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A growing health concern surrounds popular supplements marketed as natural and safe. While they can offer benefits in moderation, some supplements may pose serious liver risks when taken in excess. This article examines how Thai consumers can navigate supplement use with awareness and moderation.

The liver is the body’s main detox organ, processing everything we ingest. When supplements are consumed in large amounts, the liver can become overwhelmed. Vitamin A, while essential for vision, skin, and immunity, is fat-soluble and can accumulate in the body. Excess vitamin A intake may lead to hypervitaminosis A, with potential liver damage, headaches, and nausea. With multivitamins and skin-care supplements common in Thai households, careful label reading and dose control are advised.

A remarkable insight into the world of creativity comes from none other than Steve Jobs, the legendary co-founder of Apple Inc., who championed an unexpected yet profound approach: embracing boredom. According to a recent article from Inc.com source, supported by burgeoning neuroscience research, spending more time feeling bored can significantly contribute to creativity and productivity. This notion challenges the conventional view that idle time is wasted time. Instead, it suggests that a little boredom might enhance our ability to solve problems and generate innovative insights.

A recent Financial Times editorial raises important questions about how nations shape public health, offering learning for Thailand as it strengthens its own system. The piece, titled America’s astonishing act of self-harm, examines how policy choices and societal trends can influence health outcomes even in resource-rich countries. While the full article isn’t accessible here, its themes echo worldwide, inviting a careful look at implications for Thailand and Southeast Asia.

The COVID-19 era reshaped health policy across the globe, drawing attention to prevention, chronic disease management, and health education. For Thailand, these discussions come at a moment when the nation seeks to balance traditional practices with modern, evidence-based medicine. Public health strategies are under renewed scrutiny as Thai officials aim to protect communities while preserving cultural values.

In a world increasingly dominated by digital screens, new research from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden sheds light on the concerning interplay between screen time, sleep disruption, and rising depression rates among teenagers. Published recently in PLOS Global Public Health, the study underscores the critical need for stakeholders, including parents and educators, to tackle this growing issue with urgency.

The study analyzed data from over 4,800 adolescents, aged 12 to 16, tracking their screen use, sleep habits, and mental health symptoms over one year. It discovered that excessive screen time significantly compromises both the quality and duration of sleep, which in turn elevates depression risk, notably among young girls. For boys, the link between screen use and depression was more straightforward, while for girls, disrupted sleep was the pivotal factor connecting screen exposure to mood disorders.

Recent findings from the NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort study, detailed in PLOS Medicine, have shed light on a potentially concerning link between food additive mixtures and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Conducted by French researchers, this large-scale study presents the first significant evidence connecting common food additives—frequently found in processed foods—to a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a condition that continues to rise globally, including in Thailand.

The NutriNet-Santé study is a comprehensive investigation into the dietary habits and health outcomes of over 100,000 volunteers, meticulously analyzing their intake of over 269 food additives. By tracking these participants’ health over several years and linking their dietary data to national health records, researchers have identified two particular mixtures of food additives that are associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. These mixtures include common food additives such as artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers, and colorants, ingredients often found in sodas, sauces, and various processed snacks.

As Thailand grapples with the increasing incidence of chronic kidney disease, a new wave of information brings attention to the early symptoms that diabetics cannot afford to overlook. According to a recent article originally published by the Hindustan Times source, symptoms such as swollen feet and persistent nausea are being highlighted as potential warning signs of kidney failure, especially in individuals managing diabetes. Recognizing these symptoms early could be pivotal in averting dire health outcomes like dialysis or kidney transplants.

Political rigidity across the spectrum, from far-right Christian nationalists to far-left Marxist-Leninists, can momentarily disrupt the socio-political landscape. Landmark insights into this phenomenon have been presented by neuroscientist Leor Zmigrod, who details new dimensions of what she terms the “ideological brain” in her recent book “The Ideological Brain: The Radical Science of Flexible Thinking.” Zmigrod’s work shines a light on how strongly-held beliefs shape—and are shaped by—neurological processes, echoing themes that are as relevant in Thailand as they are globally.

New research reveals that what we often refer to as “zoning out” might not be a sign of distraction or laziness but rather a hidden superpower of the brain. This intriguing study suggests that when our minds wander during mundane tasks, our brains might be engaging in a form of mini rest, akin to taking a nap, that can enhance cognitive function.

