Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Sitting Types and Dementia, Vitamin Recall, and Gene-Editing for Heart Disease

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Sitting Types and Dementia, Vitamin Recall, and Gene-Editing for Heart Disease · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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  Welcome to Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow, where we bring you the latest in medical and health news from around the world.
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  I'm Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow, your host.
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  Today, we're diving into some fascinating research about how different types of sitting
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  might affect your risk for dementia.
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  For years, researchers have suggested that prolonged sitting could raise the risk of
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  dementia.
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  But a recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals that the
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  type of sitting might actually matter more than previously thought.
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  This study, conducted by Swedish researchers, indicates that engaging in mentally active
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  sedentary behaviors—like reading or office work—could significantly reduce dementia risk
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  compared to mentally passive activities such as watching television.
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  To reach these findings, the researchers analyzed data from over 20,000 adults aged
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  between 35 and 64 over a 19-year period.
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  These participants reported their sitting habits, levels of physical activity, and other
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  lifestyle behaviors.
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  Dementia diagnoses were then identified using Swedish health and death records.
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  The study's lead researcher, Dr.
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  Mats Hallgren from the Karolinska Institute, emphasized that the way we use our brains while
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  sitting could be crucial for our cognitive health in the future.
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  The study sheds light on the importance of brain engagement during sedentary activities.
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  While all sitting involves minimal energy expenditure, the differentiation comes from how
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  much we engage our brains.
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  Dr.
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  Hallgren suggests that sitting with mental engagement may protect against dementia,
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  whereas passive sitting could increase the risk.
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  Although the study was conducted in Sweden, the researchers believe their findings could be
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  applicable to a broader global population.
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  This insight is essential for informing public health guidelines and developing preventive
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  strategies to reduce the risk of dementia worldwide.
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  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects that by the year 2060, nearly 14
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  million American adults will be living with Alzheimer's disease.
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  Studies like these offer valuable insights into how we might modify everyday behaviors to
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  protect our long-term brain health.
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  In today's health news, Health Canada has issued a national recall of Costco's Kirkland
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  Signature Women 50+ multivitamins due to the discovery of metal fragments in the product.
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  The Kirkland Signature brand, which is Costco's private-label line, is manufactured by Vita
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  Health Products.
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  The company has identified a potential presence of loose metal pieces within the pill bottles,
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  prompting this recall.
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  This recall has been classified as a Type 2 recall by Health Canada.
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  For those unfamiliar, a Type 2 designation signifies that using or being exposed to the
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  product may lead to temporary adverse health effects.
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  While the presence of metal fragments is concerning, it is not expected to cause
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  long-term health issues, but could still result in temporary discomfort or harm.
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  The specific identification number for this recall is RA-82110, and it affects the lot
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  number 5J46568W7.
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  Health Canada advises consumers who have purchased this product to consult their
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  healthcare providers before discontinuing use, especially if they have any health concerns.
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  Additionally, any potential side effects or adverse reactions should be reported to Health
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  Canada to help them monitor the situation effectively.
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  This incident highlights the importance of quality control in manufacturing processes,
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  especially for products that are consumed daily like multivitamins.
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  Consumers should always pay attention to recall notices and follow guidance from health
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  authorities to ensure safety.
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  In a recent breakthrough, scientists have made significant strides towards a potentially
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  groundbreaking treatment for heart disease—one that might require just a single intervention.
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  This experimental gene-editing approach has shown promise in dramatically lowering
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  cholesterol levels after just one infusion, possibly offering a permanent solution.
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  The findings were part of a small, preliminary study published in The New England Journal of
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  Medicine.
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  In this trial, 35 patients with genetically high levels of low-density lipoprotein
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  cholesterol, often referred to as the "bad" cholesterol, received a single infusion of the
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  highest dose available.
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  The results were impressive, with cholesterol levels dropping by as much as 62 percent.
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  This study is particularly noteworthy because most existing gene therapies focus on rare
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  diseases.
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  However, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States,
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  claiming nearly 800,000 lives annually.
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  The potential for a one-and-done treatment could revolutionize how we approach heart
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  disease prevention on a large scale.
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  Dr.
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  John H.
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  P.
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  Alexander, a cardiologist at Duke University who was not involved in the study, remarked on
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  the potential impact of such a treatment.
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  He noted that a curative approach could fundamentally change current debates and
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  guidelines about early treatment for heart disease.
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  The study's interim results are so promising that The New England Journal of Medicine
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  decided to publish them despite being preliminary.
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  Dr.
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  Eric Rubin, the journal's editor in chief, highlighted the ambitious nature of applying
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  cutting-edge gene therapy techniques to a major public health issue like heart disease.
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  While the initial study involved 35 participants, researchers plan to expand the
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  trial to include up to 85 patients, with a subsequent larger study involving 200 patients.
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  This expansion will be crucial for verifying the treatment's efficacy and safety on a
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  broader scale.
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  If future studies confirm these findings, this gene-editing therapy could transform the
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  landscape of cardiovascular disease prevention, offering hope for millions at risk of heart
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  disease.
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  This represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to combat one of the
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  world's most prevalent health challenges.
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  Our final story today explores a simple yet effective way to boost both your happiness and
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  health.
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  According to NPR journalist Manoush Zomorodi, the solution lies in taking regular movement
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  breaks throughout your day.
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  Her recent book, "Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science
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  to Reclaim Your Well-Being," highlights the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle,
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  which many of us are unknowingly leading.
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  Zomorodi explains that sitting for extended periods, whether at a desk or while scrolling
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  on your phone, can be more harmful than many realize.
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  The good news, however, is that adding five-minute movement breaks every 30 minutes
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  can significantly improve your health and productivity.
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  This approach is based on research conducted in collaboration with physiologist Keith Diaz from
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  Columbia University Medical Center.
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  The research involved participants incorporating five-minute movement breaks at
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  various intervals, such as every half hour, every hour, or every two hours.
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  These breaks could involve simple activities like marching in place during a phone call or
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  taking a quick walk around the house.
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  Remarkably, after two weeks, up to 82 percent of participants reported enjoying the breaks,
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  and fatigue levels dropped by as much as 28 percent.
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  One of the most surprising findings was that participants also experienced a 4 percent
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  increase in productivity.
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  Many found that these breaks helped them regain focus and clarity, leading to higher quality
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  work.
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  Zomorodi notes that the human body is designed to require movement, and modern technology
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  often minimizes this need.
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  By reintroducing movement into our daily routines, we can counteract the negative
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  effects of prolonged sitting.
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  Interestingly, as participants grew accustomed to taking breaks, many found they no longer
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  needed reminders to move.
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  Their internal cues for movement naturally resurfaced, demonstrating that our bodies
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  inherently know when we need to move.
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  This natural inclination underscores the importance of listening to our bodies and
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  making movement a regular part of our day.
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  So, if you're looking to enhance your well-being, consider incorporating regular
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  movement breaks into your daily routine.
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  It's a free, simple adjustment that can lead to significant improvements in your overall health
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  and happiness.
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  That's all for today's episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  Thank you for joining me as we explored the latest in health and medical news.
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  Remember, even small changes in your daily habits can make a big difference in your
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  health.
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  Until next time, take care and stay healthy.