UF Health Podcasts

UF Health Podcasts

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UF Health Podcasts episodes

  • Exercise-filled weekends may be as helpful as daily regimen

    Exercise. We all know it’s important. We all know it offers benefits for both physical and mental health.

    In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that American adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.
    Still, many of us still struggle to find time for exercise in the hustle and bustle of our daily grind. And conventional knowledge has held that for exercise to really be effective, it should be done on a regular schedule, multiple times through the week.
    A recent study is bucking the idea that one needs to exercise four to five times per week — or more — to see real benefits.
    The study, which analyzed data from nearly 90,000 participants, showed that those who only exercise on weekends reaped similar health benefits as those who exercise more regularly.
    Those who only exercised on weekends and those who exercised through the week both were at a lower risk for over 200 diseases compared with their more sedentary peers.
    Whether the weekend exercisers packed it all into one day or spread it over two days, if they reached the suggested 150 minutes in total, they got the benefits.
    Among exercise’s benefits are lowered risk for cardiometabolic conditions, such as heart attack, stroke and diabetes. Not to mention a lower risk of cancer, depression and high-blood pressure.
    So don’t let the idea of a regular exercise routine become a hurdle to achieving good health. No matter how you hit the 150-minute mark of moderate intensity physical activity each week, you’ll be doing your best to stave off 200 diseases.
    Weekend warriors, we salute you.

    2 min
  • Have a laugh to treat dry eyes

    Those suffering from dry eye disease might want to consider adding a stand-up comedy show to their calendar. A new study suggests laughter could be just as effective as artificial tears in treating dry eyes.

    Chinese researchers studied 299 participants ages 18 to 45 with dry eye disease, assigning half of them to a laughter exercise intervention and half to an artificial tear regimen.
    Those in the laughter group were asked to repeat specific phrases like “hee, hee, hee” and “hah, hah, hah” aloud 30 times during five-minute sessions to simulate laughter. Participants were also told to exaggerate their facial expressions and squint their eyes to contract the muscles used when laughing.
    Participants in the artificial tear group served as the control. Both groups performed the exercise or took the eye drops four times a day for eight weeks.
    Researchers found that the laughter-exercise group saw a decrease in eye discomfort that rivaled the artificial tears group. The laughers experienced a 10.5-point drop on the ocular surface disease index, a zero-to-100 scale that measures eye discomfort.
    The artificial tears group experienced an 8.83-point drop, suggesting the laughter exercise was just as effective.
    And, the benefits of laughter appeared to last longer. Participants in the laughter group improved up to four weeks after the study ended, while the artificial tears group saw declining improvement.
    Researchers think laughter works because it activates eye muscles, stimulates the nervous system, and helps prevent tear evaporation.
    In short: The cure to dry-eye discomfort may be as simple as a joke book or some funny friends.

    2 min
  • Yard Safety: Protecting Your Pets From Toxic Plants

    While beautiful flowers and plants can add vibrancy and interest to a garden, many of these can also cause harm to your pets if ingested. Because animals explore the world with their mouths, it’s important to ensure your garden and your yard are free of plants that could cause gastrointestinal upset or even death. For example, sago palms are common household and landscaping plants that be lethal if ingested, even in small quantities as all parts of the plants are toxic. On this show, Dr. Chris Martyniuk, a toxicologist, will discuss what plants to be wary of or eliminate if your animals spend any time outdoors.

    47 min
  • Older adult fall injuries might be early dementia sign

    Watching a family member grow older and begin to decline physically or mentally can be heartbreaking. It can also be extremely frustrating for the person in decline.

