Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Nearly 10 Million Pounds of Meat Recalled Due to Listeria Concerns

• France to Patients: Take Weight Loss Drug Wegovy on Your Own Dime

• A New Study Has Found That, Whether You Do It at 35 or 75, Quitting Cigarette Smoking Will Add Years to Your Life | the Findings Go to Prove That You’re Never Too Old to Reap the Benefits of Stopping Smoking

• Stem Cells Reverse Woman’s Diabetes — a World First

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Nearly 10 Million Pounds of Meat Recalled Due to Listeria Concerns

The US Department of Agriculture has issued a safety alert. It has recalled over 9.9 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry produced by BrucePac. This action comes after potential contamination with listeria was identified during routine testing.

Listeria is a serious bacterial infection. It is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the U.S. It can cause fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. It is especially dangerous for older adults, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems. In severe cases, it can lead to confusion, stiff neck, or even seizures.

The affected BrucePac products, which include chicken and other meats, were made between June 19 and October 8, 2024. They were distributed to various restaurants and institutions nationwide. They may still be found on store shelves or in consumer's homes.

No illnesses linked to this recall have been confirmed. But, listeria symptoms can take weeks to appear. The USDA urges that these products should not be consumed. They should be either thrown out or returned to where they were purchased. If you feel unwell and suspect it might be due to consuming these products, it is advised to seek medical attention immediately.

This recall is part of a larger concern. A deadly outbreak tied to Boar's Head deli meats caused it. This is one of the biggest recalls in over a decade, with several hospitalizations and deaths.

Source: edition.cnn.com

WEIGHT LOSS

France to Patients: Take Weight Loss Drug Wegovy on Your Own Dime

In France, if you want to use the weight loss drug Wegovy, you will need to pay for it yourself. The French government has decided not to cover the cost of this drug through its national health insurance.

Wegovy is made by Danish company Novo Nordisk and costs between €270 and €330 a month. Although 10,000 French people have already used it, the government is careful about its use. It says Wegovy should be a second choice, used only when diet and exercise aren't enough.

The French drug safety agency also requires that a specialist in obesity medicine must give the first prescription. This rule ensures the drug is used only by those who need it for health, not just to look better.

Wegovy is part of a group of new drugs that reduce appetite. They are popular worldwide but can be expensive and have side effects. If you stop taking them, the weight comes back.

Countries like Germany also don't pay for such drugs, seeing them as lifestyle choices. Even Denmark, where the drug comes from, doesn't usually cover it, citing the high cost of preventing health problems like heart disease.

In the UK, the use of Wegovy is allowed for only two years because it's not seen as cost-effective in the long run, as the weight tends to return.

While these drugs are a new way to manage weight, many countries are cautious and debating their value and effectiveness.

Source: euronews.com

HEALTH

A New Study Has Found That, Whether You Do It at 35 or 75, Quitting Cigarette Smoking Will Add Years to Your Life | the Findings Go to Prove That You’re Never Too Old to Reap the Benefits of Stopping Smoking

Quitting smoking is always a great choice for your health, and it's never too late to start. Researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health have found that stopping at any age, even 75, can help you live longer.

Many anti-smoking campaigns usually focus on young people. They tell them to quit early. But new research shows that older adults can also gain a lot by stopping. According to the study, if you quit smoking at age 35, 45, 55, 65, or 75, you could avoid losing about 8.0, 5.6, 3.4, 1.7, and 0.7 years of your life, respectively.

The study shows the earlier you stop smoking, the more years you might add to your life. But even stopping at 75 can give you more time than if you kept smoking.

Dr. Thuy Le and her team, including David Mendez and Kenneth Warner, looked at how long people live depending on if they smoke or not. They used information from all over the country to figure this out.

The results are clear. About 10% of people who quit at 65 gain at least eight more years. And those who stop at 75 gain up to four more years. Dr. Warner pointed out, "Stopping smoking is beneficial at any age. For older people, it's a big part of their remaining life."

Doctors hope this study will help convince more older smokers to quit.

Source: newatlas.com

Stem Cells Reverse Woman’s Diabetes — a World First

A 25-year-old woman in Tianjin, China, has started making her own insulin. This is three months after a new type of stem cell transplant. This is the first time someone with type 1 diabetes has been treated this way.

Doctors took cells from her body and turned them into stem cells. These stem cells were then changed into cells that make insulin, which helps control blood sugar. This method is special because it uses the patient's own cells, which might help avoid the need for drugs that stop the body from rejecting the new cells.

James Shapiro, a transplant surgeon, called the results "stunning." The woman no longer needs daily insulin shots. "They’ve completely reversed diabetes in the patient," he said.

This success could change the way we treat diabetes, a disease that nearly half a billion people have worldwide. Type 1 diabetes happens when the body's defense system attacks cells that make insulin.

The team led by Deng Hongkui at Peking University did the transplant using a new technique. They turned the woman’s cells into insulin-making cells using small molecules, which gives them more control over the cells.

The woman now enjoys eating without worry, and her blood sugar levels have been good for over a year. More tests with other patients are coming up.

While this is exciting, more research is needed to make sure the treatment works long term. This could be a big step forward in treating diabetes and other similar diseases.

Source: nature.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.