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...
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
Autism link to congenital cytomegalovirus explored in study
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
Children born with a common viral infection are nearly 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a new study finds.
Cytomegalovirus is part of the herpes family of viruses. It spreads through body fluids like blood, saliva and urine, and it’s usually harmless in healthy people. Around a third of infected mothers pass CMV to their fetus in utero.
About one in every 200 US babies is born with CMV each year. Nearly 20% of those infants will experience birth defects or other long-term health problems, such as hearing or vision loss, developmental delays or epilepsy.
CMV can be especially dangerous to babies, potentially resulting in hearing or vision loss, developmental delays or epilepsy. Jamey Ekins – stock.adobe.com
For this study, researchers from the University of Michigan and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed data on nearly 3 million children enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Just over 1,000 kids had congenital CMV, while nearly 75,000 had ASD. Autism is a developmental disorder that affects how people learn, behave, communicate and interact with others.
Autism is estimated to affect one in 36 American children. Here, a Brazilian woman bonds with her daughter, who is listening to an autism podcast. Alexis Scholtz/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com
Girls born with CMV had 4.65 times the autism risk, while boys had about twice the risk compared to their peers without the condition.
“This data should prompt us as clinicians to proactively monitor for early signs of autism in children with congenital cytomegalovirus,” said lead study author Dr. Megan Pesch, a developmental behavioral pediatrician at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
“This may be especially critical for children who are deaf or hard of hearing since diagnosing autism in this population can be particularly challenging,” added Pesch, whose daughter has congenital CMV and autism.
The idea is that CMV can activate an inflammatory state that may affect fetal brain development, thus increasing the risk of ASD.
Pesch is calling for routine neonatal screening for CMV, which is often symptomless in pregnancy and at birth.
“Universal congenital CMV screening may not only improve detection before symptoms develop and lead to more timely intervention but also help us clarify the risk of autism among this population,” Pesch said. “Most importantly, this provides an opportunity to best support these children and their families.”
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...
Comments
Post a Comment