01/06/26 - #559

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • FDA Says It May Relax Warning Label Rule for Dietary Supplements

  • 75% of US Adults May Meet Criteria for Obesity Under New Definition, Study Finds

  • Flu Season in the US is Heating Up, Driven by New Subclade K Variant

  • RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Panel Weakens Recommendation on Hepatitis B Shot for Babies, Scrapping Universal Guidance

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

FDA Says It May Relax Warning Label Rule for Dietary Supplements

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may soon change how warning labels appear on dietary supplements. Right now, companies must put a warning next to every health claim, such as “supports brain health” or “good for the heart.” That warning says the claim hasn’t been checked by the FDA and that the product is not meant to treat or cure any disease.

The FDA now says it may allow the warning to appear only once on the package. The goal is to reduce clutter and lower costs for companies. The agency says it rarely enforces the current rule anyway.

Some experts worry this change could make warnings harder to see. Dr. Pieter Cohen from Harvard warns that small changes today may lead to even smaller print or labels hidden on the back in the future. He also says many supplements don’t match what’s listed on the label. Some even contain unlisted ingredients.

Supplements are not reviewed by the FDA before being sold. Still, about 3 out of 4 Americans take at least one. There are over 100,000 supplement products on the market today.

Supporters of the change say one warning per label is enough. But critics say stronger warnings are needed since these products don’t go through the same checks as medicines.

The FDA hasn’t said when the rule may change, but it won’t enforce the old rule while reviewing the new one.

Disclaimer: Talk to your doctor before using any supplements.

WEIGHT LOSS

75% of US Adults May Meet Criteria for Obesity Under New Definition, Study Finds

A new study says that more than 75% of U.S. adults could now be considered obese, based on a new way of measuring body fat.

For many years, doctors have used something called BMI (Body Mass Index). It uses your height and weight to guess how much fat you have. But experts now say BMI doesn’t tell the full story.

Researchers from Harvard, Yale, and other top schools looked at more than 14,000 adults using health data from the CDC. They added other measurements, like waist size and waist-to-hip ratio. When they used these added tools, the number of adults with obesity jumped from 40% to over 75%.

Why the big change? Fat around the waist, called “adipose tissue,” can be more dangerous. It’s linked to higher risks of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure—even if your BMI looks normal.

This new definition was suggested by health experts around the world and supported by over 70 medical groups. Still, it’s not being used by most doctors yet. Some experts say we need more research before changing the way we diagnose obesity.

The study also found that older adults and Hispanic adults were more likely to meet the new obesity standard. Nearly all adults over age 50 qualified.

Experts say better tools are needed to spot obesity early and help people get the right care.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about your health.

HEALTH

Flu Season in the US is Heating Up, Driven by New Subclade K Variant

Flu season is starting early in the U.S., and a new version of the virus—called subclade K—may be to blame. This variant wasn’t in this year’s flu shot because it showed up after vaccines were already made.

Flu cases are rising quickly. New York City, New Jersey, and several New England states are seeing high levels. Louisiana, Colorado, and some southern states like Georgia and Texas are also seeing more flu. One child has already died from the flu this season.

Doctors say the subclade K variant is part of a flu type called H3N2. This type often causes more serious illness in older adults. In New York, flu-related hospital visits have doubled over two weeks. Experts say it’s spreading faster than usual.

Even though the vaccine doesn’t perfectly match this new strain, it still helps. In the U.K., the flu shot lowered hospital visits by up to 75% in kids and by 30% to 40% in older adults.

Doctors say now is the best time to get your flu shot. It takes about a week to start working. Wearing a mask in crowded places, opening windows, or using an air filter can also help reduce your risk.

If you get sick with a fever, cough, or body aches, get tested quickly. Antiviral medicines work best in the first 48 hours.

Flu shots may not prevent infection, but they help protect you from getting seriously ill.

Don’t wait—get your shot today.

RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Panel Weakens Recommendation on Hepatitis B Shot for Babies, Scrapping Universal Guidance

A health panel chosen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has voted to change long-standing vaccine advice. For over 30 years, doctors have recommended that all newborns get a hepatitis B shot within 24 hours of birth. Now, the panel says parents can decide—along with their doctor—if and when to give the shot, but only if the baby’s mother tests negative for hepatitis B.

This change does not remove the vaccine entirely. Instead, it delays the first dose until the baby is at least two months old. Some doctors and health experts are worried this could lead to more children getting hepatitis B, a virus that can cause serious liver problems and even early death.

Experts say test results can be wrong. Mothers can also get infected after testing, and other family members can spread the virus to newborns.

The current birth-dose rule helped cut infections in children by 99% since the 1990s. Many health groups call the vote “reckless” and say it may confuse parents.

Some doctors on the panel warned that skipping the birth dose could put babies at risk. They say the shot is safe, proven, and should still be given at birth.

The CDC must still approve the panel’s advice before it becomes official.

For now, the CDC still recommends that all babies get the shot within 24 hours of birth.

Note: Always talk with your doctor when making choices about your child’s health and vaccines.

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.