Category: 8. Health

You are what you eat. This adage has more significance than ever. Diet plays a crucial role in your health, and the right one can even shield you from diseases. Dr. Tim Tiutan, a New York City-based board-certified internal medicine physician who treats cancer patients, has now shared a breakfast recipe that can lower the risk of cancer. What’s that breakfast? Well, it’s lip-smacking for sure. Let’s take a look. Dr. Tim revealed that his favourite breakfast is a yogurt bowl loaded with berries. Equally sumptuous and healthy, this breakfast bowl can slash the risk of cancer. It’s simple, easy to make, and more delicious than your regular breakfast. This breakfast only has three ingredients.

Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt is a great source of protein. Excellent in providing satiety, Greek yogurt also helps in maintaining the muscles. The varieties that have active cultures, or probiotics, can benefit gut health. Yogurt can promote a healthy gut microbiome, and it is linked to reduced inflammation and lower risks of certain cancers, including colorectal cancer. Dr. Tim has, however, suggested picking yogurt without added sugars. Getting yogurt with higher protein will also elevate the benefits. Berries

The second ingredient, berries, is perfect, both for the taste buds and health. Berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, are packed with antioxidants like anthocyanins and vitamin C.. Blueberries, in particular, are linked to reducing the risk and even preventing colon cancer. It contains a compound called pterostilbene, which is a potent antioxidant that could prevent colon cancer. Blueberries have also shown promise for protecting against memory loss and heart disease. Granola Granola, which is a breakfast cereal, is considered healthy compared to the processed varieties. It often has a mix of rolled oats, nuts, seeds, honey (or other sweeteners such as brown sugar), and sometimes puffed rice. Granola will add a crunch and also give an energy boost in the morning. Dr. Tim suggests picking the ones with low added sugars, higher protein, and higher fiber. You can also make your own. The doctor also adds a handful of tree nuts to the mix. “I like incorporating tree nuts (cashews, almonds, pecans, pistachios, walnuts), which have healthy fats, protein, and fiber. Studies suggest tree nuts may lower cancer risk!” he said.

A 2018 study has found that people with stage III colon cancer who regularly ate tree nuts were at significantly lower risk of cancer recurrence and mortality than those who didn’t. The findings are published in the Journal of Oncology.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 — Pfizer Malaysia recently announced that its 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) has been approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH) for use in individuals aged from six weeks to less than 18 years of age, and in adults aged 18 years and above across Malaysia.

PCV20 offers a broader pneumococcal conjugate vaccine option in Malaysia, providing coverage against 20 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, the bacteria responsible for a significant burden of pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, and ear infections.

The announcement is timely, as Malaysia continues to address a high burden of pneumococcal disease, particularly among two key population groups: young children and older adults.

Additionally, pneumococcus is a leading cause of various invasive infections across all age groups, including invasive pneumonia. According to the MOH, pneumonia is the principal cause of death nationwide, accounting for over 18,000 deaths in 2023.

Risk increases significantly among older adults and individuals with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and chronic lung conditions.

“This approval represents a major milestone for pneumococcal disease prevention in Malaysia,” said Deborah Seifert, Cluster Lead for Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines at Pfizer.

“PCV20 strengthens our commitment to supporting healthier communities by helping protect more people, across more life stages, from potentially serious pneumococcal infections. We are proud to make available a vaccine that reflects over two decades of legacy in pneumococcal protection.”

A Local Health Imperative: Broader Coverage Needed In The Face Of Changing Threats

Malaysia’s demographic profile is rapidly shifting. By 2030, one in five Malaysians will be aged 60 or older.

At the same time, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to rise, with one in six Malaysian adults living with diabetes and one in three with hypertension or high cholesterol.

Chronic conditions such as heart failure and chronic kidney disease are also becoming more prevalent. These conditions may lower immunity and contribute to higher susceptibility to respiratory infections like pneumococcal pneumonia.

“Pneumococcal disease is often under-recognised until it’s too late. In my practice, I’ve seen many elderly Malaysians hospitalised with pneumonia complications; some requiring intensive care, others with prolonged recovery.

“In fact, pneumonia accounts for most respiratory-related hospital admissions, and its severity tends to increase with age, often resulting in intensive care unit (ICU) admission in critical cases.

“These are not rare cases, they point to a preventable trend. Pneumococcal pneumonia, in particular, is a vaccine preventable disease,” said Dr Pang Yong Kek, a senior consultant respiratory physician.

