Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Meal Timing & Brain Health, AI in Medicine, and E-Scooter Safety for Kids

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Meal Timing & Brain Health, AI in Medicine, and E-Scooter Safety for Kids · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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Welcome to "Morning Medical with Doctor Chow." I'm your host, Doctor Chi-Ming Chow.
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Every day, we're diving deep into the latest medical and health news from around the world,
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all brought to you with the help of artificial intelligence.
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Today, we're starting with some intriguing research on how the timing of meals might
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influence brain health as we age.
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A recent study presented at NUTRITION 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for
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Nutrition, suggests that the timing of when we eat could play a significant role in
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maintaining brain health.
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Researchers from Rutgers University found that limiting meals and snacks to an eight to
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nine-hour window each day might help preserve certain cognitive functions, such as thinking
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and problem-solving abilities.
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The study focused on women aged 50 to 79 who were either overweight or had obesity.
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These women were instructed to reduce their daily calorie intake by about 500 calories.
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Out of the 47 participants, 26 women were asked to consume all their food within a window of
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less than nine hours each day, typically between ten in the morning and six in the
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evening.
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Their average eating window was about 8.2 hours, compared to 12.3 hours for those who ate
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over a typical schedule.
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By the end of the six-month clinical trial, both groups of women lost an average of about
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15 pounds.
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However, the women who followed the time-restricted eating pattern performed
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significantly better on cognitive tests measuring spatial planning and problem-solving.
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Although differences in memory and learning tests were not statistically significant, these
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women tended to make fewer errors.
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Interestingly, researchers did not find meaningful differences between the groups when
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it came to reaction time or multitasking abilities.
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The lead investigator, Professor Sue Shapses from Rutgers University, noted that while the
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cognitive improvements were modest, they suggest that meal timing could help individuals
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better remember information needed for everyday tasks, potentially reducing mistakes related to
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memory, attention, and problem-solving.
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While the findings are promising, they are still preliminary and have not yet undergone
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the full peer review process required for publication in a scientific journal.
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Experts, including Wendy Hall, a professor of nutritional sciences at King’s College London,
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emphasize the need for larger, peer-reviewed studies to determine whether these cognitive
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improvements are clinically meaningful.
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The researchers propose that meal timing might influence brain health through various
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mechanisms, such as effects on circadian rhythms, inflammation, metabolism, and the
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body's nutrient-sensing pathways.
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Future studies will aim to explore these potential explanations further.
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A recent analysis of toddler foods available in the United States has revealed a concerning
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trend: four out of five of these foods are ultraprocessed.
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The research, which examined over 2,700 products, found that nearly half of these items
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do not meet at least one nutritional standard set by the World Health Organization for
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children.
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This is particularly alarming given the critical importance of nutrition during the
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early years of a child's life.
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Lead author Erin Hudson, a postdoctoral researcher at the department of pediatrics at
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Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, explained that over 80 percent of the toddler foods on grocery
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store shelves are ultraprocessed.
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These foods are often high in sugar and sodium, but the packaging does not always make this
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apparent to parents.
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The World Health Organization recommends that commercial foods marketed for young children
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should have no added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or concentrated fruit juices, and
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should limit saturated fats and sodium.
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The study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, highlighted
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that toddler products failing to meet the World Health Organization standards for sugar content
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were four times more likely to be ultraprocessed.
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Additionally, nearly a quarter of these foods exceeded recommended sodium levels, and some
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were high in fat and calorie density, including organic options.
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Common examples include fruit pouches and oat bars high in sugar, and ready-to-eat mac and
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cheese bowls and turkey sausages high in sodium and fat.
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Jane Houlihan, research director for Healthy Babies Bright Futures, pointed out that the
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problem with these ultraprocessed foods is not only their high sugar and salt content but also
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the healthy foods they displace in a child's diet.
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Consuming too many sweetened or processed foods can lead to a preference for sugar and
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artificial flavors over nutrient-dense options like whole grains and vegetables.
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The first 1,000 days of a child's life are crucial for brain development and establishing
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lifelong taste preferences.
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Eating a diet high in processed foods during these formative years can have long-lasting
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impacts on a child's health and dietary habits.
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Marissa Burgermaster, a senior study author and assistant professor of nutritional sciences at
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the University of Texas at Austin, emphasized that children can eat the same healthy foods as
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their family, just prepared appropriately for their age.
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Despite a proposal from the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2025 for a labeling
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system to indicate levels of added sugars, sodium, and saturated fats in packaged foods,
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products marketed to children under four years old are currently exempt.
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The Consumer Brands Association, representing the food industry, argues that there is no
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universally accepted definition of 'ultraprocessed' foods and cautions against
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cherry-picking data without rigorous scientific backing.
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To conduct the research, Hudson and her team visited 21 grocery stores in Austin, Texas,
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photographing and analyzing nutrition labels on foods marketed for children aged six to 36
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months.
