Good morning. In today’s edition:

• We May Now Know Who’s Behind the Lead-tainted Cinnamon in Toddler Fruit Pouches

• Why Am I Not Losing Weight at All?

• The Most Popular Dementia Videos on TikTok Are Mostly Shared by Family Members and Are of Poor Quality. The Source (Uploader) of 65% of the Videos Was Family Members, While Only 4% Were Uploaded by Doctors. The Videos Uploaded by Doctors Had the Highest Quality Scores and the Lowest Popularity

• Tai Chi Reduces Blood Pressure Better Than Aerobic Exercise, Study Finds

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

We May Now Know Who’s Behind the Lead-tainted Cinnamon in Toddler Fruit Pouches

Investigators have found out why some fruit pouches made toddlers sick. The pouches were doing so across 43 states. The trouble is linked to a spice grinder from Ecuador named Carlos Aguilera, who used cinnamon with harmful levels of lead and chromium. This discovery was made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

So far, 413 kids have gotten sick from eating these apple cinnamon fruit pouches. The bad cinnamon was used by Austrofoods to make these snacks, but they didn't check for dangerous metals in their products. The FDA found that the cinnamon powder and the finished fruit pouches had too much lead.

Because of this, three kinds of fruit pouches have been recalled: WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis brands. The problem is big because the FDA can't directly deal with suppliers from other countries like the one who supplied this cinnamon.

The FDA believes the cinnamon was tampered with using lead chromate to make it look better, which is not safe. Kids who ate these snacks could have health problems later. This is especially true because lead is very bad for young children. It can harm their brains and cause learning and speech problems.

The problem's start is clear. But, finding who is fully responsible is ongoing. This situation shows how important it is to make sure our food is safe, especially for little kids.

Source: arstechnica.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Why Am I Not Losing Weight at All?

Feeling stuck in your weight loss journey is common, especially for those over 45. Let's simplify some reasons why losing weight might be tough and what you can do about it.

First, losing weight isn't just about eating less. It's also about what you eat. Foods like vegetables are better than processed snacks because they're healthier and help you feel full without adding too many calories.

Exercise is important too, but mixing it up is key. Doing both cardio (like walking or swimming) and strength exercises can help your body burn more calories even when you're not working out.

Small, steady changes work best for losing weight. Try drinking more water, eating more greens, and getting plenty of sleep. These simple steps can lead to big changes over time.

Be patient with yourself. Weight loss takes time, and it's more about being healthier than just losing pounds. Celebrate the small wins on your journey to keep motivated.

Remember, everyone's body is different. What works for someone else might not work for you. If you're finding it really hard, talking to a doctor might help set up a plan that's right for you.

Keep trying and stay positive. Taking care of your health is worth the effort.

Source: Dr. Eric Berg DC

HEALTH

The Most Popular Dementia Videos on TikTok Are Mostly Shared by Family Members and Are of Poor Quality. The Source (Uploader) of 65% of the Videos Was Family Members, While Only 4% Were Uploaded by Doctors. The Videos Uploaded by Doctors Had the Highest Quality Scores and the Lowest Popularity

Did you know most dementia videos on TikTok are made by people's families and not doctors? That's what a study found. It also discovered that even though family videos are more common, they're not always helpful. Only a few videos are made by doctors, and those are the best ones for learning, but not many people watch them.

Dementia is a big health issue that affects lots of people. It's when someone starts forgetting things more than usual because of changes in their brain. It's important to understand it well to help those who have it.

The study showed that videos by doctors are great for learning but don't get many likes or shares. Videos from families might be more fun to watch, but they might not give you the right information you need.

So, what should we do? It's okay to watch TikTok videos for fun, but when you want to learn something serious like about dementia, look for videos made by experts, even if they might seem a bit boring. Good information is more important than a video being fun.

Remember, just because a video is popular doesn't mean it's the best one to learn from. It's smart to ask, "Who made this video?" before you believe what it says. This way, you can learn the right things and help others better.

Source: frontiersin.org

Tai Chi Reduces Blood Pressure Better Than Aerobic Exercise, Study Finds

Have you heard of tai chi? It's a slow-moving exercise from China that's great for your health. Recently, scientists found out it's even better for lowering blood pressure than fast exercises like running or cycling.

People with prehypertension, which means their blood pressure is a bit too high but not super high, can get a lot of help from tai chi. High blood pressure is not good because it can lead to serious heart problems.

In a study, 342 adults tried two different exercises for a year. Half of them did tai chi, and the other half did stuff like jogging. The tai chi group ended up with better blood pressure than the others.

Why does tai chi work so well? It helps relax your body deeply, which can lower your blood pressure. Plus, you don't need any special gear or a gym to do it. You can practice tai chi anywhere, and it still helps you stay calm and healthy.

Tai chi doesn't just help with blood pressure. It also makes you less likely to fall, helps you walk better, and keeps your mind sharp. But, you have to do it regularly to see the benefits.

So, if you're looking for a simple and relaxing way to stay healthy, tai chi might be just the thing. It's easy to start, and you can do it anywhere!

Source:npr.org

✢ 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.