AS of the week ending August 31, 2024, 2.6 percent of all deaths in the United States were
due to COVID-19, with hospitalization of 4.6 per 100,000, 2.3 percent positive on
emergency room visit, 16.3 percent positivity rate. Indeed, COVID-19 is very much still
with us.
Let’s not be complacent: The new COVID-19 vaccines against the prevailing KP.2 strain
(derivative of the strain JN.1 early this year) and all other KP sub-strain, is now available
from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax.
All the COVID-19 boosters we received have waned, and those were against the old
strains. We now need the new (September 2024) vaccines against the current KP.2 strains
and sub-strains. The vaccines for Influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are also
recommended by the CDC. Discuss these 3 vaccines with your physician.
COVID-19 mental ills
New research in the United Kingdom reveals the devastating effect of COVID-19 on
mental health. The study on “more than 18 million adults following COVID-19 infection
showed an elevated rate of mental illness, including depression and serious mental disease,
for up to a year after the infection, especially among those who have not been vaccinated.”
The authors noted that vaccination appeared to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19
on mental health. Long COVID, which confers persistent symptoms even after 3 months or
a year happen mostly to unvaccinated individuals. The symptoms are debilitation and
chronic. These are some of the reasons why getting the new COVID-19 vaccine is
seriously vital.
No-needle Epi
A fantastic game changer: The FDA has recently approved the first no-needle epinephrine
single-dose nasal spray (NEFFY) for emergency treatment of serious life-threatening
allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to food, medications, insect bites, horses, etc. This new
invention solves the problem of “fear of needle” among people, especially children,
making them hesitate, and increasing their risk of death. This mode comes in the form of
an inhaler and could be in your pocket by October 2024. EpiPen (auto-self-injector is not
needle-free, has a short shelf-life, and is costly). Neffy inhaler is currently available for
adults and children 66 pounds and greater. The FDA is soon to approve a version for
younger children.
Peanuts: Warning
Concerning detailed scientific data trending cite the following reasons why we should not
eat peanuts and peanut butter: (1) Aflatoxins: Peanuts and peanut butter are high in this
toxin, which, according to the FDA, “is a toxic byproduct of fungal metabolism
(Aspergillus family). Aflatoxin, even in moderate amounts, can cause Hepatitis B, cirrhosis
and may lead to the development of cancer of the liver”; (2) Phytic acid in peanuts “binds
to minerals and prevents absorption of iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc”; (3) Lectins,
nature’s own pesticide in peanuts, damages our gut barrier cells and cause intestinal
permeability, leading to leaky gut syndrome, initiating inflammation, the first stage in the
development of auto-immune and chronic disease like rheumatoid, lupus, IBS, Crohn’s,
colitis, thyroiditis, etc.;
(4) Protease inhibitors prevent gut enzymes from breaking down proteins into amino acids,
causing elevated levels of the enzyme trypsin, which, in turn, triggers loosening of the cell
tight junctions and provokes inflammation; (5) Allergies to peanuts (highly allergenic) are
the fastest growing allergy in the U.S. and allergic reactions to peanuts often cause
anaphylactic shock, especially in children; (6) Toxic herbicides and pesticides (like
Glyphosate) are often used for protecting peanuts, which causes kidney disease, high blood
pressure, thyroid problems, damage to DNA, and cancers;
(7) Polyunsaturated fatty acids are high in peanuts (PUFA, unhealthy Omega 6), increasing
the risk for coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, and other serious health issues;
(8) Oxalates – peanuts have high levels of oxalates, a major factor in kidney stone
formation, and induces inflammatory bowel disease, fibromyalgia, and anemia; (9)
Industrial solvents – peanut oil is commonly expelled by dousing peanuts with hexane, a
petroleum-based solvent that may cause nervous system damage, respiratory pneumonitis,
dizziness, etc; and (10) Sugar, sodium, trans-fat, and food additives – peanut butter is
loaded with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrin, and contain heart-
destroying hydrogenated vegetable oils, and a lot of additives.
SGLT-2 and dementia
A new study reveals a drug for diabetes T2 may aid in preventing dementia, in which
memory loss is increased among diabetics. “The researchers behind the project
concentrated on sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, which was found to
reduce dementia risk compared to another drug of diabetes with a different mechanism of
action. The SGLT-2 inhibitors were linked with a 35 percent lower dementia risk. The
longer the person had been on SGLT-2 inhibitors, the greater the protective effect.”
Comfort foods
A comfort food is any favorite edible that confers a sense of nostalgia or sentimental, or
irresistible taste to an individual. It may be a dish or a dessert or even chocolate or dried
fruit. For me, one of my favorites is Chinese sweet-salty-sour, preserved plum, introduced
to me as a kid by my maternal grandmother who always had a variety of them in jars.
Dried California Apricot is another I enjoy. Anyway, as long as we count the calories, and
eat them in moderation, comfort foods or our diet in general is medically acceptable. Not
only the quality but the quantity of food we eat truly matters. Diet is everything in a
person’s health, life, and longevity.
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier
lifestyle, to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive
life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article are general medical
information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is
not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best
ally when it comes to your health.
* * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily
reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management,
editorial board and staff.
* * *
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest
Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health
Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino
United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is
a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then
Indiana Governor, U.S. senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other
Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW
Bush, pugilist Muhammad Ali, TV talk show host David Letterman, Astronaut Gus
Grissom, educators, scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). WS: FUN8888.com,
Today.SPSAtoday.com, philipSchua.com; Email: [email protected].
