#Inflammation

Researchers report a simple post-workout choice may meaningfully influence how quickly the body recovers. In the latest findings from a controlled exercise study, participants who consumed Greek yogurt immediately after training showed greater reductions in inflammation than those who drank a carbohydrate-only recovery beverage. The result adds to a growing body of evidence that the quality of post-exercise nutrition matters as much as the timing, with potential implications for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone looking to shorten recovery time after strenuous activity.

A groundbreaking study by Chinese researchers has finally shed light on the deeper mechanisms behind how long-term exercise slows ageing, pinpointing a naturally occurring compound called betaine as a critical player in the process. This research, published in the journal Cell in late June 2025, offers not just a better scientific understanding but also raises exciting possibilities for new anti-ageing interventions—even for those who have difficulty exercising due to age or health challenges (SCMP; PubMed; Nature).

A recent study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences highlights how regular physical activity can slow ageing, with betaine playing a central role. Betaine, a naturally occurring compound boosted by sustained exercise, appears to reduce inflammation and protect organ health by inhibiting TBK1, a protein linked to ageing processes.

Researchers used a staged approach. Healthy young men paused intense activity for 45 days, then resumed a jogging routine of five kilometers every other day for 25 days. After the intervention, scientists observed notable changes in immune cells and metabolism. Parallel experiments in aged mice showed that betaine supplementation improved muscle strength, skin health, and several physiological markers. Lab work confirmed that betaine directly targets and inhibits TBK1.

A new scientific study has overturned a widespread dietary myth, revealing that consuming seed oils like soybean and corn oil may actually lower inflammation and improve heart health—contrary to persistent claims suggesting otherwise. The findings, presented at the prestigious NUTRITION 2025 conference in Orlando, Florida, are highly relevant for Thai consumers amid ongoing debates about cooking oil safety and chronic disease in the Kingdom.

Seed oils, including commonly used vegetable oils rich in linoleic acid—a type of omega-6 fatty acid—have become controversial, with vocal critics suggesting they may promote inflammation and contribute to the country’s rising rates of heart disease and diabetes. These oils are common kitchen staples in Thai households and are found in a variety of popular foods, from street-side stir fries to commercial packaged snacks.

A new study challenges the belief that seed oils are harmful by showing that they may lower inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. The research was presented at the NUTRITION 2025 conference in Orlando, Florida, and carries meaningful implications for Thai consumers amid ongoing discussions about cooking oils and chronic disease.

Seed oils, such as soybean and corn oil, are rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. Critics have claimed these oils fuel inflammation and contribute to heart disease and diabetes. Yet in Thai kitchens they remain common staples, appearing in street-food stir-fries and packaged snacks alike.

A new study in Scientific Reports suggests that regular exercise combined with omega-3 supplementation can reduce the severity of chronic tooth root infections. Conducted by researchers from São Paulo State University in Brazil, the work points to non-invasive ways to protect oral health and prevent tooth loss. The findings resonate with Thai communities seeking accessible preventive care and lifestyle approaches to dental well-being.

Chronic apical periodontitis (AP) is a hidden inflammation around the tip of a tooth’s root. Often undetected because symptoms are subtle, AP can result from tooth decay, injury, or previous dental treatment. If left unchecked, it can cause jawbone deterioration and eventual tooth loss. In Thailand, disparities in access to dental care and prevention awareness persist in both urban and rural areas, contributing to untreated dental infections.

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).

In an era marked by a revival of interest in natural health solutions, Thailand’s revered “Ha-Rak” (ห้าราก, Five Roots) herbal formula stands at the crossroads of ancient botanical wisdom and contemporary biomedical validation. For centuries, this blend has been a staple in traditional Thai medicine, prized as a primary remedy for fever and inflammation. Now, emerging scientific research is shining new light on the time-honored knowledge behind the formula, revealing mechanisms that bridge folklore and pharmacology—and offering fascinating insights for today’s health-conscious readers.

