01/23/25 - #311

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Toxic Metals Found in Some Protein Powders, Report Says. Should You Be Worried?

• New Recommendations to Measure Obesity Go Beyond Controversial BMI. A Doctor Explains

• Norovirus Outbreak Reported at Shelter for California Wildfire Evacuees

• Sleeping Pills Stop the Brain’s System for Cleaning Out Waste

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Toxic Metals Found in Some Protein Powders, Report Says. Should You Be Worried?

A recent U.S. study found some protein powders may contain harmful metals, like lead and cadmium. This is especially true for the plant-based and chocolate ones. The nonprofit group Clean Label Project tested 160 protein products from 70 top brands.

The study showed that organic protein powders have three times more lead and twice as much cadmium than non-organic ones. Also, chocolate-flavored powders contain four times more lead than vanilla flavors.

Lead and cadmium are natural elements found in the environment, but they can be harmful if consumed in large amounts. They can cause serious health issues like kidney damage and increase the risk of cancer. Even though these metals are common in many foods, finding them in protein powders is worrying.

In Canada and the U.S., there are rules about how much of these metals can be in foods. However, specific limits for protein powders are not yet set. The report found that 47% of the tested powders had higher levels of metals than what is considered safe.

Experts like Felicia Wu from Michigan State University say that we should not panic. The report does not give enough detail to know how risky these powders are. She suggests staying informed and asking for more information about the protein powders you use.

Source: globalnews.ca

WEIGHT LOSS

New Recommendations to Measure Obesity Go Beyond Controversial BMI. A Doctor Explains

For a long time, doctors have used BMI, or Body Mass Index, to tell if someone is under or overweight by looking at their height and weight. But many people say BMI isn’t always right because it doesn’t measure body fat properly.

Now, a group of over 50 experts is suggesting new ways to look at obesity. Dr. Céline Gounder talked about these ideas on CBS News. She said BMI is still useful at first, but we need more checks.

Here’s what Dr. Gounder suggests:

1. Waist Size: It's important to measure around your waist. Women with a waist over 35 inches and men over 40 inches might have too much fat.

2. Checking Body Fat: A special scan called DEXA, often used to check bones, can also tell how much body fat you have.

3. Daily Activities: If it's hard to climb stairs or if your weight affects your heart or other organs, it might mean you're obese.

These new ideas have support from 76 groups around the world. They help doctors understand obesity better by using more than just BMI. However, changing to these new ways might cost more and need more doctors and nurses.

These changes are important because BMI doesn’t work the same for everyone. For example, it might say strong, muscular people are obese when they're not. The goal is to make sure everyone gets the right health advice based on more than just numbers.

Source: cbsnews.com

HEALTH

Norovirus Outbreak Reported at Shelter for California Wildfire Evacuees

After the SoCal wildfires, a new problem has arisen at the Pasadena Evacuation Shelter: a norovirus outbreak. The Pasadena Public Health Department reported three positive virus tests. Twenty-eight people had symptoms like stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. They can cause dehydration.

Norovirus spreads very easily through things like dirty surfaces, food, and water. It's especially dangerous for older people and those with weak immune systems. Most people, though, get better in one to three days without treatment.

The American Red Cross is managing the shelter and working hard to keep everyone safe. They, along with Kaiser Permanente and AltaMed, provide medical care at the shelter. They are trying to stop the virus from spreading. They are isolating the sick from the healthy and cleaning the shelter.

Measures to fight the virus include making sure everyone can wash their hands often, cleaning bathrooms frequently, and using strong cleaners that can kill the virus. Hand sanitizer and gloves for volunteers who handle food are also available.

Stephanie Fox from the Red Cross said, "Close quarters make it hard to stop the spread of illness." But, we are doing everything we can to care for those affected and prevent more sickness.”

It shows the need for quick action in emergency shelters to stop the spread of illness. Strong health measures are vital.

Source: cnn.com

Sleeping Pills Stop the Brain’s System for Cleaning Out Waste

Many of us use sleeping pills to help us get a good night's sleep. However, recent studies suggest these pills could interfere with a critical cleaning process in our brains. Normally, our body has a system to clear out waste, but the brain does this in its own special way.

The brain uses a special fluid called cerebrospinal fluid to wash away waste. This cleaning happens during a type of sleep known as non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Neuroscientist Natalie Hauglund led a study that shows sleeping pills can mess with this process. These pills affect a hormone called norepinephrine, which is essential for the brain to clean itself during sleep.

Hauglund’s research involved observing mice that slept naturally without any drugs. This approach helped the scientists see exactly how the brain behaves during sleep. They found that norepinephrine helps the brain pump fluids in and out, carrying waste with them.

If the brain can't clean itself properly, it could lead to problems like Alzheimer’s disease. The study suggests that common sleeping pills may prevent the brain from removing waste. This means we need to think about developing new kinds of sleeping pills. These new pills would help people sleep without stopping the brain's natural cleaning process.

Understanding how our brain clears waste could lead to better sleep meds. This would ensure our sleep and brain health.

Source: arstechnica.com

✢ 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.