#Healthy

A heart-healthy life is within reach for every Thai reader. Across Bangkok’s bustle and Chiang Mai’s hills, practical choices can cut heart risk by addressing daily habits and environment. National data show thousands of lives lost to heart disease each year, underscoring the urgency for prevention through diet, activity, and policy support.

Data from Thailand’s public health authorities and international health agencies highlight the growing heart-risk profile in urban life. Processed foods, sedentary routines, and air pollution contribute to inflammation, high blood pressure, and cholesterol. The situation calls for actionable steps that individuals and policymakers can embrace now.

A growing wave of guidance urges Thai readers to prioritize healthy living and a balanced diet over memory-boosting pills. A comprehensive review by registered dietitians suggests several popular supplements may do more harm than good, especially without medical supervision or at high doses. The message is timely for Thailand’s aging population and health-conscious youth.

From Bangkok to Chiang Mai, brain health supplements are widely sold. Experts warn these products can create a false sense of security and carry real risks. Five supplements raise particular concern: high-dose vitamin E, high-dose vitamin B6, ginkgo biloba, concentrated caffeine products, and omega-6 fatty acid supplements.

A daily walk offers noticeable relief for digestion and discomfort, and emerging research supports its value. In Thailand, where urban living and sedentary habits are common, walking is presented as a practical, medicine-free way to improve bowel health.

Constipation affects many people worldwide, including Thais. Urbanization, reduced activity, and shifting diets contribute to digestive issues across ages. While increasing fiber and fluids remains important, recent guidance highlights walking as an excellent first step to keep the bowels regularly moving.

Eggs remain a staple in Thai kitchens, from pad Thai to everyday breakfasts. Yet many shoppers debate whether brown eggs are healthier or tastier than white ones. Current nutrition guidance clarifies that shell color does not determine health or flavor. Instead, nutrition depends on hen breed, feed, freshness, and farming practices. For budget-conscious Thai families, the focus should be provenance and quality rather than shell hue.

A typical large egg offers about 74-80 calories, roughly 6 grams of high-quality protein, 5 grams of fat, and less than 1 gram of carbohydrates. Eggs provide essential nutrients like vitamin A, biotin, lutein and zeaxanthin, and choline, which is particularly important for fetal brain development. While eggs contain cholesterol, current science shows most people can enjoy them in moderation as long as saturated and trans fats are limited. This is especially relevant for families seeking affordable, nutritious options.

A long-term study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health links specific dietary patterns to holistic healthy aging. Published in Nature Medicine, the research followed more than 100,000 people over 14 years, showing that balanced diets support longevity and overall well-being beyond physical health, including cognition and mental health. The findings carry particular relevance for Thailand as it faces a rapidly aging society.

The study analyzed middle-aged participants with various self-reported diets, including reduced processed foods and a balance of animal and plant-based nutrition. Those consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and unsaturated fats from nuts and legumes tended to experience better health outcomes after age 70. Co-author Marta Guasch-Ferre, adjunct associate professor at Harvard, notes that healthy aging involves meeting cognitive, physical, and mental benchmarks while remaining free of chronic disease.

A recent study led by Professor Tim Spector and conducted by nutrition researchers at Zoe reframes how we view ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The team introduces a Practical Processed Food Risk Scale that ranks items from low to high risk based on additives, palatability, and energy density. Since UPFs form a sizable part of many diets worldwide, including in Thailand, this framework helps consumers make more informed choices.

Traditionally, UPFs have been deemed uniformly unhealthy because they often contain preservatives, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and high levels of sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats. The Zoe findings, however, suggest that some processed items may pose less risk when they contribute beneficial components such as fiber or probiotics. For example, unsalted butter, certain dairy products with live cultures, and some whole-grain cereals may land in the low- or no-risk categories when consumed as part of a balanced diet. In contrast, heavily engineered snacks and flavored yogurts designed to maximize palatability remain higher-risk due to their formulation and potential effects on gut health.

A landmark study in Nature Medicine shows that balanced diets combining animal and plant foods support long-term healthy aging. Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health partnered with the University of Copenhagen and the University of Montreal to link specific dietary patterns with cognitive, physical, and mental wellness as people age. The findings are particularly relevant for Thailand, where dietary habits and demographics are evolving rapidly.

Led by nutrition expert Marta Guasch-Ferre, the study tracked 70,091 women and 34,924 men for an average of 14 years. Participants started in middle age and were later categorized as “healthy agers” if they reached age 70 without chronic disease and met defined cognitive and physical health criteria. The research frames aging as a holistic process beyond disease prevention, aligning with broader conversations about senior well-being.

A major study tracked over 30 years and more than 100,000 American adults to understand how long-term eating patterns influence healthy aging. The research followed participants until age 70, examining who remained free from chronic disease and who maintained cognitive and physical function.

Findings indicate that diets such as the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), the Mediterranean Diet (aMED), and the DASH plan significantly improve the odds of aging healthily. These patterns emphasize fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and healthy fats while reducing trans fats, salt, and processed meats. Notably, those with the highest AHEI adherence showed about 86% greater odds of aging healthily by 70 compared with those with the lowest adherence.