07/25/25 - #442

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • FDA Approves New Blue Food Dye Derived From Gardenia Fruit

  • Why is Losing Weight So Hard?

  • Private Health Industry Lobby Group Engages in Marketing and Publicity Strategies Similar to Big Tobacco to Shape Public Perception of Universal Health Care Policies as Negative in the US, Finds Study. The US Remains the Only High-income Country Without Universal Health Insurance Coverage

  • Whoop Says FDA is 'Overstepping Its Authority' With Warning About Blood Pressure Feature

…and lots more. Have a great day!

Hemorrhoids Keep Coming Back? You’re Not Alone.

The pain. The itching. The embarrassment. You’ve tried creams, wipes, and even suppositories—but nothing works for long. Every flare-up brings a wave of discomfort and dread. And worst of all? You feel like you’re the only one still dealing with this.

You’re not.

Hem Hero® was made for people like you—people who want real relief without the mess or shame.

Unlike temporary fixes, Hem Hero® works from the inside out. It’s an oral supplement made with powerful, natural ingredients that help reduce swelling, relieve discomfort, and support healthy veins—so you can finally stop worrying about the next flare-up.

✅ Helps reduce swelling and discomfort
✅ Supports vein health
✅ Works naturally—no mess, no awkward creams
✅ Discreet, easy-to-take capsules

Over 100,000 people have found relief with Hem Hero® and other Hem Healer® products. Join them.

Try Hem Hero® today with zero hassle:
✔️ 10% off with subscription
✔️ Free Shipping on orders $79.99+
✔️ Cancel anytime

Stop suffering in silence. Hem Hero® helps you feel like yourself again.

FOOD & NUTRITION

FDA Approves New Blue Food Dye Derived From Gardenia Fruit

The FDA has approved a new natural blue food dye made from the gardenia fruit. This fruit comes from a flowering plant that has been used in Chinese medicine. The new dye, called gardenia blue, can be used in sports drinks, flavored waters, fruit drinks, ready-to-drink teas, and both hard and soft candy.

To make the dye, scientists mix a part of the gardenia fruit with a soy-based ingredient. While soy can cause allergies, the makers say there’s no soy left in the final product. The FDA is still checking this claim before deciding if the label must mention soy.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says this move helps protect kids from man-made chemicals in food. He praised the FDA’s approval and thanked Dr. Marty Makary for pushing to remove synthetic dyes from our food supply.

This is the fourth natural color the FDA has approved in just two months. Other new dyes include ones made from butterfly pea flower, galdieria extract, and calcium phosphate.

Some food companies say artificial dyes are safe and important for keeping food looking the same. But many health experts believe using fewer chemicals in food is a good idea.

Dr. Céline Gounder, a medical expert, says artificial dyes are not the biggest problem. She says processed foods high in salt, sugar, and fat are much worse for our health.

Still, the switch to natural dyes is a step toward healthier eating for everyone.

WEIGHT LOSS

Why is Losing Weight So Hard?

If you’ve ever worked hard to lose weight—changing how you eat, exercising, watching the scale go down—only to see the weight come back, you're not alone. And it’s not because you failed. It's because your body is protecting you.

Fat doesn’t just store extra calories. It also holds onto toxins. These toxins come from everyday things like pesticides, plastics, makeup, and processed food. Your liver and kidneys are supposed to filter them out, but when they get overwhelmed, your body stores the toxins in fat—especially around your belly and organs.

When you lose fat, those toxins get released into your blood. If your body can’t remove them fast enough, it slows your metabolism, disrupts your hormones, and makes you feel tired and crave sugar. This leads to rebound weight gain.

To keep the weight off, you must support your body’s detox system.

Step 1: Cut the CRAP—processed Carbs, Rancid oils, Artificial ingredients, and Processed proteins.

Step 2: Drink water, eat fiber, and move daily to support your liver, kidneys, and gut.

Step 3: Feed your liver with clean protein and nutrients like eggs, lemon, dandelion, artichokes, and milk thistle.

It’s not just about eating less. It’s about helping your body remove what’s been stored. Clean the filters, support your organs, and break the cycle—for good.

HEALTH

Private Health Industry Lobby Group Engages in Marketing and Publicity Strategies Similar to Big Tobacco to Shape Public Perception of Universal Health Care Policies as Negative in the US, Finds Study. The US Remains the Only High-income Country Without Universal Health Insurance Coverage

A new study shows that a powerful health care group in the U.S. is using tactics like Big Tobacco to make people fear universal health care. The group is called the Partnership for America’s Health Care Future (PAHCF). It paid for ads on Facebook and Instagram to turn public opinion against government-run health care.

These ads claimed that universal health care would cost more, make people wait longer, and lead to worse care. They also warned people that the government would take away their freedom to choose doctors. Some ads showed parents, seniors, or Spanish speakers to appeal to different groups.

Researchers found that these ads were meant to create fear and doubt. This is the same strategy used by companies that sell tobacco, alcohol, and junk food to protect their profits.

The U.S. is the only wealthy country without universal health care. About 31 million Americans don’t have health insurance. Yet, the U.S. spends more on health care than any other rich country and still ranks last in access and results.

The study also criticized Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, for allowing these ads. Meta stopped some of its fact-checking in the U.S. and doesn’t share full details about who sees these ads.

With millions of Americans at risk of losing health care, experts say it’s important to watch how private groups use social media to sway voters and protect their profits.

Whoop Says FDA is 'Overstepping Its Authority' With Warning About Blood Pressure Feature

Fitness tracker company Whoop is in trouble with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA sent a warning letter, saying Whoop’s new blood pressure feature acts like a medical device. But Whoop disagrees.

The feature is called Blood Pressure Insights (BPI). It gives users an estimated blood pressure range once a day. Whoop says it is meant to help people learn about their health and improve fitness—not to diagnose or treat disease. To use it, users must first enter three blood pressure readings taken with a regular cuff.

The FDA says this is a problem. It believes giving blood pressure estimates is a medical function. If the numbers are wrong, users might make bad health decisions. The FDA wants the feature to go through medical testing and approval.

Whoop says that’s unfair. A company spokesperson said the BPI tool is like other wellness features, such as heart rate or breathing rate, which do not need medical approval. They believe the FDA is using old rules that no longer fit today’s technology.

Doctors have mixed feelings. Some say wearables like Whoop can help people take control of their health. Others say they may not be accurate enough to rely on.

The FDA told Whoop it has 15 business days to fix the problem or explain how it will. If not, the company could face fines or other penalties.

Experts say it’s best to talk to your doctor before trusting any wearable device for health advice.

✢ 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.