Health Journal Online

Tag: Raises

  • Trump’s Nearly 5-Hour Physical Exam Raises Questions About His Health After Massive Bruise Saga

    Trump’s Nearly 5-Hour Physical Exam Raises Questions About His Health After Massive Bruise Saga

    President Donald Trump underwent a nearly 5-hour physical exam this morning, raising questions about his health following last month’s bruise saga.

    According to the president’s official schedule, Trump arrived at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington at 11 a.m. and did not leave until 3:45 p.m. For comparison, former President Joe Biden’s physical exam last about 2.5 hours last year, AP News reported at the time. Although Biden forwent a cognitive exam, those typically take just 15 minutes, according to NPR.

    Trump wrote in a Truth Social post shared Monday that he has “never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done!” Trump is the oldest president to start a second term in the White House at 78.



    Trump’s doctors have issued glowing statements about his health throughout his political career. In 2012, his then-doctor stated, at Trump’s request, that he was the “healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency,” NPR reported. Then, in 2018, another doctor told the press he had “great genes.”

    The latest physical comes less than two months after Trump was photographed with a massive bruise on his right hand. It was captured during a White House meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. One doctor chalked up the cause of the bruise to an “aggressive handshake” while another guessed the president’s tanning habits and potential use of blood-thinning medications could make his skin more prone to bruising.

    Many took to social media to share concern around the president’s abnormally long exam. Despite the results, a lot of Americans believe the Trump administration won’t release the real results.

    “What kind of physical takes 4 hours and 45 minutes? Seems sus,” X user @ArtCandee wrote.


    “Trump is at Walter Reed Hospital today, getting his annual physical, after which he and his doctors will lie,” @rogertansey stated in an X post.


    “Let me guess… At #Trump’s physical today, the doctor will proclaim very powerfully that he is the most physically fit of all our our presidents and that he’s a remarkable specimin [sic] who’s likely to live to the age of 150 or perhaps longer,” a third added.


    Some users lambasted Trump for scheduling his physical exam ahead of a weekend spent golfing at Mar-a-Lago.

    “Trump’s schedule today is to do his physical and then fly to Mar-a-Lago for the weekend to golf…” an X user wrote, along with a screenshot of Trump’s schedule.



    “We need him to just golf every day tbh,” another joked.


    Originally published on Latin Times



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  • Weight Gain Risky For Obese, But Losing Over 10kg Raises Death Risk By 50%

    Weight Gain Risky For Obese, But Losing Over 10kg Raises Death Risk By 50%

    Can weight loss be always the answer to obesity? While it’s well-known that gaining weight increases the risk of heart disease and death, scientists have now found that losing a significant amount of weight can also carry its own set of dangers.

    In a recent study, researchers from the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in the U.K. found that for individuals with obesity, “maintaining a stable weight, even within the obese range,” can help reduce the risk of death, particularly for those with heart disease risk factors.

    “It was perhaps unsurprising that significant weight gain was associated with higher mortality, but interesting that a similar association was found among those who lost a lot of weight,” said researcher Dr. Jufen Zhang in a news release.

    The study analyzed data from over 8,000 obese participants from the UK Biobank study, all of whom had been diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases. These individuals were tracked over nearly 14 years, with researchers closely monitoring changes in their weight throughout the period.

    The findings revealed that participants who gained more than 10 kg during the study had a threefold increase in the risk of cardiovascular death and nearly double the risk of dying from any cause, compared to those who maintained a stable weight.

    However, the study uncovered an even more striking finding: those who lost more than 10 kg faced a 54% higher risk of all-cause mortality. This suggests that, while weight loss is often encouraged for obese individuals, significant weight loss may have adverse effects, particularly in those already at risk for cardiovascular issues.

    “This study is the first of its kind to examine the link between weight change and all-cause mortality in obese individuals with cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Zhang.

    While more research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms behind the link between both weight loss and weight gain and increased death risk, Dr. Zhang advises that “clinicians should be cautious, especially with new drugs on the market that are promoted for rapid weight loss.”

    “While weight loss is generally recommended for obese adults, those in at-risk groups, like these individuals, should only pursue weight loss under the close guidance of their doctor,” Dr. Zhang added.

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  • Diabetes Onset Before 40 Raises Risk Of Death To Four Times: Study

    Diabetes Onset Before 40 Raises Risk Of Death To Four Times: Study

    Diabetes is not just about having high blood sugar levels; it is a chronic condition that could potentially lead to several health issues, such as heart attack and stroke. But does the timing of diabetes onset affect the risk of complications and mortality? A recent study revealed that developing diabetes before age 40 is linked to a significantly higher risk of early death.

