It's "buyer beware" when it comes to direct-to-consumer (DTC) men's health clinics because many of them provide pricey treatments that aren't backed by research and don't have the necessary medical oversight, according to a research study that was published online on February 1, 2023, by Urology.
Researchers found 233 DTC men's health clinics. These clinics provided erectile dysfunction treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, penile shock wave therapy, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and penile shock wave therapy. The criteria for utilizing TRT, however, are still up for debate, and the majority of clinics did not adhere to established testing and diagnosis procedures for low testosterone levels, according to the study. Penile shock wave therapy and PRP should only be used in clinical trial settings, they warned, as their efficacy is still being investigated.
We are flooded with commercials for vitamins and supplements that claim to provide a variety of health advantages, including enhanced memory. According to a May 2023 study of senior citizens, taking a daily multivitamin can do exactly that—improve your memory to the point where it performs as if you are three years younger.
What does this mean for your daily multivitamin?
Let's examine the study in more detail.
Who participated in this trial on multivitamins?
This study is a component of a large study on the impact of multivitamins and/or cocoa, the primary component of chocolate, on outcomes related to cancer and cardiovascular disease. A previous substudy discovered that taking a daily multivitamin improved thinking and memory, at least when measured through phone-based cognitive tests.
3,562 individuals in this study were willing and able to complete various tests of reasoning and memory on a home computer. The other half received a placebo, while the first half received a multivitamin.
The results might not be generalizable because the individuals identified as 93% white, 2.5% African American, and 1.4% Hispanic. Additionally, they possessed a good education; more than half had graduated from college. The average age in both groups was 71.
How did researchers test memory?
At baseline, one, two, and three years later, the researchers assessed the subjects' thinking and memory.
Participants in the memory test had to memorise 20 words that were displayed on a computer screen in order. They had to immediately put in as many words as they could recall after seeing these words (this was the main test of memory). They also filled in all the words they remembered fifteen minutes later (a secondary test of memory).
Other supplemental measures comprise:
a test for distinguishing novel objects (is this thing the same as or different from the one just shown?)
a test of executive control (is the middle arrow red or blue in a row of nine arrows?)
One, two, and three years later, the subjects took all of the exams again.
In the first year, the two groups had different immediate recalls:
When given a placebo, participants' average instantaneous recall of 7.21 words at baseline increased to 7.65 words (a change of 0.43 words).
Those who took a daily multivitamin increased their word count from 7.10 at baseline to 7.81 words (a 0.70 word increase).
Statistics showed that this outcome was significant. These minor impacts also persisted in years two and three. By the third year, the multivitamin group had an average of 8.28 words that they could recall right away, compared to 8.17 for the placebo group.
On measures of executive function and secondary memory, there were no differences between the two groups.
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This research is still on the watch
A new study reveals that the risk of arterial blockage in the heart and neck increases in proportion to one's salt intake. Heart attacks and strokes can occur when plaque builds up in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
There were 10,788 patients between the ages of 50 and 64 included in the study that was published in the European Heart Journal Open in March 2023. Researchers calculated participants' salt intake by analysing 24-hour urine samples for sodium levels (sodium is the major component of salt). All of the study participants had cardiac ultrasounds and other imaging procedures to check for atherosclerosis.
There were 10,788 patients between the ages of 50 and 64 included in the study that was published in the European Heart Journal Open in March 2023. Researchers calculated participants' salt intake by analysing 24-hour urine samples for sodium levels (sodium is the major component of salt). All of the study participants had cardiac ultrasounds and other imaging procedures to check for atherosclerosis.
Have two minutes to work out? Then you have sufficient time to reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, and potentially premature death, according to a study published online by the European Heart Journal on October 27, 2022.
Researchers examined over 72,000 adults, with an average age of 62, who lacked cardiovascular disease or cancer. The participants wore a wrist-worn activity monitor for one week. The device measured their total activity, vigorous activity, and the frequency of at least two minutes of vigorous activity. (During vigorous exertion, it is typically impossible to speak in complete sentences.)
There isn't a drug on the market right now that can reduce your chance of dementia by 50%. But according to a study that was published online on September 6, 2022, by JAMA Neurology, doing roughly 10,000 steps each day might help. More than 78,000 healthy individuals (aged 40 to 79) who wore fitness trackers continuously for at least three days and were subsequently monitored for seven years were subjected to an analysis of their health and activity data. People who walked roughly 9,800 steps per day (about five miles) were 51% less likely to acquire dementia than those who did not walk at all. The risk of dementia decreased by roughly 25% in people who walked just 3,800 steps per day, or about two miles. Since the study was observational, it is impossible to say with certainty that walking alone created the difference. However, adding a few extra steps to your regular routine wouldn't hurt. Your health will benefit from taking more steps, including your heart, brain, and ability to ward off cancer.
According to new research, bariatric surgery may result in long-lasting improvements in pain and physical abilities.
What was the focus of the study?
This study followed approximately 1,500 individuals for up to seven years after they underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, the two most common bariatric surgery procedures. The majority of participants were white (82%) and female (80%), while Hispanic (4%) and black (11% of participants) were underrepresented. They ranged in age from 38 to 55, and all were diagnosed with severe obesity (a body mass index of 35 or greater).
Participants completed questionnaires regarding their physical abilities, pain, health, and quality of life prior to surgery. Many were also evaluated for physical function and mobility, such as their ability to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes. Some reported severe or even incapacitating knee or hip pain, an osteoarthritis symptom. Annual assessments were conducted for up to seven years.
