Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Reducing TV time, preventing heat stroke, and remembering Akira Endo

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Reducing TV time, preventing heat stroke, and remembering Akira Endo · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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Good morning, listeners.
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Welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Doctor Chiao.
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I am your host, Doctor Chiu Ming Chow, And today, we have a fascinating lineup of health
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news that you will not want to miss.
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We will be diving into the latest studies and reports shed light on how our daily habits can
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significantly impact our long term health.
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From the benefits of reducing TV time to tips on preventing heat stroke, we have got you
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covered.
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So let us get started.
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Swapping out time in front of the television for physical activity might not sound like the
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most fun trade, but according to a new study, it is associated with significantly better
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chances of healthy aging.
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The study, published in the journal JAMA Network open, highlights that replacing
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television time with light physical activity moderate to vigorous physical activity and
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sleep for participants with inadequate sleep is beneficial to healthy aging.
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Doctor O.
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Molen Wang, the senior study author, and an associate professor of medicine in the
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department of epidemiology at Harvard's TH, Chan School of Public Health, emphasize the
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importance of this finding.
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Our take home message is that replacing TV time with light physical activity moderate to
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vigorous physical activity and sleep for participants with inadequate sleep is
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beneficial to healthy aging.
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Doctor.
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Wei Wang said.
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While the results may not come as a surprise to many, they add to the growing body of evidence
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that sedentary behaviors have significant impacts on health.
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Doctor Andrew Freeman, the director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at
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National Jewish Health in Denver, who was not involved in the study, pointed out veging out
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in front of the television seems to always be associated with worse outcomes.
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Of course, it makes physiologic sense that human beings were never meant to sit in front
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of a screen all day long.
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For this study, researchers analyzed data from the nurse's health study which included more
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than 45,000 people aged fifty or older in 1992 who were also free of chronic disease.
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Researchers followed up for 20 years gathering information on participants' time spent sitting
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at work, home, and watching television.
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As well as their hours standing or walking at home and work.
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This data was then analyzed in relation to their aging outcomes.
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Healthy aging was defined as living to at least seventy years old and maintaining at least 4
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healthy domains.
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Such as no major chronic disease and no impairment in subjective memory, physical
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health, and mental health.
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The study found that each additional 2 hours of sitting to watch television was associated with
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a 12% decrease in the chances of aging in a healthy way.
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On the other hand, adding 2 hours of light physical activity at work increased the odds of
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healthy aging by 6%.
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Replacing 1 hour of sitting to watch television with light physical activity at home or work
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was associated with better chances of healthy aging.
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The more we sit, the more problems we get, particularly as we get older, Doctor Freeman
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added, he also mentioned that more activity and less sitting while watching television may give
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you a better chance at healthy aging.
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This aligns with previous research, including a 2017 study showed a relationship between time
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spent sitting and early death from any cause.
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Additionally, sedentary time as a child may increase the risk of heart disease later in
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life according to 2023 research.
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Doctor Freeman also highlighted that these often unhealthy habits tend to go together.
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When people sit in front of TV, it usually brings all these other comorbid activities,
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like eating junk food, TV dinners, failing to connect with others, and it even can interrupt
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sleep.
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He said, time spent seated at a desk or on the living room couch also takes away opportunities
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to get out and be active.
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You're missing out on all that physical activity which is truly an unbelievable way to
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reduce cardiovascular risk and blood pressure.
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Doctor Freeman added.
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For those who work long hours in an office, incorporating more movement into your day might
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feel challenging.
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Doctor Freeman suggests considering a standing desk or even a treadmill desk if you have the
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space.
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If that is not possible, getting up often or having walking meetings can help.
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If you're sitting down for more than 30 minutes at a time, in my book, that's probably too
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long, and you really wanna try to move a little bit, he advised You do not have to completely
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eliminate sitting or watching television.
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However, pairing TV time with healthy behaviors such as moving while watching or eating a
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nutritious snack can be beneficial.
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Setting limits for yourself is also a good strategy.
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There are all these great tools and apps available that let you keep track of how much
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screen time you have and how much activity you have, all on the same device.
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Doctor Freeman said, these tools can be useful for both children and adults.
