Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Exercise and Atrial Fibrillation, Meat Allergies, and Long COVID Challenges

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Exercise and Atrial Fibrillation, Meat Allergies, and Long COVID Challenges · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

• 0:00
  Welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow, where we bring you the latest in medical and health news from around the globe.
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  I'm Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow, your host for today.
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  Let's dive into today's top story.
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  We're discussing a fascinating study that highlights the power of exercise in managing
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  atrial fibrillation, or AFib.
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  A one-year clinical trial has shown that a tailored exercise program can reduce the
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  recurrence of AFib by an impressive 45 percent.
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  That's nearly half!
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  This is significant because exercise interventions are often underutilized in
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  treating AFib, which is a disorder characterized by an irregular heart rhythm.
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  Atrial fibrillation occurs when the heart’s two upper chambers beat out of sync, which can
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  interfere with blood flow and increase the risk of blood clots and stroke.
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  It's understandable that some people with AFib might be hesitant to exercise, fearing it could
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  trigger symptoms like shortness of breath or heart palpitations.
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  However, this new research suggests that a carefully designed exercise regimen can
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  actually help reduce the time spent in AFib while also boosting cardiovascular health.
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  The trial, known as the NEXAF trial, explored whether combining supervised and home-based
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  exercise could lessen the AFib burden and improve quality of life for those with
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  symptomatic, but non-permanent AFib.
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  And the results were promising.
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  Participants in the exercise group spent almost half as much time in AFib as those who received
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  usual care, which did not include an exercise program.
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  This trial involved 295 participants treated at three centers in Norway, with an average age of
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  64 years, and 30 percent were women.
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  They all had non-permanent AFib and were less active than generally recommended.
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  The exercise intervention included eight supervised, high-intensity sessions over four
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  to six weeks, followed by home-based exercises monitored through a smartwatch and a web
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  platform.
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  Each participant was also equipped with an insertable cardiac monitor, which provided
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  continuous data on their heart’s electrical activity.
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  The findings were quite compelling.
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  Not only did the exercise group experience a reduction in time spent in AFib, but they also
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  saw improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and resting heart rate.
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  Importantly, there was a 37 percent reduction in total hospitalizations and a 46 percent
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  reduction in AFib-related hospitalizations among this group.
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  However, it's worth noting that the quality-of-life improvements, while present,
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  were not statistically significant.
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  This suggests that while exercise is beneficial for reducing AFib burden, it might not
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  dramatically change perceived quality of life, at least in the short term.
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  Experts emphasize that exercise should be a part of a holistic approach to managing AFib,
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  alongside other treatments, rather than a replacement for them.
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  It's important for anyone with AFib considering an exercise program to consult with their
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  cardiologist first.
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  The trial underscores the importance of individualized exercise plans and the potential
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  role of fitness trackers in monitoring heart health.
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  Overall, the NEXAF trial provides encouraging evidence that structured exercise could become
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  a more prominent component of AFib care.
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  It shows that with appropriate medical guidance, physical activity can be both safe
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  and beneficial for those living with AFib.
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  Today, we're diving into a unique story about a meat allergy that has led some individuals to
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  explore alternative sources of protein, specifically ostrich meat.
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  A Kentucky man named Brent Williams, who developed a life-threatening allergy to red
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  meat due to tick bites, found himself craving burgers.
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  This rare condition is known as alpha-gal syndrome, and it has been increasingly
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  diagnosed in the United States.
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  Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergy triggered by a sugar molecule found in the meat of most
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  mammals, which is introduced to the human body through tick bites.
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  The syndrome results in allergic reactions to red meat, but interestingly, it does not affect
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  one's ability to consume poultry, seafood, or even ostrich meat.
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  Because ostrich meat is red in color and has a taste and texture similar to beef, it has
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  become a popular alternative for those with the syndrome.
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  Brent Williams, who is also a nutritionist, partnered with W.D.
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  King to start Alpha Roost Farms in Danville, Kentucky, after realizing ostrich meat could be
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  a safe substitute for beef.
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  Many people with alpha-gal syndrome have found solace in being able to enjoy foods they
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  thought they had lost forever.
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  "The people that have alpha-gal that I talked to that have tried an ostrich burger, most of
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  them are almost in tears," Williams shared.
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  The demand for ostrich meat is on the rise, driven by those seeking alternatives to red
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  meat.
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  Alpha Roost Farms plans to nearly double its herd of ostriches by next year, expanding to
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  700 birds.
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  The farm recently built a new barn for the hatchlings, and they are not alone.
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  Other ostrich farms across the country are also seeing increased interest, with some planning
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  to expand their herds significantly to meet the growing demand.
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  Ostrich farming in the United States has seen its ups and downs.
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  It experienced a surge and subsequent crash in the 1990s when many investors entered the
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  market without sufficient knowledge of how to properly care for these large birds.
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  However, the current resurgence seems more sustainable, with farmers now better
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  understanding the needs of ostriches and managing them effectively.
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  Brent Williams' personal journey with alpha-gal syndrome began seven years ago after a severe
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  allergic reaction to a steak sandwich.
