Researchers have concluded that red light reduces the risk of clots, a study warns against processed foods, another advises eating more dietary fiber, and a warning against low protein intake. Below are some of the most prominent studies and medical news that we carry for you.
In “Al Jazeera Health” we present a roundup of medical research and news for today, Sunday, January 12, 2025:
Red light reduces the risk of blood clots
A recent study found that humans and mice exposed to long-wave red light had lower rates of blood clots that can cause heart attacks, lung damage and strokes.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in the United States, and was published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
The results – which need to be verified through further experiments – indicate the possibility of reducing blood clots in the veins and arteries, which are one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide.
“The light we are exposed to can alter our biological processes and change our health,” said researcher Dr. Elizabeth Andraska. “Our findings could lead to a relatively inexpensive treatment that would benefit millions of people.”
Warning about not eating enough protein
Writer Siri Roberts warned in an article in The Telegraph that we are not eating enough protein, which is affecting our health.
The writer said that there is a growing body of research that supports the benefits of protein, and experts claim that it can help in losing weight, building muscle, and getting rid of cravings for food.
One study found that people on a high-protein diet lost 53% more body fat than a group that ate a normal amount of protein but consumed the same number of calories. Other research found that increasing protein intake from 15% to 30% of total calories caused overweight participants to eat 441 fewer calories each day without trying.
The author quoted Dr. Claire Bailey that to have the best health, we need to eat 100 grams of protein daily, and for some people it reaches 120 grams.
Legumes, vegetables and fruits promote beneficial microbes in the gut
Eating a high-fiber diet of legumes, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds can promote the growth of beneficial microbes in the gut and help the body fight potentially dangerous infections, researchers found in a new study.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, and Newsweek wrote about it.
Fiber works by aiding in digestion by keeping things moving smoothly through the intestines. Certain types of fiber also serve as food for the good bacteria that live in the intestines. These beneficial bacteria play important roles in digestion and immune function.
Ultra-processed foods increase the risk of death
A recent study revealed that people who eat a lot of ultra-processed foods such as ready meals may be 25% more likely to die from Parkinson’s disease. Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods increases the risk of premature death by 4%.
The study included more than 400,000 people, and was published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe.
Examples of processed foods include potato chips, cakes, biscuits and packaged deli meats, which are usually packed with high levels of salt and sugar as well as artificial colourings, flavour enhancers, emulsifiers and preservatives.
T cells are able to completely block viral infection
In a new study, researchers have found that T cells (a type of white blood cell) are able to completely prevent viral infections.
These findings reshape our understanding of how our immune system works, paving the way for designing more effective vaccines.
The study was conducted by scientists from Duke University School of Medicine, the National University of Singapore, and Singapore General Hospital, and was published in the journal Nature Microbiology, and written about by the Eurek Alert website.
A new treatment for intestinal worms and their elimination
A recent study has found that a tablet combining the drugs albendazole and ivermectin is safe and more effective than albendazole alone in treating soil-transmitted helminths.
The study was conducted by researchers led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, and was published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
This treatment holds opportunities to improve control of this infection, which affects approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide.