Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Antidepressants, THC Duration, and the Portfolio Diet

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Antidepressants, THC Duration, and the Portfolio Diet · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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Good morning, everyone!
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Welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow.
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I'm your host, Dr.
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Chi-Ming Chow.
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Today, we're diving into an important topic that affects many people around the world: the
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side effects of antidepressants.
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Antidepressants are a common treatment for depression, but like any medication, they can
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come with their own set of challenges.
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Let's explore what you need to know about these side effects and how to manage them.
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Antidepressants can ease many symptoms of depression, but side effects are often part of
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the package.
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Some are manageable, while others might be more challenging.
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In rare cases, they can be serious, requiring a change in medication.
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The key is to communicate with your doctor about any side effects that are bothering you.
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Your doctor can help you find relief and adjust your treatment plan if necessary.
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As Dr.
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Stephen Ferber from the Cleveland Clinic explains, "We're going off of what the patient
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is telling us, and then based on that information, we can make an appropriate
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recommendation."
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There are some side effects that are commonly reported with antidepressants.
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These include nausea, weight gain, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness,
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anxiety, headache, diarrhea or constipation, sexual problems, fatigue, tremors, and
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increased sweating.
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You might experience many of these, a few, or none at all.
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Some side effects may disappear after a few weeks of starting the medication, while others,
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like sexual issues, may persist.
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It's important to seek help if you experience any sexual side effects.
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In addition to the more common side effects, there are also lesser-known ones to be aware
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of.
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For example, some people might experience a lower tolerance for alcohol, which can lead to
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an extra sedative effect when combined with antidepressants.
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Bleeding is another concern, particularly with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, as
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they can affect platelet clotting.
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Additionally, some individuals might experience lower sodium levels in their blood, known as
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hyponatremia, which can lead to symptoms like headaches, confusion, nausea, and even
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seizures.
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It's crucial to monitor for these symptoms, especially in the first few weeks of starting
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an antidepressant.
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Not everyone will experience side effects, and reactions can vary even among individuals
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taking the same medication.
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Factors such as other medications, age, and genetics can influence how someone responds to
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antidepressants.
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For instance, older people are generally more prone to side effects, and genetic factors can
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affect how your body metabolizes the medication.
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There are several strategies to help manage these side effects.
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Eating small, frequent meals can help with digestion, while staying hydrated and
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maintaining a balanced diet can also be beneficial.
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Regular exercise and relaxation techniques like yoga or deep breathing can ease some side
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effects.
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Depending on the specific side effect, there are additional measures you can take, such as
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sucking on sugarless candy for nausea or taking your medication at night to combat fatigue.
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It's always a good idea to discuss these strategies with your doctor to ensure they're
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appropriate for you.
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It's also important to recognize that some effects of antidepressants aren't physical.
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Emotional blunting, where you might feel emotionally numb, is a common experience.
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Managing this can involve talking to a therapist, adjusting your medication dose with
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your doctor's guidance, or engaging in activities that naturally boost serotonin
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levels, like exercise or light therapy.
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Remember, medication isn't the only treatment for depression, and psychotherapy plays a vital
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role in addressing underlying issues.
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If you're experiencing serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or drastic mood
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changes, it's imperative to contact your doctor immediately.
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Sometimes, antidepressants can interact with other medications, leading to severe health
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issues.
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Pay attention to any new or worsening symptoms, and don't hesitate to seek medical advice.
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If the side effects of your current antidepressant are too overwhelming, talk to
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your doctor about switching medications.
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It's crucial not to stop taking your medication abruptly, as this can lead to withdrawal
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symptoms or worsen your depression.
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Your doctor will guide you through the process safely, whether it involves tapering off your
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current medication or starting a new one.
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Remember, finding the right medication can take time, and it's essential to work closely with
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your healthcare provider.
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Let's delve into the topic of how long weed, or marijuana, stays in your system.
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With the increasing legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational use, more
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Americans are using it than ever.
