Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Health Insights: Processed Foods, Knee Pain, Childhood BP, and AI in Medicine

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Health Insights: Processed Foods, Knee Pain, Childhood BP, and AI in Medicine · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

• 0:00
  Welcome to Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow, where we bring you the latest updates in medical and health news from around the world.
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  I'm your host, Dr.
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  Chi-Ming Chow.
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  Let's dive right into today's news.
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  A major new study has brought to light some concerning findings about the consumption of
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  ultra-processed foods.
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  Researchers have found that eating more of these foods, especially those containing
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  certain additives, is linked to a higher risk of mortality from any cause over an eleven-year
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  follow-up period.
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  This study involved nearly one hundred eighty-seven thousand adults in the United
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  Kingdom, aged forty to seventy-five, and was published in the journal eClinicalMedicine.
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  Participants in the study filled out multiple online food diaries describing their diet over
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  twenty-four-hour periods.
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  The researchers then matched these reported foods to actual supermarket products, checking
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  ingredient labels for fifty-seven potential markers of ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, some
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  of which are traditional additives.
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  Each food was scored based on the likelihood of containing a given additive.
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  The researchers calculated the percentage of each participant's total daily food intake that
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  came from ultra-processed foods or specific additives.
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  They then compared these dietary patterns with death records from national health registries
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  to determine which additives, and in what quantities, were linked with increased
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  mortality during the study period.
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  The study identified five key additive categories that showed significant links with
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  higher all-cause mortality.
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  These include flavors, flavor enhancers, coloring agents, sweeteners such as acesulfame,
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  saccharin, and sucralose, and various types of sugar like fructose and maltodextrin.
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  Interestingly, gelling agents were actually linked to a lower risk of mortality.
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  The research highlighted that when a person's diet consisted of more than eighteen percent
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  ultra-processed foods, the risk of mortality began increasing.
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  At thirty percent of total intake, the risk rose by six percent, fourteen percent higher at
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  forty percent, and nineteen percent higher at fifty percent of the diet.
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  Specific additives like flavors and colorings were associated with even higher risks as their
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  intake increased.
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  While this study provides important insights, it's crucial to note that it was observational,
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  meaning it cannot prove causation.
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  People who consume more ultra-processed foods may also differ in other health behaviors that
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  influence outcomes, and the dietary data rely on self-reported food diaries, which can
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  introduce error.
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  Experts recommend limiting ultra-processed food intake where possible.
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  If you can't cut them out completely, focusing on reducing the intake of foods you consume in
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  large portions daily can make a significant health impact.
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  Health institutions like the Mayo Clinic suggest a diet rich in vegetables, fruits,
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  whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, healthy non-tropical oils, and lean proteins.
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  Knee pain, traditionally considered an ailment of older adults, is increasingly affecting
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  younger individuals, particularly those in their 30s and 40s.
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  The reasons behind this trend are twofold: an increase in high-intensity sports participation
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  and rising obesity rates, leading to a higher body mass index, or BMI.
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  The Department of Health and Human Services reports a staggering 240 percent increase in
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  knee replacements among patients aged 45 to 64 between the years 2000 and 2017.
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  This data underscores a growing concern about knee health in younger populations.
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  A recent study published in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage sheds light on
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  early structural changes in the knees of individuals as young as 30 years old.
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  Researchers from Finland's University of Oulu observed joint damage in more than half of the
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  297 participants, many of whom were asymptomatic.
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  These findings suggest that knee issues could be developing earlier than previously
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  anticipated, often without any noticeable symptoms.
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  The study identified minor articular cartilage defects—the smooth cartilage between the
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  kneecap and thigh bone—as well as small bone spurs in more than half of the participants.
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  These defects were also found between the shin and thigh bones in a quarter of the group.
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  The researchers concluded that a higher BMI is a primary factor contributing to these knee
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  defects.
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  Obesity's impact on knee health is significant, with more than 40 percent of adults in the
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  United States classified as obese.
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  Dr.
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  Ran Schwarzkopf, a professor of orthopedic surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine,
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  highlights the increased load on joints for those with a high BMI, which results in more
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  wear and tear on the knees.
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  In addition to obesity, participation in high-school and college sports is leading to
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  more knee injuries among younger adults.
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  Dr.
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  Schwarzkopf notes that American sports are generally more intense than those in other
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  parts of the world, contributing to a higher incidence of knee injuries.
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  Such injuries, whether treated surgically or not, can lead to long-lasting effects since
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  certain elements of the knee, like cartilage, cannot be fully restored once damaged.
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  For those experiencing knee pain or looking to prevent it, maintaining a healthy weight is
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  crucial.
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  Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knees, such as the hamstrings and quadriceps,
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  can provide additional support.
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  Regular physical activity, proper footwear, and seeking orthopedic care when necessary are also
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  recommended to alleviate or prevent knee pain.
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  Physical therapy and various treatments can help restore knee function and reduce
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  discomfort.
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  Dr.
