals who struggle with insomnia, an issue that resonates with countless people worldwide, including in Thailand.

In an intriguing breakthrough, Cornell researchers have discovered pivotal neurological mechanisms that make psilocybin – the active compound in “magic mushrooms” – a potential game-changer in treating depression. Their findings, published in the renowned journal Nature, shine a light on how psilocybin’s mood-altering benefits might be harnessed for clinical use without the accompanying psychedelic trips.

The research team, led by Dr. Alex Kwan, an associate professor of biomedical engineering, identified that psilocybin’s therapeutic effects hinge on specific interactions within the brain’s circuitry. This discovery centers around the pyramidal tract neurons and their serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, located in the medial frontal cortex. These components are critical for psilocybin to enact its mood-enhancing properties, while inhibiting the infamous hallucinogenic experiences. This separation of effects offers a tantalizing pathway for developing treatments that leverage psilocybin’s benefits without its psychedelic side effects.

In an intriguing revelation, scientists have now established that childhood experiences have the capacity to reshape the brain’s architecture, not just influence cognitive abilities. This latest research from Mass General Brigham elucidates how the formative years leave indelible imprints on the brain’s communication wiring, or white matter, underscoring the profound impact of early environments on lifelong cognitive development. For Thai readers, with the emphasis on family and communal ties, these findings shed light on the critical balance between adversity and support within our societal structures.