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Whether people are vaping it, smoking it, or consuming it in products like brownies,
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cookies, gummies, drinks, and even popcorn, the question of how long it lingers in the body is
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crucial for many, especially in states where marijuana is still banned or where employers
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require drug tests.
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So, how does your body process tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the compound
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responsible for the high from marijuana?
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If you smoke or vape weed, THC enters your bloodstream through your lungs and then travels
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to your brain and other organs.
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If you consume it through edibles or drinks, THC is absorbed into your bloodstream through
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your liver.
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Most of the weed leaves your body relatively quickly through urine or feces.
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Approximately 65 percent is excreted in feces, and 20 percent in urine.
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However, some components, known as metabolites, get stored in the fatty tissues of your body
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and are released slowly over time.
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These metabolites are then metabolized by your liver and eventually excreted.
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This storage process is why THC can be detected in a drug test weeks after use.
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The amount of time weed stays in your system depends on several factors, including how often
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you use it, the THC content of the weed, whether you inhale or ingest it, and your
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metabolism.
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Other factors, such as your sex, hydration level, body mass index, overall health,
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lifestyle, and genetics, also play a role.
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For a one-time use, THC might be detectable for up to three days.
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For moderate use, which is about four times a week, it could be detectable for five to seven
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days.
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Once-daily use might result in detection for 10 to 15 days, and for heavy users, it could be 30
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days or more.
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Different types of drug tests can detect THC for varying lengths of time.
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Blood tests can detect THC up to 12 hours after use, while hair tests can detect it for up to
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90 days.
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Spit tests might detect THC for up to 24 hours, and urine tests, which are the most common, can
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detect it for up to 30 days or longer in heavy users.
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Hair tests are particularly used to check for long-term and heavy marijuana use.
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It is important to note that THC takes time to build up in hair follicles, so a hair test may
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not show positive results until seven to 10 days after usage.
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When it comes to edibles, THC enters your organs and bloodstream more slowly than when
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inhaled, and the high tends to last longer.
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Drug tests can still detect THC from edibles because your liver breaks it down into
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metabolites.
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You might expect THC to be detectable in urine for up to a week after consuming an edible, and
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longer if consumed frequently.
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Some individuals try to speed up the elimination of THC from their system by
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drinking lots of fluids or using detox kits, but there's no scientific evidence to support
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these methods.
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The only sure way to pass a drug test is to abstain from marijuana use.
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Detox kits often come in the form of drinks, teas, or powders and may contain diuretics or
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herbs that increase urination.
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However, these kits are not regulated, can contain harmful ingredients, and their
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effectiveness is questionable.
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If you're looking to stop using weed, seeking professional support can be beneficial.
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During the detox process, staying hydrated, eating nutritious foods, and regular exercise
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can help manage withdrawal symptoms.
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Limiting caffeine can also aid in reducing anxiety and improving sleep.
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Remember, each person's body is different, and the time it takes for THC to leave your system
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can vary widely.
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Today, we're exploring a topic that's become increasingly relevant in our modern,
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tech-driven lifestyles: how blue light can affect your health.
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With so many of us spending long hours in front of screens—whether it's scrolling through
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social media, watching television, or working on our laptops—it's important to understand the
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implications of blue light exposure.
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Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum and includes several colors: red,
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orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
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Together, these colors make up the white light we see when the sun is shining.
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The sun is actually the main source of blue light, but it's also emitted by fluorescent and
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LED light bulbs, as well as the screens of our electronic devices.
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Blue light has shorter wavelengths and higher energy compared to other colors.
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Some research suggests that short-wave blue light, particularly in the range of 415 to 455
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nanometers, might be linked to eye damage.
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The light from LEDs used in smartphones, televisions, and tablets typically falls within
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the 400 to 490 nanometers range.
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There's growing concern about the potential harm of blue light from digital screens.
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High-energy light, like ultraviolet rays and blue light, can increase the risk of eye
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diseases.
