#ThailandHealth

The expanding field of “electroceuticals” is transforming psychiatric care, introducing advanced therapeutic approaches that extend beyond traditional medication. This development is particularly significant for individuals in Thailand and worldwide who suffer from mental health disorders, such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and do not respond to conventional treatments. The rise of treatments like deep brain stimulation (DBS), transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, and focused ultrasound offers renewed hope, although these options come with challenges concerning effectiveness and accessibility.

Recent research highlights the significant benefits of combining magnesium with several key supplements to enhance overall health and wellness. This strategy not only improves magnesium absorption but also supports muscle function, reduces stress, and boosts general fitness, making health regimens more comprehensive and efficient.

Why This Matters to Thai Readers

In Thailand, where traditional health practices often meet modern medicine, understanding the synergistic effects of supplements is increasingly relevant. This knowledge can empower Thai consumers to make informed decisions in a rapidly growing wellness market, which aligns with their holistic approach to health.

Scientists have unveiled new insights into how our brain constructs and retrieves memories, focusing on the previously elusive engram cells and their complex network of connections. Recent research conducted at Trinity College Dublin highlights these neuronal structures and their role in memory formation and linkages, shifting the focus from individual neurons to networks of cells that hold and synchronize our life’s experiences.

The study, led by Dr. Tomás Ryan, centers around engram cells, specialized neurons responsible for capturing and storing distinct experiences. These cells form intricate networks that allow memories to be created and reactivated at a later time. This emerging understanding has profound implications for our conception of memory: memories aren’t merely etched into single neurons but rather exist as dynamic links between multiple cells.

In recent groundbreaking research, scientists have reinforced the link between the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS), a debilitating disease affecting millions worldwide. This connection, initially identified by Professor Alberto Ascherio and his team, stems from their meticulous analysis of data from 10 million former military personnel in the United States. The study revealed that MS in individuals is almost consistently a delayed response following EBV infection, which is one of the most common viruses globally and a member of the herpes family.

In a climate where vitamin supplements saturate the market, an American physician’s advice could significantly influence consumer choices, including those in Thailand. Dr. Jaban Moore, a Kansas City-based functional medicine doctor, has highlighted potential adverse effects of specific synthetic vitamins and minerals and recommended more natural, bioavailable alternatives for maintaining optimal health.

Dr. Moore, whose holistic approach to health has gathered him a substantial social media following, suggests steering clear of certain widely-used supplements. In a compelling video, he warns against synthetic vitamin B12, magnesium oxide or citrate, and ferrous sulfate—suggesting that these compounds may pose health risks due to poor absorption and possible side effects, such as digestive distress and other systemic reactions.

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.

In a recent study involving 280,000 seniors from Wales, researchers have reported a significant link between receiving the shingles vaccine and a reduced risk of developing dementia. According to the study, published in the prestigious journal Nature, seniors who were vaccinated against shingles were found to be 20% less likely to develop dementia over a period of seven years compared to those who were not vaccinated. This discovery supports the emerging theory that viruses impacting the nervous system can influence dementia risk and suggests that preventive measures for dementia might already be accessible.

A simple and quick exercise known as the sit-to-stand test (STS) has emerged as a powerful indicator of aging and health, offering insights into the body’s strength, balance, and cardiovascular health. The test, which involves standing up from a seated position repeatedly in a span of 30 seconds, might seem trivial, but its implications are profound for medical assessment, particularly among the elderly.

The sit-to-stand test is widely used in primary healthcare settings to evaluate health functioning. Jugdeep Dhesi, a consultant geriatrician at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and professor of geriatric medicine at Kings College London, emphasizes its significance: “It tells us about their strength, their balance, and their flexibility,” she states. Research demonstrates a connection between lower scores in the test and risks of falls, cardiovascular issues, and even higher mortality.

On this World Health Day, April 7, 2025, attention turns to the fundamental role of early childhood nutrition in lifelong health, harmonizing with this year’s theme “My Health, My Right.” As health disparities persist globally, this theme champions equitable access to vital healthcare services regardless of socioeconomic status. Central to this discussion is the nutritional care during a child’s initial years—a pivotal factor in shaping health outcomes far beyond early development stages.

As spring ushers in a season of vibrant blooms, many in Thailand might find this beauty shadowed by the discomfort of seasonal allergies. A recent study indicates that the pollen season now arrives approximately 20 days earlier and spans 10 days longer than it did in 1990. With pollen levels reportedly increased by 21%, the challenges faced by individuals with allergies have intensified globally, including in Thailand where allergic rhinitis affects approximately 27% of the population, according to local studies.

In a landmark recognition of their transformative work on multiple sclerosis (MS), Dr. Alberto Ascherio from Harvard University and Dr. Stephen Hauser from the University of California, San Francisco, have been awarded the prestigious Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, sharing a $3 million prize. This prize is notable for its size, significantly exceeding that of a Nobel Prize monetary award, and highlights research that has fundamentally redefined our understanding of MS, a neurodegenerative condition affecting millions globally.

In a groundbreaking revelation, recent research published in the Journal of The Royal Society Interface has redefined our understanding of the aorta’s function within the human body. Known primarily as the primary conduit for oxygenated blood flowing from the heart to the rest of the body, the aorta has now emerged as a critical player that actively supports cardiovascular health. This discovery holds significant implications for individuals suffering from heart failure, a condition of growing concern in Thailand as well as globally.