PCV20 builds on the foundation established by PCV13, adding coverage for seven additional serotypes – 8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F, and 33F – which have been associated with antibiotic resistance and invasive disease.

Broader Protection For Malaysian Children

Challenges remain due to the dynamic nature of circulating pneumococcal serotypes. PCV20 was developed to address this gap, with broader serotype coverage in response to emerging disease patterns.

“Every parent wants to give their child the best start in life, and as paediatricians, we see just how important the early years are in shaping lifelong health,” said Prof Dr Zulkifli Ismail, a consultant paediatrician and paediatric cardiologist.

“A child’s immune system is still developing in those first few years, and this is when they are most vulnerable to serious infections like pneumococcal meningitis or sepsis, which can have lasting consequences.”

Built On Pfizer’s Legacy: PCV7 → PCV13 → PCV20

Pfizer introduced its first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) over two decades ago, followed by 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV13.

These vaccines have been adopted globally and used widely in public immunisation programmes. PCV20 is the next evolution, designed to reflect current disease patterns and population needs.

“In recent years, we have observed the rise of non-PCV13 serotypes globally. Serotype 8 has emerged as a leading cause of invasive pneumococcal disease in both children and adults, a trend that has persisted in recent years,” said Prof Dr Mark van der Linden, director, National Reference Centre for Streptococci in Germany.

“The shift in epidemiology reinforces the importance of higher-valent vaccines like PCV20, which close critical gaps in protection and reflect the latest scientific understanding.”

“As we work to strengthen Malaysia’s adult immunisation landscape, public education and consistent disease awareness campaigns will be key,” said Prof Dr Zamberi Sekawi, president of the Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy.

“Now that PCV20 is available, we must mobilise to strengthen adult immunisation in Malaysia. Healthcare professionals are key messengers in encouraging more adults to get immunised.

“With support from medical societies, policymakers, and the media, we can build a healthier, better- protected nation.”

PCV20 has been approved in over 40 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Its approval in Malaysia is supported by comprehensive data from adult and paediatric clinical studies, demonstrating comparable immune responses to PCV13 for the original 13 serotypes and additional immunogenicity for the seven newly included strains.

The vaccine has also shown consistent tolerability across different age groups, including when administered alongside other routine vaccinations.

Emerging science reveals that an imbalanced gut may do more than upset your stomach; it could be fueling heart failure, offering hope for new therapies that start with the microbiome.

Review: The role of the gut microbiota and metabolites in heart failure and possible implications for treatment. Image Credit: Alexander_P / Shutterstock

In a recent review published in the journal Heart Failure Reviews, researchers synthesized evidence from nearly 50 peer-reviewed publications investigating links between heart failure (HF) and gut dysbiosis – the imbalance in gut microbial composition.

Their findings reveal that gut dysbiosis creates a compromised “leaky” gut barrier, allowing bacterial toxins and harmful metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), to enter the bloodstream. This, in turn, drives systemic inflammation and directly damages the heart, highlighting the importance of gut microbial health in cardiovascular outcomes. This emerging “gut-heart axis” provides a new framework for understanding cardiovascular disease (CVD), opening the door for novel treatments, from targeted diets to microbial therapies.

Background

Heart failure (HF) is a serious cardiovascular condition where the heart is incapable of pumping sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs. It is a concerning public health crisis, with surveillance reports highlighting the disease’s increasing global prevalence. Furthermore, HF often co-occurs with other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs; e.g., hypertension and ischemic heart disease), underscoring the need for improved mechanistic understanding of HF’s risk factors.

Decades of research have established modifiable behaviors (e.g., diet, sleep, and smoking) and non-modifiable factors (e.g., age) as being closely linked to HF incidence and progression. However, other contributors, such as the gut microbiome, remain less well understood.

While conventional wisdom restricted the gut microbiome’s functional influence to digestive processes, a growing body of literature suggests that gut health is systemically intertwined with cardiovascular wellness. This review synthesizes current scientific understanding of this “gut-heart axis,” exploring how an imbalanced microbiome can contribute to the development and progression of HF.

About the review

The present review aims to comprehensively collate and elucidate recent scientific research investigating associations between gut imbalance and HF outcomes, thereby informing clinicians and policymakers of alternative HF mitigation and management strategies, and potentially unravelling novel avenues for CVD treatment.

Study data were obtained from major scientific repositories, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Springer, using a custom search strategy. Only publications from the last 12 years (2013–2025) were included in the review to ensure relevance and timeliness. All publications were subjected to a rigorous screening process (title, abstract, and full text), with only those linking gut microbial mechanisms or metabolites to HF outcomes included in the synthesis.