    One fall can be devastating and life-changing. As we age, our bodies don’t bounce back as quickly as they once did.
    A recent study shows that fall injuries can also be an early indicator of cognitive decline.
    Boston-area researchers looked at Medicare data for more than 2.4 million adults 66 years and older who experienced a traumatic injury between 2014 and 2015. The adults who had a fall were notably more likely to receive a dementia diagnosis within a year of the fall. Those with other types of injuries were not as likely to receive a dementia diagnosis.
    After accounting for age, injury severity, and preexisting health conditions, those who fell were 21% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia.
    The researchers suggested the link may be due to the person having undiagnosed dementia that is only discovered after the fall. They may also have mild cognitive impairment, which can be a precursor to dementia, which increases their risk of falling.
    While dementia is not a curable condition, an early diagnosis can open doors to treatment and resources for the person affected as well as their friends and family members.
    The scientists recommend a more widespread approach to preventing falls and post-fall care for older adults, as well as more clinicians who can provide comprehensive care.
    Ultimately, having as much information as possible as early as possible is key to helping the elderly stay safe and comfortable as they age.

     

    2 min
  • Some coffee consumption confers positive effects, study shows

    As the days shorten and our yearning for caffeine increases, you might find yourself hoping some study or other will give you a hearty congratulations on your ability to cut your coffee consumption off at about three cups.

    Today, you’re in luck — researchers from the Endocrine Society have good news for coffee lovers.

    Their team found that moderate intake of coffee or caffeine was linked to a lower risk of new-onset cardiometabolic multimorbidity, or the simultaneous existence of at least two preventable, often chronic types of disease.

    Known for short as CM, the condition is becoming more prevalent around the world as populations age, and can include diseases like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Think of them as the illnesses that can be circumvented through lifestyle, diet, and exercise.

    Using data from a detailed, longitudinal dietary study with over 500,000 participants ages 37 to 73, researchers found that folks who drank a moderate amount of coffee — defined as three drinks per day — had a 48.1% lower risk for new-onset CM compared with those who didn’t drink coffee. They found similar results when they examined caffeine.

    In fact, moderate intake of caffeine or coffee was inversely associated with any developmental stage of the condition.

    Researchers said more study is warranted to better understand the path from coffee, tea, and caffeine intake to the metabolites connected to them and then to disease.

    No one is suggesting you blow your budget — or your nerves — on too much joe. But for those of you who look forward to second and third coffee refills, your habit’s not likely to hurt your health.

    2 min
  • Study raises complex questions about the unconscious

    Questions about how aware brain-injured patients might be have always been wrenching for loved ones.

    A new study, while shedding light on the unconscious, unfortunately won’t make those questions any easier to handle.

    An international research team found that about 1 in 4 patients who appear completely unresponsive might, in fact, be conscious but unable to physically show that awareness.

    The phenomenon is called cognitive motor dissociation.

    The researchers used two techniques to study more than 350 patients with brain injuries of varying degree.

    In the first, called functional magnetic resonance imaging, they measured brain activity by tracking changes in blood flow.  Patients were asked to imagine doing tasks, such as walking inside their home or playing tennis. If the appropriate brain areas activated in response to the commands, it meant the patient could understand the instructions, despite no outward response.

    In the second test, called electroencephalography [ee-leck-tro en-ceff-ah-log-ruh-fee], electrodes were placed on a patient’s scalp. The electrodes measured brain wave patterns for signs of intentional response to similar commands.

    Twenty-five percent of patients tested showed brain activity consistent with being able to understand and follow commands.

    In a curious plot twist, among patients who could follow commands, more than 60% showed no signs of it on the brain activity tests.

    The researchers say the techniques are not yet widely used.

    For now, we’re left to question what we thought we knew about consciousness and end-of-life decisions. And the troubling reminder that we can’t always trust our own eyes.

    2 min
  • Apple-based probiotic drink may be a kombucha alternative

    If the kombucha you bought three months ago is still sitting in your fridge, this could be good news.

    A new study suggests an apple-based fermented drink rivals kombucha in health benefits but also boasts a more appealing taste.

    Brazilian researchers created two new versions of kombucha, replacing its traditional green tea base in one case with passion fruit juice and apple juice in another. They added sugar and a culture of bacteria and yeast, the same mix used to make traditional kombucha.

    The researchers let the mixtures ferment for 10 days at room temperature, then analyzed them for acidity, sugar, and alcohol levels, as well as beneficial compounds like flavonoids and phenolics. A small focus group tested the beverage for taste.

