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- 09/01/25 - #468
09/01/25 - #468
Health Horizon. Herald Staff
September 01, 2025
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Good morning. In today’s edition:
New Study Raises Concerns About the Safety of BPA-free Packaging. Chemicals Used to Replace Bisphenol a (BPA) in Food Packaging Can Trigger Potentially Harmful Effects in Human Ovarian Cells. Researchers Warn That ‘BPA-free’ Does Not Necessarily Mean Safe
A World on Weight Loss Drugs: How GLP-1s Are Reshaping the Economy
University of Michigan-led Study Finds That People With Alzheimer’s Show Higher “Neural Flexibility” — Frequent Reshuffling of Brain Networks at Rest — and in Healthy Adults, This Same Pattern Sometimes Predicts Who Will Later Develop the Disease
Working Out Doesn't Just Reshape Your Body – It Rewires Your Gut Microbiome. During Intense Training, Rowers Had More Frequent Bowel Movements, With 92% Going Within a 24-hour Window. Pushing Yourself Harder in Training May Be “Feeding” Your Gut Microbes in Ways That Promote Better Healthworking Out Doesn't Just Reshape Your Body – It Rewires Your Gut Microbiome. During Intense Training, Rowers Had More Frequent Bowel Movements, With 92% Going Within a 24-hour Window. Pushing Yourself Harder in Training May Be “Feeding” Your Gut Microbes in Ways That Promote Better Health
…and lots more. Have a great day!
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FOOD & NUTRITION
New Study Raises Concerns About the Safety of BPA-free Packaging. Chemicals Used to Replace Bisphenol a (BPA) in Food Packaging Can Trigger Potentially Harmful Effects in Human Ovarian Cells. Researchers Warn That ‘BPA-free’ Does Not Necessarily Mean Safe
A new study from McGill University warns that “BPA-free” packaging may still carry health risks. BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical once used in plastic and food containers. It’s been linked to hormone problems and was banned from baby bottles in Canada. Many companies now use BPA-free labels, but the chemicals they use instead may also be harmful.
Researchers looked at price stickers found on packaged meat, cheese, fish, and produce. These stickers often sit on plastic wrap that touches the food. The team tested four BPA replacements—TGSA, D-8, PF-201, and BPS—on human ovarian cells in the lab.
Two chemicals, TGSA and D-8, caused fat to build up in the cells and changed how important genes worked. These genes help cells grow and repair. This doesn’t prove the chemicals cause illness, but it raises concern.
“There are over 200 chemicals like BPA,” said study co-author Dr. Bernard Robaire. “Just because it’s ‘BPA-free’ doesn’t mean it’s safe. Some of these chemicals may be just as harmful.”
The four chemicals are now being reviewed by Health Canada.
What You Can Do: To be safe, remove price stickers and plastic wrap before storing fresh foods. Also, pick items from the top of store bins instead of the bottom. Items on the bottom may be exposed to more pressure, which can push chemicals into the food.
Until more testing is done, it’s smart to be careful with packaged foods—even if they say “BPA-free.”
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WEIGHT LOSS
A World on Weight Loss Drugs: How GLP-1s Are Reshaping the Economy
Weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound are doing more than shrinking waistlines—they’re starting to reshape the global economy.
These drugs, known as GLP-1s, help control hunger and blood sugar. They were first made for diabetes, but now millions use them for weight loss. Experts say they could soon treat many more conditions, like fatty liver, sleep apnea, and even Alzheimer’s.
The economic impact is big. If 30 million Americans use these drugs, they could add $100 billion to the U.S. economy by 2030. Why? Healthier people miss fewer workdays and need less medical care.
But the cost is high—over $1,000 a month in many cases. Medicare may spend nearly $48 billion more over the next 10 years if it covers these drugs.
Food spending is already changing. A Cornell study found families with GLP-1 users bought less food—especially snacks like chips and cookies. They didn’t buy more healthy foods; they just bought less overall.
Other industries are watching closely. Airlines could save on fuel with lighter passengers. Gyms may see more members. Fast food chains could lose sales. Alcohol makers, clothing brands, and even travel companies are starting to feel the ripple effects.
Still, access remains unequal. Most users today pay out of pocket, which may widen health gaps between rich and poor.
Experts warn: if only the wealthy can afford these drugs, health inequality could grow.
Disclaimer: Always talk to your doctor before starting or stopping any medication.
HEALTH
University of Michigan-led Study Finds That People With Alzheimer’s Show Higher “Neural Flexibility” — Frequent Reshuffling of Brain Networks at Rest — and in Healthy Adults, This Same Pattern Sometimes Predicts Who Will Later Develop the Disease
A new study from the University of Michigan shows that how the brain works while resting might help spot early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study looked at neural flexibility. This means how often the brain’s networks change or “reshuffle” when a person is not doing anything. In healthy brains, these networks stay steady. But in people with Alzheimer’s, they change more often.
Researchers studied brain scans from 862 older adults. Some had healthy brains, others had mild memory problems, and some had Alzheimer’s. The people with Alzheimer’s had the most brain reshuffling. Even in healthy people, those whose brains reshuffled more were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s later—especially in the part of the brain that controls vision.
This was a surprise, since vision areas usually aren’t affected until the later stages of the disease. Scientists think these parts may still be healthy but are working harder to help the brain adjust.
This reshuffling may not be a good thing. It could mean the brain isn’t working the way it should. But it also shows that the brain is trying to stay strong and flexible, even during disease.
This brain scan method is not yet used to diagnose Alzheimer’s. But it may help doctors find early warning signs in the future.
One in 10 men and 1 in 5 women will get Alzheimer’s. Spotting early brain changes may help people get care sooner and stay independent longer.
Working Out Doesn't Just Reshape Your Body – It Rewires Your Gut Microbiome. During Intense Training, Rowers Had More Frequent Bowel Movements, With 92% Going Within a 24-hour Window. Pushing Yourself Harder in Training May Be “Feeding” Your Gut Microbes in Ways That Promote Better Healthworking Out Doesn't Just Reshape Your Body – It Rewires Your Gut Microbiome. During Intense Training, Rowers Had More Frequent Bowel Movements, With 92% Going Within a 24-hour Window. Pushing Yourself Harder in Training May Be “Feeding” Your Gut Microbes in Ways That Promote Better Health
We all know exercise is good for our body and brain. But new research shows it also changes something deep inside: your gut.
Scientists studied 23 high-level rowers during intense training and again during their off-season. They found that when the rowers trained harder and longer, their gut health improved. Bowel movements became more regular—92% of the athletes went at least once every 24 hours. That’s a sign of better digestion.
But the real surprise was in the gut microbes—the tiny organisms living in the digestive system. During intense training, the rowers had more of the kinds of microbes linked to good health. These microbes produced higher levels of helpful substances like butyrate and propionate. These are short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that support the gut lining, reduce inflammation, and help turn food into energy.
Exercise seems to “feed” these good microbes. How? One idea is that when we work out hard, our muscles make more lactate. This lactate travels to the gut, where certain microbes use it to make those helpful SCFAs.
During the off-season, even though the rowers ate the same amount of carbs and fiber, they made less healthy food choices—more fast food, less produce, and a little more alcohol. Their gut health declined.
The takeaway? You don’t need to be an athlete. Just increasing the pace of your daily walks or workouts could help your gut work better—and that’s good for your whole body.
✢ 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.