Risk factors associated with increased risk for HF (HF = heart failure) derived from McDonagh et al. (2021)

Review findings

This review reveals a bidirectional cascade of unfortunate events that begins in the gut and culminates in HF. Specifically, HF patients experience reduced blood flow to the gut, compromising the latter’s (intestinal wall) integrity and resulting in a condition termed “leaky gut”. In this state, microbes and harmful metabolites experience unrestricted access to systemic circulation, allowing them to enter and cause system-wide inflammation, which aggravates CVDs and nearly all chronic diseases.

A key bacterial offender identified in the research is the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) component of the outer cell membrane of gram-negative bacteria. Studies show that when LPS enters the bloodstream, it binds to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on the surface of cardiac muscle cells, triggering a pro-inflammatory response and activating the NF-κB pathway, damaging cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which contribute to cardiac fibrosis, adverse remodeling, and heart function degradation.

Microbial metabolites that enter the bloodstream during the leaky gut condition have also been implicated in potentially life-threatening CVD outcomes. The most notorious is trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), produced when certain gut bacteria (Firmicutes and Proteobacteria) digest nutrients like choline and carnitine (abundant in red meat, eggs, and fish).

TMAO has previously been strongly associated with several adverse CVD outcomes, including atherosclerosis, inflammatory pathways activation, endothelial dysfunction, impaired cardiac contractility, platelet aggregation, and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, promoting cardiac fibrosis. A few animal studies suggest potential cardioprotective effects of low-dose TMAO in very specific contexts, though the overwhelming evidence points to its harmful role in HF.

Immune cells are key mediators in this process: Protective Treg cells (regulated by gut bacteria like Bacteroides fragilis) are suppressed in HF, while pro-inflammatory Th17 cells (stimulated by bacteria like segmented filamentous bacteria) drive cardiac inflammation.

Beneficial metabolites (particularly short-chain fatty acids [SCFAs] like butyrate) are produced by commensal bacteria and exert protective effects by binding receptors (GPR41/43/109A), inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC), and stimulating IL-22 production via HIF-1α to enhance gut barrier integrity. However, HF patients consistently demonstrate depletions in bacterial populations (e.g., Bifidobacteria and Bacteroides) that produce these metabolites. These factors aggravate HF, thereby triggering a positive feedback loop of progressively exacerbating gut dysbiosis and deteriorating cardiovascular health.

A critical unanswered question remains whether these gut alterations initiate HF progression or result from established cardiac dysfunction. Trials have shown mixed results for microbiota interventions. A Phase II trial found that adding antibiotics (rifaximin) or probiotics (S. boulardii) to standard care did not significantly improve cardiac function; however, a small pilot study with S. boulardii alone showed an improved ejection fraction.

Early-stage research on natural phytochemicals (e.g., allicin from garlic) also indicates potential for modulating TMAO production.

Conclusions

This review establishes a robust, bidirectional link between gut dysbiosis and HF, shifting our interest from a purely cardiac issue to a multi-system disorder. It highlights that a compromised gut is not just a symptom, but a potential driver of disease progression. This new knowledge opens up novel therapeutic avenues that focus on leveraging gut-based interventions to help improve heart outcomes.

Dietary interventions, such as the Mediterranean and DASH diets, may represent the first applications of this knowledge. These diets are rich in fiber and low in animal products, which helps reduce the substrates for TMAO production and supports SCFA-producing bacteria. More direct microbial interventions are also under investigation, including prebiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT); however, FMT remains experimental, with mixed TMAO results in animals.

While many of these approaches are still in early stages, they represent a promising and highly personalized future for heart failure management, where treating the gut may become a standard part of routine cardiovascular care.

We’re all nostalgic for some things. Oftentimes, it’s a place we’ve been to years ago, maybe during childhood. Perhaps it’s a vacation spot or some town you really enjoyed. A new study published, however, has a surprising finding: people are more likely to feel nostalgia for “blue places” — seasides, lakeshores, and riverbanks. And that nostalgia, researchers found, can offer real psychological benefits.

The geography of memory

Researchers from universities in the UK, the US, and South Korea surveyed over 1,000 participants in the U.S. and U.K., asking them to describe places they felt nostalgic about. The study was aptly titled Searching for Ithaca, as it draws on the deep cultural link between memory and place. Just as Odysseus longed for his home on the island of Ithaca, modern individuals often pine for places steeped in personal meaning.

