Skip to main content

#Diabetes

Articles tagged with "Diabetes" - explore health, wellness, and travel insights.

158 articles
2 min read

Is Ozempic a Boon or Bane for Thai Patients with Eating Disorders?

news health

The rise of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, known scientifically as semaglutide, has sparked global interest due to their impressive ability to assist in weight loss. However, recent discussions raise alarms regarding their impact on patients with eating disorders. This concern is especially poignant in the context of Thai society, where body image issues and dietary habits are influenced by unique cultural and social dynamics.

Ozempic acts by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates insulin and slows stomach emptying, enhancing the feeling of fullness. It is celebrated as a “miracle drug” for weight management, yet its appetite-suppressant properties may pose risks to individuals prone to eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. According to Dr. Kimberly Dennis, a U.S. psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders, such medications could act as “rocket fuel” for these disorders, potentially exacerbating unhealthy eating behaviors in vulnerable patients. This sentiment is echoed by Pamela Keel, a psychologist with expertise in eating disorders, who warns against prescribing these drugs to malnourished individuals.

#Ozempic #semaglutide #eating disorders +6 more
1 min read

Ozempic in Thailand: Balancing Diabetes Benefits with Eating-Disorder Risks for Thai Readers

news health

A worldwide surge in GLP-1 medicines, including Ozempic (semaglutide), has drawn attention for strong weight-management effects. In Thailand, where cultural norms shape body image and eating habits, experts warn about potential risks for people with eating disorders.

Ozempic works by mimicking a natural hormone that helps regulate insulin and slows stomach emptying, making people feel full sooner. While it supports weight loss and better blood sugar control, its appetite-suppressing action could affect individuals prone to eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Health professionals caution that such medications might worsen unhealthy eating patterns in vulnerable patients. Medical teams emphasize thorough evaluation before prescribing these drugs, particularly for people with malnutrition or complex nutritional histories.

#ozempic #semaglutide #eatingdisorders +5 more
8 min read

The Twining Treasure: Borapet (Tinospora crispa) Through Thai Tradition and Modern Medicine

posts

For centuries, Borapet (Tinospora crispa)—also known in different Thai regions as khruea khao ho, chong ching, or jetamoon yam—has twined its bitter stems through local gardens, folk medicine chests, and herbal lore across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Praised by elders for its invigorating and cooling qualities, Borapet has long been a household staple for treating a perplexing range of ailments: from fevers and diabetes to wound healing and indigestion. Today, as modern science turns its gaze toward ancient remedies, Borapet’s reputation as a local panacea is receiving fresh scrutiny—and, in some cases, careful scientific validation.

#Borapet #TinosporaCrispa #ThaiHerbalMedicine +7 more
1 min read

Rethinking Statins for Thai Hearts: Balancing Benefits, Side Effects, and Everyday Practice

news health

Statins have long been a cornerstone in lowering bad cholesterol and reducing heart disease risk. In Thailand, as usage climbs, it’s essential to weigh proven benefits against potential side effects. A clear, patient-centered view helps clinicians and patients make informed choices.

Statins mainly reduce LDL cholesterol, which can accumulate in arteries and raise the chances of heart attacks and strokes. They are highly effective at cutting cholesterol, yet some users report side effects that deserve attention. Common concerns include muscle aches, digestive issues, and questions about cognitive effects. While public conversation has raised memory questions, current evidence shows no strong, consistent link between statins and dementia. A five-year study comparing statin users and non-users found no increased dementia risk.

#statins #cholesterol #sideeffects +4 more
2 min read

Rural vs. Urban Living: Impact on Heart Health

news health

In an eye-opening study published in JAMA Cardiology, researchers have uncovered stark differences in heart disease risk between rural and urban American residents. Contrary to the common belief that life in rural settings, with fewer pollution challenges, might be healthier, the study reveals a different picture. This is of particular interest to Thai readers, as similar patterns might emerge in diverse regions within Thailand, offering insights into potential health risks faced by rural populations.

#rural health #urban health #heart disease +6 more
2 min read

Understanding Statins: Latest Insights into Their Side Effects and Health Implications

news health

Statins have long been hailed as a breakthrough in managing cholesterol and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, recent discussions in medical communities and media spotlight have turned towards the potential side effects of these medications, balancing their cardiovascular benefits against other health risks. As statin use becomes increasingly common in Thailand, understanding these implications is essential for informed healthcare decisions.

Statins are primarily prescribed to individuals with high LDL cholesterol levels—often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. This type of cholesterol can lead to the hardening and narrowing of arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, while highly effective in reducing these cholesterol levels, statins are not devoid of potential side effects that might raise concern among users and healthcare providers.

#statins #cholesterol #side effects +4 more
4 min read

Salacia chinensis (กำแพงเจ็ดชั้น): A Thai Herbal Tradition Meets Modern Science

posts

Hidden in Thailand’s forests, a climbing shrub known as Salacia chinensis, or กำแพงเจ็ดชั้น, has a storied role in traditional Southeast Asian medicine. Locally it goes by names such as ตะลุ่มนก, ตาไก้, ขอบกระด้ง, and หลุมนก. Researchers are now exploring its traditional uses through the lens of modern science, uncovering insights that both support and refine age-old practices.