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So the next time you find yourself reaching for the remote, consider swapping a bit of that
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couch time for some light physical activity.
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Your future self might thank you for it.
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Stay tuned for more health tips and updates right here on morning medical with doctor Chow.
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As we move into the heat of summer, it's crucial to be aware of the risks associated
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with extreme temperatures.
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Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
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According to doctor Liana Wen, An emergency physician and clinical associate professor at
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the George Washington University heat stroke occurs when the body's ability to regulate its
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temperature is overwhelmed.
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This can cause internal temperatures to rise rapidly to 100 and 6 degrees Fahrenheit or
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higher within just 10 to 15 minutes.
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Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, dizziness, fainting, slurred speech, loss of
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consciousness, seizures, and abnormal heart rates.
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If you notice someone exhibiting these symptoms, it is vital to get them to a hospital
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immediately.
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By standards should call 911 without hesitation.
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While waiting for emergency services to arrive, move the affected person to a shaded cool area.
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Applying cold wet cloths or ice packs to the neck armpits, and groin can help lower their
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body temperature.
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Soaking their clothing with cold water is also recommended.
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Most importantly, stay with the person until professional help arrives.
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Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat related illness.
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But there are other conditions to be aware of.
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Heat exhaustion, for example, is a less severe, but still serious condition.
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Symptoms include nausea, tiredness, dizziness, headache, heavy sweating, and cool clammy skin.
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If you or someone else is experiencing these symptoms, it is crucial to move to a cool place
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immediately.
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Loosen any tight clothing and take a cool bath if possible.
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If not, placing wet cloths on the body can also help.
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Be vigilant for worsening symptoms such as fainting or vomiting.
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And seek medical attention if these occur or if there is no improvement within an hour.
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Heat cramps are another form of heat related illness.
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Often affecting those engaged in physical activity.
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These painful muscle spasms occur in hot weather and should be taken seriously.
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If you experience heat cramps, stop exercising immediately and drink water or an electrolyte
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solution.
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High temperatures can also strain your heart and lungs, making it essential to stay hydrated
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and take breaks in cool environments.
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Extreme heat can exacerbate underlying medical conditions, putting additional strain on organs
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such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
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According to researchers, the interaction between heat and cardiovascular disease was a
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direct or contributory cause of 1 in 4 heat related deaths.
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Chronic conditions like diabetes and some mental health diagnoses can also worsen due to
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extreme heat.
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Certain groups of people are more susceptible to the ill effects of high temperatures.
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The very young and the elderly are particularly vulnerable due to their reduced physiological
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reserves and potential difficulties in regulating body temperature.
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Young children might not be able to communicate how they are feeling, and both age groups are
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at higher risk of dehydration.
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People with chronic medical conditions may also be more affected.
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Especially if their medications interfere with the body's ability to adapt to heat.
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Those who work outdoors or lack access to cool spaces due to socioeconomic constraints are
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also at higher risk.
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Procautionary measures should be taken when high temperatures are forecasted, especially
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for vulnerable groups.
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Limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, opting instead for early
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morning or evening exercise.
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Stay hydrated and seek shade whenever possible.
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For those who must work outdoors, it is essential to stay well hydrated, use sun
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protection and take breaks in air conditioned spaces when available.
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Communities should also look out for each other, keeping an eye on children, elderly
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neighbors, and others who may need assistance.
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Never leave children, older adults, or pets unattended in a car.
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As the temperature inside can rise rapidly and become fatal.
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Those experiencing homelessness or who lack access to air conditioned spaces should seek
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out local resources such as cooling centers and temporary shelters during heat waves.
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Extreme weather events our times when community support is crucial.
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By staying informed and prepared, we can help protect ourselves and those around us from the
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dangers of extreme heat.
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A plant based diet can offer numerous health benefits But a new study suggests that the
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quality of these foods matters significantly, consuming sugar and chips, although technically
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plant based, may increase the risk of heart attacks and premature death.
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The study published Monday in the Lancet Regional Health, Europe found that plant based
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ultra processed foods, such as donuts, pop, and chips, increased the risk of cardiovascular
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disease by 5% and early death by 12%.
