#ThailandHealth

A new health buzz surrounds a so-called “wonder supplement” that tabloids claim could prevent cancer, improve heart health, and slow skin aging. While international outlets spark curiosity, Thai readers deserve a careful, evidence-based view on whether this hype translates to real-world benefits.

Media caution is warranted. A recent headline from a prominent U.S. outlet highlights a dietary compound supposedly delivering triple benefits, but experts stress that such bold claims require long-term human trials to confirm real-world effectiveness. The World Health Organization also emphasizes diet and lifestyle as the foundation of disease prevention, rather than relying on a single supplement.

A growing body of research is challenging the idea that any time is good for a workout. In particular, late-evening and nighttime exercise—especially when vigorous—may affect how well you sleep and influence markers of heart health. As urban Thais increasingly flock to parks and 24-hour gyms in Bangkok and other cities, understanding exercise timing has practical implications for daily well-being.

Many people in Thai cities juggle work, traffic, and social life, often fitting workouts after office hours. Evening strolls near Chiang Mai’s moat and HIIT sessions after work are common sights. A comprehensive 2025 study examined biometric data from more than 14,000 physically active individuals, compiling over four million nights of sleep. It found a clear dose-response: later and more intense evening workouts tended to delay sleep onset, shorten total sleep time, reduce sleep quality, raise nighttime resting heart rate, and lower heart rate variability. The effect persisted even among those who were physically fit, particularly when exercise ended within four hours of bedtime, according to research summarized by major outlets and peer-reviewed studies.

A new wave of scientific studies is challenging the popular belief that exercise at any time can boost well-being, highlighting a crucial factor for night-owl fitness enthusiasts: the clock. Recent research reported by Fortune see the article and corroborated by peer-reviewed studies has found that evening and nighttime workouts—especially when intense—may not only disrupt your sleep quality but also influence key markers of cardiovascular health. As health-conscious Thais flock to recreational parks and 24-hour fitness centers across Bangkok and major cities, the emerging science on exercise timing carries practical significance for millions striving for both physical and mental well-being.

Striving for a longer, healthier life may be as simple as adding just three key exercises to your weekly routine, according to leading fitness experts and new research trends. Ollie Thompson, a renowned personal trainer and founder of Welltolead, has sparked discussion across the health community with his claim that growing stronger through resistance training isn’t just about muscle—it’s central to extending your “healthspan,” allowing you to “live better for longer” and remain physically independent into old age. This message, detailed in a recent feature in The Independent, highlights a trio of exercises that deliver outsized benefits for joint health, balance, posture, and overall vitality, in line with mounting scientific evidence from around the globe (The Independent).

If you often feel like your intense workouts at the gym seem to last forever, you are not alone—and science may finally have an explanation. According to a new study published in the journal Brain and Behaviour and reported by The Guardian, pushing yourself hard during exercise can cause a “time warp” effect that makes your workout feel subjectively longer than it actually is. This finding could have important implications for anyone hoping to improve their fitness—or simply survive a particularly sweaty spin class—with researchers suggesting that our perception of time may be heavily influenced by the discomfort and effort of the activity itself (The Guardian).

New findings from UK researchers show that marathon training does more than boost fitness. Novice runners who commit to six months of preparation can lower systolic blood pressure and improve arterial health, making arteries function like those of someone younger. The study, led by researchers at Barts Health NHS Trust and University College London and funded by the British Heart Foundation, tracked central blood pressure and arterial stiffness before and after a six-month training plan.

As the excitement builds for the 2025 London Marathon, emerging research is offering even more reasons to lace up those running shoes. Scientists have discovered that not only does marathon training boost fitness, but it can also lower blood pressure and make your arteries function as though they are years younger—a finding with significant implications for heart health in Thailand and beyond (Get Surrey).

This ground-breaking revelation comes from a study conducted by Barts Health NHS Trust and University College London, funded by the British Heart Foundation. Their research focused specifically on novice marathon runners, measuring both their central blood pressure and the stiffness of their main artery—called arterial stiffness—before and after six months of marathon preparation. The results were compelling: participants recorded a reduction of 4mmHg in their systolic blood pressure (the higher number in a blood pressure reading) and a 3mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure (the lower number). Even more notably, they experienced an improvement in arterial elasticity equivalent to turning the clock back on their arteries by four years.