Traditionally, communities in Thailand have used the plant’s woody stems and roots to support heart health, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and manage blood sugar. In many rural households, a bitter decoction made by boiling the plant is consumed alone or blended with other herbs. Elders recall how a “hot constitution” or fatigue could be addressed with the plant’s tonic properties. In Thai folk practice, กำแพงเจ็ดชั้น is valued as a rejuvenator and is used differently across regions, reflecting a deep, regionally diverse healing culture.

#salaciachinensis #กำแพงเจ็ดชั้น #thaiherbalmedicine +7 more
6 min read

The Remarkable Journey of กำแพงเจ็ดชั้น (Salacia chinensis): Bridging Ancient Thai Wisdom and Modern Science

posts

Among Thailand’s lush forests, hidden beneath the embrace of tangled vines and sturdy trunks, grows a climbing shrub with a storied past and promising future: กำแพงเจ็ดชั้น, or Salacia chinensis. Known by myriad regional names such as ตะลุ่มนก, ตาไก้, ขอบกระด้ง, and หลุมนก, this plant has been treasured in traditional Thai and Southeast Asian medicine for centuries. Today, as researchers peel back the layers of its traditional use, they’re uncovering scientific evidence that validates (and in some cases, challenges) the age-old practices of herbalists and healers.

#SalaciaChinensis #กำแพงเจ็ดชั้น #ThaiHerbalMedicine +7 more
1 min read

New research links soda drinking to changes in sugar absorption and metabolic health in humans and animals

news nutrition

A recent study from a leading Indian research institution shows that regular sugary beverage consumption can alter how the body handles sugar. Published in a peer-reviewed nutrition journal, the findings describe changes in the gut’s sugar absorption that may affect metabolic health beyond the calories from sweet drinks.

In an experimental setting with laboratory mice, subjects received either plain water or water containing 10% table sugar for three months. The study observed metabolic changes consistent with early insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in sugar-fed mice, suggesting potential implications for diabetes risk and related disorders.

#health #nutrition #metabolism +5 more
2 min read

Study Reveals Soda's Hidden Impact on Sugar Absorption and Overall Health

news nutrition

A groundbreaking new study has highlighted a surprising and troubling effect of regularly consuming sugary beverages like soda. Conducted by researchers at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, the research found that sweet drinks provoke an alarming adaptation in the body, prioritizing the absorption of sugar over essential nutrients. This “molecular addiction,” as dubbed by researchers, suggests our dietary habits could be reshaping our metabolisms, with significant implications for our health.

#health #nutrition #metabolism +4 more
3 min read

"Molecular Addiction": Uncovering How Soda Transforms Our Metabolism

news nutrition

In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, a deeper understanding has emerged concerning the consumption of sugary drinks like soda, revealing how these beverages can fundamentally alter our metabolism at a cellular level. The research, which introduces the term “molecular addiction,” demonstrates how regular soda drinking can cause the body to rewire itself, prioritizing sugar absorption over other essential nutrients. These fascinating findings, published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, highlight a significant public health issue that extends far beyond mere calorie counting.

#molecular addiction #sugary drinks #metabolism +5 more
2 min read

Raising Awareness on Prediabetes: A Crucial Step in Preventing Diabetes

news health

As Diabetes Alert Day shines a spotlight on the widespread but underrecognized condition of prediabetes, recent findings underscore the urgent need for increased awareness and early detection. Diabetes is characterized by the body’s inability to properly regulate sugar, potentially leading to severe complications like heart attack, stroke, and nerve damage over time. Despite the critical role of prediabetes as a precursor to diabetes, about 80% of individuals with prediabetes remain unaware of their condition, greatly hindering preventive efforts.

#diabetes #prediabetes #health awareness +4 more
1 min read

Soda’s Hidden Switch: How Sugary Drinks Rewire Metabolism for Thai Readers

news nutrition

A new study from researchers at a leading Indian research institute reveals that frequent sugary beverages may do more than add calories. The work introduces the idea of “molecular addiction,” showing how regular soda consumption could rewire the body’s metabolism at the cellular level, prioritizing sugar absorption and potentially impairing responses to other nutrients. The findings, while published in a scientific journal, carry clear implications for public health and daily choices in Thailand.

#soda #metabolism #publichealth +4 more
1 min read

Thai Perspective: Early Detection and Prevention to Turn the Tide on Prediabetes

news health

Prediabetes signals blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet diabetes. On Diabetes Alert Day, Thai health experts emphasize awareness and early screening to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes. The condition affects a large portion of adults globally, yet many people remain unaware, delaying preventive action.

Prediabetes often has no symptoms, so routine screening is crucial. An aging population and rising obesity rates heighten risk, especially for adults aged 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese. The Hemoglobin A1c test provides a reliable snapshot of average blood sugar over the past two to three months. Early screening enables timely lifestyle changes that can dramatically reduce diabetes risk. Research shows that losing just 5% to 7% of body weight halves the likelihood of developing diabetes. Regular physical activity and a high-fiber, nutrient-rich diet with lean proteins support sustained risk reduction.

#diabetes #prediabetes #healthawareness +3 more