Modern medicine makes it possible for people to live longer than ever before.
However, according to Jan Hajer, senior director of the healthcare group AKESO Healthcare Holding, that does not necessarily mean people enjoy a high quality of life throughout their lives.
In an interview with TN CZ, he says that healthcare systems often focus more on treating illnesses than on preventing them.
As a result, AKESO is now opening a center dedicated to movement and health.
Exercise should fit the individual
According to Jan Hajer, there is no single type of exercise that suits everyone. Physical activity should be adapted to each person’s needs, age, and overall health.
He also explains that regular exercise is more important than doing intense workouts only a few times a month.
According to clinical studies, even short exercise sessions can have a positive effect on both muscles and overall health.
Many people forget walking
A walk can be a good starting point for people who want to become more active in their daily lives.
But Jan Hajer believes that the body benefits most from a combination of different forms of exercise.
In the interview, he highlights one type of training that many people often forget: strength training.
This is important because muscles play a major role in the body’s metabolism and its ability to resist disease.
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global problem.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat because bacteria are developing resistance to medication, SciTechDaily reports.
Bacteria are not only able to develop resistance on their own. They can also pass resistance genes on to other bacteria through small pieces of DNA known as plasmids.
This allows resistant bacteria to spread rapidly between different species.
Experiments with cinnamon
A new study published in Engineering examined cinnamic acid, a natural compound found in cinnamon and commonly used in food products. The substance was tested both in laboratories and in mice.
The experiments showed that cinnamic acid made it more difficult for bacteria to transfer resistance genes to one another.
At the same time, the substance did not interfere with the bacteria’s normal growth.
Researchers also found signs that the compound affects the bacteria’s energy production. This may help reduce their ability to share genes.
No clear side effects
According to the researchers, the mice examined in the study showed no clear side effects after treatment with cinnamic acid.
There were also no major changes found in their organs or gut bacteria.
The researchers therefore believe the substance could become part of future methods aimed at limiting the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Drinkable pouches, powders, smoothies, and bars containing fruits and vegetables are becoming increasingly popular among adults.
According to Health.com, they are marketed as a quick way to get more nutrients without having to cook.
The contents vary from product to product, but most contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Some also include added nutrients.
These products are particularly aimed at people who have limited time or want an easy way to improve their diet.
Nutrition and challenges
However, experts believe that liquid meals cannot replace regular food.
Health.com notes that they often contain less fiber because parts such as skins and seeds are missing.
Research published in Scientific Reports also shows that liquid food is less filling than solid food. This may mean that people feel hungry again more quickly.
In addition, processing can reduce the content of certain vitamins.
Packaging can also be an issue, as plastic may release microplastics which, according to several studies, including one published in Birth Defects Research, may affect health.
Limited use
Nevertheless, these products can be useful in certain situations. They may help people who have difficulty eating or who have busy daily lives, according to Health.com.
It is recommended to choose products with a high fiber content and simple ingredients. At the same time, they should be used alongside regular food.
Liquid meals should only be used as a supplement and not as a replacement for a healthy and varied diet.
Sources: Health.com, Scientific Reports, and Birth Defects Research.
A writer from Parade set out to eat pasta every day for a week to observe the effects on her body and daily life.
The experiment provided both physical and practical insights that changed her perspective on meals.
A regular part of her diet
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The writer had previously been influenced by low-carb culture but later began eating more carbohydrates in connection with running, where pasta became a regular part of her diet.
Whole grain pasta delivered better results
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During marathon training, she found that whole grain pasta provided more energy and reduced hunger compared with regular white pasta.
A healthy source
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Whole grain pasta contains fiber and nutrients that may help reduce the risk of disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The feeling of fullness varies
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A study published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism showed that whole grain pasta can provide a longer feeling of fullness than refined pasta, although another study published in Appetite found no difference in blood sugar levels.
The first day was simple and filling
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She began with a simple dish of whole grain spaghetti, vegetables, beans, and sauce, which kept her full for several hours and even into the next day.
Improved energy for exercise
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After the first day, she completed a high-intensity run without difficulty, which aligned with her previous experiences.
Variety in meals
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Her husband prepared a dish with spaghetti, vegetables, soy sauce, and protein, demonstrating that pasta can easily be combined with various ingredients.
Pasta reduced food waste
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A meal made from leftovers in the refrigerator showed that pasta is a flexible base that can be used to utilize ingredients and reduce food waste.
