Tag: years

How to Boost Your Life Expectancy by 12 to 14 Years
What can physicians do to promote healthy, life-extending lifestyle changes?

A pivotal paper published in Europe more than a decade ago entitled “Healthy Living Is the Best Revenge” found that practicing just four simple, healthy lifestyle factors compared to none could potentially have a strong impact on preventing chronic diseases. We’re talking nearly 80% less chronic disease risk, slashing diabetes risk by 93%, dropping heart attack risk by 81%, and cutting stroke risk in half and cancer risk by 36%. Think about what that means. The potential for preventing disease and death is enormous. In the United States alone every year, there are a half million first heart attacks, a half million first strokes, a million new cases of diabetes, and a million new cancer diagnoses. The message is clear: Practicing a few healthy behaviors can have a huge impact.

What are those four fabled factors?
- never smoking
- not being obese
- averaging about a half hour of exercise a day
- following healthful dietary principles, including a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and less meat
Follow those four simple rules and boom! Enjoy nearly 80% reduced risk of major chronic diseases.

What does that mean for mortality risk? As I discuss in my video How to Increase Your Life Expectancy 12 to 14 Years, a similar combination of four healthy behaviors predicted “a 4-fold difference in total mortality in men and women, with an estimated impact equivalent to 14 y[ears] in chronological age,” meaning the individuals were dying at such a reduced rate that it was as if they were 14 years younger. “Finally, a Regimen to Extend Human Life Expectancy,” proclaimed a commentary in reference to a study that had made a similar analysis of the impact of healthy lifestyle behaviors on life expectancies. But this time, it looked directly at the U.S. population, which is particularly important, since Americans have a shorter life expectancy compared to people living in nearly all other higher-income countries. The researchers concluded that a healthy lifestyle could substantially reduce premature mortality and increase life expectancy in U.S. adults. Okay, but by how much? They estimated that adhering to a low-risk lifestyle could extend life expectancy at age 50 by 14 years in women and 12.2 years in men. So, if you’re 50 right now, instead of only living to 79 if you’re a woman and 75½ if you’re a man in the United States, taking even just basic care of yourself could propel you to an average life expectancy of 93 if you’re a woman and 87½ if you’re a man.

The bottom line is it’s never too late to turn back the clock. A midlife switch just to the basics—at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, walking 20 minutes a day, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight—leads to a substantial reduction in mortality even in the following few years. We’re talking a 40% lower risk of dying in the subsequent four years. Indeed, “making the necessary changes to adhere to a healthy lifestyle is extremely worthwhile, and…middle-age is not too late to act.”

As an aside, when I realized the 12 to 14 years of added life expectancy were based on data from health professionals, I got excited about all the potential ripple effects. If health professionals start getting healthier, they can become role models for more healthful living and potentially save more lives than just their own. But that may have been wishful thinking. Practicing what you preach can sometimes backfire. Evidently, “displays of excellence can paradoxically turn off the very people they are trying to inspire.”

It’s reasonable to assume that not being a hypocrite and trying to walk the walk would lead to positive consequences, inspiring confidence in others. Don’t you want a dance instructor who can dance, a music teacher who can play, and a health professional who’s healthy? But “this simple intuition fails to take into account the concerns about devaluation than an expert’s superior behavior elicits in others”—that is, that may make people feel inadequate. For example, you know how vegetarians often become targets of ridicule and hostility? That’s because they may come off as morally superior and make other people feel like they’re being looked down upon.

There was an elegant demonstration of this phenomenon in a study where “principled deviants who take the high road threaten others’ moral self-worth.” Participants were asked to complete “a racist task,” and those “moral rebels” who refused to do so were cheered on by observers but disparaged by their fellow participants who had done the task. Why? Because the rebels’ stance was “an implied indictment of their spinelessness.” Isn’t that interesting?

So, when doctors portray themselves as “the picture of health,” patients might think they’re being holier-than-thou, which can unintentionally alienate those who need the doctors’ help the most. It’s easy to imagine how someone with a weight issue might feel threatened and judged by a physician triathlete. But what are we supposed to do? We want healthy practitioners. Physicians who smoke are less likely to tell their patients to quit smoking, physicians who are overweight are less likely to advise about weight loss, and physicians who don’t work out are less likely to talk about exercise. What doctors can do to make patients more comfortable is emphasize that their role is to help people meet their own personal health goals, whatever they may be. Studies show that when doctors take this approach, it increases the appeal of “fitness-focused” physicians to overweight patients. So, doctors can then display model behavior without inadvertently alienating those who would most benefit from their counsel.

