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The COVID Obesity Connection: New Insights into Weight Gain and Metabolic Health

Patients with obesity facing moderate to severe COVID-19 had a 20 to 50% higher risk of mortality compared to those with normal weight.

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A Message from Dr. McMillan

Dementia was already a global pandemic before COVID-19 emerged, but recent events have accelerated its progression. While debate continues as to whether this acceleration is COVID-19 infection or vaccination related, the trajectory of dementia worldwide has undeniably shifted.

Prior to the pandemic, my research focused on reversing the biochemical processes associated with dementia, rather than its pathology. Encouragingly, our findings suggest that it is possible to halt or significantly slow the progression of dementia symptoms through targeted interventions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Philip McMillan

In this week’s July 26, 2024 update:

  • COVID-19: The COVID Obesity Connection

  • Vejon: Video of the Week from Vejon Health

  • Alzheimer’s: Biomarkers Enhance Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis

  • Infographic: Understanding Obesity

  • Health: Why are Some People Happy When Dying?

  • News: Medical News in Brief

  • Book Nook: Publications That May Interest You

  • Advanced 360: COVID-19 Advanced 360 Course

    Read time: 6 minutes

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

COVID-19

  • Obesity increases COVID-19 mortality risk by 20-50% compared to normal weight individuals, with higher obesity correlating to greater risk.

  • Elevated serum ACE2 levels, strongly associated with obesity, are the highest predictor of cardiometabolic death.

  • Obesity is often a symptom of insulin resistance, leading to improper glucose storage and increased fat accumulation.

  • Amylin overactivity in insulin resistance can block glycogen production, contributing to weight gain despite diet and exercise efforts.

Why is this Important: Unveiling the intricate relationship between obesity, insulin resistance, and COVID-19 outcomes revolutionizes our approach to public health. By recognizing obesity as a metabolic dysfunction symptom rather than just a lifestyle issue, we can develop more effective strategies for weight management and disease prevention, potentially saving countless lives. [SOURCE]

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

  • Researchers identified new cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease using multiplex proteomics and mass spectrometry techniques.

  • CSF YWHAG emerged as the best-performing biomarker among 6,361 proteins for diagnosing both biologically and clinically defined Alzheimer's disease.

  • Protein panels including YWHAG, SMOC1, PIGR, TMOD2, ACHE, PCSK1, MMP10, and IRF1 significantly improved diagnostic accuracy.

  • The newly discovered biomarkers effectively predicted clinical progression to Alzheimer's dementia and were associated with cognitive decline.

Why is this Important: Groundbreaking discoveries in cerebrospinal fluid proteomics offer new hope for Alzheimer's disease management. Novel biomarkers, particularly CSF YWHAG, significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy and prediction of disease progression. These findings pave the way for earlier interventions, personalized treatments, and improved understanding of Alzheimer's molecular subtypes, potentially revolutionizing clinical approaches.

INFOGRAPHIC

HEALTH

  • People nearing death often use more positive language, suggesting the experience of dying may be less unpleasant than anticipated.

  • Acknowledging death can enhance appreciation for life, leading some to prioritize meaningful experiences and social connections.

  • Finding meaning and fulfillment becomes more important than seeking pleasure for those approaching the end of life.

  • Patients with life-threatening illnesses can experience a range of emotions simultaneously, including happiness, sadness, gratitude, and remorse.

Why is this Important: Understanding that happiness and meaning can coexist with death challenges our preconceptions about dying. This insight offers comfort to those facing mortality and encourages a shift in focus from fear to appreciation, potentially improving end-of-life experiences and helping people live more fulfilling lives.

HEALTH

  • Lifting heavy weights three times weekly leads to sustained strength improvements in older adults, benefiting independence and overall wellbeing.

  • Before starting, consult a doctor if you have medical conditions, allow for longer recovery times, and stay hydrated during workouts.

  • Simple exercises like sit-to-stands, squats, wall press-ups, calf raises, and biceps curls can effectively build overall strength.

  • Perform 8-12 repetitions of each exercise, aiming for 2-3 sets, 2-3 times a week, with rest days in between.

Why is this Important: Strength training after 60 is a game-changer for maintaining independence, reducing injury risks, and enhancing overall wellbeing. By incorporating simple exercises like squats and biceps curls into their routine, older adults can significantly improve their quality of life and resilience against age-related physical decline.

EDUCATION

COVID-19 Advanced 360 course helps you become an expert at your own pace This eight-section course has over 50 modules that will broaden and deepen your knowledge on COVID-19. Register now to get an amazing discount!

COVID Expert Course | Coronavirus | Pandemic | Autoimmunity | Cytokine Storm | Vaccines | Long Covid | Symptoms | Hypersensitivity | 8 Parts | Over 50 Modules

MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

🚥Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Shows Promise for Treating Cognitive Biotype of Treatment-Resistant Depression: Groundbreaking research unveils a critical connection between contact sports, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and parkinsonism. This link highlights the long-term risks of repetitive head impacts, emphasizing the urgent need for preventive measures in contact sports to reduce the likelihood of developing neurodegenerative diseases. [SOURCE]

🚥Study Finds Mild COVID-19 May Lead to Long-Term Cognitive Impairments:Uncovering long-term cognitive impacts of mild COVID-19 challenges the notion that only severe cases warrant concern. This revelation highlights potential widespread neurological consequences, emphasizing the need for comprehensive post-infection care and further research into prevention and treatment strategies, even for seemingly minor cases. [SOURCE]

🚥Mediterranean Diet Improves Cardiometabolic Health in Children and Adolescents, Meta-Analysis Reveals: Extending the proven health benefits of the Mediterranean diet to children and adolescents marks a significant advancement in pediatric nutrition. This finding offers a practical, evidence-based approach to combat rising rates of childhood obesity and cardiovascular risk factors, potentially setting the stage for lifelong health improvements. [SOURCE]

🚥Blood Protein Signatures Predict Risk of Over 60 Diseases: Groundbreaking research reveals blood protein 'signatures' can predict the onset of 67 diseases, including rare conditions, outperforming standard clinical assessments. This discovery opens new avenues for early diagnosis and timely interventions, potentially revolutionizing preventive medicine and improving patient outcomes across a wide spectrum of health conditions. [SOURCE]

🚥Assisted dying: first-hand accounts of what it’s like to help a loved one die: First-hand accounts of assisted dying provide crucial insights into the complex emotional experiences of those involved. These narratives highlight the need for comprehensive support systems, clear legal frameworks, and open discussions about end-of-life choices. Understanding these perspectives can inform policy-making and improve the quality of care for terminally ill patients and their families..

🚥Want to sleep longer? Adding mini-bursts of exercise to your evening routine can help – new study: Challenging conventional wisdom, these findings offer a practical solution for improving sleep quality and duration. By incorporating brief, intense exercise sessions into evening routines, individuals can potentially enhance their sleep efficiency without disrupting sleep onset. This approach provides a time-efficient method to address widespread sleep issues and boost overall health.

BOOK NOOK

Set within a child’s nose, ‘Humming Heroes’ features a family of Lymphocytes led by a wise Mother, brave Father, determined Brother, and heroic Baby, confronting invading microorganisms. The story takes an imaginative turn, when a humming melody combines with the Lymphocytes’ song to repel the invaders and restore inner harmony.

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