A child-friendly solution
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Her child preferred pasta without sauce, making meals easy and popular within the family.
Taste and memories play a role
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A simple dish with butter reminded her of childhood, highlighting that food is also about emotions and nostalgia.
A restaurant visit offered a different experience
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During a dinner out, she ate a heavier pasta dish, which resulted in increased hunger and fatigue the following day.
Pasta as an easy everyday solution
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She returned to simple pasta dishes on busy days, making it easy to maintain the routine while still having energy for training.
Routine made everyday life easier
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Not having to think about dinner every day proved beneficial, as it provided more structure and fewer decisions.
Monotony can be a challenge
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Although the routine was practical, her husband found it monotonous to eat the same thing every day.
Pasta is easy to prepare
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One of the greatest advantages was how quick and uncomplicated pasta is to prepare, without the need for advanced cooking skills.
Room for experimentation
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She emphasized that variation in shapes, sauces, and ingredients can make pasta exciting and prevent boredom.
Overall experience was positive
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She concluded that she felt fuller, had more energy, and experienced less stress around dinner.
Sources: Parade, Cleveland Clinic, Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, and Appetite.
You pick up your prescription, follow the dosage, and trust that it will do its job. For many people, that routine rarely raises concern.
But emerging research suggests that some widely used medications may carry risks that are not always fully understood.
According to reporting by Times of India, citing a study published inPLOS Medicineand conducted by researchers at University College London, drugs such as gabapentin and pregabalin are now under closer scrutiny.
A closer look
These medications are commonly used to treat nerve pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders. They have often been viewed as a safer alternative to stronger painkillers.
However, researchers examined data from nearly 17,000 patients in the UK and identified a concerning pattern.
The risk of drug poisoning was already elevated in the period leading up to treatment and remained higher during the early phase after the medication was introduced.
This suggests that patients may already be in a vulnerable state before starting these drugs.
When risks increase
The study also highlights how combining medications can amplify the danger. Many patients receiving these treatments are also prescribed other drugs, which can complicate the overall risk profile.
Key factors linked to higher risk include:
Use alongside opioids
Combination with benzodiazepines
Multiple ongoing prescriptions
Such combinations were associated with a significantly increased likelihood of poisoning, reflecting trends seen in both UK and US data.
A need for caution
Researchers emphasize that these medications remain beneficial for many patients when used appropriately.
However, the assumption that they are universally low-risk is increasingly being questioned.
The findings point to the importance of careful prescribing and closer monitoring, particularly for patients taking multiple medications.
A walk through damp grass or a quiet moment in the garden rarely feels risky. Yet, according to Danish research led by physician Nanna Skaarup Andersen, and reported by IFORM, small encounters with ticks may carry consequences that have long gone under the radar.
For years, tick-borne infections in Denmark have mainly been associated with Lyme disease, often identified by a skin rash or, in rarer cases, nerve-related complications.
Now, researchers are seeing signs of a different outcome that had previously been considered almost nonexistent.
A subtle pattern
New observations show that a handful of patients over the past two and a half years have developed joint inflammation linked to the same bacteria.
While the number remains limited, the emergence has surprised specialists who did not expect to encounter such cases domestically.
Unlike common joint disorders, this condition typically affects only one large joint, making it stand apart from more widespread forms of arthritis.
A different signal
The knee appears to be the most frequent site, with swelling and discomfort that do not improve with usual treatments. This unusual presentation is often what prompts further investigation.
Key indicators include:
Persistent swelling in one joint
Lack of response to standard therapies
No clear diagnosis after examination
Measured concern
Experts underline that the condition is still rare and does not justify widespread alarm. Testing is only relevant in specific, unresolved cases.
Preventive habits remain essential, especially after time outdoors. Early removal of ticks and regular skin checks can lower the already small risk.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare infectious disease that begins with flu-like symptoms but can quickly become severe.
The disease can affect both the lungs and the heart and may, in the worst cases, become life-threatening, according to Mayo Clinic.
What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
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Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is an infection found in North and South America.
The disease is caused by different types of hantaviruses carried by rodents.
The disease often starts like the flu
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The first symptoms often resemble the flu. Many people experience fever, chills, headaches, and muscle aches.
Some people also develop stomach problems
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In addition to the common symptoms, the disease can also cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Symptoms can quickly worsen
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After a few days, the disease may become severe and begin affecting both the lungs and the heart.
Coughing and breathing difficulties are warning signs
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As the illness worsens, people may develop a cough, low blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, and difficulty breathing.