Doctor’s Note

For more on lifestyle medicine, see related posts below.
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April 24, 2026

GAD Drug Development Has Stalled for 16 Years. iNGENu CRO Is Building the Trial Framework to Change That.

The FDA has not approved a new generalized anxiety disorder treatment since 2009. With a high placebo effect, complex neurobiology, and a long list of failed candidates, GAD represents one of psychiatry’s most persistent clinical challenges. Here is what the data shows, and how precision trial design is finally shifting the odds.

The Gap in the Market

Generalized Anxiety Disorder affects an estimated 6.8 million adults in the United States alone, yet the last drug to receive FDA approval specifically for the condition was pregabalin, cleared in 2009. Since then, psychiatry has cycled through a series of promising candidates that ultimately could not clear the regulatory bar, leaving clinicians relying on a toolkit that is now a decade and a half old.

The treatment gap is not for lack of scientific interest. It reflects a specific set of structural challenges: GAD’s biological complexity, the outsized placebo response typical of anxiety trials, and the rigorous endpoint standards that the FDA has maintained. For US biotech firms eyeing this space, the challenge is real, and so is the opportunity.

The last FDA-approved GAD therapy was cleared in 2009. The biology has not changed. The trial methodology has.

What Makes Gad Difficult to Treat

GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive worry about everyday matters that causes measurable functional impairment. Unlike discrete phobias or panic disorder, it is diffuse, chronic, and deeply intertwined with both neurobiological and psychological systems.

The neurochemical picture is complex. GAD is associated with dysregulation across multiple transmitter systems, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Early drug development concentrated heavily on GABA-targeting compounds. The results were largely disappointing, reinforcing what researchers now recognize: single-pathway interventions tend to fall short in a condition this multifactorial.

Genetics plays a partial role. Heritability estimates for GAD sit around 30%, a figure high enough to justify genetic research targets, but low enough to confirm that environmental and psychological factors remain significant contributors. That complexity creates both a challenge for trial design and an argument for individualized treatment approaches.

The diagnostic framework has evolved. Under DSM-5 (code 300.02 / F41.1), GAD requires excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least six months, with the individual finding the worry difficult to control. The ICD-11 (code 6A71) similarly emphasizes persistent, excessive worry across multiple activities. For trial sponsors, precision in patient selection using these criteria is not just a clinical formality; it directly affects outcome data.

The Six FDA-Approved Treatments: A Historical Snapshot

Six drugs have received FDA approval for the treatment of GAD. The timeline tells a story about where science has concentrated and where it has plateaued.

Drug	FDA Approval	Mechanism / Notes
Buspirone	1986	Anxiolytic targeting serotonin receptors; distinct from benzodiazepines
Paroxetine	2001	SSRI; commonly prescribed where depression co-occurs with GAD
Escitalopram	2002	SSRI with demonstrated efficacy across GAD and major depressive disorder
Duloxetine	2007	SNRI; covers GAD, major depressive disorder, and neuropathic pain
Venlafaxine	2008	SNRI; used across GAD, depression, and panic disorder
Pregabalin	2009	Originally an anticonvulsant; adopted for GAD based on CNS calming effects

The six approved agents cluster around SSRIs and SNRIs, with buspirone representing the only serotonin-specific anxiolytic and pregabalin the lone anticonvulsant-class entry. No novel mechanism has made it to approval in the 16 years since. The reasons lie partly in the drugs that did not make it.

Lessons from the Failures: Five Candidates That Could Not Cross the Line

Analyzing failed drug development is as instructive as studying successes. The last decade of GAD trials has produced a consistent set of failure patterns that inform how new trials should be designed.

Candidate	Primary Failure Mode	Detail
Tofisopam	Limited Efficacy	Failed to outperform placebo in large-scale trials
Esmirtazapine	Discontinued	Development halted on strategic grounds despite promising early data
Gepirone ER	Insufficient Efficacy	Did not meet primary efficacy endpoints
Fasoracetam	Inconclusive	Lacked a clear efficacy signal in GAD-specific trials
PF-06372865	Safety & Efficacy	Development halted over safety concerns and insufficient trial performance

Several themes recur across these failures. Limited sample sizes produced underpowered results. Short trial durations missed the chronic nature of GAD’s trajectory. And the placebo response in anxiety studies is structurally higher than in most other therapeutic areas, which means that even moderately effective compounds can appear statistically indistinguishable from inactive controls if the trial is not designed to account for it.

