07/02/24 - #164

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Noodle Recall Update as FDA Sets Highest Risk Level

  • Is It Possible to Lose 100 Pounds in 6 Months?

  • Researchers Have Developed a 3D-printed, Thin, and Flexible Health Monitor That Can Track Glucose, Lactate, Uric Acid, and the Rate of Sweating During Exercise

  • Using Sound to Stimulate Certain Brain Waves Has the Potential to Help Those With Dementia or Cognitive Decline Sleep Better

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Noodle Recall Update as FDA Sets Highest Risk Level

Sun Noodle is a popular food company based in Hawaii. It has recalled its S&S Cup Saimin—Noodles With Soup & Garnishes. This is because the product contains undeclared egg, a major allergen. The recall affects products distributed in Hawaii, California, Nevada, and Utah.

Initially, this recall wasn't categorized under any specific risk level by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, it has now been elevated to a Class I recall, which is the most severe classification. This means there's a big risk. Eating the product could cause serious health issues, or even death, especially for those with egg allergies.

A Class I recall is more serious than a Class II. In Class II, the risks are temporary or reversible. In Class III, there is unlikely to be any adverse effects.

The affected noodle products were sold between May 9, 2023, and May 8, 2024. Consumers who have purchased these noodles are advised to return them to the store for a full refund. Sun Noodle has apologized for the mistake. They also reassured customers. They restated their commitment to product safety and quality.

This recall is a reminder of the need for accurate labeling. This is especially true for allergens like eggs. They can cause severe reactions, including swelling, vomiting, and, in extreme cases, life-threatening anaphylaxis.

For those who have purchased the recalled noodles, taking prompt action to return the product can ensure safety and prevent any potential health complications.

WEIGHT LOSS

Is It Possible to Lose 100 Pounds in 6 Months?

Jamie Wooldridge from Texas lost 100 pounds in six months without using weight loss drugs. He started his journey after seeing an unflattering photo of himself. Instead of expensive medications, Jamie focused on counting calories.

He used to eat 4,000 to 5,000 calories a day but reduced it to 2,200 calories with the help of an app. Jamie didn't stop eating his favorite foods like pizza; he just made sure they fit within his calorie limit for the day.

Walking was part of Jamie’s daily routine, and he added running over time. He shared his weight loss tips on social media. Dr. Veronica Johnson, a doctor who did not treat Jamie, advises that anyone looking to make big changes in their diet should talk to their own doctor first.

Jamie made smarter food choices, like using low-fat ingredients and cooking with an air fryer to cut down on fats. His key advice for others is to plan for events and view the diet as a long-term change, not just a quick fix.

Jamie believes if he can do it, others can too. He suggests making healthy eating and exercise a regular part of life. It’s not easy, but it’s possible to stick with it and see great results.

HEALTH

Researchers Have Developed a 3D-printed, Thin, and Flexible Health Monitor That Can Track Glucose, Lactate, Uric Acid, and the Rate of Sweating During Exercise

Researchers at Washington State University have created a new health monitor. You can wear it while exercising. This thin, flexible device checks important health markers in your sweat, such as glucose, lactate, and uric acid, along with how much you sweat. This information can help keep an eye on health issues like diabetes and heart disease.

The monitor is made using a special 3D printing process that makes it comfortable to wear and easy to use. It has three sensors that change color to show the levels of different chemicals in your sweat.

Kaiyan Qiu, a professor involved in the project, said, "Sweat has a lot of markers that can tell us about our health. This device makes it easy to monitor these markers without needing to draw blood."

The technology in the monitor uses unique chemical reactions to make sure the readings are accurate. This is important because the chemicals it's detecting are usually in very small amounts and hard to measure.

In tests, the monitor's results matched those from laboratory tests well. Chuchu Chen is a student on the project. She said, "We wanted our health monitor to be accurate and comfortable to wear.""

This new device could soon let people easily check their health during daily activities. They could do this with just a simple wearable monitor.

Using Sound to Stimulate Certain Brain Waves Has the Potential to Help Those With Dementia or Cognitive Decline Sleep Better

A new study shows that sound might help people with dementia sleep better. This is important because many people with dementia often have trouble sleeping.

Researchers from the University of Surrey and the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London studied alpha rhythms. These are brain waves linked to memory and how we see. These brain waves change when someone has dementia.

The team used a method called Alpha Closed-Loop Auditory Stimulation (aCLAS). This involves playing sounds at specific times to match these alpha rhythms. Dr. Ines Violante said that this technique could lead to new ways to help people with diseases like Alzheimer's. This is because their brain waves are slower.

The researchers played a sound—a burst of pink noise—when the brain wave reached a certain point. Depending on when the sound was played, it could speed up or slow down the brain wave.

Dr. Henry Hebron found something interesting. If the sound was played at the right time, it stopped the person from going into deeper sleep without waking them up. Other times, it didn’t disturb their sleep at all.

This study might lead to better sleep and thinking abilities for people with dementia. Now, the researchers want to see if they can improve sleep and mental functions even more. Professor Derk-Jan Dijk is excited to learn more about how these brain rhythms work. He wants to study them during different sleep stages, such as REM sleep.

✢ 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.