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  His allergist quickly identified the cause as a tick bite, which had introduced the alpha-gal
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  sugar into his system.
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  Since then, Williams has had to eliminate all mammalian meats from his diet, even avoiding
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  fumes from cooking them.
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  For Williams, trying ostrich meat was a revelation.
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  It was the closest he had come to enjoying beef in years, offering not just a culinary
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  experience but also a sense of nostalgia.
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  "The mouth feel, the taste, the texture, it brought me good memories," he said,
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  highlighting the emotional connection people can have with food.
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  As awareness of alpha-gal syndrome grows, so does the interest in ostrich meat as a viable
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  alternative.
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  This trend highlights the importance of understanding food allergies and how innovative
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  solutions, like ostrich farming, can provide relief and satisfaction to those affected by
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  them.
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  Flirting can be a delightful and beneficial part of any healthy relationship.
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  According to clinical sexologist Mindy DeSeta, Ph.D., flirting is more than just a playful
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  interaction; it can have positive effects on emotional well-being.
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  This "one-on-one interpersonal experience" can release brain chemicals like dopamine and
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  oxytocin that are involved in pleasure, reward, and social bonding.
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  These chemicals can help reduce stress and increase feelings of attractiveness and
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  confidence, which are essential components of a strong relationship.
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  Dr.
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  DeSeta emphasizes that flirting should ideally occur between romantic partners or those
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  pursuing a romantic relationship.
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  She explains that flirting acts as a signal of attraction and suggests that it should remain
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  within the boundaries of the relationship because of its potential to release bonding
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  hormones.
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  "It's really hard to be platonic because it does release that bonding hormone," she notes,
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  highlighting the importance of keeping such interactions within the context of a committed
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  relationship.
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  However, if someone feels compelled to flirt outside their relationship, Dr.
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  DeSeta warns that this could be a "red flag" indicating something amiss in the relationship.
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  She stresses the importance of maintaining a daily practice of dating and flirting with
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  one's partner to keep the relationship vibrant.
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  "As a sexologist, I'm a huge believer that we must date and flirt with our partner every
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  day," she says, emphasizing the need for continual effort to sustain emotional
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  connection.
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  In relationships, it is normal for things to occasionally feel "stale" or "hollow," leading
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  individuals to seek fulfillment elsewhere, especially through flirting, which can be an
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  easy outlet.
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  Dr.
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  DeSeta advises that if flirtation begins to extend beyond the relationship, it is crucial
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  to stop immediately and redirect that energy toward one's partner.
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  She recommends being open and vulnerable, expressing sentiments such as, "I miss this
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  about us.
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  I want to bring this back into our relationship," and sharing what actions would
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  make one feel more attractive and desired by their partner.
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  Anna Elton, Ph.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist, echoes these sentiments.
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  She notes that as couples become more focused on daily routines and responsibilities,
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  elements like affection, physical touch, and playfulness can diminish, making room for
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  stress and conflict.
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  Elton suggests that creating a "new language of flirting" can help couples reconnect and
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  reignite intimacy.
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  Simple gestures, like a 20-second hug or a six-second kiss, can significantly enhance the
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  emotional bond between partners.
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  Dr.
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  DeSeta also advises being mindful of a partner's mood and timing when initiating
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  flirtation.
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  Not every moment is appropriate for flirtatious advances, such as when a partner is stressed or
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  focused on a task.
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  Positive body language, like leaning in, making eye contact, and smiling, can signal that
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  flirtation is welcome.
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  Communicating about when flirting feels appropriate can help ensure that both partners
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  are on the same page and can enjoy the benefits of a playful, flirtatious relationship.
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  Long COVID, a term that has become familiar to many of us, continues to be a significant issue
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  even as the intensity of the COVID-19 pandemic has waned.
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  More than six years after the pandemic began, the lingering effects of this condition are
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  still felt by millions.
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  In March of 2024, it was reported that around seventeen million adults in the United States,
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  or approximately seven percent of the adult population, were experiencing symptoms
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  consistent with long COVID.
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  This chronic condition is characterized by symptoms that persist for three months or more
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  after the initial infection.
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  Long COVID can impact virtually any system or organ in the body, with symptoms ranging from
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  chronic fatigue and brain fog to severe tiredness after exercise, lightheadedness, and
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  palpitations when standing.
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  These symptoms can profoundly affect one's ability to work or attend school, imposing
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  considerable disability.
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  Researchers have even estimated that the years lived with disability due to long COVID are
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  comparable to those caused by diseases like Alzheimer's and asthma.
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  Beyond the immediate health impacts, the economic ramifications of long COVID are
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  substantial.
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  Economists estimated back in 2022 that the costs associated with long COVID could result
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  in a staggering three trillion dollars lost to society over five years, whether through
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  diminished quality of life, heightened medical care expenses, or decreased economic
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  productivity.
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  Despite these staggering figures, there is a concerning gap in the diagnosis and treatment
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  of long COVID.
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  Millions of Americans are believed to be suffering from this condition but are not
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  receiving the necessary clinical care.
