Good morning. In today’s edition:

• The FDA Will No Longer Allow the Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil in Food Products

• Popular Weight-loss and Diabetes Medications Linked to Lower Risk of Some Cancers, Study Finds

• Medication Abortion Patients Who Receive Pills by Mail Without Getting an Ultrasound Do Just as Well as Those Who Are Examined and Given the Drugs in Person, a New 2-year Study From UC San Francisco Has Found. 95% of the Participants Had a Complete Abortion Without Having to Repeat the Regimen

• A Recent Study Found That Higher Sleep Quality During Weekends Was Associated With Slightly Lower Levels of Exhaustion During the Workweek | These Employees Were Better Able to Refocus on Their Work on Mondays, Setting a Positive Tone for the Entire Week

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

The FDA Will No Longer Allow the Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil in Food Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a big change this Tuesday. It has banned Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) from food. This decision affects many sodas and drinks. BVO was used to keep citrus flavoring evenly distributed in them.

It was seen as safe in the 1970s. But, it was later found to be a health risk. This led to its removal from the FDA's list of safe substances. People have worried about its safety. Studies link BVO to health issues, like nerve damage and other organ disorders.

Despite long-term regulation and phased-out use in many products, the FDA's new rule bans BVO. It starts on August 2, 2024. Companies have one year from this date to adjust their formulas and clear existing stocks.

This move comes after years of changes by beverage companies. It also follows a big push from public petitions and state laws. For example, California recently banned BVO and other substances linked to health risks.

The FDA advises moderate consumption of products containing BVO until the ban is fully effective. "The occasional drink containing BVO at social events is fine, but regular consumption could be a risk," suggests Dr. Leana Wen, a wellness expert. Consumers should check labels, especially if they frequently enjoy sodas, to avoid potential health issues related to BVO.

Source: edition.cnn.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Popular Weight-loss and Diabetes Medications Linked to Lower Risk of Some Cancers, Study Finds

A recent study shows that certain weight loss and diabetes drugs might also lower the risk of some cancers. These findings focus on GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

Being overweight increases the chances of getting 13 types of cancer. This study found that people with type 2 diabetes who took GLP-1 drugs were less likely to develop 10 of these cancers. This was compared to those who took insulin. Significant reductions were seen in cancers like gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and ovaries.

These drugs might help reduce the harmful effects of being overweight. These effects can lead to cancer. They include long-lasting inflammation and abnormal hormone levels.

However, the study did not find reduced risks for all cancers. It showed no significant decrease in the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, stomach cancer, or thyroid cancer. In fact, GLP-1 medications might affect the thyroid in negative ways.

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University and MetroHealth System analyzed medical records. The records were of nearly 1.7 million people with type 2 diabetes. They covered more than ten years. More research is needed. But, these findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs could prevent cancer in people at high risk due to obesity or diabetes.

Source: edition.cnn.com

HEALTH

Medication Abortion Patients Who Receive Pills by Mail Without Getting an Ultrasound Do Just as Well as Those Who Are Examined and Given the Drugs in Person, a New 2-year Study From UC San Francisco Has Found. 95% of the Participants Had a Complete Abortion Without Having to Repeat the Regimen

A new study from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has found that people who get abortion pills by mail without an ultrasound do just as well as those who get them in person after a check-up. This study was published on June 24 in a medical journal and supports using telehealth to provide safe and effective abortion care.

After the Supreme Court decision in 2022 changed abortion rights, many states put in stricter rules. Now, about two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S. are done using medication. The study looked at 585 patients from states like Colorado and Virginia, who were divided into three groups. Some got their pills by mail after a telehealth talk. Some got their pills in person after a similar talk. Others had an ultrasound before getting their pills in person.

About 95% of the people in the study had a successful abortion without needing more treatment. Serious problems were rare. Lauren J. Ralph, PhD, who led the study, said that getting a history and mailing pills is a safe way to help people who can’t easily get to a clinic.

The results show that mailing pills and using telehealth are good options for abortion care. There's no need to make it harder to get these services. This study supports the idea that these methods are safe and should be available to everyone who needs them.

Source: miragenews.com

A Recent Study Found That Higher Sleep Quality During Weekends Was Associated With Slightly Lower Levels of Exhaustion During the Workweek | These Employees Were Better Able to Refocus on Their Work on Mondays, Setting a Positive Tone for the Entire Week

A recent study in Germany found that sleeping well on the weekend can help people feel less tired at work. This can help them get back into the swing on Monday. It sets a positive tone for the whole week.

Most people work Monday through Friday, looking forward to the weekend as a time to relax. However, their sleep on Saturday and Sunday can greatly affect their work the next week.

The study was published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior. It explored how weekend sleep affects a person. It affects their ability to mentally reconnect with work on Monday. This process is called psychological reattachment. It involves thinking about work goals and getting mentally ready to start the week. Good sleep seems to aid this process, whereas poor sleep, especially from trying to catch up on missed rest, can make it harder.

Researchers followed 310 workers in Germany over five weeks. These workers shared how they slept on weekends and how they felt on Mondays and Fridays. The findings showed that those who slept well generally felt less exhausted and performed better at work.

The study suggests that aiming for high-quality sleep during the weekend can be more beneficial than just trying to catch up on sleep. The research relied on what participants remembered about their sleep. But, it still shows the importance of restful weekends for a productive workweek.

Source: psypost.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.