Good morning. In today’s edition:

• "Phantom Chemical" Identified in US Drinking Water, Over 40 Years After It Was First Discovered. Water Treated With Inorganic Chloramines Has a by-product, Chloronitramide Anion, a Compound Previously Unknown to Science. Humans Have Been Consuming It for Decades, and Its Toxicity Remains Unknown

• As many as 1 in 5 People Won't Lose Weight With GLP-1 Drugs, Experts Say

• 'Forever Chemicals' Linked to Gut and Kidney Damage in Young Adults

• Prolonged Standing at Work Can Have a Negative Impact on People’s 24-hour Blood Pressure. Researchers Recommend Taking Breaks From Standing During the Work Day, Either by Walking Every Half an Hour or Sitting for Some Parts of the Day

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

"Phantom Chemical" Identified in US Drinking Water, Over 40 Years After It Was First Discovered. Water Treated With Inorganic Chloramines Has a by-product, Chloronitramide Anion, a Compound Previously Unknown to Science. Humans Have Been Consuming It for Decades, and Its Toxicity Remains Unknown

Over 40 years ago, scientists noticed a strange chemical in some U.S. drinking water. Only recently have they figured out what it is. The chemical, called chloronitramide anion, was found in water cleaned with inorganic chloramines, which is a typical way to make water safe to drink.

Chloramines are used to kill germs in water. But as they work, they break down and create new chemicals. For a long time, no one knew exactly what these new chemicals were. With new technology, scientists led by Julian Fairey at the University of Arkansas have identified one of these mystery chemicals.

They discovered that this chemical appears in the water at levels higher than what is usually considered safe. This is worrying because it could be harmful, but no one has tested it yet to see if it's dangerous to our health.

The team that discovered this is urging others to study how toxic this new chemical might be. They want to make sure our drinking water is as safe as possible.

Finding chloronitramide anion makes people think twice about using chloramines in water treatment. This discovery shows why it's important to keep checking and updating how we clean our water. It helps make sure our water stays safe to drink and keeps our health protected.

Source: scimex.org

WEIGHT LOSS

As many as 1 in 5 People Won't Lose Weight With GLP-1 Drugs, Experts Say

Danielle Griffin, a 38-year-old IT worker from New Mexico, was excited to try weight loss drugs called Ozempic and Wegovy. She got them with a prescription and her health insurance helped with the cost. But after a year and a half, she only lost 13 pounds, even though she followed all the advice. This was really disappointing for her.

Doctors say that while these drugs have helped many people lose a lot of weight, about 20% of users might not see much change. These medications, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by copying a hormone that controls hunger and weight. But not everyone's body reacts the same way. Things like genetics, other health issues, and even some medications can affect how well these drugs work.

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert, says that people respond differently to these drugs. Some might lose a lot of weight, but others might not lose much at all. It can be upsetting, especially when you expect great results.

Dr. Katherine Saunders says that if one drug doesn’t work, another might. After limited success with Wegovy, Griffin switched to a similar drug called Zepbound and started to lose weight slowly.

Doctors recommend using these drugs along with changes in diet and exercise. It’s also important to have other plans and a doctor who knows how to treat obesity well. So, if the first treatment doesn’t work, there are still other options to try.

Source: apnews.com

HEALTH

'Forever Chemicals' Linked to Gut and Kidney Damage in Young Adults

A new study reveals that "forever chemicals" might harm young adults' kidneys by messing up their gut health. PFAS are chemicals in many everyday products. They are in food packaging, non-stick pans, and some furniture. They are called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down easily in the environment or our bodies.

Researchers found nearly everyone has PFAS in their blood. This is concerning. These chemicals are linked to health issues, including liver and thyroid problems, obesity, and some cancers. The latest research looks at how PFAS affect the gut microbiome, which is the group of microbes living in our digestive systems. Changes in this microbiome could lead to kidney damage.

The study involved 78 young adults, ages 17 to 22, mainly from Hispanic backgrounds who are more at risk for chronic kidney disease. The team checked blood and stool samples to see how much PFAS was in their bodies and how it affected their gut microbiome. They found that those with higher PFAS levels had worse kidney function over time. This was due to a decrease in helpful anti-inflammatory bacteria and an increase in harmful inflammatory ones.

The study was small. But, its findings are important. They highlight the dangers of PFAS. They show a need for policies to reduce our exposure to these harmful chemicals.

Source: euronews.com

Prolonged Standing at Work Can Have a Negative Impact on People’s 24-hour Blood Pressure. Researchers Recommend Taking Breaks From Standing During the Work Day, Either by Walking Every Half an Hour or Sitting for Some Parts of the Day

Standing too long at work might be doing more harm than good to your blood pressure. A recent study showed that workers who stand a lot have higher blood pressure over a full day and night compared to those who sit more often. Regular exercise, like brisk walking or cycling, is great for lowering blood pressure. But, being on your feet all day at work doesn't count the same way.

Researchers found that leisure-time activities are much better for heart health than standing or moving at work. Those can stress your heart and blood vessels. During the study, workers wore devices that tracked their movement and checked their blood pressure every 30 minutes for 24 hours. The results showed that high blood pressure can stiffen blood vessels and make the heart work harder. This is especially true if it doesn't drop at night. This long-term stress can lead to serious heart problems.

To help, experts suggest mixing up your day with sitting, standing, and walking. If you use a standing desk, it’s wise to take regular breaks to sit down or walk around every half hour.

For those with desk jobs, it's also crucial to be active in your free time. Active leisure, like gym workouts, swimming, or walking, boosts fitness. It also eases the strain of work.

In summary, work, take breaks, and exercise after work. It can lower your blood pressure and improve your heart health.

Source: utu.fi

✢ 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.