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  Even now, well after the acute phase of the pandemic, around thirty thousand Americans are
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  newly diagnosed with long COVID each year.
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  This number is lower than expected based on previous data, suggesting that long COVID has
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  become somewhat of a hidden issue in terms of disease and disability.
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  Research indicates that as many as one in six patients with COVID-19 may develop post-acute
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  sequelae, yet these statistics seem inconsistent with what many doctors are
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  reporting.
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  This discrepancy can lead to a lack of acknowledgment of long COVID's seriousness and
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  an insufficient response from policymakers.
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  In fact, in February 2025, the Trump administration ended the Secretary's Advisory
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  Committee on long COVID and closed the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice.
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  Understanding the reasons for the disconnect between research findings and clinical practice
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  is crucial.
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  Long COVID can be overlooked by patients or misdiagnosed by clinicians due to its wide
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  range of symptoms and severity.
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  Some individuals might experience mild symptoms that do not significantly impact their daily
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  lives, leading them to avoid seeking medical attention.
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  However, a substantial portion of patients report symptoms that are activity-limiting.
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  The absence of a definitive lab test for long COVID means that doctors might confuse symptoms
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  with other conditions such as depression, vitamin deficiencies, or even early dementia.
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  Among healthcare workers, long COVID symptoms might be mistaken for occupational burnout.
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  Additionally, there is no simple cure for long COVID.
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  While certain treatments, like occupational therapy and medications such as fluvoxamine,
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  can help manage symptoms, they are not universally effective.
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  The methods used by researchers to measure the frequency of long COVID often differ from how
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  it is diagnosed in practice.
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  Clinicians have limited time during consultations, whereas researchers employ
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  detailed criteria and checklists.
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  Furthermore, doctors' classification of the disease in medical records can vary, with some
• 14:34
  unaware of specific diagnosis codes for long COVID.
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  Despite the challenges, it is important to note that some individuals do recover from long
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  COVID.
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  Approximately twenty-five percent of patients with long COVID may recover within two years,
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  which complicates efforts to estimate the prevalence of the condition at any given time.
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  Nonetheless, understanding the burden of long COVID remains a priority.
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  With over 1.6 billion dollars invested in long COVID research in the United States and
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  additional funds allocated to expand access to care, it is clear that more needs to be done.
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  Advocacy for increased funding continues, especially in light of the estimated three
• 15:16
  trillion dollar economic burden.
• 15:19
  A unified approach is essential, involving collaboration between the Centers for Disease
• 15:24
  Control and Prevention, public health experts, patient advocates, families, and scientists.
• 15:32
  Until a comprehensive strategy is implemented, there is a risk of misallocating health
• 15:37
  resources or neglecting millions who are suffering.
• 15:41
  The need for evidence-based recommendations for public health responses and medical care is
• 15:47
  urgent, and it is crucial that we address this pressing issue with the seriousness it
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  deserves.
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  In our final story today, we're celebrating an extraordinary milestone achieved by Mabel
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  Dunbar, a Georgia woman who recently turned 112 years old.
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  Born in Jamaica in 1914, Mabel has lived a remarkable life, and at her birthday
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  celebration on September 5th, she shared the secret to her impressive longevity.
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  According to Mabel, staying close to her family and embracing her strong religious faith have
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  been key factors in her long life.
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  Mabel Dunbar, who currently resides in Fayetteville, Georgia, was honored by her loved
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  ones with a custom berry cake, flowers, and a sparkling crown to mark her special day.
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  With a family that includes one child, four grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren,
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  Mabel's life is rich with connections and love.
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  "God is love and I love my families," she expressed at her party.
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  "I love all my families and strangers."
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  Described as "deeply religious, pleasant, and talkative," Mabel has spent her life serving
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  others and staying active.
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  Until recently, she enjoyed cooking and prepared breakfast for herself each morning.
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  Her move to Fayetteville in August 2025 to live with her granddaughter and grandson-in-law
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  highlights her commitment to family.
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  Mabel emphasizes the importance of treating younger generations with care, stating, "Treat
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  them the best you can, because they are important."
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  Experts like Dr.
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  Ezekiel Emanuel, a leading oncologist and bioethicist at the University of Pennsylvania,
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  have identified several principles for living longer and reducing disease risk.
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  These include maintaining an active social life, staying mentally engaged with new
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  hobbies, limiting processed foods, exercising moderately, and getting proper sleep.
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  Religious involvement, as demonstrated by Mabel, is also associated with greater
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  longevity.
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  A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine
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  in 2016 supports this, showing that women who attended religious services more than once a
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  week had a 33 percent lower risk of dying during the follow-up period compared to those
• 18:14
  who never attended.
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  Regular attendees also experienced fewer depressive symptoms and had stronger social
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  support networks.
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  Mabel's story is a testament to the power of faith, family, and community in promoting a
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  long and fulfilling life.
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  As we close today's episode, let's take inspiration from her remarkable journey and the
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  wisdom she offers.
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  Thank you for joining us on Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  I am Dr.
• 18:42
  Chi-Ming Chow, wishing you health and happiness until next time.