01/02/24 - #35

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Quaker Oats Recalls Granola Products Over Concerns of Salmonella Contamination

  • Study in Mice Found That Cinnamon Extract Has Beneficial Effects on Obesity by Inducing Lipolysis by Downregulating Lipogenesis and Upregulating Lipolysis in the Livers of Obese Mice

  • A Recent Study Has Found That Living Alone and Experiencing Childhood Social Isolation Are Associated With Increased Levels of Inflammation in Adults

  • Under-skin Implant Reverses Type 1 Diabetes in Mice Without Anti-rejection Drugs

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Quaker Oats Recalls Granola Products Over Concerns of Salmonella Contamination

Attention, Quaker Oats customers! The company recently recalled several granola products, including bars and cereals, because they might be contaminated with salmonella. This recall was announced on December 15, 2023.

Salmonella is a bacteria that can make you feel really sick. If you eat something with salmonella, you might get a fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It's especially dangerous for older adults, young kids, and people with weak immune systems.

The recall includes popular items like Quaker Chewy Bars and granola oats cereals, which are also in some PepsiCo snack mixes. Quaker Oats, owned by PepsiCo, hasn't heard of anyone getting sick from these items yet. But, they want to be careful and keep everyone safe.

If you have any of these Quaker Oats products at home, don't eat them. You should throw them away. Quaker Oats is asking people with these products to contact them. They've set up a customer support line and a website for more details and to help you get your money back.

These products were sold all over the United States and in U.S. territories.

About 1.35 million people in the U.S. get sick from salmonella each year. It's important to check if you have any of these recalled products to avoid getting sick. It's always better to be safe!

WEIGHT LOSS

Study in Mice Found That Cinnamon Extract Has Beneficial Effects on Obesity by Inducing Lipolysis by Downregulating Lipogenesis and Upregulating Lipolysis in the Livers of Obese Mice

As we age, staying fit can be tough. But guess what? Cinnamon, the spice that makes our food yummy, might also help with obesity. Scientists did some tests with mice and found out some cool stuff.

Cinnamon's Health Powers

These smart folks used a type called "Ceylon cinnamon." They tested its extract on cells and mice that ate lots of fatty foods.

What Did They Discover?

When they added this cinnamon stuff to fat cells, it did two things. First, it stopped the cells from storing too much fat. Second, it helped break down the fat inside them.

For the mice on a fatty diet, cinnamon had similar benefits. These mice didn't gain as much weight and were better at handling fats in their bodies.

How Does Cinnamon Do It?

It's all about proteins in the liver. Cinnamon boosts the proteins that break down fat and lowers the ones that store fat. This one-two punch is why cinnamon could be helpful.

What's the Big Picture?

Even though this sounds great, remember, the study was on mice, not people. It does suggest that cinnamon might help with weight issues.

A Bit of Caution

Before we start eating tons of cinnamon, more studies, especially on people, are needed. Also, how we consume cinnamon counts - like in food or as a supplement.

Wrapping It Up

Adding a little cinnamon to our food could be tasty and maybe even good for our health. Just don't think of it as a magic solution - it's just one part of staying healthy.

HEALTH

A Recent Study Has Found That Living Alone and Experiencing Childhood Social Isolation Are Associated With Increased Levels of Inflammation in Adults

Did you know that adults who often felt alone as kids or those who live by themselves now might have higher health risks? A recent study has shown this, highlighting why it's so important to have friends and family in our lives.

Timothy Matthews and his team conducted this study. They wanted to understand if feeling lonely when young or living alone as an adult leads to more inflammation in the body. Inflammation can cause health problems like heart disease.

The study looked at people in Denmark, New Zealand, and the UK. In Denmark, they found adults living alone had higher levels of inflammation. In New Zealand and the UK, people who felt alone as kids also showed higher inflammation.

This research tells us that not having enough social interaction, especially during childhood, can affect our health later in life. Social isolation means not having many people to talk or spend time with. Loneliness is feeling alone, no matter how many people you know.

Matthews points out that helping kids who feel left out is crucial. They might face serious health issues as they grow older, like heart problems or diabetes.

So, what does this study teach us? Our social life, particularly in our younger years, can have a big impact on our health as adults. It's a reminder that being with people is not just good for feeling happy but also for staying healthy.

Under-skin Implant Reverses Type 1 Diabetes in Mice Without Anti-rejection Drugs

Good news for people with type 1 diabetes! Researchers have created an amazing device that can fight diabetes in mice. This tiny device is placed under the skin and it works without needing special drugs to protect it. This could be a huge help for people with diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is when the body's defense system mistakenly attacks insulin-making cells. People with this condition need insulin from shots or pumps. But, researchers from Cornell University and the University of Alberta have made a breakthrough. They've developed a small device filled with cells that release insulin. It's inserted just under the skin, where it gets what it needs from blood vessels. This device, named SHEATH, is unique because the body accepts it easily.

Installing SHEATH is not too complicated. First, a tiny tube is put under the skin. After some weeks, this tube is replaced with the SHEATH device. The procedure is quick and can be done without staying in the hospital, using just local anesthesia.

In experiments with diabetic mice, this implant stopped diabetes and kept blood sugar levels normal for a long time. If the device starts to fail, it can be quickly swapped for a new one.

The scientists are working to improve this device further. They hope it can be used for people in the future, making life with diabetes much easier. This research is very promising and brings a lot of hope.

✢ 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.