#Publichealththailand

A major meta-analysis published in a leading medical journal signals a potential new standard in cholesterol care. International researchers, led by a professor from a Polish university, analyzed data from 14 trials involving more than 100,000 high-risk patients. The study found that adding ezetimibe to statin therapy lowers LDL cholesterol more effectively than statins alone and reduces deaths from cardiovascular disease.

For Thai readers, the findings are highly relevant because cardiovascular disease remains a top health challenge in Thailand. The research reports a 19% decrease in all-cause mortality and a 16% drop in cardiovascular deaths when ezetimibe is added to statins. Major cardiovascular events also fell by 18%, underscoring the potential to save lives and reduce economic burdens from heart disease.

In a revealing study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers have shed light on concerning trends in maternal health, particularly the rise in maternal deaths occurring well after the delivery period. The analysis reports that nearly one-third of maternal deaths in the United States take place more than six weeks postpartum, highlighting an urgent need for extended healthcare for new mothers.

The study analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s division of reproductive health, which, until recently, played a pivotal role in tracking maternal mortality rates and identifying health disparities. This research found a 28% increase in pregnancy-related deaths between 2018 and 2022, peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent research has uncovered a significant connection between low vitamin D levels and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This landmark study, drawing on data from a 2023 meta-analysis published in a reputable scientific journal, has highlighted that individuals with vitamin D serum levels below 25 ng/mL have a 59% increased risk of Alzheimer’s than those with higher levels. This finding brings new insight into preventive strategies for Alzheimer’s, a disease that affects millions worldwide and poses an increasing concern across Thailand.

Sakaan, a spicy, aromatic vine from the Piper genus, has long held a special place in Thai and Southeast Asian healing and cuisine. Known in Thai as sakaan, and also called takan lek or takan yang, it has passed through generations of folk practitioners as both flavor enhancer and remedy. As modern science turns attention to herbal medicine, sakaan offers a lens on its cultural significance and the evolving evidence behind its traditional uses.

A new analysis highlights a link between low vitamin D levels and higher Alzheimer’s risk. The study draws on a 2023 meta-analysis and shows that individuals with vitamin D serum levels below 25 ng/mL have a markedly greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s than those with higher levels. The findings offer promising directions for prevention in Thailand, where dementia is an increasing public health concern amid aging populations.

Alzheimer’s disease remains the leading cause of dementia worldwide, accounting for a substantial share of cases. As populations age, identifying modifiable risk factors becomes even more critical. Vitamin D is gaining attention for brain health due to its receptors throughout the brain and its role in cognitive function. Ensuring adequate levels may support long-term brain health and could complement other preventive measures.

A large new study from a Harvard-affiliated institution identifies 17 lifestyle changes that can simultaneously reduce the risks of dementia, stroke, and late-life depression. Published in a respected neurology journal, the findings emphasize how everyday choices across physical, emotional, and social health influence brain aging and overall well-being.

For Thai readers and the global community, the study offers practical, achievable guidance. Thailand faces common risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, and the research shows that meaningful gains can come from simple adjustments rather than rare medical interventions. Even improving a single area—like cutting alcohol intake—can help lower multiple age-related health risks.

In a landmark study that carries significant implications for public health, researchers at Harvard-affiliated Mass General Brigham have identified 17 lifestyle changes that can simultaneously reduce the risk of dementia, stroke, and late-life depression. Published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, this research highlights the interconnectedness of lifestyle factors and age-related brain diseases, offering a unique preventive approach.

For Thai readers and the global community alike, the significance of this study lies in its actionable insights. Recognizing that conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity are prevalent concerns in Thailand, the study emphasizes manageable lifestyle adjustments rather than overwhelming medical interventions. The research underscores that even improving a single lifestyle factor, such as reducing alcohol consumption—a habit linked to weight management and preventing liver disease—can lower the risk of multiple age-related conditions simultaneously.

In a groundbreaking study published in The Lancet, Chinese researchers have unveiled a significant association between maternal diabetes during pregnancy and an elevated risk of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD in children. This extensive meta-analysis evaluated 202 studies encompassing over 56 million pregnancies. It reveals that diligent monitoring of blood sugar levels throughout pregnancy could be crucial in mitigating these risks, underscoring a vital public health message for expecting mothers.

A comprehensive meta-analysis published in a leading medical journal reveals a notable association between maternal diabetes during pregnancy and a higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring, including autism and ADHD. The large study pooled data from hundreds of studies and millions of pregnancies, emphasizing the importance of diligent blood sugar monitoring for expectant mothers to improve outcomes for babies.