There is also a financial dimension. The cost and risk profile of CNS drug development has led multiple pharma organizations to redirect resources toward indications with clearer regulatory pathways. That dynamic has left an opening for lean, well-organized biotech firms to move into GAD with more focused programs and lower overhead structures.

The placebo response in anxiety trials is structurally higher than in most other therapeutic areas. A trial not designed to account for this will produce misleading results regardless of the compound’s actual efficacy.

What High-Quality Gad Trial Design Actually Requires

The FDA’s standards for GAD are not ambiguous. What has proven difficult is executing against them consistently. Based on the available evidence from failed candidates, successful trial design in this indication requires attention to five interconnected variables.

Patient selection precision. Rigorous application of DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria at enrollment is foundational. Trials that use loose inclusion criteria or fail to screen out comorbid conditions with overlapping symptom profiles inflate variance and obscure the treatment signal.

Appropriate outcome measures. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) remains the primary FDA-recognized endpoint for GAD, but it functions best when paired with secondary measures that capture patient-reported experience. Reliance on a single endpoint has contributed to approval failures even when a partial clinical benefit was observable.

Managing the placebo effect. GAD trials consistently show placebo response rates that make separation from active treatment difficult to demonstrate. Strategies including optimized rater training, centralized assessment protocols, and blinding procedures are not optional enhancements; they are structural requirements for generating reliable efficacy data.

Safety monitoring infrastructure. Several failed candidates ran into safety signals that might have been identified and managed earlier with more granular pharmacovigilance protocols. Real-time safety oversight reduces the risk of late-stage discontinuation.

Regulatory alignment from day one. FDA engagement during trial design, not after data collection, is one of the most consistent differentiators between programs that advance and those that do not. Pre-IND consultation, alignment on endpoint selection, and documented regulatory strategy significantly reduce the probability of a complete response letter.

The iNGENu CRO Approach to Gad Research

iNGENu CRO is an Australian-headquartered clinical research organization built specifically to support early-to-mid-stage biotech firms pursuing FDA approval. In GAD and broader psychiatric indications, the organization brings several structural advantages that address the failure patterns described above.

FDA-compliant data from non-US trials. iNGENu’s Australian trial infrastructure generates data under 21 CFR 312.120 compliance, meaning results from Asia-Pacific trials can be submitted directly to the FDA without the need for a US IND at the early-phase stage. This shortens start-up timelines to as little as eight to twelve weeks for Phase 1 and 2 programs.

Physician-led trial execution. Sponsors engage directly with iNGENu’s medical and scientific leadership, including its Chief Executive Officer and PhD scientists, from the start of the engagement. This reduces the communication overhead that leads to protocol drift in larger CRO structures.

Cost structure aligned with biotech economics. Through the Australian Government’s 43.5% R&D Tax Incentive, eligible sponsors can recover a significant portion of trial expenditure as a direct cash refund. iNGENu reports that more than 99% of its clients qualify for this program. For early-stage firms managing tight capital structures, the cost differential can be decisive.

Validated psychiatric trial infrastructure. iNGENu operates dedicated clinical capabilities in psychiatric disorder research, with assessment instruments, rater training protocols, and patient-centered design features suited to the specific demands of GAD and related anxiety conditions. This infrastructure directly addresses the endpoint measurement and placebo management challenges that have historically contributed to trial failures in this space.

Sponsors engage directly with iNGENu’s medical and scientific leadership from the start of the engagement. This structure reduces the communication overhead that causes protocol drift.

The Market Case for Moving Now

The commercial argument for GAD drug development is straightforward. Prevalence is high, existing treatments have significant tolerability and efficacy limitations, and there has been no new approved mechanism in the indication since 2009. For a US biotech capable of demonstrating meaningful separation from placebo on validated endpoints, the market entry would be entering largely uncrowded territory.

