11/20/25 - #526

Author

Health Horizon. Herald Staff
November 20, 2025

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Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Some Sports Supplements Are Illegally Mixed With Anabolic Steroids, Causing "Innocent Athletes" to Fail Doping Tests

  • Pfizer Files Second Lawsuit Against Novo Nordisk, Metsera in Bidding War Over Obesity Biotech

  • Study Finds That People With Eczema Are Able to Bathe Either Daily or Weekly, Without Any Impact to Their Symptoms: Those Who Bathed Daily or Weekly Had the Same Impact on Symptoms

  • Study Focused on Individuals With Recent Lower Back Pain Found That the Recommended Ratio of 30 Mins Sitting Followed by 15 Mins Standing Could Boost Office Productivity by Improving Focus, Reducing Stress, and Encouraging Regular Movement Patterns Throughout the Day

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Some Sports Supplements Are Illegally Mixed With Anabolic Steroids, Causing "Innocent Athletes" to Fail Doping Tests

Some sports supplements may contain hidden steroids. A new report warns that some products sold to athletes are mixed with anabolic steroids, even though they are not listed on the label. These hidden substances are often added to help build muscle quickly and boost sales.

But using these products—even by accident—can cause serious harm. Athletes who take them may fail drug tests, lose medals, or be banned from competition. Even if they didn’t mean to cheat, they can still be punished.

This is called “inadvertent doping.” It happens when someone takes a tainted supplement without knowing it has a banned substance. In one study, more than half of tested sports supplements had steroids in them.

These hidden steroids can also be dangerous to your health. They may lead to liver problems, heart issues, and hormone changes. Some athletes have even needed medical care after using them.

Experts say it’s very important to be careful. Talk to a doctor or sports specialist before taking any supplement. New testing tools can help find tainted products, but not all bad supplements are caught in time.

If you’re an athlete—at any level—read labels carefully and avoid unknown brands. Just one scoop of the wrong powder can ruin your career or hurt your health.

Bottom line: Don’t take risks with your body. Not all supplements are safe, and some may contain harmful ingredients you can’t see.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational use only and does not offer medical advice.

WEIGHT LOSS

Pfizer Files Second Lawsuit Against Novo Nordisk, Metsera in Bidding War Over Obesity Biotech

Pfizer has filed a second lawsuit against two companies—Novo Nordisk and Metsera. The reason? Pfizer says Novo Nordisk is trying to block its deal to buy Metsera, a smaller company working on new obesity drugs.

Pfizer first offered up to $7.3 billion to buy Metsera. Just days later, Novo Nordisk offered around $6 billion. Pfizer claims this move is unfair and meant to stop competition in the growing weight-loss drug market.

Novo Nordisk is known for its popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Pfizer says Novo wants to stay on top by keeping new rivals like Metsera out of the way. Pfizer also says Metsera’s top investors are helping Novo Nordisk block the deal.

Novo Nordisk strongly denies the claims. The company says its offer is legal and good for both patients and investors. Metsera agrees, saying Pfizer is just upset and trying to win through lawsuits instead of raising its price.

This is Pfizer’s second lawsuit in just a few days. Both cases are being filed in Delaware courts. The legal fight shows how intense the competition has become in the obesity drug market, which is now worth billions.

Both companies are hoping to lead the next big wave of weight-loss treatments. For now, the courts will decide who gets Metsera—and possibly, a big edge in the race to treat obesity.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not provide medical or legal advice.

HEALTH

Study Finds That People With Eczema Are Able to Bathe Either Daily or Weekly, Without Any Impact to Their Symptoms: Those Who Bathed Daily or Weekly Had the Same Impact on Symptoms

People with eczema often wonder how often they should bathe. A new study says it doesn’t matter. Bathing every day or just once or twice a week has no effect on eczema symptoms.

The study was done in the UK and included 438 people with eczema. Some were told to bathe six or more times a week. Others were told to bathe just once or twice a week. Everyone used their usual eczema treatments and tracked their symptoms for four weeks.

In the end, both groups had the same results. There was no difference in their eczema symptoms. This means people can choose how often to bathe based on what works best for them.

The study was led by researchers at the University of Nottingham. It was part of a bigger project called Rapid Eczema Trials, which looks at simple ways to help people manage eczema.

Amanda Roberts, a patient and co-leader of the study, said, “There are so many things that can affect eczema. It’s good to know that bathing is not one of them.”

Doctors agree this is helpful news. “It’s a common question,” said Professor Matthew Ridd. “Now we have a clear answer.”

The next study in the project will look at how long people should use steroid creams during flare-ups.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before making changes to your health routine.

Study Focused on Individuals With Recent Lower Back Pain Found That the Recommended Ratio of 30 Mins Sitting Followed by 15 Mins Standing Could Boost Office Productivity by Improving Focus, Reducing Stress, and Encouraging Regular Movement Patterns Throughout the Day

A new study shows that sitting for 30 minutes, then standing for 15, may help reduce lower back pain and improve focus at work.

The study, led by Griffith University and the University of Queensland, looked at office workers with recent back pain. Everyone in the study already used a sit-stand desk. One group followed the 30:15 routine. The other group chose when to sit or stand based on how they felt.

After three months, both groups had less back pain. But those who followed the 30:15 schedule had better results. They also said they felt less stress and could focus more easily. People on the fixed schedule were more likely to stick with the routine.

Dr. Charlotte Brakenridge, who led the study, said the fixed schedule gave people a clear plan. This may be why they followed it more closely and got better results. People who picked their own routine had more freedom, but they didn’t follow it as often.

This sit-stand method is simple and easy to try. Even if you don’t have back pain, getting up every 30 minutes may help your mind and body feel better during the day.

If you work at a desk, set a timer to remind yourself: sit for 30 minutes, then stand for 15. It’s an easy way to stay active and reduce pain.

Check with your doctor before starting any new routine.

✢ 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.