Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Omega-3s and Heart Health, Video Game Addiction, and LED Therapy Insights

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Omega-3s and Heart Health, Video Game Addiction, and LED Therapy Insights · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow.
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I’m your host, Dr.
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Chi-Ming Chow.
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Today, we're diving into some intriguing health news that could impact millions across the
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globe.
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Let's start off with a recent study that's making waves in the medical community.
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Researchers have found a significant link between nutrient deficiency and heart disease
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risk, and it's a concern for millions of people worldwide.
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This study, published in Nutrition Research Reviews, highlights that over three-quarters of
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the global population are not meeting the recommended intake levels of omega-3 fatty
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acids.
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These nutrients are vital for maintaining heart health, cognitive function, and reducing
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inflammation.
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The study analyzed omega-3 intake patterns across various countries and age groups,
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discovering that 76 percent of people worldwide fall short of the recommended levels of two
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essential omega-3 fats: eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, known as DHA.
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Health authorities suggest that adults should aim for at least 250 milligrams of these
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omega-3s per day, but many regions fall significantly below this threshold.
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Low levels of omega-3s can have serious health implications.
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They are linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, sudden cardiac death, elevated
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triglycerides, and irregular heart rhythms.
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Moreover, inadequate omega-3 intake is associated with cognitive decline, a higher
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risk of Alzheimer's disease, and increased rates of depression.
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It can also exacerbate inflammation in autoimmune conditions and negatively affect eye
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health.
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So, how can we boost our omega-3 levels?
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The richest dietary sources of EPA and DHA are oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines,
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herring, trout, and anchovies.
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Consuming these fish three to four times a week can significantly increase omega-3 intake.
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For those who do not consume fish regularly, omega-3 supplements can be a viable
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alternative.
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These supplements should be taken based on individual needs, considering factors like lab
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results, current medications, and overall medical history.
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Interestingly, high-dose omega-3 supplements, like icosapent ethyl, have shown promise in
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reducing major cardiovascular events in high-risk populations.
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However, the benefits of mixed EPA and DHA supplements at similar doses have not been
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consistent.
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Testing your omega-3 levels through a blood test can help determine if your intake is
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adequate and guide more personalized dietary and supplementation decisions.
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If you're unsure about your omega-3 status or whether supplementation is right for you, it's
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always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider.
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They can help you determine the best approach based on your individual health needs.
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As always, taking proactive steps in understanding your nutrient intake can make a
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significant difference in your overall health and well-being.
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Let's shift our focus to something that's becoming increasingly recognized as a
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modern-day challenge—video game addiction.
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Like substances such as drugs and alcohol, video games can become an addiction that's hard
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to control despite their harmful effects.
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This condition, also known as internet gaming disorder, can negatively impact your health and
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relationships.
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Although gaming has been around for over 50 years, research into its effects on well-being
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is still in its early stages.
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Interestingly, the World Health Organization added gaming disorder to its medical reference
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book, the International Classification of Diseases, back in 2018.
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However, the American Psychiatric Association's latest edition of the Diagnostic and
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Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2022, does not include video game
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addiction.
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Instead, it lists gaming disorder as a condition needing further study.
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Studies have shown there is 'better and better evidence' that gaming addiction is indeed a
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problem for some children, adolescents, and adults.
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However, some researchers argue that problem gaming might actually be a symptom of another
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underlying issue, such as depression or anxiety, rather than a disorder in itself.
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While millions play video games, only a small percentage develop a gaming addiction or
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disorder.
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Estimates suggest that between 1.7 and 10 percent of the United States population may
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have this condition, with adults being more commonly affected than teens or children.
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So, what are the signs of video game addiction?
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You might recognize you're addicted if you're constantly thinking about gaming, feeling bad
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when you cannot play, needing more screen time to enjoy it, and being unable to quit or play
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less.
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Other signs include losing interest in activities you used to enjoy, experiencing
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problems at work, school, or home because of gaming, and lying about how much you play.
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Additionally, using gaming to cope with feelings of hopelessness, sadness, or guilt,
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along with neglecting personal grooming and becoming irritable when forced to stop playing,
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could indicate an addiction.
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A leading theory on why video games are addictive suggests that playing puts the brain
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in a highly alert state known as hyperarousal.
