The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: ### Breakthrough Study: Intermittent Fasting Slashes Crohn's Symptoms by 40% A groundbreaking clinical trial reveals that **intermittent fasting**—limiting meals to an **8-hour daily window**—can dramatically ease **Crohn's disease** symptoms, cut inflammation, and support weight loss without changing calorie intake or food types.[1][2][3] **Crohn's disease basics.** This inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects any part of the digestive tract, causing diarrhea, malnutrition, abdominal pain, cramping, and excess visceral fat that worsens inflammation and treatment response.[1][2] **Study design and participants.** Researchers from the University of Calgary and University of British Columbia recruited 35 overweight or obese adults with Crohn's. Half followed time-restricted eating (16-hour fasts daily, 6 days a week for 12 weeks), while the control group ate normally. No calorie cuts were required.[1][2][3] **Symptom relief highlights.** Fasters saw a **40% drop in disease activity**, including fewer bowel movements and **50% less abdominal pain**. They reported better overall symptoms, suggesting potential for lasting remission.[1][3] **Weight and body composition wins.** The fasting group lost about **5.5 pounds** and reduced **visceral fat** (deep abdominal fat around organs), while controls gained **3.7 pounds**. BMI dropped significantly, with bigger declines linking to better gut health.[1][2][3] **Metabolic and inflammation improvements.** Blood markers for inflammation (like leptin and PAI-1) decreased, alongside healthier shifts in metabolism, immune function, and fat tissue proteins. No diet quality changes explained this—**meal timing** was key.[1][2][3] **Gut microbiome boost.** Fasting increased gut bacteria diversity and short-chain fatty acid production, which supports digestive health. These changes happened despite similar calorie intake.[2] **Expert insights from researchers.** "Time-restricted feeding offers benefits beyond weight loss, like reduced discomfort and inflammation," said senior author Dr. Maitreyi Raman, University of Calgary. Lead investigator Natasha Haskey added, "It's a sustainable, biology-based tool to complement meds."[1][2] **Not a cure, but promising add-on.** Experts stress intermittent fasting isn't a medication replacement and larger, longer trials are needed for safety confirmation. It may help break treatment limits, especially for non-responders.[1][2] **Practical takeaway for Crohn's patients.** If overweight, consider discussing an 8-hour eating window with your doctor—six days weekly—as a low-cost strategy alongside standard care.[2][3] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9

The Latest from Medicare

Welcome to our article summary! In this concise overview, we will distill the key points and insights from the original piece, providing you with a clear understanding of the main themes and arguments. Whether you're looking for a quick recap or a deeper insight into the topic, this summary will highlight the essential information you need to know. Let's dive in! # How to Reach Medicare Customer Service Medicare makes it easy to get help whenever you need it. You can contact a real person by phone or online chat at any time—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—with the only exception being some federal holidays.[7] ## Calling Medicare The main Medicare phone number is **1-800-MEDICARE**, which is the same as **1-800-633-4227**.[7] When you call, you'll reach an automated system that guides you through options, and then you can connect with a live representative who can answer your questions.[1] If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the TTY number **1-877-486-2048** to communicate with a representative.[7] ## Why You Might Call There are many reasons to contact Medicare. You can call to check on the status of your claims, ask questions about your premiums and deductibles, get general information about your coverage, and discuss any Medicare-related concerns.[2] Having your Medicare number handy before you call can help speed up the process. ## Alternative Ways to Get Help If you prefer not to talk on the phone, Medicare also offers **live chat service** available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.[4] You can also log into your personal Medicare account online to find answers to common questions and access your own Medicare information.[1] For those who prefer written communication, you can mail Medicare at: Medicare Contact Center Operations, PO Box 1270, Lawrence, KS 66044.[4] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9

