#ThailandHealth

A groundbreaking study recently published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings has unveiled a potential new “gold standard” in cholesterol treatment, which could prevent over 330,000 deaths annually caused by cardiovascular diseases. Spearheaded by an international team led by Professor Maciej Banach from the John Paul II Catholic University in Lublin, this research represents the largest meta-analysis to date examining the efficacy of cholesterol-lowering treatments for those at high risk of heart attacks and strokes. The study found that combining statins with ezetimibe, instead of using statins alone, significantly lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol and reduces mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

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.

In the vibrant cacophony of modern life, stress has become a near-constant companion for many. Amidst global disruptions, economic shifts, and the relentless scroll of social media, a new report suggests that stress isn’t just an individual burden—it’s contagious. Recognizing and managing this “stress contagion” is increasingly vital for maintaining mental wellness.

Understanding the contagious nature of stress offers insight into how emotions and behaviors spread within communities and social groups, much like physical viruses. The report from the Washington Post explores how stress can be transmitted from one individual to another, exacerbated by the omnipresence of social media where stressors are magnified. Natalia Duque-Wilckens, an assistant professor at North Carolina State University, emphasizes how humans, being inherently social beings, often transmit stress through the sharing of negative news.

Recent research conducted by Katerina Johnson and Laura Steenbergen, published in the journal npj Mental Health Research, indicates that probiotics may reduce negative feelings, offering potential mental health benefits. This study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the benefits of probiotics go beyond gut health and extend into mental well-being. Probiotics, commonly consumed through yogurts, fermented cheeses, and supplements, harbor beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which can influence not just physical health but how we feel, potentially impacting mood regulation.

A recently published report in Stat News raises alarms on the burgeoning wellness industry, highlighting its unintentional role in the potential spread of diseases like the H5N1 bird flu. At a staggering $6.3 trillion, this industry’s inclination towards natural alternatives and distrust in scientific rigor has far-reaching consequences, not just affecting human populations but also posing a grave threat to animals and public health. The spread of this disease raises significant concerns, particularly as it intersects with popular trends in veterinary wellness.

In recent years, creatine has surged as a prominent supplement in the wellness community, often praised for its benefits in muscle, brain, and bone health. However, misinformation around creatine persists, fueled by misconceptions and outdated studies. A recent article on mindbodygreen sought to debunk five pervasive myths about creatine, with insights from Darren Candow, Ph.D., a leading researcher in the field. Understanding these truths can guide Thai readers in making informed decisions regarding this popular supplement.

In an era where medical advancements constantly vie for public attention, Dr. John Scharffenberg, a 101-year-old physician and adjunct professor at Loma Linda University’s School of Public Health, offers simple yet timeless health advice: live longer through lifestyle changes. Known for driving his red Toyota Prius and sharing wisdom on YouTube, Dr. Scharffenberg’s practical guidance is influencing a global audience, including recent lectures in Madagascar and across Europe.

Despite lacking a genetic predisposition for longevity—his mother succumbed to Alzheimer’s in her 60s, and his father died of a heart attack at 76—Dr. Scharffenberg attributes his century-plus life to his active lifestyle and unique dietary choices.

In a concerning revelation for public health, recent research has established a link between heavy alcohol consumption and increased risk of brain lesions along with heightened odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease. According to a study published online in Neurology, consuming eight or more alcoholic drinks per week is associated with brain lesions known as hyaline arteriolosclerosis—indicative of damaged blood vessels that restrict blood flow, potentially impairing memory and cognitive abilities.

A recent study underscores the importance of dietary changes in managing cholesterol levels, shedding light on processed meats as a critical factor. In a world where cholesterol often conjures images of heart disease, it’s essential to understand its dual nature. Cholesterol, a fat-like substance, plays vital roles, from hormone production to cell building. However, when low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol, accumulates excessively, it leads to health risks like heart attacks and strokes.

A recent study from The Lundquist Institute has sparked discussion within the health community, suggesting that the low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet may not, after all, increase the risk of heart disease despite previous concerns about elevated cholesterol levels. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances, brings new insights into the cardiovascular risk associated with the popular keto diet, often adopted for its benefits in managing various chronic conditions.

Doctors and health experts from Vail Health recently advocated for considering nutrition as one would a prescription medication, underscoring its vital role in preventing chronic diseases. During a panel held on April 3, experts shared insights into how a balanced diet can fend off conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and dementia.

Dr. Susie Vickerman, a family medicine physician at Colorado Mountain Medical, highlighted the often-overlooked preventive power of nutrition. “If society as a whole placed the importance on nutrition the same way they do on medication, we would have a whole lot less chronic disease,” she explained. The discussion emphasized nutrition not just as part of treatment, but as a preventative measure against disease development.

As health-conscious individuals, it’s not uncommon for those of us in Thailand to turn to dietary supplements as a means of enhancing our well-being. However, recent research highlights alarming findings from a study published in JAMA Network Open in 2024, pointing out that certain popular supplements might pose significant risks to our liver’s health. This is particularly crucial given that the liver is central to our body’s ability to detoxify and metabolize substances, and damage to it can result in severe health repercussions, including liver failure.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has raised alarms over the increasing prevalence of invasive Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections, more infamously known as the flesh-eating disease, across ten states in the United States. This extensive research, covering around 35 million people over a decade, reports a worrying trend with cases doubling since 2022. For Thai readers, understanding the nature of this disease and its potential implications is crucial in a globally connected world where diseases can swiftly cross borders.

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that consuming combinations of common food additives could incrementally increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Conducted by researchers from Université Sorbonne Paris Nord and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, the study analyzed data from over 108,000 French adults who participated in the NutriNet-Santé study. This longstanding research initiative explores various food-health connections. The findings highlight that while individual additives have been tied to several health issues previously, this research points to the potentially heightened risk posed by mixtures more commonly found in today’s diets.

