#Health

In today’s fast-paced world, where meals often become hurried pit stops rather than leisurely experiences, a new study advises individuals to tap the brakes on their eating speed to enhance both health and satisfaction. According to a report published by the Associated Press, individuals consuming meals in less than 20 minutes may risk a range of health issues that extend beyond mere discomfort.

The speed at which people eat has garnered increasing attention from health experts who note its potential implications. Leslie Heinberg, a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Behavioral Health, explains that the stomach requires roughly 20 minutes to communicate fullness to the brain through complex hormonal signals. Eating quickly can bypass these cues, leading to overeating before recognizing satiety—a common culprit behind the modern obesity epidemic. This phenomenon aligns with research indicating that the slowest eaters are typically leaner compared to their faster counterparts.

A small pilot study suggests the brain may tap its own energy reserves during intense endurance efforts. Spanish researchers observed changes in brain white matter among marathon runners, hinting at a form of neuroplasticity that could help preserve function under extreme physical stress.

Researchers conducted MRI scans on ten endurance runners (eight men and two women) before and after a 42-kilometer race. The scans showed a measurable drop in myelin, the fat-rich sheath around nerve fibers that facilitates rapid signaling. The decrease was most evident in brain regions responsible for movement, balance, sensory processing, and emotion. Notably, myelin levels began to recover within 24 to 48 hours after the race and largely returned to baseline within two months for the six participants who had follow-up scans.

A team of engineers from MIT, in collaboration with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, has developed an innovative drug delivery system that could significantly extend the duration of drug efficacy, a breakthrough that may transform patient care globally. The study, published in Nature Chemical Engineering, reveals methods to achieve long-lasting medication effects through simple, injectable formulations. This advancement is particularly impactful in the context of developing nations, where access to healthcare services and resources can be limited.

A collaboration between MIT engineers and Brigham and Women’s Hospital has introduced an injectable drug-delivery system that sustains medication effects for months or years. Published in Nature Chemical Engineering, the study demonstrates how simple formulations can achieve longer-lasting treatment, offering potential benefits for health systems facing access challenges, including Thailand.

Led by mechanical engineering professor Giovanni Traverso, the MIT team envisions depots that form after a minimally invasive injection and release drugs steadily over extended periods. The concept grew from a Gates Foundation initiative aimed at expanding contraceptive options in resource-limited settings. Vivian Feig, formerly an MIT postdoc and now a faculty member at Stanford, helped merge implant stability with the convenience of injections.

A major UK study is probing the kynurenine pathway to explain why teenage girls show higher depression rates than boys. The research contributes to a global understanding of depression that affects hundreds of millions worldwide.

Adolescence remains a pivotal period for mental health. The kynurenine pathway transforms the amino acid tryptophan into compounds that can protect or harm neurons. The study examines how this process differs by sex in adolescence and what it means for risk and resilience. For Thai adolescents, rising awareness, academic pressures, and evolving gender norms make these insights especially pertinent.

Recent debates in the health community question whether traditional beef tallow offers a safer, more natural alternative to seed oils. The discussion follows public statements by a senior U.S. health official advocating a return to animal fats for cooking. In Thailand, where diverse oils are staples in kitchens, the conversation matters for local diets and public health.

Historically, animal fats like beef tallow, butter, and lard were common kitchen staples. A shift occurred in the early 20th century as concerns about heart disease grew. Vegetable and seed oils rose to prominence as perceived healthier options, popularized as heart-friendly choices. In Thailand, many households still rely on palm oil and other vegetable oils, highlighting the ongoing relevance of fat choice in daily cooking.

A recent study from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria shows sleep actively reshapes memories, not just strengthens them. The research reveals that during non-REM sleep, the brain refines spatial memories and makes room for new information. Scientists tracked hippocampal neuron activity in rats during extended sleep and observed a shift from the learning-phase pattern to a recall-phase pattern. This “representational drift” makes recall more efficient by using fewer neurons to represent the same remembered location.

A recent study suggests that taking more time to eat could improve health and satisfaction. The report notes that meals consumed in under 20 minutes may be linked to various health issues, beyond the feeling of being uncomfortably full.

Health experts say eating speed can influence how the body signals fullness. A senior diet and behavioral health specialist from a major medical center explains that the stomach needs about 20 minutes to relay fullness signals to the brain through hormonal pathways. When people rush meals, they may eat more before feeling full, which can contribute to weight Gain over time. Research also shows that slower eaters tend to have healthier body weights compared with faster eaters.

A major study published in Nature Medicine examines dietary patterns linked to healthier aging, with implications for Thai seniors as communities navigate changing eating habits. The research followed more than 105,000 participants in the United States and found that certain diets strongly support physical health and cognitive function in later life. The findings resonate with Thailand’s aging population and its ongoing efforts to promote nutritious, accessible food choices.

Healthy aging, as defined by the study, means reaching beyond 70 without chronic disease while maintaining mental sharpness and physical vitality. In Thailand, where the elderly share of the population is rising, adopting evidence-based eating habits could help sustain quality of life and ease demands on healthcare systems. The researchers evaluated eight dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet (aMED), the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and the Healthy Eating Index (AHEI). Across the board, closer adherence to these patterns was associated with stronger odds of healthy aging, with AHEI showing the strongest overall link.

In groundbreaking new research published by Nature Medicine, scientists have delved deep into dietary patterns that significantly contribute to healthy aging. The study, involving over 105,000 participants from the United States, has unraveled the potent impacts of different diets on maintaining physical health and mental acuity in later years. This is particularly relevant for Thai seniors, who are increasingly seeking ways to age healthily amidst rapidly changing dietary habits.

Healthy aging, as defined by the study, is the ability to live past 70 without chronic diseases, while maintaining mental, physical, and cognitive functions. In Thailand, where the proportion of elderly citizens is expected to rise sharply, adopting optimal dietary habits could be a crucial strategy for sustaining quality of life and reducing healthcare burdens. The study analyzed eight popular dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet (aMED), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and the Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), noting significant benefits for those adhering closely to these dietary regimens. Most notably, the AHEI was linked with the greatest odds of achieving healthy aging overall.

Recent discussions in the health community have rekindled the debate between the benefits of beef tallow and seed oils, fueled by assertions from US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His advocacy for a return to using traditional animal fats like beef tallow over seed oils has sparked conversations, especially among those scrutinizing the health impacts of different cooking fats. This topic resonates not only globally but also in Thailand, where culinary practices encompass a variety of oils, highlighting the relevance of understanding these health implications.

New studies highlight a troubling risk not previously fully understood—a meat allergy derived from tick bites, now found to be associated with a broader range of tick species than previously recognized. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alongside local health officials, points to more than just the lone star tick as a culprit behind alpha-gal syndrome in the U.S. source.

Alpha-gal syndrome, a rare allergic reaction to the alpha-gal sugar found in red meat, occurs following certain tick bites. Traditionally linked to the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), new reports suggest that the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) and the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis)—both more broadly distributed—may also spur this condition. This revelation possibly expands the risk zone and the number of people vulnerable to this allergy, unexpectedly affecting their dietary choices and lifestyle in regions previously thought safe.