A growing interest in natural health is bringing Thailand’s Ha-Rak (Five Roots) into the spotlight of modern science. This traditional Thai remedy, long used to ease fever and inflammation, is being studied with contemporary biomedical methods to understand how it works and how it might fit today’s healthcare landscape. The research highlights how folklore can inform pharmacology while offering practical insights for health-conscious Thai readers.

Ha-Rak blends root extracts from five plants traditionally decocted to treat fevers and inflammatory symptoms. In Thai culture, cooling remedies are part of a holistic approach that aligns with indigenous views of balance and harmony. For generations, practitioners relied on the formula to alleviate mild fevers and inflammatory conditions, especially in tropical climates where infections are common.

In Thailand’s humid heartlands, a golden root known as phlai (Zingiber montanum) has long been a trusted remedy. Thai healers used it for muscle aches, sprains, and postpartum care long before clinical trials appeared in journals. Today, researchers and health practitioners are examining its bioactive compounds under modern scrutiny, blending heritage with evidence-based medicine. The story reflects a shared journey of tradition meeting science, told for health-conscious Thai readers.

Long before laboratories, phlai held a central place in Thai folk medicine. It features in balms, compresses, decoctions, and even cuisine. Traditional use focuses on cooling inflammation, easing pain, and accelerating internal healing. After childbirth, phlai-based compresses help soothe muscle tenderness and support recovery, weaving the root into Thai postpartum practices. The bright-yellow rhizome symbolizes wellness across households from the countryside to urban communities.

In the humid heartlands of Thailand, generations have unearthed a golden root revered for its potent healing powers—known locally as “phlai” (ไพล) and scientifically as Zingiber montanum. Centuries before clinical trials populated scientific journals, Thai healers and villagers alike turned to phlai for everything from muscle aches to postpartum care. Today, this humble rhizome finds itself at the fascinating confluence of tradition and contemporary validation, as scientists and health practitioners examine its bioactive mysteries under the modern microscope. What unfolds is a tale of heritage, hope, and harmonization of ancient wisdom with cerebral evidence, relayed here for the health-conscious reader seeking to navigate the crossroads of natural and scientific medicine.

A recent wave of scientific research highlights that introducing a little-known food—red cabbage sauerkraut—into your diet can dramatically reduce inflammation and even improve sleep within just two weeks, according to medical experts and nutrition researchers. This simple dietary intervention has attracted attention for its accessibility and rapid impact, offering new hope for those grappling with chronic inflammation, a culprit behind many serious illnesses. As Thailand faces the rising tide of lifestyle-related diseases, the findings could not be more timely, bringing practical, evidence-based recommendations straight to your dinner table (GetSurrey).

Recent international research suggests that adding red cabbage sauerkraut to daily meals can noticeably reduce inflammation within two weeks, with potential sleep benefits too. Medical experts say this accessible dietary change could help many people manage chronic inflammation, a key factor in various illnesses. For Thailand’s rising burden of lifestyle-related diseases, the findings offer practical guidance that fits local eating habits and cooking traditions.

Leading scientists, including a prominent nutrition researcher associated with the ZOE project, have highlighted fermented foods as a group with anti-inflammatory effects. While Thai cuisine already includes a variety of fermented and pickled dishes, red cabbage sauerkraut stands out for its bright color, tangy flavor, and rich mix of beneficial microbes that may support gut health and immune balance.

A recent review highlights how adding black pepper to daily meals can support heart health, inflammation control, digestion, and blood sugar management, thanks to its active compound piperine. Known as the “king of spices,” black pepper adds flavor while offering tangible wellness benefits relevant to Thai dietary patterns.

Research indicates piperine can support cardiovascular health by raising HDL cholesterol and lowering LDL cholesterol. This dual action helps protect against heart disease and may reduce arterial plaque buildup. When paired with foods like green tea or cinnamon, black pepper may strengthen their cholesterol-lowering effects, a combined approach that resonates with Thai preferences for tea and spice-forward dishes.

