#Chronicdisease

Reports from the United States reveal a significant increase in digestive health problems, with up to 66% of Americans estimated to now live with some form of gut issue. This trend is prompting growing concern among health authorities and experts. The most common conditions prompting emergency care include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, noninfectious gastroenteritis/colitis, constipation, and gastrointestinal bleeding—a pattern that experts say may signal similar risks for Thais, given shifting lifestyles and comparable risk factors across both nations.

A striking decline in heart attack deaths has been reported globally, marking one of the greatest triumphs in modern medicine. New research shows that over the past fifty years, deaths from heart attacks have fallen by about 90%, largely due to medical advances, improved emergency care, wider use of medications like statins, and public health efforts targeting smoking and cholesterol (Scripps News, Stanford Medicine). However, experts warn that while this progress is worth celebrating, other cardiovascular and chronic disease risks—including heart failure, hypertension-related complications, and dementia linked to vascular health—are rising and pose fresh challenges for health systems, including in Thailand.

A recent study published in Scientific Reports offers new hope for those suffering from chronic tooth root infections, revealing that a combination of regular physical exercise and omega-3 supplementation can significantly lessen the severity of this often hidden dental condition. The research, conducted by a team from São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil, may pave the way for non-invasive strategies to help protect oral health and prevent tooth loss—a message of particular relevance to Thai readers navigating high rates of dental problems and seeking accessible preventive care solutions (New Atlas).

A groundbreaking US medical research project has received a $3.4 million boost to study a simple but powerful idea: how prescribed exercise, woven into healthcare routines, can prevent and treat chronic diseases. The findings from this ambitious study could offer valuable lessons for Thailand, where non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are major public health challenges with rapidly rising rates.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded the University of South Carolina (USC) School of Medicine Greenville a substantial grant to investigate their innovative program—Exercise is Medicine Greenville. The program centers on connecting patients with chronic conditions to accessible, community-based activities like those at local YMCAs, aiming to integrate physical activity referrals directly into primary healthcare settings. The research will focus on evaluating referral rates, analyzing cost-effectiveness, and assessing impact on key health metrics including blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight. The collaboration includes USC School of Medicine Greenville, Prisma Health, YMCA of Greenville, and Foothills Area YMCA, reflecting a close partnership between medical and community organizations (Greenville News).

The United States is poised to unveil updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans as soon as this June, a key development closely tracked by health professionals, schools, and policymakers worldwide, including in Thailand. According to recent reports from Reuters and other reputable outlets, these guidelines—which shape food policy for institutions, inform the design of school lunch programs, and influence professional nutrition advice globally—are expected to be released after an extensive scientific review process. While the final version has yet to be published, leaked details suggest that the new guidance may emphasize increased plant-based food consumption, updated recommendations for protein sources, and stricter limits on processed foods and added sugars. This update is part of a five-year revision cycle aimed at reflecting the latest nutrition science and the shifting health needs of populations (MSN report; Devdiscourse).

A new wave of research has sounded the alarm on a widespread but often overlooked health threat: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a “silent disease” that afflicts about 16 million Americans—most of whom don’t know it. Recent studies published in major medical journals, including The Lancet and findings summarized by the Daily Mail, reveal that a staggering 80% of those living with this deadly form of fatty liver disease remain undiagnosed, raising urgent concerns for public health systems, including here in Thailand (source, Wikipedia, Asia-Pacific Trends PDF).

A new review published in the journal Gastroenterology highlights a rapidly-growing field of research: the crucial connection between physical exercise and the health of the gut microbiome, the vast ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms living in the human digestive tract. For Thai readers passionate about fitness, wellbeing, and science-based health guidance, this emerging evidence suggests that taking care of more than just your muscles could be the key to maximising your training results and long-term health (smh.com.au).

