Good morning. In today’s edition:

• The FDA is Investigating Whether Lead in Applesauce Pouches Was Deliberately Added

• How Fasting Makes the Brain and Gut Work Together for Weight Loss. By the End of the Study, Participants Body Weight Had Decreased by an Average of 7.6kg, or 7.8%. As Expected, They Had Undergone Reductions in Body Fat and Waist Circumference

• CPR Can Be Lifesaving for Some, Futile for Others. Here's What Makes the Difference

• A Pilot Clinical Trial Found Electrical Stimulation of the Spinal Cord is Feasible, Well-tolerated and Shows Therapeutic Potential to Treat Depression

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

The FDA is Investigating Whether Lead in Applesauce Pouches Was Deliberately Added

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into a big issue. They think someone might have put lead in some applesauce pouches on purpose. Lead is bad for everyone, especially kids. The pouches they're checking are WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis cinnamon applesauce.

Jim Jones from the FDA told Politico that they're trying to find out if this was done to make the product cheaper and increase profits. These brands were pulled from stores last fall. This happened after four kids in North Carolina got sick because of lead.

The FDA visited a company in Ecuador called Austrofoods. They made some of these applesauce snacks. The FDA thinks the cinnamon in these snacks might have lead in it. They're also checking with Negasmart, who supplied the cinnamon, to see if they sent it to other places in the U.S.

So far, about 65 kids under six might have eaten these pouches and got sick. The CDC is also looking into what happened.

You could buy these applesauce pouches at places like Amazon, Dollar Tree, and some grocery stores. Lead can make kids feel sick with headaches, stomach aches, and can make it hard for them to pay attention in school. The FDA says if your child ate these, they should get a blood test.

Everyone should throw away any of these applesauce pouches they have at home to stay safe.

Source: npr.org

WEIGHT LOSS

How Fasting Makes the Brain and Gut Work Together for Weight Loss. By the End of the Study, Participants Body Weight Had Decreased by an Average of 7.6kg, or 7.8%. As Expected, They Had Undergone Reductions in Body Fat and Waist Circumference

Losing weight can be tough, but did you know that your brain and the tiny creatures in your gut can team up to help? Scientists studied a special diet called intermittent energy restriction (IER). This is where people eat less on some days and normally on others. They found that this diet can make a big difference.

In a study, 25 adults tried this diet for two months. They switched between eating less and eating normally. The results were really good. On average, they lost about 7.6 kg, which is almost 8% of their body weight. They also had less body fat and their waists got smaller.

But here's the cool part: the scientists found that this diet changes how your brain works and also what's happening in your gut. Our brain has different parts that control how much we want to eat and how we control ourselves around food. The study showed that these parts of the brain became less active. This means people felt less hungry and had better control over their eating.

Also, the tiny microbes in our gut changed. These are like little helpers that live inside us and can affect how we feel and eat. Some types of these microbes that can make us gain weight became less common, while others increased.

So, this study shows that fasting in a certain way can make your brain and gut work together, helping you to lose weight. It's a great example of how changing what we eat can lead to big changes in our health.

Source: frontiersin.org

HEALTH

CPR Can Be Lifesaving for Some, Futile for Others. Here's What Makes the Difference

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is an emergency method used when someone's heart stops or they can't breathe. It's a big help for younger, healthier people, but for older or very sick people, it might not work as well.

Most people think CPR can save anyone, but that's not always true. A lot of times, people who get CPR don't survive. Those who do might have serious brain damage or other injuries, like broken ribs.

However, CPR can be a real lifesaver for some. Take Nick Sakes, a 58-year-old cyclist. He collapsed during a ride, and a nurse nearby did CPR right away. Thanks to her and the paramedics, he was okay the next day, just with sore ribs.

Another story is about Henry Jampel, who also got saved by CPR. He's now a big supporter of CPR and defibrillators, which are machines that can shock the heart back to a normal rhythm.

Doctors say younger people and those without big health problems are more likely to be helped by CPR. The reason for the heart stopping is important too. Some heart problems can be fixed with a shock from a defibrillator.

So, what should you do? If you're young and healthy, choosing CPR can be good. But as you get older and have more health issues, the chances of CPR helping go down. Think about your choices, talk with your family, and write down your wishes. This helps you be ready for whatever happens.

Source: npr.org

A Pilot Clinical Trial Found Electrical Stimulation of the Spinal Cord is Feasible, Well-tolerated and Shows Therapeutic Potential to Treat Depression

Scientists at the University of Cincinnati have found a new way to help people with depression. They discovered that a special treatment, which uses mild electric currents to stimulate the spinal cord, might be a big help.

Dr. Francisco Romo-Nava, who led the study, says this treatment focuses on the link between the brain and the body. Sometimes, when this link isn't working right, people can feel very sad or anxious.

The treatment is simple and safe. A small device, no bigger than a shoebox, is used. Patients have short sessions three times a week for two months. The device sends tiny electric currents to the spinal cord. This helps the brain manage feelings better.

Most patients in the study felt okay with the treatment. They had only small side effects, like a little redness or itching where the device touched their skin.

The results are exciting. People who got the real treatment felt less sad than those who didn't. But, Dr. Romo-Nava says we need to be careful with these results. The study was small, so more research is needed.

This new method also had a surprising bonus. It seemed to lower some patients' blood pressure a bit, which shows it might do more than just help with sadness.

The scientists are now looking for ways to do bigger studies and make a portable version of the treatment device. This could be a big step forward in helping people with depression.

Source: uc.edu

✢ 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.