“The idea that places serve as an emotional anchor is not new. Nearly 3,000 years ago, Homer wrote of Ulysses’ longing to return to his homeland, Ithaca. We wanted to understand what makes certain places more likely to evoke nostalgia than others. What are the physical and psychological features that give a place its nostalgic pull?” says Dr Elisabeta Militaru, who led the research during her PhD at Cambridge’s Psychology Department.

Across the board, “blue places” dominated the nostalgic landscape. About a third of all memories involved bodies of water. In contrast, only 10% of the nostalgic places cited were forests, fields, or agricultural areas. Blue places were consistently viewed as more emotionally meaningful than either green natural spaces or grey urban environments.

“We expected people to be more often nostalgic for green places since so many studies emphasise the psychological benefits of green, natural environments. We were surprised to find that blue places are the hallmark feature of place nostalgia.”

“Our findings add to the growing evidence that blue places are associated with increased psychological well-being,” Militaru says.

So, what makes blue places so memorable?

Where our blue is

One explanation is their visual structure. Blue places tend to be brighter, more saturated in color, and higher in contrast than green or grey environments. These visual properties are known to evoke emotional responses and can enhance the sense of aesthetic pleasure.

Militaru also points to the potential power of a landscape’s ‘fractal property’. In other words, elements around seas and rivers tend to have elements that repeat themselves visually..

“Past research suggests that landscapes with moderate fractal structure, like coastlines, tend to generate positive emotions,” continues Militaru. “People don’t like extremely chaotic outlines of the kind you might see in the middle of the forest, where you don’t get a sense of openness. People also don’t like too little complexity. With an urban skyline, for instance, there are very few breaks in the scene’s pattern.”

Seaside, rivers, and lakes may give us the optimal visual complexity, she says, but this is still speculative.

There’s also a special feeling often associated to blue places. If you don’t live by the coast, the odds are you go to the sea on vacation. Meanwhile, cities are all … just cities.

“It’s important to note that urban places are more often classed as being ‘ordinary’ than nostalgia-inducing”, clarifies Militaru.

However, cities (especially unusual ones or those we have an emotional connection to) can also trigger nostalgia. Even when cities triggered nostalgia, however, they did not evoke the same warmth. Instead, they often represented base-rate memories: places where many people live, and thus, where many memories are naturally made. But it was the blue places that stood out emotionally, even though they were often farther away geographically.

Why this matters

The researchers didn’t stop at geography — they explored the emotional consequences of remembering a beloved place. In three experiments, people who reflected on a nostalgic place felt more socially connected, more self-confident, more authentic, and more optimistic about life.

In other words, nostalgia seems to bring out the good in us.

“Nostalgia brings places into focus, much like a magnifying glass. Meaningful places tend to be physically far away from us, yet nostalgia brings them back into focus and, in so doing, connects our past self to our present and future self,” Militaru explains.

The findings have practical implications, especially for urban planning and mental health. The study suggests that preserving access to blue spaces — lakes, rivers, beaches — can be an important public health strategy.

“Communities need to be involved in urban planning decisions implemented in their neighbourhoods. Only then can we identify the local landmarks that need to be preserved,” Militaru says.

Journal Reference: Ioana E. Militaru, Wijnand A.P. van Tilburg, Constantine Sedikides, Tim Wildschut, Peter J. Rentfrow, ‘Searching for Ithaca: The geography and psychological benefits of nostalgic places’, Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100223

Could your daily coffee or tea habit help keep your mind sharp as you age? New research links moderate consumption to slower declines in reasoning and memory among seniors.

Study: Moderate coffee and tea consumption is associated with slower cognitive decline. Image Credit: Ljupco Smokovski / Shutterstock

In a recent article published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers investigated the association between different levels of tea and coffee consumption and long-term changes in cognitive performance among older adults. Their results indicated that moderate coffee intake, as well as moderate to high tea intake, may be linked to slower cognitive decline, and that moderate coffee intake may be more beneficial than high intake.

Background

Cognitive decline, especially due to Alzheimer’s disease, is a major public health issue in aging populations. Identifying modifiable lifestyle factors that help preserve cognitive function is, therefore, critical. Coffee and tea, both widely consumed beverages, contain compounds such as caffeine, flavonoids, and other polyphenols that may promote brain health through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. The paper notes that coffee also contains chlorogenic acids, while tea contains theanine and specific flavonoids, such as catechins.

Prior meta-analyses have suggested mixed but promising results. One study found that consuming up to 2.5 cups of coffee per day was linked to a lower risk of cognitive disorders, while for tea, a linear relationship was observed, where each additional daily cup was associated with an 11% reduction in risk.