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They excluded first foods like infant formula and purees, focusing instead on products like
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snacks and meals.
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The team looked at the ingredients for sugar, salt, saturated fats, total calories, and
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additives, comparing them to the NOVA classification system, which categorizes foods
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based on processing levels.
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The NOVA classification identifies ultraprocessed foods as those containing
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artificial ingredients not found in whole foods, such as preservatives, artificial
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colorings, and added sugars.
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Prior research has linked over 70 percent of baby and toddler foods to additives that may
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disrupt the gut microbiome and cause inflammation.
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Elizabeth Dunford from the University of North Carolina highlighted that in many cases, the
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top ingredient in these foods is not a fruit or vegetable but additives, which young children
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are not equipped to process.
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Until more robust federal guidelines are established, the responsibility falls on
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parents to scrutinize nutrition labels and choose healthier options.
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Parents should be wary of foods labeled as '100% fruit' or 'perfect for little fingers' as
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they may still contain high levels of sugar and artificial ingredients.
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Hudson recommends looking out for added sugars, saturated fats, and artificial flavors in
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ingredient lists, and opting for simpler, less processed foods whenever possible.
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Experts advise preparing meals at home, offering whole or diced fruits instead of
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processed pouches, and balancing snacks with a mix of proteins, healthy fats, and whole
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grains.
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While it may be challenging to navigate the grocery aisles, choosing less processed foods
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is a step toward better health outcomes for toddlers.
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A recent article by Doctor Fred Pelzman in MedPage Today delves into the growing use of
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artificial intelligence in medicine and its implications on the skills of healthcare
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professionals.
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With artificial intelligence systems increasingly taking on tasks across various
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sectors, the medical field is no exception.
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While these tools can perform mundane tasks and even some complex ones, there are concerns
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about the potential deskilling of medical practitioners.
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Pelzman highlights how artificial intelligence is being used in education, office work, and
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now, more prominently, in healthcare.
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Students use artificial intelligence to complete assignments, summarize readings, and
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study for exams.
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Office workers rely on artificial intelligence to manage emails and meetings.
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In healthcare, artificial intelligence is assisting with diagnosing diseases,
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interpreting scans, and even predicting patient outcomes.
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The article raises an important question: where do we draw the line between using artificial
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intelligence for efficiency and maintaining the human skills that define healthcare
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professionals?
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Pelzman reminisces about his early medical career, where seasoned clinicians relied
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heavily on their diagnostic skills without the aid of advanced technology.
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He recalls a particular incident during his internship at the VA hospital in San Francisco,
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where an experienced attending physician demonstrated the power of a thorough physical
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exam over relying solely on an echocardiogram.
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Pelzman notes that while technologies such as Wi-Fi-enabled dermatoscopes and artificial
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intelligence systems that read mammograms are groundbreaking, they also risk making us less
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reliant on our clinical judgment.
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The concern is that as these technologies become more prevalent, healthcare providers
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might lose the ability to make critical clinical decisions independently.
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He questions whether relying too heavily on artificial intelligence could lead to a loss of
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fundamental skills, much like never reading a book and only relying on a summary.
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Pelzman worries about the ramifications if technology fails and healthcare providers are
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left without their "peripheral brain."
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Pelzman acknowledges the benefits of artificial intelligence in medicine but urges caution.
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He suggests that while these tools are invaluable, it's crucial to retain traditional
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skills to ensure that the essence of patient care is not lost.
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Perhaps the future of medicine lies in balancing these advanced technologies with the
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human touch that has always been at the core of healthcare.
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With summer in full swing, many Canadians are likely noticing a growing number of electric
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scooters out on the roads.
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However, doctors are raising alarms about the "huge" number of children being admitted to
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hospitals following accidents involving these devices.
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This concern comes after a 22 percent spike in hospitalizations from electric scooter injuries
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across the country last year, according to data from the Canadian Institute for Health
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Information.
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Doctor April Kam, the head of the pediatric emergency medicine division at McMaster
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Children’s Hospital, reports that during the summer months, the highest volumes of these
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injuries occur.
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"We're seeing a huge number of kids getting hurt.
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And unfortunately, we do not think they need to be getting hurt," she says.
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A significant issue observed is the lack of helmet use among these young riders.
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Between 2024 and 2025, data revealed that 18 children up to the age of four and 241 children
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between the ages of five and 17 suffered injuries related to riding electric scooters.
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Over 1,000 Canadians were hospitalized due to electric scooter-related injuries during that
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year.
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A 2022 study from Statistics Canada also highlighted that the highest number of electric
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scooter incidents occur during the summer months, coinciding with the warmer Canadian
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climate.
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Experts warn that electric scooters are "not toys." A study by the Canadian Automobile
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Association in July 2025 noted that while these scooters have transformed urban mobility by
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providing convenient and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional vehicles, they have
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also introduced new challenges for urban planning and road safety.