    They found the apple-based drink had the same number of total flavonoids and phenolics [fen-ALL-ick] as traditional kombucha. These compounds have antioxidant properties that prevent cell damage.

    The apple drink also had increased antioxidant activity compared with the kombucha, and it tasted better. The focus group found it to have a pleasant, cider-like taste. The passion fruit-based drink was not as tasty, with the tasters finding it too bitter.

    A key difference in the fruit-based drinks is that both had higher alcohol levels than traditional kombucha, which typically has less than half of 1%. The apple drink had 1.65%, while the passion fruit drink had 6.2%.

    Still, the study offers a promising alternative to traditional kombucha that could turn what is an unappetizing drink for some into a healthy treat.

    If the usual kombucha isn’t to your liking, be on the lookout for apple-based beverages in the future.

    2 min
  • Avoid this skin treatment ‘hack’

    The internet can be a wonderful tool. The information age allows us to get the smallest detail on any topic in seconds. Look up bizarre giraffe facts, and you’ll discover the species hums at night.

    Or learn the 400-plus words the Scots have for snow. Snaw-broo, spitters, snaw, skelf. Well, you get the picture.
    Remember, however, that a polluted river of misinformation flows into that ocean of facts. This is especially true on social media.
    One internet trend has gained some traction: Exposing your skin to sunlight to treat skin conditions — without advice from a physician. One popular piece of bad advice is that the sun’s rays will cure acne.
    Scientists, however, warn there is no strong evidence to support this. Worse still, excess sun exposure, particularly in youth, can lead to skin cancer as an adult.
    A 2023 review of medical studies by Spanish and German scientists found little evidence that sunlight cures acne. On the contrary, such exposure can trigger or worsen it.
    Research has shown that the sun’s ultraviolet, or UV, radiation can reduce skin inflammation. It also helps suppress the skin’s immune response. But UV therapy should occur in a clinical setting, not in a lounger by your pool.
    Cell studies have shown that UV rays can kill bacteria that cause acne. But these studies, scientists say, have not been conducted on humans. And they believe the benefits are minimal, at best.
    It’s always important to talk to a physician before trying something you heard about online, even if it comes from a seemingly reputable source.
    After all, you wouldn’t take medical advice from a stranger on the street. At least, we hope not.

    2 min
  • Safe Use of Veterinary Supplements: What Pet Owners Should Know

    These days, a variety of dietary supplements are available to complement traditional veterinary care. Veterinarians frequently recommend supplements for a variety of conditions in pets, from arthritis to skin health to digestive issues. With so many supplements on the market, what should pet owners keep in mind when discussing the use of supplements with their veterinarian? On this show, Dr. Erin Miscioscia, a clinical assistant professor of integrative and mobility medicine, will discuss the pros and cons of veterinary supplements and how to choose safe and effective supplements for your pets.

    47 min
  • Go vegan to slow aging

    The fountain of youth may not exist, but veganism does. And a new study suggests that just two months spent on a vegan diet is enough to slow down the biological aging process.

    Stanford University researchers studied 21 pairs of identical twins who followed either an omnivorous or vegan diet for eight weeks. Using identical twins allowed them to control for genetic factors and assess the impact of diet on biological aging without outside interference.

    Participants were supplied meals for the first half of the study and made their own meals for the second half after receiving nutrition education. Participants also filled out health surveys to account for lifestyle changes.

    Blood samples were collected at the study’s beginning, middle, and end. Researchers used advanced technology to analyze the samples and assess epigenetic age acceleration, a biochemical test that can be used to measure age based on DNA methylation, or a chemical reaction in DNA.

    Increased DNA methylation has been linked to the aging process. Researchers also evaluated changes in immune cell composition and metabolic markers.

    Their findings showed that those who followed a vegan diet had significant decreases in their epigenetic age and in the estimated biological age of organs like the heart and liver. Those who followed an omnivorous diet did not enjoy the same benefits.

    This suggests that a plant-based diet has anti-aging perks that can kick in almost immediately.

    In other words: We may not be able to cheat Father Time, but we might be able to use a vegan diet to turn back the clock while he’s not looking.

    2 min