An analysis of the medical records of 5 million adults under the age of 50 in the USA found that myocardial infarction was six times more frequent in cannabis users compared to non-users.
Ischaemic stroke was also four times more frequent.
Cannabis is also the most used illicit substance used in pregnancy. Eight new studies found that cannabis use doubled the risk of a baby being born with low birthweight.
Preterm birth and being small for gestational age was also raised.
As people age they tend to lose lean muscle mass. My comment: I, as well as many of us, regularly weight train, in the hope of preventing age related muscle loss, also known as sarcopenia.
A multi-national trial of two thousand adults gave disappointing results.
The group of physically active older adults was randomised to: daily supplemental vitamin D, omega 3 fatty acid supplements, and a home exercise programme undertaken three times a week, either alone or in combination.
After three years intervention, NONE of these interventions improved muscle mass or influenced the incidence of sarcopenia, as measured by dual energy X ray absorptiometry.
As exercise and vitamin D supplements have been shown to improve other important health parameters, I will continue to exercise daily.
One in four UK adults has obesity and one in three is overweight. These factors increase the rate of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although many people lose weight after starting various types of dietary intervention, they are often dismayed that weight is usually regained.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 249 weight management programmes for adults worldwide was conducted. Intense weight management programmes were compared to less intense or no intervention at all. Intensive programmes included diet and exercise but not medications or surgery.
All trials ran for at least a year after the interventions were completed and some as far as four years afterwards. The average follow up period was 28 months.
Those who had little or no support had lost 2.1kg and those who had had intensive support lost 4.9kg. Those who lost the most weight gained it back the most quickly.
The researchers found that five years after the end of a weight management programme, people who had been offered support still weighed less than those who got little or no support. They also had lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels despite the weight regain.
Photo by Katie Rainbow ud83cudff3ufe0fu200dud83cudf08 on Pexels.com
Adapted from BMJ 27 Jan 2024
Dissecting Health by Scarlett McNally
The body positive movement correctly states that weight based discrimination can contribute to poor health and even more weight gain. Even so, obesity causes considerable health and economic damage.
The Tony Blair Institute calculated that obesity costs the UK £98 billion a year including £19.2 billion from related illnesses.
People who have obesity have seven times the likelihood of type two diabetes and the complications such as infection, amputation and kidney failure. Obesity can cause heart disease, cancer and chronic pain.
A person under the age of 50 who is obese, is more than ten times more likely to have complex multi-morbidity than someone of healthy weight. Hip and knee joint replacements are needed earlier, need longer operating times, a 50% greater risk of infections and a higher chance of needing postoperative intensive care.
Several treatments can successfully reverse obesity and type two diabetes including bariatric surgery, low carbohydrate diets, intermittent fasting, ultra-low calorie diets, and now regular injections to suppress the appetite.
Prevention of obesity is different. Obesity is caused by the type and availability of food and a lack of physical activity. Exercise alone doesn’t reverse obesity, but it can help prevent it.
Obesity is a product of our environments. People in the most deprived areas have the fewest food and exercise options and are twice as likely to have obesity (36.8%) as those in the least deprived areas (19.2%).
We need to go back to basics: affordable fruit and vegetables, unprocessed foods, less snacking, smaller portions, and less alcohol.
Many organisations have suggested such interventions such as play parks, limits on junk food advertising, and more PE in schools. We need safe cycle lanes, green spaces, and 20 mph limits in built up areas. Despite swimming being a great all round exercise, many affordable swimming pools have closed.
The obesity epidemic matters more about health than just appearance. Poor health results in unaffordable health needs and reduced tax income from the economically inactive working age group.
We cannot afford the inevitable human and financial costs of inaction.
A randomised controlled trial by Mikko Raisanen in Finland compared treatments for Dupuytren’s contracture.
This condition is common in those of Viking ancestry. Famous afflicted people include Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Frank Sinatra.
Thickening and tightening of the tendons in the palms of the hands occurs. Progression is usually slow, but as the pinky finger and others become unable to extend, it can cause real difficulty in dressing and holding objects.
Three treatments were compared: surgery, needle fasciotomy and collagenase injections.
At the three month point, all seemed equally successful with 70% improved considerably, but after two years, surgery was 78% effective compared to 50% and 65% respectively.
Diabetics are prone to this condition too, as tendon glycation worsens the problem.
Diabetes Diet 