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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Hydrocolloid acne patches heal mosquito bites fast: doctor



Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist, is sharing a simple suggestion for those fed up with mosquito bites. She proposes putting a hydrocolloid pimple patch over the bump. @@geetayadavmd/TikTok

Don’t let mosquito bites bug you anymore.

Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto, is sharing a simple suggestion for those fed up with mosquito bites. She proposes putting a pimple patch over the suck spot to help it heal faster.

“This can help prevent scratching, which often leads to infection and scarring,” Yadav advised in a TikTok last month that has netted 7.3 million views. “Always clean the bite before and after applying a patch. Stay itch-free!”

Definitely don’t scratch a mosquito bite, as it can lead to infection and scarring. New Africa – stock.adobe.com

Hydrocolloid patches are the go-to for Dr. Andrea Suarez, a board-certified dermatologist in Houston.

Hydrocolloids — used as thickening or gelling agents in food — provide a protective covering to a skin wound. They absorb excess moisture, such as oil and pus, and reduce inflammation and redness, which are hallmarks of skeeter stings.

Hydrocolloid patches provide a protective covering to a skin wound. st.kolesnikov – stock.adobe.com

“The hydrocolloid helps to absorb that inflammatory stuff that makes it very itchy and swell up, and it also serves as a barrier, preventing you from scratching — it almost takes the itch away immediately,” Suarez explained in an Instagram video last summer.

“You can leave [the patch] on overnight, wake up the next morning, and the mosquito bite is practically gone,” she added.

Well+Good reports that hydrocolloid patches shouldn’t be left on for more than eight hours.

After removing it, treat the bump with a topical cortisone cream, which can help relieve remaining redness, itching and swelling.

Unfortunately for New Yorkers, the bug behemoth Orkin recently ranked the Big Apple No. 2 on its list of mosquito-prone cities. The lineup is based on new residential mosquito treatments from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

Only Los Angeles sucks more.





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