Another meta-analysis suggested that low intake of coffee and green tea was protective against cognitive decline and dementia. However, human studies on this topic have shown inconsistent results, possibly due to differences in study design, confounding variables, and unclear dose-response relationships.

About the Study

In this study, researchers analyzed data from 8,715 participants in the UK aged 60–85 years who were dementia-free at baseline and followed over an average of 9.11 years. Participants were excluded if they had medical conditions or were on medications that could affect cognitive health, such as Parkinson’s, depression, diabetes, hypertension, or were consuming more than 14 units of alcohol per week.

Coffee and tea intake over the previous year was self-reported and categorized into three groups: never, moderate intake (between one and three cups per day), or high intake (more than four cups per day). Cognitive function was assessed using computerized tests measuring fluid intelligence (the ability to solve verbal and numeric reasoning problems), reaction time, numeric memory, and pair-matching errors (a test of visual memory).

Demographic and genetic data, including socioeconomic status, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, education, age, sex, and Apolipoprotein E genotype, were recorded and controlled for in the analysis. Cognitive changes were assessed using linear mixed models, including time as an interaction variable. Data were adjusted for key covariates and corrected for multiple comparisons using the false discovery rate (FDR). Skewed cognitive variables were transformed for normality.

Participants were required to undergo at least two cognitive assessments during the study period. By excluding reports of extreme beverage consumption and controlling for confounders, the study aimed to isolate the effects of moderate and high coffee and tea intake on cognitive aging.

Key Findings

The study found that daily coffee and tea intake predicted changes in cognitive performance over time, particularly in fluid intelligence. Participants who reported never drinking coffee or moderate coffee consumption experienced a slower decline in fluid intelligence compared to those with high coffee intake. These groups also exhibited a smaller increase in pair-matching errors, indicating better preservation of visual memory over time. However, no significant associations were observed between coffee intake and reaction time or numeric memory.

For tea, both moderate and high intake were linked to a slower decline in fluid intelligence compared to those who never consumed tea. These associations remained statistically significant after correcting for multiple comparisons. However, at baseline, those who drank tea performed slightly worse on the fluid intelligence task. Tea intake was not associated with changes in reaction time, pair-matching errors, or numerical memory across the follow-up period.

Overall, moderate coffee and tea intake appeared to protect against certain forms of cognitive decline in older adults, particularly in reasoning and problem-solving abilities. In contrast, high coffee consumption (four or more cups daily) was associated with a faster decline.

Conclusions

This study showed that moderate coffee and both moderate and high tea intake were associated with slower declines in fluid intelligence over nearly a decade, suggesting potential cognitive benefits in older age. While the protective effects were more apparent for tea and moderate coffee intake, high coffee consumption (four or more cups per day) was linked to poorer outcomes.

These findings align with some prior research but contrast with studies using global cognitive measures or shorter assessments.

Strengths include the large, well-characterized sample and long follow-up duration. However, limitations include self-reported beverage intake (subject to recall bias), lack of data on mid-life consumption or coffee preparation methods (such as decaffeinated vs. caffeinated, brewing method, or the addition of milk and sugar), or the specific types of tea consumed (e.g., black, green, or white).

Additionally, potential confounding factors, such as stress or sleep disruption, may not have been fully accounted for.

Despite these limitations, the results suggest that moderate consumption of coffee and tea may be protective against age-related cognitive decline. The researchers speculate that caffeine may be a key factor, noting that tea’s lower caffeine content could explain why no upper limit for beneficial tea consumption was observed in this study. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm causal relationships and inform guidelines.

When a newborn”s initial hepatitis B test results came back normal this month, medical workers at a child care hospital in Jinan, Shandong province, breathed a sigh of relief, celebrating a successful effort to prevent the transmission of the virus from the baby’s infected mother.

The mother, surnamed Li, was diagnosed with hepatitis B when she was nine weeks pregnant during a routine checkup at a community healthcare center. Throughout her pregnancy, she took antiviral medication under the guidance of Jinan Maternity and Child Care Hospital. After birth, her baby received a hepatitis B vaccine and a preventive immunoglobulin injection within three hours — an essential part of the protocol to stop mother-to-child transmission.

The baby still requires two more vaccine doses to complete immunization. Gao Fengchun, the hospital’s vice-president, said the institution will continue providing free tests to monitor the baby’s infection status.