The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: **Landmark Study Clears Statins of Most Blamed Side Effects** A massive meta-analysis published in *The Lancet* reveals that statins do not cause the vast majority of side effects listed on their labels, challenging years of patient fears and misinformation.[1][2][3] **What the Research Uncovered** Researchers from the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ (CTT) Collaboration reviewed data from 19 double-blind randomized trials, involving 123,940 participants followed for a median of 4.5 years, plus four trials comparing statin intensities with 30,724 more people.[1][2][4] They found statins linked to only six side effects with statistical significance: muscle breakdown, new-onset diabetes (previously established), elevated liver enzymes, abnormal liver function tests, changes in urine composition, and edema or swelling—all rare, with risks under 0.1% for the last four in placebo comparisons.[1][2][3][5] **Common Complaints Not Backed by Evidence** Over 60 side effects appear on statin labels, like memory loss, dementia, depression, sleep disturbances, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, nausea, fatigue, headache, blurry vision, dizziness, and throat pain—but these occurred at identical rates in placebo groups.[1][3][4][6] For instance, brain fog hit 0.2% on statins and 0.2% on placebo, proving no causal link.[3] **Expert Praise for Reassurance** Cardiologist Gregg Fonarow of UCLA called it a "useful check on widely held beliefs," emphasizing gold-standard trial evidence.[1] Epidemiologist Emily Herrett noted, "Symptoms occurring during statin use would probably have occurred even if the patient was not taking statins," urging better patient education.[1] **Lingering Concerns on Methods and Funding** Critics like UCSF's Rita Redberg highlight that all trials were industry-funded, with data restricted to CTT members, questioning transparency.[1] Run-in periods may have excluded early side-effect sufferers, making results most applicable to statin-tolerant patients, per some researchers.[1] Strict statistical thresholds could miss rarer harms, though muscle symptoms were confirmed low at 1% in the first year.[1][4] **Why This Matters for Heart Health** With statins proven to cut cardiovascular deaths, this evidence counters fears driving discontinuation, potentially saving lives—though doctors should weigh rare risks against benefits for each patient.[4] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9

The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: **Brewing Up Brain Protection: New Study Links Coffee and Tea to Lower Dementia Risk** Researchers from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute have uncovered promising evidence that moderate daily intake of caffeinated coffee or tea could help ward off dementia and support sharper cognition.[1][2][4] **Massive Long-Term Study Delivers Solid Data** This prospective cohort study tracked over 131,000 participants—mostly nurses and health professionals—from the Nurses' Health Study (86,606 women, starting 1980) and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (45,215 men, starting 1986), spanning up to 43 years with a median follow-up of 36.8 years.[1][2] **Key Findings on Caffeinated Coffee** Higher caffeinated coffee consumption was linked to an 18% lower dementia risk (hazard ratio 0.82, comparing highest vs. lowest quartiles: 141 vs. 330 cases per 100,000 person-years), reduced subjective cognitive decline (7.8% vs. 9.5% prevalence), and slightly better objective cognitive scores like the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) in women.[1][2][4] **Tea Packs a Similar Punch** Greater tea intake showed comparable benefits for lowering dementia risk and improving cognitive function, with nonlinear dose-response curves peaking at optimal levels.[1][3] **The Sweet Spot: 2-3 Cups of Coffee Daily** The strongest associations emerged with about **2 to 3 cups per day of caffeinated coffee** or **1 to 2 cups of tea**, delivering neuroprotective effects without downsides from higher amounts—benefits held across genetic dementia risk levels.[1][2] **Caffeine, Not Decaf, Steals the Show** Decaffeinated coffee showed no such protective links, pointing to caffeine (plus polyphenols) as key players in reducing inflammation, cellular damage, and cognitive decline.[1][2][4] **Why This Matters for Everyday Prevention** With 11,033 dementia cases identified via records and diagnoses, and limited treatments available, these findings spotlight simple lifestyle tweaks amid inconsistent prior research plagued by short follow-ups and poor beverage differentiation.[1][2] **A Word of Perspective from the Experts** Senior author Daniel Wang notes the effect size is small: "Caffeinated coffee or tea can be one piece of the puzzle" alongside other brain-healthy habits, urging balanced prevention strategies.[2] **Room for More Research Ahead** While mouse studies back caffeine's role in curbing amyloid buildup and inflammation, human trials like an ongoing randomized controlled study (ending 2024) are needed to confirm mechanisms and causality—past results have varied, especially by sex.[1][5] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9

The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: # Mediterranean Diet Shows Promise for Reducing Stroke Risk in Women A new study adds to the mounting evidence supporting the **cardiovascular benefits of the Mediterranean diet**, with recent findings indicating that this eating pattern may help reduce both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke risk specifically in women.[1][2][3] ## What the Research Shows The Mediterranean diet has emerged as one of the most thoroughly studied dietary approaches for heart health. Large randomized controlled trials, including the PREDIMED study and Lyon Diet-Heart Study, have consistently demonstrated its protective effects.[1] According to research tracking nearly 26,000 women over 12 years, those who followed a Mediterranean diet had **25% less risk of developing cardiovascular disease** compared to those who didn't adopt this eating pattern.[2][3] ## Key Components of the Diet The Mediterranean diet emphasizes **minimally processed, plant-based foods** rather than serving as a vegetarian diet.[1] The core components include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain cereals, legumes, tree nuts, and extra-virgin olive oil as the primary fat source.[1] The diet also allows for low-to-moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and red wine, while limiting red meat and salt.[2] ## How It Works The protective mechanisms behind the diet's benefits involve multiple biological pathways. The **three biggest drivers** of cardiovascular risk reduction are changes in inflammation, blood sugar control, and body mass index.[2][3] Additionally, the diet's high phenolic compound content helps reduce oxidative stress, which can delay neurodegenerative processes and improve brain health.[1] ## Why This Matters for Women With stroke risk reduction now highlighted as a specific benefit for women, the Mediterranean diet offers a practical, evidence-based dietary approach that can be implemented early in life for long-term cardiovascular protection.[1] The diet has also been linked to lower cholesterol levels, reduced blood clot risks, and better overall cardiovascular health outcomes.[4] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9