In a world fixated on protein-packed diets, a quiet nutritional crisis has taken root—in Thailand and globally—as new research warns that most people are not consuming nearly enough dietary fiber. While social media influencers and food manufacturers tout protein bars and shakes, scientific evidence now shows that fiber deficiency is a far more widespread and serious issue, with implications for digestion, chronic disease risk, gut health, and even metabolic balance. In fact, up to 95% of people may be missing the mark on their recommended daily intake, according to recent coverage in Vogue and reinforced by large-scale studies relevant to the Thai population.

Recent global research is challenging prevailing beliefs about high-protein diets, with experts increasingly cautioning that consuming more protein than needed—especially from animal sources—may do more harm than good for long-term health. While protein is essential for muscle maintenance, metabolism, and disease prevention, the latest studies and dietary guidelines urge consumers to stay within recommended intake levels to avoid hidden pitfalls. This news comes amid shifting food cultures in Thailand, where more urban Thais are turning to protein-enriched products and meat-heavy dishes in the hope of boosting health and fitness.

A major new clinical trial has added to the mounting scientific evidence that eating more dietary fiber, a nutrient found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, significantly lowers cancer risk—particularly for blood cancers like multiple myeloma. The study, presented by researchers at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at the flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition this week, found that high-fiber, plant-based diets also improved important health factors including body mass index (BMI), inflammation, metabolic health, and the gut microbiome. These findings echo longstanding global dietary recommendations and are especially pertinent for Thailand, a country where fiber intake remains low for much of the population, and cancer rates are on the rise.

A recent story from Greensboro, North Carolina, has drawn new attention to the transformative power of exercise in the fight against type 2 diabetes, with important lessons for Thai readers. The case of a woman who reversed her diabetes through dedication to fitness is not an isolated incident, but rather a reflection of emerging medical research that is reshaping the understanding of diabetes management in both the United States and Thailand. As diabetes remains a major health challenge globally and in Thailand—with rising rates tied to modern lifestyles—such stories of reversal and remission offer new hope and actionable guidance.

A growing body of research is sounding the alarm for those entering their late 30s and early 40s: the habits we hold onto between ages 36 and 46 can set the trajectory for our long-term health, influencing risks for serious conditions like cancer, heart disease, and early death. While indulgences in our youth may pass without obvious consequences, scientists now warn that the cumulative effects of unhealthy behaviors become much harder to escape as we approach the middle-aged years, making this decade a turning point for personal well-being (The Telegraph).

Lemons, long a humble fixture in Thai kitchens and street food stalls, have been revealed as the healthiest fruit of all, according to a series of recent scientific studies and media reports. This finding, upending the classic rivalry between apples and bananas for the crown of healthiest fruit, places this small but mighty citrus front and center in the pursuit of better health and disease prevention for people in Thailand and beyond. At a time when diet-related illnesses remain a growing concern in the kingdom, the research highlights practical, affordable ways for Thais to enhance wellness using an ingredient already woven into national cuisine and daily life.

A recent breakthrough study has revealed that a small population of brain cells could be the decisive factor in reversing type 2 diabetes, challenging decades-old beliefs that link the condition solely to obesity and insulin resistance. Conducted by researchers at the University of Washington and published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the study found that silencing certain hyperactive neurons in diabetic mice led to a dramatic and sustained normalization of blood sugar levels—regardless of any changes in body weight or eating habits. This pioneering research could stand to transform diabetes management not only for patients internationally but also for millions of Thais living with this chronic disease (Neuroscience News).

Recent research and expert opinion are challenging the notion that high-protein diets—long celebrated for muscle building and weight management—are universally beneficial, warning that excessive protein intake could actually shorten lifespan. Longevity experts caution especially against diets heavy in animal protein, as emerging evidence links them to accelerated aging and higher risks of chronic disease, according to a recent article in Real Simple, which featured perspectives from health aging specialists (Real Simple).

A wave of recent research is transforming how the world—and Thailand—views the dangers of social isolation. According to leading experts and new studies, living in prolonged social isolation can be as detrimental to human health as smoking a pack of cigarettes each day, elevating the threat to a global public health priority. This comparison, once surprising, is now backed by a growing body of research and calls for urgent public action to address an emerging epidemic affecting millions.

