12/01/25 - #533

Author

Health Horizon. Herald Staff
December 01, 2025

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Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Vegetable Recall Issued Highest Consumer Risk Warning

  • Losing Inches But Not Weight Loss?

  • Coffee May Protect Against Irregular Heartbeats

  • FDA Approves New Menopause Drug Without Hormones. Here's What to Know

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Vegetable Recall Issued Highest Consumer Risk Warning

A recall has been issued for 474 cases of bulk Italian parsley because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. The parsley was sent to wholesalers in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, and Ohio between September 22 and 25, 2025.

The FDA has given this a Class I recall—the most serious kind. This means the product could cause serious health problems or even death if eaten.

Why It Matters Salmonella is a harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning. People can get sick with fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms usually start within three days and may last up to a week. Older adults, young children, and those with weak immune systems are most at risk.

What to Look For The parsley was sold in:

  • Bunches of 30 or 60 with twist ties. Look for UPC code 4069580125 on the tie.

  • Bags with 24 bunches. These have UPC code 4069580120 on the tie.

If you have any parsley with these codes, throw it away or return it to the store for a full refund.

No illnesses have been reported so far. Pacific International Marketing, the company that sold the parsley, is working with the FDA and has contacted the businesses that received the product.

Bottom Line: Check your parsley. If it matches the codes, do not eat it. Stay safe and protect your health. When in doubt, throw it out.

WEIGHT LOSS

Losing Inches But Not Weight Loss?

If your clothes are getting looser but the scale won’t budge, don’t worry — that’s actually a good sign.

When people first start eating healthier or following a plan like keto or intermittent fasting, they often lose a lot of water weight. That’s why you may drop several pounds quickly at first. But once that water is gone, the weight loss may slow down — even though your body is still changing.

Real fat loss is slower. Most people over 45 can expect to lose about half a pound of fat per week. That’s completely normal, especially if your metabolism has slowed due to years of dieting or health issues.

And here’s the kicker: you may be gaining lean muscle while losing fat. Muscle weighs more than fat, but it also takes up less space. That means your waist, hips, and thighs can shrink — even if the number on the scale doesn’t move much.

This is especially true with keto and fasting, which may boost growth hormone, a key player in fat-burning and muscle-protection.

So instead of focusing only on your weight, pay attention to how your clothes fit or measure your waist. If you're losing inches, your plan is working. Stick with it.

It takes time to rebuild a healthy metabolism, but progress is happening — even if the scale doesn’t show it yet.

Disclaimer: Always talk to your doctor before starting any new diet or health plan.

HEALTH

Coffee May Protect Against Irregular Heartbeats

Drinking a daily cup of coffee might help protect your heart—especially if you’ve had atrial fibrillation (A-fib), a common heart rhythm disorder that can lead to stroke or heart failure.

A new study called the DECAF trial looked at whether drinking coffee affects the return of A-fib. The study included 200 adults—average age 70—from the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Some drank at least one cup of caffeinated coffee per day, while others stopped completely.

After six months, researchers found that those who kept drinking coffee were less likely to have a return of A-fib. About 47% of coffee drinkers had a recurrence, compared to 64% of non-drinkers. Coffee drinkers also went longer before having another episode.

Doctors once thought caffeine might trigger heart flutters or palpitations, but this study suggests otherwise—at least in people whose A-fib is under control.

Experts say a cup of coffee per day appears safe for most people with a history of A-fib. However, results may not apply to people currently having A-fib episodes. Drinking too much caffeine—like energy drinks or several cups a day—may still be risky.

Researchers don’t yet know why coffee helps. It could be caffeine, or it might be anti-inflammatory compounds in the coffee itself.

If you already enjoy your morning brew, this study suggests you may not need to stop. But as always, talk to your doctor before making any changes to your routine.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor.

FDA Approves New Menopause Drug Without Hormones. Here's What to Know

A new option for treating hot flashes during menopause has just been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The drug, called Lynkuet (LIN-kew-et), is taken once a day and does not contain hormones. This is important news for women who cannot or prefer not to use hormone therapy.

Lynkuet works by calming a part of the brain that helps control body temperature. Falling estrogen levels during menopause can confuse this part of the brain, leading to sudden hot flashes and trouble sleeping. Lynkuet targets this pathway, reducing both the number and intensity of hot flashes.

In clinical trials involving more than 2,000 women, those who took Lynkuet had about 55% fewer hot flashes after 12 weeks. Many also reported better sleep and feeling more rested.

This drug may also help women with breast cancer who cannot take hormones. In a separate study, Lynkuet reduced hot flashes caused by cancer treatments, while also improving sleep.

Common side effects include tiredness, headache, and sleepiness. Some women had small changes in liver enzymes, so the FDA recommends blood tests before and after starting the pill. Pregnant women or those planning to get pregnant should not take it.

Lynkuet will be available in U.S. pharmacies starting November 2025. It may cost about $625 per month, but with insurance or savings programs, some may pay as little as $25.

This new pill gives women another way to manage menopause without using hormones.

Talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you.

✢ 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.