In the throes of a monotonous lecture or the drag of repetitive daily tasks, most of us have experienced moments where our minds drift off into an unexpected daydream. This phenomenon, colloquially known as “zoning out,” is not merely an escape mechanism from boredom or lack of interest. It turns out that when you drift into a daydream, your brain activity mimics certain stages of sleep, particularly the stages that involve slow wave patterns. These are the very patterns associated with rest and memory consolidation, offering the brain calculated mini-breaks while still awake.

The increasing trend of protein-enhanced foods has become a prominent feature in grocery stores and dietary advice alike. From protein-enriched chocolate bars to fortified milk and coffee, these products are pitched as health-boosting options by marketers and influencers. But do they really live up to their claims? According to a recent article by The Conversation, the emphasis on protein intake has reached levels that could present a misleading portrayal of nutritional health for consumers.

A traditional herb known as Bhulan Bel, scientifically related to Cuscuta and commonly called dodder, is drawing renewed global interest for potential stress relief, anxiety reduction, and mental clarity. Contemporary research and a revived interest in Ayurveda’s history are pushing Bhulan Bel into the spotlight for wellness and scientific exploration alike.

Bhulan Bel stands out for its use as a parasitic plant in ancient medicine to calm the nervous system. Proponents suggest its soothing compounds may offer a natural alternative to some pharmaceutical approaches, helping ease tension and reduce anxiety without the heavier side effects often associated with synthetic drugs. This aligns with a growing demand for holistic strategies to support mental well-being in a fast-paced world.

Recent research sheds light on brain fog, a cluster of cognitive symptoms often linked to chronic illnesses and conditions. While the term surged during the COVID-19 era, many people with long COVID report persistent brain fog. Data suggests a wide range of prevalence among long COVID patients, highlighting the substantial impact on daily life. Beyond COVID, brain fog also appears in conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and lupus, drawing attention from clinicians and patients worldwide.

A recent neuroscience study suggests that regular players of action video games show stronger connections in the brain’s dorsal visual stream. The research maps enhanced links between the left superior occipital gyrus and the left superior parietal lobule in gamers, hinting at cognitive benefits in spatial tasks.

For Thai readers, where gaming is increasingly embedded in education and leisure, these findings offer timely insights. They underscore the potential value of digital media as a tool for learning while highlighting the need for balanced, responsible gaming in schools and families.

A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers has used advanced cryo-electron microscopy to reveal how glutamate, a key brain messenger, interacts with AMPA receptors. The collaboration with UTHealth Houston and NIH funding unlocks new possibilities for treating epilepsy and certain intellectual disabilities. By visualizing these receptors at molecular detail, the work lays a foundation for developing targeted therapies.

Glutamate is essential for neuron-to-neuron communication. It binds to AMPA receptors on neuron surfaces, opening channels that allow ions to flow and generate the electrical signals that power thinking, learning, and sensation. According to senior researchers, this chemical dialogue underpins how we experience the world.

In a significant advancement for neuroscience, researchers have unveiled new insights into how the human brain creates and retrieves memories. The research, led by Dr. Tomás Ryan at Trinity College Dublin, highlights the pivotal role of “engram cells”—a group of neurons that capture and store experiences through their connections. This discovery represents a paradigm shift from traditional views that memories reside within individual neurons. Instead, the focus is now on the dynamic and structural connections between these neurons, potentially transforming how we understand memory processing.

Psyllium husk, often marketed as the “poor man’s Ozempic”, is garnering attention as a potential alternative to the popular Type 2 diabetes medication known for its weight loss benefits. Ozempic has become a well-recognized name, especially on social media, where users have vouched for its dramatic weight loss effects. As the medication faces shortages and complexities around insurance coverage for off-label use, many are eyeing more accessible substitutes like psyllium husk to aid in weight management.

Recent research unveiled in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlights the profound impact that early-life adversity has on the brain’s structural development, specifically targeting white matter connectivity. White matter, often dubbed as the brain’s “communication highways,” forms the intricate network necessary for tasks like language processing and mental arithmetic. The study, spearheaded by experts from Mass General Brigham, involves an in-depth analysis of brain imaging data from over 9,000 children aged around 9.5 years, all part of the comprehensive Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study.

A vital mental health program in Massachusetts that supports children and teens with severe mental health issues could be shut down due to budget constraints. Governor Maura Healey’s budget proposal includes significant cuts, stirring concern among families, clinicians, and community organizations about the impact on vulnerable youth.