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Conversely, the study found that replacing plant based ultra processed foods with fresh
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frozen or minimally processed plants, such as vegetables and fruits, reduced the risk of
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developing cardiovascular disease by 7% and lowered the risk of dying from heart disease by
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15%.
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Modern plant sourced diets may incorporate a range of ultra processed foods, such as sugar
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sweetened beverages, snacks, confectionery, but also the plant sourced sausages, nuggets, and
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burgers that are produced with ingredients originating from plants and marketed as meat
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and dairy substitutes.
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The office stated in the study.
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We observed that higher dietary contribution of plant sourced non ultra processed foods were
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associated with a lower risk of fatal and non fatal cardiovascular events, while contribution
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of plant sourced ultra processed food was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular
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events.
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The authors added.
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Canadians get nearly 50% of their daily calories from ultra processed foods according
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to the Heart And Stroke Foundation.
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These foods such as candy, soft drinks, pizza, and chips, have been significantly altered from
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their original state with added salt, sugar, fat, additives, preservatives, and artificial
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colors.
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And consumption of these highly processed foods can lead to poorer overall health quality, such
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as cancer, major heart, and lung conditions, mental health disorders, and early death.
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Ultra processed food contains little or no whole foods So you're not eating a whole food
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during the processing of food.
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Said Carol Dombrow registered dietitian and nutrition consultant with the Canadian heart
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and stroke foundation.
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A lot of the important nutrients like vitamins and minerals and fiber are removed.
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And then there's salt and sugar is added as well as other additives.
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So what you think you're buying is not plant based food.
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It's not a food per se.
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She told global news.
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The Lancet study acknowledged that although many studies link ultra processed foods to
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health risks, there is limited evidence on how these foods affect the relationship between
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plant based diets and cardiovascular disease outcomes.
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The authors characterized a plant sourced dietary pattern as involving low consumption or
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complete omission of eggs dairy products, fish, and meat.
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They noted that this diet has been associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases
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and has substantial environmental benefits.
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However, plant sourced dietary patterns are heterogeneous and may differ widely in their
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dietary composition type and quality, and evidence has shown the potential protective
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effect of plant sourced diets on cardiovascular disease may vary accordingly.
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The study stated.
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The researchers argued that despite their plant based nature, diets rich in ultra processed
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foods may still pose health risks due to the negative effects caused by their composition
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and processing methods.
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These foods often contain high levels of unhealthy fats sodium, and added sugars, which
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can contribute to hypertension, insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic disorders.
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All of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
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To further investigate the link, the researchers looked at data from the United
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Kingdom Biobank.
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A longitudinal study involving participants from England, Scotland, and Wales, with over
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118,000 people aged 40 to 69 answering questions about their diet between 20072010.
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Food groups were categorized as plant source or non plant and animal sourced, further
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classified as non ultra processed or ultra processed.
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The researchers found that plant sourced ultra processed foods were associated with an
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increased risk of both cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease.
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These findings advance current knowledge by highlighting that a higher intake of plant
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sourced foods may only bring about better cardiovascular health outcomes when largely
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based on minimally processed foods, while a higher intake of plant sourced ultra processed
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foods may have detrimental effects on health, the study stated.
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In an editorial published by the Science Media Center, A team of health experts shared their
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insights on the Lancet paper emphasizing certain concerns with the report.
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Some of the authors of the editorial where Sarah Najura Espinosa, a researcher in
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nutrition and climate change at the Department of Population Health.
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Pauline Shelby, an associate professor in nutritional epidemiology and planetary health.
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And Rosie Green, a professor of environment food, and health, all affiliated with the
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London School of Hygiene And Tropical Medicine.
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Some people could get the impression from the first paragraph of press release that the study
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only looked into meat alternatives when in fact it considered many other ultra processed foods
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products such as industrial breads, biscuits, confectionery, etcetera, they stated.
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For example, in the Lancet study, While meat alternatives such as veggie burgers were
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classified as ultra processed foods, they constituted only 0.2% of the energy from such
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foods consumed by participants.
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The main plant based ultra processed foods identified included processed baked goods, like
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packaged breads, pastries, cakes, and cookies, as well as chips and soft drinks.
