Latest news with #BaibingChen
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
US neurologist advises Americans to avoid these 3 common foods to keep their brain sharp and healthy
Mental fitness is as important as physical fitness! When it comes to protecting brain health, most people think of eating leafy greens and omega-3-rich fish. But some foods may do more harm than good, especially when they harbour dangerous neurotoxins or brain parasites. Neurologist lists foods to avoid for better mental fitness. Dr Baibing Chen, a neurologist and professor at the University of Michigan, has witnessed terrifying effects of these foodborne threats in his career. In a video on TikTok, he has listed three specific foods he personally avoids no matter how appetising they may seem, according to New York Post. (Also read: Is it just a headache? Neurologist shares 6 warning signs you shouldn't ignore ) Tropical reef fish Dr Chen, in the video, said that he relishes fish but avoids consuming large tropical reef species like barracuda, grouper, or amberjack. He explains these fishes can contain ciguatoxin, a potent neurotoxin which accumulates in predatory reef fish. He warned that ciguatoxin is heat-stable and no matter how well the fish is cooked, it will not be destroyed. Ciguatoxin poisoning symptoms include tingling, dizziness, hallucinations, reversed temperature sensation and it could even cause chronic nerve damage. It is frequently misdiagnosed, and cases are on the rise in tropical regions. The health expert has advised sticking to safer fish varieties and avoiding the liver or roe of large reef fish. Damaged tin cans Dr Chen said he avoids consuming food from tins that have dents and urged people to throw out any tin cans that are bulging, cracked, or badly dented. This is because such products could be contaminated with botulinum toxin, he added. Also Read: NHS doctor shares '5 everyday habits that are ageing your brain': Doom scrolling to skipping meals, especially breakfast The toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is one of the most lethal neurotoxins which can cause paralysis and even death. Dr Chen explained that botulinum toxin is odorless and tasteless, while heating the food nay not necessarily destroy it. 'When in doubt, throw it out,' he noted. Undercooked pork Dr Chen added that eating undercooked pork, especially from unregulated sources, carries the risk of neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection caused by tapeworm eggs which can lodge in the brain. He highlighted that neurocysticercosis is one of the leading causes of acquired epilepsy worldwide, stressing that fully cooking pork to a safe internal temperature is essential, especially for those with weakened immune systems. What else does Dr Baibing Chen promote for brain health? In an interview with CNBC, he shared four habits he practices to better brain health and memory. He cautioned against over-relying on GPS since it can weaken spatial memory. Secondly, he warned against excessive energy drink consumption which could lead to cardiovascular issues and neurological problems like insomnia and anxiety. Also Read: Neurosurgeon explains how 'brain health is pretty easy to achieve', reveals foods to eat: Dark chocolate, fish, broccoli Additionally, he talked about the risks of overusing over-the-counter medications, saying that excessive use of OTC medicines like Pepto-Bismol can lead to dementia-like symptoms and that high zinc intake could cause spinal cord injuries. FAQs What is ciguatoxin, and why is it dangerous? Ciguatoxin is a neurotoxin found in some tropical reef fish. It causes neurological symptoms like tingling, hallucinations, and reversed hot/cold sensations, while cooking the fish doesn't eliminate it. How can I tell if a tin can is dangerous? Avoid any cans that are bulging, cracked, or severely dented, as they could contain botulinum toxin, which is deadly and undetectable by taste or smell. What is neurocysticercosis? It's a brain infection caused by ingesting tapeworm eggs, usually from undercooked pork. It can lead to seizures and is a major cause of epilepsy worldwide. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Brain health: Neurologist reveals 3 foods to avoid to prevent brain parasites or neurotoxins
Image credits: Getty Images The brain is one of the most important organs in the human body. It is the body's control center responsible for the smooth functioning of everything from heart rate to breathing and movement. In the current era of health-conscious consumption, we are aware of a variety of foods that can be eaten to improve brain health such as leafy greens, nuts, berries, coffee, tomatoes, and fatty fish. These foods are known to provide the brain with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and healthy fats that are consumed for optimal functioning and cognitive health. Now, it seems there are also some foods that you must steer clear of when aiming for top-notch brain health as they can cause some terrifying neurological damage and even death. In a TikTok going viral on the internet, neurologist Baibing Chen revealed three foods that he tries to avoid as they may cause neurotoxins and brain parasites. What are these three foods? Let's find out. Certain tropical reef fish Image credits: X The doctor recommended avoiding large tropical reef fishes like barracuda, grouper and amberjack as they contain a neurotoxin called ciguatoxin. Originating in coral reef algae, the ciguatoxin builds up in predatory fish over time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Memory Health Learn More Undo He added personally seeing cases of ciguatoxin poisoning which is not only easy to misdiagnose but also leads to weird symptoms such as a cold feeling that turns burning hot, tingling, dizziness and recurring nightmares. He added that the idea that cooking these fish would get rid of the toxin is not of any use as the toxin is heat-stable and "no matter how well you cook the fish, it won't destroy the toxin" Undercooked pork Image credits: X This is a well-known advice. Eating undercooked pork from unhygienic sources where you have no guarantee of hygiene and control measures puts the eater at the risk of all sorts of parasitic infections. The worst of them according to Chen is neurocysticercosis- a parasitic infection caused by eating tapeworm eggs that can lodge themselves in the brain. 