The Intensive Residential Treatment Program, which provides long-term care across 72 beds for young children and adolescents, aims to heal families as a unit. A mother whose child benefited from the program shared that it helped save her child’s life. Her child, now 25, faced suicidality, self-harm, and trauma before joining the program, where sustained support and family involvement helped stabilize their recovery. She noted that in-patient hospital stays offered only short-term stabilization, whereas the program’s extended care was crucial for lasting improvement.

A new wave of research from MIT and Harvard shows that immune molecules, specifically cytokines, influence the brain as well as defending the body against infection. Infections trigger cytokine responses, but these molecules can also affect emotions like anxiety and sociability. The findings open pathways for treating neurological conditions such as autism and depression, with potential relevance for Thai patients and caregivers.

Cytokines such as Interleukin-17 (IL-17) drive inflammation and coordinate immune cells. Earlier work noted IL-17’s ability to lessen autism-like symptoms during fever, prompting deeper questions about its brain actions. In studies led by researchers including Gloria Choi of MIT and Jun Huh of Harvard, IL-17’s effects were mapped to brain regions controlling fear and social behavior. Published in Cell, the research shows IL-17 can heighten anxiety in the amygdala while promoting sociability in the cortex, depending on the receptor pair it engages.

World Health Day 2025, celebrated annually on April 7, trains the global spotlight on the indispensable role of equitable healthcare with its theme “My Health, My Right.” Central to this year’s discussion is the critical importance of early childhood nutrition, a topic that resonates universally but holds particular significance for Thailand as it navigates both developmental strides and challenges within diverse communities. The early years of a child’s life, marked by rapid brain growth and physical development, form the backbone for lifelong health and well-being, and this essential period is influenced by factors ranging from maternal breastfeeding practices to the socio-economic landscape.

World Health Day 2025, observed on April 7, centers on the universal theme “My Health, My Right.” The focus this year is early childhood nutrition, a topic with global relevance and particular importance for Thailand as it balances growth with ongoing regional disparities. The first five years—defined by rapid brain and body development—lay the groundwork for lifelong health, shaped by factors from maternal breastfeeding to socio-economic conditions.

In early childhood, nutrition matters beyond basic sustenance. A nutrient-rich diet supports cognitive and physical growth, with iron, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids playing key roles. A pediatric specialist from a leading Bangkok hospital notes that well-nourished children tend to perform better academically and socially, underscoring the long-term benefits of proper early nutrition. Data from Thailand’s health authorities shows that gaps in access to quality nutrition persist across communities, highlighting the need for targeted action.

In an age where the pursuit of longevity is often weighed down by the complexities of modern life, a centenarian nutrition professor offers a refreshingly straightforward formula: simplicity. Dr. John Scharffenberg, a 101-year-old adjunct professor at Loma Linda University’s School of Public Health, champions a lifestyle rooted in basic yet profound principles of health. Despite a family history devoid of remarkable longevity—his parents succumbed to cardiovascular and neurological diseases in their later years—Scharffenberg attributes his extended life to actionable lifestyle choices rather than genetics.

In a compelling personal narrative, health journalist Alice Levitt shares her experience confronting the inadvertent harm overuse of dietary supplements caused during her battle with Lyme disease. Despite being recommended over 20 daily supplements by a naturopath alongside regular medical treatment, Levitt discovered that excessive supplementation might have contributed to her prolonged illness rather than alleviating it. This revelation underscores growing concerns around consumer reliance on dietary supplements, raising questions about the balance between supplements and a balanced diet.

Regular physical activity benefits health for everyone, regardless of body weight. Health experts emphasize that exercise is essential for cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and sustained vitality. In Thailand, where lifestyle changes have led to more sedentary routines, making movement a daily habit could significantly improve public health outcomes.

Even with weight-loss medications gaining attention, upholding a balanced diet and consistent exercise remains crucial. Research from trusted health institutions shows that activity needs are universal, and benefits accrue across ages and fitness levels. This challenges the notion that fitness must reach a certain level before taking part in activity, a message that resonates with families and communities in Bangkok and beyond.

Fish oil supplements continue to make waves as a popular health trend, often hailed as a panacea for everything from heart health to cognitive improvement. Yet, the real question remains: are these supplements truly a wonder drug or just another expensive placebo in a bottle? With conflicting research findings and widespread use, understanding the role of fish oil supplements has become crucial for informed decision-making, particularly for health-conscious communities in Thailand.