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  Schwarzkopf emphasizes that while knee replacements are sometimes necessary,
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  particularly for severe cartilage damage, there are many interventions that can be pursued
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  beforehand, especially for individuals in their late 20s and 30s.
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  The goal is to manage and treat knee issues early to avoid the need for knee replacement
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  surgery at a young age.
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  Today's discussion takes us into the realm of pediatric health, focusing on a compelling
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  study that explores the relationship between childhood blood pressure and cardiovascular
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  disease mortality later in life.
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  The study, which followed over thirty-seven thousand individuals born between 1959 and
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  1966, provides significant insights into how blood pressure at the tender age of seven can
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  impact long-term health outcomes.
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  According to the findings, a one standard deviation increase in systolic blood pressure
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  at age seven was linked to a fourteen percent higher risk of early cardiovascular disease
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  mortality.
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  Similarly, a one standard deviation rise in diastolic blood pressure was associated with an
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  eighteen percent increased risk.
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  These statistics underscore the critical importance of monitoring blood pressure in
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  children and taking proactive measures to promote cardiovascular health from a young age.
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  The study highlights that elevated blood pressure and hypertension at age seven are both
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  associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.
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  At the outset, around twenty-one percent of the children were classified as having
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  hypertension, while about nineteen percent had elevated blood pressure.
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  By the follow-up, there were four hundred eighty-seven cardiovascular deaths recorded
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  among the participants.
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  An interesting aspect of the study is its examination of the effects of preterm birth on
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  hypertension.
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  It found that children born preterm had a higher incidence of persistent hypertension
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  compared to those born at full term.
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  This is particularly concerning given the increasing prevalence of elevated blood
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  pressure in children.
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  Dr.
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  Alexa Freedman, who led the research, emphasizes the generalizability of the study,
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  noting it involved a large, diverse cohort of United States children with follow-up into
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  their sixth decade of life.
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  She points out that awareness of the long-term implications of childhood blood pressure
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  remains low, despite its status as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
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  The study also revealed that preterm infants who spent time in a neonatal intensive care
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  unit, regardless of whether they experienced complications, faced the greatest risk for
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  persistent hypertension.
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  This finding highlights the need for targeted interventions in this vulnerable group to
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  mitigate long-term cardiovascular risks.
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  While the study's results are robust, it's important to acknowledge its limitations.
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  The outcomes were restricted to fatal events up to 2016, and the blood pressure measurements
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  were based on a single reading.
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  Additionally, the study population was primarily Black or white, which might limit the
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  applicability of the findings to other ethnic groups.
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  Ultimately, these findings reinforce the necessity of early intervention and continuous
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  monitoring of blood pressure in children.
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  By fostering healthy lifestyle habits and ensuring regular health check-ups, we can
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  strive to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality associated with elevated
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  blood pressure from an early age.
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  In recent consumer news, Starbucks and Tim Hortons are tapping into the growing trend of
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  protein-enriched foods.
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  Starting September 29, Starbucks locations across the United States and Canada will
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  introduce a line of lattes made with protein-boosted milk and protein cold foam that
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  can be added to any regular beverage.
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  These new offerings are said to provide between fifteen and thirty-six grams of protein.
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  This move follows Tim Hortons' recent release of a protein-packed latte, which delivers
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  seventeen to twenty grams of protein using a lactose-free, high-protein dairy beverage.
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  Experts suggest that while consumers are increasingly seeking convenient ways to enhance
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  their protein intake for health and fitness goals, the primary beneficiaries of this trend
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  might be the profit margins of these coffee chains rather than the customers' health.
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  The proliferation of protein-enriched products, from cereals to snacks, is a testament to the
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  lucrative nature of this health trend, even though the scientific backing for its health
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  benefits may not always be robust.
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  In other news, the issue of 'maple washing' has caught the attention of the Canadian Food
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  Inspection Agency, which has identified twelve cases where major grocery chains have been
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  accused of marketing imported products as Canadian.
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  This practice, known as 'maple washing,' uses Canadian branding, like the iconic maple leaf,
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  to promote products that are not domestically sourced.
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  Despite the identification of these cases, no fines have been issued to the involved grocery
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  chains, although the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has taken action to rectify each
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  situation.
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  However, the lack of financial penalties has raised concerns among consumers who are
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  committed to buying Canadian products, fearing that 'maple washing' will continue without
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  stricter enforcement.
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  Interestingly, the prolonged case involved avocado oil sold at a Sobeys-owned grocery
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  store near Edmonton.
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  The fear among 'Buy Canadian' advocates is that without repercussions, grocers might not be
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  deterred from misrepresenting the origin of their products in the future.
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  As food prices continue to rise, many Canadians are questioning the practices of the country's
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  largest grocery retailers.
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  With food costs having increased by over twenty-seven percent since July 2020, consumers
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  are exploring alternatives to the dominant grocery chains like Loblaw, Sobeys, Metro,
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  Costco, and Walmart, which collectively control a significant share of the market.