    While diagnosing diabetes before 40 quadrupled the risk of early death, later onset was linked to a one-and-a-half times higher risk of death compared with the general population without the condition, according to the study published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. The findings underscore the importance of delaying the onset of diabetes to reduce complications and risk of premature death.

    To understand the impact of diabetes on overall health, researchers followed up 4,550 individuals newly diagnosed with diabetes for over 30 years. The participants were between the ages of 25 and 65.

    The analysis revealed that diabetic diagnosis at an earlier stage was linked to a higher rate of related complications, particularly microvascular diseases such as eye damage and kidney failure, and a higher risk of death. Diabetes onset at a younger age also was linked to poorer blood sugar control.

    “Over the past 30 years, the number of young adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has increased markedly worldwide. Evidence to date suggests that younger-onset type 2 diabetes, characterized by earlier and longer exposure to high levels of blood glucose, maybe more aggressive than later onset disease. This might include a faster deterioration in β-cell function—the cells in the pancreas that produce and release insulin- and a greater risk of complications such as cardiovascular and kidney disease,” said Amanda Adler, co-author of the study in a news release.

    According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Beryl Lin, more clinical trials should focus on tailored treatments for delaying diabetic complications in young people.

    “We particularly need to understand why young adults with type 2 diabetes suffer greater risks of complications, and how we can identify and help this vulnerable group of people who have to live with diabetes for the rest of their lives,” Dr. Lin said.

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  • History Of Eating Disorders, Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Raises Offspring’s Risk Of Mental Health Diagnosis

    History Of Eating Disorders, Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Raises Offspring’s Risk Of Mental Health Diagnosis

    Children whose mothers have a history of eating disorders and obesity before pregnancy are at a greater risk of mental health diagnosis, a recent study revealed.

    The results of the latest study involving a Finnish population of nearly 400,000 mothers and around 650,000 offspring revealed significant links between maternal health and the mental well-being of their children.

    The research suggests associations between a mother’s history of eating disorders and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) higher than the normal weight range to most of the nine psychiatric diagnoses examined in the offspring.

    The psychiatric diagnoses involved in the study include mood and anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, intellectual disabilities, specific developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, conduct disorders, social functioning and tic disorders (like selective mutism and Tourette syndrome), as well as feeding disorders in infancy and childhood.

    The results showed that around 53% had pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity, nearly 6% had underweight, and 1.6% had a history of an eating disorder.

    When comparing differences in the impact of maternal eating disorders and higher BMI on children’s mental health diagnoses, the study found generally stronger associations with maternal eating disorders than those linked to maternal BMI.

    “The largest effect sizes were observed for maternal eating disorders not otherwise specified in association with offspring sleep disorders and social functioning and tic disorders, while for maternal severe pre-pregnancy obesity, offspring intellectual disabilities had the largest effect size,” the researchers wrote in the study published in Jama Network.

    Eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) refer to a category of eating disorders that do not fit the specific criteria for more commonly recognized disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Some examples of EDNOS include behaviors such as pica, which involves cravings for and consumption of non-food items, or night eating syndrome, characterized by binge eating during the evening hours.

    “The study confirms previously published associations between maternal eating disorders and BMI and offspring psychiatric disorder, but also reports new associations,” Ida Nilsson, a study author told MedPage Today.

    “The findings underline the importance of considering maternal eating disorders and BMI in maternity care, aiming to reduce the number of offspring with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. The findings also strengthen the importance of the nutrition of pregnant women,” Nilsson said.

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  • Vitamin D Deficiency In Kids Raises Risk Of Auto-Immune Disorders: Study Explains How

    Vitamin D Deficiency In Kids Raises Risk Of Auto-Immune Disorders: Study Explains How

    Ensure your child is getting adequate sunshine vitamins. Beyond the role of calcium absorption and bone strengthening, researchers have discovered more about its connection to the immune system. A recent study revealed how a deficiency of vitamin D in young children can raise the risk of developing autoimmune disorders.

    According to the latest study published in the journal Science Advances, the deficiency of vitamin D in kids is linked to premature aging of the thymus gland. The thymus is a small lymph gland that makes and trains T-cells that are crucial for the immune system, defending the body against infections and diseases. While most of these vital cells are produced before birth, the remainder are generated during childhood, and by puberty, individuals would have developed the complete T cells for their lifetime.

    “An aging thymus leads to a ‘leaky’ immune system. This means the thymus becomes less effective at filtering out immune cells that could mistakenly attack healthy tissues, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes,” said the lead author of the study John White in a news release.