The parallel shift toward personalized medicine approaches in psychiatry also creates an opening for novel mechanisms. Multi-target drugs, biomarker-stratified patient selection, and next-generation pharmacological approaches are all areas where early-stage investment today could translate to a differentiated regulatory position within a realistic development timeline.

iNGENu CRO’s whitepaper on generalized anxiety disorder clinical endpoints, FDA approvals, and trial enhancements maps this landscape in detail for sponsors actively evaluating GAD as a program priority. The document is available directly through iNGENu CRO and covers diagnostic criteria, clinical endpoints, historical approval and failure analysis, and the firm’s approach to trial design.

Conclusion

GAD drug development has not stalled because the patient’s need is unclear. It has stalled because the trial execution demands are high and the consequences of methodological shortcuts are severe. The programs most likely to succeed in this space will be those that approach the design phase with the same rigor they bring to the molecule itself.

With the FDA’s endpoint standards well established, the biological rationale for novel mechanisms documented in the literature, and a cost-accessible clinical infrastructure available through Australia’s regulatory pathway, the conditions for a new wave of GAD approvals are better than they have been in years. The question for sponsors is whether their trial architecture is capable of delivering on the opportunity.

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH iNGENu CRO

iNGENu CRO provides high-quality, FDA-compliant clinical research for innovative biotech firms. To discuss your GAD or psychiatric clinical trial program, contact the team directly:
Email: hello@ingenucro.com
Website: www.ingenucro.com

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March 19, 2026

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February 17, 2026
How a Rare Elbow Megaprosthesis Restored a Life After 27 Years

The cause traced back to a severe elbow injury in his youth, one that gradually reshaped both bone and daily life. The joint fused, the structure weakened, and simple routines turned into daily negotiations. When he finally reached Vinmec, the challenge extended beyond surgery itself.

The Limits of the Elbow

Years of unsuccessful treatment slowly reshaped Phong’s expectations. Multiple surgeries offered little improvement, and the prospect of living with the deformity became increasingly real, until he reached Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

There, doctors determined that his condition represented an exceptionally complex post-traumatic sequel. “This is an extremely rare case with a very high level of complexity, and there are virtually no precedents in Vietnam,” said Dr. Tran Quyet, Head of Upper Limb Surgery, Musculoskeletal and Orthopedic Trauma Center, Vinmec Times City.

Time had taken more than movement from Phong’s elbow. In fact, it had stripped away much of its structure. The joint was completely fused and unstable, with an estimated six-centimeter defect in the distal humerus, leaving the left arm four to five centimeters shorter than the right.

That degree of damage placed the case beyond the reach of standard elbow replacement. Historically, megaprostheses were developed primarily for limb-salvage surgery in bone cancer. While their use has gradually expanded over time, its application at the elbow, particularly outside oncologic settings, continues to remain uncommon.

Phong’s condition fell into that demanding category, where conventional solutions had long since run out.

Engineering a Second Chance

After extensive multidisciplinary discussions, Vinmec’s medical team reached a decision shaped as much by responsibility as by expertise: a total elbow megaprosthesis combined with reconstruction of the extensive bone defect. For a patient who had already waited 27 years, there was little room for uncertainty.

The work began long before the day of surgery. Using in-hospital 3D technology, surgeons rebuilt Phong’s elbow virtually, layer by layer, studying what time had altered, anticipating what could be restored. CT-based models allowed the team to visualize the deformity in full, plan each step with care, and design a prosthesis tailored specifically to his anatomy. From that digital reconstruction, a patient-specific elbow joint was created using 3D printing.

Vinmec’s doctors created a bespoke elbow joint designed exclusively for Phong.

“The patient has waited for 27 years. Another failure would have had a severe psychological impact. That is why we were determined to create a new opportunity to change his life,” Dr. Quyet stated.

That preparation changed everything. The surgery was completed successfully, with no nerve or vascular injury recorded. Within three days, Phong was able to begin gentle movement of his arm. Two weeks later, he could extend and flex the elbow, lift his arm, and raise it overhead.

“After nearly 30 years, I finally feel like I have a normal arm again,” Phong said. “It moves so naturally, almost as if I never had surgery at all.”

Yet the most profound outcome was not measured in surgical time or range of motion. It emerged quietly, as a man who had learned to live within limitation began to reclaim independence, through ordinary actions.

Advancing Orthopedic Excellence

Such a miracle did not happen in an instant. It emerged gradually, shaped by a series of groundbreaking clinical achievements. In 2025, Vinmec carried out a personalized total femoral replacement using 3D-printed metal for a young child with aggressive bone cancer—preserving the limb in a case where amputation had been widely advised. Earlier, the system became the first hospital in Southeast Asia to successfully perform a fully 3D-printed titanium chest wall reconstruction.