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In this state, players become deeply engaged in the game's world, almost as if it's real life.
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The pleasure and excitement of playing and winning lead to the release of dopamine in the
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brain's reward center, a process similar to how drug addiction works.
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Although some people are more vulnerable to addiction than others, high rates of depression
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and attention issues have been observed in individuals with gaming problems.
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However, it's unclear if these are cause-and-effect relationships.
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The physical and mental effects of video game addiction can be significant.
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Psychosocial issues linked to it may include depression, anxiety, attention deficit
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hyperactivity disorder, loneliness, low self-esteem, and aggression, especially in
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boys.
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Physically, it can lead to issues like a sore neck, sore thumbs, vision problems, and
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headaches.
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For children and teens, excessive gaming can result in missed sleep and exercise, which are
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crucial for their health and growth.
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Diagnosing video game addiction is not straightforward, as there's no standard test
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for it.
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Doctors may refer individuals to mental health professionals who might use certain screening
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questions.
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They'll look for evidence of lost control over gaming habits and how gaming interferes with
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daily life.
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It's also important to consider other mental health conditions that might be present, such
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as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, or anxiety.
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Treatment for video game addiction often involves addressing other mental health
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challenges as well.
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The most common approaches are forms of talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral
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therapy, group therapy, and family counseling.
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While medication use for this addiction is still experimental, some studies have found
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promise in certain drugs, such as bupropion, which is also used to treat other addictions
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and depression.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with gaming addiction, it might be time to talk to a
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doctor.
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They can provide guidance and potentially refer you to a mental health professional.
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Preventive measures include setting time limits for gaming, keeping devices out of the bedroom,
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and engaging in other activities, including exercise.
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Let's talk about a topic that can be a real thorn in the side of many relationships—chronic
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lateness.
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You might be surprised to learn that being habitually late is not merely about poor
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planning or a lack of respect.
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According to psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert, it often stems from deeper psychological
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patterns and neurobiological factors that many people might not even realize are at play.
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For some individuals, lateness is driven by personality traits.
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They may be easily distractible, overly optimistic about how long tasks will take, or
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simply not aware of how their lateness affects others.
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For others, the issue is rooted in neurobiological differences, which can make it
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difficult for the brain to manage time effectively.
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This can lead to chronic lateness, as they struggle to estimate how long tasks will take
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or transition smoothly from one activity to the next.
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Now, how does chronic lateness impact relationships?
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Well, it can be quite damaging.
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When someone is consistently late, it erodes trust and sends the message that the other
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person's time is less important, even if that is not the intention.
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In the workplace, such behavior can undermine teamwork and damage a person's reputation,
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making it a significant issue beyond just personal relationships.
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Interestingly, many people who struggle with chronic lateness also have attention deficit
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hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
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This condition is associated with "time blindness," which makes it difficult for
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individuals to perceive how quickly time passes or how long tasks actually take.
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ADHD affects executive functioning skills, which are crucial for staying organized,
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planning ahead, and focusing on essential details.
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When these skills are weaker, it becomes challenging to follow a schedule and meet
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deadlines, impacting both personal and professional relationships.
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Underlying patterns such as anxiety, avoidance, and perfectionism often play a role in chronic
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lateness.
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Many people who are chronically late do not intend to be disrespectful; instead, they may
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feel overwhelmed, anxious, or try to fit too much into a limited timeframe.
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Anxiety can make it hard to start tasks, while perfectionism can lead to spending too much
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time on details, resulting in lost time without even noticing.
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To tackle chronic lateness, Jonathan Alpert recommends a "time audit," where individuals
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track how long they think a task will take versus how long it actually takes.
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This exercise can help rebuild a more accurate internal clock.
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Adding a buffer of 10 to 15 minutes between activities can also reduce the frantic rushing
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that often leads to being late.
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It's important to remember that while lateness can create challenges, these habits are not set
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in stone.
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With the right support and consistent strategies, meaningful change is possible.
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Strong routines, alarms, checklists, and accurate time estimates can help compensate for
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traits that do not naturally disappear.
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If lateness is affecting your everyday life and relationships, it might be beneficial to
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discuss your concerns with a healthcare provider or mental health professional.
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As I walk through the grocery store aisles, I cannot help but wonder if my fellow shoppers
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are aware that nearly 70 percent of the food available is ultraprocessed.