A growing body of research is upending longstanding beliefs about what we should eat for a longer, healthier life. Recent findings summarized by Earth.com suggest that while eating meat can boost short-term survival—such as helping the body recover from illness or injury—plant-based diets are associated with greater longevity, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and adding years to life expectancy. This evolving understanding is fueling an important debate for Thai families, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, as diet-linked diseases like heart disease and diabetes continue to rise in Thailand.

A landmark international study suggests medical cannabis may support cancer treatment, potentially slowing disease progression and improving quality of life for patients. Described as the largest investigation to date, the research tracked thousands of cancer patients prescribed cannabis-based medicines as part of their care. While results are encouraging, experts caution that longer, controlled studies are needed to confirm cause and effect and determine optimal dosing. Data from leading medical centers and public health researchers indicates significant relief from pain, nausea, and anxiety, alongside improvements in quality of life for some participants.

A groundbreaking new study has added weight to the growing evidence that medical cannabis could play an important role in the fight against cancer, capturing international attention this week. The research, described as the largest-ever investigation into medical cannabis and cancer outcomes, found that certain cannabis-based medicines may help slow disease progression and improve quality of life for people diagnosed with cancer. Published results have sparked hope among patients, clinicians, and medical researchers globally—including in Thailand, where conversations around both cannabis regulation and cancer care remain highly relevant. [Source: The Guardian]

A growing body of research is reshaping our understanding of the foods that promote a longer, healthier life. Recent findings summarized for a general audience show that meat can support short-term recovery after illness or injury, while plant-based diets are consistently linked with greater longevity and lower risk of chronic diseases. For Thai families, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, these insights come at a crucial time as diet-related illnesses rise in Thailand.

A new wave of health buzz surrounds a so-called “wonder supplement” that, according to recent headlines, might prevent cancer, boost heart health, and slow skin aging. With claims making the rounds in international media, including the New York Post, Thai health enthusiasts are keen to know: Does this supplement live up to the hype – and should it be part of everyday wellness here in Thailand?

The recent New York Post article, “The wonder supplement you’ve never heard of prevents cancer, makes your heart healthier and slows skin aging” (source), shines a spotlight on a dietary compound that supposedly delivers a triple health benefit. While the article stops short of naming the supplement in its headline and lead (pending full content access), such bold claims inevitably spark debate among health professionals and everyday consumers alike. For Thai audiences accustomed to a surge of imported wellness trends—ranging from collagen powders to herbal extracts—skepticism and curiosity go hand-in-hand.

A trio of movements could help you live longer and stronger, according to fitness experts and recent trends in health research. A prominent trainer argues that resistance work does more than build muscle; it supports independence and vitality well into older age. The piece highlights three exercises that benefit joints, balance, posture, and overall energy, aligning with growing scientific evidence from around the world. Research from leading institutions shows resistance training complements aerobic exercise for longevity.

A new study in Brain and Behaviour reveals a neural and experiential reason why intense workouts can drag on. Researchers found that during demanding exercise, people tend to overestimate elapsed time by about 10 percent. The effect, described as a “time warp,” is linked to the heightened focus on bodily signals like pain and fatigue. This insight has implications for both personal training and how fitness programs are designed to keep people engaged.

A team of scientists in London has made a significant leap in understanding how the human brain solves unfamiliar problems—a discovery that could transform approaches to brain injury diagnosis and rehabilitation worldwide, including in Thailand. The findings, published on April 16, 2025, in the prestigious journal Brain, spotlight the right frontal lobe as a critical hub for logical thinking and problem solving, advancing decades of brain research Source: The Independent.

This development is particularly relevant for Thai readers, given the high incidence of stroke and brain injury in the country and the challenges faced by patients and their families during recovery. With the increased aging population and prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Thailand, understanding how cognitive functions can be impaired—or rehabilitated—after brain injury is essential for both health professionals and the general public.

Thai consumers have been swept up in the growing craze for collagen supplements, drawn by alluring promises of firmer skin, thicker hair, and pain-free joints. But with social media influencers, celebrities, and supplement brands all fueling the trend, how much of the hype is actually backed by solid scientific evidence? Recent international research and expert commentary provide a clearer picture of what collagen supplements can—and can’t—do for your health, with important implications for Thai readers considering adding collagen to their daily routines.