The virus spreads from rodents
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Hantavirus is found in the urine, droppings, and saliva of infected rodents. People are typically infected by inhaling virus particles from contaminated dust.
Deer mice are the most common source of infection
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In North America, the deer mouse is the most common carrier of the virus, although other rodents can also spread the disease.
Contaminated food can pose a risk
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People can also become infected by eating food that has come into contact with rodent urine, saliva, or droppings.
Contact with contaminated surfaces can spread infection
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The virus may spread if someone touches contaminated materials and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes.
Bites and scratches can transmit the disease
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A bite or scratch from an infected rodent may also lead to infection.
The virus can severely damage the lungs
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When the virus reaches the lungs, blood vessels may begin leaking fluid. This can lead to serious breathing problems and impaired heart function.
Rural areas carry the highest risk
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The disease is most often seen in rural areas of the western United States, where people are more likely to come into contact with rodents.
Old buildings can be dangerous
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Unused sheds, basements, campers, and cabins may contain rodent nests and droppings, increasing the risk of infection.
Cleaning without protection increases the risk
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Cleaning areas with mouse droppings or nests without gloves and a mask can increase the risk of infection.
The death rate can be high
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Some types of hantavirus are extremely serious. The variant linked to deer mice has a mortality rate of between 30 and 50 percent.
Prevention focuses on keeping mice away
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The risk can be reduced by sealing holes in buildings, storing food safely, and removing places where rodents can build nests.
Krystal Maeyke from Australia first began experiencing stomach pain. She believed it was caused by food or everyday stress, according to People and Dagens.dk.
At the same time, she often felt tired and struggled with digestive problems. She did not think it could be a sign of illness because she otherwise lived a healthy lifestyle and exercised every day.
She also experienced severe night sweats but blamed them on the hot Australian summer.
The pain got worse
After several months, the pain became so severe that she had to go to the hospital.
According to Dagens.dk, she was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Alice Springs, located several hundred kilometers from her home.
Doctors carried out several examinations and quickly discovered that the illness was serious.
Krystal Maeyke was later told that she had cancer that had already spread to several parts of her body.
Wants to warn others
Today, she openly shares her cancer journey on TikTok, where she has more than 50,000 followers.
She says she especially wishes she had reacted earlier to the severe night sweats. According to her, it was an important warning sign that she ignored.
Tests later revealed that she had advanced colon cancer, which had spread to several areas of her body, including her liver and ovaries.
Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart struggles to pump blood around the body.
It can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and fluid retention. The disease is one of the leading causes of death among older adults.
Trial with patients
Researchers from the University of Porto studied 62 patients with heart failure.
The patients were monitored for around six months at several hospitals in northern Portugal.
Some patients received two types of medication simultaneously from the start, while others received the medication gradually in several stages over a longer period.
The researchers monitored factors including blood pressure, kidney function, and the need for hospitalization.
Surprising results
The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and reported by the media outlet JN, showed that patients who received both treatments immediately did not experience more serious side effects than patients who received the medication gradually.
The researchers therefore believe that doctors may be able to begin treatment earlier than they do today.
This could help patients receive the treatment recommended by international guidelines more quickly.
Sources: JN and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
According to B.T., which reports on a study from ScienceDirect, 180 adults participated in a six-month experiment.
The aim was to investigate whether it is possible to change one’s preference for sweet-tasting foods.
Participants were divided into three groups. One group consumed very little sweet food, another a moderate amount, and the third a high amount of sweet food.
A large portion of their diet was controlled by researchers to ensure clear differences between the groups.
The experiment did not focus solely on sugar, but on sweet taste in general, including products containing sweeteners.
No change
It has previously been assumed that eating less sweet food would reduce cravings, while consuming more might increase them. However, this was not the case in the experiment.
The results showed that participants’ preference for sweet taste remained largely unchanged before and after the study.
Even after six months of dietary changes, no clear shift was observed.
Adults’ preference for sweet foods appears to be more stable than previously thought.
Back to habits
After the experiment, participants quickly returned to their previous eating habits. People appear to have a relatively fixed level of preferred sweetness.
However, the researchers emphasize that the findings apply only to adults. According to Illustreret Videnskab, children’s taste preferences may still be more adaptable.
The study therefore indicates that reducing sugar intake over a longer period does not necessarily diminish the desire for sweet foods.
Sources: B.T., ScienceDirect and Illustreret Videnskab.