Retirement Concerns on Aging ​

Are you getting to that point in life where age has become a concern? Read on!!! ### Recognition by American Society on Aging On March 27, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Health & Aging team and SAGE received recognition from the American Society on Aging (ASA) for their collaborative efforts.[1] ### Historic Partnership Announcement This acknowledgment ties back to a key partnership announced by HRC Foundation and SAGE at the ASA Conference in New Orleans. The initiative launched the Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI), the first nationwide assessment of long-term care facilities' treatment of LGBTQ residents, building on HRC's Healthcare Equality Index.[1] ### Addressing Critical Needs The partnership aims to combat discrimination faced by LGBTQ older adults in care settings, where a national survey revealed only 22% felt open about their identities, 89% anticipated staff discrimination, and 43% experienced mistreatment. HRC President Chad Griffin and SAGE CEO Michael Adams emphasized the urgency, projecting 4.7 million LGBTQ elders needing services by 2030.[1] ### Ongoing Impact and Tools The LEI promotes inclusive policies, complemented by SAGECare training and awareness campaigns. Recent resources like "Facing the Future Together" from SAGE and HRC provide FAQs, guidance, and vetted support for LGBTQ+ elders amid challenges such as erased federal resources.[2][3]

The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: # AI-Assisted Mammography Cuts Later Diagnosis Rate **Breakthrough Trial Demonstrates AI's Impact on Breast Cancer Detection** A groundbreaking randomized controlled trial called MASAI has shown that **AI-supported mammography significantly improves early cancer detection** and reduces the rate of interval cancers—breast cancers diagnosed between screening rounds.[1][5] The study, involving over 105,000 Swedish women and published in *The Lancet*, represents the first randomized controlled trial investigating AI in breast cancer screening.[1] **How the AI System Works** The AI technology used in the trial operates in two key ways: it **triages mammograms to determine whether they need single or double reading by radiologists**, and it serves as **detection support by highlighting suspicious findings** for radiologists to review.[1][5] The AI system was trained, validated, and tested on more than 200,000 mammography scans from multiple institutions across more than ten countries.[1][5] **Improved Cancer Detection and Reduced Missed Cases** The results demonstrate a **29% increase in cancer detection rates** during screening compared to standard double reading.[2][6] More importantly, the AI-supported approach detected **9% more cancers at screening** (81% vs. 74%) while maintaining comparable specificity and recall rates.[4] This improvement in early detection led to fewer aggressive cancers being missed between screenings. **Significant Reduction in Interval Cancers** The trial found a **12% reduction in interval cancer rates** in the AI-supported group compared to the control group (1.55 per 1,000 women versus 1.76 per 1,000 women).[2][5] Among interval cancers that did develop, there were **27% fewer cancers of aggressive subtypes** and a **16% reduction in invasive interval cancers**.[2][4] **Consistent Sensitivity Improvements Across Patient Groups** AI-supported mammography showed **6.7% higher sensitivity** (80.5% versus 73.8%) at the same specificity level, with consistent results across different age groups and breast density subgroups.[2] This consistency is important because it demonstrates the technology's effectiveness across diverse patient populations. **Significant Workload Reduction for Radiologists** Beyond improving cancer detection, the AI system **reduced radiologist workload by 44%** by triaging low-risk cases to single reading instead of requiring double readings.[4][6] According to researchers, these findings suggest that **AI could eliminate the need for double-reading of most mammograms**, a practice that is common in European screening programs.[4] **What This Means for Screening Programs** The study demonstrates that **AI can replace double-reading without negative consequences for patients** while substantially reducing the workload burden on radiologists, who are in short supply.[4][6] For women undergoing screening, there is no noticeable difference in the mammography examination itself—the AI support is applied during the image analysis phase.[6] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9