Netflix Twin Experiment

I'm enjoying the Netflix mini-documentary You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment | Netflix Official Site. I'm halfway through, so I don't know what they will find in twins exposed to different diets, but I think I can guess.

Keeping Medical Diagnosis Private

There was a kerfuffle over Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III's disclosure (or lack thereof) of his prostate cancer diagnosis. It turns out non-disclosure is a coping mechanism. "I always validate a person's desire for privacy, whatever their reasons," Dr. Fann said. "But I also explain that keeping their diagnosis fully secret, or not being able to talk about it, may make it harder for them to ask for help when it's needed — very concretely, getting a ride to treatment or getting a sympathetic ear when you're stressed." Lloyd Austin's Hidden Diagnosis: Why Some People Keep Serious Illnesses Private - The New York Times (gift article).

Plastic Peril

A groundbreaking study reveals that bottled water contains a staggering 240,000 minuscule plastic particles per liter, far more than previously estimated. These tiny plastic fragments, as small as a virus, pose serious health and environmental concerns. Researchers at Columbia and Rutgers universities employed innovative techniques to identify and count nanoplastics, highlighting their prevalence in bottled water. Surprisingly, most particles were not from the bottle material but from contaminants in the filling and purification. The implications for human health are concerning, as nanoplastics can enter the bloodstream and potentially cause damage. This study calls for further research and heightened awareness of plastic pollution. Bottled Water Contains 240,000 Plastic Particles per Liter, Study Finds – Mother Jones (thanks, Diana).

Feeding Your Calm

In the article 7 foods that can help you reduce anxiety (gift article), the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry explores the powerful connection between what we eat and our mental health. Nutritional psychiatrist Uma Naidoo reveals that an anti-anxiety diet can significantly improve mental well-being, emphasizing the gut-brain connection. Research indicates that specific foods can boost mood, enhance cognition, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. To calm the mind, Naidoo recommends a diet rich in whole foods and shares seven anxiety-busting foods, including extra dark chocolate, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, avocados, green tea, omega-3 sources, and fiber-packed legumes. These foods offer a holistic approach to mental health through nutrition.

+And an article on social anxiety and the microbiome: Scientists Identified A Strange Connection Between Our Gut Microbes and Anxiety.

Data Diagnosis: Your Medical Records are Code Blue

In an alarming revelation, it has come to light that millions of individuals have had their medical data exposed due to security breaches at healthcare providers and transcription services. This eye-opening article explores the recent incidents where unauthorized parties gained access to sensitive medical records, including diagnoses, operative reports, and personal information. Despite promises of improved security measures, the healthcare industry grapples with data breaches, leaving patients vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. With medical information becoming a prized target for malicious actors, the need for stricter laws and better security practices is more apparent than ever. Your Medical Data Is Code Blue | WIRED.

Nature's Rx: How Much Green is Good for You?

Most people intuitively know that spending time in nature benefits their well-being, and scientific research supports this notion. Nature enthusiasts experience lower rates of depression, healthier blood pressure, improved eyesight, better pain control, enhanced immune function, and even lower mortality rates. "The healthiest forests are the ones that have the most different types of trees," he says. He likens the health benefits to food: there's evidence that eating diverse foods leads to a healthier gut microbiome. "I think the same thing is true with nature." To harness these health benefits, researchers in the U.S. have developed tracking and assessment technology. The NatureScore app rates the richness of nature in different geographical areas, while NatureDose monitors a person's time spent outdoors and encourages a weekly nature goal. The aim is to help doctors prescribe "nature prescriptions" alongside traditional medications, emphasizing the importance of green spaces for human health. How Much Nature Is Enough? - Nautilus.

Protein Recommendations Through Life's Stages

Protein is a crucial component of our diets, with varying needs at different stages of life. This article explains how protein requirements change as you age. Growing bodies require more protein during childhood and adolescence, while young and middle-aged adults have maintenance-level protein needs. Protein recommendations may increase in older adulthood to support muscle health and recovery. The article also highlights the importance of meeting these protein needs and suggests protein-rich foods for different age groups, emphasizing the significance of protein intake in maintaining overall health throughout life. How Much Protein You Need As You Age - The New York Times (gift article).

The Secrets to Growing Old Happily

"And therein lies the last lesson to help you prepare for your golden years: Start appreciating seniors more for their natural gifts. The practice of seeing yourself as valuing older adults will reprogram the way you think and feel about your aging. That will allay your fears and free you up to get on with the important business of becoming happier.". The author delves into the concept of aging and happiness in the article How to Be Happy Growing Older, . While society often emphasizes youth and fears the passage of time, research shows that growing old can improve happiness. As people age, they experience more positive and less negative emotions. Personality traits like agreeableness, conscientiousness, and kindness improve with age, leading to higher self-esteem. The article encourages individuals to consciously practice these positive traits throughout their lives, making aging a time of personal growth and happiness. Additionally, it suggests appreciating seniors' wisdom and perspective, thus ultimately changing how society views aging.

