Good morning. In today’s edition:

• McDonald's Deadly E. Coli Outbreak Has Now Sickened More Than 100 People

• Doctors Worry About RFK Jr’s Anti-Ozempic Stance (and Many of His Other Views)

• Want to Live an Extra 5 Years? Those Over 40 Should Exercise Like This Every Day, Researchers Say

• Type 2 Diabetes Linked to Accelerated Brain Shrinkage | According to a Decades-long Trial That Began in 1995, Those With Type 2 Diabetes Lost Significantly More White Matter Compared to Those Without a Metabolic Disease, and This Group Ultimately Faced a 41% Higher Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

McDonald's Deadly E. Coli Outbreak Has Now Sickened More Than 100 People

A recent E. coli outbreak connected to onions in McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers has made 104 people sick in 14 states. This serious situation has led to 34 people being hospitalized. Sadly, an 88-year-old man in Colorado has died because of it.

The problem began in late September, with new cases reported until October 21. McDonald's had to stop using the onions in their burgers for a while. After making sure the beef was safe, they started serving the burgers again without onions.

Health officials took samples from McDonald's stores and their onion supply. They found some onions with E. coli, but not the type causing this outbreak. McDonald's then changed to a new onion supplier.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now says there's no more risk from eating at McDonald's. The restaurants have gone back to serving Quarter Pounders with onions from this new supplier in about 900 locations.

Anyone who feels really sick after eating a McDonald's Quarter Pounder should see a doctor. Signs of an E. coli infection include strong stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Most people get better in about a week without needing medical help. If you have severe symptoms, it’s important to get medical care.

Source: cbsnews.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Doctors Worry About RFK Jr’s Anti-Ozempic Stance (and Many of His Other Views)

Doctors worry about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s health ideas. They are especially concerned about his doubts about Ozempic, a drug for obesity and diabetes. Kennedy, possibly the next Health Secretary, disagrees with common medical advice.

On a TV show, Kennedy criticized drug use in America. He wrongly said that Europe doesn't market drugs like Ozempic. He also incorrectly linked these drugs to suicide, even though European health officials disagree.

Kennedy believes that better nutrition can fix America's obesity and diabetes. He suggests that providing healthy meals to everyone could quickly and cheaply solve these issues.

However, experts say Kennedy's view is too simple. They argue that medicines like Ozempic are vital. Diet alone can't always solve health problems. Doctors Michael Osterholm and Jody Dushay, well-known in the medical field, say Kennedy's plan lacks evidence and oversimplifies the treatment of obesity.

Kennedy's opinions are part of his larger, controversial stance on health. He is also known for his strong anti-vaccine views. He wants to stop adding fluoride to water. Both views go against years of scientific research and health practices.

Doctors are worried about what could happen if Kennedy influences national health policies. They fear his views could conflict with proven treatments. This may harm public health efforts.

Source: independent.co.uk

HEALTH

Want to Live an Extra 5 Years? Those Over 40 Should Exercise Like This Every Day, Researchers Say

Would you like to live five more years? New research suggests that if people over 40 exercise like the most active 25% of Americans, they could extend their lives significantly.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine looked at adults 40 and older. It found that more exercise could lead to a longer life. The research isn't perfect—it can't say for sure that more exercise is the only reason for living longer—but it does show a strong link.

The study says that the most active people walk about 160 minutes each day at a normal speed, about 3 miles per hour. If everyone over 40 did this, the average person could live from 78.6 years to almost 84 years.

If people who aren’t very active started walking an extra 111 minutes each day, they could add nearly 11 years to their lives.

Walking is also great for avoiding diseases. Another study showed that walking just 11 minutes a day could lower the risk of heart problems, strokes, and some cancers.

Popular walking trends like the "hot girl walk" and "fart walk" have made more people interested in walking for health.

So, if you’re over 40 and want a longer, healthier life, putting on your walking shoes could be a great start.

Source: cbsnews.com

Type 2 Diabetes Linked to Accelerated Brain Shrinkage | According to a Decades-long Trial That Began in 1995, Those With Type 2 Diabetes Lost Significantly More White Matter Compared to Those Without a Metabolic Disease, and This Group Ultimately Faced a 41% Higher Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment

As we get older, our brains naturally lose some tissue. However, a study starting in 1995 has found that people with type 2 diabetes lose brain tissue faster than those without it. This study tracked brain changes to understand cognitive decline. It's when brain function worsens over time.

People with type 2 diabetes had a lot more loss of white matter, which is the part of the brain that has nerve fibers. This raised their risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by 41%. MCI can lead to serious memory problems, like dementia.

The study also found that having markers for dementia in your spinal fluid raises the risk of brain issues. If someone has both diabetes and these dementia markers, their risk is even higher.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University ran this long study. They discovered that the health of the white matter in your brain is very important for keeping your mind sharp as you age. This suggests that managing diabetes might help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias later in life.

The study mostly included well-educated white people with a family history of dementia. Its findings are still important. They show that controlling diabetes is not only good for overall health but might also help protect our brains as we grow older.

Source: sciencealert.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.