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Digital eyestrain, or computer vision syndrome, is thought to affect about 50 percent of
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computer users.
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Symptoms include dry, irritated eyes and blurred vision.
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Blue light might also damage your retinas, a phenomenon known as phototoxicity.
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Studies have shown that blue light exposure may lead to permanent vision changes, such as
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age-related macular degeneration.
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This condition affects the retina and can result in vision loss.
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Some research indicates that blue light might trigger the release of toxic molecules in
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photoreceptor cells, causing damage that contributes to macular degeneration.
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Beyond eye health, blue light can also affect your sleep.
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It can disrupt your circadian rhythm, or sleep cycle, by signaling your brain to stay awake
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when it should be winding down.
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As little as two hours of exposure to blue light at night can slow or stop the release of
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melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.
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To improve sleep quality, it's recommended to power down digital devices at least three hours
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before bedtime.
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There are also studies suggesting that blue light exposure might increase your risk for
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certain cancers.
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For example, people who work night shifts and are exposed to artificial lighting, which
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includes a lot of blue light, may have a higher risk of breast, prostate, and colorectal
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cancers.
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For children, the risks of blue light exposure are even greater.
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Kids' eyes don't filter blue light as effectively as adults', which can increase
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their likelihood of developing nearsightedness, obesity, and attention issues.
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At night, blue light can interfere with their melatonin production even more than it does in
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adults, so it's crucial to limit screen time for children, especially before bedtime.
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Interestingly, while nighttime exposure to blue light is linked to depressive symptoms,
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exposure during the day can have the opposite effect.
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Blue light therapy has actually been used to treat seasonal affective disorder, a type of
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depression related to changes in seasons.
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Research indicates that 20 minutes of blue light exposure in the morning can help
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alleviate symptoms of this disorder.
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Today, I want to share an intriguing initiative from Morse High School in Bath, Maine.
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The school has decided to replace traditional detention with something a bit more
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unconventional: "detention hikes." This program allows students to opt for a walk in nature as
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a disciplinary measure instead of sitting in a classroom.
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The idea was introduced by school counselor Leslie Trundy, an avid hiker, who believes in
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the positive impact of fresh air and exercise on students' well-being.
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Initially, some students were skeptical about the hikes, considering them potentially boring.
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However, many quickly grew fond of the experience, appreciating the opportunity to
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enjoy the outdoors, observe wildlife, and engage in conversations with peers.
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These hikes, which span roughly three miles, have reportedly lifted students' moods and made
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them feel more positive by the end of the walk.
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Leslie Trundy shared that students often express gratitude after these hikes, noting the
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positive change in their demeanor.
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One student, Elsie Nelson-Walling, mentioned that after attending several detention hikes
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due to skipping class, she felt more engaged with school.
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She even volunteered for additional hikes, not because she was in trouble, but simply to enjoy
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the experience.
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The benefits of walking extend beyond just a mood boost.
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Recent research supports the idea that walking can improve brain health.
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A study from Mass General Brigham indicates that even small amounts of walking might slow
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down brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.
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Psychiatrist Dr.
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Daniel Amen highlighted that walking increases blood flow to the brain, which can be
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beneficial for cognitive health.
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Moreover, exposure to sunlight and fresh air during these hikes can enhance the immune
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system and support overall health.
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Dr.
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Roger Seheult, a critical care physician, notes that aromatic compounds released by trees,
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known as phytoncides, can have healing effects on the body.
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Even a weekly visit to a park can significantly impact one's immune system for several days.
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This approach to discipline is not just about punishment but also about teaching students
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emotional regulation and providing a healthy outlet for their emotions.
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It's a form of "respectful" discipline that encourages students to manage their responses
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and feelings in a constructive manner.
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Educational psychologist Dr.
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Michele Borba emphasizes that discipline should be age-appropriate and tailored to the
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individual child.
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In a world where traditional disciplinary methods are often criticized, Morse High
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School's "detention hikes" offer a refreshing alternative that combines physical activity
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with emotional growth.