    Studies have shown that vitamin D is essential for immunity but according to White, the recent study findings “bring new clarity to this connection and could lead to new strategies for preventing autoimmune diseases.”

    During the trial, researchers examined mice that could not produce vitamin D to assess how this deficiency affected their thymus glands. They then conducted cell analyses and gene sequencing to understand the impact of vitamin D deficiency on the immune system. The researchers expect similar findings in humans as the thymus functions similarly in both species.

    Based on the study findings, researchers suggest that young children should get adequate vitamin D, either through natural sources such as fortified food and sunlight or through supplementation.

    “If you have a young child, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure they’re getting enough,” said White.

    Earlier research conducted by the same team in 2021, which followed up more than 10,000 children showed that early vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes by up to five-fold.

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  • No Cardiovascular Benefits, Raises Circulatory Risks; Study Finds

    No Cardiovascular Benefits, Raises Circulatory Risks; Study Finds

    Sitting for extended periods has long been linked to various health risks including cardiovascular issues, driving the popularity of standing desks among office workers. However, a recent study suggests that standing for extended periods offers no long-term cardiovascular benefits and may not be the better option.

    According to the latest study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, standing for long periods may not benefit heart health and could increase the risk of circulatory problems, such as deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins.

    Researchers from the University of Sydney analyzed heart conditions and circulatory disease data from 83,013 UK adults, collected over seven to eight years. These participants, who did not have any heart disease at the start, were monitored using wrist-worn wearables similar to smartwatches to track their activity and health.

    The analysis revealed that for every additional 30 minutes spent standing beyond two hours, the risk of circulatory disease increased by 11 percent.

    “The key takeaway is that standing for too long will not offset an otherwise sedentary lifestyle and could be risky for some people in terms of circulatory health. We found that standing more does not improve cardiovascular health over the long-term and increases the risk of circulatory issues,” Dr Matthew Ahmadi, the lead author of the study said in a news release.

    The researchers also found that sitting for more than 10 hours a day raises the risk of both cardiovascular disease and orthostatic issues.

    Based on these findings, the researchers recommend that people who are regularly sedentary or stand for extended periods incorporate regular movement throughout the day to mitigate these risks.

    “For people who sit for long periods on a regular basis, including plenty of incidental movement throughout the day and structured exercise may be a better way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, Director of the Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub.

    “Take regular breaks, walk around, go for a walking meeting, use the stairs, take regular breaks when driving long distances, or use that lunch hour to get away from the desk and do some movement,” Stamatakis said.

    Earlier research by the team found that just 6 minutes of vigorous exercise or 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per day can reduce the risk of heart disease, even in individuals who are highly sedentary for over 11 hours a day.

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  • Being Overweight Raises Pregnancy Complications Regardless Of Women’s Country Of Birth: Study

    Being Overweight Raises Pregnancy Complications Regardless Of Women’s Country Of Birth: Study

    Obesity increases health complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage, preterm birth, and preeclampsia. Researchers have now found that being overweight during pregnancy raises these risks regardless of a woman’s country of birth.

    The latest study conducted by researchers at Linköping University and Karolinska Institutet in Sweden examined the risk of complications faced by overweight pregnant women, including both those born in Sweden and those who have moved there.

    “We know that overweight and obesity are linked to many complications during pregnancy and childbirth for women born in Sweden. Therefore, we wanted to investigate whether the inequalities in pregnancy complications between women born in different countries can to some extent be explained by differences in body weight. If you know that there are health inequalities, you want to find out why, in order to be able to do something about the inequalities in the next step,” said Pontus Henriksson who led the study in a news release.

    The researchers evaluated nearly two million pregnancies and focused on eight significant complications that can impact the mother or baby during pregnancy and childbirth. The complications examined include those related to pregnancy, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and infant mortality within the first year of life. It also looked at preterm birth, extremely preterm birth, and low Apgar scores, which assess a newborn’s vitality. The researchers also considered the risks associated with having a large baby or a small baby concerning the length of the pregnancy.

    The findings published in The Lancet Public Health suggest that promoting a healthy weight has the potential to prevent pregnancy complications for all women.

    The researchers explored how many pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes, could be prevented if all women started their pregnancies at a normal weight.

    “For example, we concluded that about half of all cases of gestational diabetes could potentially be prevented. This applies to both women born in Sweden and foreign-born women, said Maryam Shirvanifar, the first author of the study.

