Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Heavy Metals Like Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, and the Metalloid Arsenic, Which Can Delay Brain Development in Babies and Young Children, Have Been Found in Flooded Rice and Spinach

• I Can’t Lose Weight

• Sloth Fever Has Arrived in the US. Here’s What You Need to Know

• A Diet Low in Carbs and High in Fat, Which Has Gained Popularity as a Way of Shedding Weight, Can Increase the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes by 20%, According to a New Study. The Research Team Behind the Study Says Their Findings Highlight the Need to Eat a Balanced Diet

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Heavy Metals Like Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, and the Metalloid Arsenic, Which Can Delay Brain Development in Babies and Young Children, Have Been Found in Flooded Rice and Spinach

Researchers at the University of Delaware (UD) are finding out how these harmful substances get into foods often eaten by babies and young children. They discovered that the way farmers water crops like rice affects how much of these metals end up in the food.

When rice fields are very wet, there's more arsenic but less cadmium. In drier fields, it's the opposite, but the amount of cadmium is still safe according to health standards. This is important. It can improve farming methods, reducing dangerous metals in baby food.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working on new rules to make sure baby foods are safer by limiting these metals. Understanding the link between water levels and metal content in crops can guide these new rules.

The study shows that the less water in the soil, the less arsenic but more cadmium gets into the rice. This happens because of the way soil changes when it's wet or dry. The researchers tried different ways to water the rice to find a balance but haven't found the perfect method yet.

These findings are very important as they help make baby foods safer and guide laws that protect children from these toxic metals. As new rules come out, this research will be crucial.

Source: udel.edu

WEIGHT LOSS

I Can’t Lose Weight

Many people find it hard to lose weight and keep it off. Dr. Leonid Kim, an expert in weight and health, explains five surprising reasons why losing weight can be tough.

1. It's More Than Eating Less: Losing weight isn't just about eating less and exercising more. Our bodies, genes, and surroundings all play a part in how we manage weight. It’s complex and not completely under our control.

2. Your Genes Matter: Have you noticed how some people can eat a lot and not gain weight? Our genes affect how much we weigh and how our bodies respond to food. Even in identical twins, weight gain can differ when they eat the same foods in a study.

3. Our Bodies Fight Back: From long ago, our bodies are built to hold onto weight to survive when food is scarce. When we lose weight, our bodies try to regain it by making us feel hungrier and less full after eating.

4. Not All Calories Are the Same: Counting calories is helpful, but not all calories affect us the same way. Calories from protein might keep you full longer than calories from sweets.

5. Wrong Ideas About Weight: Society often wrongly thinks being overweight is due to laziness. This stigma can make people feel bad and less likely to ask for help, which can lead to more weight gain.

Understanding these things helps us see that losing weight is about more than just willpower. It's about the whole picture of health, not just the number on the scale.

Source: Leonid Kim MD

HEALTH

Sloth Fever Has Arrived in the US. Here’s What You Need to Know

Sloth fever, also known as Oropouche virus, has been found in the US, with 21 people coming back from Cuba testing positive. Most cases are in Florida, with one in New York. The virus was first found in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago and got its name from a type of sloth it was found in. Although it's usually seen in Central and South America, and the Caribbean, it's now appeared here.

This virus spreads through the bite of tiny bugs called midges or mosquitoes. It can also spread through other animals, like sloths and birds. It can cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, joint stiffness, and worse problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding. Usually, the illness goes away in less than a week, but some people get sick again later.

There's no special shot or medicine for sloth fever, but it rarely causes death. Most people get better on their own.

Since the virus comes from bug bites, the best way to stay safe is to avoid being bitten. Use bug spray, wear clothes that cover your arms and legs, and stay in places with screens or air conditioning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advise that pregnant women think about delaying trips to places with outbreaks.

Stay alert and protect yourself and your family from this new health risk by taking simple steps.

Source: independent.co.uk

A Diet Low in Carbs and High in Fat, Which Has Gained Popularity as a Way of Shedding Weight, Can Increase the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes by 20%, According to a New Study. The Research Team Behind the Study Says Their Findings Highlight the Need to Eat a Balanced Diet

A popular diet that cuts carbs and adds fats might help you lose weight. But, a study suggests it could raise your risk of type 2 diabetes by 20%. Experts recommend keeping a balanced diet instead.

The study, done by researchers in Melbourne, looked at the eating habits and health of over 39,000 people. They found that those who ate fewer carbs and more fats were more likely to develop diabetes.

Professor Barbora De Courten, a lead researcher, said, "Low-carb diets might help with quick weight loss. But, they could cause obesity and diabetes later. They are high in fats and low in fiber."

This study is different. It followed a large group of Australians for nearly 20 years. Other studies focused on people in Europe and Asia.

The researchers suggest that eating a balanced diet, like the Mediterranean diet, might be a better way to prevent diabetes.

Although the study used diet details that people reported themselves, which might not always be accurate, its large size and long duration make the findings important. The researchers are calling for more clinical trials to understand better how different diets affect diabetes risk.

Overall, it's best to balance what you eat rather than cutting out carbs completely.

Source: newatlas.com

✢ 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.