Li’s case reflects the effectiveness of China’s public health system in combating hepatitis B transmission from mothers to infants — a major cause of chronic infection in the country. In the early 1990s, about 10 percent of the population carried hepatitis B, which can lead to liver cirrhosis and cancer.

“Chronic hepatitis B primarily spread through mother-to-child transmission in the past, and the virus’ high prevalence severely impacted the overall health of the Chinese population,” said Wang Yu, chairman of the Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control.

“After more than 30 years of continuous efforts, China has achieved decisive and historic success,” he said at an event ahead of World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on July 28.

According to official data, the hepatitis B surface antigen carrier rate among children under age 5 dropped to 0.3 percent in 2020, down from 0.96 percent in 2006-well below the World Health Organization’s 1 percent target for the Western Pacific region. Overall prevalence among the Chinese population declined to 5.86 percent in recent years, from 9.75 percent in 1992.

Key interventions have included antiviral therapy for pregnant women, timely newborn vaccinations and immunoglobulin injections for infants born to infected mothers. The National Health Commission said a nationwide program to prevent mother-to-child transmission was fully launched in 2015.

In addition to treatment and vaccinations, China offers screening and counseling for all pregnant women, as well as follow-up monitoring for those who test positive. Children born to infected mothers are tested one to two months after completing the full series of preventive measures.

From 2011 to 2024, the hepatitis B testing rate among pregnant women increased from 89 percent to 99 percent. In 2024 alone, 9.45 million pregnant women were screened, and 397,000 tested positive. The immunoglobulin injection rate for infants born to infected mothers reached 99.9 percent last year.

“With our current technological capabilities and healthcare service coverage, we can protect every newborn from infection,” Wang said.

Li Qun, deputy director general of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said declining infection rates among women of childbearing age signal that China is moving toward the WHO’s 2030 goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission. He credited the country’s strong obstetric system and near-universal hospital delivery rate for enabling timely immunization.

“We must stick to the strategy of administering the first vaccine dose within 24 hours of birth — and within 12 hours for newborns of infected mothers,” he said. “We also plan to share our experiences and cost-effective vaccination strategies with the global community.”

Martin Taylor, the WHO representative to China, praised the country’s progress in hepatitis control, noting a 99 percent reduction in child infections through vaccination and a drop in drug prices due to government-led negotiations with pharmaceutical companies.

Despite the gains, China still has 75 million chronic hepatitis B patients — the leading causes of liver cancer in the country.

Xia Gang, deputy director of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, said China plans to expand screening programs in developed regions, improve standardized treatment coverage, and strengthen chronic disease management to reduce complications such as liver cirrhosis and cancer.

A new, refined dietary self-management education plan, highlighting vegetable oil, has shown positive results in a faster reduction in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBIL) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).¹

Although unhealthy, fat-heavy diets are well known to lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, they have rarely been investigated in the progression of CHB-induced liver cirrhosis. Despite this, unsaturated fats, such as those from vegetable oils, are associated with significant health benefits, reducing inflammation and influencing organ metabolism. Additionally, it is proven to put less stress on the liver by preventing steatosis.²

This discrepancy led investigators to form a novel personalized care project of dietary self-management restricting oil intake for patients with obesity and CHB, but recommending moderate vegetable oil intake for normal and asthenic patients with CHB.¹

“The assessment data revealed that the personalized vegetable oil dietary self-management had contributed to the reduction of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values but did not present the effects on the clearance rate of HBsAg at present,” wrote Yuan-Yuan Wang, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, and colleagues. “These results indicated that an appropriate vegetable oil diet should be beneficial to the CHB patients in the clinic with the promotion of liver recovery during the treatment period.”¹

The double-arm randomized observational study, conducted in Nantong, China, compared this refined education plan against traditional dietary education to quantify any potential quality of life improvements. A total of 90 participants were enrolled, all of whom were HBsAg-positive. They were then divided in a 1:1 ratio to either the revised dietary plan or the traditional. Investigators established indices of ALT, AST, and TBIL as the primary endpoint.¹

Normal-weight and underweight participants were recommended a moderate fat intake, with fats sourced from vegetable oils such as soybean, flaxseed, olive, and palm. Underweight participants were also advised to consume whole milk to ensure dietary fat intake for metabolic balance. Overweight participants were given the standard intervention of a prescribed low-fat, high-dietary fiber diet. Investigators took their physiological detection results 6 months after enrollment.¹

