『Elton’s Stroke Story: The Surprising Science of Recovery and Prevention』のカバーアート

Elton’s Stroke Story: The Surprising Science of Recovery and Prevention

Elton’s Stroke Story: The Surprising Science of Recovery and Prevention

著者： Elton Sherwin
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このコンテンツについて

 A stroke changed my life—and my view of medicine. In 2019, I survived a major stroke. Five years later, I discovered why it happened and how it could have been prevented. In this series, I share my story, the science of recovery, and lessons for anyone hoping to prevent stroke, heart disease, or dementia. Each episode offers one surprise and one practical step toward better health.Elton Sherwin 衛生・健康的な生活
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  • 14. Should I Try a Salt Substitute?

    14. Should I Try a Salt Substitute?
    2026/01/05

    From Gemini:

    These are the most common brand names for salt substitutes, categorized by their potassium/sodium content.

    1. ​ 100% Potassium (Sodium-Free)

    These products contain 0% sodium. They are made almost entirely of potassium chloride (KCl) to mimic the salty taste without the sodium. They are typically labeled as "Sodium Free" or "Salt Substitute."

    * Nu-Salt

    * Description: One of the most widely available sodium-free options. It is visually very similar to table salt.

    * NoSalt (Original)

    * Description: A major competitor to Nu-Salt, also potassium chloride-based and sodium-free.

    * Morton Salt Substitute

    * Description: The sodium-free version from the famous salt brand (distinct from their "Lite" salt).

    * MySalt

    * Description: A sodium-free substitute that sometimes uses lysine (an amino acid) in addition to potassium to mask the metallic aftertaste some people experience with pure potassium chloride.

    1. ​ 50% Potassium / 50% Sodium (Lite Salts)

    These products are a blend of half regular table salt (sodium chloride) and half potassium chloride. They are designed to taste exactly like real salt while cutting sodium intake by half.

    * Morton Lite Salt

    * Description: The most common 50/50 blend in the US. The package explicitly states it contains "50% less sodium than regular table salt" and is a blend of equal parts.

    * Windsor Half Salt

    * Description: A very common brand in Canada (and available online in the US). It is explicitly a half-and-half blend.

    Notable Mention: Low-Sodium Blends (Not exactly 50/50)

    While the user asked for 50% mixes, one major brand is widely available but uses a different ratio that is important to know:

    * LoSalt

    * Ratio: 66% Potassium / 33% Sodium

    * Description: This is a very popular "lite" salt (especially in the UK and increasingly in the US) that actually has less sodium than the 50/50 blends. Because it retains some real sodium (33%), it avoids the metallic taste of the 100% potassium versions but offers more sodium reduction than Morton Lite Salt.

    Important Health Note

    Consult your doctor before using these:

    If you have kidney disease, heart failure, or are taking certain medications (like ACE inhibitors or potassium-sparing diuretics), consuming high amounts of potassium can be dangerous. Always check with a healthcare provider before switching to a potassium-based salt substitute.
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    12 分
  • 13. The Plastic Spoon in My Brain….

    13. The Plastic Spoon in My Brain….
    2026/01/02

    I think I’m probably using too much plastic in the kitchen.


    Here is some further information

    The study was led by Dr. Matthew Campen at the University of New Mexico.

    The study analyzed human brain tissue and made the alarming claim that approximately 0.5% of the brain by weight was composed of microplastics, with polyethylene making up roughly 75% of that plastic.


    Here is the breakdown of the recycling symbols associated with that plastic and the specific scientific challenges to the study.

    1. The Plastic and Its Recycling Symbol

    The study identified the dominant plastic as Polyethylene. Since polyethylene comes in two main densities, it is associated with two recycling symbols:

    * **#2 HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): Found in milk jugs, detergent bottles, and shampoo bottles.

    * **#4 LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): Found in plastic grocery bags, shrink wrap, and squeezable bottles.


    Because microplastics degrade and fragment in the environment, the particles found in the body could originate from either source.


    Who is Challenging the Study?

    Beyond the plastics industry (specifically the American Chemistry Council, which called the study "unnecessarily alarming"), there is a legitimate scientific challenge regarding the methodology used in the study.


    The Scientific Critique: "Lipid Interference"


    The primary scientific criticism comes from analytical chemists regarding the tool used to measure the plastic, called Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS).

    * How it works: This method heats the sample until it decomposes into gas, which is then analyzed to identify chemical signatures.

    * The Problem: The human brain is largely made of lipids (fats). When brain fats are heated to high temperatures, they can break down into chemicals (hydrocarbons) that look almost identical to the chemicals produced when polyethylene burns.

    * The Argument: Critics argue that the "0.5% by weight" figure may be vastly inflated because the machine might be counting natural brain fats as plastic. They contend that without a different confirmation method (like spectroscopy that uses light rather than heat), it is difficult to distinguish the plastic from the brain's natural fatty tissue.

    Summary of Challenges:

    * Industry: Claims the study ignores the lack of proven health effects.

    * Scientists: Argue the method likely confused brain fats for polyethylene, potentially producing a false positive or an exaggerated weight percentage.
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    4 分
  • 12. Bill Clinton‘s Heart Attack

    12. Bill Clinton‘s Heart Attack
    2025/12/29

    I was fuzzy on the details of former President Clinton‘s heart problems. So I asked our dynamic duo from Google’s notebook LM to review the history. And it is fascinating.


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    12 分
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