Exercise and Brain Health

A recent study re-emphasizes the importance of aerobic AND strength training for brain health in our later years. "We found that those who incorporated aerobic exercises, such as swimming and cycling, and strength exercises like weightlifting into their routines – regardless of intensity and duration – had better mental agility, quicker thinking, and greater ability to shift or adapt their thinking." Aerobic and strength training exercise combined can be an elixir for better brain health in your 80s and 90s, a new study finds.

Build A Strength Training Habit that Sticks

I'm an avid walker but have a more challenging time making strength training part of my routine. The NY Times had an article about ways to make strength training a habit: Strength Training Beginners Guide: How to Make the Workout a Habit - The New York Times. (gift article)

Japan's Dementia Cafes

In Japan, where dementia poses a pressing national health challenge, a heartwarming establishment known as the "Cafe of Mistaken Orders" is making waves. This 12-seat cafe in Tokyo hires elderly individuals with dementia as servers once a month, offering them a chance to interact, stay active, and feel needed. Customers embrace their delightful mix-ups, creating a safe space where smiles outnumber forgotten orders. With Japan's aging population, these dementia cafes are a creative solution to address the chronic caregiver shortage and soaring elderly care costs. In aging Japan, dementia patients staff cafe of mistaken orders - The Washington Post. (gift article)

Sound Medicine: The Healing Power of Music

Music is now recognized for its potential to heal the mind and body. Recent research introduces the concept of "music medicine," highlighting the therapeutic benefits of actively engaging with music. Beyond a temporary mood boost, music has shown promise in alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and even reducing blood pressure. While music therapy involves professional guidance, music medicine involves simply listening to recorded music, making it accessible and effective. Music's ability to evoke emotions, entrain brain activity, and trigger neurochemical changes underscores its healing potential, offering a soothing prescription for life's woes. The big idea: could we use music like medicine? | The Guardian.

Food is Medicine Report

The Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts released "The True Cost of Food: Food is Medicine Case Study," a comprehensive report on how such an approach could have a myriad of health and economic benefits: Food is Medicine education could save millions of lives and billions of dollars.

If We Are What We Eat, We Don't Know Who We Are

The NY Times reviewed the new book, Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind Food That Isn't Food: van Tulleken, Chris. I am adding this one to my reading list. Book Review: 'Ultra-Processed People,' by Chris van Tulleken - The New York Times.

Senolytics, Sirtuins, and the Race to Fight Aging

This month's Economist's Technology Quarterly focuses on the race to combat aging:

One Man's Crazy Quest for Immortality

Time featured a story on Bryan Johnson, a tech entrepreneur developing a life-extension system called Blueprint. Some of the weirder parts of his regimen "include downing 111 pills daily, wearing a baseball cap that shoots red light into his scalp, collecting his stool samples, and sleeping with a tiny jet pack attached to his penis to monitor his nighttime erections." The story and hype made me nauseous. Bryan Johnson's Quest For Immortality | TIME.

Adding Life To Years

"It is not enough for a great nation to have added new years to life. Our objective must also be to add new life to those years." The New York Times featured an OpEd on the importance of healthspan, rather than longevity: Opinion | America's Next Public Health Moonshot Should Tackle Health Spans - The New York Times. (gift article)

Arthur Brooks on How to Banish Misery

Arthur Brooks wrote an article extracted from the thoughts of the philosopher Bertrand Russell: Eight Ways to Banish Misery - The Atlantic.

Science or Spin

In a world where skepticism runs deep, scientific research is scrutinized. Recent revelations by scientists admitting to manipulating their findings to secure publication have sparked controversy. Climatologist Patrick Brown confessed to simplifying his climate change paper for a top journal, while Kristian Andersen altered the language of a COVID-19 origins paper during peer review. While not fraudulent, such actions raise questions about the sincerity of research. While some argue it's a minor breach for the sake of dissemination, others worry about the downstream effects of insincerity, where subtle choices in research can sway public perception on topics like climate change and vaccines. The struggle for genuine scientific discourse continues amidst a landscape of doubt. The Banality of Bad-Faith Science - The Atlantic.

Mattering

"To matter, people must feel valued — heard, appreciated, and cared for — and like they add value in ways that make them feel capable, important, and trusted. It's a two-part definition: feeling valued and adding value." Mattering influences self-compassion, relationships, and achieving one's goals. Why 'Mattering' Is a Key Part of Mental Health - The New York Times. (gift article)