Baseline ALT for the refined and control group was 96.31 +/- 4.15 U/L and 90.34 +/- 4.42 U/L, respectively. Baseline AST was 112.08 +/- 6.63 U/L and 123.54 +/- 6.51 U/L, respectively, and baseline TBIL was 80.22 +/- 3.38 µmol/L and 81.72 +/- 3.01 µmol/L, respectively. Of the patients in the refined group, 5 had diabetes and 3 had hypertension in addition to CHB. In the control group, 3 had diabetes and 2 had hypertension.¹

After 6 months, patients in the refined group had an index reduction in ALT, AST, and TBIL to 61.01 (U/L), 75.26 (U/L), and 35.37 (µmol/L) on average, respectively. The control group had an index decrease to 89.03, 109.23, and 58.08 on average. Average exercise values rose from 1615.56 kJ to 1932.31 kJ and from 1437.47 kJ to 1877.58 kJ, respectively. The average value of dietary intake was relatively stable across both groups, changing from 7389.98 kJ to 7700.64 kJ in the refined group and from 7411.11 kJ to 7183.87 kJ in the control group.¹

Ultimately, Wang and colleagues noted a substantially larger decrease in ALT, AST, and TBIL indexes after 6 months in the refined group compared to the control group. The team suggests these data indicate the overall benefit of using vegetable oils over animal oils in dietary self-management education.¹

“Overall, these results demonstrated that the refined personalized dietary self-management had better efficacy on accelerating the liver recovery in CHB patients, having the potential to be extended in a larger cohort for exploring its worth in clinical care,” Wang and colleagues wrote.¹

References

1. Wang Y, Yao Y, Sun Y, Qian X. Personalized Dietary Self-Management and its Influence on Disease Progression in Chronic Hepatitis B. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2025;2025(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/jnme/5585004

2. Ravaut G, Légiot A, Bergeron KF, Mounier C. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids in Obesity-Related Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;22(1):330. Published 2020 Dec 30. doi:10.3390/ijms22010330

We know that exercise has numerous health benefits, but does it matter how much you spread it out? Even only working out on the weekends may still reduce some people’s risk of early death, according to a new study.

Researchers were interested in how people might build physical activity into busy schedules and decided to focus on those with diabetes, for whom exercise-related benefits such as reduced insulin resistance are particularly important.

“Many people struggle to engage in regular physical activity throughout the week due to time constraints,” the team from the US, China, and Australia writes in their published paper.

“To overcome this, some condense their recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) into 1 or 2 weekly sessions – a pattern known as the ‘weekend warrior’ approach.”

Related: Ideal Number of Daily Steps Isn’t as Many as We’ve Been Told

The researchers crunched the numbers on 51,650 adults with diabetes, splitting them into four groups: those who did no MVPA, those who did less than the recommended 150 minutes per week, those who hit 150 minutes a week in 3 or more sessions, and those who managed 150 minutes a week in 1–2 sessions (the weekend warriors).

Any level of exercise was shown to be beneficial, but primarily for those who managed the MVPA recommendations. People who participated in 3 or more weekly sessions had a 17 percent lower risk of dying during the study period, as well as a 19 percent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular-related issues.

The weekend warriors fared even better: this group showed a 21 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 33 percent lower risk of cardiovascular-related mortality. So even if you only have time for a single exercise session or a couple of workouts, you can still get some of the same health benefits.

“Even those who engaged in MPVA for less than 150 minutes per week experienced lower all-cause mortality than those who didn’t,” writes the team.

“This underscores the importance of any physical activity for people with diabetes.”

The study doesn’t establish cause and effect and by its use of self-reported data to look at a snapshot in time – and in only covering people with diabetes. However, it’s backed by many previous studies that show any amount of exercise can make a difference.

Most past research has agreed that the weekend warrior approach works as well as any other: as long as you’re hitting those recommended targets, you get the same benefits in terms of both physical health and mental health.

That’s encouraging for anyone struggling to fit in gym visits during the Monday-Friday grind, but most studies (including this latest one) define weekend warriors as those who only exercise properly 1–2 times a week, regardless of the days.

“Previous studies in the general population suggest weekend warriors may obtain comparable mortality benefits to regularly active persons, though estimates vary by population characteristics (for example, non-leisure-time physical activity),” write the researchers.

The research has been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Protein plays a key role in reducing inflammation and supporting metabolic health—two factors that can make weight loss more achievable and sustainable. While no single food guarantees weight loss, some high-protein options offer added benefits that support overall well-being. “Choosing anti-inflammatory proteins helps to lower chronic inflammation that drives insulin resistance,” says Kaitlin Hippley, M.Ed., RDN, LD, CDCES. “When insulin resistance is high, blood sugars rise, fat storage is activated and losing weight can become more challenging.”