    The study also revealed that the impact of weight on these complications varies significantly; for instance, high body weight is particularly linked to an increased risk of gestational diabetes compared to other pregnancy-related issues.

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  • Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet May Help Weight Loss, But Study Says It Raises Diabetes Risk

    Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet May Help Weight Loss, But Study Says It Raises Diabetes Risk

    Cutting down on carbohydrates and increasing fat intake is a popular weight loss strategy for many. However, researchers now say that in the long run, it may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes.

    A recent study published in the journal Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, which followed around 40,000 participants in Melbourne, Australia, found that a low-carb, high-fat diet is linked to a 20% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

    Increased carbohydrate intake is known to raise diabetes risk. Earlier studies have focused on examining how a low carbohydrate diet could be used in managing or remission of type 2 diabetes. Studies have also shown that low-carbohydrate eating patterns could be effective for quick weight loss.

    However, the long-term effects of a low-carb diet on the risk of developing diabetes were not known. The latest findings suggest that while low-carb diets may aid in diabetes management, they might be ineffective in preventing the disease.

    “Studies to date have only focused on examining low carbohydrate for managing and/or remission of type 2 diabetes. Instead, this study reveals that low carbohydrate diet intake might increase the long-term risk of type 2 diabetes through obesity, potentially through increased eating of fats and foods low in fiber. Our study also highlights the need to look at the quality of carbohydrates, proteins and fats,” said Professor de Courten, a researcher of the study in a news release.

    The study was conducted on participants aged 40–69, who were part of the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS) between 1990 and 1994. Researchers analyzed the percentage of carbohydrates in their diets using a Low Carbohydrate Score (LCD) and estimated the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. A higher score indicated a lower percentage of carbohydrates contributing to energy intake. The health of participants was reviewed during two periods: 1995–1998 and 2003–2007.

    Participants whose diets consisted of 38% carbohydrates had a 20% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with 55% carbohydrates in their diet. The increased risk is attributed to a higher incidence of obesity, resulting from high-fat and low-fiber content in the diet.

    Based on their findings, researchers suggest that there should be an adequate review of dietary approaches for those wanting to lose weight and avoid diabetes.

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  • Sugar Substitute Erythritol Raises Risk Of Heart Attacks, Stroke: Study

    Sugar Substitute Erythritol Raises Risk Of Heart Attacks, Stroke: Study

    Sugar is a known health risk for several metabolic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. But are sugar substitutes risk-free?

    Adding more evidence to the increased risk associated with sugar substitutes, researchers of a recent study have identified that erythritol, a common low-calorie sweetener, could raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

    A team of Cleveland Clinic researchers came across startling findings while they were investigating the physiological effects of common sugar substitutes. Based on the study results published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, the researchers now caution that erythritol might not be as safe as food regulatory agencies currently classify it, calling for a reevaluation of its use.

    Erythritol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in fruits and vegetables and is a byproduct of glucose metabolism in human tissue. Since it is a low-carbohydrate sweetener, it is used in many “keto” products. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority classify erythritol as GRAS, (generally recognized as safe). This classification allows its unrestricted use in food products.

    The new study points to the cardiovascular risk associated with erythritol, suggesting that even a standard serving size of the sweetener could raise blood clot risk.

    “Many professional societies and clinicians routinely recommend that people at high cardiovascular risk – those with obesity, diabetes or metabolic syndrome – consume foods that contain sugar substitutes rather than sugar. These findings underscore the importance of further long-term clinical studies to assess the cardiovascular safety of erythritol and other sugar substitutes,” senior and corresponding author Dr. Stanley Hazen said in a news release.

    In a study conducted last year, it was found that cardiac patients with high erythritol levels were twice as likely to experience a major cardiac event within the next three years compared to those with lower levels. Additionally, the study revealed that adding erythritol to patients’ blood or platelets increased clot formation.

    To further investigate the effects of erythritol on blood platelets, researchers used a human intervention study that tested its use on 20 healthy individuals. The participants ingested erythritol in the form of a standard “sugarless” soda or muffin and compared the results with glucose consumption.

    The researchers then noted that after consumption of erythritol products, the level of erythritol in the blood increased by over 1,000 times compared to before. Additionally, the study showed that blood clotting increased after consuming erythritol, but this effect was not seen after consuming glucose.

    “This research raises some concerns that a standard serving of an erythritol-sweetened food or beverage may acutely stimulate a direct clot-forming effect. Erythritol and other sugar alcohols that are commonly used as sugar substitutes should be evaluated for potential long-term health effects, especially when such effects are not seen with glucose itself,” said study co-author Dr. W. H. Wilson Tang.

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