08/14/24 - #195

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • 'Be Cautious': US Chocolate and Cocoa Tests Reveal Unsafe Lead Levels

  • Weight-loss Jabs May Also Help People Quit Smoking

  • A US Survey Suggests That Close to 5% of Us Are Consuming Herbal Products That Are Potentially Toxic to Our Livers | Clinicians Should Be Aware of the Possible Issues That Could Arise From These Mostly Unregulated Products

  • A Recent Study Has Found That Adolescents Who Are Overweight or Obese Are More Susceptible to Cognitive Impairments Following Sleep Restriction Compared to Their Peers With Healthy Weight

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

'Be Cautious': US Chocolate and Cocoa Tests Reveal Unsafe Lead Levels

A recent study found worrying levels of lead and cadmium in many cocoa products sold in the US. This includes popular stores like Whole Foods, Amazon, and GNC. Organic chocolates had even higher levels of these dangerous metals.

The research, done by George Washington University, looked at 72 cocoa products over eight years. They found that nearly half of these had more lead than what's considered safe, and about a third had too much cadmium. None of the products had too much arsenic, though.

The worry isn't just eating chocolate occasionally. It's the health risks from eating a lot of it often, especially with some fish and grains that have heavy metals. Eating too much can build up dangerous levels of these metals in your body.

"Heavy metals can harm your health. They can damage your kidneys and brain," said Leigh Frame, who led the study. "It's important to enjoy chocolate in small amounts and watch out for other foods that might have these metals too."

This is especially true for dark chocolate, which many people eat for health benefits. The study reminds us to be careful with how much chocolate and cocoa we eat, particularly organic types, which might have more heavy metals.

This study highlights the bigger problem of heavy metals in food and the need to keep an eye on what we eat.

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight-loss Jabs May Also Help People Quit Smoking

A shot meant for losing weight could also help people stop smoking, according to new research. The medicine, called semaglutide, was first made for diabetes. It helps people manage their weight. Now, it might help smokers quit too.

In a study, smokers who took semaglutide needed less help for their smoking problems. This meant they used fewer medicines to stop smoking and went to less counseling. The study looked at semaglutide and seven other diabetes drugs. Semaglutide did the best at lowering the need for treatments related to tobacco addiction, also known as tobacco use disorder (TUD).

The good effects of semaglutide were seen in people whether they were overweight or not. Most of these effects showed up within the first 30 days of using the drug. Researchers from places like the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine think it’s time to do more tests to see how well semaglutide can help people quit smoking.

In the UK, doctors use semaglutide as a shot. It helps people lose weight and lowers their risk of heart problems if they are overweight or obese. The shot might also help people quit smoking. It could greatly improve their health.

HEALTH

A US Survey Suggests That Close to 5% of Us Are Consuming Herbal Products That Are Potentially Toxic to Our Livers | Clinicians Should Be Aware of the Possible Issues That Could Arise From These Mostly Unregulated Products

A recent U.S. survey has raised concerns about the safety of some popular herbal products. The study says that nearly 5% of Americans might be risking their livers. This is due to specific herbal supplements, like turmeric and green tea. Other risky ones are ashwagandha, Garcinia cambogia, red yeast rice, and black cohosh.

The survey involved responses from almost 10,000 individuals across the country. It found that older, educated people were most likely to use these herbal items. They had arthritis more often than other groups.

The survey's main finding is that these herbal products are mostly unregulated. This lack of oversight means there’s no check on the supplements' safety or effectiveness. It can harm the liver, which filters out harmful substances. That's a serious concern.

The study's researchers urge doctors to be more watchful. They recommend that clinicians routinely ask patients about herbal supplements. This is especially important for older adults, who often use these products. This proactive approach is key. It can prevent liver problems from supplements that many consumers think are safe. By staying informed and cautious, healthcare providers can help protect their patients from unwanted health risks associated with these popular but potentially dangerous products.

A Recent Study Has Found That Adolescents Who Are Overweight or Obese Are More Susceptible to Cognitive Impairments Following Sleep Restriction Compared to Their Peers With Healthy Weight

A new study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham shows that overweight teenagers have a harder time with brain tasks after losing sleep compared to teens who are not overweight. In JAMA Neurology, researchers tested 61 teenagers after good and poor sleep. They assessed different brain skills.

A study, led by doctoral student Lindsay M. Stager, found that overweight teens had bigger drops in problem-solving, memory, and attention after just one short night of sleep. This didn’t happen as much in teens of a healthy weight. This shows that sleep loss affects overweight teens more harshly.

Aaron Fobian, one of the researchers, explained, "Even one night of less sleep can really impact an overweight teen’s brain function." Many teens don’t get enough sleep, especially with early school start times.

The findings are important. They show a need for better sleep in all teens, especially those who are overweight. It also points out that things like school schedules can lead to not getting enough sleep.

This study is a wake-up call for families and schools to make sure teens are getting the sleep they need. This is important for their health and their ability to think and learn.

✢ 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.