These landmark procedures exemplify Vinmec’s patient-centered philosophy, where multidisciplinary expertise converges to confront the most complex conditions.

Stories like Phong’s extend far beyond Vietnam. They echo among patients worldwide, many of whom have been told that options are exhausted. At Vinmec International Healthcare System, growing clinical evidence shows that those paths are being created thoughtfully and deliberately.

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February 5, 2026
Celebrating 10 years of the DC Podcast
Ten years ago, the Dietitian Connection (DC) podcast started with a simple idea and a big belief in the power of dietitians. This month we’re celebrating 10 years of the DC Podcast with a very special reflective episode.

Back in January 2016, DC was a community of just over 4,000 members, supported by a small group of passionate volunteers. Today, it’s a global network of 57,000 dietitians, backed by a dedicated team across Australia and the US.

In this anniversary episode, Maree Ferguson is joined by Kate Agnew (one of DC’s early contributors), to reflect on what’s changed over the past decade. From the evolution of dietetics and technology (including the rise of AI), to leadership lessons, personal growth, and building connection in a virtual world.

It’s a conversation about courage, community, and what’s possible when you’re willing to start before you have all the answers.

Hosted by Maree Ferguson

Biography

Dr Maree Ferguson founded Dietitian Connection in 2012. Maree is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and is an internationally renowned nutrition and dietetics expert. She was previously the Director Nutrition and Dietetics, Princess Alexandra Hospital. Prior to this, Maree worked at an international medical nutrition company in the United States. She has held leadership positions both within Dietitians Australia and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Maree developed the Malnutrition Screening Tool to identify patients at risk of malnutrition. Her innovative malnutrition screening tool has been implemented in many hospitals worldwide.

Kate Agnew is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and Account Director at Dietitian Connection, known for her work across health communications, compliance and marketing. With a Master’s in Dietetics and further training in Marketing and Brand Management, she has spoken at national and international conferences and received Dietitians Australia’s Young Achiever of the Year award (2023).
In this episode, we discuss:

How dietetics and technology have evolved

Lessons from a decade of leadership and growth

Navigating career, life stages, and self-trust

What’s possible next — for DC and for you
Additional resources

Click here for 20% off Nutrition Therapy for Fertility. Use the code DIETITIAN and enrol before 13 March 2026.

The content, products and/or services referred to in this podcast are intended for Health Care Professionals only and are not, and are not intended to be, medical advice, which should be tailored to your individual circumstances. The content is for your information only, and we advise that you exercise your own judgement before deciding to use the information provided. Professional medical advice should be obtained before taking action. The reference to particular products and/or services in this episode does not constitute any form of endorsement. Please see  here  for terms and conditions.
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January 30, 2026
Early Diabetes Symptoms Years Before Diagnosis
Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are elevated, but not yet high enough to qualify as diabetes. Many people remain unaware they have prediabetes because early warning signs are often subtle or easily dismissed. Recognizing prediabetes signs early—when the body first begins to struggle with glucose regulation—can give individuals a chance to reverse the trend before full-blown diabetes develops.

Spotting early diabetes symptoms and blood sugar warning signs can lead to timely lifestyle changes, better monitoring, and professional intervention. This awareness becomes especially important as uncontrolled blood sugar levels, even in prediabetes, can quietly damage the body over time.

Common Early Diabetes Symptoms to Watch For

Some of the more noticeable early symptoms of elevated blood sugar mirror those of diabetes itself. These include:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination — When blood glucose rises, the kidneys work harder to filter out excess sugar, causing the body to excrete more water. This imbalance leads to dehydration, prompting frequent urges to drink and urinate. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with prediabetes may notice persistent thirst and frequent urination even before a diabetes diagnosis.
- Fatigue and blurred vision — Because cells become less responsive to insulin, glucose can’t enter cells efficiently for energy. The resulting energy shortage triggers fatigue, even after normal rest. Blurred vision can occur as elevated glucose affects fluid levels in the lens of the eye.
- Unexplained hunger and weight changes — Insulin resistance can impair the body’s ability to use glucose properly, leading to persistent hunger despite adequate food intake. Some people may gain weight, while others might experience unintended weight changes.
Recognizing these as early diabetes symptoms is important—especially if they occur together or persist.

