MediWeek

Optimal maternal nutritional status before and during pregnancy is vital for healthy pregnancy and development of a healthy baby. Long-term data on the nutritional status during various stages of pregnancy and postpartum is lacking. In addition, the impact of micronutrient supplementation on vitamin status during pregnancy remains uncertain. A recent study by Godfrey et al., […]

Prolonged sitting, one of the most prevalent forms of chronic sedentary behavior, is often associated with mild impairment of cognitive functions. Acute bouts of uninterrupted prolonged sitting decrease blood flow to cerebral tissues, thus impairing executive functions. A recent study by Horiuchi et al. investigated the effect of intermittent half-squat exercises on executive functions during

Insufficient sleep is linked to elevated risk for type 2 diabetes among general population. However, the impact of chronic insufficient sleep on glucose metabolism in women remains uncertain. A recent study by Zuraikat et al., published in the journal, Diabetes Care that even mild sleep restriction (90 minutes per night) over an extended period may

India has the highest number of antibiotic fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) in the market, including inappropriate combinations, which are a major concern for an increased risk of antimicrobial resistance. These FDCs have been licensed for manufacturing without the required prior approval of the central regulator and without proper evidence of rationale, efficacy, and safety. To address

Dementia poses a major global health challenge, with an estimated increase in the number of people living with dementia from 57.4 million in 2019 to 152.8 million by 2050. Proactive management of modifiable risk factors such as hypertension is pivotal in dementia prevention. While the correlation between elevated blood pressure (BP) and dementia is well-established,

Sodium intake is vital for maintaining several physiological functions in the body, including fluid balance, cellular homeostasis, and nutrient absorption. The link between salt intake and hypertension is well documented, but the association between high salt intake and type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains underexplored due to challenges associated with determining dietary sodium intake. Numerous studies

During transition from late childhood to early adolescence, physical activity (participation in sports, outdoor play, and total physical activity) has been shown to facilitate neurodevelopment in the subcortical structures, the hippocampus and amygdala (as measured by an increase in their volume) in a recent study by Estévez-López et al, published in JAMA Netw Open. These

Circadian rhythm is a natural process in the body, primarily responding to light and dark stimuli, and involves physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. Daytime light exposure strengthens the rhythm, while night-time light exposure weakens the rhythm. Disrupted or abnormal circadian rhythms and sleep disorders have been documented to be associated

Depressive and anxiety disorders often take an immense toll on the mental and physical well-being! Results from meta-analyses indicate that exercise interventions can be as effective as antidepressants and psychotherapy, especially for managing mild-to-moderate depression. Given the higher risk of physical illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity in people with depression and anxiety, it

Modifiable risk factors like dietary choices, physical activity levels, and smoking and drinking behaviors have been linked with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. Notably, diet itself emerged as a central factor influencing tumor formation. A diet rich in plant-based foods with limited consumption of non-vegetarian foods has been associated with reduced risk of GI cancer. A recent