20241014 Health Connection with Carles Aguilar #05 – Health Connection with Carles Aguilar

The incidence of hepatitis C in Spain has decreased since hepatitis elimination targets were set in 2015 as part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) strategy. At that time, there were from 350 to 375 thousand infected people in our country, and currently, it is estimated that this number has decreased to approximately 25 thousand people infected with this virus. Due to a decrease in the number of cases, hepatitis C in Spain is about to enter the category of rare diseases. At Health Connection we spoke with Dr. Juan Tournes, an expert at the Spanish Society of Digestive Pathology and head of the digestive system service at the University Hospital Complex of Pontevedra.

Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what oral problems you may have. In addition to diet, there are three more nutritional factors that need to be taken into account: frequency of food intake, in which it is recommended to avoid snacking between meals; hydration, essential for any health-related process including oral health and salivation. The latter is the only factor that cannot be controlled. The antimicrobial properties of saliva help protect our teeth, but its production and pH levels are not the same in all people. The greater its quantity and the lower the acidity, the greater its contribution to the health of teeth and gums. For example, older people are more likely to develop hyposialia, or abnormally decreased salivary secretion. Taking medications can also affect the amount of saliva we produce. Carles Aguilar interviews Dr. Oscar Castro, President of the General Council of Dentists of Spain.

They predict the existence of hundreds of new genetic factors that cause cancer. A research team from the Center for Genomic Regulation identifies 813 genes that can cause cancer, significantly expanding the list of possible therapeutic targets for treating this disease. Genes cause cancer through a non-mutational mechanism known as splicing. According to the study, these mechanisms may be as common as mutations in the development of the disease. Miquel Anglada Giroto, a biotechnologist specialized in systems technologies at the Barcelona Center for Genomic Regulation, explains this to us.
Next, we talk about the growing consumer concern for physical and emotional health, as well as the desire to delay aging. This trend encourages people to seek out products and experiences that make them feel better and allow them to switch off. Several key aspects are highlighted, such as healthy eating, nutritional supplements, dietary diversification and sustainability. The interview discusses the shift towards greater health and environmental awareness in consumer decisions, with a particular focus on products that promote well-being and sustainability. Carles Aguilar and Laura Urue, Head of Consumer Affairs at Catenon, delve deeper into this topic.

And we end this issue of Health Connection with a section that invites us to reflect. Usually at certain moments we lose control of our thoughts. In such cases, it is important to restore balance and feel good in order to find an additional dose of inspiration. In every episode of Connection Health, we’ll bring you a motivating message about health and wellness, from both famous historical figures and anonymous ones. We can find phrases about health and wellness written by nutritionists, pediatricians, cardiologists, immunologists, psychologists, doctors centuries ago, and even phrases by philosophers. It’s about finding new incentives that motivate us to take care of ourselves and become the best version of ourselves. If you find yourself in such a moment, we invite you to reflect for a few minutes.