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If they knew, would they be able to avoid it?
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This question has perplexed me for over two years as part of my work with the CNN Wellness
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team.
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Despite extensive research and expert consultations, avoiding ultraprocessed foods,
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or UPFs, remains a challenge.
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The term 'junk food' has evolved over the years.
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Once a simple label for sugary, salty, and fatty snacks, it now encompasses a range of
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ultraprocessed foods.
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These items are engineered to hit the 'bliss point'—a perfect combination of flavors that
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make them irresistible.
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Today, these foods are laden with synthetic flavors, textures, dyes, and preservatives,
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contributing to their long shelf life and convenience.
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The NOVA food classification system, developed by Brazilian nutritionist Carlos Augusto
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Monteiro, categorizes foods into four groups, with ultraprocessed foods being the fourth.
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These foods make up a significant portion of the American diet, containing little to no
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whole food ingredients.
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Instead, they are composed of chemically manipulated substances with synthetic additives
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to enhance taste and longevity.
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Studies have shown that consuming just 10 percent more calories from ultraprocessed foods
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can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease-related death by 50 percent.
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Additionally, there's a higher probability of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline,
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stroke, and certain cancers.
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Despite these risks, the Consumer Brands Association argues that there is no agreed-upon
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scientific definition of ultraprocessed foods, complicating efforts to classify them as
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unhealthy.
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The manufacturing process for ultraprocessed foods involves breaking down basic food crops
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into molecular parts, often resulting in a substance that lacks the nutritional integrity
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of whole foods.
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Manufacturers then reassemble these parts, adding artificial colorings, flavorings, and
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other chemicals to create the final product.
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This process raises concerns about the nutritional absorption and health impacts of
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such foods.
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Navigating the grocery store can be daunting when trying to avoid ultraprocessed foods.
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Many experts suggest limiting ingredient lists to five items or avoiding unfamiliar
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ingredients.
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However, this is not always practical.
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Foods like potato chips with few ingredients can still be unhealthy, and organic labels do
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not necessarily mean a product is free from ultraprocessing.
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The debate extends to plant-based meat substitutes, which, while ultraprocessed, may
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still offer health benefits over traditional meats.
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These products are often lower in saturated fat and higher in fiber, making them a potentially
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healthier choice, despite their processed nature.
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They also offer environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and land use
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compared to conventional meat production.
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California has taken steps to address the issue by enacting legislation to define and phase out
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problematic ultraprocessed foods in public schools.
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This effort is part of a larger movement to regulate food additives and improve public
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health.
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However, the implementation of such policies is complex and will take time to fully realize.
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In the meantime, individuals can make informed choices by focusing on whole, fresh foods and
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being mindful of ingredient lists and nutritional labels.
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While the challenge of avoiding ultraprocessed foods persists, awareness and education are key
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to navigating this complicated landscape and promoting better health outcomes.
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LED light therapy is a fascinating cosmetic and medical treatment that uses light-emitting
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diode wavelengths to address various skin conditions, such as acne and psoriasis.
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This treatment can be done at a dermatologist's office or with an at-home product, like a mask
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or wand.
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According to Dr.
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Danilo C.
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Del Campo, a dermatologist from Chicago, home devices offer convenience and can be beneficial
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for mild concerns or ongoing maintenance.
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However, professional-grade devices in a medical setting are generally more powerful and
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can produce faster, more noticeable results.
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LED light therapy utilizes skin-safe, low-level light in different wavelengths and colors,
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including amber, blue, red, and green.
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Near-infrared light is the most deeply absorbed wavelength, which can boost collagen
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production, improve the absorption of skin care products, enhance elasticity, speed up wound
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healing, and soothe cystic acne.
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Different wavelengths serve different purposes.
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For instance, blue light may help reduce acne-causing bacteria, while red and
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near-infrared light may stimulate collagen production and reduce inflammation.
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The technology behind LED light therapy has evolved significantly since its inception.
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Earlier devices were limited and less targeted, while modern platforms allow for precise
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delivery with improved efficacy.
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Dr.
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Del Campo notes that research in this space has grown substantially, with therapeutic benefits
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continuing to expand.
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LED light therapy has various benefits and can treat a range of skin conditions.
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Blue light is often used to treat acne by killing the bacteria responsible for it and
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reducing the amount of oil your glands produce.
