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Showing posts from June, 2024

Many chocolate products contain toxic heavy metals: new study

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This is a bitter pill to swallow. Many cocoa products in the US contain concerning levels of toxic heavy metals, a new study from George Washington University warns. Many cocoa products in the US contain worrisome levels of lead and cadmium, a new study from George Washington University warns. Picture Partners – stock.adobe.com Researchers analyzed 72 cocoa-based foods — including dark chocolate, often praised as a heart-healthy treat — over eight years. They found that 43% of the products contained an amount of lead that tops recommendations, while 35% exceeded cadmium limits. Surprisingly, organic-labeled products had higher levels of lead and cadmium than non-organic products, the researchers said. Contamination can come from soil or occur during manufacturing. A single serving of these cocoa items may not pose significant health risks, but several servings might. Leigh Frame, director of integrative medicine at GW, led the testing of 72 cocoa-based products. The George Washingto...
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Dermatologist reveals 4 things she would never do in summer

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Don’t be all, like, uncool this summer. Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky , a board-certified dermatologist based in Mississippi, is sharing the four things she would never do when the weather turns warm — walk barefoot by the pool, use citrus in the sun, shave over warts and sleep with wet hair. Zubritsky often shares skincare tips on TikTok. Instagram/dermguru Walk barefoot by the pool “You could judge me all you want, but I have seen my fair share of athlete’s foot from people walking around all summer by the pool,” Zubritsky said in a TikTok this week that has scared up 57,200 views. “Moist, wet environments like the pool, public showers, saunas, these absolutely harbor fungus on the ground and it is super easy to pick it up,” she continued. “You will always be catching me in flip-flops .” A recent study out of Poland found that swimmers are at high risk for fungal infections. If you rock flip-flops by the pool to avoid athlete’s foot, don’t wear them too long — they can increase your risk...
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Weight loss drug pemvidutide may be better than Ozempic: trial

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Move over, Ozempic. Researchers say a similar medication helped more than 200 overweight adults shed an average of 15.6% of their body weight after 48 weeks — with less muscle lost. The promising results of a phase 2 trial of pemvidutide — which included “significant” decreases in heart disease risk factors such as cholesterol — were shared this week at the American Diabetes Association’s annual science conference in Orlando. Researchers say pemvidutide — a medication similar to Ozempic — leads to an average weight loss of 15.6% after 48 weeks — with less muscle lost. Wild Awake – stock.adobe.com “These findings demonstrated that the use of pemvidutide may have important effects on the quality of weight loss and cardiometabolic-associated comorbidities of obesity,” said primary investigator Dr. Louis J. Aronne , professor of metabolic research at Weill Cornell Medical College. “Furthermore, as the focus shifts to long-term weight management, the preservation of lean mass will be cr...
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Many 'healthy' adults may have undiagnosed heart valve disease: study

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Take this news to heart. You could have a common condition that increases your risk of heart attack and stroke — and not even know it. More than a quarter of “healthy” adults over 60 have undiagnosed heart valve disease, a new study from the University of East Anglia in England finds. “Heart valve disease is when one or more of the heart valves do not work like they should,” explained study co-lead author Michael Frenneaux, of the Royal Brompton Hospital. More than a quarter of “healthy” adults over 60 have undiagnosed heart valve disease, a new study from the University of East Anglia in England finds. motortion – stock.adobe.com For example, valve stenosis is when the valve doesn’t fully open, restricting blood flow in the heart. Valve regurgitation is when the valve doesn’t close properly. In that case, blood can flow in the wrong direction. “These problems can put extra strain on the heart and make the heart work harder,” Frenneaux added. “Over time, it can increase the risk o...
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Trendy 'Rice-Zempic' drink has 'zero scientific backing': experts

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Go against the grain. TikTokers are trumpeting “Rice-Zempic” — a surp-ricing concoction of rice, water and lime juice — as a cheap alternative to medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, which spur weight loss by mimicking a hormone we naturally produce when we eat. But experts say the weird homemade beverage has “zero scientific backing” — and any weight loss you get from drinking it will be temporary. As more TikTokers tout its benefits, experts are warning that Rice-Zempic has “zero scientific backing” — and any weight loss you get from drinking it will be temporary. monikamonroe188/TikTok “While rice water may have some nutritional benefits, such as providing a source of energy from its starch content, there is no evidence to suggest it has any properties that would significantly impact weight loss, especially in the manner that anti-diabetic medications like Ozempic do,” Scott Keatley, a registered dietitian and co-owner of New York City’s  Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy , to...
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Multivitamins do not help you live longer: new study

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Chew on this — a new study finds that millions of Americans are taking multivitamins to prevent disease even though “there is little health rationale” for them. In fact, daily multivitamin use was associated with a 4% higher risk of death than nonuse, according to research published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Network Open. “Refocusing nutrition interventions on food, rather than supplements, may provide the mortality benefits that multivitamins cannot deliver,” National Cancer Institute researchers wrote in their findings. “ Vegetables, fruits, legumes , and cereal grains are staples in areas of remarkable longevity.” A new study finds that millions of Americans are taking multivitamins to prevent disease even though “there is little health rationale” for them. Natalie Portman/Wirestock – stock.adobe.com Researchers asked 390,000 healthy Americans were about their multivitamin consumption and divided them into three groups — nonusers, occasional users and daily users. The stud...
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Store cheese in paper, not plastic bags in fridge: doctor

