020 - Biohacking, Pheromones, Comfort Food, and Obesity - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

Long Covid and ME/CFS

More on how the phenomenon of Long Covid is shedding light on a disease that, until now, has lived in the shadows: myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, or ME/CFS, for short. How long COVID reignites attention for chronic fatigue syndrome

What Causes Obesity? Scientists Still Don't Agree

The NY Times had an opinion piece on a recent attempt to develop a consensus statement on the cause of obesity which affects more than 40 percent of U.S. adults and costs the health system about $173 billion yearly. Scientists could not agree: Scientists Don't Agree on What Causes Obesity, but They Know What Doesn't.

Obesity Drugs

The estimated cost of obesity in the U.S. is over $170 billion. A new class of drugs, glucagon-like peptide-1s receptor agonists (GLP-1s), initially approved for diabetes, are increasingly prescribed off-label for weight loss. The drugs are effective in stimulating weight loss (some as much as 20%), now approaching the efficacy of bariatric surgery (the current gold standard). Earlier this year, the FDA approved Wegovy as a treatment for obesity. Despite the potential of these drugs to positively impact the obesity epidemic, they are considered non-essential "lifestyle drugs" and are priced financially out of reach to the general public. Most insurance companies will currently not cover GLP-1s for obesity, meaning out-of-pocket costs, even with insurance, of $1200-$1500 / month-another indicator of the misaligned incentives of much of our medical and pharmaceutical systems, prioritizing profit over the health of individuals. What Is Ozempic and Why Is It Getting So Much Attention?

+If you are taking one of the GLP-1 medications; all is not a bed of roses: 'I miss eating': the truth behind the weight loss drug that makes food repulsive.

Are Near-Death Experiences Real?

Big Think has an article on a scientist who studied more than 1000 near-death experiences. As with so many things, the more we know, the less we understand. Are near-death experiences real?

Telomeres and Cancer

I've seen lots of stories on telomeres lately. Here is one about how telomeres and telomerase influence different types of cancer. How cancer tumor cells can become immortal.

Navigating the Financial World After Death

The article, After someone dies: death certificates, bureaucracy, and grief (gift article) is a written experience of a woman who had the additional stress of financial and institutional red tape after her husband's death. Death is a depressing topic, but the article offers valuable advice on managing your important information now to minimize future stress on your loved ones.

Holidays for the Immunocompromised

Although the world is slowly returning to its pre-pandemic behavior for most individuals, there is a subset of the population, the immunocompromised, for whom very little has changed. How Immunocompromised Experts Will Celebrate Another Pandemic Holiday discusses the many challenges of navigating the holidays with an abnormal immune system.

How To Choose a Healthy Cooking Oil

The Washington Post's article offered an excellent overview of the many oils available in the supermarket. How to choose a healthy cooking oil.) (gift article). If you'd like to compare different brands of olive oil, head over to one of my favorite resources, ConsumerLab: Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review & Top Picks. (requires a membership). ConsumerLab is a fantastic resource for sleuthing out dietary items and supplements: ConsumerLab: Independent Testing of Supplements and Botanicals.

Embracing Pheromones on the Farm

Wired had a piece on the effort to develop pheromones to combat infestations and limit the number of pesticides used in farming. To Ditch Pesticides, Scientists Are Hacking Insects' Sex Signals.

Love or Hate Brussel Sprouts? The Reason Might be Your Genes

Inverse had an interesting article on the genetic influence on taste and enjoyment of food: There might be a biological reason you hate Brussels sprouts.

Chronic Illness and the Holidays

Although some people say being diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness was good for them, others struggle with negative emotions, especially around the holidays: What if You Can't Find the Silver Lining in Your Illness?

Does Playing Pickleball Count as Vigorous Exercise?

Many of my friends are dropping other sports, such as tennis and racquetball, and instead playing pickleball. Is pickleball a good exercise? Yes, and no has some good information on this rapidly growing sport.

Advanced Glycation End Products and Cognitive Decline

Michael Greger had a good video on Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and Cognitive Decline. I was surprised by order of food in a table he referred to listing foods highest in AGEs.

Biohacking and Health-Span

An interesting article in The Guardian, Who wants to live to 100 on a diet of lentil and broccoli slurry? Mostly rich men. "The goal shouldn't be to extend life endlessly but to create joy and purpose at every stage of it... What we need is to make life worth living." Different from the author, I'm in the camp of extending my health span AND creating joy and purpose at every stage. This article reminded me not to be draconian about my health regimen. Eighty percent adherence to healthy behaviors should significantly impact my health without sucking the joy out of life.

The Science of Comfort Food

Food takes a centerpiece in many of this season's holiday celebrations. The Science of Comfort Food (gift article) examines why certain foods give us so much pleasure.