“There’s really no such thing as a ‘weight loss protein,’” adds Marissa Beck, M.S., RDN. “The real health benefit comes from choosing a variety of protein sources that support overall health by lowering inflammation, improving cholesterol and stabilizing blood sugar.”

Read on for a closer look at the anti-inflammatory protein foods that dietitians recommend most, and why they’re worth adding to your plate.

1. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish are top-tier when it comes to anti-inflammatory protein sources. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA, these fish support heart and brain health—plus, they help reduce inflammation. “Salmon is my number one favorite and highest recommended protein source when following an anti-inflammatory diet because of its high levels of omega-3 fats and micronutrients,” says Lindsay Fencl, RDN. These healthy fats can also lower blood pressure, reduce triglycerides and support healthy cholesterol levels—things that are often disrupted in people with insulin resistance.

Beck says that the omega-3s found in fatty fish “have well-documented anti-inflammatory benefits” and are a valuable part of a balanced, healthy diet. Including fish like salmon, mackerel or sardines in a few meals a week aligns with the Mediterranean diet recommendations, which have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic disease and improve metabolic health.

2. Legumes

Legumes—such as beans and lentils—are rich in fiber, plant-based protein and antioxidants that support gut health and reduce inflammation. “Thanks to fiber and polyphenols, beans and lentils earn their title of powerhouse plant proteins,” says Hippley. “They naturally lower inflammation and support sustainable weight loss by improving gut health and fighting oxidative stress.”

Emerging research also suggests that legumes may help the body produce more of its own appetite-regulating hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate blood sugar levels and increases feelings of fullness and satisfaction. This is thanks to its protein and calcium content, which may have a synergistic effect that promotes increased GLP-1 production after eating.

3. Lean Meats

Lean meats—like chicken, turkey, venison and bison—are protein-rich and lower in saturated fat, making them an ideal option for those seeking to reduce inflammation and lose weight. “These lean animal-based proteins all offer different micronutrients that play a role in managing inflammation,” says Beck. 

“Wild game meat, such as venison, elk and bison, tends to be leaner, richer in iron and raised without additives common in conventionally farmed meats,” says Fencl. These meats offer several anti-inflammatory nutrients, including zinc and selenium, which support immune regulation and help neutralize oxidative stress.

4. Tofu & Tempeh

Fermented soy-based proteins, including tofu and tempeh, are rich in complete protein and isoflavones—compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. “These plant proteins come packaged with fiber and phytochemicals that support gut and heart health,” Beck tells EatingWell. These benefits are particularly valuable for reducing markers of inflammation and supporting insulin sensitivity, which can make weight regulation more manageable.

Fermented soy products like tempeh may also support gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and reducing digestive inflammation, especially when paired with a fiber-rich diet. Recent research suggests that the health of the gut microbiome may have a significant impact on metabolism and body weight.

Other Tips for Healthy Weight Loss

While eating protein can support metabolism, reduce inflammation and promote weight loss, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. “What often gets missed in typical weight loss advice is that it’s not just one food or one nutrient that determines our health status,” Beck explains. “Eating habits and other behaviors matter just as much, if not more.” Here are some things you can do to support healthy weight loss:

• Eat regularly throughout the day. “Eating regular meals and snacks can help regulate blood sugar and prevent an evening binge or emotional eating cycle that many people struggle with,” says Beck. Eating consistently also supports stable energy levels and helps reduce cravings. 
• Include a variety of whole, nutrient-dense foods. “Research consistently shows that dietary diversity promotes a healthy gut microbiome, supports disease prevention and enhances weight management,” says Fencl. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats as part of your routine.
• Prioritize sleep. “Sleep deprivation has been shown to increase inflammatory molecules like cytokines and C-reactive protein,” says Fencl. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.
• Move your body regularly. Regular physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation and improve mood. Even low-impact movement—like walking and stretching—can help regulate appetite and support sustainable weight loss. Try to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week.
• Manage stress. “Managing stress can lower inflammation, control cravings and stabilize blood sugars, making weight loss more achievable,” says Hippley. Try deep breathing, meditation or yoga.

Our Expert Take

There’s no such thing as a magic protein for weight loss, but incorporating a variety of nutrient-dense protein sources into your eating pattern can reduce inflammation and support weight loss. When paired with other healthy habits—like eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep and stress management—you can support long-term health and sustainable results.