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  While some alternative models exist, such as co-ops, non-profits, and farmers' markets,
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  establishing a large-scale, non-corporate grocery chain across Canada remains a
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  formidable challenge.
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  Nonetheless, the conversation around diversifying food retail options continues,
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  driven by both economic pressures and a desire for more transparent business practices.
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  Many older adults, like Earl Vickers, are finding that their risk of falling has become a
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  significant concern as they age.
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  Earl, a retired electrical engineer, had a series of falls while walking his dog, Molly.
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  These incidents, while mostly harmless, included a backward fall where he hit his head
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  and another where he broke two bones in his left hand.
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  Earl's experience highlights a growing issue among older adults: the increased risk of falls
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  and the serious consequences they can bring.
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  In 2023, more than forty-one thousand Americans over the age of sixty-five died from falls,
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  according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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  This statistic underscores the growing public health issue of fall-related mortality in older
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  adults.
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  Experts have been warning about the dangers of falls for decades, but the problem appears to
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  be worsening.
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  One contributing factor to the increase in fall-related deaths is the use of certain
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  medications.
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  For Earl, the cancer drug enzalutamide was a significant factor in his falls.
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  This medication, used to treat prostate cancer, has been associated with higher rates of falls
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  and fractures among its users compared to those taking a placebo.
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  After discussing his frequent falls with his oncologist, Earl decided to stop taking the
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  drug, and he hasn't experienced any falls since.
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  The case of Earl Vickers is not unique.
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  Many older adults are on medications that increase their risk of falls, often without
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  realizing the connection.
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  This highlights the importance of regular medication reviews and discussions with
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  healthcare providers, especially for older adults who are experiencing falls or who are at
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  risk of falling.
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  Public health experts emphasize the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to
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  reduce the risk of falls among older adults.
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  This includes regular exercise to improve balance and strength, home modifications to
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  remove fall hazards, and careful management of medications that might contribute to falls.
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  By taking these steps, older adults can reduce their risk of falls and improve their overall
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  quality of life.
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  As we continue to witness rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, many are turning to AI
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  for medical advice.
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  However, doctors are advising caution.
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  According to a recent article from CBC Radio, many physicians believe patients should avoid
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  consulting AI for medical advice, despite the fact that approximately six and a half million
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  Canadians lack a primary care provider.
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  The article discusses how AI chatbots can be useful but warns against relying solely on them
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  for health advice.
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  Dr.
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  Danielle Martin, chair of the University of Toronto's department of family and community
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  medicine, is clear in her stance.
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  She states, "I don't think patients should use ChatGPT for medical advice.
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  Period." Yet, she acknowledges the reality that with so many without primary care, physicians
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  cannot prevent patients from seeking answers from AI chatbots powered by large language
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  models.
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  Concerns about AI in healthcare aren't unfounded.
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  A 2025 study comparing ten popular chatbots, including ChatGPT, found a strong bias in many
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  large language models towards overgeneralizing scientific conclusions.
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  This poses a significant risk of large-scale misinterpretations of research findings.
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  Instead, Dr.
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  Martin and other experts recommend using telehealth options available across Canada,
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  such as dialling eight-one-one, to get more reliable health advice.
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  If patients do choose to use chatbots, Dr.
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  Martin suggests they can reduce the risk of harm by avoiding open-ended questions and
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  restricting AI-generated answers to credible sources.
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  Unlike traditional search engines, chatbots generate their own answers based on existing
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  databases, which can sometimes lead to overwhelming or misleading information.
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  For example, asking a chatbot, "I have a red rash on my leg, what could it be?" might result
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  in a flood of information that could do more harm than good.
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  Dr.
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  Martin points out that the average person may not be able to process all of this information
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  correctly, which is why it's better to ask for help finding reliable sources instead.
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  Dr.
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  Onil Bhattacharrya from Women's College Hospital also weighed in, noting that while AI
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  has the potential to democratize access to medical expertise, patients may find it
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  challenging to determine the reliability of AI-generated medical advice.
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  He emphasizes that as a doctor, it's easier to critically appraise information, a skill that
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  patients may not possess.
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  Despite the hesitations, there are areas where AI can excel, such as recalling a comprehensive
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  list of conditions associated with a symptom.
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  Dr.
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  Martin acknowledges that AI might remember rare conditions that a physician could overlook.
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  However, she stresses that for symptoms like rashes, consulting a healthcare professional is
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  crucial before acting on AI's suggestions.
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  Ultimately, both Dr.
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  Martin and Dr.
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  Bhattacharrya see potential in AI to support clinical care, especially for patients with
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  chronic conditions seeking general information.
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  However, they caution against using AI for nonspecific symptoms, where professional
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  guidance is essential to decide on the best course of action.
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  As we wrap up today's episode, remember that while AI can be a helpful tool, it's no
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  substitute for professional medical advice.
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  Always prioritize consultations with healthcare providers for your health concerns.
• 18:49
  Thanks for tuning in to Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  Stay informed, stay healthy, and we'll see you next time.