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...

Liraglutide, exercise key to weight loss, bone strength: study



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 their findings, which were published Tuesday in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Liraglutide — sold under the brand names Victoza and Saxenda — is part of a class of GLP-1 drugs that treat obesity and Type 2 diabetes by decreasing appetite. Ozempic is part of this group.

Liraglutide — sold under the brand names Victoza and Saxenda — is part of a class of GLP-1 drugs that treat obesity and Type 2 diabetes by decreasing appetite. UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Liraglutide has been previously shown to increase bone formation and prevent bone loss in obese women who have lost weight.

For this new study, 195 obese participants shed at least 5% of their body weight on an eight-week, very restrictive diet.

They were then assigned to one of four yearlong programs — a moderate to vigorous exercise routine, a daily dose of liraglutide, a combination of exercise and the drug, or a placebo injection.

The researchers found the exercise and liraglutide groups maintained the weight loss, the combination group shed additional pounds, and the placebo group regained weight.

Despite the additional weight loss, the combination group was still able to preserve bone health.

The researchers found the exercise and liraglutide groups maintained the weight loss, the combination group shed additional pounds, and the placebo group regained weight. Wonchalerm – stock.adobe.com

There were some limitations to the study — including that the participants didn’t have other chronic diseases, so the results may not translate to patients with diabetes or older people.

Still, the researchers say their “findings highlight the importance of combining exercise with [liraglutide] treatment for bone health.”



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Many chocolate products contain toxic heavy metals: new study