Blood Sugar Warning Signs That Indicate Prediabetes

Beyond the more obvious symptoms, prediabetes can also manifest through less obvious—but still significant—physical changes. Watch for the following blood sugar warning signs:
- Darkened skin patches (Acanthosis Nigricans) — This condition causes velvety, darkened skin on the neck, armpits, groin, or other folds. Because it signals insulin resistance, it’s one of the more visible prediabetes signs.
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet — Early nerve irritation or damage may occur due to chronically elevated blood sugar levels, even before full diabetes develops. This can feel like tingling, “pins and needles,” or numbness.
- Slow-healing wounds and increased infections — High blood sugar can impair immune function and circulation, slowing down wound healing and increasing susceptibility to infections or skin problems.
Based on information from the Cleveland Clinic, several physical changes can reveal that blood sugar has been elevated for months—or even years. Because these symptoms may appear years before any formal diagnosis, they offer an early window for intervention.

Prevention, Early Detection, and When to Seek Medical Help

Because prediabetes often has no obvious symptoms, regular screening is important if risk factors are present — such as overweight/obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history of diabetes, or metabolic syndrome. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , early detection and preventive strategies significantly reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.

Preventive measures start with lifestyle changes. A balanced diet rich in vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low-sugar foods helps stabilize blood sugar. Exercise—particularly walking, strength training, or cycling—improves insulin sensitivity and helps the body use glucose more efficiently. Maintaining a healthy weight also plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels.

Monitoring symptoms is essential. If individuals notice signs such as fatigue, increased thirst, dark skin patches, or slow-healing wounds, they should request a blood test. The most common tests include the A1C test, fasting glucose test, and oral glucose tolerance test. These tests help confirm whether someone is experiencing prediabetes. Knowing when to seek medical help can prevent serious complications. If symptoms worsen or persist, or if an individual has risk factors such as obesity, family history, or gestational diabetes, early evaluation is recommended. Health professionals can also guide patients through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, prescribe medications to help control blood sugar.

Conclusion

Prediabetes often develops quietly, with prediabetes signs and blood sugar warning signs appearing years before diagnosis. By paying attention to early symptoms — increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, skin changes, slow healing, or tingling — individuals can catch metabolic changes early. Regular screening and timely early diabetes symptoms detection give a critical window for lifestyle intervention. Adopting healthier habits — a balanced diet, regular exercise, maintaining weight, managing stress — can often reverse prediabetes and prevent the onset of full-blown type 2 diabetes. The sooner you act, the better your chances of staying healthy, avoiding complications, and protecting your long-term well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can prediabetes be reversed with lifestyle changes?

Yes — many people with prediabetes can reverse glucose abnormalities through healthy eating, regular exercise, and weight loss, preventing progression to type 2 diabetes.

2. How often should blood sugar be tested if prediabetes is suspected?

If you have risk factors or experience warning signs, it’s wise to get tested annually or more frequently, as advised by your healthcare provider.

3. What diet and exercise routines help prevent progression to diabetes?

A diet high in vegetables, fiber, whole grains, lean protein, and low in processed foods and sugar helps stabilize blood sugar. Pairing that with regular moderate-intensity exercise (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, swimming) for at least 150 minutes per week is highly effective.

4. Are there medications recommended for prediabetes management?

Lifestyle interventions remain the first-line approach, but some doctors may prescribe medications to help control blood sugar if lifestyle changes alone are insufficient — especially for individuals at high risk or with additional health conditions.
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December 11, 2025
Fewer Children are Having Peanut Allergies in Recent Years Following a Change in Guidelines, Study Shows

Fewer children are being found with peanut allergies in the last few years, a study shows, which is believed to be due to a change in policy regarding early exposure.

This began when experts recommended that parents should avoid having their infants exposed to common allergens as a means to curb rising food allergy rates. However, a 2015 landmark trial found that feeding peanuts to babies could actually decrease their chances of developing an allergy by more than 80 percent.

Peanut Allergies in Children

In 2017, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases formally recommended that parents use the early-introduction approach and issued national guidelines. A new study that was published on Monday found that food allergy rates in kids under three have fallen following those changes.

The data showed that the numbers dropped to 0.93 percent between 2017 and 2020, from 1.46 percent between 2012 and 2015. Comparing these statistics shows a 36 percent reduction in all food allergies, which is largely driven by a 43 percent drop in peanut allergies, according to the New York Times.