'Little-known fact is that it's actually one of the leading causes of acquired epilepsy worldwide,' he shared. He added that this can not be the case in just developing countries but also in developed countries in areas with poor sanitation. Damaged tin cans Image credits: X Many foods are sold in tin cans and the neurologist suggests that you must check out the shape of the can before buying the product. If a can is bulging, cracked or severely dented, it's a red flag for botulinum contamination, he warned. "The bacterium produces botulinum toxin, which is one of the most potent neurotoxins we know." Even a tiny amount of the neurotoxin can block the brain's ability to signal the muscles to move. 'The result is flaccid paralysis, blurred vision, respiratory failure and, without antitoxin, it can be deadly.' He also added that the more dangerous part about the toxin is that it's odourless and tasteless and thus one wouldn't be able to figure it out by smelling or tasting. Additionally, heating the food might not be enough to completely neutralise it and thus throwing it away might be the safer option.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
I'm a neurologist — 3 foods I won't eat because they could give you neurotoxins or brain parasites
Talk about a no-brainer. There are several foods you can eat for better brain health, such as fatty fish, leafy greens, nuts, berries, tomatoes and coffee. These nutrient powerhouses provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and healthy fats crucial for optimal brain function and cognitive health. 4 In a viral TikTok, neurologist Baibing Chen reveals three foods that won't make it onto his plate. TikTok/@ There are also some foods you should steer clear of because they can cause some pretty terrifying neurological damage — or even death. In a viral TikTok, neurologist Baibing Chen reveals three foods that he tries to avoid because they may harbor toxins and nasty bugs. Certain tropical reef fish 'I like eating fish, but I try to avoid eating large tropical reef fish like barracuda, grouper and amberjack because of a neurotoxin called ciguatoxin,' said Chen, who goes by Dr. Bing online. The toxin originates in coral reef algae and builds up in predatory fish over time. 4 'I like eating fish, but I try to avoid eating large tropical reef fish like barracuda, grouper and amberjack because of a neurotoxin called ciguatoxin,' Chen said. pongsak – He's personally seen cases of ciguatoxin poisoning, which — in addition to being easy to misdiagnose— seems to come with a real buffet of weird symptoms. 'The neurological symptoms can include cold [feelings that turn] burning hot, tingling, dizziness and recurring nightmares,' he said, adding that some people even develop chronic nerve issues. The best part? Cooking the slippery suckers won't save you. 'Ciguatoxin is heat-stable, so no matter how well you cook the fish, it won't destroy the toxin,' he said. Chen couches all of this by explaining that you don't need to avoid eating fish altogether, but you might want to stay away from large predatory fish, particularly their liver or roe, and stay informed on any diseases circulating in your area. 4 'If a can is bulging, cracked or severely dented, that's a red flag for botulinum contamination,' he warned. nenetus – Damaged tin cans If you've ever picked up a tin can and put it back because it looked like it had just gotten out of a street fight — your instincts were right. 'If a can is bulging, cracked or severely dented, that's a red flag for botulinum contamination,' Chen warned. 'This bacterium produces botulinum toxin, which is one of the most potent neurotoxins that we know.' Even a tiny amount can block your brain's ability to tell your muscles to move. 'The result is flaccid paralysis, blurred vision, respiratory failure and, without antitoxin, it can be deadly.' Not nightmarish enough? 'What's scary is that botulinum toxin is odorless and tasteless, so you can't tell by looking or smelling. And heating the food may not be enough to fully neutralize it,' Chen said. 'So, when in doubt, throw it out.' 4 Eating undercooked pork puts you at risk for all sorts of parasitic infections. Nitr – Undercooked pork This should be an obvious one. Eating undercooked pork — especially from unregulated sources that may not be subject to the same hygiene standards and control measures as commercially produced pork — puts you at risk for all sorts of parasitic infections. The worst of them is neurocysticercosis — a parasitic infection caused by ingesting tapeworm eggs that can lodge themselves in the brain. 'Little-known fact is that it's actually one of the leading causes of acquired epilepsy worldwide,' Chen shared. And it's not the sort of thing that you can only pick up while on vacation. 'It's not just in developing countries, but can also be seen in developed countries in areas with poor sanitation,' he added. Watch out, NYC.