The burgeoning $6.3 trillion wellness industry, often celebrated for promoting natural remedies and health innovations, is now under scrutiny for potentially facilitating viral outbreaks that threaten both animal and human populations. Central to this concern is the raw pet food market, which significantly overlaps with anti-science sentiment, and the misinformation that is causing harm beyond consumer health. With the recent spread of the H5N1 bird flu, there are increasing fears that this could be the seed of the next global pandemic.

Recent cutting-edge research from MIT and Harvard Medical School reveals that cytokines, immune molecules that play a crucial role in fighting infections, also affect brain functions, inducing profound behavioral changes such as anxiety or increased sociability. This discovery opens new avenues for understanding the interconnectedness of the immune and nervous systems and illuminates potential pathways for treating neurological conditions like autism and depression.

Cytokines, including a variety named IL-17, have been the focus of these transformative studies. Researchers discovered that IL-17 operates in the brain’s distinct regions—the amygdala and the somatosensory cortex—eliciting contrasting effects. Within the amygdala, IL-17 induces anxiety, while in the cortex, it promotes sociability. These dual roles underscore a complex interaction between the brain and immune system, suggesting that behavioral changes during illness are not solely due to physical fatigue but also to brain functions being directly modulated by immune activity.

In a significant leap toward understanding brain communication, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have harnessed cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to reveal how glutamate, a key neurotransmitter, activates brain channels. This discovery not only deepens our understanding of neural communication processes but also paves the way for novel treatments for neurological conditions like epilepsy and specific intellectual disabilities source.

The ability of our brains to engage with the environment and learn is fundamentally dependent on the chemical interplay between neurons. At the heart of this communication network is glutamate, a neurotransmitter that binds to AMPA receptors, triggering electrical signals that pass through neurons like messages along a bustling Thai street during rush hour. This study, spearheaded by Johns Hopkins researchers in collaboration with UTHealth Houston scientists, was recently published in the esteemed journal Nature.

In a recent article by the BBC, choline, an underrecognized nutrient, is highlighted for its vital role in brain health and development. Although not widely known, choline is crucial for cognitive performance, neurodevelopment, and mental well-being. This newfound awareness about choline underscores its potential in enhancing brain functions and protecting against various disorders.

Choline is not classified as a vitamin or mineral, yet it is essential for the human nervous system’s healthy functioning. Emerging evidence points to its role in improving cognitive function and safeguarding against disorders like ADHD and dyslexia. Furthermore, choline supports neurodevelopment, with studies revealing that maternal consumption of choline during pregnancy can enhance infants’ cognitive processing speeds. Profoundly involved in brain function, choline aids in producing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter vital for memory and learning, and is linked to reduced risks of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

A recent study from The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, along with various research collaborators, challenges the long-held belief linking high cholesterol from low-carb ketogenic diets to increased heart disease risk. This study, which will likely spark significant discussions among health professionals and the general public alike, could reshape dietary recommendations for millions of individuals globally, including Thailand, where ketogenic diets have gained popularity among people seeking weight loss and improved health outcomes.

As we advance in years, maintaining mobility often becomes a challenge. However, the latest research by Dr. Kelly Starrett, a physical therapist with a background in athletics, suggests that it need not be an inevitability of aging. His insights, recently discussed on CNN, highlight practical strategies that older adults can employ to retain and even enhance their flexibility and independence.

Starrett emphasizes the misconception that reduced range of motion is an unavoidable consequence of aging. Instead, he proposes that efforts should focus on maintaining and regaining one’s natural range of motion. The couple’s recent book, “Built To Move: The 10 Essential Habits To Help You Move Freely and Live Fully,” coauthored with Juliet Starrett, outlines simple yet effective practices that can be integrated into daily routines without overwhelming time commitments.

Recent research led by MIT and Harvard Medical School has uncovered the intriguing role that the immune molecule interleukin-17 (IL-17) plays in shaping social behavior and anxiety by acting directly on specific brain regions. This groundbreaking study reveals that IL-17 serves dual functions: enhancing sociability by reducing neuron excitability in the brain’s cortex and triggering anxiety by increasing excitability in the amygdala. These findings suggest IL-17 acts like a neuromodulator, drawing a fascinating link between immune system activity and behavioral outcomes, with potential implications for the treatment of conditions like autism and depression (Neuroscience News).

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have uncovered that increased blood flow correlates with greater stiffness in the hippocampus, a crucial brain area for memory and learning. This finding, significant for its implications for early Alzheimer’s detection, emerges from research conducted at the University of Washington.

The hippocampus holds particular importance because it is often one of the first brain regions affected by Alzheimer’s disease, which severely impacts memory and cognitive function. Scientists utilized magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to precisely measure tissue stiffness, discovering that enhanced blood flow makes the hippocampus stiffer, a trait not observed in other brain regions.

In a surprising turn that challenges long-standing public health directives, a study by the Cleveland Clinic has revealed that the influenza vaccine meant to combat the 2024-2025 flu season may have inadvertently increased the risk of infection among recipients. Conducted under the leadership of Dr. Nabin Shrestha, the research analyzed the health records of over 53,000 employees from the clinic’s Ohio locations, finding a 27% higher infection risk for those vaccinated compared to their unvaccinated counterparts source.

As plastic pollution continues to be a global environmental scourge, the effects of microplastics on human health remain a pressing question. Research in this area is accelerating, with a prominent study from the University of New Mexico revealing alarming insights. Led by toxicologist Matthew Campen, the team has identified a significant increase in microplastics present in human brain samples from 2024 compared to those from 2016. This research indicates microplastics are steadily accumulating in our bodies, casting uncertainty over potential health impacts.