Additionally, the study found that eggs overtook peanuts as the No. 1 food allergen in young children. However, the researchers did not examine what infants ate, which means the study does not show that the guidelines directly caused the decline.

A pediatrician at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, said that the data is still promising as it relates to the prevention of a potentially deadly and life-changing diagnosis.

One of the researchers of the latest study, co-author Sanislaw Gabryszewski, MD, PhD, said that their observations provide real-world evidence that public health efforts that promote early allergen introduction in infancy are making an impact, AJMC reported.

A Change in National Guidelines

The finding comes as roughly four percent of kids are affected by a food allergy that is mediated by IgE, which includes food like eggs, nuts, milk, wheat, and peanuts. These can then cause immediate reactions that can threaten the children’s lives, including difficulty breathing and swelling.

Another researcher involved in the new study, Dr. David Hill, said that their findings were “remarkable.” He and his colleagues analyzed electronic health records from dozens of pediatric practices so they could track diagnoses of food allergies in young kids before, during, and after the guidelines were issued.

Despite this, the effort has not yet resulted in a reduction in the overall increase in food allergies in the United States in the past few years, as per LMT Online.

Originally published on parentherald.com

© {{Year}} ParentHerald.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

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October 22, 2025
‘Flesh-Eating Maggots’ Back in the US After 60 Years – But Can the Deadly Screwworm Spread Between People?
‘Flesh-eating maggots’ may sound like something from a horror movie, but they have just made a shocking comeback in the United States for the first time in nearly 60 years.

Health officials in Maryland, alongside the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confirmed that a traveller had been infected with the New World screwworm after returning from Central America.

Confusion remains over whether the individual had travelled to El Salvador or Guatemala, but one thing is clear: the parasite is back on American soil.

Panic has spread almost as fast as the news itself, leaving many to ask the same chilling question: is this gruesome maggot infestation contagious?

Is the Flesh-Eating Screwworm Contagious?

The short answer is no.

Unlike flu or COVID-19, screwworm infestations cannot pass directly from person to person or even from animal to animal.

Experts from the Center for Food Security and Public Health explain that the parasite spreads only when female flies lay eggs on open wounds or natural body openings.

In other words, it is always the fly that carries the danger. A sore or cut attracts the insect, which deposits hundreds of eggs.

These hatch into larvae that feed on living tissue, creating the illusion of contagion when multiple hosts in the same area are affected.

How the Flesh-Eating Parasite Invades the Body

According to the CDC, a single female screwworm fly can lay up to 3,000 eggs during her short life. Even the smallest scratch, insect bite, or a newborn’s umbilical wound can be enough to attract the parasite.

Within hours, the larvae burrow into the flesh and begin consuming living tissue—unlike ordinary maggots, which feed only on dead matter.

Left untreated, the wound enlarges as more flies are drawn in. In livestock, infestations can cause extreme suffering and even death. In humans, they are rare but potentially life-threatening if not treated quickly.

Symptoms of Flesh-Eating Maggots to Watch Out For

The CDC warns of several tell-tale signs of screwworm infestation:
- Painful or enlarging wounds that fail to heal
- Bleeding or foul-smelling sores
- Visible maggots in open wounds
- A sensation of movement under the skin or inside nasal, oral, or eye cavities
While terrifying, most infestations can be treated successfully if caught early.

Treatment: The Gruelling Process of Removal

Treatment is unpleasant but effective. Every larva must be removed manually, the wound disinfected, and the patient closely monitored for reinfestation. No single medication can eliminate screwworm once it takes hold.

On a wider scale, the US Department of Agriculture relies on the sterile fly programme. By releasing sterilised male flies, they disrupt the breeding cycle and suppress outbreaks.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently announced plans for a new sterile fly facility in Texas—a move that now seems alarmingly well-timed.

A Billion-Dollar Threat to America’s Cattle Industry

The screwworm is not only a medical menace—it is also an agricultural disaster. The USDA estimates that an outbreak in Texas alone could cost $1.8 billion in cattle losses, veterinary expenses, and labour.

With America’s beef industry already under pressure, confirmation of a human case has rattled ranchers and consumers alike.

Should Americans Be Worried About Screwworm?

‘The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low,’ Maryland health spokesperson Andrew Nixon told Reuters.