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Red light is typically combined with blue light to ease inflammation and redness.
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Red light also stimulates skin cells called fibroblasts, which help make collagen—a crucial
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component for skin recovery.
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Studies have found that red LED light therapy can tighten skin, reduce wrinkles and fine
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lines, and make skin smoother and softer.
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In addition to its cosmetic benefits, LED light therapy can aid in wound healing by boosting
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collagen production, which is essential for healing.
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People who have undergone surgery for skin resurfacing often receive red LED light therapy
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post-procedure to lower redness, swelling, and bruising, thereby speeding up the healing
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process.
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It can also help boost hair growth for those experiencing male- or female-pattern hair loss
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and lessen redness and inflammation in psoriasis.
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Interestingly, LED light therapy has been used in treating certain skin cancers.
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Photodynamic therapy, which involves applying a medication to the skin followed by exposure to
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red or green LED lights, has been used to treat Bowen’s disease and basal cell carcinoma
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lesions.
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Studies have shown that red LED light is generally more effective than green light in
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these treatments.
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While LED light therapy is generally safe when used alone without sensitizing medications or
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creams, it is essential to follow proper guidelines.
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Home devices, while convenient, are not as strong as professional treatments, and certain
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medications can make your skin more sensitive to light.
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Eye protection is crucial during therapy to prevent potential damage, especially if you are
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taking medications that increase light sensitivity.
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If you're considering LED light therapy, it's a good idea to consult with a dermatologist to
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determine if it's a suitable option for you.
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They can provide guidance on whether professional treatments or at-home devices are
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more appropriate based on your skin condition and treatment goals.
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Consistency is key in seeing improvements, with regular treatments recommended for optimal
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results.
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As medical labs across Ontario face persistent understaffing, a significant concern has
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emerged regarding the capacity to train new medical lab technologists, or MLTs.
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According to a recent survey by the Medical Laboratory Professionals Association of
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Ontario, or MLPAO, a striking 68 percent of labs in the province are experiencing a
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shortage of these crucial behind-the-scenes scientists.
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These technologists play an essential role in analyzing medical samples, such as blood work
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or nasal swabs, which are vital for diagnosing illnesses, investigating outbreaks, and
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informing treatment plans.
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The staffing shortages have led to increased delays in test result return times, affecting
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patient care.
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This means that individuals awaiting critical diagnoses, such as cancer or sexually
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transmitted infections, face longer waiting periods than they otherwise would.
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The MLPAO is advocating for the Ontario government to allocate $6 million to fund
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designated in-lab trainers for students, which would help alleviate some of these issues by
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expanding student placements in labs.
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Michelle Hoad, the Chief Executive Officer of the MLPAO, highlighted that the shortage is not
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due to a lack of student interest in MLT programs.
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Instead, it's a bottleneck effect caused by the inability of understaffed labs to accommodate
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students for their required clinical placements.
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Many labs have waitlists for these placements, and when they are short-staffed, they simply
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cannot take on additional trainees.
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The staffing challenges have been ongoing for over a decade, but the pandemic exacerbated the
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situation, pushing it to a critical point.
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Many eligible staff chose early retirement, and those remaining often work double shifts or
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forgo vacations to keep up with the demand.
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The MLPAO appreciates the provincial government's investment in creating 700 new
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spots in MLT programs and expanding grants to encourage students to stay in Ontario
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post-graduation.
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However, without sufficient in-lab educators, these efforts might fall short of resolving the
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staffing crisis.
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A survey conducted by the MLPAO found that 37 percent of labs that currently do not accept
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students for clinical placements would be able to do so if the government funded in-lab
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trainers.
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This underscores the critical need for provincial support to ensure that labs can
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train the next generation of technologists effectively and sustainably.
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It's clear that while the dedication of current lab staff is commendable, relying on their
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goodwill alone is not sustainable.
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Proper staffing and training infrastructure are vital to prevent burnout and ensure that
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Ontario's labs can continue to provide timely and accurate diagnostic services.
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Addressing these challenges is crucial for maintaining the quality and reliability of
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healthcare in the province.
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Thank you for tuning in to today's episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow.
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I hope you found these discussions insightful and informative.
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Remember, staying informed is the first step towards better health.
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Until next time, take care and stay healthy.