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It's an innovative step towards fostering a healthier, more supportive school environment.
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Today, we're diving into a fascinating dietary approach that's been making waves in the world
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of nutrition: the Portfolio Diet.
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Unlike many diets that focus on weight loss, the Portfolio Diet is all about lowering
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cholesterol levels.
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This concept was introduced by Dr.
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David J.A.
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Jenkins, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto.
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Dr.
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Jenkins prefers to think of it as a "dietary portfolio" rather than a strict diet plan.
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The idea is to diversify your nutritional strategies to manage cholesterol effectively,
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much like diversifying an investment portfolio.
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Instead of relying on a single type of healthy food, the Portfolio Diet encourages a
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combination of foods that work together to provide a range of benefits.
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The Portfolio Diet centers around four key types of food.
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First, soy-based foods, such as soy burgers, tofu, tempeh, and soy milk, are used as
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substitutes for meat and dairy.
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Next, it emphasizes the inclusion of viscous fibers, which form a gel in your gut and bind
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to cholesterol, preventing its absorption.
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Sources of viscous fiber include oats, barley, eggplant, okra, berries, and citrus fruits.
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The third component is plant sterol-enriched foods, which can be found in certain margarines
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or dietary supplements.
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Lastly, nuts and seeds, particularly almonds, are a staple in this diet.
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While these foods are not all combined into a single meal, they are incorporated throughout
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the day in various dishes.
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A typical day on the Portfolio Diet might start with a breakfast of soy milk, oat-bran cereal
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topped with chopped fruit and almonds, accompanied by a blueberry smoothie with
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Metamucil.
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Lunch could include oat-bran bread, bean soup, and an apple.
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For dinner, you might enjoy a tofu stir-fry with peanuts and a variety of vegetables rich
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in viscous fiber, like eggplant or okra.
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Snacks could consist of nuts, crunchy chickpeas, soy yogurt, or oat-bran bread with
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sterol-enriched margarine and jam.
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This diverse and nutritious approach makes it easier to incorporate these
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cholesterol-lowering foods into your daily routine.
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But does the Portfolio Diet work?
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Dr.
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Jenkins and his team conducted studies to test its effectiveness in real-world settings.
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They found that about one-third of participants experienced a significant reduction in their
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low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, by over 20 percent after just six
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months.
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Another 31 percent saw a 15 percent reduction.
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However, some individuals did not see changes, often due to difficulties in strictly adhering
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to the diet.
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Despite this, the overall results are promising, showing that the Portfolio Diet can
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be an effective strategy for lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart
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disease and type 2 diabetes.
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One interesting takeaway from these studies is that even partially following the Portfolio
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Diet can yield health benefits.
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Dr.
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Jenkins emphasizes that incorporating just a few of the diet's food components into your
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regular eating habits can still offer significant health returns over time.
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Additionally, the diet is designed to reduce the animal-to-plant-protein ratio, making it
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both humane and environmentally friendly.
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This aspect of the diet aligns with broader efforts to promote sustainability in our food
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choices.
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Is the Portfolio Diet right for you?
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According to Dr.
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Richard Milani, chief clinical innovation officer at Sutter Health, the diet is an
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excellent choice for those focused on reducing cholesterol levels.
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However, if weight loss is your primary goal, you might want to consider other options, such
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as the Mediterranean diet, which also incorporates plant sterols and nuts.
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Importantly, the foods recommended in the Portfolio Diet can complement almost any
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healthy eating plan, offering a flexible way to manage cholesterol without the need for high
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doses of medication, which often come with side effects.
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That's it for today's episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow.
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I hope you found the discussion on the Portfolio Diet enlightening and that it
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provides you with some valuable insights into managing cholesterol levels through dietary
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choices.
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Remember, whether you're dealing with cholesterol issues or any other health
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concerns, it's always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized
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advice.
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Thank you for tuning in, and be sure to join me again tomorrow for more health news and
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insights.
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Until then, take care and stay healthy!