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The editorial raised another concern about the findings, arguing that the distinction between
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animal and plant based ultra processed foods is misleading.
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They pointed out that in most studies examining highly processed foods, A significant
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proportion of plant based foods would be included in their analyses if the ultra
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processed food category encompassed all products such as cakes, industrial bread, and
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confectionery.
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This is because these products are typically made from plant sourced ingredients like flour,
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plant based oils and sugar.
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Although many plant based foods can fall into the ultra processed category, Dombrau said that
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if done right, the diet can be excellent for your health.
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If you're vegetarian or vegan, You have to be smarter than the average Canadian because it's
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more complicated.
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It's not as easy as picking up a chicken breast or making scrambled eggs.
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She said, if you're a strict vegetarian or vegan, then you need to choose whole foods like
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beans and lentils and tofu and fruits and vegetables.
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In a significant loss for the medical community, Akira Endo, the Japanese biochemist
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whose groundbreaking research led to the development of statins has passed away at the
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age of ninety.
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Endo's pioneering work has been compared to discovery of penicillin.
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Professor Endo embarked on a quest to study fungi in search of new medicinal compounds.
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In 1973, Endo made a groundbreaking discovery.
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The first cholesterol lowering compound capable of reducing the risk of heart disease and
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strokes.
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This seminal finding paved the way for the development of statin drugs, which are now
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routinely prescribed to millions of people worldwide.
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Statins have transformed the prevention of heart disease and stroke, saving countless
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lives every year.
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Professor Brian Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart
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Foundation, paid tribute to Endo, describing him as a remarkable scientist.
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William's noted this really was the forerunner to the development of statin drugs.
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They have absolutely transformed the prevention of heart disease and stroke.
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There's very few treatments in medicine that have happened in the past few years that have
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had such a dramatic impact.
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Despite his monumental contributions to medicine, Endo never received a Nobel Prize for
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his work.
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Professor Williams remarked, amazingly, the man who began the process of working out how to
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deal with the problem cholesterol and provided a treatment that benefited and saved the lives
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of many, many millions of people never got the prize.
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I think that's a shame.
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Statins are now a cornerstone in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
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They are commonly prescribed to individuals who have had a heart attack or are at high risk of
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heart disease or stroke.
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These drugs are estimated to save thousands of lives each year in the United Kingdom alone
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with even greater impact globally.
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Cholesterol, a fatty substance primarily produced in the liver, is essential for
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maintaining good health.
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However, excess bad cholesterol can clog arteries and impede blood flow leading to
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serious health issues.
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Statens work by lowering the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, thereby helping to
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keep blood vessels clear of fatty deposits.
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Born in rural Japan in 1933, ENDO went on to study biochemistry.
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At Tohoku University.
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His pivotal discovery came while he was working for the pharmaceutical company, Sankyo in Tokyo
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in 1973.
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It took years of painstaking research studying thousands of fungi before finding one that
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effectively lowered cholesterol.
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Initial attempts to harness this compound proved too toxic for human use, but Endo's work
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laid the foundation for future breakthroughs.
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Other pharmaceutical companies soon joined the search for similar compounds.
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And in September 1987, the first statin Lovastatin was approved for clinical use in the
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United States.
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The discovery of statins is part of a broader history of lifesaving drugs derived from fungi,
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including penicillin and cyclosporine, which have revolutionized fields like transplant
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medicine.
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Professor Endo's legacy is a testament to the power of perseverance and scientific curiosity.
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His work has had a lasting impact on global health, offering a lifeline to millions of
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people at risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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As we remember his contributions, we are reminded of the importance of continued
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research and innovation in the field of medicine.
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That wraps up today's episode of Morning Medical with Doctor Chow.
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We hope you found today's stories insightful and informative.
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Remember to make those small changes in your daily habits for a healthier future, stay
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vigilant during the summer heat, and be mindful of the quality of your plant based food needs.
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Lastly, let us honor the incredible legacy of Akira Endo whose work continues to save lives
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around the world.
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Thank you for tuning in, and we look forward to bringing you more medical news and tips
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tomorrow.
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Have a great day.