A Message from Dr. McMillan

We're dangerously underestimating COVID-19 by assuming its often mild symptoms mean it's no longer a threat. Beneath that mild exterior lies a deeper risk: subtle yet significant damage to the immune system, increasing vulnerability to various health conditions over time.

Think of it like seemingly minor blows to the head, causing unnoticeable damage, and where the knockout punch might not land until the 30th strike. The effects accumulate, often in ways we don't fully recognize until it's too late.

As we approach the holiday season, I urge you to remain vigilant and prioritize your health. Small, mindful actions today, outlined in my ROOT approach, can make a big difference in the long run.

Sincerely,

Dr. Philip McMillan

In this week's November 29, 2024 update:

• Covid-19: The silent war nobody noticed.

• Vejon: This week’s Vejon video highlight.

• Health: Skip the Santa belly!

• Infographic: How COVID-19 opens the door to chronic illness.

• Mental Health: Coping with seasonal depression.

• Technology: AI outperforms human experts.

• News: Medical news in brief

• Donate: Support Vejon MED with a contribution

• Courses: Path to health and wellness course

  Read time: 8 minutes

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

COVID-19

The Silent War Nobody Noticed: How COVID-19 Opens the Door to Chronic Illness

• COVID-19 suppresses interferon and disrupts immune components like T-cells, making it a master of stealthy infiltration into the body.

• The virus hijacks microvilli in respiratory tissues, compromising mucosal immunity and creating pathways for other opportunistic infections.

• Studies show significant increases in chronic conditions since 2020, including 25% more respiratory conditions and 15% more cardiovascular diseases.

• Healthcare systems face mounting pressure as previously manageable conditions become more frequent and severe due to COVID-weakened immune systems.

Why is this important: Understanding COVID-19's role in weakening immune defenses reveals one reason for the surge in chronic illness worldwide. This knowledge empowers healthcare providers to develop targeted treatments and helps communities prepare for the long-term health implications of the pandemic.

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This Week’s Vejon Video Highlight

HEALTH

Skip the Santa Belly: How to Cook with Fewer Added Sweeteners

• Add some cranberries, which are naturally packed with nutrients like potassium, antioxidants, and vitamins, containing only 190 calories per cup with 12 grams of carbohydrates.

• The fruit's sour taste comes from compounds like benzoic acid, while phenolics create an astringent sensation that makes your mouth pucker.

• To reduce sugar while maintaining flavor, add warming spices like cinnamon, use salt to decrease bitterness, or incorporate butter for richness.

• Adding nuts can slow glucose absorption, while alternative sweeteners like allulose can provide sweetness without raising blood sugar levels.

Why is this important: Groundbreaking findings reveal that cranberries significantly lower post-meal blood glucose levels at 2 and 4 hours in type 2 diabetics, while simultaneously reducing inflammation markers and increasing beneficial nitrites, offering a natural dietary approach to blood sugar management.

INFOGRAPHIC

How COVID-19 Opens the Door to Chronic Illness… Click here to learn more!

MENTAL HEALTH

Seasonal Depression: Small Things You Can Do Every Day to Cope

• Disrupted circadian rhythm from lack of sunlight affects sleep, mood, and eating patterns during darker seasons.

• Daily exposure to natural daylight, especially in the morning and during lunch breaks, helps regulate body clock and mood.

• Regular engagement in hobbies promotes mindfulness and positive emotions while reducing negative rumination.

• Maintaining consistent sleep schedules and meal times helps keep circadian rhythm balanced and reduces seasonal affective disorder (SAD) symptoms.

Why is this important: Early recognition and proactive management of SAD through light therapy, regular outdoor activity, and consistent daily routines can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve quality of life during darker seasons13. These interventions are particularly crucial since SAD affects 5% of Americans, with women being four times more susceptible.

TECHNOLOGY

AI Outperforms Human Experts in Predicting Neuroscience Study Outcomes

• Large language models (LLMs) demonstrated superior accuracy (81%) compared to human neuroscience experts (63%) in predicting study outcomes.

• Researchers developed BrainBench, a tool containing paired neuroscience abstracts to evaluate LLMs' ability to predict research results.

• BrainGPT, a specialized neuroscience LLM, achieved 86% accuracy, outperforming general-purpose LLMs in predicting study outcomes.

• The research suggests AI tools could soon help scientists design more effective experiments across all scientific fields.

Why is this important: Groundbreaking AI capabilities in predicting scientific outcomes signal a transformative shift in research methodology, enabling faster discoveries and more efficient experiment design. However, the high prediction accuracy also raises concerns about whether current scientific research is truly innovative or merely following established patterns.

EDUCATION

 Embalmers Clots
Composition and Cause

Deep dive into the protein content of the clots and the probable link to white clot syndrome.

What could be the cause for these abnormal embalmers clots? Learn more with this course (now at a SPECIAL PRICE) and get the FULL document outlining the proteins found in these clots by an anonymous group of scientific researchers!

ROOT Program and McMillan Monitor

If you’ve been feeling unwell for an extended period of time – whether due to autoimmune issues, long Covid, chronic inflammation or other unexplained symptoms – you’re not alone!

You don’t have to settle for feeling less than your best. This program is built to guide you to lasting results with a roadmap to better health. Complete our survey and get the link to the McMillan Health Monitor.

Participate in running research with RunDot and get two free months of training.

The RunDot Project is an annual research initiative that offers 2 free months of run training to qualified participants.

Learn more about RunDot here.

MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

🚥 Weekly acts of kindness boost mental health and community bonds: Discovering that simple weekly acts of kindness can reduce loneliness and social anxiety offers a powerful, cost-free tool for mental health improvement. This accessible approach not only benefits those performing kind acts but strengthens neighborhood connections and social fabric across communities. [SOURCE]

🚥 Negative online content fuels poor mental health: Understanding the two-way link between mental health and online browsing habits reveals a dangerous spiral: negative content worsens mood, which then drives people to consume more negative content. This insight enables development of tools to help users make healthier online choices. [SOURCE]

🚥 Vegetarians consume more ultra-processed foods than meat eaters: Shifting to vegetarianism without proper planning may inadvertently increase health risks, as U.K. vegetarians consume more ultra-processed foods linked to cancer, obesity, and heart disease than meat-eaters. This finding challenges the assumption that plant-based diets are automatically healthier. [SOURCE]

🚥 Light sleep boosts brain power by resetting neural patterns: Light sleep's ability to reset brain patterns reveals potential treatments for cognitive disorders and ways to boost mental performance artificially - crucial for those with sleep disorders or in extreme situations like space missions.  [SOURCE]

🚥 Wearable nerve stimulation device shows promise in treating long COVID symptoms, reducing pain and fatigue by 26%: Millions suffering from long COVID may find relief through this non-invasive, wearable solution that seamlessly integrates into daily life, offering significant pain reduction and improved mobility without medication - a breakthrough for those struggling with persistent post-COVID symptoms.  [SOURCE]

🚥 Coffee drinkers have very different gut bacteria levels: Discovering coffee's dramatic influence on gut bacteria levels, particularly L. asaccharolyticus, opens new paths for understanding how everyday beverages affect our health3. The findings suggest both regular and decaf coffee could promote beneficial gut microbes, potentially explaining coffee's numerous health benefits.  [SOURCE]

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