A recent article by Kelsey Kunik, RDN, emphasizes the numerous health advantages of integrating black pepper into daily meals, highlighting its active compound, piperine, as a key ingredient that contributes to several health benefits. Known as the “king of spices,” black pepper is celebrated for more than just its flavor-enhancing properties—it may play a vital role in supporting various aspects of health, from cholesterol management to inflammation reduction.

Research has shown that piperine, found in black pepper, can significantly improve cardiovascular health by boosting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. This dual action is crucial for maintaining heart health and preventing atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Moreover, when combined with certain foods like green tea and cinnamon, black pepper may amplify their cholesterol-lowering effects.

A new study from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) introduces a brain organoid model that includes microglia, the brain’s immune cells. This addition enhances the model’s ability to simulate inflammation and improves prospects for safer pharmaceutical testing during pregnancy. The development is timely for global health and aligns with Thai prenatal care policy ambitions to refine safe medication guidelines for expectant mothers.

Historically, brain organoid models lacked microglia, limiting their accuracy in mimicking how the human brain responds to infections. By incorporating microglia, researchers can better understand how the developing nervous system reacts to infections such as Rubella, a concern for pregnant women due to potential fetal complications. In Thailand, where maternal and neonatal health remains a policy priority, this research supports national efforts to reduce congenital risks and strengthen prenatal care.

In a groundbreaking study from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), researchers have developed an advanced brain organoid model that incorporates microglia—special cells that play a crucial role in monitoring and maintaining brain health, particularly during inflammatory responses. This development holds potential for transforming pharmaceutical testing, especially concerning drug safety for pregnant women. Given the absence of specific antiviral treatments for conditions like Rubella during pregnancy, this advancement is noteworthy for both local and global health communities.

For generations, the vine known across Thailand as โคคลาน or “Koh Khlan” has been a wellspring of traditional healing. Behind this name are other local monikers—มะกายเครือ, มะปอบเครือ, กระเปี้ยะ, โพคาน, แนวน้ำ, เยี่ยวแมว, เยี่ยวแมวเถา—reflecting its widespread recognition in rural and forested communities from the northern hills to the heart of Isan. Scientifically catalogued as Mallotus repandus (Willd.) Müll. Arg., this robust member of the Euphorbiaceae family is best known in Thai traditional medicine for alleviating muscle, bone, and joint pains, often earning its place in time-honoured herbal mixtures for ailments that sap vitality and disrupt daily life.

Koh Khlan, known across Thailand by several local names such as makay kreua and yeo maeo, has long been a source of traditional healing. In rural communities from the northern hills to Isan, families rely on its bark, leaves, and stems to ease muscle, bone, and joint pains. Scientifically, the plant is Mallotus repandus, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, widely used in Thai herbal blends that aim to restore vitality in daily life.

A growing body of research highlights pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) as a potential contributor to healthier, longer lives. As anti-aging science gains traction globally, studies suggest C15:0 may boost cellular resilience and support healthy aging, with meaningful implications for Thailand’s aging population.

C15:0 is a saturated odd-chain fatty acid found in dairy fat and the meat of ruminant animals. While not widely known, accumulating evidence points to possible health benefits that could help reduce age-related risks. Early observations came from marine mammal studies, where higher C15:0 levels were linked to improvements in insulin, glucose, and cholesterol, prompting researchers to explore potential benefits for humans.

In the ever-evolving field of nutritional science, pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) is emerging as a “longevity nutrient” with the potential to play a significant role in promoting healthier, longer lives. As global interest in anti-aging compounds intensifies, recent studies have highlighted the potential of C15:0 to enhance cellular resilience and support healthy aging, aligning it with important anti-aging drugs like rapamycin and metformin. This discovery has piqued interest among researchers and could have profound implications for aging populations, including those in Thailand.