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Anyone who uses headphones told to check setting or risk dementia
There is a risk that not keeping this setting under control may have long-term consequences for your brain A doctor has warned that people may be increasing their risk of dementia if they regularly use headphones in a certain way. But, adjusting one common setting could help to cut this risk down. Dr Baibing Chen, who goes by @ online, shared some advice with his 136,000 TikTok followers about something millions of people may be doing daily that is gradually ruining their health. The neuologist admitted: 'I used to be guilty of this, but I don't do it anymore." He added: "I don't blast music in my ears. Loud music isn't just bad for your ears - it's actually bad for your brain. "Even mild hearing loss doubles your risk of dementia, while severe hearing loss increases it by fivefold. This is because, when the brain struggles to process sound, it reallocates resources away from thinking and memory, increasing cognitive decline." According to the Alzheimer's Society, people who develop hearing problems may have an increased risk of developing dementia. It may also be one of the early symptoms which could detect dementia. They add that it's important to get your hearing tested, especially if you notice signs of hearing loss. There is some evidence that using hearing aids may reduce the risk of some aspects of cognitive decline. The neurologist added: "Sounds above 85 decibels (dB), similar to city traffic, can cause damage over time. Exposure to 100+ dB, like loud concerts or many earbuds at max volume, can cause permanent hearing loss in as little as 15 minutes." One study has shown that the parts of our brain that process sounds are particularly vulnerable to damage. Reducing the volume of headphones and taking breaks from your earbuds when listening can help protect your hearing. Some modern devices may trigger headphone warnings when audio is played at a volume that could potentially damage hearing over time. The thresholds for these warnings vary, but they often fall around 85dB, especially when listening for extended periods. iPhone users can check out a detailed breakdown of their headphone usage, as well as the decibels they were exposed to. Headphone Notifications let you know if your audio exposure has been loud enough for a long enough period to affect your hearing – for example, over 80 decibels (dB) for a total of 40 hours within the last seven days. Experts at Harvard Health claim that: "Sound less than 70 dB is unlikely to cause any significant damage to the ears." And, this is backed up by the World Health Organisation who state it is best to "keep the volume below 60% of maximum on your device" and use "well-fitted and noise-cancelling headphones" to reduce the need to raise volume, especially when you are in an already noisy setting. People can test their hearing online quickly and for free using the RNID's online hearing test. It is shared on the NHS website alongside what to do if you experience hearing loss.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Want to be the smartest one in the room? 3 common things that even neurologists avoid for 'healthy brain and sharp memory'
The human brain is a marvel, mysterious, powerful, and at the same time, delicate. Every single thought, memory, and idea springs from this 1.3kg organ. But keeping it sharp doesn't always mean doing more. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sometimes, the smartest move is knowing what not to do. Dr Baibing Chen, a professor of neurology at the University of Michigan, has seen it all, from memory lapses to full-blown cognitive decline. But when it comes to his own brain health, he shared a few secrets with 'CNBC Make It' that people need to know about. Even small shifts in daily life can have lasting effects on memory, focus, and brain resilience. Here's all we need to know about what this top neurologist avoids, and what can actually be done instead to boost brain power naturally. Overdependence on GPS Dr Chen avoids using GPS too often. Why? A landmark study on London taxi drivers showed that their brains, especially the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory—were larger and more active than usual. Constant navigation without help was building their brain like a muscle. A similar pattern was noticed in professions like ambulance driving, where spatial awareness is constantly used. These individuals had significantly lower Alzheimer's risk. When the brain doesn't need to remember routes or use visual memory, those neural pathways begin to weaken. It's like skipping leg day at the gym—eventually, those muscles fade. Try mentally mapping out short routes, recalling landmarks, or even drawing directions from memory. It's a small habit that can keep the brain agile and alert. Energy drinks Dr Chen warns against these sugar-packed, caffeine-laden drinks. While the instant jolt may feel like productivity, research reveals that excessive consumption may trigger sleep disorders, anxiety, and even seizures in extreme cases. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Some energy drinks contain taurine and B vitamins in amounts that aren't always regulated. These chemicals may interfere with natural brain function, disrupting sleep cycles and causing mental fog in the long run. A quick walk in the sun, a tall glass of lemon water, or even breathing exercises can refresh the brain more sustainably. Natural energy lasts longer—and doesn't come with a neurological price tag. Too many over-the-counter medications Dr Chen has seen cases where frequent use of certain common medicines—like Pepto-Bismol—led to bismuth toxicity, mimicking symptoms of dementia. Zinc overdoses from misguided wellness trends even caused irreversible damage to the spinal cord in some patients. The issue isn't the medicine itself—it's the misuse. Even something as basic as cold remedies, when overused, can interfere with cognitive performance, especially in older individuals. When symptoms are mild, consider rest, hydration, or doctor-approved home remedies first. And always stick to prescribed dosages—not influencer advice. Reclaiming brain health Boosting brain power doesn't always need biohacks or expensive supplements. Neurologists often suggest simple, grounding habits like: Reading something new daily, even for 15 minutes—especially non-fiction or puzzles. Learning unfamiliar routes or languages, which activate underused brain areas. Taking mindful pauses in the day to reflect, breathe, and observe surroundings. These practices help stimulate neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new connections. And that's where real cognitive strength lies.
