Health Capsule For over three decades, medical professionals have endorsed the DASH diet as a reliable approach to lowering high blood pressure. Consistent research has confirmed its positive effects on cardiovascular health. In addition to its heart benefits, there is growing interest in how the DASH eating pattern might support other areas of health. However, its influence on blood sugar control in individuals with type 2 diabetes has remained uncertain. The DASH diet highlights the

Understanding Digestive Slowdown When you eat, your stomach begins breaking down the food before moving it into the intestines. The time it takes for your stomach to empty varies depending on several elements. Larger meals, especially those high in fat or calories, tend to take longer. Your overall health also plays a role. Sometimes, the stomach empties more slowly than normal due to a condition called gastroparesis. Gastroparesis isn’t widespread. Still, around one in four people experience

Understanding Dietary Supplements According to federal regulations, dietary supplements are products that meet the following criteria: • They are taken orally in forms such as pills, capsules, powders, or liquids. • Their purpose is to complement your regular diet. • They contain one or more dietary components, including substances like vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, organ or gland extracts, or any combinations of these elements. • The product is clearly marked as

Since the year 2000, countries across all regions and income levels have taken steps to improve access to health services and reduce financial strain caused by healthcare expenses, according to a new joint report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank Group. These improvements are essential components of achieving universal health coverage (UHC), a global goal aimed at ensuring everyone can receive the health care they need without suffering economic hardship by 2030. The

Exploring Solutions for Damaged Tendons Tendons are essential structures that link muscles to bones, enabling movement. When a tendon is hurt, even simple tasks can become difficult. “Even if your muscles are strong, you won’t have proper function or stability if your tendons aren’t healthy,” says Dr. Nelly Andarawis-Puri, a biomedical engineer at Cornell University. Tendon issues can occur due to inflammation— the body’s defense response— or as a result of tearing or gradual deterioration of

What’s the Takeaway? How much do we understand about using dietary supplements for managing diabetes? • Numerous studies have explored how supplements might help with type 2 diabetes and its related conditions. This information focuses specifically on type 2 diabetes. What is known about how well these supplements work? • A few supplements may offer slight benefits. Research has suggested that chromium, cinnamon, or berberine may aid in blood glucose control, and alpha-lipoic acid may help with

What Are “Detoxes” and “Cleanses”? Various diets and treatments, often referred to as “detoxes” or “cleanses,” are promoted as methods to rid the body of harmful substances, help with weight loss, or support general wellness. Certain clinical detox practices, such as chelation therapy for removing heavy metals in cases of poisoning, are recommended by health authorities like the CDC. However, this article does not cover those medical therapies. “Detox” strategies often include: • Going without

Image: Paul J. Lucassen, PhD, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Credit: Paul J. Lucassen AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, 2 December 2025 — In a feature published in Brain Medicine, renowned neuroscientist Dr. Paul Lucassen of the University of Amsterdam reflects on a lifetime of work uncovering how the adult brain can adapt and respond to life’s challenges. As head of the Brain Plasticity group, his studies—ranging from brain cell death and regeneration to mental health and

On World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging governments and global partners to rapidly increase access to newly endorsed tools, particularly lenacapavir (LEN), in an effort to lower HIV infections and combat the interruption of essential services caused by recent reductions in international aid. Even with serious funding challenges, 2025 saw renewed progress in the fight against HIV, driven by the approval of lenacapavir for preventive use. Administered every six months via

Highlighted Resource Say hello to Jane the Brain! She's a clever and approachable animated character who experiences strong emotions like sadness, anxiety, and irritation—just like many children do. Jane offers thoughtful advice to help young people handle these feelings in a healthy way. Check out these short, engaging videos and explore a variety of educational materials focused on mental health, designed for both students and teachers. Learn more by visiting the official website.

Depression is a serious health condition that impacts nearly one in ten adults in the U.S. In addition, experts estimate that approximately 5% of American teenagers live with a moderate to severe form of major depression. This condition can influence mood, thoughts, physical well-being, and behavior. Its signs and intensity vary widely from person to person, and can include: • Persistent feelings of sadness or worry • Losing interest in hobbies or activities once enjoyed • Increased

image: Associate Professor He Shengfeng from Singapore Management University (SMU) is leading a pioneering effort to develop a multilingual deepfake detection system tailored for Asia, with future applications in the commercial sector. Credit: Singapore Management University SMU Office of Research Governance & Administration – Singapore Management University has secured a major research grant for creating an innovative deepfake detection platform, thanks to the leadership of Associate

The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a new policy brief to assist national tuberculosis (TB) programmes in prioritizing efforts and distributing resources more effectively. This updated guidance encourages the use of strategic, evidence-based, and people-focused methods to help speed up the progress toward eliminating TB. It offers a well-defined framework for setting priorities, highlighting the importance of transparency, inclusiveness, data-driven decisions, and accountability

Health Capsule You may have heard about PFAS in the news. The term PFAS refers to a group of man-made chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These substances are known for being durable and are commonly found in many household items such as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpets, and some types of clothing. They are also used to prevent food from sticking to its packaging and are found in certain types of fire-fighting foams. One of the concerning aspects of PFAS

Common Names: dandelion, lion’s tooth, blowball Scientific Name: Taraxacum officinale Background • Originally from Europe, dandelions now grow widely across temperate climates in the Northern Hemisphere. The plant’s flowers, leaves, and roots have been used historically in traditional medicine across parts of Mexico and North America. • These days, dandelion is available in oral forms for issues like digestion, while both oral and topical forms are marketed to help with joint discomfort. How

A recent investigation led by the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN’s Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP), and the University of Liverpool—published in the New England Journal of Medicine—reveals that a well-structured and lasting infection prevention strategy can significantly reduce maternal infections and deaths. The study found that this approach led to a 30% decrease in severe infections and fatalities among pregnant women when compared to standard care. Maternal infections

Health Capsule Specialists advise that children under the age of two should avoid consuming added sugars. However, many children encounter added sugars much earlier than that—even while still in the womb, as sugar can pass through the mother's bloodstream. Researchers wanted to understand how early exposure to sugar might impact long-term health. They focused on adults in the UK who were either conceived or born during the period around the end of government-imposed sugar rationing. This

Cupping is a traditional healing method practiced in various regions across the globe, notably in countries like China and those in the Middle East. The technique involves placing cups made of materials such as glass, bamboo, ceramic, or plastic on the skin to create suction. This suction effect is achieved either by heating the air inside the cup before placing it on the skin or by using a mechanical pump to draw out the air once the cup is in place. There are two main types: in "wet

Can Physical Activity Boost Brain Health? It’s widely known that staying active benefits overall health. Health professionals recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week — activities like walking briskly, cycling, playing pickleball, or mowing a lawn with a push mower. They also suggest incorporating strength training exercises, such as lifting weights, doing push-ups, or crunches, at least twice a week. Exercise brings a range of physical benefits. Aerobic workouts

image: Researchers have obtained the first thorough data on how a superstorm compresses Earth's plasmasphere, shedding light on why it took more than four days to recover—an event that led to disruptions in GPS and communication networks. Credit: Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research (ISEE), Nagoya University A geomagnetic superstorm is a powerful space weather phenomenon initiated when the Sun shoots vast bursts of charged particles and energy at Earth. These rare events happen