A 30-year study involving more than 47,000 women has found that eating a diet rich in fiber and high-quality carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, dramatically increases the chance of healthy aging, according to research published in JAMA Network Open on May 16, 2025 (jamanetwork.com). The findings offer new hope for preventing chronic illnesses and maintaining physical and cognitive function as Thailand—and much of Asia—faces a rapidly aging population.

A landmark international study has revealed that living with combinations of chronic physical illnesses—such as heart disease, diabetes, lung conditions, or liver problems—more than doubles the risk of developing depression, underscoring the urgent need for Thailand’s healthcare system to integrate physical and mental health care. The research, published in Nature Communications Medicine and based on health data from over 142,000 adults, highlights a concerning link between certain multimorbidity profiles and future depression diagnoses, particularly when illnesses like heart disease and diabetes occur together (Neuroscience News).

A revolutionary scientific advance is offering new hope for millions worldwide suffering from autoimmune diseases: so-called “inverse vaccines” that promise to re-educate the immune system, potentially transforming how conditions such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and lupus are managed. This innovative approach—heralded as a potential “holy grail” in immunology—could have particular significance for Thailand, where autoimmune disorders are rising as the country’s population ages, lifestyle changes accelerate, and environmental triggers become more common.

A wave of cutting-edge scientific research has triggered global alarm bells over the dangers of sugar, with health experts comparing its addictiveness and health impact to those of nicotine and even cocaine. As new findings highlight the biochemical and psychological hold of sugar on the brain, Thailand is both a consumer and battleground, taking concrete policy steps to help curb this ‘sweet danger’ before it causes a wider epidemic of obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders.

A new wave of international research is spotlighting the risks of high consumption of popular spices—particularly ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon—when used alongside prescription medications. While these aromatic staples have long been celebrated for their health benefits in both traditional Thai cuisine and medicine, current scientific evidence suggests that excessive intake, especially through supplements, could interfere with drug metabolism and trigger dangerous interactions, especially among individuals with chronic health conditions.

From Bangkok’s bustling markets to rural households across Thailand, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon are cornerstones of everyday cooking and wellness rituals. The use of these spices is deeply entrenched in Thai culture, often recommended in local remedies and embraced for their perceived ability to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, or manage metabolic conditions. However, recent findings originating from a University of Mississippi study—now widely cited by health platforms including The Conversation and major international news outlets—are raising red flags about their safety in concentrated or supplemental forms, particularly for vulnerable groups or those already prescribed medications for chronic diseases.

In an age where snack foods often carry the blame for rising rates of obesity and chronic diseases, a prominent Harvard medical expert has spotlighted four specific snack options that can be enjoyed daily without jeopardizing liver or gut health. This comes as welcome news to Thai readers who are increasingly conscious of both diet-related illnesses and the influence of Western fast food culture on local snacking habits. The advice aligns with broader global trends in nutritional science, which highlight the importance of making mindful snack choices to support overall health.

Recent nutrition research continues to champion dietary fiber as a key pillar of healthy living, and new recommendations are highlighting specific foods that can make it easier—and more delicious—to meet daily fiber needs. A report published on Martha Stewart’s website, drawing on advice from registered dietitians, emphasizes that most adults fail to eat sufficient fiber, with far-reaching implications for digestive, metabolic, and heart health (Martha Stewart). For Thailand, where the average daily fiber intake remains well below recommended levels, this message carries particular urgency.

A new study has brought to light a critical link between girls’ dietary habits and the age at which they reach puberty, with profound implications for health, education, and family life in Thailand and worldwide. Traditionally, genetics and body size have been considered the main predictors of when a girl will experience menarche—her first menstrual period. However, this latest research, published in the journal Human Reproduction, suggests that what girls eat may be an even more significant driver, potentially influencing long-term risk for several chronic diseases. The findings underscore the importance of early nutrition, not only for immediate wellbeing but also for shaping health trajectories long into adulthood (Earth.com).