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- 04/16/25 - #370
04/16/25 - #370
Health Horizon. Herald Staff
April 16, 2025
Good morning. In today’s edition:
Sick Food Service Workers Remain Top Driver of Viral Foodborne Outbreaks in US
Researchers Found Gastric Bypass to Be Most Clinically Effective for Patients and to Provide the Best Value for Money for the NHS Three Years After Surgery
Vegan and Vegetarian Diets Can Protect Brain Health by Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress, but They Need Careful Planning and Supplements to Avoid Nutrient Shortages That Could Hurt Memory and Mood
Medicinal Cannabis is Linked to Long-term Benefits. People With Chronic Health Conditions Reported Improvements in Fatigue, Pain, and Sleep. Patients With Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, or Chronic Pain Diagnoses Also Showed Improvements in Condition-specific Symptoms Over 12 Months
…and lots more. Have a great day!
FOOD & NUTRITION
Sick Food Service Workers Remain Top Driver of Viral Foodborne Outbreaks in US
A new report from the CDC shows that sick food workers are still the main cause of viral foodborne outbreaks in the U.S. From 2014 to 2022, many people got sick because infected workers handled food, especially with bare hands.
Researchers looked at 2,677 outbreaks over nine years. Most happened in the first two time periods, from 2014–2019. In that time, the top cause of viral outbreaks was sick workers using bare hands to handle food. But in later years, sick workers using gloves became the leading cause. Even with gloves, germs can spread if workers are sick and don’t follow safety steps.
Bacterial outbreaks often happened when food wasn’t cooked hot enough or cooled properly. Leaving food out too long or at the wrong temperature allowed harmful bacteria to grow.
The CDC says restaurant managers play a key role in preventing these outbreaks. They can make clear rules for sick workers to stay home and train staff on food safety. Planning for worker shortages is also important so sick employees don’t feel forced to work.
Health departments can help by reminding restaurants to stick to safety plans. They also need to monitor food handling closely.
This report shows that simple steps can help keep food safe. For example, keeping sick workers out of the kitchen is important. Also, controlling food temperatures is key to preventing illness.
WEIGHT LOSS
Researchers Found Gastric Bypass to Be Most Clinically Effective for Patients and to Provide the Best Value for Money for the NHS Three Years After Surgery
A major study from the UK found that gastric bypass surgery is the best option for people with severe obesity. After three years, it helped patients lose the most weight and gave the best value for money to the NHS.
Researchers studied three types of weight-loss surgery: gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy (or “sleeve”), and gastric banding (“band”). Patients were followed for three years. The study showed that gastric bypass helped 68% of patients lose at least half their excess weight. That compares to 41% with sleeve and just 25% with the band.
Bypass patients also had better results with other health problems like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. While bypass costs more upfront, it led to better health and fewer medical costs later on.
Because of these results, experts now recommend bypass as the top choice for surgery. Sleeve may be used if bypass isn’t possible. Band surgery is no longer recommended.
Gastric bypass works by creating a small pouch in the stomach. This pouch bypasses part of the digestive system. So, people feel full faster and take in fewer calories.
While newer weight-loss medications are available, many people can’t use them long-term. Surgery may offer longer-lasting results for those with severe obesity and related health issues.
This research, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, will help guide treatment decisions in the UK and beyond.
In short, gastric bypass helps with weight loss, boosts health, and saves money on healthcare in the long run.
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HEALTH
Vegan and Vegetarian Diets Can Protect Brain Health by Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress, but They Need Careful Planning and Supplements to Avoid Nutrient Shortages That Could Hurt Memory and Mood
Vegan and vegetarian diets can help protect the brain by lowering inflammation and oxidative stress. This happens because plant-based foods are full of fiber, antioxidants, and compounds that fight inflammation. These diets may lower the risk of problems like memory loss, depression, and even diseases like Alzheimer’s.
But there’s a catch: these diets can miss key nutrients the brain needs to stay sharp. Without careful planning, vegans and vegetarians may not get enough vitamin B12, omega-3 fats (DHA and EPA), iron, or zinc. These nutrients help the brain make neurotransmitters, repair nerves, and stay healthy. Low levels can lead to memory issues, poor focus, or even mood problems.
Some plant foods also contain natural compounds (like phytates and oxalates) that make it harder for the body to absorb minerals. The good news? Cooking, soaking, or sprouting foods can reduce these effects.
To stay healthy on a plant-based diet, experts suggest:
Taking supplements for B12 and DHA (plant-based options exist).
Eating iron-rich foods with vitamin C to boost absorption.
Choosing fortified foods like cereals or plant-based milks.
Eating a wide variety of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes.
In short, plant-based diets can support brain health — but they must be planned wisely. Supplements and smart food choices can help fill in the gaps and protect both memory and mood as we age.
Medicinal Cannabis is Linked to Long-term Benefits. People With Chronic Health Conditions Reported Improvements in Fatigue, Pain, and Sleep. Patients With Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, or Chronic Pain Diagnoses Also Showed Improvements in Condition-specific Symptoms Over 12 Months
A new study from Australia found that people using medicinal cannabis for health problems felt better over time. The study examined more than 2,300 adults. They received cannabis oil to help with pain, tiredness, anxiety, and sleep problems.
After one year, many of these patients reported less pain and fatigue. They also said they were sleeping better. People with conditions like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain saw improvements in their symptoms.
The study was part of the QUEST Initiative, a large research project to learn how medicinal cannabis affects quality of life. Patients answered surveys about their health over 12 months. Not everyone finished the surveys, but many reported feeling better as the year went on.
Medicinal cannabis became legal in Australia in 2016 for people who didn’t get help from regular medicine. Since then, over one million Australians have gotten prescriptions for more than 200 conditions.
This study found that the biggest benefits were better sleep, less pain, and improved mood. Some patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also reported feeling better. People with movement disorders felt better overall, but did not see changes in hand or arm movement.
The study did not include a control group, so researchers can’t say for sure that cannabis caused the changes. But the results are still promising.
Medicinal cannabis may be a helpful option for people who haven’t found relief with other treatments. More research is still needed.
✢ 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.