10/23/24 - #245

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Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Nearly 10 Million Pounds of Ready-to-eat Chicken Products Recalled Over Listeria Risk

  • Best Weight Loss Strategies

  • US Breast Cancer Rate Rising Sharply Even as Deaths Fall: Study

  • Research Links Plastic Bottles to Raised Blood Pressure, Increasing Risk of Heart Attacks, Strokes, Dementia, and Cancer

…and lots more. Have a great day!

Where to Find the Best Deals on Hoka Shoes

Are you a runner? More specifically, a road runner? Hoka was built for that. Meaning “to fly” in Maori, Hoka was founded in 2009 so that runners could get the ultimate experience with optimum cushioning and stability. Less than 15 years after its founding, Hoka is bringing in revenues topping a billion dollars a year, so it’s clear that people are loving this brand. But with quality comes high prices, and Hoka is no doubt in the high end price-wise. So we’ve rounded up the best stores to find the best deals for Hoka.

FOOD & NUTRITION

Nearly 10 Million Pounds of Ready-to-eat Chicken Products Recalled Over Listeria Risk

BrucePac, which makes precooked meats, is recalling 12 million pounds of chicken. It affects items like salads, wraps, and burritos. These products are sold at well-known stores like Trader Joe's, 7-Eleven, and Kroger. They might be contaminated with a harmful bacteria called Listeria.

The recall began on October 9 after government tests found Listeria in some products. The source was traced back to BrucePac’s facility in Oklahoma. The company has now listed which specific products are unsafe to eat.

These products were not only sold in stores but may have also been sent to schools. The recall has been expanded to include more items produced from June 19 to October 8. Some of the frozen meals might last until 2025 or 2026.

Shops like Walmart, Amazon, and Target also sold these products. Fortunately, no sicknesses have been reported yet.

Listeria is particularly risky for older adults, people with weak immune systems, or pregnant women. Symptoms often appear two weeks after eating the affected food but can start sooner. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes more severe effects like confusion or loss of balance.

If you have any recalled products, do not eat them. You should throw them away or return them to the store. BrucePac has not mentioned refunds but has stopped production to fix the issue, ensuring safety is their top priority.

WEIGHT LOSS

Best Weight Loss Strategies

Losing belly fat can be simple if you start with the right tips. Here’s how you can begin without getting overwhelmed:

  1. Eat More Greens: Focus on eating a lot of salads and low-carb veggies like spinach. Try to have about seven cups of greens each day. They don't raise your blood sugar much, so your body can burn fat better.

  2. Protein in Moderation: Keep your protein intake moderate, about the size of your palm per meal, and choose fatty proteins. Foods like salmon or fatty cuts of beef help keep you full without spiking your insulin too much.

  3. Healthy Fats are Important: Include good fats in your diet, such as avocados, nuts, and olive oil. These fats help you feel full longer, making it easier to eat less often, which is great for weight loss.

  4. Try Intermittent Fasting: Combine your diet with intermittent fasting. Start by skipping breakfast and eating your meals closer together. This helps you feel less hungry and boosts your fat burning.

  5. Enjoy Your Food: Make sure to include foods you enjoy, like low-carb desserts or treats. This helps keep the diet fun and something you can stick to.

Losing weight is not just about eating less but eating right and feeling good. Start these tips today and keep it simple. Your journey to a healthier you is just beginning!

HEALTH

US Breast Cancer Rate Rising Sharply Even as Deaths Fall: Study

Breast cancer rates are going up in the US, especially among younger women and Asian Americans. The American Cancer Society reports a 1% annual rise in breast cancer cases from 2012 to 2021. But there's good news too: fewer women are dying from breast cancer now. Since 1989, the death rate has dropped by 44%, saving about 518,000 lives.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer for women in the US and the second leading cause of cancer deaths after lung cancer. Today, one in eight women will get invasive breast cancer during their lives. Thankfully, better treatments and earlier detection are helping more women survive.

However, not all women are benefiting equally. Since 1990, Native American women's death rates haven't improved. Black women die 38% more than white women, despite fewer getting the disease. This is partly due to lower-quality screenings and systemic racism. It limits Black women's access to good care.

Experts suggest more diverse clinical trials and community programs. They will help all women get better screenings. A major US medical group recently recommended that women get breast cancer screenings every other year, starting at age 40. This is earlier than the previous age of 50, which could help catch the disease sooner and improve chances of survival.

Research Links Plastic Bottles to Raised Blood Pressure, Increasing Risk of Heart Attacks, Strokes, Dementia, and Cancer

Recent research suggests that using plastic bottles may raise health risks. They might cause high blood pressure, leading to heart attacks, strokes, dementia, and cancer.

In a study from Austria, researchers looked at how skipping drinks from plastic bottles could affect blood pressure. For one month, the people in the study drank only tap water instead of bottled drinks. The results were especially clear for women. They had a big drop in diastolic blood pressure. This suggests that using less plastic could help prevent heart problems and other health issues.

Plastics are used a lot in everyday items, like food packaging and medical supplies. When these plastics break down, they become microplastics. These tiny particles can enter our bodies and cause health problems. These microplastics can mess up how our heart and blood vessels work, leading to higher blood pressure.

This study is important because it shows that plastic might be harmful to our health. It suggests that we need more research to understand exactly how plastic affects us.

If you're worried about your health, think about using fewer plastic bottles. Try alternatives like glass or stainless steel bottles. It helps your health and reduces plastic waste. So, it's better for the environment, too.

✢ 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.