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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Ozempic, Wegovy lower risk of alcohol addiction: study
“This is very promising news in that we may have a new therapeutic method to treat AUD,” Rong Xu, the study’s lead researcher, said in a statement.
The study authors tracked how many patients were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder over a yearlong period, finding that semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — cuts that risk by 50% to 56%. Europa Press via Getty Images
The researchers examined the health records of 83,825 patients taking semaglutide or a different obesity medication. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs mimic GLP-1 — the hormone the body naturally produces after eating — to make people feel full, reducing their cravings.
The study authors tracked how many patients were diagnosed with AUD over a yearlong period, finding that semaglutide cuts that risk by 50% to 56%.
The researchers say they were able to replicate these findings in a larger study of 598,803 patients with Type 2 diabetes. The study results were published in May in the journal Nature Communications.
“To our knowledge, this is the largest study [of this kind] done so far,” Xu told New Scientist this week. “This is a strong indication this medication may be beneficial for both preventing and treating alcohol use disorders.”
Prescription medications used to treat diabetes and weight loss have exploded in popularity. REUTERS
In a July 2023 survey, 4% of adults admitted to using a prescription drug to lose weight — while one in 10 confessed they had stopped taking this type of medication.
While these drugs may cause unwanted side effects — such as hair loss and behavioral changes — they’re also showing promise in the battle against addictions, perhaps because they have been found to affect the brain’s reward system.
“In January, we showed that semaglutide is associated with a decrease in suicidal thoughts, and in March, we demonstrated that semaglutide is also associated with a reduction in both new diagnoses and recurrence of cannabis-use disorder,” study co-author Nathan Berger said.
Xu told New Scientist that how the drugs can combat addictions is the subject of ongoing randomized clinical trials.
In our fast-paced modern world, having the ability to calm the mind is invaluable. By learning to control the breath and withdraw the senses with the practice of Tummo breathing you can tap into an inner stillness. Those who regularly practice Tummo often report feeling more centered, present, and in tune with themselves. Also known as “Inner Fire” meditation, Tummo helps ignite inner “heat,” burning away mental fog while energizing both body and mind. Our contributor Bayu Prihandito, Life Coach, and RYT 200 Yoga Teacher, says, “What we call the “inner fire” Tummo meditation, is known to increase mental clarity, focus, and reduce stress. With practice and patience, you can experience a heightened sense of peace from the ability to manage your emotions more effectively.” With roots tracing back centuries in Tibetan Buddhism, Tummo uses focused breathing and visualization to unlock deep states of relaxation and mental clarity. This Tibetan meditation technique is...
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...
English actor, Hugh Bonneville, is best known for his character as Robert Crawley in the hit period-drama called Downton Abbey . During one of his interviews with BBC One TV in August 2020, his fans were confused and created a controversy on social media as the star looked “unrecognizable” and had lost a lot of body weight. So, what led to this incredible Hugh Bonneville weight loss? From his diet plan and workout routine to other secrets — find everything you need to know about how he lost 16 pounds and slimmed down during the pandemic. Who Is Hugh Bonneville? Born on 10th November 1963 in Paddington (London, United Kingdom), Hugh Bonneville is a renowned and classically trained English actor who is renowned for his role as Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham, in the popular TV series named Downton Abbey . His performance and acting skills in this period drama got him several nominations such as one Golden Globe nomination, two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and three Screen...
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