Researchers distinguished between gestational diabetes, which arises during pregnancy, and pre-gestational diabetes, in which the mother already has type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The analysis found about a one-quarter to one-third increase in neurodevelopmental risks for children born to mothers with diabetes, even after adjusting for factors such as weight and socioeconomic status. The elevated risk was more pronounced for women with pre-existing diabetes than for those who develop gestational diabetes.

Recent research published in the journal Cancer reveals that colon cancer survivors who engage in regular physical activity may enjoy longer lives than those who do not. The study, led by Dr. Jeff Meyerhardt from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, highlights the potential of exercise to significantly influence a patient’s long-term prognosis by not only reducing cancer mortality but surpassing the life expectancy of individuals who haven’t experienced cancer.

With colon cancer marking a significant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, including an alarming rise among younger adults in the United States, the implications of this research are profound. Improved survival rates due to exercise could be a game-changer for patients in Thailand, where sedentary lifestyles are increasingly common among urban populations. Regular exercise could mitigate this trend, offering hope for prolonged life and improved quality of life for Thai patients battling colon cancer.

A new study published in Cancer suggests that colon cancer survivors who stay physically active live longer than those who remain sedentary. Led by researchers from a major cancer institute, the work highlights exercise as a potential factor in improving long-term prognosis, not only lowering cancer mortality but sometimes surpassing the life expectancy of people without cancer.

Colon cancer remains a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with a concerning rise among younger adults in some regions. For Thai readers, these findings offer a hopeful angle: integrating regular activity could help improve survival and quality of life for survivors amid rising urban sedentary trends. Exercise can be a practical, affordable intervention that fits into Thailand’s health priorities.

Recent figures released by Portugal’s National Institute of Statistics reveal a troubling statistic: 32% of the Portuguese population experiences symptoms of anxiety, marking a significant public health concern. These findings, shared on World Health Day, highlight a gender disparity where 38.2% of women are affected compared to 24.7% of men. At more severe levels, the prevalence of anxiety is even starker, with 14.1% of women affected versus 6.2% of men.

Sesame, known in Thai as งา, sits at the crossroads of tradition and science. In Bangkok markets, white and black sesame seeds brighten sweets and savory dishes alike. Across Asia, ancient texts extol sesame for nourishing the body and sustaining vitality. Modern science now tests those claims and asks what sesame can truly offer Thai readers today.

Sesame cultivation spans more than 3,000 years. It likely spread from the Indian subcontinent and Africa into Southeast Asia, including Thailand, where it is deeply woven into culinary and medicinal practices. In traditional Thai and Chinese medicine, black sesame seeds are believed to replenish energy, support hair health, ease constipation, and strengthen bones. These ideas echo Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts that regard black sesame as a longevity tonic.

Across Thai villages and markets, Kan Tee Saw (Vitex trifolia) has long been valued as a versatile healer. In regions from Chonburi to the North, this unassuming shrub is known by many local names, reflecting Thailand’s cultural diversity and deep plant knowledge. Today, researchers are investigating Kan Tee Saw with modern methods, turning ancient remedies into potential scientific insights while preserving its cultural significance for Thai communities.

Vitex trifolia is modest in size but historically powerful in Thai ethnomedicine. The plant’s seeds are prized for their cooling, cleansing, and gentle stimulating qualities. Traditional practitioners use Kan Tee Saw to address a range of ailments—from fevers and headaches to respiratory issues and skin conditions—often integrating it into broader herbal recipes for digestive upset, wounds, and postpartum care. This broad utility has cemented Kan Tee Saw as a mainstay in folk health practices across the country, with practitioners citing generations of experience and regional formularies.

Nestled in the folklore and village gardens across Thailand, the unassuming Kan Tee Saw—known scientifically as Vitex trifolia—has for centuries been revered as a multifaceted healer. Called by names as varied as kan tee saw khaw in Chonburi, khon din saw in the central regions, phii suea noi in the North, or thian khaw in Phetchaburi, this plant’s rich medicinal history threads through every region and dialect, embodying a unique harmony of nature’s bounty and human ingenuity. Today, as researchers turn magnifying lenses and test tubes onto the ancient remedies of Thai traditional medicine, Kan Tee Saw emerges not just as a cultural artifact but as a botanical protagonist on the cusp of scientific validation. What follows is a journey through its uses, lore, modern research, and what the future may hold for this cherished herbal medicine.