Experts stress that the parasite does not spread casually between people. Prevention relies on proper wound care, sanitation, and avoiding fly exposure in endemic regions.

Still, its reappearance after nearly 60 years is a sobering reminder: globalisation and climate shifts are making it harder than ever to keep old enemies at bay.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
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September 2, 2025
Trump’s Cognitive ‘Decline’ Suggests He ‘Might Not Make It Through Four Years,’ Republican Strategist Says

A Republican strategist warned that President Donald Trump’s accelerating “cognitive decline” could prevent him from completing his second term.

In an interview with Times Radio, Lincoln Project co-founder Rick Wilson claimed Trump is no longer the same political force seen during his previous campaigns, saying his speech, memory, and coherence have visibly deteriorated.

“He is incoherent,” Wilson said. “His inability to articulate any thought or position without constant asides, constant lapses… this is not the Trump of 2015, nor is he the Trump of 2020. He’s not even the Trump of 2024.”

Wilson pointed to verbal lapses and behavioral patterns that, he says, mirror early signs of dementia. While acknowledging he’s not a medical professional, he alleged many neurological experts see troubling similarities.

Despite these concerns, the White House physician, Captain Sean Barbabella, issued a clean bill of health in April, stating Trump “exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health.”

Wilson, however, argued that Trump’s age and long-standing health habits cast doubts over his ability to withstand the grueling demands of the presidency through 2029.

“He’s a guy who’s subsisted off of McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken and well done steaks for a very long time,” he said. “He is not a healthy guy.”

“Whether he makes it through four years is an open question,” Wilson said. “Given the pace of the decline that we’ve seen…I think he’ll be pretty much checked out by the middle of this second term.”

The president has consistently dismissed concerns about his health, frequently boasting about passing cognitive tests.

“I don’t know that he’s going to ever be told by anyone, ‘Sir you’re not healthy, you can’t do this anymore,’” Wilson said, predicting internal strife on the horizon. “But I think by the end of this, you’re going to be in a civil war with the MAGAs to choose a successor.”

The speculation follows not only scrutiny of Trump’s cognitive aptitude, but bombshell reports of former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline toward the end of his term, and of efforts taken to conceal his diminishing mental acuity from the public.

Originally published on Latin Times

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June 4, 2025
Starting A New Diet For 2025? Nearly Half Of Americans Make It Their New Year’s Resolution

It’s already the first week of the New Year, and many of us are kicking off our resolutions. Was starting a new diet, one of yours for 2025? If so, you’re not alone— nearly half of U.S. adults have made it their top New Year’s resolution, according to a recent survey.

The survey conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult revealed that 46% of U.S. adults plan to start a new diet for the New Year. Among those adopting a new diet, 40% aim to reduce calories, while 26% are opting for low-carbohydrate diets such as keto, Atkins, or South Beach.

Although studies have highlighted the benefits of plant-based diets for weight loss, disease prevention, and environmental protection, the survey reveals that only 7% of respondents plan to switch to a plant-based or vegan diet, with another 7% choosing a vegetarian diet.

“Counting calories can be time-consuming and create a negative relationship with food for some people. And low-carbohydrate diets come with a range of side effects. Research has shown that plant-based diets are effective for weight loss without purposefully restricting or counting calories. This is because plants tend to be naturally lower in calorie density and higher in fiber, which promotes a feeling of fullness,” said Roxanne Becker with the Physicians Committee in a news release.

Several studies support plant-based diets as an effective tool for weight loss. In the 2017 BROAD Study, overweight or obese participants in New Zealand lost an average of 26.6 pounds and saw significant reductions in body mass index after six months on a whole food, plant-based diet. The results were largely sustained after one year. In the 2013 GEICO study, overweight employees with type 2 diabetes who followed a low-fat vegan diet for 18 weeks lost an average of 9.5 pounds, lowered cholesterol levels, and improved blood sugar control. Similarly, a 2018 study showed that overweight individuals on a plant-based diet for 16 weeks lost an average of 14.3 pounds, while those in a control group saw no significant change.

According to Becker, a plant-based diet is not just effective for weight loss, but it also reduces the risk of obesity-related diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and certain cancers. It can save money and is better for the environment. So why, then, are so few people planning to try a plant-based diet? “It could be that they don’t know where to start,” Becker suggested.

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January 4, 2025