Good morning. In today’s edition:

• America Has an Onion Problem

• Compounded Semaglutide Associated With at Least 10 Deaths, Novo Nordisk CEO Warns

• Learning CPR  on Manikins Without Breasts Puts Women’s Lives at Risk, Study Finds

• How You Sleep Could Raise Cardiovascular Disease Risk by 26% | Going to Bed and Waking Up at Inconsistent Times Has Been Associated With High Blood Pressure, Obesity, and Other Metabolic Disorders

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

America Has an Onion Problem

Onions are usually seen as a safe choice in the kitchen. Onions were thought to prevent foodborne illnesses. Their natural properties and a special drying process, called curing, were believed to keep them safe. In contrast, cucumbers can carry Salmonella and peaches can have Listeria. Historically, they've been pretty harmless: from 1998 to 2013, only 161 people got sick from onions, while over 7,000 were sickened by leafy greens.

However, onions are now under the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Recently, McDonald's had to stop selling its Quarter Pounders in some states. Why? At least 90 people got sick from eating them. The cause? It seems to be slivered onions tainted with E. coli. This isn't a one-time thing, either. Since 2020, onions have been linked to four major outbreaks across the states, making at least 2,337 people sick.

Leafy greens still lead in causing sickness, with eight outbreaks affecting 844 people in the same period, but the sudden increase in onion-related illnesses is worrying. What's changed? No one is quite sure yet, but this shift puts onions in a new, unwelcome category of risky foods.

It's a reminder that even foods we consider safe can sometimes turn against us, highlighting the ongoing challenges in ensuring food safety. This onion issue has left many wondering: what can be done to prevent this in the future? As investigations continue, everyone from farmers to fast food chains will need to keep a close watch on our once-trusted vegetable.

Source: theatlantic.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Compounded Semaglutide Associated With at Least 10 Deaths, Novo Nordisk CEO Warns

Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, CEO of Novo Nordisk, warns of the dangers of using non-approved versions of semaglutide. This drug is found in medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy, which are used to treat diabetes and obesity. Compounded semaglutide is a version made by some pharmacies. It is not the same as the official product from Novo Nordisk.

Recent information has linked these unofficial drugs to at least 100 hospital stays and 10 deaths. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not confirmed that the compounded semaglutide caused these problems. The FDA and health experts have long warned that drugs made by pharmacies can be risky. These drugs are not checked as closely as FDA-approved drugs, and sometimes they use different ingredients.

Compounded semaglutide has become more common because there has been a shortage of the official drugs, semaglutide and a similar compound, tirzepatide. This shortage has led to more pharmacies making their own versions.

Novo Nordisk hopes the shortage will end soon. The FDA is trying to figure out if there is enough semaglutide to meet the needs in the United States. They want to make sure that patients are safe. Novo Nordisk and the FDA both care a lot about the health of patients and are working to solve this issue.

Source: edition.cnn.com

HEALTH

Learning CPR  on Manikins Without Breasts Puts Women’s Lives at Risk, Study Finds

CPR training saves lives, but a new study shows a big problem: most CPR manikins don't have breasts. This issue can make people less ready to perform CPR on women, putting their lives in danger.

Dr. Rebecca Szabo from the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne led this research. Her team looked at 20 manikins and found that nearly all had flat chests. This lack of variety in manikins is worrisome because past research shows that women are less likely to get CPR from strangers in public. Some people feel awkward about touching a woman's chest to give CPR.

This situation is serious. Women are not only less likely to get help quickly but also less likely to survive a heart attack. Dr. Szabo explains that CPR is the same for men and women, but having manikins that show different body types could help people feel more comfortable in real emergencies.

Also, things like where to place defibrillator pads can change if a woman has breast implants or larger breasts. That's why it's important for training manikins to be more like real people.

Dr. Szabo’s study is calling for more diverse CPR manikins. She wants manufacturers and training programs to help make this change. This isn’t just about better training; it’s about treating everyone equally and improving health care for women.

Source: theguardian.com

How You Sleep Could Raise Cardiovascular Disease Risk by 26% | Going to Bed and Waking Up at Inconsistent Times Has Been Associated With High Blood Pressure, Obesity, and Other Metabolic Disorders

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential, but did you know that when you sleep might be just as important? A recent study found that varying your sleep schedule could raise your heart disease risk by 26%.

The study involved over 72,000 people aged 40 to 79. They all wore activity trackers for a week to monitor their sleep habits. Researchers then used this data to rate their sleep patterns. They used a scale called the sleep regularity index (SRI).

The results showed that irregular sleep times raised the risk of serious heart issues, like heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes. Surprisingly, even people who slept the recommended amount of 7-8 hours a night were at risk if their sleep schedule varied too much.

Why does this matter? Your heart health depends not just on how much you sleep, but also on keeping a regular sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can help lower your risk of heart disease.

This finding suggests that doctors and public health guidelines should focus more on the importance of regular sleep schedules. Further studies will explore if making sleep times more consistent can improve heart health. It turns out, sticking to a sleep routine could be a simple way to protect your heart.

Source: newatlas.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.