What were the results?
41% to 64% of participants reported improvements in body pain, physical function, and objectively measured walking ability at the conclusion of the study. In addition, between 65 and 72 percent of those with osteoarthritis reported less knee and hip pain. In addition, 41% of those who were unable to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes prior to surgery could now do so.
Not every measure got better. For example, the number of back pain pills taken before and after weight loss surgery stayed the same. Not everyone experienced improvements in pain and physical function, which is also noteworthy. It's also difficult to say whether the positive changes were brought on by surgery and whether one type of surgery was superior to the other because there was no control group that did not undergo weight loss surgery.
The proven benefits of weight loss surgery include lowering blood pressure, improving blood sugar levels, and reducing cardiovascular risk. Now, data from a large multicenter study of bariatric surgery in the United States indicates that permanent improvements in pain and physical function may be added to this list.
iStock photos
What was the focus of the study?
This study followed approximately 1,500 individuals for up to seven years after they underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, the two most common bariatric surgery procedures. The majority of participants were white (82%) and female (80%), while Hispanic (4%) and black (11% of participants) were underrepresented. They ranged in age from 38 to 55, and all were diagnosed with severe obesity (a body mass index of 35 or greater).
Participants completed questionnaires regarding their physical abilities, pain, health, and quality of life prior to surgery. Many were also evaluated for physical function and mobility, such as their ability to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes. Some reported severe or even incapacitating knee or hip pain, an osteoarthritis symptom. Annual assessments were conducted for up to seven years.
What were the results?
41% to 64% of participants reported improvements in body pain, physical function, and objectively measured walking ability at the conclusion of the study. In addition, between 65 and 72 percent of those with osteoarthritis reported less knee and hip pain. In addition, 41% of those who were unable to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes prior to surgery could now do so.
Not every measure got better. For example, the number of back pain pills taken before and after weight loss surgery stayed the same. Not everyone experienced improvements in pain and physical function, which is also noteworthy. It's also difficult to say whether the positive changes were brought on by surgery and whether one type of surgery was superior to the other because there was no control group that did not undergo weight loss surgery.
We're keeping tabs on this research.
A review article that appeared on September 1, 2022 in the International Journal of Cardiology suggested that psychological problems like anger, worry, sadness, and work stress may increase the risk of having the heart rhythm disease known as atrial fibrillation (afib).
The researchers analysed 13 studies with a combined participant population of more than 5.3 million participants. They discovered that the two most prevalent mental illnesses, anxiety and depression, were linked to an increased risk of afib by 25% and 10%, respectively. Anger was associated with a 15% increase in risk of Afib and significant work stress with an 18% increase in risk.
The researchers analysed 13 studies with a combined participant population of more than 5.3 million participants. They discovered that the two most prevalent mental illnesses, anxiety and depression, were linked to an increased risk of afib by 25% and 10%, respectively. Anger was associated with a 15% increase in risk of Afib and significant work stress with an 18% increase in risk.
While studies occasionally reach incorrect conclusions, researchers can assist in correcting the record.
Photo by Pietro JengWhen it comes to clinical research, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are the most effective sort of study.
But even a well-designed experiment can provide questionable results. A recent follow-up on a 2019 cardiovascular study termed REDUCE-IT is an excellent illustration of a lesson that can be learned. While novel medicines are the focus of many clinical trials such as this one, the selection of the placebo is equally crucial.
What made this study so compelling?
In this type of study, people are randomly put into one of two groups: the treatment being tested (like a new medicine) or a fake treatment (called a "placebo").
Neither study participants nor researchers are aware of who is receiving the active medication versus the placebo. In other words, they are both blind to group assignment, hence the term "double-blind. The treatment assignment is coded and kept secret until the end of the trial, or it is decoded at set times to check on the effectiveness or safety of the treatment.
This decreases the likelihood that researcher or participant expectations may influence study outcomes. This implies that any changes in health or side effects can be traced to the treatment—or lack thereof.
We're keeping an eye on the research
A study published in the June 1, 2022 issue of JAMA Network Open found that the risk of stroke went up when people sat for long periods of time but went down when they moved around more, even if they just did simple things like housework.
More specifically, 7,607 adults participated in the study by wearing an accelerometer (a device that records how fast you move) on their hips for seven days. Typically, these people were 63 years old. Two hundred forty-six people had strokes during the average 7.4-year follow-up period.
It was found that people who sat for 13 or more hours a day during the first week of motion tracking had a 44% higher risk of having a stroke than those who sat for less than 11 hours a day. There was also a higher risk when people sat for more than 17 minutes at a time, compared to when they sat for less than eight minutes at a time.
If you never start your day without a cup of coffee, you may be interested to hear that a new study suggests that drinking this very popular drink may make you much less likely to die in the coming years.
The study, which was published online by Annals of Internal Medicine on May 31, 2022, analysed data about coffee consumption from more than 170,000 people (average age 56) in the United Kingdom who did not have cancer or cardiovascular disease at the beginning of the study. On average, researchers followed participants for seven years. In addition, they considered lifestyle, diet, gender, age, and ethnicity.
People who consumed 1.5 to 3.5 cups of coffee per day, even with one teaspoon of added sugar per cup, were 30% less likely to die during the study period compared to those who did not consume coffee. It did not appear to matter whether the coffee contained caffeine or not, but the benefit diminished after 4.5 cups per day.
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