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This is a Gouda tip. A UK surgeon is sharing how to best store cheese in the refrigerator — turns out, you may have been doing it wrong this whole time. Dr. Karan Rangarajan, also known as Dr. Karan Rajan , recommends wrapping the dairy delight in cheese storage paper , parchment paper or wax paper and not placing it on its own in a plastic bag. Dr. Karan Rangarajan recommends wrapping cheese in cheese storage paper, parchment paper or wax paper and not placing it on its own in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. “Once you finish gobbling your cheese like a hungry little rat, try and avoid putting your cheese in a plastic bag — especially softer cheeses, which have a higher water content, like havarti, mozzarella or Gouda,” Rangarajan advised in a Monday TikTok with more than 119,000 views. “This is because the moisture can get trapped by the plastic bag and cover the cheese surface, and this provides a breeding ground for bacteria and mold — and not the tasty kind,” he explained. ...
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Liraglutide, exercise key to weight loss, bone strength: study

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Talk about a leg up. Researchers say that taking a popular obesity medication and exercising regularly can lead to weight loss — and bone health is still maintained. Bone loss typically accompanies large, rapid weight loss, which increases the risk of fractures. This is especially a concern for older adults. Researchers say that taking the obesity medication liraglutide and exercising regularly can lead to weight loss — and bone health is still maintained. SobrevolandPatagonia – stock.adobe.com But the authors of a new Danish study found that a combination of exercise and liraglutide preserves hip, spine and forearm bone-mineral density. BMD is a measurement of calcium and other minerals in bone tissue. Liraglutide alone reduces hip and spine BMD compared to just exercising, according to the study. “To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the effect of [liraglutide] and exercise on bone health both as separate treatments and in combination,” the researchers wrote in the...
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2-2-2 weight loss method: water, fruits, vegetables, walks

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2 legit? “Losing weight would be a lot easier if your body was addicted to fitness, and I got one little trick that will help you do that,” Jenna Rizzo , a women’s weight loss coach from Georgia, began a TikTok last week about her 2-2-2 method. Rizzo’s daily plan involves drinking two big bottles of water, eating two servings each of fruits and vegetables, and taking two walks — in addition to your regular routine. “If you follow this method for just three weeks, I promise you your body’s gonna feel so good, you’re just gonna wanna continue,” Rizzo declared to her 79,600 TikTok followers . Women’s weight loss coach Jenna Rizzo says her 2-2-2 method involves drinking two big bottles of water, eating two servings each of fruits and vegetables, and taking two walks every day. Autaporn – stock.adobe.com The American Heart Association recommends four servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables daily. SASITHORN – stock.adobe.com She previously touted this regimen in a March TikTok , ...
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Chronically lonely older adults face higher stroke risk: study

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Older adults who experience chronic loneliness face a 56% higher risk of stroke than those who are not lonely, according to a new study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health . Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called attention last year to a nationwide loneliness and social isolation epidemic , warning that a lack of social connection increases the risk of premature death by more than 60%. Now, Harvard researchers say they are among the first to explore the link between changes in loneliness and stroke risk over time. Older adults who experience chronic loneliness face a 56% higher risk of stroke than those who are not lonely, according to a new Harvard study. SB Arts Media – stock.adobe.com The study authors had 12,161 adults 50 and older who had never had a stroke share information about their loneliness. Four years later, the 8,936 people still participating in the study answered the same questions. They were divided into four groups based on both results — “consistentl...
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Older adults taking aspirin to prevent heart attack despite risks

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Millions of older Americans are taking a daily dose of aspirin to lower their risk of having a heart attack or stroke for the first time — even though they shouldn’t, a new study finds . Nearly a third of adults 60 and older who don’t have cardiovascular disease took aspirin in 2021, according to findings published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Past research suggests that daily aspirin usage may increase the risk of internal bleeding . Millions of older Americans are taking a daily dose of aspirin to lower their risk of having a heart attack or stroke for the first time — even though they shouldn’t, a new study finds. fizkes – stock.adobe.com Cardiovascular disease refers to several conditions , including heart attack, heart failure, heart arrhythmias, vascular disease, congenital heart defects, stroke and high blood pressure. Heart disease causes the most deaths in the US, while stroke is the fifth leading cause of death. Aspirin has been hailed for its ability to keep...
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How blackout drinking can affect your brain in the long term

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Blackout drinking at a young age can have lasting effects on learning, memory and our ability to recognize faces, new research finds. “Alcohol-related blackouts tend to occur when an individual drinks a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time, resulting in a rapid increase in blood alcohol concentration (BAC),” said Sara A. Lorkiewicz, a neuropsychology postdoctoral fellow at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston. Though alcohol affects everyone differently, blackouts often start when a person’s BAC reaches about 0.16% — twice the legal driving limit, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism . Blacking out and passing out are often used interchangeably when they are different. A person who passes out loses consciousness or falls asleep, while someone who blacks out is awake but won’t remember what happened. ÃÂûõúÃÂõù Ãâþýõýúþ – stock.adobe.com Blacking out and passing out are often used interchangeably when th...
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