Thai consumers are embracing collagen supplements with promises of firmer skin, thicker hair, and relief from joint pain. With influencers, celebrities, and brands fueling the trend, what does the science actually say? Experts and recent research offer a clearer view for Thai readers considering collagen as part of daily wellness.

Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein, forming the scaffolding that keeps skin elastic and joints strong. As we age, natural collagen production declines, contributing to wrinkles and stiffness. This has driven a booming market for collagen powders, capsules, and drinks—now widely available in Bangkok’s pharmacies and online marketplaces. Yet the abundance of options makes it essential to distinguish marketing from evidence-based science.

A breakthrough study from London researchers reveals how the brain handles unfamiliar challenges, offering new avenues for diagnosis and rehabilitation in Thailand and beyond. Published in Brain, the study highlights the right frontal lobe as a crucial hub for logical thinking and problem solving, building on decades of brain research. According to experts, this insight could improve how clinicians assess and treat cognitive deficits after brain injury.

Thailand faces a high burden from stroke and brain injuries, with an aging population and rising non-communicable diseases adding pressure to healthcare. Understanding cognitive functions after injury helps healthcare professionals guide patients and families through recovery. Data from Thailand’s public health system shows stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability, underscoring the need for comprehensive rehabilitation that includes cognitive assessment.

A new study led by a researcher at East Tennessee State University aims to tackle vitamin deficiencies that affect millions. With a $450,000 grant from a foundation focused on food and agriculture, the team uses machine learning and rapid robotic screening to boost the vitamin content of staple seeds, starting with soybeans. This work offers a practical path to healthier diets worldwide, including in Thailand.

For Thai audiences, the relevance is clear. Thailand has reduced severe malnutrition over the years, but micronutrient gaps—iron, vitamin A, and folate—persist among vulnerable groups such as rural children, pregnant women, and urban poor. These hidden deficiencies can stunt growth and lower productivity. Data from UNICEF Thailand underscores the priority of improving micronutrient intake in Southeast Asia, where rice-based diets often lack diversity.

The specter of polio, a disease once on the brink of global eradication, is looming large yet again as new reports from 2025 reveal troubling spikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan, compounded by global aid disruptions and vaccine skepticism1. For Thai readers, these developments sound an urgent warning: even diseases thought to be “conquered” can return if public health vigilance lapses, offering a stark lesson relevant to Thailand’s ongoing immunization efforts and pandemic preparedness.

A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Tianhu Sun of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) aims to tackle one of the world’s most pervasive but invisible health issues: vitamin deficiencies. Armed with a $450,000 grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, Dr. Sun and his team are harnessing advanced genetic tools — including machine learning and high-throughput robotic screening — to enhance the vitamin content of staple crop seeds, starting with soybeans. This innovative approach promises realistic, sustainable solutions for improving the nutrient profile of everyday foods worldwide, a change that could echo meaningfully in Thailand and beyond (SciTechDaily).

It might be easy to take touch for granted—until something goes wrong. But in recent research led by Harvard neurobiologist David Ginty, and reported by Quanta Magazine on April 16, 2025, scientists are uncovering an astonishingly intricate “landscape” of cellular sensors that give rise to the rich, nuanced sense of touch. Far surpassing the simplicity of earlier textbook diagrams, these findings paint touch as the most complex human sense, rooted in a vast, diverse family of sensory neurons scattered across skin and internal organs (Quanta Magazine).

Polio, once nearing global eradication, now faces renewed risk as reports from 2025 highlight spikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The disruptions to aid campaigns and rising vaccine skepticism threaten progress and offer a crucial lesson for Thailand’s immunization and pandemic preparedness.

Despite decades of effort, polio has never fully left the world. The latest warnings focus on Pakistan and Afghanistan—the last two nations with active wild polio transmission. In 2024, Pakistan saw a sharp rise in cases, while Afghanistan reported dozens of infections, underscoring how operational challenges and vaccination gaps persist. Early 2025 figures show continued, though smaller, case numbers, reminding health officials that the virus can rebound with the right conditions.

Touch is more intricate than we often admit. A new wave of research led by a renowned neurobiologist from Harvard and summarized by Quanta Magazine in April 2025 reveals a vast landscape of cellular sensors that shape our sense of touch. The study describes touch as the most complex human sense, built from a diverse family of sensory neurons scattered across skin and internal organs. In Thai media, this finding invites a deeper look at how touch connects with health, education, culture, and daily life.