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Crashes often occur in densely populated areas and on sidewalks, with injuries primarily
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associated with falls, affecting upper extremities like the face, neck, arms, torso,
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and causing soft tissue injuries.
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Doctor Sheena Belisle, an assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at the Schulich
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School of Medicine and Dentistry, emphasizes that children are at a higher risk of injury
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compared to adults.
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She stresses that electric scooters should not be considered toys and that children are
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physically too small to ride them safely.
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"Many of these children cannot even see over the top of the handlebars and they do not have
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the coordination to ride an electric scooter," she explains.
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Doctor Kam adds that the majority of children's injuries from electric scooters are not just
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minor scrapes and bruises.
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"Injury patterns include fractures, skull fractures, concussions, and abdominal injuries,
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including damage to kidneys and liver," she notes.
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Moreover, the increased use and availability of electric scooters may discourage children from
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getting regular exercise, which is crucial for their development.
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Electric scooters have become more accessible in recent years, with options to rent them for
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set times and distances.
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Doctor Belisle warns that as access increases, so does the risk of injuries among children,
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particularly in families that do not own one but rent them instead.
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"That may even be a greater risk," she says.
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While Canada has not implemented a national ban on children using electric scooters, various
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cities and provinces have their own rules.
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In Ontario, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan, youths aged 16 and
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older can drive electric scooters.
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In London, Ontario, it is illegal for those 15 years and younger to use them, and riders aged
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16 to 17 must wear helmets.
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They are also prohibited from being used on sidewalks.
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Doctor Kam and Doctor Belisle both acknowledge the appeal of electric scooters to children,
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but they emphasize the importance of recognizing these devices solely as modes of
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transportation.
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"They can accelerate from zero to up to 20 or 30 kilometers per hour very quickly, which puts
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children at an increased risk," Doctor Belisle explains.
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She urges parents to be aware of the risks associated with children riding these scooters.
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Doctor Kam suggests that more education and potentially stricter regulations could help
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mitigate these risks.
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"I feel like municipalities and provinces can help with more explicit legislation, fines, or
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public awareness campaigns and school-based education," she proposes.
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As the popularity of electric scooters continues to rise, ensuring the safety of young
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riders remains a critical concern.
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In a fascinating development in the field of cardiology, recent research has highlighted the
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predictive power of coronary artery calcium scores obtained from nongated computed
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tomography scans.
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Traditionally, these scans are performed for purposes other than assessing cardiovascular
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risk, but new findings suggest they can serve an additional, crucial role in risk
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stratification.
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A study led by Doctor Dhiran Verghese from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard
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Medical School demonstrated that incidental coronary artery calcium scores from nongated
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computed tomography scans accurately predicted cardiovascular risks in a community-based
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cohort.
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This could be significant for patients who might otherwise not undergo cardiovascular
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screening.
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The research found that participants with moderate or severe coronary artery calcium
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scores had significantly higher risks of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart
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disease compared to those with no detectable calcium.
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The study reinforces the idea of the 'power of zero,' where a coronary artery calcium score of
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zero is associated with low event rates, even when assessed on nongated scans.
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This approach could lead to broader accessibility for cardiovascular risk
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assessment.
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By utilizing nongated computed tomography scans, which are more commonly available than
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their gated counterparts, healthcare systems could reduce the need for repeated gated scans,
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thereby lowering both radiation exposure and healthcare costs.
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The United States guidelines now strongly endorse the use of incidental coronary artery
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calcium scoring from nongated computed tomography scans for atherosclerotic
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cardiovascular risk stratification.
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This could guide lipid-lowering therapy more effectively, potentially boosting prescription
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adherence among patients.
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An editorial accompanying the study emphasized the potential public health impact of
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systematically identifying coronary artery calcium in millions of chest computed
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tomography scans performed annually for noncardiac reasons.
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This method represents the promise of precision prevention at scale, leveraging existing data
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to identify high-risk individuals and offer tailored interventions.
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However, clinicians are urged to exercise caution when interpreting a coronary artery
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calcium score of zero from incidental nongated imaging, especially in high-risk individuals.
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Due to technical limitations and a higher rate of false negatives, a score of zero should not
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be used to falsely reassure patients or de-escalate necessary preventive therapies.
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Despite the potential for misclassification, the study suggests that most misclassification
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occurs in individuals with minimal disease unlikely to significantly alter risk
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stratification.
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This insight could help refine how we use these scores in clinical practice and enhance our
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approach to cardiovascular prevention.
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As we wrap up today's episode, it's clear that the integration of incidental coronary artery
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calcium scoring into routine nongated computed tomography scans could transform cardiovascular
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risk assessment, offering a more comprehensive view of patient health.
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This is yet another example of how advancements in medical research and technology can lead to
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more effective and personalized healthcare.
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Thank you for joining me today on "Morning Medical with Doctor Chow." I hope you found the
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information insightful and that it enriches your understanding of the latest developments
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in health and medicine.
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Until next time, stay informed and take care of your health.